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 258 Matthew Chapter 26 – 27:10
    I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.

    Betrayal
    Matthew Chapter 26 – 27:10
    Most of the rest of Matthew is about betrayal: betrayal by Judas, betrayal of their duty by the religious leaders, betrayal of justice by Pontius Pilate and even betrayal of his promise by Peter.
    Of these, Peter’s betrayal is at once the most painful and the most hopeful.
    Painful, because we have seen time and again Peter’s intense loyalty to Jesus (though we’ve also seen his limitations as when he began to sink from walking on water and falling asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane).
    Hopeful, though, because we know the rest of the story. Peter, in spite of his doubts, his fatigue and even his denial will be a foundation stone upon which Christ’s church is built.
    Peter, upon realizing his failure, goes outside and weeps bitterly—as is appropriate. But we will see later that his weeping is the weeping of repentance—of turning.
    Judas, by contrast, chooses defeat rather than repentance, hanging himself in his sorrow.
    Sorrow can lead to a new start, or it can lead to death. Ultimately we choose which.

    Saturday meditation

    Proverbs 26:11-12
    As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
    Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

    Prayer focus
    Lord, may our sorrow lead to repentance, and our repentance lead to joy!

    -Rev. Mark Fleming

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