United Church of God

Letter From Dan Preston - April 27, 2018

Letter From Dan Preston

April 27, 2018

Good evening brethren and Happy Sabbath!

A guy that gets me...

Tomorrow starts our Ladies Tea and Bible discussion group in Charlotte.  For their inaugural meeting, they will be diving into the book of James. When my wife first suggested this as their focal point for these discussions, I was excited.  While I can honestly say I don't have a 'favorite' book of the Bible, the book of James is one that I've always felt spoke to me directly. I feel like James is like that friend you might have that really 'gets you.'  That is to say, they really understand you, and you don't have to spend a lot of time trying to explain what it is you mean or feel when you're talking to them.

He's not the only one

While we all need that friend we can go to and talk easily without fear of judgement, it's important to remember that we all have that friend already.  Philippians 4:6 (NKJV) instructs us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."   God is the friend we can go to with anything, any time, any where, in prayer.

Another translation, the New International Readers Version (NIRV), which is designed to be understood at a 3rd grade level, translates it this way, "Don't worry about anything. No matter what happens, tell God about everything. Ask and pray, and give thanks to Him."  While I wouldn't use this translation for doctrinal reproof, I think it does a good job of relaying the meaning behind this verse at a very basic level. Perhaps it's appropriate that, when we are really stressed about a situation, we become a bit child-like, and have the direct kind of approach to prayer that this particular translation helps illustrate.

Say Anything

We've probably all had times when we were angry with God.  Perhaps even to the point where we had to go back and repent later on about how or what we said in prayer.  1 Timothy 2:8 (CEV), comes to mind, "I want everyone everywhere to lift innocent hands toward heaven and pray, without being angry or arguing with each other."

While we don't want to be disrespectful toward God, we should always be honest.  In doing so, we lift up 'innocent hands' to Him. If we're feeling upset, aggravated with life, or even aggravated with God, we should be able to talk to Him like that close friend you can say anything to.  Share your feelings, be open, and don't hold anything back. God is the friend you can always turn to, no matter what you are feeling!