Dear Brothers and Sisters,

You are invited to come to the Wednesday evening prayer meeting and pray. (8:30 PM EST Wed., Mar. 21, 2001)

Isaiah 58:6-9a

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I."

Two weeks ago I wrote on James 5:13-18 where James talks about the elders of the church praying for someone who is sick. He says, "The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well." and "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." I made a connection between 'faith' and 'faithfulness,' which are translated from the same Greek word. They go together. The point was that faith is much more than somehow making yourself believe that God will give you what you ask for so that you can somehow hold him to his word and ask for it and get it. But, rather, faith has to do with your whole life and how you live it before God.

A week ago Friday at the 'core values' bible study, Jerry used Isa. 58:6,7 as a foundational verse to support the importance of people and of taking care of people. He also spoke on all of Isaiah 58 at Greg and Maicha's wedding. This passage says much about faith and righteousness and I think it bears repeating many times. I don't have to much to add to it because it speaks for itself (or rather, the LORD speaks for himself).

This is what the LORD says you have to do. This is the "fast" he has chosen for you: "Loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke." "Share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, clothe him, and do not turn away from your own flesh and blood." (Isa. 58:6,7)

God spoke these things to the house of Jacob, but I believe they apply to individual lives just as fully. If you live your life according to verses 6 and 7 look at what happens! Your light breaks forth like the dawn and your healing quickly appears. Your righteousness will go before you and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. You will call and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help and he will say: "Here am I." God will answer your prayer.

I recommend reading all of Isaiah 58 several times. It shows what the LORD really loves and what he loves to do.

Come and let's pray for each other as well as for the whole church. Come and encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Love them.

Love in Christ,
Dean

PS: If you absolutely can't make it to the prayer meeting, send your prayer requests back to me by e-mail and we'll pray for them.