Archive for June 2021
The Loving Father (Dr. Davis Chappell)
This week’s preacher: Dr. Davis Chappell. We wrap up our series on the people of Jesus called “Kindred Hearts.” This series is the last in our year-long focus on intentional discipleship called “Walking with Jesus.” Learn how you can be more intentional in your walk with Jesus at bumc.net/journey. Our Scripture reading: Luke 15:11-32
Read MoreForgiveness Heals Relationships
June 19, 2021 DAILY READING Psalm 13 Luke 17:1-4 FIELD NOTES Luke shows Jesus teaching his disciples to forgive within their closely bound fellowship. Jesus is realistic. In any community, members sometimes cause hurt to each other. Sin keeps us from living in true relationship with God and our neighbors. Jesus sees the gravest danger…
Read MoreProclaim Freedom throughout the Land
June 18, 2021 DAILY READING Psalm 13 Galatians 5:2-12 FIELD NOTES Freedom is a fine Biblical word, and approaching July 4, we remember that a Bible verse about freedom is engraved inside our Liberty Bell, Leviticus 25:10b. Galatians 5 begins with another verse we hear often: “For freedom Christ has set us free.” Paul is…
Read MoreExperiencing Forgiveness
June 17, 2021 DAILY READING Psalm 13 Micah 7:18-20 FIELD NOTES We know God first through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and we also know God as revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures. God sees and responds to our distress, and as with Hagar, God’s mercy reaches the outcast and “foreigners.” The “God who…
Read MoreSheep Among Wolves
June 16, 2021 DAILY READING Psalm 86:11-17 Matthew 10:5-23 FIELD NOTES Those of us who struggle to get our belongings in one carry-on for a flight will marvel at Jesus’ packing instructions for his disciples’ mission (vv. 9-10). Excess baggage is not acceptable when someone is on a mission with Jesus! Jesus’ plan for the…
Read MoreEyes to See, Ears to Hear
June 15, 2021 DAILY READING Psalm 86:11-17 Revelation 2:8-11 FIELD NOTES My good friend has some wise words for when we face tough situations in our lives that seem to have no solutions. She says: “You may have to change the way you look at this.” I’ve discovered that her good, practical advice also leads…
Read MoreGod Sees Me
June 14, 2021 DAILY READING Psalm 86:11-17 Genesis 16:1-15 FIELD NOTES The story of Hagar and Ishmael is intriguing on many levels. For Muslims, this story connects their faith to Abraham (some of us studied Bruce Feiler’s helpful book Abraham). For women, it lifts up difficult issues related to patriarchy. Artistically, it pricks the imagination of…
Read MoreZacchaeus Wasn’t Small, After All (Dr. Domenic Nigrelli)
This week’s preacher: Dr. Domenic Nigrelli. We continue our series on the people of Jesus called “Kindred Hearts.” This series is the last in our year-long focus on intentional discipleship called “Walking with Jesus.” Learn how you can be more intentional in your walk with Jesus at bumc.net/journey. Our Scripture reading: Luke 19:1-10
Read MoreLove – Not Lip Service
June 12, 2021 DAILY READING Psalm 100 Mark 7:1-13 FIELD NOTES In today’s reading, Jesus draws a sharp line between human tradition and God’s commandments. As the passage opens, the Pharisees are criticizing Jesus’ disciples for not washing their hands before they eat, thus violating their religious traditions. Jesus calls them hypocrites, and quotes from…
Read MorePartners in Ministry
June 11, 2021 DAILY READING Psalm 100 Exodus 4:27-31 FIELD NOTES Our passage could use a little back story. Earlier in chapters 3 & 4, God commissioned Moses to go to Pharaoh in Egypt and demand that he free the Israelites from slavery. But Moses balked. He didn’t want to go. One of his excuses…
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