"Flourishing in God's Generosity" (James 4:1-12)

I am constantly amazed at how relevant and timely God's Word is for those who honestly and genuinely engage it.  As we read the letter from our brother, James, how much more applicable can this message be?  James, in these few short verses, deals with:

• How divisive the false teachers and gossips are in the church
• The temptation every disciple faces to follow the world's approach to happiness 
• God's view of us when we flirt with the world's temptations

Of course, the main point of the message is to highlight the insights from James on how we can flourish in God's Generosity.

Well...I hope you will be blessed by this message from James.  Let me know how Holy Spirit speaks to you!  I'd love to hear.  To help you follow, see the outline below.

God bless, Kirk McCormick

Flourishing in God’s Generosity

James 4:1-12

Habit 1 - Insatiable Addiction to things.

James 4:1 - “Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from?  Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you.”  (Note:  Verse 2 is much like 1) 

“You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder.  And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts.”

Proverbs 10:3 - “The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.”

Habit 2 - Unfaithful Flirting with the World.

James 4:4  - “Adulterers!  Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?

My Israeli Guide Speaks at Royal Palm Church

Hello friends,

I'm sure you are interested in what is happening in the Holy Land. Having been to Israel seven times and the surrounding countries occasionally, and because I have (like you) a complete devotion to God's plan for His creation, I am concerned about Israel's security and the way the innocent people of Gaza are being abused by their leadership who put their own people in harms way. Of course, Israel gets blamed for the death of innocents, but who really is culpable for their deaths?  That lands squarely in the laps of Hamas and the leaders of Gaza.

It was a joy and pleasure to welcome Richard Frieden to RPC.  He became a friend a few years ago when he was the guide for a pilgrimage tour that I led.  Richard has a unique understanding of the goings-on of the region given his background as a Messianic believer following Yeshua (Jesus's Hebrew name), soldier (who continues to serve as a reservist), citizen (though American-born, Richard became an Israeli citizen in the early 1980's), professional guide, loving husband and father.

I hope you will take the time to listen attentively to Richard's insights. This is fascinating and helpful! If we believe the Bible as we say we do, then we will support Israel's right to live and flourish in the Holy Land since that right was given to them by Almighty God (See Genesis 15).  And we will pray that the innocent people of Gaza are protected from further harm.

Let me know what you think and/or what the Lord says to you.  God bless you, Kirk McCormick

         

"T.A.M.E."ing the Tongue - James 3:1-12

We've all done it...said something that we regret.  Sometimes we call it "Foot-in-Mouth" disease, but the result is the same: disharmony and disappointment, perhaps even destruction. 

What if we could T.A.M.E. the tongue to encourage others?  What if we could use our speech to be a blessing?  James has a word for those who are honestly seeking to grow in one of the toughest aspects of life: controlling our tongues.

Listen to this message. As I speak, listen for Holy Spirit's voice. Then respond to what the Lord is saying.

May God bless you as you win people with kindness for Jesus by T.A.M.E.ing the Tongue.

- Kirk McCormick

Personal Notes – “T.A.M.E.”ing the Tongue

George Duncan, Every Day with Jesus,  “To say what is untrue, what is unkind, or to say it unkindly, constitutes failure in Christian living and Christian witness.”

“T”rain your tongue for God-speak.

James 3:3 – “If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies.”

“A”void outbursts.

James 3:5 – “How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!”

“M”aintain your bearing.

James 3:4 – “Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.”

“E”dify.

James 3:10 – “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.”

Every follower of Jesus, Jew and Gentile alike, has been concerned about the war in Israel.  As you may guess, I am a staunch supporter of Israel's right to defend herself as, I believe, this is a right from God. Not only is that Israel's right (as it would be for any people), but God has specifically given this land, according to his sovereignty, to the Jews.  Even more reason to protect and preserve it.

For those of you in South Florida, I am inviting you to a special night at Royal Palm Presbyterian Church where I serve as the Executive Pastor. Next Sunday (August 17) we are blessed to welcome Richard Frieden.  Richard and I met a few years ago when he was the guide for a group I was  leading on a pilgrimage in the Holy Land. We've remained friends and in touch. He is a sensitive, committed, and caring man who not only loves the Lord and his country, but has a vested interest, especially now, as his two children (son and daughter) serve in the Israeli army.

Richard will be speaking on the current situation in Israel. Then, following his message, we will have a Question and Answer dialog.  I hope you can come and experience the true reality of what is going on in the Holy Land, not the one the oft-biased media presents.

We serve dinner at The Well (our new contemporary worship service on Sunday nights). So if you would like to eat with us before the worship and message, let us know how many are coming by writing to royalpalmchurch@gmail.com.

See the poster below. Print it and share it with others. Perhaps you can also display it at your church.

I hope to see you and your friends at An Evening with Richard Frieden this Sunday (5:00PM - Dinner, Program starts at 5:30PM; children have their Kids' Club, too) at Royal Palm Church.

God bless you!  Keep praying for Israel...keep praying for those who are innocent in Gaza... keep praying for the Lord's will to be done. - Kirk McCormick