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"Dressed for Success" August 22 Readings: Matthew 21:28-22:14, Mark 12:1-12, Luke 20:9-18

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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 :   Matthew 21:28-22:14, Mark 12:1-12, Luke 20:9-18 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Jesus returns to his parable-telling ways. Today's versions are not nearly as mysterious as some of the previous ones. Matthew records three parables in our reading today, each one designed to insult the Pharisees and religious leaders who were following him and trying to trap him. Jesus didn't back down, didn't try to curry favor. He trained his verbal guns at them with full force, and they understood exactly what he was saying. Mark and Luke rep...
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"Authority to Preach" August 21 Readings: John 12:20-50, Matthew 21:18-27, Mark 11:20-33, Luke 20:1-8

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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 :   John 12:20-50, Matthew 21:18-27, Mark 11:20-33, Luke 20:1-8 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The passage in John is first here because it is a continuation of a previous reading in John. Jesus is preparing for the end. John 12:23 is rife with irony. "The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." Think of what was about to happen to him. Arrest. Trial. Beating. Mocking. A crown of thorns. Carrying his cross. Nails in his hands and feet. Agony. And he called this being "glorified." Only Jesus would say that because he r...
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"For Heaven's Applause" August 20 Readings: Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-19, Luke 19:28-48, John 12:1-19

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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 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-19, Luke 19:28-48, John 12:1-19 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The beginning of the end - that is what the Triumphal Entry is. Jesus came over the Mt of Olives and down into the city with the crowds cheering. It was a great way to start a week that would turn ugly quickly - a fulfillment of prophecy and a portent of a future return when Jesus will be accepted by all as King of kings and Lord of lords.  Daily Devotional:   For Heaven's Applause Jesus rode into Jerusalem with crowds cheerin...
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"Hands on Ministry" August 19 Readings: Luke 18:35-19:27

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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 :   Luke 18:35-19:27   In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's readings take place in Jericho, on the west side of the Jordan, at the north end of the Dead Sea. Jesus was headed to Jerusalem, determined to give himself for the sins of the world, and so he walked in the Jordan River valley, the easiest way to walk. In Jericho, Jesus healed a man born blind (a story we read yesterday in other gospel accounts) and the story of Zaccheus, the repentant tax collector. He also, while in Jericho, told the parable of the nobleman who...
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"Bound for Jerusalem" August 18 Readings: Matthew 20:1-34, Mark 10:32-52, Luke 18:31-34

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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 20:1-34, Mark 10:32-52, Luke 18:31-34  In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's readings mark a clear turning point in Jesus' ministry. The hints have been leading up to this point, but now all doubt is gone. After a parable about rewards for serving God and his kingdom, Jesus predicts his death a third time, with a firm prediction that they are headed to Jerusalem. The Galilean portion of the ministry is over, and the march to Jerusalem is beginning. The story of the request of James and John (evidently pushed by...
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"Jesus Demands All" August 17 Readings: Matthew 19:1-30, Mark 10:1-31, Luke 18:15-30

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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 19:1-30, Mark 10:1-31, Luke 18:15-30 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     While there are readings in Matthew, Mark, and Luke today, they repeat the same stories (mostly). First, Jesus goes over the issue of divorce, with slight variations in each Gospel in some of the small details, primarily over whether there is an exception on the grounds of adultery. Matthew, the most extensive telling of the story, includes it but Mark does not. The second story, which appears in all three Gospels, is the blessing of the children. Th...
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"Prayer-ables" August 16 Readings: Luke 17:11-18:14

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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 :   Luke 17:11-18:14 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The die has been cast, and now Jesus is beginning to prepare his disciples for the future. After the healing of the lepers, Jesus begins to teach both about the fact that he was going to leave them and about his second coming, broaching a new topic. The end is drawing near, and the focus of Jesus' ministry is changing. Jesus shares two parables in chapter 18 about prayer and key qualities in successful, acceptable prayer. Daily Devotional:   Prayer-ables In Luke 18:1-14, J...
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