Good morning; as Christians, we often are robbed of the joy of our walk with Christ because we are in denial of our own sin. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” 1 (John 1:8). The truth is everyone born of a woman will struggle with sin, “we are born in sin and shaped in iniquity,” but understand Jesus died to save us from our sins. Understand Christians continue to struggle with sin, and the guilt of the sin robs us of our joy. But John said, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (v.9). Jesus does not save us and then leaves us to see how well we can do our own. No, He is right with us every step of the way, ready to forgive us as we confess our faults and restore the joy of our Salvation that sin tries to rob us of. “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (v.10). “To have no sin is to have no Savior, which makes the incarnation unnecessary”. A person’s pride will say they have no sin; however, they label their sins as shortcomings or faults. Call it and label it as you will; it results in sin, and we need forgiveness, and Jesus loves us so much He will forgive us. My Christian friend, to deny our sins will rob us of the joy of our Salvation. But to confess our sins allows us to walk in the JOY the forgiveness of Christ! Jesus, we thank you for dying on the cross for our sins, and we thank you for making intercession to the Father on our behalf. Be Blessed in Jesus’ Name!

Good morning: thank you for joining us around God’s Word! We have many folks in our church family, our extended church family, and our community, and I consider all of you who join us each morning as our church family who needs prayer. And James said, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 1:16b). James encourages both elders and Christians to join in intercessory prayer for those who are spiritually weak, sick, and, or suffering. James reminds us that intercessory prayer from a righteous man/woman is effective. The energy of a righteous man’s prayer is very strong and will bring healing and restoration to our brothers and sisters standing in need. “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months” (v.17). My Christian friend, we have access to the same power in prayer as Elijah when he prayed that it would not rain, and then “he prayed again, and the heavens gave rain” (v.18). This morning, the Lord has placed it upon my heart to ask YOU to take time, drop your head right where you are, and pray an intercessory prayer over our brothers and sisters who are struggling this morning. Father, I pray for my brother and sister in Christ who is struggling in the flesh; I pray they would feel the POWER of the HOLY GHOST this morning. I pray that would feel the healing touch of JESUS this morning, and we pray all this in the POWERFUL NAME OF JESUS! Be Blessed in Jesus’ Name.