Suddenly, Bryant Hewitt Message

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixtfkLlJs1g


http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/26775651


James 5:16 (NKJV) Bryant Hewitt starts this Mornings Broadcast with the message, Suddenly.Are you ready for Change.

16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

 AS WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY...
      1. As we have opportunity, we are to do good - Ga 6:10
      2. What we can do depends on what we are able to do
         a. Our skills, our resources
         b. Whether we are nearby or far off
      3. If the need is nearby, we may be able to help directly
         a. With skills like medical aid, trash cleanup
         b. With resources like medicines, food, clothing, shelter
      4. If the need is far off, we can help indirectly
         a. Supporting those with skills who desire to go
         b. Supporting charitable organizations (NGOs)
      5. Thoughts about charitable giving
         a. Give to established charities with experience in the
            affected area
         b. Use guides like Charity Navigator to find one you can trust
         c. Send cash, not food, clothing, etc.
      6. While donating tangible items might make you feel better,
         giving cash is almost always a better option - to understand
         why, read these two articles:
         a. Cash Is Best - Center For International Disaster Information
         b. What's the absolute best way to help after a natural
            disaster abroad? - Slate.com
      -- Again, what we should do depends upon our opportunity

   B. DO GOOD TO ALL...
      1. As we have opportunity, we are to do good to all men - Ga 6:10
      2. Like the Good Samaritan - Lk 10:30-37
      3. Non-sectarian, charitable organization are especially good for
         this, for example:
         a. Doctors Without Borders (especially good for immediate help)
         b. Mercy Corps (especially good for long term help)
      4. I prefer non-sectarian instead of faith-based organization for
         general charity, because many of the latter teach false
         doctrine while they seek to help - cf. 2Jn 1:9-11
      -- We should not hesitate to help those who may not be Christians

   C. ESPECIALLY THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH...
      1. As we have opportunity, we are to especially help our brethren
         - Ga 6:10
      2. Like Gentile Christians did for their Jewish brethren in Christ
         - Ro 15:25-26; 2Co 8:1-4
      3. Churches can certainly send aid directly to such Christians
         - 1Co 16:1-4
      4. Individuals can sometimes use other channels - e.g., Open
         Hearts, Helping Hands
      -- When we know of Christians in need, we should not hesitate to
         help

   D. FINALLY, WE SHOULD PRAY...!
      1. It is our duty as Christians to pray for all men - 1Ti 2:1-2
      2. We should pray for those directly afflicted, and their loved
         ones
      3. We should pray for those providing relief (governments, NGOs,
         individuals)
      -- The prayers of the righteous can accomplish much good - cf. Jm
         5:16