Westerville Free Will Baptist Church

Pastor’s Pondering

James writes a whole letter on one subject – faith. This letter is very practical as it relates to how one lives out his faith. These six verses are faith building verses. James points to Elijah as an example of a man like you and me, who had enough faith to ask God to stop the rain. 3 1/2 years, no rain fell. Then, Elijah prayed again. God answered and rain fell once again. The point that James is making is that God hears the prayer of faith.

The interesting point is that James instructs those who are sick to call for the elders of the church. Why? Is it because when you are the one going through the sickness you need the help and the faith of others to get you through? There is boldness in numbers. But the sick man is not instructed to call for just anyone. He is instructed to call for the elders. Why? Because of all people who should be people of faith, it should be the elders.

It is an amazing thing to watch people going through sickness and instead of running to the church, they run from it. Why? First, pride plays a part. No one likes to admit that he is weak. Secondly, embarrassment plays a part. While it is true that embarrasment could be a result of pride, sometimes embarrasment is a result of the body looking different because of the toll that certain medical treatments or the illness itself may take on a person. Yet, in all of this the resounding instruction is “call for the elders”!

Do not overlook the simple instruction to pray.  How many times do you face a situation in life and rely on your own strength to get through it? That is not faith.

Fusion Fact

Prayer accesses the power of God to do all things.

Today’s Prayer

Father, you have called us to a life of faith. Yet, in stimes of struggle and sickness our weakness is exposed. We cannot face these on our own. You are our strength. You have given us the Church to strengthen and encourage one another. There are those among us who are sick. We lay them before You. Asking for Your grace and mercy to be poured out upon them. You are the Great Physician. No healing comes apart from Your touch upon their bodies. So, if You choose to touch them supernaturally, through the word of the medical staff or through death to receive their uptimate healing, we trust you. We desire that Your name be praised and Your glory to shine forth!

Amen

Pastor’s Ponderings

Not one of us are immune from tragedy. When it strikes we are shaken. Nearly eight years ago our family entered into a string of very difficult events. In 2004, our 21 hour old baby passed away after having been diagnosed with a birth defect which has a 100% fatality rate. In 2005, a young man who is not only my cousin but an American Hero lost his life in a helicopter crash in Iraq, Jonathan Edward Etterling. Then in 2006, my father in law unexpectantly passed away. Certainly, those three years of our lives were filled with trial and tragedy. Yet, though it all, there were people who were God’s people who prayed for us. It is their prayers that sustained us.

Fusion Fact

God will stregthen others through our prayers.

Prayer

Father, thank you for giving to us Your Son as our great high priest who is moved with compassion for us. A great high priest who offers grace and mercy to us in our time of need. During our most difficult days, you have responded to the prayers of your people. Lord, there are many in our church who are suffering trial and tragedy. As the great high priest, grant to them today the grace and mercy that they need so that their faith will not fail.

Amen!