Saul’s Calling
June 25, 2021 DAILY READING Psalm 20; 1 Samuel 10:1-8; Hebrews 11:4-7 FIELD NOTES We pick up today at the beginning of 1 Samuel chapter 10 with the culmination of the story of how Israel’s first king is anointed. Samuel is in the process of sending Saul home after honoring him at the feast the…
Read MoreUnanswered Questions
June 24, 2021 DAILY READING Psalm 20; 1 Samuel 9:15-27; Hebrews 2:5-9 FIELD NOTES Today we pick up the story of Saul from where we left him. Saul has gone into the town with his servant to find the prophet Samuel to get his help with his missing donkeys. Samuel is waiting in town because God…
Read MoreThe Search for Missing Donkeys
June 23, 2021 DAILY READING Psalm 108; 1 Samuel 9:1-14; Luke 11:14-28 FIELD NOTES Yesterday we read about how the Israelite people demanded that Samuel give them a king. They rejected God’s kingship over them in favor of an earthly king to protect them. So Samuel is going to give them what they ask. The…
Read MoreDemand for a King
June 22, 2021 DAILY READING Psalm 108; 1 Samuel 8:1-22; Revelation 20:7-15 FIELD NOTES For the next few days, we are going to explore the passages in 1 Samuel which mark the end of the period of Judges and the beginning of the period of Kings for the Israelite people. Once the Israelites entered the…
Read MoreSet Your Heart on the Lord
June 21, 2021 DAILY READING Psalm 108; 1 Samuel 7:3-15; Revelation 20:1-6 FIELD NOTES For someone who is very much a “head person,” the words of the Psalmist and of Samuel in today’s readings are both a challenge and a relief. When I say that I am a “head person,” I mean that I focus…
Read MoreThe 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 More