Bible Text: Proverbs 15 and 17, James 5 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Engage: Do All In The Name Of The Lord Jesus
We Can Be MEDICINE To The World Around Us!
Smile And The World Smiles With You!
Proverbs 15:13 A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face a sad heart make it hard to get through the day (Message)
Proverbs 15:30 the light in the eyes (of him whose heart is joyful) rejoices the hearts of others and good news nourishes the bones
Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. (Message)
God’s Word is Life Giving
The pain and suffering endured by those around us because of the lack of knowledge and integration of God’s word is staggering
Psalm 119:136 Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your law. 
God’s Word, His Principles And Love Are Medicine
Psalm 119:129-136 encourages us to soak in God’s word and persevere in His presence
(v.129) Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them…
(v.135) Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.
Being Medicine For Others Means Having The Maturity To Recognize That We Too Need Medicine
What is the Lord prescribing for me to be healthy and to grow?
Worship
Word
Education
Relationships
Giving
Serving
Initiative: Just do it.
What do I do? Who do I talk to? Where do I get my hands on this stuff?
Being Medicine For Others Means We Recognize That We Have…
…unlimited resources for growth are available at our fingertips. Hooray!
The question is…am I utilizing my resources?
Prayer
James 5:13-18 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
1. Is any one of you in trouble? Suffering?
One of the MOST important ways we deal and handle difficulties is to PRAY
James and Proverbs is reframing our mind and heart to ask:
WHAT NOW LORD rather than WHY ME LORD?
2. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing songs of praise!
James says that IF we are cheerful THEN we can thank God by singing songs of praise! The Word of God declares: Let them (us) celebrate with the praises of God!
Cheerful: This is the blend of two Greek words : Well and soul and thus it means: IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.
3. Is any one sick?
Sick means A). Physical Illness B). Weariness of Mind
Call the elders (pastors/leaders) of the church to pray
Let them anoint with oil and pray
Let them pray over us
Therefore we pray: ACCORDING TO the WILL of the Father THROUGH the WORD given by God’s Son (Jesus) WITH/BY the WORK of the Holy Spirit
It is NOT MY power BUT GOD’S POWER
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness…For when I am weak, then I am strong.
God’s amazing power: James 5:16-18
We Can Overcome:
Submit and commit ourselves to the Lord everyday: James 4:7; Romans 12:1
Pray daily: Hebrews 4:16; Ephesians 6:18
Read the Word of God daily: Hebrews 4:12
Hang out with the “right” people; Get into a small group: 1 Cor. 15:33; Heb. 10:24-25
Put on the armor of God: Ephesians 6:13-18
Resource the Holy Spirit: Luke 11:33; John 14:13-16
Ask for help from the right people: James 5:13-18