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"I Am Barabbas" September 6 Readings: Matthew 27:15-34, Mark 15:6-24, Luke 23:13-31, John 18:39-19:17

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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 :   Matthew 27:15-34, Mark 15:6-24, Luke 23:13-31, John 18:39-19:17   In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     They talk about people hitting bottom - supposedly that is when lives turn around and things begin to straighten out. In today's reading, mankind hits bottom. The Son of God, perfect and loving, righteous and good, is nailed to a cross. Brutal. Awful. Inexcusable. And glorious beyond words. This is the beginning of the end...and the end of the beginning. Daily Devotional:   The story of the crucifixion of Christ is disg...

"Illusion of Power" September 5 Readings: Matthew 27:1-14, Mark 15:1-5, Luke 22:66-23:12, John 18:28-38

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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 :   M atthew 27:1-14, Mark 15:1-5, Luke 22:66-23:12, John 18:28-38 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Jesus' trial continues. The authorities at the temple were ready to put him to death, but they lacked the authority to do that, so they had to parade the now bloody Jesus over to the Romans. First, they took him to Pilate, the Roman governor, who tried to pass the buck to Herod. Herod mocked him and then sent him back to Pilate. That is when a key encounter took place. Pilate claimed to hold authority over Jesus, and Jesus, who wasn...

"Jesus on Trial" September 4 Readings: John 18:1-27, Matthew 26:57-75, Mark 14:53-72, Luke 22:54-65

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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 :   John 18:1-27, Matthew 26:57-75, Mark 14:53-72, Luke 22:54-65 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Jesus is betrayed and is now in custody, being questioned by the high priest and the temple leaders. Their interrogation violates their own rules and lacks integrity of any kind. But it proceeds through the night after Jesus' arrest. During this time, Peter has his moment of crisis. "I never knew him." Solemn oaths. The Jesus he swore he would never deny, the Lord he committed to follow to hell and back, he abandoned in the face of th...

"As Jesus Prayed" September 3 Readings: Matthew 26:30-56, Mark 14:26-52, Luke 22:39-53

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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 :   Matthew 26:30-56, Mark 14:26-52, Luke 22:39-53 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     After predicting Peter's betrayal (which is placed differently in the gospels), Jesus leaves the Upper Room and heads down into the valley between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives to pray in a beautiful garden called Gethsemane. There, Jesus battles his own heart in prayer while his disciples sleep. It is there in the garden that Judas leads the temple guard to arrest Jesus, thus committing the most heinous act of betrayal in this world's history....

"He Prayed for ME!" September 2 Readings: John 17

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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 :   John 17 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     John 17 is truly "The Lord's Prayer." This is the prayer that the Lord prayed the night before he died, pouring out his heart to the Father on behalf not only of his disciples but for all of us who would follow. Daily Devotional:   He Prayed for ME!" The night before Jesus died, just before he agonized in the Garden, before he was arrested, and put on trial, Jesus prayed - he prayed for YOU! Yes, my friend, he prayed for you, and he prayed for me. Think about that. In his hour of a...

"Unbelievable!" September 1 Readings: John 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 :   John 16 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The Farewell Discourse wraps up in chapter 16 with a trio of disparate promises. First, Jesus promised that the disciples would suffer on behalf of Jesus.  They would be rejected and driven out of the synagogues by the same religious leaders who hated Jesus. Then he promised the ministry of the Spirit to reveal all truth to them in the days ahead. He makes a remarkable claim in verse 7, that it is to their advantage that Jesus would leave and send the Spirit. Not a single disciple ...

"Abiding in Christ" August 31 Readings: John 15

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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 :   John 15 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Jesus continues, in his "Farewell Discourse," to prepare his disciples for the explosion that would take place the next day, as their lives would be blown apart. In today's reading, Jesus focuses on our abiding in him, and on the consequences of that - the reality of persecution. He returns to the topic of the work of the Holy Spirit as well.  Daily Devotional:  Abiding in Christ I love Christmas trees. Decorating the tree, and packing on the lights and ornaments, is one of my...