Dear Friends,

Another big week almost gone.  Our lives get so busy.  I often wonder what kind of life Jesus would have lived if He came to earth now rather than when He did.  Its hard to tell isn't it.  Anyway, amidst the busyness of my week I did manage to think a little about God's ways and silence myself a bit.  Its something I need to do more of.

Recently one particular scripture has been on my mind a lot.  You can find it in James 5:16-17.  Two weeks ago whilst watching a video I understood what this verse meant for the first time - Let me tell you about it.

I have always had great faith that my sins were/are forgiven.  In 1 John 1:8-9 it says that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness."  this has never been an issue with me, but what has often puzzled me is why so many christians just struggle to overcome temptations and be all they can.  This is where I finally made sense of the James 5 verse.

In James 5 it says to "confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed."  As I listened to the video I realized that when we confess our sins to God we are forgiven, but to find release from habits, addictions, hurt, unforgivness and other stuff which holds us back, we need to go further than this.  As we open our lives up to other christians we find a release and freedom which was not there before.

I had a friend with me the other night called Nathan, and we thought we'd give it a go.  We spent about half an hour confessing sins to each other and praying for each other.  Often we hold so much pride or shame in our hearts that it is a big barrier to be able to do that, but after having done it, the difference was very noticeable.  The next day at our church service, also, it was a better time there too.  Through this incident, I have come to believe that this practice is a very important part of our christian lives and will help us grow and develop in sight of God and each other.

I realise that we hate to open up our hearts to each other.  Also, some people cannot be trusted, but in every congregation, or family, or group of people, you will find someone of a similar willingness to you.  This will provide you with a prayer partner, with accountability for your walk with Jesus, with a friend you can trust and love, and with a chance to grow.  You need to find such a person near to where you live that you can do this with.  There are many reasons why this is important, but let me give you just one. 

A hurt heart really struggles to give or to love because they simply do not have the capacity to do so.  A paralised person is unable to run simply because they can't.  In the same way, a hurt heart cannot love properly because it simply has never received this love itself.  What I suggest is to find someone you trust who you can open your heart to, and as they pray for you and refuse to condemn you for sharing honestly, and open their heart to you...........you will begin to experience love and healing.  This is the starting place we must all find.

My friend Nathan and I are very close, we trust each other deeply and would never betray each other.  Even so it was hard to start to open our hearts deeply like we did recently.  What I suggest is not easy for you either, but its like a bunjy jumper taking the leap.............when you have done it, you will say that it was most worthwhile.

And, you will find a new freedom in Christ begins to emerge.

Cheers from Australia - Hope you have a great weekend, and are blessed in every way.

David