Posts

"Counting Blessings" August 7 Readings: Luke 10

Image
  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 :   Luke 10 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Israel's failing, since the very beginning of their existence, had been their failure to understand that when God chose them to be his people, it imposed on them a burden to be a blessing to the world. They thought God called them to himself because they were special and he loved them more. He called them to use them as a blessing to others. God chooses his people to channel his blessings through them to the world.  Jesus was determined that his disciples would know better. He sent...

"Light of the World" August 6 Readings: John 8

Image
  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 8 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     This chapter is significant and powerful, with a deeper theological meaning than many understand. In John, there are seven great "I am" statements of Jesus. John 6: 35, 48 "I am the bread of life." John 8: 12, 9:5 "I am the light of the world." John 10:9 "I am the door." John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd." John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life." John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life." John 15:1 "I am the true vine." ...

"Jesus the Divider" August 5 Readings: John 7

Image
  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 7   In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     One of the strangest aspects of Jesus' ministry is his secrecy. Though we are called to proclaim him openly and publicly, during his earthly ministry he often hid and even told people to keep his deeds secret. Many theories for this have been offered, but none are definitive. Of course, now we have no such excuse. We must proclaim Christ boldly. Here Jesus first refused to go publicly to the Feast of Booths with his brothers (the sons of Mary), then went privately. He ended up tea...

"Declining Forgiveness" August 4 Readings: Matthew 18:15-35, Luke 9:51-62 (Mt 8:18-22)

Image
  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 18:15-35, Luke 9:51-62 (Mt 8:18-22) In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     What is the biggest hindrance to the work of God in your church? What hinders the unity of the Spirit? The answer is simple. It is sin, and in this section, Jesus begins to prepare the church how to handle sin in their midst. He gives a pattern for confronting sin and for bringing restoration through the church. He then deals with the higher calling of forgiveness, which is the true means of dealing with sin. He also continues to remind his disciples ...

"A Different Kind of Kingdom" August 3 Readings: Matthew 17:22-18:14, Mark 9:30-50, Luke 9:43-50

Image
  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 17:22-18:14, Mark 9:30-50, Luke 9:43-50 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Over the last several days we've seen a subtle shift in the ministry of Jesus. He has been traveling, healing, providing meals, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. But suddenly he is looking forward to the end of his ministry. He has begun to tell his disciples about his death and that they must deny themselves and take up their crosses to follow him. People are turning away. He is transfigured, and the focus seems to shift. Jesus is less con...

"You Can't Live on the Mountaintop" August 2 Readings: Matthew 17:1-21, Mark 9:2-29, Luke 9:28-42

Image
  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 17:1-21, Mark 9:2-29, Luke 9:28-42 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's reading, about the Transfiguration, is another key moment. We are not told here exactly what happened, but it is a time of deep communion between the Father and the Son, a miraculous and the others involved. It seems that from this point on the focus of Jesus turns more and more to his upcoming death and resurrection.  Daily Devotional:   You Can't Live on the Mountaintop Peter was having the time of his life. He had been part of a sm...

"Daily Death" August 1 Readings: Matthew 16:1-28, Mark 8:10-9:1, Luke 9:18-27

Image
  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 16:1-28, Mark 8:10-9:1, Luke 9:18-27 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     This is one of our most significant readings. Powerful truths abound. It syncs up with our reading from a few days ago in John 6, when Jesus began to lay down his harsher tea chings and saw many disciples turn away.  There is a clear bit of humor in Matthew 16:7. Jesus warns the disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees, and they hold a discussion in which they decide that Jesus is upset because they didn't bring any bread. Clueless. This brin...