Free Reading Plans and Devotionals related to Luke 1:38

Perhaps the greatest thing that we often neglect about John the Baptist is that he lived his whole life and ministry in the shadow of someone greater than him - Jesus Christ. Yet despite this, we are never told of any feelings of jealousy or resentment. Just as John the Baptist’s ministry was gaining traction, it was cut short, presumably to make way for Jesus, someone greater than him. From his birth to his death, John the Baptist lived in the shadows of Jesus. But fulfilled his ministry and pleased the Lord. This devotional is an amended extract from an upcoming book by Jean Kabasomi.

Game systems… new clothes… snacks that are honestly kind of gross but we eat them because it’s tradition… We are talking about GIFTS! Over the next few days, we will be focusing in on the greatest gift we could ever hope to receive: the Savior of the world… Jesus!

Journey with Pastor Micah E. Davis as he uncovers some of the heralded (and unheralded) heroes of the Christmas story. The birth of Jesus was more than a neat, cozy, Nativity scene. Instead, Micah pulls back the curtain on the immense amount of faith shown by some particular individuals and the immense amount of power demonstrated by God and His angels. Invitation is at the heart of the Christmas story.

Fear can loom over our lives, especially during important times. The first Christmas was no exception, as key people were told not to fear. Over four days, this devotional will look at reasons we can overcome fear using the stories of Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. We will see how God's message to them still apply to us today.

Advent invites us to journey through the darkness to discover the light, the incarnate Word of God who "shines in the darkness" (John 1:5). This plan focuses upon the weekly themes of Advent—hope, peace, joy, and love—and serves as a guide through each week of the season. It is taken from our book, Dawn, with reflections for every day of Advent available within the Dwell Bible App.

The vocations represented in the characters of Christmas can teach us a lot about God and how our work is a means of co-laboring with “the newborn King.” In this four-day plan, we’ll look at the vocations of John the Baptist, Caesar Augustus, Matthew, and the famed Star of Bethlehem to draw out applications for our own work today.

Every good story has a plot twist—an unexpected moment that changes everything. One of the biggest plot twists in the Bible is the Christmas story. Over the next five days, we’ll explore how this one event changed the world and how it can change your life today.

This five-day family devotional focuses on the events leading up to the first Christmas. Each day, there will be the option to play the compelling free biblical game app Guardians of Ancora. As you read the Bible and talk with God, you will be encouraged to explore this exciting way to meet with God and discover stories about Jesus. Enjoy sharing your family adventures together.

These five mysteries focus on the incarnation of Jesus and the characters involved in His early life of earth. Reflecting on these stories allows us to dig deeper into the great mystery involved in how an experience of Christ can bring joy which is transformative to our very lives. These mysteries are meditated upon when people pray with the Rosary and as such it is suggested to pray some form of repetitive prayer as a tool to aid your meditation.

This video series tells the stories of some of the great women in the Bible. Through these stories you will see that they are women whom God used to carry out his will and who had important roles in his salvation plan for the world.   

Most Christmas stories begin with the cry of a baby in a manger, but for this story will begin three months earlier in a small mountain village just south of Jerusalem near the town of Hebron.  The story will begin as you watch a young, tired, and very pregnant girl walking up the road to the house of Elizabeth and Zechariah.  That’s where you will begin your journey to Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph.

As we prepare for Jesus' coming as a baby to earth at Christmas, we also think of his second coming, when he will come again to take us to heaven. Like at Christmastime when we look forward to going home to celebrate with family and friends, we also look forward to Jesus taking us to our eternal home, where we will celebrate every day. 

The most important moment in the history of the world was when Jesus, the Light of the World, became flesh to dwell among us.  Angels announced his arrival, poems were written, shepherds ran and Mary sang! Come with us on a five-day journey as we examine His light, how it inspired those around Him and how it impacts us today.

What you choose to believe about your life affects everything—who you are as a person, your day-to-day decisions, and even your future. In the She Believes Devotional, Debbie Lindell helps you understand how living a faith-filled life will change you, your circumstances, and your relationships, and will make a difference in how you respond to everything that happens around you.

Let's face it - the season of Advent, the final four weeks leading up to Christmas Day - is oftentimes the busiest, most stressful time of the year for women. But this is not at all what God intended. The Lord intended for these weeks of joy, love, hope, and peace to bring just those beautiful things to the hearts of women everywhere. Rediscover that reality through this 5 day reading plan.

We know Jesus works in miraculous ways, but do we believe he can do it with our own circumstances? In this study, we will explore all four gospels of the Bible and discovering the ways Jesus healed, provided, calmed, and resurrected. This study is about believing in the power of God who can accomplish anything. There's nothing too big and there's nothing too small for us to bring to him.

The Essential 100® Bible Challenge is a simple tool to read through the Big Story of God's Word. The reading plan is based on 50 Old Testament and 50 New Testament passages. Continue with the eleventh part "The Living Word." ®Produced by American Bible Society in partnership with Scripture Union, Inc.

We hate to admit it, but after years of reading the same story of Christmas, we get a little bored—we lose some of the awe that we had the first time. That's why The Characters of Christmas was written, to give you a fresh look at the Christmas story by getting to know the characters that played a part in Jesus' birth and restore awe to the Christmas story.

Watch this devotional plan to find out what you can do when the Christmas season isn't so happy and merry.

Our values will determine our leadership style. What are the right values? Leaders in the Bible demonstrate essential traits for today’s leaders. In this 5-day devotional discover how to become a life-giving leader!

In a world of social media and cable news outlets, we’re often more concerned with our outer image than our inner make up. You can look good on the outside without being good on the inside. If you long to commit yourself to the content of your character, join James Merritt for a look at five traits that form the bedrock of a godly life and a good society.

God cannot be known as we know a machine, an idea, or a tree, which we are able to “objectify.” He is truly known only in relationship. In the contemplative tradition, Richard Rohr describes how we can come to know God through relationship—by joining in a “dance” of holiness and love with the Father, Son, and Spirit—through which we are transformed, pray meaningfully, and serve others in love.

Scripture richly affirms the dignity and value of women, and many of its characters provide us with critical biblical principles and lessons through their lives. Join us in this Abide meditation as we grow deeper in our faith and experience how God used various women of the Bible to bring about His purposes.

God is inviting you to join him, to participate in his redemptive work in the world. But where do you start? How do you discern calling? How do you know whether you are hearing God’s voice, or just last night’s pizza? What do you do when you experience challenges, criticism, and doubts? This 5-day plan will help you discover and live out your calling with confidence and joy.

During the Christmas season, many Christians sing the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," which depicts the longing of the people of God for their Savior. This hope for the Savior is grounded in the Old Testament and its revelation of the Messiah. In this plan, we will look closely at the Old Testament promises about the Messiah and see how Christ perfectly fills that role.