Dave Miller's 2024 Bible Reading Challenge

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:     2 Kings 5-6, John 8:31–59, Psalm 69:1–6, Proverbs 14:11-12    Daily Devotional:    Majority of One The king of Aram was annoyed with Elisha. He had suspected that he had a spy among his ranks who was giving information to the Israelites, but he found out that it was actually the prophet who was getting the most trustworthy information imaginable - the wisdom of God. There was only one thing he could do. Elisha had to go. So, he sent a massive army to Dothan where Elisha was staying to take care of this problem. As usual, when evil men plan their evil deeds, they forget the power of God. He assumed he could just march down and take care of one little prophet. It was a serious miscalculation, and the story is recorded in 2 Kings 6. It was a miscalculation that Elisha's servant also made. He got up early and saw the vast Aramean army arrayed around him and fear choked him. In his panic, he called out t...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:     2 Kings 3-4, John 8:12–30, Psalm 68:29–35, Proverbs 14:9-10    Daily Devotional:    Light of the World In John 8:12 Jesus made a bold claim - both simple and profound. I am the Light of the World. This world is darkened by sin and only Jesus can do anything about it. Education is a wonderful and positive thing, but education can never enlighten the human soul. Only Jesus can. Philosophers argue the riddles of life and psychologists try to understand the workings of the human mind. But they cannot do anything but help people live a little better in the darkness. The neon lights of entertainment try to shine but they are fleeting and can never provide true light. The world tells us to look inside ourselves for the light but our inborn sin guarantees that this will never succeed. We human beings will look to everything and everyone for the light we need, but too often we fail to look to the source of r...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:   2 Kings 1-2, John 7:40–8:11, Psalm 68:22–28, Proverbs 14:7-8     Daily Devotional:    Jesus the Divider It is a constant refrain in politics. "I want to unite the country." "I'm a uniter, not a divider," said one former president. It is also a theme heard continually in the church. We love unity and we should. God does not bless or use the divided church. But we sometimes forget the nature of unity. Unity in the church is the product of division. God calls us out of the world and we must walk away. We must turn our backs on sin and turn to Christ with full hearts. We stand against the ways of the sinful world and live by different values. Jesus told his disciples that he did not come to bring peace but to bring a sword. In John 7 he did just that. He appeared at the Feast of Booths and began to preach. In verse 25, "some of the people" drew a conclusion. This must be the Christ, the Messiah we've await...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:   1 Kings 21-22, John 7:25–39, Psalm 68:15–21, Proverbs 14:5-6     Daily Devotional:   I Hate Him Ahab hated Micaiah, the prophet. He hated him so much he wouldn't even consult him when Jehoshaphat wanted to get wisdom from a prophet of God. 1 Kings 22:8 states it clearly. But I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil. Ahab had a point. A true prophet of God could not say anything good about the wicked Ahab, who lived in rebellion against God and his laws. Ahab had his yes-men around him who told him God was okay with him, that everything he did was good and that God would give him success. But Micaiah made it clear this was wrong. The prophets were not speaking for God, but for themselves. Ahab rejected the truth that Micaiah prophesied and went out to war, threatening to kill Micaiah when he got home. He never came home. A stray arrow fulfilled the word of God against him and Ahab died th...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:     1 Kings 19-20, John 7:1–24, Psalm 68:8–14, Proverbs 14:3-4    Daily Devotional:   Sticks and Stones   'Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." Is there less truth in any of the bromides we learned as children? I've been hurt by sticks and stones (generally from horsing around - I do very little ninja fighting!) and they leave a few bruises and a scar or two. The pain goes away and is forgotten. But when people say insulting, degrading things to me it hurts far more than any physical injury I've had. If I allow myself to, I can think back to words people said to me many years ago and I can still experience pain from the memory. Words have a powerful impact on us. One of the most devastating results of these hurtful words is discouragement. We are trying to do God's work and someone drops a verbal bomb on us. It feels like the shrapnel strikes us deep in our hearts and chur...

 Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:   1 Kings 17-18, John 6:49–71, Psalm 68:1–7, Proverbs 14:1-2     Daily Devotional:   Kill the Messenger "Don't kill the messenger." But that is exactly what Ahab wanted to do. The phrase is meant to show the absurdity of attacking the bearer of bad news. It was not uncommon in the days when kings had absolute and sometimes capricious power that they would take unjust vengeance on the person who delivered an unwanted message. Elijah was just such a messenger. In 1 Kings 17, he delivered the message of God's judgment on sinful Israel. The blessings of heaven would be cut off as long as Ahab and his people continued 18in their sin. Look at verse 1. “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” This was not Elijah's idea or his doing. It was the judgment of God. There would be no rain for years until repentance came. This would bring a droug...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:     1 Kings 15-16, John 6:22–48, Psalm 67, Proverbs 13:23-25    Daily Devotional:    Is Jesus Enough? The crowds were looking for Jesus, and that should have been a good thing, but Jesus knew better. They were coming to him for all the wrong reasons. In verse 26, Jesus calls their bluff. They weren't seeking him because of a deep desire for God, but simply because he had fed them. They wanted another free meal. Free bread from Jesus.  So Jesus tried to raise their sights a little. "Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life." He promised to give them that kind of food. After a discussion that included Moses, and manna, and some other side topics, they were finally ready for this bread. They wanted it! Bread that lasted unto eternity. That sounded really good. So, they said to Jesus, "Sir, give us this bread always."  That is when Jesus burst their bubble wide...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:     1 Kings 13-14, John 6:1–21, Psalm 66:16–20, Proverbs 13:21-22    Daily Devotional:   What Only God Can Do It is one of the few stories of Jesus that is recorded in every one of the four gospels. Jesus, with an enormous crowd surrounding him, called on his disciples to feed the multitude. They threw up their hands in failure - what could they do? There was not enough food among them to feed the Twelve, much less the thousands around them. But Jesus was there that day not primarily to do a miracle that would amaze the crowds, but to reveal himself to his disciples and to build their faith. They brought him the five loaves and the two fish that a young boy had brought - all the food that was in the crowd. Jesus took it, blessed it, and started to divide it among the crowds. After everyone had their fill, there were 12 baskets of food left over for fish sandwiches later. It was a stupendous display of supern...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:     1 Kings 11-12, John 5:30–47, Psalm 66:9–15, Proverbs 13:19-20   Daily Devotional:    The Wise and Fool of Solomon Solomon is one of the tragic stories in the Bible. In many  ways,  he was a great success, and by worldly  terms,  the glory of his kingdom surpassed even that of his father's, King David. The borders of Israel were expanded, buildings were built, including the Temple, and the wealth and fame of Solomon spread throughout the world. Of course, his wisdom was the thing that gave him his greatest fame. He had a grasp and understanding of the principles of wisdom, of how to make a wise decision and walk the right path in life, like no one else ever. And yet he became a fool. 1 Kings 11 tells how a man of great wisdom made some very foolish choices. In  Proverbs,  there are stern warnings against the wrong kinds of women and the importance of godly relationships. But ...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:   1 Kings 9-10, John 5:1–29, Psalm 66:1–8, Proverbs 13:17-18     Daily Devotional:  A Strange Question   There is no such thing as a stupid question, right? That’s what our teachers used to tell us. I think I asked a few in my day, and some of my classmates came pretty close. But to encourage people to ask freely and boldly, teachers and leaders continue to tell us that all questions are worthy. Jesus asked a question that would make us scratch our heads in John 5. In Jerusalem, Jesus was walking by the Pool of Bethesda where invalids lay seeking healing. They believed that the first person to get into the water after the waters were stirred would be healed. There was a man who had been an invalid for 38 years beside the pool and Jesus asked him a corker of a question in verse 6. “Do you want to be healed?”  (John 5:6) Really? The man had been unable to lead a normal life or nearly 4 decades and was red...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:     1 Kings 7-8, John 4:46–54, Psalm 65:8–13, Proverbs 13:15-16     Daily Devotional:    Designed by God  Solomon built a magnificent structure. The temple in Jerusalem was by all accounts 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. And this magnificent temple was his creation. His people did the work. What part had God played in it all? Scripture records no miracles during the building. It did not spring suddenly from the earth. There was no divinely empowered reversal of Jericho - where the walls came a tumbling UP! No, it was hard work - the blood, sweat, and tears of thousands of nameless men who produced this house of worship. And yet, as it was being completed, Solomon prayed a prayer in which he sought God's blessing and gave God credit. In 1 K...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:   1 Kings 5-6, John 4:20–45, Psalm 65:1–7, Proverbs 13:13-14     Daily Devotional:    Breaking Man's Rules Jesus always obeyed the Father and the rules of the Word, but he seemed to take pleasure in violating human rules that were not of God. When it was time to travel to Galilee, Jesus routed his group through Samaria. Most Jews traveled along the Jordan Valley so they would not have to move through the area inhabited by those they disdained. Jesus broke the rule and ministered where no one else would go. And then he did something that shocked the disciples. They had made a supply run into town and when they came back they were horrified to see Jesus conversing with a Samaritan woman. Not just a Samaritan. Not just a woman. But a Samaritan woman. Jesus was bound by the Father's laws but he was not bound by silly rules that would hinder his ministry. And look what happened as a result. The woman put her fait...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:   1 Kings 3-4, John 4:1–19, Psalm 64:5–10, Proverbs 13:11-12     Daily Devotional:   The Best Choice   It wasn't a fictional genie in a bottle, but it was the real, living God from heaven. It wasn't three wishes to be spent frivolously, but one wish to be granted by God. Solomon received one of the greatest blessings a man has ever received from God. Ask what I shall give you. 1 Kings 3:5 There were many options. Solomon could have asked for wealth beyond measure, for a life of ease and pleasure, for victory over his foes, and a peace that comes through conquering all. Anything he wanted. But Solomon made the right choice. He asked for discernment. “ And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be ...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:     1 Kings 1-2, John 3:16–36, Psalm 64:1–4, Proverbs 13:9-10   Daily Devotional:   Best Man   The Best Man is never meant to be the center of attention or the star of the show. He simply attends to the Groom and helps him. John the Baptist was Jesus' Best Man. Look at John 3:29 The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.  There was no man better than John the Baptist, who lived his life to pave the way for the Savior. It was not his dress or his diet that made him unique, but his humility. John 3:22-30 describes a unique and godly episode that defines the unique character of the man. John was immensely popular. People were coming from all over Israel to hear him and to be baptized by him. John's name was on the lips of Israelites everywhere. Then, suddenly, this man Jesus came out of nowhere to be baptiz...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:     2 Samuel 23-24, John 2:13–3:15, Psalm 63, Proverbs 13:7-8   Daily Devotional:   Desert Springs   A few years back I completed a marathon in the New Mexico desert, trudging over a mountain, through deep sand, and across the desert flats in searing heat. One thing I learned that day - walking in the desert creates a deep thirst. It didn't seem to matter how much water and Gatorade I drank, I was always craving more. David spoke, in Psalm 63, of the thirst of a deer in the wilderness. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;     my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you,     as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. In a dry and desolate land, a land without water, David experienced thirst. This world offers so many types of poison water; libations that look satisfying but do not quench the soul's thirst. Money. Pleasure. Entertainment. Selfish ambitio...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:   2 Samuel 21-22, John 2:1–12, Psalm 62:9–12, Proverbs 13:5-6     Daily Devotional:    Water to Wine In what may be the ultimate irony for us teetotalling Baptists, Jesus' first miracle was one destined to make Sunday School teachers sweat for generations. Seriously, couldn't he have chosen something different? Healed someone? Made a lame man walk or a blind man see? Even better, he could have raised someone from the dead. Or calmed a sea. Or walked on water. Something. Anything. But no. Jesus' first miracle had to be turning water into wine. He went to a wedding at Cana, a small town a few miles north of Nazareth, on the pass through the mountains to Galilee. Jesus' mother was at the wedding and he showed up with his disciples. A tragedy occurred after he arrived. The wine ran out. Not sure to say about that, but at Cana, it was a huge issue. Mary saw it as an opportunity. For years she had likely...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:   2 Samuel 19-20, John 1:19–51, Psalm 62:1–8, Proverbs 13-3-4    Daily Devotional:   To Jesus Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist until one day when another man walked by. John looked up at the other man and said, "Look, the Lamb of God." Andrew realized the import of these words and decided that it was time to follow Jesus. It is one of John's most godly qualities that he encouraged his followers to leave him and to follow another. That is what he did, along with the man who was with him. Jesus saw these two men following him and asked, "What are you looking for?" Andrew and his friend answered the question with a question. "Rabbi, where are you staying?" Jesus invited them to join him and they spent the day with Jesus. Evidently, they were deeply impressed with what they saw, because Andrew left to do the most important thing anyone can do. He went out and found his brother Simon and John 1...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:      2 Samuel 17-18, John 1:1–18, Psalm 61:4–8, Proverbs 13:1-2   Daily Devotional:   God's Word, with Us   Though we believe that all Scripture is inspired by God and useful, we are not required to pretend hat all Scripture has the same force and power. There are high points among the words of God. I've maintained that the Mt. Everest of the Bible is Romans 8 - if you are ever going to memorize one chapter of the Bible, make it that one! Psalm 23 is part of the Himalayas as well. So is Hebrews 11, Matthew 5-7, John 14-16 and several other great peaks of revelation. Among the highest of the high peaks, we find John 1:1-5. Frankly, the whole book of John is a high mountain range, but this introduction is powerful. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing ma...

   Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:     2 Samuel 15-16, Luke 24:36–53, Psalm 61:1–3, Proverbs 12:27-28    Daily Devotional:   Walking Right...Alone All around him were liars, schemers, manipulators, usurpers, and conspirators. He was fleeing Jerusalem up the Mt. of Olives to find safety from his own son who had turned the hearts of his people against him. Bathsheba's grandfather, Ahithophel, who was a trusted counselor to the king, had betrayed him and joined Absalom's conspiracy. Ziba the servant met him on the mount with lies about his master, Mephibosheth, in an effort to advance himself. And then, just when he thought things couldn't get any worse, he ran into Shimei, a relative of King Saul who had carried a huge grudge for a long time, ever since David's family supplanted his family as the royal family in Israel. So, as David wandered down the mountain, he threw rocks at him. But it wasn't the sticks and stones that broke his bones,...

 Through the Bible in 2021 Bible Readings:   2 Samuel 13-14, Luke 24:1–35, Psalm 60, Proverbs 12:25-26     Daily Devotional:   Spices of Despair Why did it surprise them? Why? They'd seen Jesus do some pretty amazing things. He had healed hundreds, no thousands of people. The lame walked and the blind saw. Demons fled at his command, and when he spoke, the waves calmed and the winds ceased. This man even walked on water. They had likely been there when Jesus disrupted the funeral in Nain by raising the widow's son from the dead and they were probably in his entourage when he brought Lazarus out of the tomb. He had walked on water and calmed storms. They knew that this was no ordinary man. And they had been there to hear his teachings. Time and again he had told his disciples that he would go to Jerusalem and die and that on the third day he would rise again. He'd said it once, twice, many times. But when the women went to the tomb on the morning of the third day...