October 29, 2023 • Pastor Tim Veenstra • James 4:1–10, James 5:13–18
Pray earnestly. Pray often. Pray when you are in trouble. Pray when you are full of joy. Seek prayer when facing all kinds of illness. Pray with clean hands and pure hearts. The prayer of the righteous is powerful. Pray with God’s name, God’s Kingdom, and God’s will as your focus. Don’t stop praying!
Life Does Not Consist In An Abundance Of Possessions
October 22, 2023 • Pastor Tim Veenstra • James 1:9–11, James 4:13–17, James 5:1–6
We live in an economic system that preys on our lack of self-control and mindless consumption. We give advertisements, our neighbors, and social media facades permission to sow discontent in our souls and cultivate an insatiable desire for more. James cries out like the prophets of old and warns the Church of the dangers of wealth and challenges us to live, instead, with radical generosity.
Small Changes the World
October 15, 2023 • Pastor Peter Damaska • James 3:1–12
They say life, like football, is a game of inches. Each of us face “little things” or “final details” which can make all the difference in our lives. The biblical author, James, makes a big deal about a small thing in hopes that we will trust God with the big and small parts of our lives.
500 Babies Celebration
October 8, 2023 • Pastor Dave Engbrecht
The Africa Gospel Church (AGC) Baby Centre in Kenya is one of NMC’s major international partners. From the beginning, the goal was not to be an orphanage, but rather a place for orphaned and abandoned babies to find restoration in a forever home.
Since the first babies arrived in 2006, more than 500 children have come through the Baby Centre—500 lives rescued, redeemed, and restored by the work of Jesus through this place!
Over many years, NMC has been privileged and honored to witness stories of God rescuing, redeeming, and restoring hundreds of lives. But more than just the lives of 500+ babies who've come through the Baby Centre, God has used this ministry to write stories of rescue, redemption, and restoration in the lives of adoptive families, churches in Kenya and the USA — volunteers, visitors, and employees. Through our connection with the Baby Centre, we all become bearers of amazing stories of what God wants to accomplish for His Kingdom purposes.
Legalism, Love, and Lawlessness
October 1, 2023 • Pastor Tim Veenstra • James 1:22–27, James 2:14–26
An underlying theme in the book of James is a general concern that the Body of Christ is failing to put their faith into practice. To James, this life matters, and what we do in this life matters. So, the question asked of the early church and the question that should still be asked today is “What are you doing?”
Testing and Tempting
September 24, 2023 • Pastor Tim Veenstra • James 1:13–18, James 4:7
When Wisdom Comes to Town
September 17, 2023 • Pastor Peter Damaska • James 1:5–8, James 3:13–18
Regardless of your faith (or lack of faith) in Jesus, we experience pressure, strain, loss, and struggle. We face "trials of every kind." The invitation from James is to welcome wisdom. But what kind of wisdom? The result of that choice will make all the difference in our world, our communities, and our closest relationships.
Brace Yourself
September 10, 2023 • Pastor Tim Veenstra • James 5:7–12, James 1:1–4, James 1:12
Jesus was abundantly clear with His followers when He said, “In this world, you will have trouble.” Jesus is telling His followers to brace themselves, there will be resistance to those who align themselves with Christ and His kingdom. Here, James offers significant insight into how followers of Jesus are to understand and face trials of many kinds.
