The foundation that has been built by Christ and forms our spiritual house makes the place where we continue building by love and obedience. We are building it too, because we are partners with God in the building of the Kingdom of Jesus.

Another letter for the Jews, the apostle Peter addressed those who were scattered by the many factors of the ancient world. Though they were separated, they were brought back together under the same promise of Jesus, the High Priest who unifies all of God's people.

The power that we have is not money, that is to be shared. It is not in oaths, because we have the bond of the Spirit. Our power is in prayer and coming into the throneroom of God, where our true power and identity lie.

For the Feast of Phillip and James, we are focusing in the book of John on a scene with Phillip, bringing other apostles to Jesus. This is basic apostolic work: to follow Jesus and help others do the same. This line of followers ends with Jesus, but it is still our responsibility to follow well.

What we say matters, and we can use our words to either build up or tear down. James isn't writing about the things that give us Salvation (that's God's work, not ours), but he's reminding the young church that the love they should show one another is important, and it plays out in many ways.

It's not the purpose of growing in faith to keep it to ourselves. The faith we have is for bringing wholeness to to the world and the lives of others. This is the life of the Kingdom of Jesus.

Working out the love that flows between God and his people, and also between the people themselves, can take some work. Some things that might flatter our own ego, like catering to the wealthy, work against the intention of the Kingdom of Jesus.

The book of James is sort of the Proverbs of the New Testament talking about a way to conduct ourselves. This isn't a new attempt to create a Law that brings back the old covenant, but rather shows us what lives transformed by Christ should look like.

The new priest and the new covenant are close fellowship with God, and God will not leave his people. There are leaders within the Kingdom, but Christ is our ultimate head and guide. The fruit of whole lives, helping others to live a whole life, is the abundant gift we are given from our Lord.

The priesthood of Christ seems to come now to something VERY sacred in the Jewish history books: the mountain of God. This was the place where God instituted his sovereignty, where Moses brought the Law to them. Now Jesus brings a new covenant, and a new Kingdom.