How May I Help by Kirk Wells

James 5:16: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Observation: Is it so hard to confess our sins? I think its hard to confess sin because I've more than likely condemned someone else for theirs. Nobody wants to feel condemned! And that's exactly what we do if we don't pray and have concern for others that share their struggles with us. We should look at every sin (whether our own or someone else's) as an offence to God that might keep us from entering the Kingdom of heaven. I don't know about you, but I've not met anyone I've wanted to see cast into hell, or even to not be healed!

Application: I have to learn to trust my brothers in Christ to the point I can confess my sins and even my struggles. I hope they will pray for me and walk beside me with words of encouragement and wisdom. How powerful would we be if all our christian brothers and sisters would earnestly pray for each other instead of condemn and gossip behind each there backs. You know, like when we say. "I can't believe so and so did that!" I know only a fool would say, "That will never happen to me!"

Prayer: Heavenly Father I pray that you would put people in my life I can trust, and that will pray for me. People that have hearts that want to see all brothers and sisters healed and taken to haven. Help me Lord in all my relationships, in Jesus name I pray....A-men

Heroic Living by Bill Dorrenbacher Elder

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 - There was a man named Jabez who was more distinguished than any of his brothers. his mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. he was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and extend my lands. Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain." And God granted him his request.

Observation: Jabez prayed specifically to be protected from trouble and pain. We live in a fallen world filled with sin and it is important to ask God to keep us safe from the unavoidable evil that comes our way. But we also must avoid evil motives, desires and actions that begin within us. Therefore we must not only seek God's protection from evil, but we must also ask God to guard our thoughts and actions. We can begin using His protection by filling our mind with positive thoughts and actions.

Application: Jabez is remembered for a prayer request rather than a heroic act. In his prayer Jabez asked Go to: 1) Bless him, 2) Help him in his work (extend my lands), 3) Be with him in all he did, and 4) Keep him from trouble and pain. Jabez acknowledged God as the true center of his work. When we pray for God's blessing we should also ask Him to take His rightful position as Lord over our work, over our family, time, and our recreation. Obeying Him in daily responsibilities is heroic living.

Prayer: Heavenly Father you are holy and I ask and invite you to be the center of my life, work, family, time, business and recreation. It is my desire that you take your rightful position as Lord of my life in Jesus name....A-men

A Light for Christ by Jennifer Sewell Children's Minstry Leader

Scripture: For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Observation: Paul tell us to let our light shine for Jesus Christ, let it shine even in the darkness of this world. Let this light shine to let others see it even if it is hard. Because sharing Jesus and His light to others is our calling, our job.

Application: I like to remember this in my life when having a bad day. Show the light and love of Jesus to everyone no matter what. Who knows maybe the light I show will help get someone through their day.

Heavenly Father help me to be a light for you in any situation no matter what, help me to always show your light and love, in Jesus name.....A-men