Monday, July 8, 2013

Confession, Healing




 “Therefore confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed.
    The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16 (NIV)



James advises his readers to confess their shortcomings to each other. At one time, certain holiness denominations had ‘class’ meetings in which the leader would ask questions of the members to see if they were living as close to the Lord as they could. As time progressed, at least one of the denominations got away from the practice.
Several years ago, I taught a teen Sunday school class. I kept hearing words of two of the young boys. My response to what I heard was that God holds us responsible for any casual words we have used. One of the younger boys replied that what they were saying wasn't bad. Our younger generations don’t seem to know what sin is. On another occasion, one of the young teens used a word that I find offensive. I chose to ask one of the older boys to explain to the younger boy why I found the word choice inappropriate.

This is s a complete turnaround from my teen years in church. I remember our youth group discussing “What is Sin?” Of course, we never quite got it right.(Hmm, that sounds like Job’s friends.) I believe I will mention this memory to our pastor and his assistant to see what they think would happen if our teens would be asked this question.
We ask God to heal our land, as He has promised in 2 Chronicles 7:14. But we have to do what He tells us before He tells us what He will complete the work. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

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4 comments:

  1. Oh Cecelia, that scripture is so powerful! We see that happening all the time... confessions, forgiveness, healing... WONDERFUL!

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    1. Thank you, Marja. At our church, we are getting ready for a Big Tent Revival the end of this month. A lot of us have been praying for God to pour out his Spirit on our county,city, neighborhoods, and our own hearts,

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  2. Love the new look of your blog!

    It's easy to rejoice at God's promises and ignore the conditions placed upon them. How many of us are willing to humble ourselves, pray, and turn from our wicked ways so that our land can be healed? Hmm. Something to consider.

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    1. Thank you, Susan. Each day, I see needs that can only be met by God being in people's hearts. In Indy, a teenage boy got shot on July 4th. Since then, a relative-teenage boy- got shot. This family has to go through two funerals and that grief process for both young men.

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