Podcasts about impartial

God will judge all people impartially (Jews and Gentiles alike) based on their deeds.

God will judge all people impartially (Jews and Gentiles alike) based on their deeds.

President Trump promised Americans, fair, equal and impartial justice…is that what he's delivering?President Trump campaigned on a promise to undo the levers of the justice system that he said were weaponized against him. His administration has gutted the Justice Department unit that investigates and prosecutes public corruption.But since the beginning of Trump's second term investigations into corrupt public officials have dropped nearly 90 percent. Meanwhile, pardons of officials convicted of corruption have risen. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.It was edited by Kelsey Snell, Jeanette Woods and Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.  See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Title: Fruitful Faith is Impartial FaithDate: May 3, 2026Series: Fruitful Faith - JamesPassage: James 2:1-13Preacher: Pastor Edgar Aponte

2026.05.03 | "The Kettle, the Pot, and the Impartial God" | Romans 2 | Jason Hood by EP Church Annapolis

Sunday AM - Mark

Human interactions occur in a variety of contexts. When interactions are marked by conflict, misunderstanding, bias, or aggression, 2024-25 CASBS fellow Katy DeCelles illuminates the micro-sociological and social-psychological dynamics that contribute to the sub-optimal interaction outcomes, enabling the formulation of corrective solutions and better organizational design. DeCelles discusses a sampling of her innovative work in conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Markoff (CASBS fellow, 2017-18). Katherine (Katy) DeCelles: Univ. of Toronto faculty page | Google Scholar page | Poets & Quants profile |  DeCelles work discussed & relevant resources: "Scale Dichotomization Reduces Customer Racial Discrimination and Income Inequality," Nature 639, 19 February 2025 "Racial Bias Eliminated When Ratings Switch from Five Stars to Thumbs Up or Down," Nature, 19 February 2025"How Gig Platforms Can Mitigate Racial Bias in Ratings," Harvard Business Review, 14 March 2025"Different or Impartial? Actor-Observer Asymmetries in Expressing and Evaluating Sociopolitical Neutrality," Journal of Experimental Psychology: General 154(11), 2025"Understanding the Dynamics of Workplace Violence Can Improve Employee Health and Safety," Rotman School of Management, Univ. of Toronto, 2022 John Markoff: website | John's latest book is Whole Earth: The Many Lives of Stewart Brand (Penguin Random House, 2022). His next book (forthcoming, 2027), will be published by MIT Press.   Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) at Stanford UniversityExplore CASBS: website | Bluesky | X | YouTube |LinkedIn | podcast |latest newsletter | signup | outreach​Human CenteredProducer: Mike Gaetani | Audio engineer & co-producer: Joe Monzel |

Not On Record REWIND | Can a Judge Truly Be Impartial? Sponsored by EasyDNS Move your domain or web hosting to EasyDNS and support Not On Record: https://easydns.com/NotOnRecord Use promo code: notonrecord In this Not On Record REWIND, criminal defence lawyer Joseph Neuberger and Diana Davison dig into a fascinating Canadian court decision asking a deceptively simple question: can a judge ever truly be impartial? Using R. v. Fraser, 2023 NSSC 45, they examine a Crown appeal of an acquittal based on alleged judicial bias, reasonable apprehension of bias, judicial impartiality, recusal motions, and public confidence in the justice system. The discussion breaks down how Canadian courts assess whether a judge crossed the line, why proving actual bias is so difficult, and how courtroom case management can sometimes look alarming to outsiders while still falling short of legal bias. The episode also explores the difference between actual bias and reasonable apprehension of bias, the presumption of judicial impartiality, why appellate courts give deference to trial judges, and how courtroom demeanour, witness credibility, and live evidence can never be fully captured by a transcript alone. Joseph and Diana also widen the lens to discuss whether true impartiality is even possible, referencing Bertha Wilson, R. v. Lavallee, battered woman syndrome, judicial philosophy, and the tension between human experience and the duty to decide cases fairly. Along the way, they reflect on old-school courtroom culture, judicial civility, criminal harassment trials, wrongful conviction concerns, sexual assault and domestic violence prosecutions, and the importance of maintaining public confidence in the Canadian criminal justice system. This episode is essential viewing for anyone interested in Canadian law, criminal trials, judicial conduct, Crown appeals, recusal applications, courtroom fairness, wrongful convictions, legal ethics, and how judges actually make decisions.

Daily Evening Prayer (3/26/26) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 119:145-176; Judges 19; 2 Timothy 4; Metrical Psalm 9:5-9 5 The insolence of heathen pride thou hast reduced to shame; Their wicked offspring quite destroyed, and blotted out their name. 6 Mistaken foes! your haughty threats are to a period come; Our city stands, which you designed to make our common tomb. 7,8 The Lord for ever lives, who has his righteous throne prepared, Impartial justice to dispense; to punish or reward. 9 God is a constant sure defense against oppressing rage; As troubles rise, his needful aids in our behalf engage.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

Daily Evening Prayer (3/26/26) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 119:145-176; Judges 19; 2 Timothy 4; Metrical Psalm 9:5-9 5 The insolence of heathen pride thou hast reduced to shame; Their wicked offspring quite destroyed, and blotted out their name. 6 Mistaken foes! your haughty threats are to a period come; Our city stands, which you designed to make our common tomb. 7,8 The Lord for ever lives, who has his righteous throne prepared, Impartial justice to dispense; to punish or reward. 9 God is a constant sure defense against oppressing rage; As troubles rise, his needful aids in our behalf engage.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

James 2:1-13

In a world marked by deep division—across politics, race, culture, and belief—Acts 10 reveals a defining moment in the early church: God makes it clear that the gospel is for everyone. Through Peter's encounter with Cornelius and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles, God shatters long-standing barriers between Jews and Gentiles and declares that He shows no partiality. Salvation is not based on ethnicity, background, or status, but is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ.Peter proclaims the core truths of the gospel: Jesus is Lord of all, was crucified and raised from the dead, and offers forgiveness of sins to everyone who believes. God confirms this message by giving the Holy Spirit to Gentiles just as He had to Jewish believers, demonstrating that they too are fully included in God's family.This passage challenges believers to stop viewing people through worldly categories and to reject assumptions that anyone is beyond God's grace. It also reminds us that true unity cannot be achieved through human effort or cultural strategies, but only through reconciliation in Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus breaks down every dividing wall and creates one new humanity, united by a shared need for salvation and a shared identity in Him. The hope for a divided world is not found in better solutions, but in the transforming power of the gospel.

In a world marked by deep division—across politics, race, culture, and belief—Acts 10 reveals a defining moment in the early church: God makes it clear that the gospel is for everyone. Through Peter's encounter with Cornelius and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles, God shatters long-standing barriers between Jews and Gentiles and declares that He shows no partiality. Salvation is not based on ethnicity, background, or status, but is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ.Peter proclaims the core truths of the gospel: Jesus is Lord of all, was crucified and raised from the dead, and offers forgiveness of sins to everyone who believes. God confirms this message by giving the Holy Spirit to Gentiles just as He had to Jewish believers, demonstrating that they too are fully included in God's family.This passage challenges believers to stop viewing people through worldly categories and to reject assumptions that anyone is beyond God's grace. It also reminds us that true unity cannot be achieved through human effort or cultural strategies, but only through reconciliation in Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus breaks down every dividing wall and creates one new humanity, united by a shared need for salvation and a shared identity in Him. The hope for a divided world is not found in better solutions, but in the transforming power of the gospel.

Pastor Geoff Alfassa preaches on 1 Timothy 2:1-7.

Romans 2:6-11

What makes holding some staff members accountable feel easy while others make your stomach turn?   As leaders, we often notice that accountability conversations feel very different depending on the person involved. Some staff naturally hold themselves accountable and welcome feedback. Others are eager to grow and see accountability as a collaborative process. And then there are the situations that feel much harder, where discomfort, fear, or uncertainty start to creep in.   Join me this week as I dive into the concept of impartial accountability and why it can feel so challenging for school leaders, especially during the spring season when evaluations, observations, and staffing decisions are front and centre. You'll hear questions you can ask yourself when accountability feels difficult, how your past experiences with accountability might be influencing your leadership, and why documenting concerns and communicating expectations early in the year matters.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/428   Keep up with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akellycoaching/

February 25, 2026 Wednesday night teaching by Rose Colón Website: www.lighthouseontherockky.org Facebook: https://facebook.com/lotrchurch

Daniel continues to preach that as the storm of God's wrath and the peace of His salvation approach, let each of us ensure we are sheltered in Christ.

Pastor Daniel preaches that as the storm of God's wrath and the peace of His salvation approach, let each of us ensure we are sheltered in Christ.

Romans 2:1-16 God's impartial judgement

Pastor Daniel teaches that as the storm of God's wrath and the peace of His salvation approach, let each of us ensure we are sheltered in Christ.

This sermon was preached by Derek Overstreet on January 18th, 2026.

Frank Figliuzzi was the assistant director for counterintelligence at the FBI, where he served 25 years as a special agent and directed all espionage investigations across the government. He held senior FBI leadership positions in major American cities and was appointed the FBI's Chief Inspector by then Director Robert Mueller to oversee sensitive internal inquiries, shooting reviews, and performance audits. Following his FBI career, Frank became a corporate security executive for a Fortune 10 company and led global Investigations, Insider Threat, Workplace Violence Prevention, and Special Event security for 200,000 employees in 180 countries. He is the author of “The FBI Way: Inside the Bureau's Code of Excellence and “Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers” Frank's unique, invaluable expertise makes for a highly compelling discussion and analysis of the Minneapolis shooting death by ICE of 37-year-old wife and mother Renee Good; the administration's gaslighting the reality of this tragedy; and what must happen going forward to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

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Download Teaching Audio The post “Humble and Impartial” (Christmas Eve Message) first appeared on Cedarcreek Community Church.

"We are all the same"...true or false? There are many voices in the world today saying that people are so different that they cannot accept or love or relate to or tolerate one another...but is that really true? Does God think that people are all different, or all the same? Did Jesus see people as all different or all the same? Should the Christian church all look and think the same, or be made up of very different sorts of people who all love God and worship Jesus Christ? How different are people, really? What could it mean to think of all people as the same, despite differing thoughts or attributes or circumstances?

This week at First Baptist Church Lake Dallas Pastor Lucas Pinckard continues the study on the book of Romans.  If you would like to plan your visit to FBC Lake Dallas or partner with us in ministry you can do so at https://fbclakedallas.com 

By Darrell Keisel - A look at the subject of partiality as found in scripture. Unlike the world, God tells us to be impartial. This message looks at how we judge one another in our relationships and how we deal with people in the world.

This week at First Baptist Church Lake Dallas Pastor Lucas Pinckard continues the study on the book of Romans.  If you would like to plan your visit to FBC Lake Dallas or partner with us in ministry you can do so at https://fbclakedallas.com

This week at First Baptist Church Lake Dallas Pastor Lucas Pinckard continues the study on the book of Romans.  If you would like to plan your visit to FBC Lake Dallas or partner with us in ministry you can do so at https://fbclakedallas.com

Our world loves power, wealth and status. But God doesn't give special preference to those in elite roles. He's not influenced by the influencers. God's love is impartial. Oghosa Iyamu shares from her Bible study, "Forever Welcomed: A Study on God's Impartial Love for All." Together we'll reflect on God's vision and heart for life in His eternal kingdom. Don't miss the next Susie Larson Live.  Check out Susie's new podcast God Impressions on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: click here

“To love all men is the greatest virtue; to be impartial in love is the greatest wisdom.” —Mencius 

The 3-part series “Can the record be trusted?” explores the prospects and challenges of human rights documentation and archives in the digital age, with speakers from an international expert workshop that took place at Queens University Belfast in November 2024. In this episode, Dagmar Hovestädt speaks with Robert Petit, a long-term prosecutor of international crimes - from the Rwanda Tribunal to Cambodia, Sierra Leone, and East Timor – and current head of the UN-mandated International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) dealing with crimes under International Law in Syria since March 2011. Only weeks after the recording of this conversation, the Assad regime fell, changing some aspects of the mechanism's mandate but keeping its core untouched. Created by the UN General Assembly in 2016 after repeated attempts to refer Syria to the ICC were vetoed, the IIIM has a unique mandate: to collect, consolidate, preserve, and analyze evidence of serious crimes under International Law committed in Syria since March 2011 – not for its own legal activities, but in the service of current and future legal accountability measures. Robert explains how the IIIM uses criminal law standards, rigorous authentication protocols and complex information management systems to build a long-term repository. It sources its information from documents and data from civil society organizations and international bodies. The IIIM generates additional evidence through witness statements and the analysis of provided documentation, all of which is only accessible to competent jurisdictions. The material collected by the IIIM has already supported 210 distinct investigations across 16 jurisdictions. About: Robert Petit is the head of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM). He previously served as International Co-Prosecutor at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, Senior Trial Attorney at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, and began his international career at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 1996. More information: IIIM

This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I'm joined by Oghosa Iyamu, author of Forever Welcomed: A Study of God's Impartial Love for All.Oghosa's story is such a beautiful reminder that God sees us, knows us, and welcomes us — no matter where we come from. She shares about growing up in low-income housing, living through seasons of hardship, and how she encountered God's miraculous and impartial love after college.Through her journey with dyslexia and the belief that she “couldn't do it,” Oghosa discovered how God uses our weaknesses as the very place where His strength shines brightest. What began as a study on James 2 in her local church became a powerful call to the Church today — to live out God's impartial love in a culture obsessed with status, influence, and comparison.We talk about: • What it means to be forever welcomed by a God who sees us and calls us by name. • How impartial love doesn't ignore truth — it transforms how we live it out. • Why the Church risks losing its greatest witness when we show favoritism. • The freedom that comes when we stop viewing our weaknesses as disqualifications and start seeing them as divine invitations. • How Jesus flipped cultural norms upside down and revealed God's heart for all people — especially women who felt unseen or unworthy.Oghosa reminds us that God's love is both just and merciful — a love that welcomes us into His presence and calls us to extend that same welcome to others.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Job 17; Acts 24-26 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: TODAY'S DEVOTION: TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE:   TODAY'S DEVOTION: TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

This week on the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, Stephen and April continue the Back to Basics series by tackling one of the most critical foundations for any ABA practice: operations agreements. From legal safeguards to conflict resolution, they break down the agreements and systems that keep a business running smoothly — and why getting them right early can save you major headaches later.

Daily Morning Prayer (10/2/2025) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 9-11; Tobit 9; Mark 5; Metrical Psalm 9:5-9, and a brief reading from The Books of Homilies5 The insolence of heathen pride thou hast reduced to shame; Their wicked offspring quite destroyed, and blotted out their name. 6 Mistaken foes! your haughty threats are to a period come; Our city stands, which you designed to make our common tomb. 7,8 The Lord for ever lives, who has his righteous throne prepared, Impartial justice to dispense; to punish or reward. 9 God is a constant sure defense against oppressing rage; As troubles rise, his needful aids in our behalf engage.To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/

The Ochelli Effect 9-12-2025 NEWS SNAFUNEWS, NO NEWS, or NO NEW NEWSFRIDAY Pre-show SOLO(First a Personal Note)9-11 has always sucked for me personallyI try every year to ignore the coming date,or seek to occupy my being with things that turn my attention away from inner dread and pain1976 My father took his life September 11The rip in reality on that calendar day in 2001A rare female relative that loved Grandma Claire dead 40 years after her son, same dayThere is a list of lost friends,I narrowly avoided painful deaths and kept the pain on a handful of 9-11ssome of the worst things in my personal history,at a rate of a bit more than every other September 11I get a horror show in my world and/or our collective reality.Astrological calculations as informed by biblical study tell me this was the true birthday of The religious figure many call Jesus Christ.It is a day of darkness to me ever since I bothered with the date at all and started as soon as I was able to read a newspaper.So I just couldn't do a LIVE show yesterday.(End Personal Note)---NOT A TRANNY SHOOTER MANY HOPED FOR BUT...Charlie Kirk says gun deaths are 'worth it' to protect our rights in resurfaced 2023 cliphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMzr5cDKza0Pronouns blamed when anti-nouns are what's in play. They, Them, We, Us, is how those people, You People, and what happens when the wrong You People end up on The public opinion court house lawn and gallows block every road to nowhere. We should not blame his White Christian family either.ONLINE GAMING TAUNTS Maybe? Childish provocative unfiltered blasts of language meant to make others make mistakes? Guess what? Now there are people that heard trigger words they wanted to hear and now matter how anything gets debunked, some will keep believing what sounded correct to them, facts be damned. The suspect, still waiting to be formally accused, is depicted in a pro-trump shirt in widely celebrated and circulated blurry seemingly grabbed grainy video appears to be a fake (according to independent analysis by Chuck) but those that want to hop on that photoshop boat will not abandon the good ship Loli-pimple-pop and insist that I know you are but what are we team tag games like the old days. Boys against girls , shirts versus skins, and forget that it's hard to shake hands with anyone who insists they can not unclench their fists.James Dobson and Charlie Kirk and whether to rejoice in deathhttps://baptistnews.com/article/james-dobson-and-charlie-kirk-and-whether-to-rejoice-in-death/FALSE instant heat for using wrong, left, or right, right pronounsCharlie Kirk killer's ammunition ‘engraved with pro-trans messages'Three unused rounds marked with writing, it is revealed, but official urges caution as wording could have been misread or misinterpreted https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/09/11/charlie-kirk-killer-ammunition-engraved-trans-messages/ENSCRIPTIONS AS REVEALED BY LAW ENFORCEMENTThree unfired casings also had inscriptionsOne read, "Hey fascists! Catch!" with an up arrow, a right arrow and three down arrows.The second said, "Oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao."The third, "If you read this, you are gay LMAO." Here's To You Mr. Robinson, $100K cash, offered by the F.B.I. and Kash with a K Patel for Tyler Robinsons dad who provided the tip that on the suspect who is his son. Brutal, unrestrained, and pyrrhic Unrest that dehumanizes all is cultivated so many misguided and uninformed ideologically driven yet unsupportable in a rational law and order, order is all that those who demand to control the order of the line waiting to enter the Thunderdome where a busted deal for due process means that only THOSE people face the fixed Wheel. Mission creeps to Uncivil Civil War sowing seeds and sprinting the reaping too often walked path of constant violence alongside devoted acolytes from all directions of extreme..Voracious  cults-of personality Unsated, openly demand sanguinary vendettas quenched. Rhetorical strife and disagreeable ideas are acceptable justifications for laying waste to enemies. PREVIOUSLY On The Canceled Reality show we called reality Investigative Agencies had to at least appear as though they were Impartial.NEXT TIME STREAMING via ANTI-TRUTH ANTI-SOCIAL TRUMP-MERICA, This is The New NormalA bizarre Kash Patel comment could derail Kirk killer prosecution: legal expert (OR NOT says OCHELLI, you are thinking of Communist America AKA Weekend at Joey Bidens featuring poorly trained Zobie ventriloquist COMMUNIST-ALA Harris)https://www.rawstory.com/charlie-kirk-2673991437/?u=548ad90c0e879f774930a38769d4007f7f715717dcbc8d92c81bf7e7b4875523So Leaders can mislead and declare that YOUR Enemy Forfeits value granted by virtue of their creation. They are the OTHER, and ONLY Scotched earth is allowed to remain in the wake of retribution. Excuses for deciding a scale of value where 99% of the Populus is convinced that deaths of some fathers are acceptable thus worthy of righteous recidivism as humanity commits it's most consistent collective habitual human on human crime.War or the crime against humanity that humanity insists upon requiring Extrajudicial and extra moral injustice where many fathers are needlessly slaughtered. Demon O Crats and Con Man preservatives speak of thoughts, prayers, Empathy, and how murder is unacceptable. They are ALL lying and so are the exuberant followers parroting the full spectrum of media mouthpiece fallacies are enacting a silent agenda where a checklist to obtain permission to disregard the human right to be exists. Once enough boxes are ticked, the verdict is NOT TO BE, and there is no question of what the show trial must show, even if the criteria is not close to a true capital offense. EXAMPLE of a FAKE NEWS Mouthpiece :Meathead CuomoAppearing liberal, slowly converting to MAGA after being fired by CNN for Creep Policing and acting as a lawyer to be his brother's creeper keeper claiming journalistic integrity.Pals with other outdated propagandists, living on a newer Christian Broadcasting entity that has it preferred propaganda masked by trademark NEWSNATIONBlessed with turn key Indie media slots to artificially generated book sales and sponsors paying off like hosts have Polaroids of CEOS eating their own children, while carrying Trump's water like Chris is in a foot race with Smerconish. Disgraced former Limbaugh Wannabe, O'Reilly and the double fake actual DEI add-on Post-sold soul Geraldo Rivera staring as the empty avatar after revealing integrity more vacant than a Capone vault who's last acts of journalism were allowing the world to see the Zapruder film and making his T.V. NEWS bones broadcasting the horror of  soon-to-be-rebooted lunatic asylums if the 47th POTUS gets his agenda fully implemented are consistent Cuomo cohorts.A guy I don't want to believe is as meat headed as he appears and perhaps only plays one on TV is one less capatosta ensuring no Italian POTUS in my Lifetime is often revealing my hopes to be unrealistic, inspires me to comment on his blessed social media and content platforms sections with text resembling this recent addition to his YouTube comments section:disingenuousadjectivedis·​in·​gen·​u·​ous ˌdis-in-ˈjen-yə-wəs lacking in candora false appearance of simple franknessBugiarduni:Insinceru:Cristoforo            Otherwise you'd stop propping up O'Reily and that team and work with people outside the Left/Right trap you've contributed to with every platform you've infected and amplify people who speak to the paradigm in America that fake Christians represent and the non-liberal left falsely advocate for, which is that Abuse and ending of life is ok with the proper justification , political, social, etc. boil it down and that's what actual INDIE media have been struggling to have heard for my entire 50+ years . Millions of content creators and if you searched you'd find a dozen Americans maybe, you never acknowledged the 100 you could have across your career either. Prove THAT wrong  and you'd be something unique (END COMMENT)response to:Chris Cuomo on the Fallout From Charlie Kirk's Murderhttps://youtu.be/yihdmkgzOVw?si=YapgCW9zsh7RLwKP---Iran-Contra figures Oliver North and Fawn Hall secretly marry 40 years after scandal: report  https://nypost.com/2025/09/09/us-news/iran-contra-figures-oliver-north-and-fawn-hall-secretly-marry-40-years-after-scandal-report/#Russia 'deliberately targeted' Poland's airspace, Sikorski sayshttps://kyivindependent.com/russia-deliberately-targeted-polands-airspace-sikorski-says/Trump sparks health fears at 9/11 event as one side of face 'completely drops'Yet again, rumours are swirling about the US president's health following his latest appearance at the Pentagon Memorial near Washington on the anniversary of 9/11https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/trump-sparks-health-fears-911-35889605Bob Menendez's wife says she was ex-senator's ‘puppet' as she gets 4½ years in prison for briberyhttps://apnews.com/article/nadine-menendez-bribery-sentencing-egyptian-government-04f87a7e5eea1d9afb8da1b00067f77a?Poland downs drones in its airspace, becoming first NATO member to fire during war in Ukrainehttps://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/poland-downs-drones-its-airspace-becoming-first-nato-member-fire-during-war-2025-09-10/---I hope that he was going to be found guilty, I would imagine, and IBE THE EFFECTListen/Chat on the Sitehttps://ochelli.com/listen-live/TuneInhttp://tun.in/sfxkxAPPLEhttps://music.apple.com/us/station/ochelli-com/ra.1461174708Ochelli Link Treehttps://linktr.ee/chuckochelliAnything is a blessing if you have the meansWithout YOUR support we go silent.---NOVEMBER IN DALLAS LANCER CONFERENCEDISCOUNT FOR YOU10 % OFF code = Ochelli10https://assassinationconference.com/Coming SOON Room Discount Details The Fairmont Dallas hotel 1717 N Akard Street, Dallas, Texas 75201. easy access to Dealey Plaza

We reflected on God's impartiality from Romans and the call to offer our lives as living sacrifices. Through scripture and testimonies, we explored how faith transforms our thinking, how mercy and love are lived out in daily practice, and how God's Word anchors us even when faced with tragedy in the world. We were reminded that suffering, loss, and hardship are not meaningless but are opportunities for prayer, unity, and deeper reliance on God's unchanging presence.Themes:God shows no partiality, reminding us of His unchanging nature (Romans 2:11)Living as a holy offering through renewed minds, avoiding conformity to the world (Romans 12:1–8)Using our unique gifts in the body of Christ for the good of allPracticing mercy, cheerfulness, hospitality, and brotherly love while avoiding vengeanceOvercoming evil with good through patience, prayer, and unityTragic events in the world reveal the depth of human brokenness and the need for prayerGod's Word brings peace and guidance in decisions and personal strugglesPrayer and fellowship strengthen us in times of trial and remind us of God's presenceScripture References: Romans 2:11; Romans 12:1–8

Our scripture passage is about two types of wisdom, so I thought it would be fun to share with you some advice I found on the internet that I will get you into trouble if you do follow it: Carry a fork with you. If someone tries to rob you, pull it out of your pocket and say, thank you Lord for this meal Im about to have and charge at them with the fork. Always say what you're thinking out loud. "Don't breathe, 100% of people who breathe die at some point." "Dont go to the doctors office if you only have one problem. Wait until you have four or five; thats how you get the most bang for your buck." If life gives you lemons, squeeze the juice into a water gun and shoot other people in the eyes. "When confronted by a bear, give it a hug and tell him it'll be alright." We laugh at these bits of wisdom I found on the internet because they are so foolish they are comical. In James 3:13-18, we are reminded of two sources of wisdom, and of the two, we as a species gravitate to one over the other. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. According to James 3:13-18, not all wisdom is good. The Source of Worldly Wisdom What is worldly wisdom? James says that it is, earthly, natural, and demonic (v. 15). Well that sounds a bit harsh does it not? Lets dive a bit deeper into what James means here before we judge whether or not he said too much. The kind of wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic is the kind that is motivated and driven by, bitter jealousy and selfish ambition (v. 14). So what is bitter jealousy and what does it look like? The Greek word for jealousy is... are you ready for it? The Greek word is zēlos. Do you think there may a better way to translate this word? Of course you do, a better translation for this word is our English word zeal! Zeal can be positive or negative. The prophet Elijah was zealous for God is a good way, and that zeal was demonstrated on multiple occasions by standing against evil and speaking on behalf of God, even when it was not safe for him to do so; when his life was threatened by Queen Jezebel, Elijah prayed: I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of armies; for the sons of Israel have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they have sought to take my life (1 Kin. 19:10). Zeal can also become a bad thing. Zeal can turn into bitterness, rivalry, and even pride. In the case of James 3:14, it is a harsh zeal that places the individual at the center of his universe at whatever cost may come to those around him. The kind of bitter Jealousy (harsh zeal) James is talking about is self-centered. The person with this kind of mindset is one whose glory and mission in this world is his own. The other source for worldly wisdom is selfish ambition. There is not much I need to say to make sure you understand what selfish ambition is. It is the kind of thing we see every four years in America: How do I make sure I get what I want. There is only one Greek word that is used here for selfish ambition, and it is eritheia. In ancient Greek it means strife, contentiousness, and selfishness. It is a word that was also used by the Greek Philosopher Aristotle to describe a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means.[1] It is used in the New Testament to describe the jealous or angry leader who, forms a group which emotionally or physically withdraws from the rest of the church.[2]These are the kinds of people Paul described in Philippians 1:15-17, Some... proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. There are varying degrees that bitter jealousy and selfish ambition can come into the life of a person, but none of it is from God. Even the best of us can cave to the kinds of vices that lead to worldly wisdom. Consider some of the people from the Bible such as Abraham, David, and Solomon. God told Abraham that he would father a child with Sarah, but because pregnancy seemed impossible to the couple, Sarah came up with another plan that was culturally acceptable. Sarah said to her husband: See now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please have relations with my slave woman; perhaps I will obtain children through her. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai (Gen. 16:2). So, the slave woman got pregnant and had a son and what Abraham got in return was one big giant mess that we are still dealing with today. David wrote much of the Psalms that are in our Bible, and he knew his Bible pretty well! He understood what Gods word said of Israels kings in Deuteronomy and most likely had memorized it. He knew that as king, he was not to acquire the kinds of properties the kings of the other nations collected to measure their glory and strength such as many horses or many wives, nor was he to hoard silver and gold (see Deut. 17:16-20). We know David knew this because he even wrote a song about it that included the verse: Some praise their chariots and some their horses, but we will praise the name of the Lord, our God (Ps. 20:7). Yet at the height of his reign as king, he conducted a census to measure the strength of his nation instead of trusting the God who told Him that his power did not come from numbers but from God alone. Can you see what Abraham and Davids stories all have in common? They followed after the wisdom of the world instead of trusting the word of God as their source of wisdom. Abraham wanted a son so badly and for his legacy to go on, so he took matters into his own hands and got his female slave pregnant. David conducted a census just like the other kings did because he needed to know how he and his nation compared to other nations. If you listen closely to the pages of scripture you can hear the serpents question with these men: Has God really said...? The wisdom of the world would lead you to an easier and wider road rather than a narrow and more difficult one. The wisdom of the world would have you erect a house on sand instead of spending the time necessary to lay a good foundation. Heavenly Wisdom Unlike worldly wisdom, the kind of wisdom that leads to the thriving life God created us to know and enjoy does not come from within, or from this world, or beneath; it comes from above where God is seated. The wisdom from above is pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, impartial, free of hypocrisy, and full of good fruits (v. 17). From where does heavenly wisdom come from? It comes from God! Where can I gain this kind of wisdom? From the counsel God has already given, which is His word. We already saw in the first chapter that those of us who lack wisdom, are to ask God for it without doubting (1:5-6); the source of the kind of wisdom we need comes from the word of God. We gain wisdom from above when we first listen to what God has said through His word and then become a doer of it by putting what we read into practice (see 1:21-25). But here is the thing... there is no wisdom from above if you do not have the kind of faith that moves you to really trust the truth of Gods word. It is one thing to say you believe the Bible to be true and another to act upon that belief. Think for a moment about what we say we believe at Meadowbrooke; this is what we state on our webpage about the Bible: We believe the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments, is the divine revelation, the original autographs of which were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, thus rendering them trustworthy and solely authoritative in faith and practice (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:20-21). The Scriptures reveal the mind of God concerning the need and the method of human redemption, the character and destiny of mankind, and are useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (Jn. 5:39, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). The more important question is not if we are okay with that statement, but do we really believe it? The Bible testifies of itself: All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). In the book of Hebrews, we are told, For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (4:12). But do you really believe it to be what it claims? If you believe the Bible to be the word of God and that it is beneficial for teaching, for correcting, and training in righteousness, then how is it shaping your choices in life, what kind of influence is it having on your relationships, how does it affect how you behave and function at work? Do you believe the Bible to be the word of God even if what it tells you to do with your life makes no sense to those around you and the rest of the world? Think about some of the things that God told His people to do. God told Abraham to leave his home in Ur and promised him a child, even though he and his wife Sarah were quickly advancing in age to the point that fathering a child would be highly improbable. The conventional wisdom of Abrahams day suggested that he father a child through one of his servants, but that was not the promise God made to Abraham. God promised a son that would be both his and Sarahs, and in their old age God provided an heir. God used men who acted upon the word of God when others thought they were nuts. Men like Moses who God commissioned to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. Men like Joshua who God told to march around Jericho a bunch of times while blowing seven trumpets and then on the seventh day after the seventh time around the city to shout to bring down the walls of the city. Men like Gideon who God ordered to cut his army of 32,000 soldiers down to 300 to face an army of at least 135,000; each of Gideons soldiers were to carrying a torch, a clay pot, and a trumpet that they would blow after breaking the clay pot at night while surround the 135,000 Midianite army and then shout: A sword for the Lord and for Gideon! and this would be the way they would defeat an army that outnumbered them by 440 to 1 (see Judges 7:1-8:10). God raised a shepherd boy whose own father and brothers did not think much of to be a king over Israel, and it would be through his descendants a savior would be born who would rule the nations. God spoke through unlikely prophets of old, and choose an unassuming and impoverished virgin girl and her fianc to raise up the promised Messiah that she alone would be the biological parent of, and the child would grow up and live the life we could never live in a little country about the size of New Jersey for the purpose of suffering on a cross and dying under the wrath of God a death we all deserved. This is why the apostle Paul wrote, For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18). Gods wisdom is different! Not only is the wisdom of God different, but it is in a whole different category than the wisdom of the world. In what way is it different? We are told in verse 17, But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. Gods words and His ways rub against the grain of the worlds conventional wisdom and is the reason the prophet Isaiah wrote of God, For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord (55:8). The question for you, dear brothers and sisters, is what are you doing with it, or maybe a better question for some of you is, What will you do with His word? Conclusion What wisdom is guiding you? What wisdom is shaping your decisions? What wisdom are you applying to your marriage, your children, and your friendships? James is not offering us an option here, for what the Holy Spirit is showing us in James is that if you belong to Jesus, then you have no business with the kind of wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic. Why, because we are kingdom people! I told you that I believe what James is doing is simply applying Jesus sermon on the mount to everyday life. I have shared with you repeatedly that the way you come to Jesus is as one who is poor in spirit, one who mourns over sin, and one who is meek enough to lay you pride before the cross of Christ. These are the first three of Jesus beatitudes and are what theologians call, the beatitudes of need. The fourth beatitude is the fruit of the first three: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). How can I be satisfied? By finding my satisfaction in the One who is infinitely righteous and from whom true wisdom is found. What does a hunger and thirst for righteousness produce when that hunger and thirst is satisfied in Jesus? It produces what theologians call the beatitudes of action. I will pick up on this next Sunday, but for now I think it is enough for you to see what James is doing with wisdom and our Lords beatitudes. What kind of fruit does wisdom from above produce? It is pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, impartial, free of hypocrisy. Pure: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will receive mercy (Matt. 5:8). Peace-loving: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God (Matt. 5:9). Gentle (meek): Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5). Reasonable (compliant): Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3). Full of mercy: Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy (Matt. 5:7). Impartial / free of hypocrisy: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matt. 4). Full of good fruit: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). My question for you is what are you doing with the wisdom that comes from above? It is the wisdom from above that calls those who follow Jesus through the narrow gate instead of the broad gate (Matt. 7:13-14). The wisdom from above calls the Christian to build upon the rock instead of sand (Matt. 7:24-29). The wisdom from above calls us to action in such a way that we do not only call Jesus Lord but live in subjection to His lordship (Matt. 7:22-21). The wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic will lead to death. The wisdom from above will lead to the kind of living where you can truly thrive as a child of God. Some of you may need to turn from whatever wisdom that has been guiding you, by humbling yourself before God Almighty. I will leave you with James 4:3-4 and you can do with it what seems best in light of what we have considered today: You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. [1] Peter H. Davids, The Epistle of James: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1982), 151. [2] Ibid.

Our scripture passage is about two types of wisdom, so I thought it would be fun to share with you some advice I found on the internet that I will get you into trouble if you do follow it: Carry a fork with you. If someone tries to rob you, pull it out of your pocket and say, thank you Lord for this meal Im about to have and charge at them with the fork. Always say what you're thinking out loud. "Don't breathe, 100% of people who breathe die at some point." "Dont go to the doctors office if you only have one problem. Wait until you have four or five; thats how you get the most bang for your buck." If life gives you lemons, squeeze the juice into a water gun and shoot other people in the eyes. "When confronted by a bear, give it a hug and tell him it'll be alright." We laugh at these bits of wisdom I found on the internet because they are so foolish they are comical. In James 3:13-18, we are reminded of two sources of wisdom, and of the two, we as a species gravitate to one over the other. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. According to James 3:13-18, not all wisdom is good. The Source of Worldly Wisdom What is worldly wisdom? James says that it is, earthly, natural, and demonic (v. 15). Well that sounds a bit harsh does it not? Lets dive a bit deeper into what James means here before we judge whether or not he said too much. The kind of wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic is the kind that is motivated and driven by, bitter jealousy and selfish ambition (v. 14). So what is bitter jealousy and what does it look like? The Greek word for jealousy is... are you ready for it? The Greek word is zēlos. Do you think there may a better way to translate this word? Of course you do, a better translation for this word is our English word zeal! Zeal can be positive or negative. The prophet Elijah was zealous for God is a good way, and that zeal was demonstrated on multiple occasions by standing against evil and speaking on behalf of God, even when it was not safe for him to do so; when his life was threatened by Queen Jezebel, Elijah prayed: I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of armies; for the sons of Israel have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they have sought to take my life (1 Kin. 19:10). Zeal can also become a bad thing. Zeal can turn into bitterness, rivalry, and even pride. In the case of James 3:14, it is a harsh zeal that places the individual at the center of his universe at whatever cost may come to those around him. The kind of bitter Jealousy (harsh zeal) James is talking about is self-centered. The person with this kind of mindset is one whose glory and mission in this world is his own. The other source for worldly wisdom is selfish ambition. There is not much I need to say to make sure you understand what selfish ambition is. It is the kind of thing we see every four years in America: How do I make sure I get what I want. There is only one Greek word that is used here for selfish ambition, and it is eritheia. In ancient Greek it means strife, contentiousness, and selfishness. It is a word that was also used by the Greek Philosopher Aristotle to describe a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means.[1] It is used in the New Testament to describe the jealous or angry leader who, forms a group which emotionally or physically withdraws from the rest of the church.[2]These are the kinds of people Paul described in Philippians 1:15-17, Some... proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. There are varying degrees that bitter jealousy and selfish ambition can come into the life of a person, but none of it is from God. Even the best of us can cave to the kinds of vices that lead to worldly wisdom. Consider some of the people from the Bible such as Abraham, David, and Solomon. God told Abraham that he would father a child with Sarah, but because pregnancy seemed impossible to the couple, Sarah came up with another plan that was culturally acceptable. Sarah said to her husband: See now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please have relations with my slave woman; perhaps I will obtain children through her. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai (Gen. 16:2). So, the slave woman got pregnant and had a son and what Abraham got in return was one big giant mess that we are still dealing with today. David wrote much of the Psalms that are in our Bible, and he knew his Bible pretty well! He understood what Gods word said of Israels kings in Deuteronomy and most likely had memorized it. He knew that as king, he was not to acquire the kinds of properties the kings of the other nations collected to measure their glory and strength such as many horses or many wives, nor was he to hoard silver and gold (see Deut. 17:16-20). We know David knew this because he even wrote a song about it that included the verse: Some praise their chariots and some their horses, but we will praise the name of the Lord, our God (Ps. 20:7). Yet at the height of his reign as king, he conducted a census to measure the strength of his nation instead of trusting the God who told Him that his power did not come from numbers but from God alone. Can you see what Abraham and Davids stories all have in common? They followed after the wisdom of the world instead of trusting the word of God as their source of wisdom. Abraham wanted a son so badly and for his legacy to go on, so he took matters into his own hands and got his female slave pregnant. David conducted a census just like the other kings did because he needed to know how he and his nation compared to other nations. If you listen closely to the pages of scripture you can hear the serpents question with these men: Has God really said...? The wisdom of the world would lead you to an easier and wider road rather than a narrow and more difficult one. The wisdom of the world would have you erect a house on sand instead of spending the time necessary to lay a good foundation. Heavenly Wisdom Unlike worldly wisdom, the kind of wisdom that leads to the thriving life God created us to know and enjoy does not come from within, or from this world, or beneath; it comes from above where God is seated. The wisdom from above is pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, impartial, free of hypocrisy, and full of good fruits (v. 17). From where does heavenly wisdom come from? It comes from God! Where can I gain this kind of wisdom? From the counsel God has already given, which is His word. We already saw in the first chapter that those of us who lack wisdom, are to ask God for it without doubting (1:5-6); the source of the kind of wisdom we need comes from the word of God. We gain wisdom from above when we first listen to what God has said through His word and then become a doer of it by putting what we read into practice (see 1:21-25). But here is the thing... there is no wisdom from above if you do not have the kind of faith that moves you to really trust the truth of Gods word. It is one thing to say you believe the Bible to be true and another to act upon that belief. Think for a moment about what we say we believe at Meadowbrooke; this is what we state on our webpage about the Bible: We believe the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments, is the divine revelation, the original autographs of which were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, thus rendering them trustworthy and solely authoritative in faith and practice (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:20-21). The Scriptures reveal the mind of God concerning the need and the method of human redemption, the character and destiny of mankind, and are useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (Jn. 5:39, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). The more important question is not if we are okay with that statement, but do we really believe it? The Bible testifies of itself: All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). In the book of Hebrews, we are told, For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (4:12). But do you really believe it to be what it claims? If you believe the Bible to be the word of God and that it is beneficial for teaching, for correcting, and training in righteousness, then how is it shaping your choices in life, what kind of influence is it having on your relationships, how does it affect how you behave and function at work? Do you believe the Bible to be the word of God even if what it tells you to do with your life makes no sense to those around you and the rest of the world? Think about some of the things that God told His people to do. God told Abraham to leave his home in Ur and promised him a child, even though he and his wife Sarah were quickly advancing in age to the point that fathering a child would be highly improbable. The conventional wisdom of Abrahams day suggested that he father a child through one of his servants, but that was not the promise God made to Abraham. God promised a son that would be both his and Sarahs, and in their old age God provided an heir. God used men who acted upon the word of God when others thought they were nuts. Men like Moses who God commissioned to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. Men like Joshua who God told to march around Jericho a bunch of times while blowing seven trumpets and then on the seventh day after the seventh time around the city to shout to bring down the walls of the city. Men like Gideon who God ordered to cut his army of 32,000 soldiers down to 300 to face an army of at least 135,000; each of Gideons soldiers were to carrying a torch, a clay pot, and a trumpet that they would blow after breaking the clay pot at night while surround the 135,000 Midianite army and then shout: A sword for the Lord and for Gideon! and this would be the way they would defeat an army that outnumbered them by 440 to 1 (see Judges 7:1-8:10). God raised a shepherd boy whose own father and brothers did not think much of to be a king over Israel, and it would be through his descendants a savior would be born who would rule the nations. God spoke through unlikely prophets of old, and choose an unassuming and impoverished virgin girl and her fianc to raise up the promised Messiah that she alone would be the biological parent of, and the child would grow up and live the life we could never live in a little country about the size of New Jersey for the purpose of suffering on a cross and dying under the wrath of God a death we all deserved. This is why the apostle Paul wrote, For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18). Gods wisdom is different! Not only is the wisdom of God different, but it is in a whole different category than the wisdom of the world. In what way is it different? We are told in verse 17, But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. Gods words and His ways rub against the grain of the worlds conventional wisdom and is the reason the prophet Isaiah wrote of God, For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord (55:8). The question for you, dear brothers and sisters, is what are you doing with it, or maybe a better question for some of you is, What will you do with His word? Conclusion What wisdom is guiding you? What wisdom is shaping your decisions? What wisdom are you applying to your marriage, your children, and your friendships? James is not offering us an option here, for what the Holy Spirit is showing us in James is that if you belong to Jesus, then you have no business with the kind of wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic. Why, because we are kingdom people! I told you that I believe what James is doing is simply applying Jesus sermon on the mount to everyday life. I have shared with you repeatedly that the way you come to Jesus is as one who is poor in spirit, one who mourns over sin, and one who is meek enough to lay you pride before the cross of Christ. These are the first three of Jesus beatitudes and are what theologians call, the beatitudes of need. The fourth beatitude is the fruit of the first three: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). How can I be satisfied? By finding my satisfaction in the One who is infinitely righteous and from whom true wisdom is found. What does a hunger and thirst for righteousness produce when that hunger and thirst is satisfied in Jesus? It produces what theologians call the beatitudes of action. I will pick up on this next Sunday, but for now I think it is enough for you to see what James is doing with wisdom and our Lords beatitudes. What kind of fruit does wisdom from above produce? It is pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, impartial, free of hypocrisy. Pure: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will receive mercy (Matt. 5:8). Peace-loving: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God (Matt. 5:9). Gentle (meek): Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5). Reasonable (compliant): Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3). Full of mercy: Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy (Matt. 5:7). Impartial / free of hypocrisy: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matt. 4). Full of good fruit: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (Matt. 5:6). My question for you is what are you doing with the wisdom that comes from above? It is the wisdom from above that calls those who follow Jesus through the narrow gate instead of the broad gate (Matt. 7:13-14). The wisdom from above calls the Christian to build upon the rock instead of sand (Matt. 7:24-29). The wisdom from above calls us to action in such a way that we do not only call Jesus Lord but live in subjection to His lordship (Matt. 7:22-21). The wisdom that is earthly, natural, and demonic will lead to death. The wisdom from above will lead to the kind of living where you can truly thrive as a child of God. Some of you may need to turn from whatever wisdom that has been guiding you, by humbling yourself before God Almighty. I will leave you with James 4:3-4 and you can do with it what seems best in light of what we have considered today: You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. [1] Peter H. Davids, The Epistle of James: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1982), 151. [2] Ibid.

James 2:1-13 gives clear direction that no matter someones status or position, Jesus followers are to show no partiality. We are instead called to love everyone as our neighbors.

How do you love the unlovable?