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"God's Relentless Faithfulness" February 22 Readings: Judges 1-5

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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 :   Judges 1-5 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Having divided up the tribal land, Israel failed to drive out the inhabitants as they were commanded to, and the result was a terrible cycle of spiritual drift, catastrophe, revival, and renewed drift. Chapter 2 explains the cycle, and the rest of the book covers the stories of the judges who led Israel back to God. There are 12 judges, but the book focuses on 7. Throughout the duration of this book, there is a downward moral spiral that results in Israel's lowest point in its ...
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"Why Can't I Do As I Please?" February 21 Readings: Joshua 19-24

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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 :   Joshua 19-24 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     As the inheritance is distributed to each tribe, we begin to see the fact that the tribes are failing to drive out the inhabitants from their areas. They may subdue them, but they do not drive them out. Those inhabitants would eventually come back to haunt them. The book of Joshua ends with a powerful covenant renewal, in which Joshua leads the people to recommit themselves to faithful obedience to God. Daily Devotional:   Why Can't I Do As I Please Why can't I just do w...
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"A Hill to Conquer" February 20 Readings: Joshua 13-18

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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 :   Joshua 13-18 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     We begin, in today's reading, the division of the land among the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The boundaries can be fairly dry reading - I'd encourage you to keep a map beside you as you read. The most interesting part of this to me is Caleb's request in chapter 14 to have a hill to conquer in his old age. May his tribe increase. Daily Devotional:   A Hill to Conquer Inerrancy requires that I believe that Scripture accurately records what Caleb says in Joshua 14:10-11, but I...
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"The Folly of Independence" February 19 Readings: Joshua 9-12

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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 :   Joshua 9-12 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     There are three major thrusts in the Conquest of Canaan. First, there is the Southern Campaign. After Jericho and Ai, Israel fought the Battle of the Five Kings, recorded in today's reading, famous for the sun standing still. Then there was the Northern Campaign, recorded in chapters 11-12, along with a summary. The third section, which takes up most of the rest of the book, is what I call "Divide and Conquer." Each of the tribes is given a section of land to conquer. It is he...
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"Dealing with Defeat" February 18 Readings: Joshua 5-8

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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 :   Joshua 5-8 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     One of the great stories of the Bible, the Battle of Jericho, is in today's reading. There was the encounter with the Captain of the Lord's army, who gave Joshua the plan. He then went back and reported the plan to the leaders of Israel. Can you imagine their response? Walk around 13 times? Are you nuts? The key was obedience! And persistence! And God brought the walls down. Then, sinful and arrogant Israel faced defeat at Ai, a ruined town which may have been the only time in ...
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"Success" February 17 Readings: Joshua 1-4

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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 :   Joshua 1-4 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Joshua's early chapters carry some riveting stories. Joshua begins with the eponymous character's establishment as the leader of Israel. He then guides the people through the Jordan at flood stage into the Promised Land. The crossing of the Jordan is a great story of faith. Remember, it was flood stage, and God said that he would only stop the river once they stepped in. Step in first, then God does his work! Faith precedes the miracle. We often want to sit back and say, "God, ...
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"Irreplaceable" February 16 Readings: Deuteronomy 30-34, Psalm 90

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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 :   Deuteronomy 30-34, Psalm 90 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's reading is about transitions. Moses has led Israel from the moment God sent him from the Burning Bush, and now it is his time to die. Joshua has been beside him for 40 years, and it is his time to take over. This is going to be tough, but God guides his people through it. We also have our first psalm, Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses.  Daily Devotional:  Irreplaceable? Back in 2005, I did not understand why God was moving me from the church I thoug...
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