Daily Bible Readings

In August of 2024, the congregations of China Methodist Church and Forest Park Methodist church started on a journey to read the Bible together over two years. To facilitate this, I have created a reading schedule and am providing some daily thoughts to help along the way.

Each day’s entry contains the assigned reading (with a link to read it online at Bible Gateway) and a contemplation on how the section relates to life or to other parts of scripture. There is also a short reading from the Wisdom writings of the Bible and a suggested prayer focus. The most important part, though, is the words of scripture themselves; they are our surest guide to life.

– Mark Fleming, pastor

Most recent reading:

  • Day 620 Galatians 3:23 – 4:20

    One in Christ Jesus
    Day 620, Thursday, April 23
    Galatians 3:23 – 4:20
    Christianity has the answer to divisiveness in the world, and it is expressed best in the closing verses of Galatians. “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
    The mantra of our day is “Celebrate diversity.” Paul presents an even more powerful vision: Celebrate unity.
    This wasn’t a new idea that Paul introduced. At the very birth of the church in the second chapter of Acts people from many nations who spoke many languages were gathered together. When God’s Spirit descended on them each heard the gospel proclaimed in his or her own language. Diversity is our natural state and we recognize it—but God brings something more powerful, making diverse people into brothers and sisters in his family.
    I believe the phrasing of verse 28 is important. It doesn’t say that the church has both Jew and Gentile, both slave and free, both male and female. It says these categories no longer matter; our identity as children of God is the only identity we need.

    Thursday meditation

    Psalms 116:1-6
    I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
    The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!”
    The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.

    Prayer focus
    Lord, make us one.

    -Rev. Mark Fleming

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