Tag: Northumbrian Community

Thursday Morning: 04 Jul 2019 – James 5:1-20 ~ Faith waits patiently and prays earnestly.

Thursday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Guidance – Thursday)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: Guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our lives we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – James 5:1-20 (NLT)

Warning to the Rich

Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.

Patience and Endurance

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

The Power of Prayer

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

Restore Wandering Believers

My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
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Morning Reflection:

Faith waits patiently and prays earnestly.

James has already warned us about friendship with the world. In today’s reading he zeroes in on those who live in luxury and rely on their wealth for security. More specifically, his warning is directed at those who have gotten rich by mistreating and cheating their employees. His warning: Your ill-gotten gains will testify against you on the coming Day of Judgement.

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return.
Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring.
They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.
You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
– James 5:7-8 –

Faith waits patiently: In the meantime, believers (especially those whom the rich have oppressed) are encouraged to wait patiently for the return of Jesus Christ. What does waiting patiently entail?

+ Self-restraint which doesn’t retaliate against wrongs suffered.
+ Confidence that justice will be served on the Day of Judgement.
+ Endurance during times of trouble and suffering.
+ Encouragement knowing that our reward lies ahead, as God has promised.
+ Trust in the kindness, tenderness, and mercy of God.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
– James 5:16 –

Faith prays earnestly: In light of the temptations and trials that believers face, James reminds us that prayer is the instrumental means for managing our troubles. How does that work?

+ Prayer is the means to express our feelings of fear, dismay, and distress in times of hardship.
+ Prayer, with the anointing of oil, is the means of healing our sicknesses – spiritual, emotional, and physical.
+ Prayer, with confession and repentance, is the means by which our sins are forgiven.
+ Prayer with other believers works wonders.

Questions for consideration:

  • Do you believe that on the Day of Judgement that justice will be served? Can you think of a particular wrong that you want to be made right? Please explain.
  • Where do you need patience and endurance to cope with the troubles that you face? Please explain.
  • If you were/are sick, upon whom would you call to pray for healing and anoint you with oil? Please explain.
  • Have you / do you pray with other believers? How has God responded to your prayers? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: – For the Acceptance of Prayer

Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“King Of My Heart” – Kutless

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Wednesday Morning: 03 Jul 2019 – James 4:1-17 ~ Faith comes close to God.

Wednesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Grace – Wednesday)

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – James 4:1-17 (NLT)

Drawing Close to God

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

Warning against Judging Others

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

Warning about Self-Confidence

Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
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Morning Reflection:

Faith comes close to God.

Come close to God, and God will come close to you.
Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts,
for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
– James 4:8 –

What prevents us from coming close to God? Divided loyalty – we want to be friends with the world and with God at the same time. But that’s not possible, as James points out –

If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

So what should we avoid as believers living in the world?

+ Conflict and quarrels with other believers
+ Desiring personal pleasure over closeness with God
+ Praying to gratify our desires instead of aligning them with God’s will
+ Excluding God from our daily life, instead of relying on him in every aspect of our lives

God gives help (grace) to those who put God first in their lives. How do we do that?

+ Humble ourselves – Surrender of our will to God; ordering our priorities in harmony with his priorities.
+ Resist Satan – Refuse to give in to doubt, denial, disregard for God’s Word, and disobedience.
+ Purify ourselves – Confession and repentance removes our sins and cleanses our hearts so that we can live for God’s glory.

Questions for consideration:

  • In today’s reading, James assumes that believers have an ongoing battle with sin creeping into our lives. Is that true of you? Please explain.
  • We live in a time when “the world” with it’s values and priorities are paraded before us 24/7. Can you identify any “world values” that are preventing you from coming close to God? Please explain.
  • Where do you need God’s mercy and grace to resist the influence of Satan in your life? Please explain.
  • What role do confession and repentance have in your life? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: Collect for Purity

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“Nearer, My God, to Thee” – Sharon Mennonite Bible Institute

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Tuesday Morning: 02 Jul 2019 – James 3:1-18 ~ Faith speaks words of blessing, wisdom and peace.

Tuesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening (A Collect for Peace – Tuesday)

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – James 3:1-18 (NLT)

Controlling the Tongue

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.

But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.

True Wisdom Comes from God

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
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Morning Reflection:

Faith speaks words of blessing, wisdom and peace.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure;
then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere. – James 3:17

A living faith produces good works and it also produces good words. How? By controlling what we say. Words matter – what we say to others reflects on our faith as much as what we do for others. Words can bless or curse.

Why the warning?

+ The tongue has as much destructive power as a spark in a forest. It is petite but powerful.
+ The tongue is the gate through which evil influences can spread like fire to inflame all the areas of life that we touch.
+ Apart from the Holy Spirit’s help no human being has ever been able to subdue his or her own tongue.

By way of contrast, a living faith speaks words of blessing, wisdom and peace.

+ Blessing:  words of God’s favor and protection; words of encouragement and approval; words that strengthen and build up.
+ Wisdom:  words that view life from God’s perspective and understanding; words that are gentle and gracious, spoken with humility and kindness.
+ Peace:  words that are open to reason, full of mercy, considerate of others, sympathetic to the needy, willing to yield to reasonable requests.

 Questions for consideration:

  • Can you think of a time when you were wounded by hurtful words? Please explain.
  • Can you think of a time when you spoke hurtful words to someone? Please explain.
  • Can you think of someone who needs a word of blessing from you? What would you say to them?  Please explain.
  • Can you think of someone who needs a word of wisdom from you? What would you say to them? Please explain.
  • Can you think of someone who needs you to be a peacemaker? What would that involve? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Prayer of Blessing:

May the Lord bless you and protect you, and may he show you his mercy and loving-kindness. May the Lord be good to you and give you his peace through his Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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“Christ Be All Around Me” – Leeland

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Monday Morning: 01 Jul 2019 – James 2:14-26 ~ Faith produces good works.

Monday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for the Renewal of Life – Monday)

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – James 2:14-26 (NLT)

Faith without Good Deeds Is Dead

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
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Morning Reflection:

Faith produces good works

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
– Jams 2:17 –

James’ point is that living faith expresses itself in obedience to the Word of God and therefore produces good works. To use the illustration of seed that has been planted: you can never be sure if it’s dead or alive until it sprouts and begins to bear fruit. So it is with Christians, the proof of living faith is the good works it produces.

What does James have in mind when he speaks of “good works?”

+ Feeding and clothing the needy.
+ Willingness to make sacrifices in obedience God.
+ Support for the people of God in the face of danger.

In sum: James’ concern is for people who recite the creeds and say all the right things but live ungodly, even evil, lives – even the demons do that. Their “faith” is dead.

Questions for consideration:

Most of us are not asked to make sacrifices like Abraham, or choices like Rahab, but we are, nevertheless, expected to produce good works of one sort or another.

  • What would you say is the evidence that your faith is alive and productive? Please explain.
  • What sacrifices have you made in obedience to God’s word to you? Please explain.
  • Can you think of ways that you have risked living counter to the prevailing culture? Please explain.
  • If creeds and confessions can’t save you, what is their value? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Prayer for Living Faith:

Almighty God, you have called us to live out our faith in practical ways that build your Kingdom and help your people. Make us a people who walk-the-walk, not simply talk-the -talk. Imprint on our hearts a passion to love others as you have loved us, and empower us by your Spirit to stay the course when the going gets tough. Give us the ability to see the world around us through the eyes of Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

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“The Proof Of Your Love” – for KING & COUNTRY

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 29 Jun 2019 – James 2:1-13 ~ Faith and Favoritism

Saturday Morning

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:  (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Reading from the Book of James 2:1-13 (NLT)

A Warning against Prejudice

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
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Morning Reflection:

Faith and Favoritism

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ
if you favor some people over others?
–  James 2:1 –

In today’s reading, James comes right to the point: Showing personal favoritism is inconsistent for Christians who worship the glorious Lord Jesus Christ. The example offered is preferential seating of the rich and powerful at Christian gatherings.

In regard to the poor:

+ God has chosen the believing poor to be rich in faith.
+ The believing poor will inherit the Kingdom of God.

In regard to the rich:

+ The unbelieving rich oppress the poor.
+ The unbelieving rich slander Jesus Christ.

The problem of showing favoritism in Christian assemblies is that it treats people exactly opposite to the way God treats them.

Questions for consideration:

  • Can you think of examples where the rich and powerful have been given preferential treatment at Christian gatherings? Please explain.
  • Can you think of examples of people who expect preferential treatment at Christian assemblies? Please explain.
  • Does focusing a church’s ministry on one segment of the population, e.g. youth, or community leaders, amount to showing them preferential treatment? Please explain.
  • Can you think of people in your Christian assembly who are marginalized, e.g. poor, sick, or elderly? How can you show them courtesy and compassion? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Prayer for the Poor and Powerless:

Heavenly Father: We pray especially today for the poor and powerless whom you hold close to your heart. Open our hearts to receive them as you do – rich in faith, though poor in worldly status. Fill us with compassion for the very young, the old, the disabled, the stranger – that we might honor them with our friendship and express our concern for them with acts of kindness and love. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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“All the Poor and Powerless” – All Sons & Daughters

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen