Podcasts about Zebedee

Devotional Theme – "A Mother's Request"Scripture reference – Matthew 20:20 & 21: Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”Intro and Outro Song - "We Give Thanks To Thee" by Marlene Jenkins CooperClosing Song - "Blessed Assurance " by Fannie CrosbyScripture Mentioned in the Podcast:'Exodus - Moses and his motherI Samuel 2 -Hannah and her sonMatthew 20:20 & 21 - The mother of Zebedee's sons, James and John-2 Kings 4:8-37 The Shunammite Woman and her sonLuke 1:46-49 Mary and Jesus

2026-09-27 Third Cycle of Discipleshipby: Pastor Chris BergScripture Reference: Mark 10:32-4532 They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe, and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear. Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus once more began to describe everything that was about to happen to him. 33 “Listen,” he said, “we're going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. 34 They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”36 “What is your request?” he asked.37 They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”38 But Jesus said to them, “You don't know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”39 “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. 40 But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”41 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 42 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”Mandeville Bible Church   "Where God's Word is Our Foundation"https://www.mandevillebiblechurch.org/Come and see that God's Word is alive and at work right here in Mandeville.. and throughout the world!All are welcome. 217 Carroll Street, Mandeville, LA 70448Church Office: (985) 626-3114Sunday Service: 9:30AMAdult Sunday School: 10:45-11:30AMNursery and Children's church available.

God did not design you to be a spiritual CONSUMER. He designed you to be a spiritual CONTRIBUTOR.1 Peter 4:10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.BOX SEATSBENCHTOWELThe BOX SEATS The mentality that the church exists to SERVE MEMark 10:35-37 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” “What is your request?” he asked. They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”Mark 10:42-45 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”The BENCH The mentality that says, “I'm not QUALIFIED or WORTHY enough to serve,” or “I'm just TOO BUSY to serve God”There is NO bench in the body of Christ.God doesn't call the QUALIFIED. He qualifies the CALLED.God works through your AVAILABILITY far more than your ABILITY.The secret of serving: You are always more FILLED UP than you POUR OUT.HOLDING a TOWELThe universal sign of “I am here to SERVE YOU”John 13:12-15 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher' and ‘Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”Jesus measures greatness not by SEATS or TITLES, but by who picks up a TOWEL. SAVED people SERVE people.

Because You Say So I Will Choose Obedience“Why do you call Me Lord and not do what I say?” Luke 6:46 “One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” Luke 5:1-11 NIV Because who says so? Doing what Jesus tells us to do doesn't always make sense to us Because You Say So I will pursue love (Agape) as the goal of my life “So I give you now a new commandment: Love each other just as much as I have loved you. For when you demonstrate the same love I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know that you're my true followers.” John 13:34-35 TPT (See also Matthew 22:37-39) Because You Say So I will forgive others as I have been forgiven “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 (See also Colossians 3:13) Because You Say So I will take courage that You have overcome the world “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NASB (See also James 1:2) Because You Say So I will strive for unity with my fellow believers “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” John 17:20-21 NLT

Today's narrative paints the picture of a frustrated group of people who have worked all day and done all they could and have failed.  The have failed at their work which means that they and their families are at risk of not having anything to eat and not having anywhere to live.  They have failed, they have accepted that they have failed and they are preparing to go home to their families with nothing.Then Jesus tells Simon Peter to try again.  Simon knows that there is no point to this.  He has proven it.But he has faith enough in Jesus, even though he is doubtful, to be obedient to Him and casts his net out again to catch fish.So what happened?===Luke 5:1-11  -  King James Version5 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.***Luke 5:1-11  -  New International VersionJesus Calls His First Disciples5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”5 Simon answered, “Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.***Matthew 22:36-40  -  King James Version36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.38 This is the first and great commandment.39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.***Matthew 28:18-20  -  King James Version18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.Send us Fan MailSupport the show===Please join my team in spreading The Word around the whole world by donating via CashApp at $TheChristQuarter.  Thank you!

by Aubrey Botha https://cpcchurchimages.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/10190443/September-7-Sermon-1.mp3 Luke 5:1-11 Jesus Calls His First Disciples 5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.   Transcript (Transcribed by TurboScribe) Good morning, No no. Thank you, I appreciate that, but you make me blush. I don’t like that. It’s good to see you. It’s good to be back. Thank you, Alexander. One day you’ll get it right. I think we reached the goal. I think we got a few donations during the week, so I think we hit the thousandth, and I am so, so grateful for that. Thank you for your grace, the way in which you can care for other people as well. What a wonderful, wonderful place this is. It’s always caring and giving and looking out for others. Let me, let me pray with you. Father, you are so good, and we live from the goodness of God. David got it right when he said, your goodness and your mercy follow me all the days of my life. We can’t get away from it long, even if we try. It keeps on following us. Thank you that we may live in that goodness. And then this morning again, as we break your word together, our prayer is that we will see Jesus, and only Jesus. Amen. I’m going to talk a little bit about following Jesus today. Now, now here’s the thing. Sometimes I think many of us, and many folks, and even many churches get this wrong, because when we speak about following, all of a sudden it becomes this obligation. I kind of have this chart on the fridge, and it’s got these little blocks, and I have to tick these little blocks. I did this, I did this, I did this, I did this, I’m okay. But if we look at the disciples, the first followers of Jesus, the picture is completely the opposite of that. For them, following Jesus was no obligation, despite the fact that they had to make many sacrifices to do that. They wanted to follow Jesus, but not out of obligation, but because they wanted an intimate relationship with him, being in his presence, learning from him, not doing something for God, but doing life with God, growing closer, and closer, and closer, and closer to Jesus, and looking more and more like Jesus. How do we do that? How do we get so close in this when we follow Jesus? Well, I’m going to look at a passage, and Alexander just showed me this morning. He has a new programme that every sermon I preach, he’s got the text there, and when he hits the button, it shows him exactly how many times I’ve preached on that same passage. It’s the truth. You can go look there, and I said, well, Alexander, today if you go look for this chapter, you might find it about six, seven, or eight times, only twice. I’ve preached it way more than that. This is one of my favourite passages. Have you written this one up as the one for my funeral as well? Luke chapter five. It’s one of my favourite, favourite passages. I just love it. It’s such a beautiful moment. One day, as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. Now, I think I told you this before, too. Lake of Gennesaret is the Sea of Galilee. It’s called Lake of Gennesaret in Hebrew, Yam Kineret. In Hebrew, Kineret means a harp, and when you look at the Sea of Galilee from above, it looks like a harp, so they call it the Lake of the Harp. That’s what Lake Gennesaret means, but it’s the Sea of Galilee. One day, as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the Word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats left there by the fishermen who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore, and then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When it finished speaking, he said to Simon, put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch. Simon answered, Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything, but, and there’s your biblical but, but because you say so, I will let down the nets. And when they’d done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, go away from me, Lord. I’m a cynical man. For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they’d taken, and so were James and John, or actually Jacob, remember I told you, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. And then Jesus said to Simon, don’t be afraid. From now on you will fish for people. And so they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything, and followed them. Talking about following Jesus, I want us to notice a few things from this passage about following, getting closer to Jesus. First thing, growing closer to Jesus requires us to listen carefully. When I say that, it’s not something new, but we also know that from our own relationship. If we do not listen to each other in our relationship, it will break down. There’s no question about that. Maybe one of the best examples of that is what’s going on right now between us and our neighbour down south. When you don’t listen, relationships just fall apart, and they can’t work, and we grow further and further apart from each other. Same thing with our relationship with Jesus. If we want to follow Jesus and grow closer to him, it starts by listening to him. But here’s the cool thing about listening to Jesus. In that situation of sitting with him, listening to him, it creates this safe space in which I can also ask my questions. Those difficult ones like, Lord, I’m trying so hard to walk with you. Why I struggle and I stumble? Can I make it? Questions like, I just don’t know if I can be with you. I just don’t feel safe. Or maybe saying, will you give me time? I just need to listen. You know what? Going close needs that moment to listen, because here’s the cool thing and the amazing thing. That’s what prayer is all about. We think often that prayer is me doing a lot of this. Actually, it’s doing a lot of this. And listen. Because we’ll talk, and we’ll say, and we’ll ask, but how many times do we stop, and we’re just quiet, and we just sit, and we just listen so that God can answer, so that God can speak back? Because only when I listen and I allow him to speak back into my life can I hear what he’s trying to say to me, where he’s trying to guide me, where he’s trying to take me, so that I can grow in that relationship with him. Please, take time to listen. Sometimes you don’t want to listen, because the things he says are really difficult. Right now, I’m going through a really difficult time thinking of my mother in South Africa alone, because she’s really struggling, and she has no one anymore. I struggle because I had to listen. Lord said, pack it up and go. It’s a place called Central, but I need you. We had to pack up and go. Sometimes we don’t want to listen, but in listening, this is how we grow in him, and in your faith, walk with him, and in following. There’s a second thing. So, Jesus preaching, looks around, sees the boats, gets into one of the boats, and he says to Peter, push it out from shore. I’m going to preach. He sits down, and he preaches. Now, usually, when we look at this, we look at this moment from Jesus’ perspective. He’s standing there on the shore. The crowd’s getting bigger, bigger. They’re pushing him further and further, right up into the water, and then he needs a place to kind of get into. He gets in the boat, so he gets a little bit away, and of course, the water will amplify the voice as it goes out to the people. I don’t want to go to that perspective this morning. I want to go to the different perspective of one of these disciple guys, which by then was not disciples. It was just a bunch of fishermen. Just think for a moment from their perspective. They were out on those boats the whole night trying to catch fish because that’s how they feed their family. That’s how they make a living. That’s how they feed other people. They come back disappointed. They didn’t catch a single fish, so they get the nets ready because they have to go out again tonight, and hopefully, there will be a catch. I’m sure in their minds, it’s like, let’s clean these nets. Let’s get them in the boats. Let’s just get home, have something to eat, go to bed, and get ready for tonight. That’s when Jesus says, get me in the boat, please. What a talk. Here’s the second thing. Number one, growing closer to Jesus requires listening. Number two, growing closer to Jesus will ask of me to be inconvenienced and uncomfortable often. I know we don’t like that because we don’t like to be uncomfortable. Our world is set up to be. Everything needs to be comfortable, except the church. It’s always hard. We don’t like to be uncomfortable. We like to be comfortable. Just think about all the inconvenient things Jesus said. Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Walk with me. Pray for your enemies. Love your enemies. Think of all the uncomfortable things he asked the disciples to do. Lord, these people are hungry. Well, you feed them. You want to be a disciple? Sure, leave everything. Follow me. And when he sends them out for the first time to go speak the gospel on their own, he says, leave everything behind. Don’t take anything else. Just go. See, here’s the thing. Following Jesus means that in this world, we will often feel uncomfortable and inconvenienced because of who we are in Christ Jesus as we grow closer and closer to him and look more and more like him. Tell me, did the world like him? Was it convenient? Was it comfortable? As we grow closer, that is what will be part of our life as well. And even Jesus will confront us, each one of us, with hard things about ourselves, hard truths that we will have to confront in this walk with him. He will often allow us to go into difficult situations that we would choose not to go exactly as he did. He will allow us to meet up with some folks that are difficult and hard and make life hard for them. But when he calls us to follow him, he never says, come do this easy thing with me. He says, you’re going to walk. You’re going to carry. You’re going to put me number one in your life. That might not always be comfortable. Are you prepared to do that? See, here’s the thing. Lots of folks jumped in the boat and said, oh yeah, we’ll listen. That’s pretty cool. But the moment it’s inconvenient and it’s uncomfortable, they jump ship and they go. This is the third thing. So he preaches. When he’s done, he looks at Peter and he says, let’s go fish, buddy. Go out to the deep part of the lake and let’s go catch some fish. Now, remember, I told you this before. When they fish, they fish at night because that’s when the fish come closer to the shore where it’s nice and warm. Their nets were shallow water nets. You just think about this when you go to John 21, which is kind of the other part of this, where they go back to fishing, which they shouldn’t, and Jesus comes and calls them. When they’re fishing there and Peter sees Jesus, he says he jumped out of the boat and he ran to Jesus because they caught fish close to the shore. That’s why Jesus could call to them. They weren’t right out there. And he says, go to the deep water. The nets wouldn’t work there because they were just short nets. They should go right under them. They didn’t catch in the day. The fish were way down there. So no wonder Peter was a little apprehensive about this idea of going to catch fish. It was counterintuitive to what he has known all of his life. This is how it works. This is how we do it. This is not the right thing to go do right now. I get it. You would have said the same things like Matt. But there was the but moment. Thinks about it and he thinks okay. But because you say so, we let the nets down. And there’s number three. Growing closer to Jesus means listening. Growing closer to Jesus will ask of me to be inconvenienced or uncomfortable. And number three is growing closer to Jesus and following him means that I will try it Jesus way. Peter caught fish a gazillion times this way. Never try it this way. Jesus says, go try this. What happens? Those nets just overflow. Try it. But we’ve always done it this way. Try it. But Lord it looks. Try it. Try it. And when they did, boy we needed more boats than they ever could imagine. See here’s the thing. Jesus doesn’t ask of you to leave everything behind. All he asks you is that you will trust him with one thing. Try it this way. See if he is faithful in what he is called to try. Can I invite you to go fishing with Jesus and try it this way? I can stand here today and I can say I guarantee you when you do that, your life will be filled with such of this abundance that you will not know what to do with that abundance you call it. Even if like this moment it looks completely impossible. Oh the things that wait to do it with. When you walk into the boardroom and it’s heated and people are angry and they’re going at each other, why don’t you be the kind and the gracious? Why do you need Jesus? When you get into that argument with your husband, with your wife, stop and think for a moment. Why don’t you try it? When you feel overwhelmed and you kind of feel like giving up, why don’t you try it? Jesus. One little step at a time. Sometimes it will overwhelm us like it did with Peter. In the moment when Peter realises what has happened in this moment, he says, Lord this is scary. I don’t know if I can handle this. And that’s often what we do when he says try it my way. It’s like I don’t think I can do this. And we do it and it’s like holy, but I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I can stay so close to you. And that’s the moment where Jesus says, Peter, to think this was something you ain’t seen nothing yet. You thought you were just going to catch fish. You will be stunned at what I’m going to let you do because you are going to be the biggest fish that you could ever be because you are going to change lives. You try and push away and all he says is come a little closer. Come a little closer. Come a little closer. The closer I get, the more and more I look like him. More and more I do like him. More and more I want to be close because that’s God. That’s just who he is. Just think about it. God came so close to us in this world through Jesus. He came. He came close to messy people, broken people. The thing is we’re the ones who kind of run away. Here’s my invitation. What do you think? Should we go fishing? Amen. Take a few moments of quiet prayer. As we walk this world, Lord, thank you that we can do the words of this song that we sang. May we speak Jesus in our thoughts, in our actions, in our words, in all of our lives. May we come so close to you, Lord, that we become your hands and feet and your lives in this world. Help us every day to listen, to do what you want us to do, and above all, Lord, to do it your way. Thank you for the grace of this morning. Thank you for the gift of your amazing name. We love you, Lord, with all that is in us as we pray in the name of Jesus.  

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and asked him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.Luke 5:1–3 KJ2000I have had occasion to speak across water in less important situations, and it is true: Sound carries better over water. Well, when Jesus had finished his sermon, he said to Simon:[…] Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch. And Simon answering said unto him, Teacher, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fish: and their net broke.Luke 5:4–6 KJ2000I guess Jesus felt he should pay something for the use of the ship. He could have given them money, I suppose, but he didn’t. He blessed them another way—in their business. It emphasized, I suppose, that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights—even if he doesn’t hand it to us himself, but asks us to let down our nets and pull it up.And they beckoned unto their partners, who were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of the fish which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from now on you shall catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.Luke 5:7–11 KJ2000Peter recognized a miracle when he saw it. And his view of himself was unobstructed; he knew what he was. And here’s the interesting thing to think about—so did Jesus.

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel - Luke 5:1-11 - While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, He asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then He sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at Your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them.  They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed Him. Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church Saint Gregory, pray for us! Bishop Sheen quote of the day

Original Postdate: September 5, 2024 === Gospel Luke 5:1-11 While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. Reflection When we experience gifts that flow seemingly natural through us, it's really difficult to understand which part of our effectiveness in the world is due to our own energy and our own understanding, our own discipline. Or is it purely a gift from God? Well, the key, it's both. But human beings have a hard time keeping themselves in balance when God is using them to accomplish great deeds. We need to be careful of not falling into the trap of thinking those deeds come from us, and not just through us. Closing Prayer Father, over and over again we see people who have authority and responsibility and a position of power, getting caught up in it and ending up being not the instrument that God can use any longer. Keep us grounded in the humility that God is the source of all that we can accomplish when it comes to building his kingdom. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Luke 5:1-11While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God,he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.He saw two boats there alongside the lake;the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."Simon said in reply,"Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,but at your command I will lower the nets."When they had done this, they caught a great number of fishand their nets were tearing.They signaled to their partners in the other boatto come to help them. They came and filled both boatsso that the boats were in danger of sinking.When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,"Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized himand all those with him,and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,who were partners of Simon.Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid;from now on you will be catching men."When they brought their boats to the shore,they left everything and followed him.

Jesus passes through Jericho as He nears Jerusalem. There, two blind men beg for mercy from Jesus because they see Him truly as the Son of David. When the crowd tries to silence the men, their prayers grow louder. Jesus asks the two men the same question He had asked the mother of the sons of Zebedee, and these two blind men ask for something Jesus has come to grant. He grants them physical sight, matching their spiritual sight. Unlike a previous healing, after this miracle, Jesus does not tell the men to be silent. As Holy Week draws near, the time has come for the world to see what it means that Jesus is the Son of David.  Rev. Dr. Martin Dressler, pastor at Salem Lutheran Church and School in Black Jack, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 20:29-34.  “The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Mark 10:35-41, 46-5235 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

In this sermon, Karl Ihfe draws on the life of James, son of Zebedee, to show that Jesus is not surprised by our immaturity — He is committed to our maturity. Through James' journey from wanting to call down fire on enemies and seeking seats of honor, to ultimately drinking the cup of martyrdom with faithfulness, Karl reminds us that transformation happens in the ordinary, everyday moments of following Jesus. Before God calls us to do anything great, His first invitation is simply, "Will you follow?" https://bwaychurch.org

Matthew 26:36-39, 45-46Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”Then he came to the disciples and said, “… look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let's be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”The most courageous moment in the history of humankind is when Jesus made the final decision to redeem us. As fully human, like you or me…He stood at the last crossroads before the actual cross and said yes for us. The turning point in that battle was when He stated, “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”In our final day of this week's series on courage, the way we may live in confidence and express courage in the face of any trial is by stating to God: “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”Think about the stories we have visited this week, David, Gideon, Ruth, and Esther—each one had to come to the place of saying “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Even David the warrior would have preferred to not risk his life that day, but he knew there was a much higher purpose for his life than protecting sheep.Where in your life today are you battling a decision or struggling with a calling? Where do you need to let go and follow Jesus into saying, “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” And even repeat His words: “Look—the time has come. Up—let's be going.” The reality for you, though, is that your decision will not end in death. In fact, your personal courage could potentially create far more life than you ever knew before.Let's pray: “Lord Jesus, thank You that You made the choice for me in the garden. You chose God's will for redemption and sacrificed your own will and life. Help me now to follow Your example and continually say to You: “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” As above, so below.” - Amen

Greatness in the kingdom of God, is rooted in humility and sacrificial service. So, we see that greatness is achievable for all of us. It's not dependent on your title, position, location, influence, or anything else. Greatness is achieved when we serve others. All of us can do this today.Main Points:1. Our culture sees greatness as record-breaking achievements, success, influence, power, position, fame, and notoriety. But God sees it differently.2. Consider this: Jesus, the Son of God, the King of Kings, chose to serve rather than be served. In a culture that revered positions of authority, Jesus shattered expectations by washing the disciples' feet and living a life marked by humility and selflessness.3. Whether in the workplace, our families, or communities, let us remember the example set by the ultimate servant-leader, Jesus Christ. May our lives reflect His humility, compassion, and commitment to serving others.Today's Scripture Verses:Mark 10:35-37 - “Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” Mark 10:42-25 - “Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Pastor Paul Takach teaches on Philippians 2:1-4, addressing the ever-present danger of disunity in local churches and the biblical command to preserve unity through humility and selfless love. He outlines the passage in two parts: the motivation for unity (verse 1) and the practice of unity (verses 2-4). The motivation rests on the believer's experience of God's grace—consolation in Christ, comfort of His love, fellowship of the Spirit, and affection and mercy from God—which Paul uses as "if" statements that are actually certainties for Christians. The practice of unity involves being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, and of one mind, which Takach grounds in shared doctrinal confession. He warns against selfish ambition and vain conceit (empty glory), citing Diotrephes in 3 John and the sons of Zebedee in Matthew 20 as negative examples, and calls believers to esteem others as more important than themselves, looking out for others' interests. He references John Owen's rule on maintaining unity and cites Romans 12:10, 1 Corinthians 10:24, and John 13:34-35. The practical application extends to marriages, giving, and daily interactions—listening attentively, deferring on secondary issues, and serving without seeking recognition. Takach emphasizes that true humility cannot be manufactured by self-effort; the resource is Christ Himself, who humbled Himself to death on the cross (Philippians 2:5-11). Believers must meditate on Christ's person and work, flee to Him, and let His mind dwell in them, which alone produces genuine gospel transformation and...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Pastor Josh teaches us about surrendering our plan, preference, prejudice, pride and politics.Proverbs 14:1212 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.Proverbs 16:99 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.Proverbs 19:2121 Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.Proverbs 3:5-65 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.Matthew 6:25-2625 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?Jeremiah 29:1111 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Matthew 26:36-4236 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”Luke 6:46-4946 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”John 4:7-307 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” 27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.John 4:39-4139 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.Psalm 139:23-2423 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.Proverbs 16:1818 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.Matthew 26:31-3531 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:“‘I will strike the shepherd,     and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee. 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.James 4:1010 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.John 6:1515 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.Matthew 28:19-2019 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Philippians 1:2121 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.John 3:3030 He must become greater; I must become less.

Today’s Topics: Father Raymond of the Blessed Sacrament joins Terry 1) Gospel – Mark 1:14-20 – After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” As He passed by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left their nets and followed Him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then He called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed Him. Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3, 4) Terry and Father Raymond discuss the necessity of prayer in one’s life to attain sanctity

MARK 10:32-45 32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise." 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." 36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. 37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." 38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" 39 "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared." 41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." NIV 84 LESSON NOTES Jesus connects two seemingly opposite Old Testament figures that no one in a million years would have paired together: Daniel's "Son of Man" (Daniel 7) and Isaiah's "Suffering Servant" (Isaiah 53). He reveals that God's sovereign kingdom is established not through ruling over, but through serving under. In Mark 8, 9, and 10, we see a repeating pattern: Jesus predicts his suffering, the disciples give a "crazy" self-centered response, and Jesus teaches a lesson on discipleship and self-denial. On the road to Jerusalem, Jesus predicts his own death and resurrection three distinct times. With each prediction, the details become sharper, culminating in nine specific details about his upcoming passion in Mark 10. Jesus was never caught off guard; he resolutely chose the cross. Jesus issues a strict prohibition for his followers regarding leadership. While disciples can and should hold positions of authority, they are strictly forbidden from using that authority to rule "over" others. Kingdom leadership must look completely different from worldly leadership. The ultimate example of service is the Son of Man himself, who did not come to be served, but to serve. In God's kingdom, the King of all is the servant to all. His crown was made of thorns, his throne was a wooden cross, and the positions on his right and left were ultimately occupied by crucified criminals. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Icebreaker - what is the weirdest, most unusual food combination you love that other people might think is completely crazy? 2. William Barclay distinguished between crisis courage and "seeing it coming and going anyway" courage. Where in your life right now might God be asking you for the second kind? 3. Jesus states that leaders in his kingdom must be "servant of all" and "slave of all". In your workplace, family, or church, what does it practically look like to use a position of authority to serve under people rather than rule over them? 4. "Mark 10:45 is what turns Christianity into the gospel." How should the reality of Jesus giving his life as a ransom change the way we treat people who annoy, hurt, or inconvenience us this week? 5. "Jesus laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for one another" (1 John 3:16). What's one concrete way you can lay down your life for someone else this week?

July 29, 2026 - Wednesday Bible Class In this live, uplifting lesson a teacher delivers his first full class exploring the life, ministry, and writings of John the Apostle. The session blends scripture reading, practical reflection, and brief audience interaction as the speaker walks listeners through who John was, why he mattered to Jesus, and what his testimony means for Christians today. The episode traces John from his calling as the son of Zebedee and member of Jesus' inner circle (Matthew 4; Matthew 10) to his portrayal as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” who stood at the cross and was entrusted with Mary's care (John 13; John 19). Key moments covered include John racing to the empty tomb (John 20), meeting Jesus by the Sea of Tiberias (John 21), witnessing the raising of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5), the Transfiguration (Matthew 17), and Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane (Matthew 26). Cody reviews the books attributed to John: the Gospel of John (emphasizing Christ's divinity with passages like John 1 and John 3:16), the three epistles (1–3 John) with themes of love, obedience, fellowship, warnings against false teachers, and practical encouragement (including the example of Gaius), and finally Revelation — written on Patmos — with its visions, messages to the seven churches, calls to repentance, and scenes of final judgment. The lesson highlights major theological points from John's witness: Jesus as the Lamb of God and Son of God, the Good Shepherd who lays down his life, the way/the truth/the life, and the true vine that branches must abide in. The teacher emphasizes repentance, perseverance ("be faithful unto death"), separation from false teaching, and living out the commandments as evidence of love for God (1 John). Important Revelation themes discussed include church condition categories (loveless, persecuted, compromising, corrupt, dead, lukewarm) and the Great White Throne judgment. Practical takeaways close the episode: encouragement to speak up about faith, to run the Christian life as a marathon rather than a sprint, to maintain a good reputation through faithful service, and to press on in obedience and love. Cody invites critiques and feedback as part of growing in confidence and continuing the work of sharing the gospel.   Duration 39:01

17 Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, 18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, 19 and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?”She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”They said to Him, “We are able.”23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

A study of the biblical mothers that aren't referred to too often and their love and care for their children; Eve, Sarah, Bathsheba, Manoah's wife, Hannah, Jochebed, Mrs. Zebedee, Mary, and Elizabeth.  VF-1820   Proverbs 1:8-9, Proverbs 6:20-23, Proverbs 10:1; Matthew 20:20-23; Luke 1:16-18, Luke 1:24-25 We are to celebrate the ones that have loved and taken care of us Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a message for Pastor Scott. You may make reservations to attend a live service, leave a prayer request or make a commitment. Pastor Scott appreciates messages and reads them often during live broadcasts. Follow @Pastor_Scott on Twitter and visit her official Facebook page @Pastor.M.Scott. Download Pastor Scott's "Understand the Bible" app for iPhone, iPad and iPod at the Apple App Store and for Android devices in the Google Store. Pastor Scott can also be seen 24x7 on Roku and Amazon Fire on the "Understand the Bible?" channel. ©2026 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved

She was the mother of the Apostles James and John, the wife of Zebedee, and the daughter of Joseph the Betrothed, who was a widower when he became betrothed to the Mother of God. She was a disciple of the Lord and one of the Myrrh-bearing women who first brought tidings of the Resurrection to the world.

“Put Out Into Deep Water”Luke 5:1-111 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”5 Simon answered, “Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don't be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.CONNECT WITH USIf you have any questions or would like to get to know us further, head over to https://www.triumphlbc.org/connect and fill out our online connection card.ABOUT TRIUMPHTriumph wants to see the life and message of Jesus transform your heart, home, and city. To learn more visit https://www.triumphlbc.org/

Happy Friday! Topics today include new music from Faith Music Missions, lessons from the prayer of the mother of Zebedee's children, prayer is asking, the problem with praying for position, the work of prayer begins with the person praying, praying for our young people going off to college this August, reaching those around us and more.  Janice's books What Do I Have to Lose? Books 1 and 2   are available NOW!! The complete set is just $25. Check it out at FaithMusicRadio.com. >> Also, featuring CW Today with Loretta Walker and Keep the Heart with Francie Taylor.  Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and please share this podcast with your friends so we may be an encouragement to them through the music and programming on Faith Music Radio. Music is brought to you by Faith Music Missions. Learn more here >>> https://www.faithmusicmissions.org Eleven2One Facebook  Eleven2One on Instagram Faith Music Radio is a listener supported Christian station.

Happy Thursday! Topics today include new music from Faith Music Missions, lessons from the prayer of the mother of Zebedee's children, faithful in the ordinary moments and more! CHECK OUT SHARI HOUSE'S NEW BOOK! Her Story Silhouettes: Volume 2 is now available for preorder.  Janice's books What Do I Have to Lose? Books 1 and 2   are available NOW!! The complete set is just $25. Check it out at FaithMusicRadio.com. >> Also, featuring A Word of Encouragement with Vicky Mutchler, CW Today with Loretta Walker and Silhouettes with Shari House.  Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and please share this podcast with your friends so we may be an encouragement to them through the music and programming on Faith Music Radio. Music is brought to you by Faith Music Missions. Learn more here >>> https://www.faithmusicmissions.org Eleven2One Facebook  Eleven2One on Instagram Faith Music Radio is a listener supported Christian station.

Sermon TextPsalm 42-43To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah. As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, Where is your God? These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me. By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God, my rock: Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, Where is your God? Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.Psalm 43:2For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?Matthew 26:36-39Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, Sit here, while I go over there and pray. And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me. And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.Matthew 27:43He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.'Psalm 43:5Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.Psalm 43:3-4Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.Hebrews 6:19-20We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Matthew 20:20-28   The mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Matthew Week 146   Matthew 26:33-34 ESV   33 Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away." 34 Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."     Matthew 26:36-46 ESV   36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."                         John 18:1-2 ESV   When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.       Luke 4:13 ESV   13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.             Isaiah 53:5 NASB95   But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.       1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV   12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.       Romans 5:3-5 ESV   3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.       James 1:2-4 ESV   2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.          

July 25-26 is the Feast Weekend of Saint James the Greater. Let’s enjoy Chapter 9:28-62 from the Gospel of Luke. HJTe28 Gospel of Luke available at https://amzn.to/3M6sTId Books about St. James (Son of Zebedee) available at https://amzn.to/45hwjkX Historical Jesus books available at https://amzn.to/43rnYbq ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark's video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (twitter): https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Bible Audio narration Chapter-A-Day Audio Bible podcast with John Stange (LifeAudio Podcast Network, Salem Web Network). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 25-26 is the celebration of Saint James the Greater. Let’s enjoy Chapter 5 from the Gospel of Luke. HJTe22 Breathe Bible Audio CD available at https://amzn.to/3CPRa4x Gospel of Luke available at https://amzn.to/3M6sTId Books about St. James (Son of Zebedee) available at https://amzn.to/45hwjkX Historical Jesus books available at https://amzn.to/43rnYbq ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark's video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (twitter): https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Breathe Bible podcast (LifeAudio Podcast Network, Salem Web Network). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesus responds to a request from the mother of the sons of Zebedee, turning a moment of weakness into a spiritual insight that leads to service. (Lectionary #605) July 25, 2026 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

Original Post Date: July 25, 2025 === Gospel Matthew 20:20-28 The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, "What do you wish?" She answered him, "Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom." Jesus said in reply, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?" They said to him, "We can." He replied, "My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Reflection This seems like such a human story. And in the eyes of the other disciples, it seems that James and John basically put their mother up to this. We really want a position of power and authority. And it just shows how far they are, in a sense, from the Kingdom of God.  But what is so essential in this reading is an understanding that the great shadow of anyone in a ministry position that gives them this sense of power is so dangerous that anyone in the role of ministry has to be checking themselves over and over again, to make sure they're not caught up in seeking an authority over people, but only looking for ways in which to serve them. Closing Prayer Father, we are human, and we never lose our humanity, and there's always a pull, a desire to be seen as someone important. Someone valuable. It gives us a sense of worth, a sense of value. Free us from that addiction to always looking for approval. And never let us use it in a way that overpowers the rights of others in favor of what our ego longs for. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friends of the Rosary,Today, July 25, is traditionally the Feast of St. James, the Apostle, known as the Greater, in order to distinguish him from the other Apostle St. James. Jesus called him Boanerges, "son of thunder."James the Greater was our Lord's cousin (an old legend states that Salome, his mother, was a sister of Mary), and John the Evangelist's brother and the son of Zebedee, the fisherman from Galilee. With Peter and John, he was one of the witnesses of the Transfiguration, and later of the agony in the garden. He was beheaded in Jerusalem in the year 42 or 43 A.D. by King Herod Agrippa, becoming the first apostle to give his life for proclaiming Christ.In Spain, his magnificent shrine at Santiago de Compostela has been a place of pilgrimage since the ninth century, through el Camino, "the Way of St. James". After the pilgrimage to Rome or the Holy Land, it is the most famous and the most frequented pilgrimage in Christendom. The paths to Compostella form a network over Europe; they are dotted with hospices and chapels.Saint James is a powerful saint for today because he shows both human ambition and holy transformation.In today's Gospel (Matthew 20:20-28), Jesus tells James and John that greatness in His Kingdom is not about status, but service: “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant.” The glory comes through the chalice — suffering, sacrifice, and service. Saint James followed that path all the way to martyrdom.Staying close to Jesus, we will see how He will turn our ambition into mission.Saint James, pray for us!Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• June 25, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

20 Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, adoring and asking something of him.Tunc accessit ad eum mater filiorum Zebedaei cum filiis suis, adorans et petens aliquid ab eo. 21 Who said to her: What wilt thou? She saith to him: Say that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom.Qui dixit ei : Quid vis? Ait illi : Dic ut sedeant hi duo filii mei, unus ad dexteram tuam, et unus ad sinistram in regno tuo. 22 And Jesus answering, said: You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? They say to him: We can.Respondens autem Jesus, dixit : Nescitis quid petatis. Potestis bibere calicem, quem ego bibiturus sum? Dicunt ei : Possumus. 23 He saith to them: My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on my right or left hand, is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.Ait illis : Calicem quidem meum bibetis : sedere autem ad dexteram meam vel sinistram non est meum dare vobis, sed quibus paratum est a Patre meo.St James, called the Greater, preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria and Spain. On his return to Jerusalem, Herod condemned him to death; he was beheaded A.D. 42. His body was conveyed to Compostella in Spain, and is venerated by many pilgrims.

July 25 is the annual celebration of Saint James the Greater. Let’s enjoy Chapter 3 from the Gospel of Mark. HJTe3 Gospel of Mark available at https://amzn.to/3X3m9Ba Books about St. James (Son of Zebedee) available at https://amzn.to/45hwjkX Historical Jesus books available at https://amzn.to/43rnYbq ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark's video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (twitter): https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Bible Audio narration: Book of Mark-Chapter 3 (WordProject, International Biblical Association). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 25 is the Feast Day of James, son of Zebedee, brother of John, and one of the twelve disciples. Jesus called James and John, the Sons of Thunder. Books about St. James (Son of Zebedee) at https://amzn.to/45hwjkX Gospel of Mark available at https://amzn.to/3X3m9Ba Gospel of John available at https://amzn.to/3AozdbL Gospel of Luke available at https://amzn.to/3M6sTId Gospel of Matthew available at https://amzn.to/3LEeP8F ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's History of North America podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (twitter): https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Barron’s Sunday Sermons—The Prodigal Son Returns (Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, March 2, 2016). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Read OnlineDrinking Christ's ChaliceThe mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” Matthew 20:20–22Among the Twelve Apostles, two were named James: James the Greater, son of Zebedee, and James the Lesser, son of Alpheus. James the Greater, whom we honor today, was likely called “greater” due to his prominence in the Gospel narrative. He was the brother of John the Evangelist, and tradition holds that their mother was Salome, possibly the sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary—making James and John cousins of Jesus.In today's Gospel, the mother of James and John expresses her natural affection and ambition for her sons by approaching Jesus with a bold request: that they might sit, one at His right and the other at His left, in His Kingdom. While her petition reveals faith in Jesus and love for her sons, it also highlights a misunderstanding of the nature of Christ's kingship. Earthly rulers may reign with power, honor, and prestige, but the Kingdom of God is not built on worldly glory; it is built on humble, self-giving love.Jesus responds with a gentle yet penetrating question: “Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” The “chalice” refers to His suffering—His Passion and Death. It is filled not with comfort or honor, but with humiliation and sacrifice. James and John respond with confident simplicity: “We can.” Their answer, though likely offered without full understanding, reveals a spark of heroic love and loyalty that would, in time, be tested and fulfilled.Jesus affirms, “My chalice you will indeed drink.” Saint James would become the first of the Apostles to suffer martyrdom, as recorded in Acts 12:2, when he was beheaded by the sword under Herod Agrippa. Herod sought to strike at the newly developing Church and to appease the Jews who opposed Jesus and His followers.James truly shared in the Passion of Christ, offering his life in union with his Master. His martyrdom was followed by the arrest of Peter, likewise intended to please those persecuting the Church. Yet while Peter was miraculously freed by an angel, James was not. Why?Like James and Peter, each of us has a unique mission in life. Some, like Peter, are raised to prominence and leadership. Others, like James, are called to a more hidden and radical sacrifice. Both vocations are precious in the eyes of God. James' early martyrdom was not a failure but a fulfillment—a witness to the glory of drinking deeply from the chalice of Christ.As we honor Saint James, reflect today on his zeal, faith, and desire to be an active member of Christ's Kingdom. Though he misunderstood what that entailed at first, he remained faithful until the end. Reflect on your own desire for status or recognition. Do you seek honor among others, whether in the Church or society? If so, turn to Saint James, who ultimately embraced the true mission of discipleship. We, too, must drink Christ's chalice of selfless and sacrificial love, willingly laying down our lives in countless ways. Resolve to embrace whatever mission God entrusts to you. If He opens the door to leadership and prominence, walk through it humbly. If He leads you through the door of sacrifice and holy suffering, do not hesitate. God has a unique and glorious mission for each of us—different from one another, yet equally glorious when accepted with love and fidelity.My sacrificial Lord, You freely and completely offered Your life on the Cross and invite me to follow in Your footsteps. Saint James responded with courage, drinking the chalice You gave him, even to the shedding of his blood. Reveal to me, Lord, the mission You have entrusted to my life, and grant me the strength to embrace it with all my heart. May I, like Saint James, share in the glory of Your Kingdom through a life of faithful love and sacrifice. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: St James the Apostle, by Peter Paul RubensSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Full Text of Readings Feast of Saint James, Apostle Lectionary: 605 The Saint of the day is Saint James Saint James' Story This James is the brother of John the Evangelist. The two were called by Jesus as they worked with their father in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had already called another pair of brothers from a similar occupation: Peter and Andrew. “He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him” (Mark 1:19-20). Saint James was one of the favored three who had the privilege of witnessing the Transfiguration, the raising to life of the daughter of Jairus, and the agony in Gethsemani. Two incidents in the Gospels describe the temperament of this man and his brother. Saint Matthew tells that their mother came—Mark says it was the brothers themselves—to ask that they have the seats of honor in the kingdom. “Jesus said in reply, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?' They said to him, ‘We can'” (Matthew 20:22). Jesus then told them they would indeed drink the cup and share his baptism of pain and death, but that sitting at his right hand or left was not his to give—it “is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father” (Matthew 20:23b). It remained to be seen how long it would take to realize the implications of their confident “We can!” The other disciples became indignant at the ambition of James and John. Then Jesus taught them all the lesson of humble service: The purpose of authority is to serve. They are not to impose their will on others, or lord it over them. This is the position of Jesus himself. He was the servant of all; the service imposed on him was the supreme sacrifice of his own life. On another occasion, James and John gave evidence that the nickname Jesus gave them—“sons of thunder”—was an apt one. The Samaritans would not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to hated Jerusalem. “When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?' Jesus turned and rebuked them…” (Luke 9:54-55). Saint James was apparently the first of the apostles to be martyred. “About that time King Herod laid hands upon some members of the church to harm them. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also” (Acts 12:1-3a). This Saint James, sometimes called James the Greater, is not to be confused with James the Lesser or with the author of the Letter of James and the leader of the Jerusalem community. Reflection The way the Gospels treat the apostles is a good reminder of what holiness is all about. There is very little about their virtues as static possessions, entitling them to heavenly reward. Rather, the great emphasis is on the Kingdom, on God's giving them the power to proclaim the Good News. As far as their personal lives are concerned, there is much about Jesus' purifying them of narrowness, pettiness, fickleness. From James there is much to learn still.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

In this message, we are reminded that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed when Christ returns. As we look at the life of James, we see his desire was to have a great place in the kingdom of God. And while it looks different than expected, Jesus has granted that to him and to all who are willing to join him in being sons and daughters of thunder. Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on July 19, 2026

In this message, we are reminded that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed when Christ returns. As we look at the life of James, we see his desire was to have a great place in the kingdom of God. And while it looks different than expected, Jesus has granted that to him and to all who are willing to join him in being sons and daughters of thunder. Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on July 19, 2026

In this message, we are reminded that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed when Christ returns. As we look at the life of James, we see his desire was to have a great place in the kingdom of God. And while it looks different than expected, Jesus has granted that to him and to all who are willing to join him in being sons and daughters of thunder. Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on July 19, 2026

In this message, we are reminded that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed when Christ returns. As we look at the life of James, we see his desire was to have a great place in the kingdom of God. And while it looks different than expected, Jesus has granted that to him and to all who are willing to join him in being sons and daughters of thunder. Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on July 19, 2026

Today’s Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel – Matthew 10:1-7 – Jesus summoned His Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'” Bishop Sheen quote of the day

Original Post Date: July 10, 2024 === Gospel Matthew 10:1-7 Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'” Reflection We see in the action of Jesus in this passage the seed of establishing the new Kingdom of God. It's a kingdom that is made up of people who are open and receptive to a power that is not from them, but comes from God to them. And when they use it, they bring life and light to those that are in darkness. It's a beautiful image of the church. And what Jesus wants this to take root in is the temple. So he's encouraging these disciples to teach this new message by bringing it to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Closing Prayer Father, we need to appreciate the gift that God is inviting us to participate in. The possibility that his love dwelling within us can heal and help those in need around us. What a gift that is. What an important thing to remember. We, all of us, have a common call to bring life and mercy to everyone around us. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on July 8th, 2026, at Kintore College, Toronto.Today's Gospel gives us a glimpse of that luminous moment in which Jesus entrusts his apostles with the most important responsibility of their lives. Nobody has ever been entrusted with a mission as important as this, with such decisive consequences for world history.The account of Jesus' choice of his 12 apostles from Matt 10, 1-7: "Jesus summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness.  These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the one who was to betray him."Thumbnail: Massacio (Tommaso di Ser Giovanni di Simone), "Peter Healing the sick with his shadow", Florence, Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence, 1424-1425.Music: pulsebox piano music-cinematic-552722

What kind of faith is worth giving your life for? James, the son of Zebedee, was the first of Jesus' twelve disciples to be killed for the gospel, yet he didn't start out as a calm, steady saint. He was fiery, impulsive, even reckless at times—a “Son of Thunder” whose passion often ran ahead of his character. Listen in as we trace how Jesus transformed that raw intensity into a surrendered passion, and we'll see why even our deepest zeal for the things of God must ultimately be laid at His feet.

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CLICK HERE for videoMatthew 9:36-10:8At the sight of the crowds, Jesus' heart was moved with pity for thembecause they were troubled and abandoned,like sheep without a shepherd.Then he said to his disciples,“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;so ask the master of the harvestto send out laborers for his harvest.”Then he summoned his twelve disciplesand gave them authority over unclean spiritsto drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.The names of the twelve apostles are these:first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew;James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;Simon from Cana, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus,“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers in His harvest.” And He called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him. These twelve Jesus sent out … (Matthew 9:35-10:5a)