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Devotional for the week – 4 August 2008 Sermon Title: Is Anyone There? 13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord 15 and the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective…. 19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his ways will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. Christians must acknowledge we are weak and fallible! We need fellowship with one another and we all have a duty to look out for one another. Today’s passage talks about the body of Christ, that we are a family of believers and not lone warriors. The church is made up of people and relationships and is not about religious techniques or efficiency. Churches comprise people who are not trouble free. On the outside, few look as if they have any problems. However, many are feeling vulnerable, some are sick and those who have terminal illnesses may be fearful of death and feeling anxious and helpless, some have committed grave sins and are guilt-ridden, others carry around with them past sins and there are also many who are depressed and on the brink of giving up. It is normal to face difficulties. The Bible tells us that we are a fallen people and that we are all sinners saved by grace. Isaiah 53:3 tells us that Christ came as “a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering”. Christ can relate to our sufferings. Churches comprise people who need each other. We are made for community and we know this as the Bible tells us that we are made in the image of God. God is Trinity, and likewise, the Bible tells us that where 2 or 3 are gathered in God’s name, there He will be also. In 1 Corinthians12, we are told that as the body of Christ, we should have concern for each other. We should be a confidant to those who need quiet counsel. For those who are more mature, help those who are younger to be accountable. Pray for your brother or sister in Christ. If you know a fellow Christian is suffering, be ready to talk to him or her about his/her fears, help remind them of the Bible’s promises, pray with them and continue to encourage them by following up. Your aid should not be a one time deal. There is no need for you to be perfect Christian or to live a perfect life before you are able to help a fellow Christian in need. Remember what Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 tells us - “Two are better than one…good return for their work but pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” Do not wait till trials come along before looking around for help and asking “is anyone there?” Start today by building relationships with your Christian family and learn to grow in trust and love. Be comfortable enough with each other to confess your fears and failures and accept your fellow Christian brother and sister and be there for them through thick and thin. Joining a care group is an excellent place to start. Prayer response: Dear God, thank you for today’s message. I pray for sensitivity to know when a fellow brother and sister-in-Christ is in need of help. I pray for courage and determination to reach out to him or her. Help me be your representative and speak your words of wisdom, comfort, assurance and encouragement. Amen Devotional based on a sermon by Rev. Lim Jen Huat
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