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
December 6, 2020 II Peter 3:8-15 Rev. Dr. Peggy L. Meade Clergy Holston Counseling Center Appalachian District II Peter 3:8-15 “But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are ...
December 5, 2020 Psalm 85 CEB Bradley H. Scott Clergy Hiwassee District Psalm 85 CEB Prayer for the Restoration of God’s Favor To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm. 1 Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob....
December 4, 2020 Acts 11:19-26 Walter Weikel Clergy Mountain View District The Church in Antioch 19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading...
December 3, 2020 Susan Collins Lay Member of Burks UMC Certified Faith Community Nurse Devotion The words of the prophet Hosea are a challenge in any season. During Advent they take a little eggnog or hot chocolate, you name your favorite cozy ...
December 4, 2020 Acts 11:19-26 Walter Weikel Clergy Mountain View District The Church in Antioch 19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading...
December 2, 2020 Luke 21:34-38 NIV Carolyn L. Kidd Certified Lay Minister Clinch Mountain District Luke 21:34-38 NIV 34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on...
December 1, 2020 Psalm 79 Dr. Ken Sprinkle Retired Clergy Appalachian District Psalm 79A psalm of Asaph. 1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble. 2 They ...
November 30, 2020 Micah 4:1-5 CEB Rev Caryl Griffin Russell Retired UMC Elder Tennessee Valley District carylgriffin@gmail.com Micah 4: 1-5 A peaceable world 4 But in the days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the ...
November 29, 2020 Isaiah 64:1 Rev Stephanie Parrott - Deacon Central UMC of Knoxville Tennessee Valley District Isaiah 64:1 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! Devotion Advent. How I ...
November 28, 2929 Matthew 24: 15-31 Rev. Janet K. Sweet Midway/Prospect United Methodist Churches Appalachian District Matthew 24: 15-31 “So when you see standing in the holy place the ‘abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the ...
November 26, 2020 Revelation 14:6 (CEB) Nathan Malone Clergy Christ United Methodist Church Scenic South District Revelations 14:6 Messages of three angels 6 Then I saw another angel flying high overhead with eternal good news to proclaim to those ...
November 25, 2020 Psalm 117 NIV Becky Hall Laity Christ UMC Chattanooga Scenic South ministries@christchurchchatt.org Psalm 117 NIV 1 Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. 2 For great is his love toward us, and...
November 24, 2020 Psalms 117 NKJV Gregg Bostick Clergy Mount Hermon United Methodist Church Tennessee Valley District Psalm 117 NKJV 1 Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him all you peoples! 2 For His merciful kindness is great towards us, and ...
November 23, 2020 Jeremiah 30:1-17 CEB Brandon Berg Clergy First UMC Bristol Clinch Mountain District rev.b.r.berg@gmail.com Jeremiah 30:1-17 CEB Devotion I’m a preacher, a lover of words, a fan of a poetic turn of phrase. I love to linger in ...
November 22, 2020 Matthew 25:31-46 Reverend Dr. Peggy L. Meade Holston Counseling Center Appalachian District revpeg06121999@gmail.com Matthew 25:31-46 31) “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the...
November 21, 2020 Ezekiel 34:27 Rev. Dr. David M. Harr Minister of Home Bound First-Centenary United Methodist Church Scenic South Ezekiel 34:27 The trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase. Devotion For much...
November 20, 2020 Psalm 100 Susan Groseclose Clergy Associate Director of Connectional Ministries for Discipleship Smoky Mountain District Psalm 100 A Psalm of thanksgiving. 1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord ...
November 19, 2020 Psalm 100 Pat Tipton Clergy Lebanon-Old Union Appalachian Psalm 100 A psalm. For giving grateful praise. 1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; ...
November 18, 2020 Esther 7:1-10 Pat Roza Laity Burks United Methodist Church Scenic South District Esther 7:1-10 7 1 So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. 2 On the second day, as they were drinking wine, the king again said to ...
November 17, 2020 Exodus 2:1-10 Natalie Justice Clergy Clinch Mountain District Exodus 2:1-10 2 Now a man from Levi’s household married a Levite woman. 2 The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that the baby was healthy and ...
November 16, 2020 Romans 2:1-11 NSRV Rev. Debbie McCard Stokes Clergy Minister of Congregational Care Christ United Methodist Church, Scenic South District Romans 2:1-11Selected Verses 1, 4 and 11 Romans 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you ...
November 15, 2020 I Thessalonians 5:1-11 Darris K. Doyal Clergy Mountain View District I Thessalonians 5:1-11 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know...
November 14, 2020 Matthew 12: 43–45 Brad Scott Clergy Hiwassee District Matthew 12:43-45 43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I ...
November 13, 2020 Psalm 123 Danny Nettleton Clergy New River District Psalm 123 To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her ...
November 12, 2020 Psalm 123 (NRSV) Rev Michael Vaughn Telford/Asbury UMC Three Rivers District mvaughn114@gmail.com Psalm 123 NRSV A Song of Ascents. 1 To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! 2 As the eyes of servants ...