The Gethsemane Prayer
This week’s preacher: Dr. Davis Chappell. We continue our series, Teach Us to Pray, on the prayer life of Jesus. This series is the first 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 22:39-46
Read MorePerfect in the Spirit
September 26, 2020 DAILY READING Psalm 8 John 14:15-17 FIELD NOTES “One of the words John Wesley used to describe the holiness characteristic of the Christian life was perfection. He did not think that Christians could be free of ignorance or mistakes, but he did think that through the work of Christ made present by the…
Read MoreSound Teaching
September 25, 2020 DAILY READING Psalm 8 2 Timothy 1:12-14 FIELD NOTES How do we know if what we are hearing is “sound teaching?” In Wesleyan theology, we have a useful tool called The Wesleyan Quadrilateral (quad = “four”; laterus = “sides”). This was not a tool that John Wesley himself used or taught, but…
Read MoreDeep Change
September 24, 2020 DAILY READING Psalm 8 2 Timothy 1:8-12 FIELD NOTES “The terrible thing, the almost impossible thing, is to hand over your whole self—all your wishes and precautions—to Christ. But it is far easier than what we are all trying to do instead. For what we are trying to do is to remain…
Read MoreWater = Life
September 23, 2020 DAILY READING Psalm 104:24-34 John 7:37-39 FIELD NOTES One of the most powerful and enduring biblical images is the image of water. During the first moments of creation, we hear of God’s Spirit sweeping across the formless waters (Genesis 1:2). As the Hebrew people wander through the desert after fleeing Egypt, God…
Read MoreThe Deepest Prayer
September 22, 2020 DAILY READING Psalm 104:24-34 Romans 8:26-27 FIELD NOTES Often, in our prayer lives, we seek to fill space. We add flourishes or big 10-cent theological words we heard in a sermon once. We’re pretty sure God likes big words. Or, we think our own words are lacking and so we avoid prayer…
Read MoreAll of Creation
September 21, 2020 DAILY READING Psalm 104:24-34 Romans 8:18-24 FIELD NOTES All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voice and with us sing, O praise ye! Alleluia! O brother sun with golden beam, O sister moon with silver gleam! O praise ye! O praise ye! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! O brother wind, air, clouds, and rain, by which all creatures…
Read MoreThe Humility of Prayer
This week’s preacher: Dr. Davis Chappell. We continue our series, Teach Us to Pray, on the prayer life of Jesus. This series is the first 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 18:9-14
Read MoreChoosing Trust
September 19, 2020 DAILY READING Psalm 66:8-20 John 14:27-29 FIELD NOTES “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you…Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (v. 27) How many times have you heard these words of Jesus quoted at a funeral? I have heard them…
Read MoreEncouragement in the Storm
September 18, 2020 DAILY READING Psalm 66:8-20 Acts 27:13-38 FIELD NOTES In today’s reading, Paul is a prisoner of the Roman government and being transferred by ship to Rome, where he will stand trial. Apparently, it’s winter and not a favorable time for sailing, but the Roman centurion is determined to proceed in spite of…
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