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"Finding God's Wisdom" November 9 Readings: Acts 27

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 27 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     You probably have to be a lifelong Baptist (from the more traditional wing) to truly appreciate my take on this passage. Paul's adventurous trip to Rome continues with a fateful cruise. Paul warned the people about going on the trip, and we see that God led him. The devotional will deal with this in more detail. God's protection and power are seen clearly throughout this story. Daily Devotional:  Finding God's Wisdom I call it the "business meeting" passage - Acts 27:9-12. Paul was...

"No Fear of Man" November 8 Readings: Acts 25:13-26:32

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 25:13-26:32 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     It is an interesting bookend to the historical sections of scripture. When Jesus was born he faced the opposition of Herod the Great who tried to destroy him by committing an atrocity of unspeakable proportions. Now, his descendant Herod Agrippa, a man not nearly as great but as depraved and despicable, listened to Paul near the end of the book of Acts. He did not try to destroy Paul but found himself "almost persuaded" to Christ. Not quite, but almost. He was impressed with Pa...

"Paul on Trial" November 7 Readings: Acts 24:1-25:12

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 24:1-25:12 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Before Festus and before Felix, Paul testified of the grace of God to a sinner, to an enemy of the cross. Faced with the continued scheming of the religious leaders of Jerusalem, Paul did the thing he knew he needed to do; he appealed to Caesar. He'd been instructed by the Spirit that he was to go to Rome, so this was a natural response. He might well have been released had he not appealed, but that was not his goal. Obedience, not freedom, was Paul's plan. Daily Devotional: ...

"When You Do Right and It All Goes Wrong" November 6 Readings: Acts 21-23

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 21-23 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Paul ends his third journey based on a direct leading from God's Holy Spirit and heads to Jerusalem to proclaim Christ. He was warned that it was going to get difficult there, that he would be arrested and taken to Rome. Along the way, as Paul traveled back to Jerusalem from Asia Minor, the Spirit also sent two different people or groups of people to warn him about the trip. First, when he landed at Tyre, a group of disciples under the guidance of the Spirit warned Paul not to go to ...

"Free to Love" November 5 Readings: Romans 15-16

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Romans 15-16 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     In chapter 15, Paul continues the discussion of disputable issues, issues of conscience from chapter 14, and expands the discussion. Paul also explains his role as an apostle to the Gentiles and begins his personal remarks that close the book.  Romans has more content than perhaps any other book. The closing chapter, Paul's personal remarks toward the people of Rome, follows suit. It has remarkable content like the book it caps off. Here are a few of the notable moments in the...

"Sabbaths, Diets, and Jesus as Lord" November 4 Readings: Romans 14

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Romans 14 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     This passage may be one of the most important in the New Testament in terms of Christian unity. It may also be among the most ignored and least respected! As Paul addresses the Christian life, he faces down this difficult issue - those matters of conscience in which Christians do not agree.  Daily Devotional:   Sabbaths, Diets, and Jesus as Lord We tend to want everything spelled out in black and white. Right and wrong. Good and bad. Acceptable and unacceptable. Unfortunatel...

"Because of God's Mercy" November 3 Readings: Romans 12-13

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Romans 12-13 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     This is actually the turning point in the book of Romans, as the devotional will spell out. The first 11 chapters have been doctrinal, spelling out the great salvation we have in Christ. Now, chapter 12 turns to practical commands based on the mercy of God, beginning with the most important: to give our bodies as living sacrifices. The rest of the book is a series of practical commands based on the "mercies of God" - the great salvation laid out in the first 11 chapters. The admoni...