Tag Archives: Bible

2026 Bible Reading Plan

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I’ve been creating my own Bible Reading Plan for twelve years now. It must be the teacher in me—I get a kick out of giving myself assignments. I also don’t like being told by someone else what to read. (Must be the rebel in me.) I’ve kept track over the years of all the books of the Bible I’ve read (must be the perfectionist in me) and there are some glaring holes indicating books I have been avoiding for twelve years.

If I fail to plan, I can plan to fail. And sometimes I fail even when I do plan. But having a plan in place helps me get back on track. Eventually.

This year is going to be challenging. You are welcome to join me, if you dare.

I’m starting off with the Gospel of Mark because I need to begin the year with my eyes on Jesus.

In February, I’ll take a slow stroll through Colossians, one chapter a week in small bite-size portions Monday-Friday.

Here’s where it gets tricky. 1 & 2 Chronicles have never been my favorites. Especially the first nine chapters which contain lists of unpronounceable names. I’m sure there is treasure in there somewhere, but it will be a test of my patience. Close on the heels of Chronicles will be Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. No dilly-dallying here — a quick run through the chapters.

In June and July I’ll slow down a bit and take my time reading the book of Hebrews.

August is usually the time of year when I falter, so I’m returning to my beloved Psalm 119. It will be like a visit with an old friend.

This fall, strap on your seatbelts if you’re still with me. Ezekiel is weird. And probably wonderful, but I wouldn’t know because this has been my #1 book to ignore. Not anymore! I’m diving in. After Ezekiel, I’ll stay on the weird and wonderful track by reading Revelation, then end 2026 with an Advent study to be determined.

Note: This is a “reading plan, ” not a “study plan.” The point is to stay engaged with God’s Word consistently. God gave us a book and He arranged every word in it. Those words are nutrition for our souls. As Moses said,

“These are not just idle words for you; they are your life.”
Deuteronomy 32:47

God bless the reading of the Word in 2026!

Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat

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Long before Yosemite Sam came up with the phrase “Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!” there was an actual person named Jehoshaphat. He was king of Judah from 873 BC to 848 BC. There is no record of him doing any jumping.

In a long line of no-good, terrible, very-bad kings, Jeho stands out as a pretty-good, decent, not-too-bad leader of Judah. Not perfect, but better than most.

When King Jehoshaphat heard that a huge enemy army was approaching, he was shook. But instead of having a melt-down, he “resolved to inquire of the Lord” and called for a nation-wide fast. All the people gathered at the temple for a prayer meeting, led by their king. Jeho reminded the people who God was, what God had done for them in the past, and asked for God’s help.

Then Jehoshaphat prayed one of the best prayers in the Bible:
“We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”*

During the prayer meeting, a prophet received a message from the Lord:
“Do not be afraid or discouraged for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

Further instructions were given:
“Take up your positions; stand firm; face the enemy.”

Jehoshaphat had a brilliant idea:
“He appointed singers to praise the Lord at the head of the army.”

Then God had a brilliant plan:
“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes
and the enemy armies destroyed each other.”

The King knew what to do next:
“Led by Jehoshaphat, they returned joyfully and went to the temple.”

I think maybe he jumped up and down a little bit, too.

I also think maybe we could learn some things from this account.

  • When under stress, resolve to seek the Lord.
  • Ask some people to fast and pray with you.
  • Preach to yourself what you know to be true about God.
  • Go over all the things God has done for you in the past.
  • Stand firm in the armor of God.
  • Put praise out in front.
  • Watch God move in miraculous ways.
  • Go to church and thank Him.
  • Jump up and down.

*Read it for yourself in 2 Chronicles 20.

Up, Up and Away

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I missed it.
I always miss it.
I didn’t even know I was missing it.
Did you miss it, too?
Probably.

Last Thursday was Ascension Day.
Until recently, I wasn’t aware there was such a thing.
It’s a big thing.

Ascension Day is celebrated 40 days after Easter Sunday and commemorates the moment Jesus ascended into heaven and took His rightful place on the throne as ruler of the universe.

That’s a really big thing.

Eugene Peterson said, “Ascension Day may be one of the the most under-celebrated events in the church’s life. Part of the reason is that Ascension Day always falls on Thursday, never on a Sunday, and so no sermon is required.”*

There are no presents to buy, no cards to send, no baskets to hide.
Mail gets delivered, banks are open and nobody gets the day off.

“When Luke set out in Acts to tell us the story of the church, he began with Jesus’ Ascension. It’s the opening scene that establishes the context for everything that follows: Jesus installed in a position of absolute rule—Christ our King.”*

So, why should we celebrate Ascension Day?

  • It’s the day Jesus entrusted us to take His message to the world
  • It ushered in the coming of the Holy Spirit ten days later
  • It gives believers hope for a future resurrection
  • Jesus, the divine, went up without abandoning His humanity
  • The ascension gives us a picture of what His return will be like
  • It shows Jesus’ triumphant victory over death
  • This day crowns Him King over the universe in glory
  • It begins Jesus’ role as intercessor for us in heaven

Celebration is in order, my friends.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 14, 2026!

He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Why do you stand here looking into the sky?
This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven,
will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.
Acts 1: 9, 11

God has gone up with a shout!
Sing praises to our King.
He is king over all the earth;
He sits on his holy throne.
Psalm 47:5-7


*Eugene Peterson, Practice Resurrection, p. 43

Rest Assured

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It’s the first day of spring.

It doesn’t look like it.
It doesn’t feel like it.
But it’s the truth.
And I believe it.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,
the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

Recently I was with a friend who expressed a concern. She was worried about her faith. Did she have enough? What if she didn’t? How would she know? What would happen if she came up short? From her perspective, it didn’t look like she had enough faith. And it didn’t feel like it.

We talked it over and I reminded her that it doesn’t take much. God is happy to work with a tiny amount of faith, even as small as a mustard seed. (Matthew 17:20) She was quiet for a few moments, then said, “Well, then……..I guess I’m ok.” Yes, my dear, you are ok.

We all need a little reassurance from time to time.
We’re in good company.

When God called Moses to deliver the Israelites from bondage in Egypt, Moses was a bundle of doubts and fears. “Who am I?” “What if…?” “Suppose…?” “Why? Why? Why?” He finished with, “Please send someone else.” (Exodus 3-5)

When God called Gideon to lead an army against his enemies, Gideon whined, “But, why…?” “But, how…?” “But…me?” Then he put God through a string of tests, just to be absolutely sure he heard from the Almighty correctly. (Judges 6)

Even John the Baptist had his doubts. John—who introduced Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) John—the one who witnessed a voice from heaven declaring, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17) This same John sent a message to Jesus, “So, are you the one or should we look for someone else?” (Matt. 11:2)

These heroes of the faith needed assurance. They hadn’t gone off the rails or shipwrecked their long-held beliefs. They just needed to be reminded of truth they already knew down deep.

On those days when doubts and fears creep in,
turn to the Word of Truth.
And rest assured.

Today is the first day of spring.
It doesn’t look like it.
It doesn’t feel like it.
But it’s the truth.
And I believe it.

2025 Bible Reading Plan

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This week between Christmas and the new year is my favorite week of the year. I like to look back over the notes I’ve made, read some old journal entries, and peruse the list of books I read. It’s a satisfying and somewhat solemn review of things I’ve learned and tried to process. It’s also a time to anticipate new growth in the coming year.

The schoolgirl in me loves a syllabus, a list of assignments, a program to carry out. Without a plan, I tend to wander and waver, making excuses and sliding through the weeks. So here is my 2025 plan. You are welcome to follow along!

I’m going to start 2025 with a read-through of Proverbs. Who doesn’t need wisdom when facing a new year? I will read one chapter a day for 31 days and pick one verse out of each day’s chapter to copy in my notebook, followed by a reflective sentence or two.

In February and March I will take a slow stroll through Ephesians, taking about 20 verses each week. I plan to read Eugene Peterson’s “Practice Resurrection” and “A Week in the Life of Ephesus” by David A. DeSilva during these two months.

Old Testament prophet Jeremiah will be my focus in April and May, reading 5-7 chapters per week. I have “Run with the Horses” on my book pile, which is another Eugene Peterson book, this one on Jeremiah.

In June, I will do a word study on Patience, the fourth fruit of the spirit as listed in Galatians 5. One verse for each day, Monday through Friday.

July and August will take me to Psalms. First, Book IV, which consists of Psalm 90-106. (Did you know the book of Psalms is divided into 5 books?) After that, I’ll soak in the special group of psalms called “The Songs of Ascent” (Psalms 120-134).

I’ll kick off the fall with Paul’s letter to the Romans, taking two chapters in each week (M-F) of September and October.

In November, I’m going to do a character study on Peter by reading four different accounts in the gospels along with his own words from his letters, 1 and 2 Peter.

The year will close with an Advent devotional of some kind.

Too much? Maybe.
Will I stick to it and complete it? Maybe.
Will this give me the nudge I need to keep plugging away
and give me a framework to pick back up if I fall off the plan? Absolutely.

May God bless the reading of His Word in 2025.

Tuit

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My father-in-law used to carry a couple of these in his pocket.

As a pastor, they often came in handy in conversations like these:
“Pastor, life is so busy, I just haven’t given faith much thought.”
“Son, you shouldn’t put off something this important.”
“I know. I will someday, when I get around to it.”

Then, with a twinkle in his eye,
my father-in-law would reach into his pocket,
pull out a coin-sized wooden disk and hand it to his friend.

“Here. Now you have a round tuit.”

The only thing I regularly carry around in my pocket is lip balm. But Deuteronomy 17:18-20 is making me think I should add another item.

My Bible reading plan has me wading through the laws that Moses laid down for Israel. Right in the middle there is a curious paragraph titled “The King.” It has three points:

  • When you ask for a king, make sure you pick an Israelite. (Which they did in 1 Samuel 9:1)
  • Don’t let your king amass lots of horses, lots of wives and lots of gold. (Oops. According to 1 Kings 10-11, King Solomon broke all three of those rules.)
  • When the king takes the throne, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of the law. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life.

On coronation day, the king had a royal duty to copy the entire law by hand and keep it close at all times. The reigning Sovereign was required by law to read the scriptures every single day. That’s a pretty good law.

Maybe this week I’ll copy a verse or two out of the Bible
and keep it in my back pocket.

That is, if I get around to it.

Honorable Discharge

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With deep appreciation and a heavy heart,
I hereby discharge my 1978 NIV Holy Bible
after 46 years of honorable service.

PB gave me this Bible the Christmas before we got married. It has provided comfort, teaching, correction and training through every stage of my adult life. This book has seen me through seven moves, four babies and thousands of early morning quiet times. The pages have received coffee stains, children’s scribbles and an untold number of tears.

There are dates written in the margins next to certain verses. Like,

  • “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Ps. 27:13-14 —March 2001, waiting for bypass surgery
  • “When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.” Isa. 43:2 — Dec. 1991, Marshfield Hospital
  • “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.” Isa. 58:11 — March 22, 1988, appointment to first church
  • “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” Ps. 46:5 — April 2018, Granddaughter born at 28 weeks, Meriter Hospital

So much of my heart is entwined in the words of this holy book. But, alas, the binding is coming loose and pages are falling out so I am resigned to move on.

There are other Bibles on my shelf, but none of them feel right.
I searched Ebay and found a 1978 NIV Holy Bible
exactly like my retired copy.
I’m gonna try to wear out another Bible.

The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.
Isa. 40:8