So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17
The Greek word Paul chose for new in this verse is kainos referencing a new creation that has not existed previously. This has greater implications than if Paul had instead used neos, meaning new in an already established category.
This biblical concept of kainos new is a pillar of Christian doctrine. Since God is about the work of making us new every day, we are transformed throughout our lives into a new creation, continuously growing in our resemblance to the one we follow, Jesus Christ. Evidence of this transformation can be found in our words, attitudes, actions and lifestyle.
One way that we open ourselves to experience kainos new is by practicing the spiritual discipline of reading Scripture. This is because we encounter God in the pages of Scripture. And each time we meet the living God, we are changed.
With that in mind, I invite you, the Holston Conference, to join me in reading through the Bible together individually and collectively in 2022. As we participate in “Read Together” in community, we open ourselves to experience God's presence and kainos on an individual basis and as a conference.
- Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett
September 5, 2019 Psalm 139:1-6 by Heather Hayes Children's Ministry Director & CLM of Concord UMC Knox (Knoxville, TN) Tennessee Valley District As I read through Psalm 139 I am always left in awe of God’s creation. He created each of us with such ...
September 3, 2019 Luke 14:15-24 by Lynn Mason Laity of Wesley Memorial UMC (Johnson City, TN) Three Rivers District Invitation is a key word in this parable. Guests have been invited to a banquet but they give attention to more urgent matters. The ...
September 3, 2019 Titus 1:1-9 by Kevin S. Richardson Clergy of Fort Gibson UMC (Castlewood, VA) St Paul UMC (Saint Paul, VA) St Paul - Castlewood Appalachian District Have you ever said, “I’m just not feeling it?” That was my response when I ...
September 2, 2019 Hebrews 13:7-21 by Jim Gass Laity of Alcoa First UMC (Alcoa, TN) Smoky Mountain District As a Youth Director, I am a member of a handful of online communities, like, Facebook groups that focus on youth ministry. These can be great ...
September 1, 2019 Jeremiah 2:4-13; Psalm 81:10-16; Psalm 112; Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16; Luke 14:7-14 by Bob McConnell Laity of Alley's Chapel UMC (Gate City, VA) Appalachian District Scripture reading: Jeremiah 2:4-13; Psalm 81:10-16; Psalm 112; Hebrews...
August 31, 2019 Matthew 20:20-28 by Laura R. Rasor Clergy of Broadway UMC (Maryville, TN) Smoky Mountain District One of the things my husband David enjoyed about going to seminary in the South was benefiting from Southern hospitality. Most of us ...
August 30, 2019 Jeremiah 12:1a Jeremiah 12:5 by Will Shelton Clergy of First UMC Pulaski (Pulaski, VA) New River District You will be in the right, O Lord, when I lay charges against you; but let me put my case to you. Jeremiah 12:1a (NRSV) Isn't ...
August 29, 2019 Psalm 81:10-12 Jeremiah 11:6-13 by Cindy Stulce Laity of First-Centenary UMC (Chattanooga, TN) Scenic South District "You have as many gods as you have towns, Judah, and you have as many shameful altars for worshipping Baal as you ...
August 28, 2019 Isaiah 6:1-8 by Pam Sutherland Co-Pastor of Wabash Circuit New River District In today’s passage from Isaiah chapter 6, Isaiah has a vision of the LORD seated on the throne in heaven. Isaiah’s description of the LORD invokes a ...
August 27, 2019 Psalm 10 Jeremiah 7:16-26 Revelation 3:7-13 by Anne Travis Laity of Ebenezer UMC (Knoxville, TN) Smoky Mountain District I have been privileged to take Disciple I-IV, and I have been privileged to teach the newer in-depth Covenant ...
August 26, 2019 Jeremiah 7:1-15 by Peggy L Meade Clergy of Holston Counseling Center Appalachian District “For if you truly amend your ways and your doings, if you truly act justly one with another. If you do not oppress the alien, the orphan and the...
August 25, 2019 Jeremiah 1:4-10 by Pat Tipton Clergy of Old Union UMC (Church Hill, TN) Appalachian District The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you ...
August 24, 2019 Psalm 71:1-6 by Heath Davidson Laity of Church Hill First UMC (Church Hill, TN) Appalachian District Psalm 71 describes the life and relationship that I desire to have with God, and when I read this scripture, I am reminded of how far...
August 23, 2019 Acts 17:1-9 by Samantha Johnson Laity of Tennessee Valley District Turning the World Upside-Down Prior to this chapter, Paul received a vision to go to Macedonia, cast out an evil spirit from a young slave girl, and he and Silas were ...
August 22, 2019 Psalm 71:1-6 (NASB) by Pam Sutherland Co-Pastor of Wabash Circuit New River District “In Thee, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed. In Thy righteousness deliver me, and rescue me; Incline Thine ear to me, and save ...
August 21, 2019 Isaiah 27 and Psalm 74 by RuthAnne G. Henley Clergy of Draper Circuit (Draper, VA) New River District Leviathan We woke this morning in a world awash with conflict. Although we enjoy relative security where we live, the body of which ...
August 20, 2019 Psalm 80:17-19 by Ken Sprinkle Retired Clergy Appalachian District Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself. Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on ...
August 19, 2019 1 John 4:1-6 by Wil Cantrell Clergy of Concord UMC (Knoxville, TN) Tennessee Valley District We live in an analytical world where almost every decision can be informed by hundreds of data points, yet our most important decisions ...
August 18, 2019 Isaiah 5:1-7 by Brian Inman Clergy of Peck's Memorial UMC (Maryville, TN) Smoky Mountain District It is never fun to have certain expectations in life, only to have them return to us unfulfilled. A job, an investment, a relationship...
August 17, 2019 Matthew 5:15-27 by Raymond Amos Sr. Clergy of Elizabethton First UMC (Elizabethton, TN) Three Rivers District “The day is coming when...” (15) If I was choosing a scripture for a devotional, it would not be this one. I want a more ...
August 15, 2019 Psalm 82 by Zach Hash Clergy of Pisgah / Pleasant Hill Tazewell (Tazewell, VA) Clinch Mountain District “God takes his stand in the divine council; he gives judgment among the gods: “How long will you judge unjustly by granting favor...
August 14, 2019 Jeremiah 33:14-26 by Timothy Hankins Clergy of Oakland UMC (Greenback, TN) Smoky Mountain District "Thus says the LORD: Only if I had not established my covenant with day and night and the ordinances of heaven and earth, would I ...
August 13, 2019 Hebrews 11:17-28 by Mary Charles Blair Chair Church Council of Ooltewah UMC Hiwassee District I encourage you to read the full scriptures suggested for today’s devotion. I will give a very brief summary of each and a correlation with...
August 12, 2019 Hebrews 11:1-7 by Natalie Justice Pastor of Smyth County Circuit Clinch Mountain District Faith when we cannot see the outcome “God Almighty has set before me two Great Objects: the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation ...
August 11, 2019 Isaiah 1:17 by Dan Young CLM of Pikeville UMC (Pikeville, TN) Scenic South District Learning to Do Right: Seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17. December ...