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Bring Back the Wanderer

 Well, Happy Saturday! Happy Snowmeggedon, so we hear. We had big family day plans today to head to Indy but we are changing that, not so much because of the snow earlier in the day but because of the temps. So instead, there are cinnamon rolls in the oven, games on the table and we can have a great family day right here. Carol and I leave early Monday morning (per the current flight time) for St. Louis. Honestly, it won't hurt my feelings if our flight gets delayed just a few hours and they tell us that on Sunday night, but I know God will take care of however it works out.

We are finishing James today! I am still torn between weather we are going to Philippians or Proverbs, but it is one of them. Hopefully I decide by next week BUT I will probably take a one week break as we are flying home next Saturday morning.

So, lets dig in.

James 5:19-20

19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Highlight= will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. Explain= Being a Christian is not just about knowing Christ is our Savior, it is about telling others that Christ is our Savior, and it is about trying to be a good example to others but it is VERY important that when we see a friend sliding in the wrong direction, we come along and take their hand and gently say, "Let's go this way". I am not claiming being an expert of this by any means, but I will tell you how I would want to be treated if I were straying away from God. Let me first say, we had a preacher that used to say, don't ever give the devil a ride, if you give him a ride, he will want to drive and if you let him drive, he is sure to go too far. It is paraphrased from an old gospel song but it is so true. Sometimes we stumble into sin and don't even realize we did. It wasn't on purpose, it could seriously start as something so little as buying a lottery ticket and the next thing you know, you are spending money you don't have gambling. And sometimes God puts friends in our way to be the physical presence to not scold or condemn but to say, I love you and I think you are getting in a spot you don't want to be in, let me help. I will never forget the true love shown to Robert the day he admitted he had a drinking problem and needed rehab. We had battled with it for a long time but he was feeling so much guilt and shame that he didn't want to go to rehab because he know our church family would have to know. Afterall, he is the Sunday School Superintendent and the sound guy. Everyone would know if he wasn't there. From day one, and starting with our pastor, they wrapped their arms around him and held him tight. We brought home two Walmart bags full of cards and letters. When Robert got out of rehab, he knew how he was going to be treated walking back into church. If those letters wouldn't have come, I really doubt he would have ever walked into church again. If his church family gave up on him, I am sure he would assume God did too. But he knew it wasn't the truth. Apply=This is so important in this lesson. Not one of those letters said, "You've got to straighten up", "You are doing things wrong", "You've got to stop this". Not one. They said, "I am praying for you", "We are here if you need us", "I know you can beat this with God on your side", "God's not done with you" and "Your mess, His message". So, please remember we are to first and foremost, LOVE one another. And if you truly love one another, you only want what is best for them. As a mom, watching your kid struggle with life is so hard. When they were little, there was basically nothing that you couldn't make better. As they get older, and the problems get bigger, there are things that are even out of a mom's control and it is the worst feeling in the world, but don't ever give up on them because truly a Christian mom is probably the closest thing to God walking the earth to a child, no matter how old they get. And as long as you don't give up, they know God isn't giving up either.  Respond= Dear Lord, help me be that friend that can help bring someone back to the fold, not to judge, but to love. Help me show we are all human and all sinners and there may come a time when they have to do the same for me. Let me love enough to know what to do.


Hope you all have a great, SAFE day! Love you all. 💓



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