Dave Miller's 2025 Bible Reading Challenge

  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 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Hubris - the incredible human capacity to overestimate ourselves and become embroiled in pride. Solomon was blessed by God with a gift, the ability to discern truth from error and choose the path of wisdom over the path of folly, and the results were amazing. He became one of the greatest men in the world, right up until pride and self-sufficiency entered his heart. "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." Those were Solomon's own w...

  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 25-31 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today we complete the book of Proverbs, reading various collections of wisdom from different authors. Daily Devotional:   No, that is not a sidewalk. It is a trail worn in the rock of the Tsankawi Ruins near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Over the centuries, the feet of the people living on that hill cut deep paths into the solid rock. Amazing. Had Solomon known about the Tsankawi, he might have worded Proverbs 25:15 a little differently. Proverbs are inspired observations...

  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 9, 2 Chronicles 8 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     In today's readings, we see the finishing of the Temple and the rest of Solomon's amazing and extensive building projects. Though David was a man after God's own heart, Solomon was the man who built Israel into a regional powerhouse. He was a man to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, as we will see in future readings, his life would become a model of the proverb that says, "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." Daily Devotional:   ...

  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 :   Psalm 134, 146-150 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today, we wrap up the book of Psalms, though some Psalms from later times will appear in subsequent readings. There will be no more days in which the Psalms are the primary focus of readings. The last few Psalms are "Hallelujah Psalms," which focus on reasons and methods of praising the Lord. Daily Devotional:   The Lord's Delight What makes God happy? Obviously, God's emotions are not like ours, so a question like that is not easily answered, but the Bible does sp...

  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 :   2 Chronicles 6-7, Psalm 136 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened."  Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.   The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the ...

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...

  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...

  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...

  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...

  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...

  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...

  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...

  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 :   Song of Songs 1-8   In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, or the Canticles, is one of the harder books of the Bible to interpret and understand. Frankly, I'm not sure how to do a devotional from the book, other than to say that it teaches us something pretty important about the marital relationship - that it is holy to God who created it.  The fact is that the wording of the Song is so vivid, so sensual, that many through the years have taken to interpreting the ...

  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 3-4, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 72 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's reading is the famous story of God's gift of wisdom to Solomon to establish his throne and to guide him in ruling God's people. Daily Devotional:   The Greatest Treasure 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 ...

  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 :   Psalm 119 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Psalm 119 is a Bible trivia treasure trove. It is the longest chapter of the Bible, which you know if you attended VBS or Sunday School, and it is very close to the center of the Bible. It is an acrostic poem. Have you ever noticed that it is divided up into 22 sections of 8 verses each and that each of those sections has a strange word at the beginning? Our reading today starts with the word "Aleph." That is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the 8 verses in this ...

  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 1-2, Psalm 37, 71, 94 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     There is a powerful story in today's readings. 1 Kings 1-2 are all about scheming. Adonijah, in his bid for power, plots to undermine Solomon and claim the throne - with the help of powerful palace personnel. But God thwarts the schemes and accomplishes what he promised, putting Solomon on the throne. I once heard faith defined as "living without scheming." When we trust God we don't have to scheme, plot, and manipulate. We just do right and let God handle th...

  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 :   Psalm 111-118 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's Psalms are "Hallelujah" Psalms, or Psalms of praise. They glorify and praise the God of Heaven. Daily Devotional:  Hallelujah! Hallelujah! It is, perhaps, the most common command in Scripture. In Hebrew, that is what the word is. Hallel is the Hebrew verb for praise - to honor, glorify, exalt, lift up. Hallelu is a command to praise, and, of course, the "jah" at the end refers to Yahweh, the name of the Hebrew God. Praise the Lord. It isn't a suggestion. It isn'...