From the Pastor

God judged the ruling classes of ancient Israel because mistreating the poor was a fundamental rejection of Israel’s relationship with God. God took notice (Amos 5:6-7, 10-15). When the “rich, young ruler” approached Jesus, Jesus told him to sell all he had, and give to the poor. He walked away (Mark 10:17-26). God’s Word, Jesus Christ, discerned the thoughts and intentions of this rich man, but enough about this rich man who is an easy target for those who are not rich. God’s Word discerns your thoughts and your intentions too! As well as mine!

What keeps you from the kingdom of God? What keeps you from bringing about the kingdom of God? Not what keeps your neighbor or that person of another faith from the kingdom of God, but what keeps you from the kingdom of God and bringing about the kingdom of God? God’s Word exposes our weakness and sins – no ifs, ands, or buts, yet God’s grace makes the impossible a possibility (Mark 10:26-27).

Desire and ambition are positive in the sense that they propel us to fulfill our potential,

but we can become so consumed with desire and ambition that we destroy trust,

community, and friendship to do better than others (James 3:13-4:8). We do this on

personal and social levels, and it creates a vicious environment for us and our world,

and especially for those vulnerable and beaten down.

The book of James warns us and presents an alternative to recalcitrance to be humble, fair, and just: James calls it “willing to yield.”
Willing to yield does not mean we have no convictions, or that we agree with everyone; rather, it means that we listen carefully
to someone else instead of attacking him/her. To be a disciple of Jesus is to abandon
the seeking of position, prestige, and wealth. To be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to serve

(Mark 9:35-36).