“I ain’t good enough to be an angel, I ain’t bad enough either.” – Dr. Freckles
[curated: 4/3/2023]
James: brother of Jesus
MP3: https://planetarystatusreport.com/mp3/20230329_JAMES_the_brother_of_JESUS.mp3
Donate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/doctorfreckles
***ERRATA: I make a mistake with three names, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob … this was a mistake, but I wanted to point that out. It happens a couple times in the service.
This book might be an excellent catechism for any new Christian.
Link: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201&version=NIV
Prayer of Commitment: https://planetarystatusreport.com/?p=4894
CORE THEME: the world vs God, make your choice …
Outline of book topics:
- Let perseverance finish its work
- Ask/Pray in FAITH – without DOUBT.
- Humiliation of those rich in the world
- God does not tempt you – it is your own evil desire that tempts you, and this sin leads to death
- God is consistent
- Listen to the Word AND do what It says
- Look after orphans and widows and keep yourself pure of the world
- Favoritism: do not pay special attention among the flock, all are equal before God
- Favoritism is SIN.
- Faith without deeds is dead
- “Go in peace, keep warm, and well fed” – but you do nothing to help them? – then you are not living the faith.
- Abraham offering Isaac – faith AND action working together
- Not by faith alone …
- Be careful in becoming a teacher – you will be judged to a higher standard (DAN)
- Show you’re a teacher THROUGH deeds.
- Your desire drives you to sin, but you could ask God. “Friendship with the world means emnity with God?”
- Friend of the World, enemy of God.
- Do not judge your neighbor – this is hard
- James demands that Christian practice exist as part of the general economy – in terms of wages and honest transactions
- Do not swear: simple yes or no.
- Whomever saves a sinner, saves themselves
Lords prayer …
Prayer of Commitment
Lord Jesus Christ,
You provided for your faithful a road map of faith, a guide, a means, the Word. And yet in our journey of faith, we often ignore the Word.
Kind Father, you gave to us great teachers, great leaders, who lived their faith journey by example, and yet we still find ourselves hungering for earthy wizards and magicians and charlatans that claim the name “disciple”.
Lord, we seek to renew our faith in the Church, and we do this by focusing on the basic truths of the Kingdom Life.
Give us the strength to persevere, despite error and sin.
In Your name we serve,
AMEN
[curated: 3/29/2023]
A Prayer of Acceptance, Letting Go and Peace …
Lord in Heaven, my Savior Jesus Christ,
You who command the universe, You who move the stars,
Your power holds the world together, so why am I troubled to see seams, the threads?
Your sacrifice saved the wicked and recovered the lost, so why do I fear my sins are too great?
I can spend my days contemplating death, but of no avail – for God will choose …
I can spend my day comparing my wealth with my neighbors, but are we not all princes in the Lord’s Kingdom?
I say, LET YOUR FEAR RESIDE NO MORE, leave the Devil to his work as well …
The plan of the Lord is GREAT, and no evil can change it, no more than a breath from one raven can change the course of a river.
Take solace in His love, and never forget: He walks the Earth, He watches the Heavens, He stands beside you and before you, He will never abandon you and His love endures for eternity.
In the name of Jesus our savior, we shall let it go and be at peace.
AMEN
Do not worry!
MP3: https://planetarystatusreport.com/mp3/20230319_Do_not_worry.mp3
Donate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/doctorfreckles
- Greetings to the faithful in Christ.
- First Reading, Psalm 20: “Some trust in chariots …” – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+20&version=NIV
- A Prayer of Acceptance, Letting Go and Peace …
- Second Reading, Matthew 6:25-34: “Do not worry …” – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206%3A25-34&version=NIV
- Third Reading, Mark 4: 35-41, “Why are you so afraid?” – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%204%3A35-41&version=NIV
- Discussion: how do we let things go, and give them to Christ? – not easy, especially for me. He is not pleading for ignorance or to stand by and do nothing. The Lord is asking us to LIVE the faith and be unafraid, he is not saying “hide in the caves and be unafraid”.
- Lord’s Prayer
- Go forth in love and bravery. Remember: as Christians we are ALL called upon to minister in his name. And as far as church goes? – remember that it is just you and one other that is required for a church.