September 26, 2017 DAILY READING Romans 16:17-20 Psalm 119:97-104 This week’s sermon text: Romans 7:14-25 FIELD NOTES In today’s reading, Paul’s final words and advice to the Romans are a warning to them about the people they hang around. Think about the last time you left your friend’s house, dinner party, or some other gathering…

September 25, 2017 DAILY READINGPsalm 119:97-104This week’s sermon text: Romans 7:14-25 FIELD NOTES Do you follow the rules? Or do you often think, ‘the rules don’t apply to me’? Or what about the mantra, “It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission”? Personally, I’m a rule follower; I find that rules are there to keep…

September 23, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 Exodus 16:22-30 Matthew 19:23-30 This week’s sermon text: Romans 7:13-25 FIELD NOTES William Barclay writes regarding these verses in Matthew, “Riches have three main effects on a [person’s] outlook: Riches encourage a false independence. Riches shackle a [person] to this earth. Riches tend to make a [person]…

September 22, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 Exodus 15:22-27 2 Corinthians 13:1-4 This week’s sermon text: Romans 7:13-25 FIELD NOTES In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul encourages the church to examine themselves to see if they truly are living according to faith in Christ. The church at Corinth had begun to doubt…

September 21, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 Exodus 15:22-27 2 Corinthians 13:1-4 This week’s sermon text: Romans 7:13-25 FIELD NOTES As anyone with survival skills will tell you, one of the most important things to find when lost in the wilderness is drinkable water. You won’t last long without it! When God brought his…

September 20, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 77 2 Kings 2:1-18 Mark 11:20-25 This week’s sermon text: Romans 7:13-25 FIELD NOTES This story in 2 Kings depicts Elisha sticking close to his mentor Elijah throughout a long journey so that he may witness Elijah’s being taken up to heaven. At the end of the journey, the…

September 19, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 77 Nehemiah 9:9-15 Romans 14:13-15:2 This week’s sermon text: Romans 7:13-25 FIELD NOTES The book of Nehemiah tells the story of the newly returned Israelites from exile. The fragile community suffers under the Greek occupation of their ancestral home, leading to internal strife and division. Governor Nehemiah seeks to…

September 18, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 77 Joshua 3:1-17 Hebrews 11:23-29 This week’s sermon text: Romans 7:13-25 FIELD NOTES When I was a hospice chaplain, one of my patients was a 97-year-old woman from Jamaica named Betty. Talking with her was the highlight of my day. Though Betty was full of joy and laughter, she…