Collinsville-Troy CHURCH OF CHRIST

James & the Great Blessing of Prayer

The Book of James has been called "The Book of Monday-through-Saturday-Religion." That's not a bad description, considering how very practical the teachings of its 108 verses are for our lives today. Especially refreshing and informative are its teachings on the subject of prayer. Take time to study the following notes.

James tells us the most fundamental principle of prayer. "Let him ask of God" (1:5). Prayer is not an empty communication into the air; it is speaking directly to the Creator and Sustainer of this universe (who is my Father!). How simple the thought- "You do not have because you do not ask" (4:2). But prayer is more than just asking for things. It is my greatest opportunity to "draw near to God" (4:8) and to "bless our God" (3:9). Oh, what a blessing!

James tells us when and for what we should pray. At the very beginning of his letter, James encourages us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God" (1:5). There's not a single one of us who does not need to beg for "the wisdom that is from above" (3:17). "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray" (5:13). While we might think our suffering is ever-present, it really is not. But God is ever-present, ready to be there with us and to strengthen us. Oh, what a blessing!

James tells us how we should pray. After telling us to ask of God, he says, "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting" (1:6). We need to put our unwavering trust in God. We do this when we "submit to God" (4:7), "humble [ourselves] in the sight of the Lord" (4:10), and pray with a heart that says, “If the Lord wills..." (4:15). If you do not approach the throne of grace in this manner, consider these words, "You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss" (4:3). Asking in faith—oh, what a blessing!

James tells us that prayer is powerful. The prophet Elijah is set forth as a great example of the power of prayer in the life of an ordinary man of God who "prayed earnestly" (5:17). The account of Elijah is used to illustrate this great point: "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (5:16). Prayer-oh, what a blessing! - David Sproule

-From the Great Smokey Mountain Messenger, 3078 Veterans Blvd. Pigeon Forge, TN
-https://bulletingoldextra.blogspot.com/search/label/Prayer

Unconditional Love

Clifton Angel

In the Greek, it is the word agape, which has nearly be-come an English word in the world of Biblical studies. The best definition from my finite mind for "unconditional love" is: doing or saying something beneficial for another, expecting nothing in return. It is sacrificial. A better definition is seen by its use in the New Testament. Let's consider also a passage from the Old Testament where the word is absent, but its meaning is exemplified.

First, unconditional love is the essence of God. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16). "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8). "God is love" (1 John 4:8, 16). Second, it is expressed by true disciples of Jesus. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matt 5:44).

Third, it is expected of Christian husbands. "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them" (Col 3:19). "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Eph 5:25).

Fourth, unconditional love was exemplified in the days of Daniel. Three Hebrew youths, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (more commonly known by their Babylonian names: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) were put in roles of leadership in Babylon following Daniel's interpretation of the king's dream (Daniel 2-3). King Nebuchadnezzar erected a statue of gold and made a decree for all to worship the statue (Daniel 3). The three Hebrew youths refused to do so, and so Nebuchadnezzar threatened them with death in a fiery furnace if they continued. Listen to their response to the king: "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up" (Daniel 3:17-18). What a tremendous love and faith these three men had for God. They had faith that he could and would save them from the fiery furnace; however, they loved God so much that they would still be faithful to Him, even if He did not save them from the fiery furnace. Do we love God that much?

He loves us that much, and more. So much more that He sent His only Son to save the world, knowing most of the world would reject Him. The sacrifice has been made. Will we love Him? Certainly, "He first loved us" (1 John 4:19)!

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS
-https://bulletingoldextra.blogspot.com/2026/07/unconditional-love.html