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First Cup Daily Bible Reading
Sandy Sturch
Jan 5, 2026
Dear Family in Christ,
First Cup is designed to assist you in the habit of daily Bible reading and prayer. The name is to remind you that as you reach for your first cup of morning coffee or tea, reach also for your Bible and prayer list. The prayers at the beginning of each week are taken from hymns, sometimes found in obscure hymnals in my library. They are intended to be read as your beginning prayer, to focus your mind on the daily readings that follow. May this spiritual discipline strengthen you as you face each day.
2026 Daily Readings
Click below to download the full 12 months of readings and a prayer list.
Download 2026 Readings (PDF) Prayer List (PDF)
Cast thy burden on the Lord, Lean thou only on His word; Ever will He be thy stay, Tho’ the heavens shall melt away. Ever in the raging storm, Thou shalt see His cheering form; hear his pledge of coming aid: “It is I; be not afraid.” Cast thy burdens at His feet; linger near His mercy seat; He will lead thee by the hand gently to the better land. He will gird thee by His power, in the weary, fainting hour; Lean thou strong upon His Word; Cast thy burden to the Lord. (Baptist Hymnal, #254) 1 Deut. 6:4-8; Psalm 119:89-112; 2 Timothy 2:10-19 2 Mark 4:35-41; 2 Samuel 22; Psalm 65 3 Mark 5:1-20; Matthew 4:23-24; 8:16-17; Acts 19:11-20; Rev. 20:1-10 4 Mark 5:21-43; Psalm 103 5 Mark 6:1-29; Luke 9:7-9; 14:25-33; Acts 21:10-14 6 Mark 6:30-56; Ephesians 3:20-21; Psalm 37 7 Mark 7:1-23; Jeremiah 17:9; Micah 6; James 1:21-27 Savior, like a Shepherd lead us, much we need thy tender care; In thy pleasant pastures feed us, for Thy use our folds prepare. Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be; Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and power to free. Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us loved us still; Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, loved us still. (The Hymnbook, #380) 8 Mark 7:24-8:10; Colossians 1:15-23; Ephesians 1:2-23 9 Mark 8:11-38; John 10 10 Mark 9:1-13; Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 11:7-15; 17:1-13 11 Mark 9:14-29; James 5:13-20; Philippians 4:6-7; Ephesians 6:18 12 Mark 9:30-41; Numbers 11:26-30; Matthew 18:1-9 13 Mark 9:42-50; 1 Cor. 5; 1 Peter 1:13-25 14 Genesis 2:18-25; Mark 10:1-16; 1 Cor. 7; 1 John 1:9-10 Work, for the night is coming, Work through the morning hours; Work while the dew is sparkling, Work mid springing flowers; Work when the day grows brighter, Work in the glowing sun; Work, for the night is coming, when man’s work is done. Work for the night is coming, under the sunset skies; while their bright tints are glowing, work for the daylight flies. Work till the last beam fadeth, fadeth to shine no more; Work while the night is darkening, when man’s work is o’er. (The Hymnbook, #297) 15 Mark 10:17-31; 2 Chronicles 1:1-12; Proverbs 11:24-28; 1Timothy 6:17 16 Mark 10:32-45; Philippians 2:1-18; John 13:1-17 17 Mark 10:46-52; Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 7:7-12; Luke 19:1-10; Psalm 27 18 Mark 11:1-19; Jeremiah 7; Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2 19 Mark 11:20-33; Luke 17:1-4; Matthew 5:21-24; Matthew 18:21-35 20 Mark 12; Proverbs 25:14; Matthew 6:1-4; 21 Matthew 23; Proverbs 6:16-19; Micah 6:8 Saviour, teach me day by day Love’s sweet lesson to obey; Sweeter lesson cannot be, Loving Him who first loved me. With a child’s glad heart of love, at Thy bidding may I move. Prompt to serve and follow Thee, Loving Him who first loved me. Teach me thus Thy steps to trace, strong to follow in thy grace, Learning how to love from Thee, Loving Him who first loved me. (The Hymnbook, #457) 22 Mark 13; Isaiah 13:9-11; Rev. 6:12-17 23 Matthew 24; Rev. 16:15 24 Matthew 25 25 1 Thess. 4-5:11 26 John 10 27 John 11 28 John 12:1-11; Deut. 15:1-11 All glory, laud, and honor, To Thee, Redeemer, King. To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring! The people of the Hebrews with palms before Thee went; Our praise and prayer and anthems before Thee we present. Thou art the king of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son, Who in the Lord’s name comest, The King and blessed One! To Thee, before Thy Passion, they sang their hymns of praise; To Thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise. All glory, laud and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King, To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring! (The Hymnbook, #187) 29 Matthew 21:1-17; John 12:12-19 30 John 12:20-50; 3:16-21; Romans 10:9-13 31 Mark 14:10-42; John 17; Mark 14:43-72 Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, that calls me from a world of care and bids me at my Father’s throne make all my wants and wishes known! In seasons of distress and grief my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the tempter’s snare, by Thy return, sweet hour of prayer. Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, Thy wings shall my petition bear to Him whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless; And since He bids me seek His face, believe His word, and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my ev’ry care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer. (Worship in Song, #475) 1 James 4:13-17; Matthew 6:34; Proverbs 3:27-28; 16:9; 19:21; 27:1; Psalm 139 2 James 5:1-6; Leviticus 19:9-13; 24:14-15; Matthew 6:19-21; Hebrews 11:24-26 3 James 5:7-12; Job 1:1-2:10; 42; Romans 12:6-21 4 James 5:13-20; 1 Kings 17; 2 Kings 4:1-37; Acts 9:36-43; Romans 8:26-28 5 1 Peter 1; 1 Chronicles 29:15; Psalm 39:12; Hebrews 13:13-16; Ephesians 2:1-13 6 1 Peter 2:1-12; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19; Psalm 65:1-4 7 1 Peter 2:13-3:22; Ephesians 5:22-6:9; Romans 13 The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin; The Light of the world is Jesus. Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in; The Light of the world is Jesus. No darkness have we who in Jesus abide; The Light of the world is Jesus. We walk in the Light when we follow our Guide; the Light of the world is Jesus. Come to the Light; ‘tis shining for thee. Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me. Once I was blind, but now I can see. The Light of the world is Jesus. (Worship in Song, #96) 8 1 Peter 4; Philippians 1:27-30; Rev. 2:10 9 Jeremiah 10:21; 23:1-4; Matthew 9:36; John 10:1-18; 1 Peter 5 10 Matthew 17:1-8; 2 Peter 1; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105; 2 Cor. 4:6 11 2 Peter 2; Hebrews 6:4-6 12 Ezekiel 12:21-28; 2 Peter 3; 2 Cor. 6:1-2 13 1 John 1-2:14; Matthew 5:14-16; John 3:19-21; 8:12; 12:35-50 14 1 John 2:15-27; John 15:1-17; Titus 2:11-14 My Father is rich in houses and lands; He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands! Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold, His coffers are full- He has riches untold. I once was an outcast stranger on earth, A sinner by choice, an alien by birth! But I’ve been adopted; my name’s written down. I’m heir to a mansion, a robe, and a crown! I’m a child of the King! A child of the King! With Jesus, my Saviour, I’m a child of the King! (Worship in Song, #377) 15 1 John 2:28-3:24; Psalm 119:1-16; 66:16-20; Romans 8:1-17 16 1 John 4:1- 6; 1 Cor. 1:18-25; Matthew 7:15-20; 2 Peter 2:1-3 17 1 John 4:7-21; Romans 12:9-21; 1 Cor. 13 18 1 John 5; Jeremiah 7:1-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-32; James 5:13-20 19 2 John; Romans 16:17-20; Colossians 1:21-23; 2:6-8; Hebrews 10:35-38 20 3 John; Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 5:9-10; 1 Peter 4:8-10; Philemon 8-22 21 Jude; John 10:1-18; Psalm 23 Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every Word; Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard. Tell how the angels in chorus, Sang as they welcomed His birth, “Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth.” Fasting alone in the desert, Tell of the days that are past; How for our sins He was tempted, Yet was triumphant at last. Tell of the years of His labor, tell of the sorrow He bore, He was despised and afflicted, homeless, rejected and poor. Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every Word. Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard. (Baptist Hymnal, #211) 22 Mark 1:1-13; Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 1 Peter 5:8; Romans 16:20 23 Mark 1:14-20; Luke 4:43; 17:20-21; Luke 5:1-11; John 1:35-51; Matthew 10:37-39 24 Mark 1:21-45; Luke 4:14-44; John 20:29-31; 1 Peter 1:3-16 25 Mark 2:1-17; Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Psalm 91 26 Mark 2:18-3:6; Exodus 20:8-10; Jeremiah 17:19-27; Matthew 5:17-20 27 Mark 3:7-34; Matthew 12:22-37; Romans 8:12-17; Galatians 3:26-29 28 Mark 4:1-34; Matthew 13:24-30 1 Ecclesiastes 3:1-17; Psalm 119:81-112; 103 2 Hebrews 1; John 1:1-14; Galatians 3:26-4:4 3 Hebrews 2: Philippians 2:1-11; 2 Timothy 1:8-12 Mighty God, while angels bless Thee, May a mortal sing Thy name? Lord of men as well as angels, Thou art every creature’s theme. Lord of every land and nation, Ancient of eternal days, sounded thru the wide creation be Thy just and endless praise. Brightness of the Father’s glory, shall Thy praise unuttered lie? Break, my tongue, such guilty silence! Sing the Lord who came to die. From the highest throne of glory to the cross of deepest woe, all to ransom guilty captives; Flow my praise, forever flow! (The Hymnbook, #10) 4 Hebrews 3; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; John 3:35-36 5 Hebrews 4:1-13; Exodus 20:8-11; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 4:1-8 6 Hebrews 4:14-5:10; 1 Cor. 10:13; Romans 6 7 Hebrews 5:11-6:6; 1 Peter 2:2; I Cor. 3:1-4; Matthew 7:21-23; 26:4 8 Hebrews 6:7-20; Isaiah 5:1-7; 44; 55:10-13; Matthew 13:1-30 9 Genesis 14:17-20; Psalm 110; Hebrews 7; Romans 8:26-27 10 1 Peter 2; Rev. 1:4-6; 5:6-10; 20:4-6 Tis the grandest theme thro’ the ages rung; tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue; Tis the grandest theme that the world e’er sung: Our God is able to deliver thee. Tis the grandest theme in the earth or main; Tis the grandest theme for a mortal strain; Tis the grandest theme, tell the world again; Our God is able to deliver thee. 11 Hebrews 8 (see Exodus 25-31); Jeremiah 31; 2 Cor. 5:17 12 Hebrews 9:1-10; Exodus 40; Leviticus 16; Romans 3:21-26 13 Leviticus 8, 17; Hebrews 9:11-28; Matthew 5:17; Romans 8:1-17 14 Hebrews 10:1-25; 7:26-28; Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26 15 Hebrews 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2; Matthew 12:31-32; Ephesians 4:30-32 16 Hebrews 11; Isaiah 7:9b; Rev. 6:9-11; 1 Peter 1:1-12 17 Hebrews 12:1-3; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; Philippians 2; Galatians 6:9 Oh soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free! Thro’ death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there. Over us sin no more hath dominion- for more than conqu’rors we are! His Word shall not fail you – He promised; believe Him, and all will be well. Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell! Turn your eyes upon Jesus; Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. (Worship in Song, #207) 18 Hebrews 12:4-13; 2 Cor. 4-5:10; Psalm 94 19 Hebrews 12:14-17; Ephesians 4:17-5:20 20 Hebrews 12:18-29 (see Exodus 19-20); Philippians 3:7-4:1; 2 Peter 3:10-18 21 Hebrews 13:1-6; Romans 12:9-21; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 6:9-11; Matthew 6:24 22 Hebrews 13:7-25; 1 Thess. 4-5 23 James 1:1-8; Romans 5:1-5; Job 28:20-28; Psalm 90:12; Proverbs 1:7; 8; 21:30 24 James 1:9-11; Psalm 49; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 18:18-30; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; 17-19 While passing through this world of sin, and others your life shall view, Be clean and pure without, within, Let others see Jesus in you. Your life’s a book before their eyes, They’re reading it through and through; Say, does it point them to the skies, Do others see Jesus in you? Let others see Jesus in you, Let others see Jesus in you; Keep telling the story, be faithful and true, Let others see Jesus in you. (The Baptist Hymnal, #348) 25 James 1:12-18; Matthew 6:9-13; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; 10:12-13; Galatians 6:1-16 26 James 1:19-27; Psalm 4:4; Ephesians 4:17-32; Proverbs 15:1; 29:11 27 James 2:1-13; Leviticus 19:15; Proverbs 3; 14:21; Luke 10:25-37 28 James 2:14-26; Ephesians 2:8-10; Matthew 7:21-27; 25 29 James 3:1-12; Proverbs 4; 12:19; 16:23-30; 18:6-8; 26:20-28; 27:2; Psalm 12; 141 30 James 3:13-18; Proverbs 29:23; Matthew 20:20-28; 23:1-12; Luke 22:24-30 31 James 4:1-12; Proverbs 10:18-21; Matthew 15:10-20; Titus 2:11-15; 1 John 2:1-17
Psalm 37:25-26; 112; Proverbs 11:25
(The Baptist Hymnal, #198)
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