Freedom or Slavery?

May 17, 2017Freedom or Slavery? Daily ReadingJohn 8:31-38Psalm 102:1-17This week’s sermon text: James 4:1-12 Field NotesTruth. Freedom. Sin. Slavery. Jesus lays it out clearly in our reading for today. Living daily according to Jesus’ words allows us to know the truth about life and that truth is the way to freedom. Conversely, rejecting God’s truth…

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A Bird’s Eye View

May 16, 2017A Bird’s Eye View Daily ReadingProverbs 3:5-12Psalm 102:1-17This week’s sermon text: James 4:1-12 Field NotesToday’s passage from Proverbs is well known and well loved by many. It emphasizes that God sees the big picture of our lives. He knows the gifts he’s given us; he created our personalities and temperaments; he understands us…

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The Roundabout Way

May 15, 2017The Roundabout Way Daily ReadingExodus 13:17-22Psalm 102:1-17This week’s sermon text: James 4:1-12 Field Notes When God liberated the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt he led them into a new land where they could put down roots and establish a new home. But he didn’t take them there immediately. Our reading for today…

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The Misunderstood Jesus

May 13, 2017 The Misunderstood Jesus Daily ReadingJohn 8:48-59Psalm 100This week’s sermon text: James 3:1-12 Field NotesJesus was often misunderstood in his own time. Unfortunately we sometimes still misunderstand who he is and what he came to do. We misunderstand Jesus when we think he only came to save the “good church-going people like us.”…

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An Unlikely Messenger

May 12, 2017 An Unlikely Messenger Daily ReadingActs 7:1-16Psalm 31:1-5This week’s sermon text: James 3:1-12 Field NotesIf we read further on from today’s scripture, we know that Stephen’s speech in front of the religious leaders was not ultimately successful. Stephen would end up being stoned to death for his testimony of Christ. But Stephen’s speech…

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Criticism

 May 11, 2017 Criticism Daily ReadingActs 6:8-15Psalm 31:1-5This week’s sermon text: James 3:1-12 Field NotesIt hurts to be falsely accused. It hurts when others attribute false motives for actions we feel are justified and needed. It hurts because our intentions might be pure, but we just can’t control what others might say or think. Even…

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The Boldness of a Mother’s Love

May 10 The Boldness of a Mother’s Love Daily ReadingMatthew 20:17-28Psalm 100This week’s sermon text: James 3:1-12 Field NotesToday’s scripture reminds us of the remarkable love of a mother. These two sons of Zebedee, for whatever reason, don’t ask Jesus for a place of prominence. But their mother will! She begs Jesus for her sons…

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A Formula for Faith

May 9, 2017 A Formula for Faith Daily Reading Hebrews 13:20-21Psalm 100This week’s sermon text:  James 3:1-12 Field Notes Today’s scripture passage is a benediction, a closing statement of God’s grace for believers. But in this powerful closing statement of Hebrews, we also receive a succinct formula for God’s salvation of all people. The formula…

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The Upside Down Leadership of the Gospel

May 8, 2017 The Upside Down Leadership of the Gospel Daily Reading1 Peter 5:1-5Psalm 100This week’s sermon text:  James 3:1-12 Field NotesWhen most people think about the world’s great leaders, they imagine figures that can command people’s attention, that demand respect from others, that are brilliant orators, or that can bend other people’s will to…

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