Page 36 - Robeson Living Fall 2021

Good Advice

for Troubled

Times

By Pastor Charles Locklear

The whole world is facing trouble like I have never seen. In all circumstances. The Bible has all the answers we need if
every corner of the earth there is a looming threat over hu- we will just calm down and allow God to speak to us from it.
manity that seems to be getting worse day by day. Is spite of Consider these words. James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted?
the tremendous effort of the world greatest genius in the medi- let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick
cal and scientific community we seem to be losing the battle among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let
with COVID-19. The daily report of new cases and deaths them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the
are too many to dismiss or to ignore. We surely are living in Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the
troubled times. People are looking for answers. People are Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they
looking for solutions and advice. Who is telling us the truth shall be forgiven him.
and why should we trust them? As a Christian minister I have
been given the privilege and the duty to remind the people of These words were written by the Apostle James who was our
faith and those who are being drawn to the faith, that there is Lord’s half-brother and one of the three pillars of the early
plenty of reason for us to be encouraged and to walk forward church. He was a very highly respected Christian leader who
in these troubled times with strength of mind and strength of was chosen as the pastor of the first local church that was estab-
heart. The God of our faith is still sovereign and in complete lished in the city of Jerusalem after the Day of Pentecost. These
control. He is neither nervous nor confused about what is hap- words were written primarily to Jewish Christians who had
pening and why it’s happening. While we must face the trouble been scattered after persecution broke out enter Jerusalem. The
of our world, just the same as those who are non-Christian, we letter was written to instruct believers in what it meant to be a
do so with a blessed hope in our hearts. As we move forward, genuine Christian in a non-Christian world. He gives instruc-
we really need some good advice. Should we get our advice tions about what to believe and how to behave as Christian
from our doctor or our lawyer, politicians ,educators, Spiritual people. He was convinced that evidence should be showing in
Leaders? To whom should the people of faith depend upon to a person’s life to reflect a decision to follow Christ as Savior
help us find our way through the chaos and uncertainty that and Lord. He wrote it to a people who were living in troubling
plagues our world. Perhaps all of them have something to say times. Its words contain good advice about how to endure and
that we would benefit from but ultimately the people of faith enjoy the Christian faith even while the world is falling down
should place their confidence in the advice we find in the Holy around you. He would have us know that we should not despise
Bible. The Bible is a book of truth. it is good for all ages and the trouble we face and the storms that we walk through. Is
Page 36 Robeson Living ~ Fall 2021

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