A LETTER TO JAMES

Dear James (A Later Disciple of Jesus)--

Here I am again getting into the Word that you provided so long ago to the churches--the NEW churches of Jesus Christ--and once again it brings me to tears. But, this time they are tears of joy. May I tell you why?

Journaling this morning I wrote about this verse in the Holy Bible: James 5:15. From THE MESSAGE, it says "Believing prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven--healed inside and out."

What I actually wrote must have come from my darkest parts and made a huge exclamation because instead of the word forgiven, I wrote the word forgotten. In my long life, I wonder, could I have not believed forgiveness would come to a little girl who had resisted repentance and would not say she was sorry? Perhaps I am reading too much into this childhood episode and a mere slip of the tongue while writing in my journal.

Forgotten? That's not who God is! He does not rate us as to when or how we might have sinned; he cares about whether we have repented and if we are willing to be HIs totally. That means meforgetting the sin and remembering God's forgiving Spirit. That's who God is, and more.

I ask, James the Disciple, that you ask the Lord Jesus to take my heart and purify it from the hand of Satan who seems to joyfully yank the chain wrapped around my heart. Yes. I believe His hand is right now lifting up that chain, this very moment, and I can breathe in the truth. Yes, Lord Jesus, I have not been forgotten because of my stubborn, willful nature. I know I have been forgiven.

The "chains are gone. I've been set free. O God, my Savior has ransomed me!"

Praise God Forevermore! And thank you, Brother James and my dear,sweet Lord!

Jo (And thanks also for the use of the music, "My Chains Are Gone."