July 4th, 25:Independence Day Reflections: God’s Final Word of Love and Belonging
Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 15-16; Hosea 1 ; Hebrews 1 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible, and happy Fourth of July to all our listeners tuning in today! In this episode, your host Hunter invites you to join him as he journeys through day 186 of the year, reading from 2 Kings 15 and 16, Hosea 1, and Hebrews 1. Together, you'll witness the tumultuous reigns of Israel and Judah's kings, the heartache and prophecy in the story of Hosea, and the ultimate message of hope and love declared in the opening chapter of Hebrews. Hunter encourages us to hear not just words of judgment, but Christ’s words of belonging and love spoken over our lives. As you listen, you'll be guided through prayer, reflection, and a reminder that—no matter where you are or what day it is—you are truly loved. So grab your Bible, settle in, and let’s let the Scripture shape our hearts today. TODAY'S DEVOTION: God’s final word is not judgment, but life. Throughout the long story of Israel, we see a heartbreaking pattern—God reaching out in love through the prophets, but the people turning away again and again. The story we heard today, through the tragedy of Hosea and Gomer, is a vivid picture of this unfaithfulness: Israel behaving like a wayward spouse, wandering far from her first love. The consequences are deeply painful—names like “Not Loved” and “Not My People” are spoken over Israel, words that carry the weight of loss and separation from God. But God doesn’t leave the story there. His final word to us isn’t one of rejection or shame. The book of Hebrews begins by telling us that, though God once spoke through the prophets, now he has spoken to us by his Son. And the words that Christ speaks over us are utterly different. They are words of embrace, words of forgiveness and peace, words that say, “You are my people and you are loved.” Through Jesus, God has made a way for us to come home. Not by our own striving, not by following a set of laws or rituals, but by receiving the gift of his love and belonging poured out through Christ. The words that once named us “outsiders” are replaced by the words of the gospel: “Beloved, you belong.” Wherever the message of Jesus is received, hearts are changed. The reality of belonging, being chosen and loved by God, takes root deep inside, and everything changes. So today, hold fast to these words that Jesus speaks over you. Don’t let the old words of judgment or shame take hold. Let the gospel’s word—“You are mine, you are loved”—sink in and bring you peace. That is my prayer for my own soul today. That is my prayer for my family—for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that is my prayer for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen. Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. And now Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, Joy. Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life. Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation. Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL
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