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"The Presence of God" April 16 Readings: 1 Kings 7-8, 2 Chronicles 4-5

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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 7-8, 2 Chronicles 4-5 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The readings today examine the finishing of the Temple and its dedication to the glory of God. Daily Devotional:   The Presence of God Solomon built a magnificent structure. The temple in Jerusalem was among the more impressive buildings of the time, and Solomon was clearly among the most impressive people. His fame spread far and wide. He was rich, powerful, honored; the wisest man on earth. This magnificent temple was his creation. His people did the work. Wh...
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"Excellence" April 15 Readings: 1 Kings 5-6, 2 Chronicles 2-3

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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 5-6, 2 Chronicles 2-3 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's readings in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles tell of the building of the Temple by Solomon. Daily Devotional:   Excellence It is an argument that has often been had in choirs and music programs around the country, especially back when "special music" was more a part of worship than it is in many churches today. Many over-evaluate their own musical talents. I have heard many a solo sung in church by folks who should be reluctant to sing anywhere but the s...
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"The Key to EVERYTHING" April 14 Readings: Proverbs 20-24

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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 :   Proverbs 20-24 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's reading encompasses three collections. It concludes the 191 proverbs applying God's wisdom to life situations that began in Proverbs 16:1, then includes two different "Sayings of the Wise," proverbs that come from sources other than Solomon.  Daily Devotional:   The Key to EVERYTHING How is that title for a bit of hyperbole? When you read Proverbs, though, it actually isn't. In fact, the point I will make today is one of the clearest teachings in all of Sc...
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"A Healthy Diet" April 13 Readings: Proverbs 15-19

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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 :   Proverbs 15-19 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's reading ends the first section of 184 contrasts between wisdom and folly, which ends at the end of chapter 15, and begins the 191 proverbs (going through 22:16) that apply wisdom to life. Daily Devotional:   A Healthy Diet "You are what you eat." "Garbage in; garbage out." These are modern-day proverbs that draw life principles from our observation of everyday life. We see that people who eat well tend to feel good and be healthy, while those who gorge on the w...
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"Venting Folly" April 12 Readings: Proverbs 10-14

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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 :   Proverbs 10-14 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     In our readings today, we move into the more random section of Proverbs, though things are still not as random as they seem. Proverbs 10:1-15:33 contains 184 couplets - two-line proverbs - that are contrasts between wisdom and folly. "The wise man does this, but the fool does that." From Proverbs 16:1-22:16, we have 191 proverbs on applying wisdom to life. A few are also contrasts, but most are applications of wisdom to life. The rest of the book is six different collection...
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"How to Be Dumb and Mess Up Your Life" April 11 Readings: Proverbs 5-9

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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 :   Proverbs 5-9 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Proverbs 5-7 gives us a series of four sermons on where the consequences of folly will lead us. Three of these sermons have to do with the devastating consequences of sexual immorality, of adultery. Since Solomon was writing to his sons who would rule Israel, he presented adultery in a female form. That is in no way intended to put the burden of the sin on the woman. His whole point was that his sons were responsible for their choices. The other sermon deals with financial is...
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"Life is Choices" April 10 Readings: Proverbs 1-4

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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 :   Proverbs 1-4 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     It is often mistakenly assumed that Proverbs is a book without structure. That is largely true from chapter 10 on, but Proverbs 1-9 is organized and detailed, highly structured. After Proverbs 1:1-7, the introduction to the book, there is a series of 10 exhortations, or sermons, on wisdom and folly. The first sermon, in chapter 1, introduces us to the path of wisdom and the path of folly. Then, sermons 2-4, chapters 2-4, are the call of wisdom, telling us why wisdom is better...
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