This Bible reading plan takes you through most of the Holy Scriptures each weekday of the year. Each day has three Bible readings:
You're welcome to read one, two, or all three of the readings every weekday. And if you fall behind, don't worry! You can either use the weekends to catch up or you can simply dive in to the reading for that day, even if you've missed a few days, weeks, or even months!
You can download a foldable bookmark here: 2026
3:1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer1 must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,2 sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,3 not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise4 must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He5 was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated6 by the Spirit,7
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
[1] 3:2
[2] 3:2
[3] 3:8
[4] 3:11
[5] 3:16
[6] 3:16
[7] 3:16
(ESV)
"He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap." (vs. 7)
This last week at PLI, I listened to a pastor tell a story about his daughter living in New York. Making a visit recently, he recalled a lunch they shared with a few of his daughters friends. While living far away, the pastor delighted to know there were close friends his daughter was walking through life with.
As he spoke, the pastor shared a bit of background on this circle of support his daughter was blessed to be a part of. One individual was homosexual. Another was a nominal Catholic. Another friend was an atheist.
What this pastor delighted in was how his daughter, who is strong in her faith, was being a missionary in the context of everyday life. She is someone who is trusted and accepted by those whom the church might consider "on the outside".
Paul says in our reading today, "have a good reputation with outsiders... "
The word, "outside" describing those who are unbelievers, people not trusting Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Paul says, as you live in the community, be in good standing with those who come from different background and beliefs than you.
Isn't that the life of Jesus? Did he not do what that Pastor's daughter did?
Luke 19:10 says Jesus, "came to seek and save what was lost."
Jesus was the guest "of sinners". He befriended them. He ate with them. He helped them. He worked with them. And all of this "with a good reputation". Sinners and "outsiders" loved Jesus.
Today... rather than "isolation" (not going near any outsider or sinner), or "imitation" (do what they do), ask the Holy Spirit to help you practice "infiltration" -living daily life right in the context of non-Christian values and life-styles without taking on those beliefs or practices yourself.
Whether at the office, the fitness center, the sports field, your neighborhood, or anywhere else... be an "insider with outsiders".
Jesus needs you where you are, among the people you already know.
Take time today to love them the way Jesus has loved you.
"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity." - Colossians 4:5
21 Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, and say, “Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD, or you will die by our hand”—22 therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: “Behold, I will punish them. The young men shall die by the sword, their sons and their daughters shall die by famine, 23 and none of them shall be left. For I will bring disaster upon the men of Anathoth, the year of their punishment.”
12:1 Righteous are you, O LORD,
when I complain to you;
yet I would plead my case before you.
Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
2 You plant them, and they take root;
they grow and produce fruit;
you are near in their mouth
and far from their heart.
3 But you, O LORD, know me;
you see me, and test my heart toward you.
Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter,
and set them apart for the day of slaughter.
4 How long will the land mourn
and the grass of every field wither?
For the evil of those who dwell in it
the beasts and the birds are swept away,
because they said, “He will not see our latter end.”
5 “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you,
how will you compete with horses?
And if in a safe land you are so trusting,
what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?
6 For even your brothers and the house of your father,
even they have dealt treacherously with you;
they are in full cry after you;
do not believe them,
though they speak friendly words to you.”
7 “I have forsaken my house;
I have abandoned my heritage;
I have given the beloved of my soul
into the hands of her enemies.
8 My heritage has become to me
like a lion in the forest;
she has lifted up her voice against me;
therefore I hate her.
9 Is my heritage to me like a hyena’s lair?
Are the birds of prey against her all around?
Go, assemble all the wild beasts;
bring them to devour.
10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard;
they have trampled down my portion;
they have made my pleasant portion
a desolate wilderness.
11 They have made it a desolation;
desolate, it mourns to me.
The whole land is made desolate,
but no man lays it to heart.
12 Upon all the bare heights in the desert
destroyers have come,
for the sword of the LORD devours
from one end of the land to the other;
no flesh has peace.
13 They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns;
they have tired themselves out but profit nothing.
They shall be ashamed of their1 harvests
because of the fierce anger of the LORD.”
14 Thus says the LORD concerning all my evil neighbors who touch the heritage that I have given my people Israel to inherit: “Behold, I will pluck them up from their land, and I will pluck up the house of Judah from among them. 15 And after I have plucked them up, I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to his heritage and each to his land. 16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As the LORD lives,’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they shall be built up in the midst of my people. 17 But if any nation will not listen, then I will utterly pluck it up and destroy it, declares the LORD.”
[1] 12:13
(ESV)
God answers Jeremiah's prayer and promises to punish the wicked people of Anathoth, Jeremiah's home town, because they plotted to take his life. The prophets and apostles God sent in the past, and even the pastors and teachers that God sends today are His representatives and should be given honor. We need to heed the Word of God from the mouth of His spokesmen. Jeremiah then raised the question that has been asked time and again by godly people throughout history: "Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?" Jeremiah decries the hypocrisy of wicked men who claim to love God then do evil. Jesus later quoted his words: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." (Matthew 15:8) Jeremiah prays that their fate would be the same as they plotted for him—that they would become sheep for slaughter. Even while the wicked prosper, innocent people suffer from the drought and famine God sent on the land due to the wicked people living in it. Where is the justice? What Jeremiah doesn't realize is that when we question God's judgment and plans, it's like trying to "compete with horses." We cannot possibly fathom His wisdom so we must simply put our trust in Him. God reminds Jeremiah that even members of his own family have dealt treacherously with him, so he must trust in God alone. God decries what his "heritage," Israel, has become. His chosen nations is like a hyena's lair. His appointed shepherds have trampled His vineyard. As a result, the fierce anger of the LORD has come upon them. But God's anger extends also to the "evil neighbors" who have stolen Israel's heritage. They too will experience God's wrath. Nevertheless, they too can also experience salvation, if they will turn to the LORD and learn His ways. Those nations, however, who will not listen to the LORD will be plucked up and destroyed.
67:1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!
(ESV)