DAILY READING Revelation 2:8-11 FIELD NOTES Scrolling through the news for even a minute reminds us of the brokenness of the world. Today’s passage in Revelation of the church in Smyrna serves as a reminder that even in the midst of great strife or uncertainty, we must remain strong in our faith in Jesus Christ.  We…

DAILY READING 2 Chronicles 20:1-23 FIELD NOTES Did you notice in today’s passage in 2 Chronicles that Jehoshaphat, the ruler of the Jews in Judah, called a nation-wide fast as a means for the Jews to prepare their hearts to hear from God?  Fasting was and is a spiritual practice that is meant to draw us…

DAILY READING 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 FIELD NOTES Like yesterday’s reading, this passage in 1 Corinthians is a reminder that doing religious things like baptism and partaking in communion as if they are a checklist for salvation is not the faith Jesus calls for.  I don’t know if you can relate, but if you are like me,…

DAILY READING Romans 4:1-2 FIELD NOTES In verses 6-8 of today’s reading in Romans, God’s blessing belongs not to those who perfectly obey the law, but to those who in faith accept God’s free gift of forgiveness and grace.  As we approach this Lenten season, I have been seeking a path of repentance and spiritual awareness…

DAILY READING Matthew 14:22-33 FIELD NOTES Over five hundred of us were at a small group training event for youth ministry. At one point, the leaders read Matthew 14:22-33 about Peter walking on water. Our leader asked, “If you were to get out of your boat of security and walk on the water of faith,…

DAILY READING Matthew 4:8-10: Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and…

DAILY READING 1 John 4:1: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” FIELD NOTES Tom asked, “God, what do you want me to do today?” Without looking, Tom opened his Bible, pointed his finger at a verse, and read that Judas…

DAILY READING Romans 8:29 FIELD NOTES Lloyd Ogilvie, a former chaplain of the U. S. Senate, tells of a parishioner shaking his hand, saying, “Lloyd, I hope you continue to grow into the image of what God had in mind when God first thought of you.” Later, Lloyd pondered, “What did God have in mind…

DAILY READING Matthew 1:1-7 FIELD NOTES Why are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba mentioned in this genealogy? Since this genealogy lists relationships as “the father of,” Matthew did not need to list any women unless he wanted to make a point, as these four women were the subjects of scandal in Jesus’s family. Tamar prostituted…