Lara Landon leads us in this week’s devotional taken from James 5:16 about healing and freedom through Christ. Scroll down to see her encouragement about walking in the light & see how you can enter to win her new CD “Overcome!’
James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
We know for a fact that we have an enemy, and he wants to kill, steal and destroy us. And the best way that he does this is by keeping us in isolation, and keeping us ashamed, and keeping us from sharing what we’re dealing with to other believers who can then pray for us so that we may be healed, and it’s laid out so simply in this verse. The truth will set you free! –Lara
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Being in physical pain, homebound, & unable to even help at home is an isolation where I can easily feel alone & under attack. Worthlessness, loneliness, physical pain, & depression are my enemies. Sharing my problems with my spouse or a friend & with God help a lot. You realize you are not alone & that God is powerful enough to get you through each day.
Since my spouse cannot work, I struggle with trying to earn enough to supply our needs. I was laid off work recently for almost 2 years. We lost all our savings so things are very hard. Some bills are still unpaid. By talking to each other & praying & sharing with a few friends, we are reminded that God has never failed us yet. We are not getting ahead, but He always comes through at the very last minute proving He was watching us all the time.
God has been working on me this past year to make right what I sometimes allow to go wrong. There have been 3 instances where God asked me to go to someone and ask forgiveness. It’s a hard thing to do because of pride. Especially if it’s someone in authority over you. But in each of those instances (after a time) I obeyed and asked for forgiveness. In one instance, it allowed a wall I had built (to protect myself from my own sin) to come down. In another instance, there was a vulnerability and sorrow that could only come from God. Micah 7:9
Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath, until he pleads my case and upholds my cause. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.
To AVTSELLERS,
What a powerful word of encouragement, my friend.
I am blessed and corrected by your honest sharing.
This verse really shows that we need to not only confess our sins to God, but to each other. I have had a rough 2 years, but I have found so much peace and relief by telling trusted people what I’ve done. We also to pray with other believers to receive healing. My best friends mom was diagnosed with cancer May 2011. Her husband prayed for her every morning before he left for work. Another good friend (who was 17 at the time) felt he needed to pray for her in front of our whole church. 5 months later, she was completly healed from Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. That is the power of prayer! I have seen so many things resolved and done, just because God’s people, His children, got together to pray.
I love Lara’s heart <3
I been through a lot with my hubby and his drinking, family treating me like I am a nobody wanting to be part of a church but couldn’t find a way there. I have learned a lot for the past 3 years from listening to Lara’s music. And so I’ve gotten closer to God in ways I never thought I could ever go spiritually. So awesome. God is soo good. 🙂
I’ve seen this verse come alive in being able to talk to my friends about what I’ve done. Having someone to help keep you moving forward.
Lara’s topic is so very timely. It is so easy to “Fall”. If we have trusted people we can turn to for prayer this is so powerful. But the truth is, most people, even the ones who love you, want you to fail and mess up. So how can we turn to people for prayer and confession? I personally cannot. I know that is where the power is but I have been hurt to many times by friends” But maybe I will reach out one more time and trust a prayer partner.
I have seen the results of this verse in my own and other’s lives so many times.
Right where I am @ in needing 2 share w/ a groupi’ve been a part of about 3 months (Pillar of Fire Blog Spot). I recently isolated a bit instead of attending & was isolated (not as long as in the past – growth …. trust)…. In my mind I believe this is true & need 2 share more honestly from my heart ( deeper still) There has been healing … In revealing what’s on my heart & tears from my frozen heart which our Lord is healing one day @ a time! So grateful 4 His Presence no matter where I am …. He is there …. Walking in more honesty this day ….
This is such a fundamental Truth. I have struggled with different sin in my life and it really held me back, in my relationship with God, in my relationship with my family, and in my relationship with friends. The hardest ones are ones where you continue to fail over an over and you begin to beat yourself down and the more you dwell on it the harder it gets and the more walls that go up and the more sensitive and self-conscience you become…which destroys your relationships. Then one day you gain the courage to confess to a pastor or close friend…and the burden begins to lift and as you pray together…you do begin to heal and the relationship begins to be restored. The joy begins to return and with renewed strength and true accountability you begin to break free from the sin. It is the most freeing and amazing experience and you begin to really understand the Love of God…you begin to desire time with God again and time in His Word…and sure there are consequences for your sin that you stil have to live with…but you are able to face them with joy and trust in God’s infinite Grace and Mercy. You know He is there with you and that He is all you need.
This is so very true. I’ve experienced the freedom and weight that lifts off of me when I confess my sins to a pastor, family or friend. Keeping it secret only begins to isolate you from all of your relationships…especially God. Not be cause God moved away from me, but because I didn’t feel worthy to come before Him…I felt unclean…I felt the barrier there…and there was simliar tension with family and friends. Once I humbled myself…before God and my friends and family…and opened up about my struggles…there was healing and restoration of my relationships…and accountability to help me keep myself from the sins I had been committing. I still faced consequences for my sin…but now with a joy and renewed Grace and Mercy.
Not only does confessing sins allow for prayer and healing but it takes away the power that that sin holds. In my connection group, we’ve used this verse to remember to be sisters in Christ and share our struggles so that we may be there for anyone else who is struggling and ask for help and prayer. When we confess, we learn that we are in a place of support and not judgement. Alone we cannot stand but with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we can grow closer to God. This verse has been a huge help in not only growing closer to the girls in my connection group but growing closer to God. It tells us that asking for help is good and that we should go to God with our problems. It helps us keep walking on the right path with God.
I love Lara’s Heart too. She’s truely an awesome woman of God. And her music is powerful. And her video blogs are awesome. Just what I need to hear. 🙂
When I try to go it alone without the support and input of praying and bible reading believers, I make the worst mistakes.