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"Never Forsaken" April 6 Readings: 1 Kings 1-2, Psalm 37, 71, 94

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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 :   1 Kings 1-2, Psalm 37, 71, 94 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     There is a powerful story in today's readings. 1 Kings 1-2 are all about scheming. Adonijah, in his bid for power, plots to undermine Solomon and claim the throne - with the help of powerful palace personnel. But God thwarts the schemes and accomplishes what he promised, putting Solomon on the throne. I once heard faith defined as "living without scheming." When we trust God we don't have to scheme, plot, and manipulate. We just do right and let God handle th...
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"Hallelujah" April 5 Readings: Psalm 111-118

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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 :   Psalm 111-118 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's Psalms are "Hallelujah" Psalms, or Psalms of praise. They glorify and praise the God of Heaven. Daily Devotional:  Hallelujah! Hallelujah! It is, perhaps, the most common command in Scripture. In Hebrew, that is what the word is. Hallel is the Hebrew verb for praise - to honor, glorify, exalt, lift up. Hallelu is a command to praise, and, of course, the "jah" at the end refers to Yahweh, the name of the Hebrew God. Praise the Lord. It isn't a suggestion. It isn'...
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"The Privilege of Giving" April 4 Readings: 1 Chronicles 26-29, Psalm 127

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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 :   1 Chronicles 26-29, Psalm 127 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     1 Chronicles 26:18 is my favorite verse - especially in the King James. "At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar." Amen? This passage continues the discussion of the organization of Tabernacle/Temple worship and then shows how David commissioned the building of the Temple. Chapter 29 is about the amazing generosity of the people of God as they gave to fund the building of the Temple. Psalm 127 is often used as a "home and family" passage, ...
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"Infinite Greatness" April 3 Readings: Psalm 131, 138-139, 143-145

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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 :   Psalm 131, 138-139, 143-145 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's reading is varied uplifting Psalms, all from David, but Psalm 145 is among the high points in the Psalter, praising God's "unsearchable greatness." Daily Devotional:   Infinite Greatness How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll pop? Remember that old commercial from long ago? A kid would start licking and counting, but after a while, he'd bite the lollipop, and so he'd never know. That was the catch. No one knew because yo...
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"Let His Children Be Fatherless" April 2 Readings: 1 Chronicles 23-25, Psalm 108-110

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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 :   1 Chronicles 23-25, Psalm 108-110 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     We are back to riveting reading in 1 Chronicles, as the division of labor for the Levites, priests, and musicians in the House of God is spelled out. While there may not be great emotional blessings from this reading, it is worthwhile to note that our God of order spelled out how to use each man and divided the labor so each person would have a part in the service of God. We also note that there were three families, or guilds of Temple musicians, that of ...
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"Sing a New Song" April 1 Readings: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 30, 97-99

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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 :   2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 30, 97-99 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     We read today both the 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles accounts of David's numbering of the fighting men,  one of Scripture's anomalies. In 2 Samuel, it says that God incited David to number the fighting men, but in 1 Chronicles, the blame is placed on Satan. A contradiction? Of course not. Much like in Job, when Satan acted only under the permission of God, Satan is the active force of evil, but can only do what God permits. No, I don't und...
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"The Act of Worship" March 31 Readings: 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57, 95

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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 :   2 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57, 95 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Our readings today wrap up the life of David in 2 Samuel, recording the second of his two major sins. This time, he numbered the fighting men. Though this seemed like a small thing, it was big to God, because it was an act of pride and self-reliance instead of dependence on God. Daily Devotional:   The Act of Worship Wow, we had a great worship service today! What do people mean when they say that? Usually, they mean that there was a full building an...
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