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"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...
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"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....
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"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...
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"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 ...
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"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...
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"When Your World Explodes" August 30 Readings: John 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 :   John 14 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     I've always loved mountains. Maybe it's because I lived so long in flat places like Florida and Iowa, but the majesty and awe-inspiring beauty of mountains move me. John 14-16 is a mountaintop of scripture. Like Romans 8, Psalm 23, 1 Corinthians 13, or John 3, it is among the Himalayan peaks of God's word. It is a message that Jesus preached to his disciples the night before he died, his last words to them, preparing them to handle life when he went away. The entire sermon is about the ...
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"Real Christianity" August 29 Readings: Luke 22:31-38, John 13:31-38

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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 :   Luke 22:31-38, John 13:31-38 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     As the end drew near, as the supper wrapped up, Jesus engaged his disciples in several ways to prepare them for what lay ahead. John tells us that Jesus laid out a new commandment, one that would be the dominant mandate for the church that his disciples would establish. They were to "love one another." Unfortunately, after he set out this wonderful command, he then had to give Peter some bad news. Confident that he could follow Jesus to the ends of the earth and end...
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