Dave Miller's 2024 Bible Reading Challenge

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world. Today's Reading:  Acts 13-14 Through the Bible Readings:  Joshua 5-6, Luke 4:16–44, Psalm 40:7–13, Proverbs 10:3-4 If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.  Context  The great church at Antioch, the church God infused with a heart to break out of the Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria part, and get into the "to the ends of the earth" part of God's purpose of grace, was worshiping God when suddenly the Spirit of God spoke to them, clearly and specifically. He told them to set apart two men, Barnabas and Saul, for the mission work he had planned for them. They would be God's chosen servants to begin the worldwide spread of the gospel. So, Barnabas and Saul, with Mark (for a while), headed o...

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world. Today's Reading:   Acts 8:1-4, Acts 11 Through the Bible Readings:  Joshua 3-4, Luke 4:1–15, Psalm 40:1–6, Proverbs 10:1-2 If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.  Context  In the Great Commission, Jesus told the disciples to go and to make disciples of all nations. In Acts 1:8 he made it clear that they would be witnesses in Jerusalem - their home, the city they lived in. They would also be witnesses in Judea and Samaria - the ancient nation of Israel, their own country.  But Jesus also told them that they were to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. There was one problem with being witnesses to the ends of the earth - the people at the ends of the earth were Gentiles and the...

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world. Today's Reading:   Acts 2 Through the Bible Readings:  Joshua 1-2, Luke 3:23–38, Psalm 39:7–13, Proverbs 9:17-18 If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.  Context  This is the birthday of the church of Jesus Christ, as the promised and long-awaited Spirit came on the church in the Upper Room and everything changed. The disciples suddenly were transformed to become the greatest missionary force in world history. It is interesting to note that they spent over 3 years with Jesus and did not understand. They didn't get it. They loved Jesus and were willing to leave all to follow him, but they could not do what they should, understand what they were taught, or know the power of Christ they...

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world. Today's Reading:   Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 1:4-11 Through the Bible Readings:  Deuteronomy 33-34, Luke 3:1–22, Psalm 39:1-6, Proverbs 9:13-16 If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.  Context  A man's last words are often imbued with significance, power, and great impact. Jesus' are among the greatest of all. He spoke to his disciples and gave what is known as the Great Commission and then just before he ascended into heaven he gave his final words, promising the coming of the Spirit's power. The Great Commission sets the marching orders for the church, putting before us our duty to go into all the world and teach people to follow Christ. It also promises us the one thing that God cons...

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world. Today's Reading:    Luke 24 If you want to spend a little more time reading today, look at the resurrection account in each of the four Gospels.  Through the Bible Readings:  Deuteronomy 31-32, Luke 2:22–52, Psalm 38:16–22, Proverbs 9:11-12 If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.  Context  As the crucifixion began the ultimate showdown and changed the course of world history, the resurrection was the culmination of the process. It demonstrated the pleasure of God on the sacrifice of Christ, his acceptance of Christ's payment for our sins. Everything in our lives and in this world changes because Jesus rose from the dead. In fact, though we when we present the Gospel we alwa...

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world. Today's Reading:   Matthew 27:57-66, John 19:38-42 Through the Bible Readings:  Deuteronomy 29-30, Luke 2:1–21, Psalm 38:9–15, Proverbs 9:10 If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.  Context  1 Corinthians 15:3-8 defines the Gospel that brings salvation to sinners very carefully. There are two truths that are defined as "of first importance" - truths that matter more than any other. Each truth is established by evidence as being historical and verified. Christianity is not a faith of your feelings but rooted in facts. God created the world, chose a people for himself, worked through them to bless the world and to prepare for the birth of the Messiah, the baby born in Bethlehem. Jesus ...

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world. Today's Reading:    Luke 23, Matthew 27:27-68 Through the Bible Readings:  Deuteronomy 27-28, Luke 1:57–80, Psalm 38:1–8, Proverbs 9:7-9 If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.  Context  We live in a world of illusion. Think about Jesus as he stood before Pilate, in Luke 23:1-5, and before Herod in Luke 23:6-13. These were powerful men and Jesus was a prisoner, a pauper, seemingly under their thumb. Consider what everyone else thought as Jesus stood before Pilate, thinking that Pilate held Jesus' life in his hands. People stood there wondering what Pilate was going to do with Jesus, what decision he would make. Jesus was at the mercy of the Roman governor - so he thought ev...

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world. Today's Reading:   Luke 22:14-23, 1 Corinthians 11: 17-34 Through the Bible Readings:  Deuteronomy 25-26, Luke 1:39–56, Psalm 37:36–40, Proverbs 9:4-6 If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.  Context  A few days ago, we read in Jeremiah 31 of the New Covenant God promised to Israel. Here, Jesus instituted a new covenant with his disciples, our great reminder of what he would go through the next day. The church was to take the bread and the cup as a memorial of the Body and Blood of Christ. Devotional: Worthy Unworthy! There is one very important word in the passage on the Lord's Supper, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, a single word that changes everything. Verse 27 gives this warning: Whoeve...

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world. Today's Reading:   Matthew 21 Through the Bible Readings:  Deuteronomy 23-24, Luke 1:26–38, Psalm 37:29–35, Proverbs 9:1-3   If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.  Context  It had been over 500 years since the prophet Zechariah had delivered his prophecy that the king would come riding in humility into Jerusalem on a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9) Now, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy, riding into the city on a donkey with crowds lining the path and crying out "Hosanna. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Israel's king had come, offering himself to the people of Israel, but Israel's response was not welcoming. Matthew 21 is actually part of a larger section that goes t...

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world. Today's Reading:   John 8:58 Read John 8:21-59  to get the full story. Through the Bible Readings:  Deuteronomy 21-22, Luke 1:1–25, Psalm 37:22–28, Proverbs 8:35-36 If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.  Context  One of the oddest truths of the gospel stories is that demons and enemies of Christ sometimes seemed to understand him better than his own disciples. Here, in John 8:58, Jesus gives the clearest statement of his divinity in John, other than in John 1, and the religious leaders seem to understand exactly what he is saying. In verse 59 they took up stones to stone him, understanding he was laying out a clear claim to divinity. Though we have completed our trek through t...

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world. Today's Reading:    John 15 Through the Bible Readings:  Deuteronomy 19-20, Mark 16, Psalm 37:15–21, Proverbs 8:34 If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.  Context  Today, we look at the last of seven "I Am" statements of Jesus in John's Gospel. They all affirm Jesus' divinity (I Am speaks to Jesus as "Yahweh") and as the source of all we need (bread, water, etc). As we also noted, one consistent theme, explicit in this passage, is the idea that Jesus is the source of ALL life. A branch detached from the vine is dead. To bear fruit, it must be attached and have the life of the vine flowing through it. Devotional: Bearing Fruit  Of all the "I Am" statements, this...

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world. Today's Reading:  John 14 Through the Bible Readings:  Deuteronomy 17-18, Mark 15:21–47, Psalm 37:8–14, Proverbs 8:32-33 If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.  Context  The sixth of the "I Am" statements is a clear assertion of the uniqueness of Christ. He is not one way to heaven. He is not "my truth" or "your truth." He is the only hope any of us has of reconciliation with God and no one will come to the Father except through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus does not simply teach truth, he is truth. Devotional: Our Place Prepared  I took a fair degree of grief from my family in the years before the GPS made travel so easy. Before we left, I would prepare a notebook that...

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world. Today's Reading:   John 11 Through the Bible Readings:  Deuteronomy 15-16, Mark 15:1–20, Psalm 37:1–7, Proverbs 8:30-31 If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.  Context  The fifth of the seven "I Am" statements in John's gospels comes in the story of one of Jesus' greatest miracles, the raising of Lazarus. I have quoted this verse in dozen, perhaps a hundred or more funerals. "I am the resurrection and the life." Note that while "I am life" is never one of the statements, it is related to almost all of them. Bread sustains life as does water. Light guides us through life. The shepherd guides the sheep as they find the necessities of life and protects them from t...