Sermon Central
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James 5:13
Contributed by Bruce Ball on May 26, 2009 (message contributor)
JAMES 5:13 says that if we are in trouble of any kind, we need to pray. But along with praying we need to pray while believing we will get God’s answers. Maybe not exactly when we want it or how we want it, but we will receive it in His way and in His time.
Let me give you an example of praying really hard for something and believing that, just because you prayed hard, you would get what you want.
I had a good friend in high school. We hung out a lot together. One day, we saw a beefed up 1953 Ford 2-door for sale. I forgot what all it had on it, but it was hot, and we could tell by the dents that pretty much surrounded the car, plus it was a low-rider with fender skirts. It was cool beyond cool. It was two-tone paint, and if you didn’t look at all the scratches, it was really a beautiful paint job!
I prayed and prayed that God would let me have that car. I just knew God would give it to me because I had asked so hard. But my friend came up with the money first. He got to own the hottest car in town, while I continued to walk.
A couple months later, my dad took me down and let me buy a Fiat 600-D. It is smaller than a V.W. by the way. I liked it because it beat walking, but it sure wasn’t that ’53 Ford in any way.
Not long after I got my Fiat, my friend was driving home one night near a place called Huffman Dam in Dayton, Ohio. The rear axle snapped and his car went out of control, sending him into a tree. He died that night, through no fault of his own.
I had prayed as hard as I could for that car. Had God gave me WHAT I wanted - WHEN I wanted it, it could have very well been me who died. But I got what God knew I NEEDED; dependable transportation, and I lived on to be here today.
Coincidence? I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe in a God who takes care of His children and who answers their prayers in the way that only He knows is best.
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