A story of patience

Once upon a time, a young woman named Elizabeth lived in a small village nestled in the rolling hills of the countryside. Elizabeth had been suffering from a mysterious illness for many years, and despite her fervent prayers and the recitation of countless verses from the Bible, her healing did not happen right away. She grew weary and discouraged, wondering why God had not answered her pleas for relief.

One day, a wise old man from a neighboring village came to visit Elizabeth. He sat by her bedside and listened to her story, nodding thoughtfully as she recounted her struggles. The old man gently took her hand and said, “My dear, sometimes healing does not come in the way we expect. It may not happen right away, but that does not mean it will never come.”

Elizabeth was puzzled by his words, but she felt a glimmer of hope stirring within her. The old man continued, “Have faith, my child, and trust in the power of God’s love. Keep reciting the verses from the Bible, for they hold the key to unlocking the healing you seek. But remember, healing is a journey, not a destination.”

With renewed determination, Elizabeth began to recite the verses from the Bible with a newfound sense of purpose. Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, but still, her healing did not happen right away. However, Elizabeth’s faith never wavered, and she found solace in the words of the wise old man.

One fateful day, as Elizabeth sat by her window watching the sun set over the hills, a warm sensation washed over her body. She felt a surge of energy and vitality coursing through her veins, and suddenly, she knew that her healing had finally arrived. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she thanked God for his mercy and grace.

From that day on, Elizabeth lived a life filled with gratitude and purpose, knowing that sometimes healing may not happen right away with verses, but with patience, faith, and perseverance, miracles can indeed come to pass. And so, the village of Elizabeth became known far and wide as a place where the power of God’s love and the strength of the human spirit could overcome any obstacle.

Charity

Charity, as described in the KJV Bible, is a divine commandment that surpasses mere acts of benevolence or compassion. The Scriptures exhibit an unwavering emphasis on selfless love for others, promoting charity as the highest virtue to cultivate. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Paul makes clear the attributes of true charity – patience, kindness, humility, bearing all things – traits that transcend personal gain and solicit disinterested good towards fellow beings. Jesus himself set the perfect example of charitable giving throughout his ministry by healing the sick and feeding the hungry. Luke 6:38 asserts that “Give, and it shall be given unto you,” emphasizing that charity not only benefits those in need but also creates a cycle of blessings for the giver. In Matthew 25:34-40, Christ extols philanthropy by declaring that acts of mercy towards the destitute are indeed acts done for Him. Charity is thus portrayed in a resolute light within the KJV Bible – an obligation which entails self-sacrifice and genuine concern for one’s neighbors.

Wisdom, Patience, Prayer

Title: Unveiling the Meaning of James 5: Wisdom, Patience, and the Power of Prayer

Introduction:
The book of James, nestled within the New Testament, offers profound insights on the importance of faith, wisdom, patience, and the power of prayer. In James 5, the author addresses various topics, including wealth, suffering, and the significance of prayer. This essay aims to delve into the meaning and significance of James 5, while incorporating relevant Bible verses to enhance our understanding.

Paragraph 1: The Power of Patience
James encourages his readers to exercise patience in the face of suffering and tribulations. He asserts in James 5:7, “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.” This verse highlights that just as a farmer waits for the harvest seasons, believers must also remain patient, knowing that God’s promise of deliverance will manifest in due time.

Paragraph 2: Examples of Endurance
Drawing inspiration from the perseverance of old testament prophets, James urges his audience to endure suffering faithfully. In James 5:10, he states, “Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.” This verse reminds believers that those who have gone before us faced trials yet maintained resilience, providing a model for modern Christians to follow.

Paragraph 3: Integrity in Speech
Addressing the community of believers, James emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in speech. James 5:12 declares, “Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No.'” This verse urges believers to cultivate a lifestyle of authenticity, making their words trustworthy and reliable.

Paragraph 4: The Healing Power of Prayer
James believes in the profound efficacy of prayer, particularly when interceding for the sick. James 5:14-15 states, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well.” This passage underscores the importance of communal prayer and highlights the divine healing that can result from fervent intercession.

Paragraph 5: Confession and Forgiveness
James advocates for confession of sins within the Christian community, as a pathway toward healing and restoration. In James 5:16, he states, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” This verse highlights the power of vulnerability, unity, and the freedom found in honest repentance.

Paragraph 6: Elijah’s Example of Prayer
James invokes the story of the prophet Elijah to demonstrate the profound effect of earnest prayer. In James 5:17-18, he shares, “Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” By referring to Elijah’s prayers, James encourages believers to understand the potency and transformative nature of prayer.

Paragraph 7: Restoring the Believer
James emphasizes the importance of caring for one another’s spiritual well-being. In James 5:19-20, he states, “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” This passage emphasizes the responsibility of believers to help restore fellow believers who have strayed from the path of truth.

Conclusion:
The fifth chapter of James provides invaluable lessons for the contemporary Christian community. From the power of patience and the examples of endurance to the significance of prayer, honesty, and confession, James imparts timeless wisdom. By reflecting on these teachings, believers can deepen their understanding of faith, find comfort during trials, and strengthen their relationship with God and one another.

Kindness

In the image below, the man doesn’t know that there is a snake underneath. The woman doesn’t know that there is a stone crushing the man. The woman thinks: “I will fall! And I can’t climb because the snake will bite me! Why can’t the man use a little more strength and pull me up!” The man thinks, “I am in so much pain! Yet I’m still pulling you as much as I can you try to climb a little harder?”The moral is—you can’t see the pressure the other person is under, and the other person can’t see the pain you’re in. This is life, whether it’s with work, family, feelings, or friends, we should try to understand each other. Learn to think differently, perhaps more clearly, and communicate better. A little thought and patience will go a long way.

Be kind to people. Everyone we meet is fighting their own battle.

Dealing with difficult people

What does the Bible say about dealing with difficult people?

Difficult people are everywhere. Hostile, rude, mean, selfish, impatient, uncaring, and worse (Romans 1:29–31; 2 Timothy 3:1–4; Galatians 5:19–21; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11). What may be shocking to many of us is that we have and can act the same as these people. Are we always hostile, rude, mean, selfish, impatient, and uncaring? No, but we all have the seeds of all such attitudes in our hearts (Matthew 15:19; Jeremiah 17:9). Therefore, the first step in helping us deal with difficult people is understanding that we are not better than such people by nature (Ephesians 2:1–3). We live in a fallen world filled with sinful people. We must remind ourselves of this fact so that we are not surprised when we encounter difficult people, or when we find ourselves being a difficult person.  If we have received Jesus Christ, then we are forgiven for these sinful attitudes and behaviors. When we find ourselves displaying such attitudes and behaviors, we confess to God and trust that He has already forgiven us and will cleanse us (1 John 1:8–9). We make amends when possible and seek to live differently. God’s forgiveness of our difficultness/sinfulness is the basis for how we are to respond to difficult people, which is with grace.  As believers in Christ our mandate is not to get even or return evil for evil but to return evil with good (Romans 12:19–21). We are called to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:43–45). This may seem impossible, and in our own power it is impossible. However, with God working in us it is possible (Matthew 19:26).  To return evil with good may chafe at our sense of justice, and sometimes rightly so. However, we must remember that it is God’s role to mete out justice. We are to leave the matter in God’s hands and trust that He will judge justly (Romans 12:19). Most importantly, we must realize that we have not received what we deserve from God but have received mercy and unmerited favor instead. While we were hostile and at enmity with God, He sent His Son to die for our sins (Romans 5:6–8; Ephesians 2:1–10). Jesus, even while He was being persecuted, prayed for His tormentors (Luke 23:34).  As a point of clarity, it is not wrong to involve legal authorities. Criminal behavior is not what we are referring to when we talk about “difficult people.” Social authorities have been put in place by God to uphold the law, and it is not wrong to use them (Romans 13:1–7). However, we are not to seek societal justice out of vengeance. Similarly, depending on the difficult behavior, it is not wrong to involve church authorities. Matthew 18:15–20 outlines the proper procedure for addressing grievances among church members. Again, the intent is not to seek vengeance, but to bring about peace.  As believers in Christ we are indwelt by the Spirit of God who produces the attitudes of love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience, forbearance), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). Therefore, we are to pray to be filled with the Spirit and to keep in step with the Spirit, and not grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30; 5:18; Galatians 5:25). If we are to respond to difficult people with grace and love, we must depend upon and draw upon the power of God’s Spirit. When we become angry and return evil with evil, we must quickly confess our sin and ask God for the grace to imitate Jesus Christ and show ourselves to be sons and daughters of our merciful Father (Luke 6:36). If we refuse to love our enemies then we are imitating not our Heavenly Father, but the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21–35). It is in our eternal best interest to imitate the former and not the latter. How can we who have received such grace and forgiveness from God refuse to show the same to others?  Often it is simple to know how we should act toward difficult people, but it can be quite a challenge to do so in our daily lives. The Proverbs have some excellent practical advice. For example, Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” We can memorize this verse and, when confronted by a difficult person, attempt to respond with gentleness. You might be surprised how the situation de-escalates. Proverbs 12:16 says, “The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.” Rather than take insults personally and respond with immediate offense, we can learn to simply ignore them. Proverbs 20:3 says, “It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.” Titus 3:9 has similar encouragement to “avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” Proverbs 17:14 similarly encourages ending quarrels before they begin. We can remind ourselves of the things that really matter and remember that some quarrels are simply pointless. There is no use getting entangled with a difficult person when the end result is “unprofitable and worthless.”  In some situations, it is best to try to avoid certain difficult people altogether. Proverbs 22:24–25 says, “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.” First Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.'” As much as we are able, we should make friendships with those who are seeking to honor God the same way we are. We are also called to live peaceably with others as far as we are able (Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14).  We can be proactive in dealing with difficult people by reading and even memorizing God’s Word to give us the right perspective on life. His Word tells us that all people are made in His image (Genesis 1:26). When we view others as image-bearers, we may find it easier to bear with them. We can also recognize that dealing with difficult people is a trial that God can use to produce good things in us. For example, see how Romans 5:3–5 and James 1:2–5 address trials and hardships.  Dealing with difficult people becomes easier when we seek to exhibit empathy for others. We know that we ourselves can be difficult, particularly when tired or stressed or hungry. How would we want to be treated in such situations? Matthew 7:12 talks about doing unto others as we want them to do unto us. James 2:8 talks about loving others as we love ourselves. First Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (see also Proverbs 10:12). As we proactively seek to love one another, we will be more able to forgive offenses and deal with difficulties in a way that honors God.  Difficult people are often difficult as a result of their own pain. Seeing difficult people as those who are hurting and in need of Christ’s touch can encourage us to forgive them. We can also pray for their healing. Perhaps in showing them kindness their hearts will be softened to Christ.  At times we will need to confront a difficult person or point out challenging inter-personal behaviors. This will hopefully help them stop inflicting damage on others around them as well as aid them in their own spiritual growth. Christians are called to speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). This means that we speak truth because we love and also do so from a heart of love. Truth can sometimes be hard to share and hard to receive, but we speak it with grace out of love for others. If the difficult person in our life is an unbeliever, we share the truth of the gospel with them as well.  Dealing with difficult people requires prayer and the power of God. When we know we are going to encounter a difficult person, we should pray beforehand. Ask for God’s wisdom and His strength to respond well. Pray for the person and for God’s work in his or her life. Remind yourself of some of the biblical truths shared here. Then seek to love as best as you can. Take any frustrations or emotional pain from your interaction with the difficult person straight to God and seek His healing and comfort.  An article from Compelling Truth magazine.