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"Our God Wins" August 25 Readings: Matthew 23:37-24:22, Mark 12:41-13:20, Luke 21:1-24

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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 :   Matthew 23:37-24:22, Mark 12:41-13:20, Luke 21:1-24 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     After the familiar story of the widow's offering, which appears in Mark and Luke, Jesus turns his attention to Jerusalem. He laments its sin and rebellion in Matthew 23:37-39, a significant passage that indicates his rejection by the people. When he rode in at his triumphal entry, he was hailed as the one who was blessed, as the one who had come in the name of the Lord. But now he knew that the leaders and even the people were rejecting him, a...
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"A Pharisee's Heart" August 24 Readings: Matthew 23:1-36, Mark 12:38-40, Luke 20:45-47

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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 23:1-36, Mark 12:38-40, Luke 20:45-47  In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     I wish I had a nickel for every time someone has used Matthew 23 to justify their angry words toward someone else. "Look what Jesus said to the Pharisees in Matthew 23." It's true, of course; he says some pretty harsh things about his religious antagonists here. But it is well to remember a few things. Jesus was perfect and so was his judgment. Our judgment is often colored by our own pride, anger, and selfish perspective - Jesus was seeking o...
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"What Belongs to God" August 23 Readings: Matthew 22:15-46, Mark 12:13-37, Luke 20:19-44

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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 22:15-46, Mark 12:13-37, Luke 20:19-44 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Pop quiz! How I hated those words. I was able to study for tests, cramming knowledge into my brain, spitting it out on the test, and forgetting it the moment the test was over, but pop quizzes were sprung on us when we weren't prepared.  The religionists tried some pop quizzes on Jesus in today's readings, nearly identical in all three Synoptic Gospels. First, they asked him whether they were obligated to pay taxes to Caesar. "Now we've got hi...
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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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