A Difficult Choice: Forgiveness or Bondage
Discovering Our Common Humanity
Jesus Heals
September 2, 2017 Daily ReadingsPsalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45bExodus 4:1-9Psalm 26:1-8Jeremiah 15:10-14This week’s sermon text: Matthew 8:14-17 Field NotesIn the Bible, there are essentially five ways God provides healing. Jesus provides instant healing as in the case of today’s scripture. With his simple touch, he healed Peter’s mother-in-law. Jesus creates the conditions where healing takes place…
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Power of Praise
September 1, 2017 Daily ReadingExodus 3:16-252 Thessalonians 2:7-12Psalm 26:1-8Jeremiah 15:1-92 Thessalonians 2:7-12This week’s sermon text: Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b Field NotesDo you ever have trouble sleeping? One night I tossed and turned as I mulled over an issue. It had me down for half of the next day! I could not shake it. Then I…
Read MoreBe Like Mike
August 31, 2017 Daily ReadingPsalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45bExodus 2:23-24Psalm 26:1-8Jeremiah 14:13-18This week’s sermon text: Ephesians 5:1-6 Field NotesMichael Jordan retired as an NBA basketball player as a Chicago Bull in 1999. In 2001 he returned to the NBA as a Washington Wizard. The Wizards were a so-so team. Because of injuries, Jordan never returned to…
Read MoreThe Poor Always With Us?
August 30, 2017 Daily ReadingsPsalm 8Exodus 2:15b-22Psalm 18:1-3, 20-32Isaiah 28:14-22This week’s sermon text: Matthew 26:6-13 Field NotesMy wife called, “I don’t know whether to be happy or sad? A car dealership just called about a church member who bought us a car.” Because this church member was manic-depressive, I asked the dealer to delay finalizing…
Read MoreJealous for God
August 29, 2017 Daily ReadingPsalm 8Exodus 2:11-15aRomans 11:33-36Psalm 18:1-3, 20-32Deuteronomy 32:18-20, 28-39This week’s sermon text: Romans 11:33-36 Field NotesHow can God be a jealous God? Isn’t jealousy sinful? When we feel human jealousy, it is usually because someone has something we want, something we wish we had. We become the center of the issue. The…
Read MoreFrom the Written to the Living Word of God
August 28, 2017 Daily ReadingPsalm 8Exodus 1:1-7Romans 2:1-111 Samuel 7:3-13This week’s sermon text: Psalm 18:1-3, 20-32 Field NotesForty-one years ago, as he was about to read the Scripture, a pastor said, “Everyone needs to memorize a Bible verse each day.” During that moment I felt a nudge of the Holy Spirit, “Yep, do it and…
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