Bishop Mike's Podcast

Read more on BishopMike.com August 30, 2020 is Pentecost 13A/Proper 17A/Ordinary 23A Exodus 3:1-15 - CALLED: Moses and the burning bush. OR Jeremiah 15:15-21 - Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c - Israel came to Egypt, but they came to hate them. God’s servant Moses was sent… OR Psalm 26:1-8 - I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked. Romans 12:9-21 - Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Matthew 16:21-28 - “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their

Read more on BishopMike.com September 6, 2020 is Pentecost 14A/Proper 18A/Ordinary 24A Exodus 12:1-14 -SET FREE: The commandment to observe Passover. OREzekiel 33:7-11 - So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live. Psalm 149 - Sing to The Lord a new song… Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre. OR Psalm 119:33-40 - Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain. Romans 13:8-14 - Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The Ten Commandments… are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Matthew 18:15-20 - If another membe

Read more on BishopMike.com August 23, 2020 is Pentecost 12A/Proper 16A/Ordinary 22A Exodus 1:8 - 2:10 - The Israelites increase in Egypt, so the Pharaoh oppresses them, murdering Hebrew boys. Moses is hidden in a basket and floated down Nile. Pharaoh’s daughter finds Moses. Moses’ mother ends up being his nursemaid. ORIsaiah 51:1-6 - I will bring near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the peoples; the coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope. Psalm 124 - If God had not been on our side, the raging waters would have overwhelmed us. Our deliverer is the creator of heaven and earth. OR Psalm 138 - All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away. Romans 12:1-8 - Present your bodies as a living sacrifice. Do not be conformed to this world, but be tran

Read more on BishopMike.com August 16, 2020 is Pentecost 11A/Proper 15A/Ordinary 21A Genesis 45:1-15 – Joseph reveals himself to his brothers after weeping bitterly. The brothers return to their father with gifts from Joseph. OR Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
- And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord… these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer… for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Psalm 133 – How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. OR Psalm 67
- The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him. Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
- For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be

Read more on BishopMike.com August 9, 2020 is Pentecost 10A/Proper 14A/Ordinary 20A 1 Kings 19:9-18 – (complimentary series) …and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ OR Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 (semi-continuous readings in Genesis until September) – 17-year-old Joseph is loved by his father the most, and hated by his brothers, who sell him into slavery.  Psalm 85:8-13 (complimentary series) – Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. OR Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b (semi-continuous) – Give thanks to the Lord, offspring of Abraham, children of Jacob, who caused famine in Egypt, and sent ahead his servant Joseph, who saved them, and became a lord in Pharaoh’s house. Romans 10:5-15 The scripture

Read more on BishopMike.com August 2, 2020 is Pentecost 9A/Proper 13A/Ordinary 19A Genesis 32:22-31 – Jacob wrestles with God/the angel, in our ongoing walk through Genesis. OR Isaiah 55:1-5 - Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Psalm 17:1-7, 15 – An interesting juxtaposition with Jacob’s dream in the Genesis reading: if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress… As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness. ORPsalm 145:8-9, 14-21 (16) - The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. Romans 9:1-5 - They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and

Read more on BishopMike.com July 26, 2020 is Pentecost 8A/Proper 12A/Ordinary 18A 1 Kings 3:5-12 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David… Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people? OR Genesis 29:15-28 The semi-continuous (summary just before June 14) Old Testament readings continue our walk through in Genesis, culminating on September 13 with (spoiler alert) Joseph forgiving his brothers in Genesis 50. In this Sunday’s passage, the tables turn on Jacob, who works seven years to marry Rachel, but Laban sneaks in Leah instead, so Jacob has to work another seven years for Rachel. Psalm 119:129-136 Keep my steps steady according to your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me. Redeem me from human oppression, that I may keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your statutes. OR Psalm 105:1-11, 45b Remember the coven

Read more on BishopMike.com July 19, 2020 is Pentecost 7A/Proper 11A/Ordinary 17A Genesis 28:10-19a OR Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19 OR Isaiah 44:6-8 Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 OR Psalm 86:11-17 Romans 8:12-25 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Read more on BishopMike.com July 12, 2020 is Pentecost 6A/Proper 10A/Ordinary 16A Genesis 25:19-34 – Jacob and Esau, the twins are born, two nations contending. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob. OR Isaiah 55:10-13 – For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven… so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty… Psalm 119:105-112 – Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. OR Psalm 65:(1-8), 9-13 – You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it. Romans 8:1-11 – There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 – THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER. Listen! A sower went out to sow… and some seed fell on the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns and some on good soil.

Read more on BishopMike.com Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 OR Zechariah 9:9-12 Psalm 45:10-17 OR Song of Solomon 2:8-13 OR Psalm 145:8-14 Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Read more on BishopMike.com Genesis 22:1-14 – God tests Abraham, by calling him to sacrifice his son Isaac. OR  Jeremiah 28:5-9 – Jeremiah’s response to the prophet Hananiah, who prophesied peace, and release of the captives from Babylon, and who took the yoke from Jeremiah’s neck and broke it as a sign of how God would break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar’s oppression. Later, God responds: Not for 70 years!” (29:10) Psalm 13 – For the Director of Music: How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? But I trust in your unfailing love… I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. OR Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 – I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever. Blessed are those who rejoice in your name all day long… for you are their glory and strength. Romans 6:12-23 – Do not be a slave to sin. The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Matthew 10:40-42 – HOSPITALITY. Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who

Read more on BishopMike.com Jeremiah 20:7-13 – O Lord, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. OR Genesis 21:8-21 – Abraham and Sarah cast off Hagar, the slave woman and her child. Psalm 86:1-10 – Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. In the day of trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. OR Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18 – Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant, for I am in distress-make haste to answer me. Draw near to me, redeem me, set me free because of my enemies. Romans 6:1b-11 – Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection

Read more at BishopMike.com Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7) - The Lord appears to Abraham by the oaks at Mamre. Sarah laughed. ORExodus 19:2-8a -  If you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 - I love the Lord because he heard my voice. The nares of death encompassed me. I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. ORPsalm 100 - Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Romans 5:1-8 - Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand… Matthew 9:35 - 10:8, (9-23) - Jesus sends the 12. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. June 14, 2015 is the Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine. Resources here. June 19, 1865 is Junteenth, Emancipation Day in Texas. More information here.

Read more on BishopMike.com Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a – In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Psalm 8 – When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 – The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. Matthew 28:16-20 – “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all I have commanded you, for lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age. When the Father laughs at the Son and the Son laughs back at the Father, that laughter gives pleasure, that pleasures gives joy, that j

Read more on BishopMike.com Acts 2:1-21 – When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Psalm 104:24-34, 35b – When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground. 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 – Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. John 20:19-23 – When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.

Read more on BishopMike.com Thursday, May 21, 2020 is Ascension of Our Lord, celebrated Sunday, May 24, 2020 - Easter 7A Acts 1:1-11 – As they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’ Psalm 47 – The Lord has gone up with a shout, with the sound of the trumpet! OR Psalm 93 – The Lord is king, robed in majesty, whose throne is of old. Ephesians 1:15-23 – God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over al

Read more on BishopMike.com You Know the Way Easter 5A – May 10, 2020 Acts 7:55-60 – The stoning of Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”  Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 – In you Lord, I seek refuge. Do not ever let me be put to shame.  1 Peter 2:2-10 – Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  John 14:1-14 – In my Father’s house there are many rooms. I go to prepare a place for you. I am the way the truth the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.

Read more on BishopMike.com Easter 4A – May 3, 2020 Acts 2:42-47 – Description of the early church. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Psalm 23  – The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. 1 Peter 2:19-25 – He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his b

Read more on BishopMike.com Easter 2A - April 19, 2020 Acts 2:14a, 22-32 – Peter’s Pentecostal Sermon (part 1). This man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. Psalm 16 – Protect me O God, for in you I take refuge. 1 Peter 1:3-9 – Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. John 20:19-31 – When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Doubting Thomas: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in hi

Read more on BishopMike.com Almighty God, you granted the apostle Mary Magdalene to be the first witness of the resurrection, and the first to announce the good news. Following her example, may we also be witnesses of the resurrection, witnesses of Christ to the world, until that day when we see him in glory, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.          Acts 10:34-43 – Peter’s sermon. God shows no partiality. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. They put him to death on a tree, but God raised him up on the third day… ORJeremiah 31:1-6  - I have loved you with an everlasting love. I will build you again. Vineyards will once again be planted in Samaria. Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 - On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Colossians 3:1-4  - So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is. ORActs 10:34-43 - Peter’s sermon. God shows no partiality. God anointed Jesus of Nazare