January 2nd, 26: God's Love, Restoration, and Our Journey: Exploring Genesis and Luke on January Second

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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 podcast! In today's episode, Hunter invites us into the second day of our year-long journey through the scriptures, encouraging us to simply listen, read, and be transformed by God’s love. We dive into the foundational stories of Genesis 3–5, witnessing humanity’s fall, exile from Eden, and the first generations after Adam and Eve. The episode then transitions to Luke 2, where we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the joy of the shepherds, and the dedication of the young Messiah in the temple.

Throughout the reading, Hunter reflects on the true nature of God’s holiness—not as a barrier that keeps us away, but as a consuming love that seeks to restore and draw us near, even in our brokenness. Together, we spend time in prayer, seek peace, and remember that God has come to us just as we are. Whether you’re new to this community or part of our daily gathering, this episode is a heartfelt invitation to experience and be changed by God’s transformative love.

TODAY'S DEVOTION:

God comes to us, just as we are. Sometimes we think we have to get ourselves straightened out or cleaned up—at least a little—before we can hope or expect God to draw near, to love us, to do anything for us. But that's not the gospel at all.

We are the ones who hide and withdraw in our shame, in our delusion and darkness. He is not the one who hides from us. In today’s scripture, we see Adam and Eve banished from the garden. It’s easy to read these passages and imagine that they were sent away because God’s holiness makes it impossible for him to be in the presence of sin or sinners. But that’s not the picture the Bible gives us. God banishes Adam and Eve, not because he despises them or cannot bear being near them, but in mercy—to keep them from reaching out for the Tree of Life in their blindness, in a way that could not be undone.

God isn’t so holy that he must separate himself from us. He is so holy that he constantly moves toward us, into our darkness, into our wounds, our delusions, our hiding places. He comes to restore us, to cover us, to open our eyes. He covers Adam and Eve with garments; he meets Cain in his wandering; he draws near again and again. That is his character.

This is the gospel: God comes to us as we are, in our delusion and blindness, lost and hiding, and he restores us. His holiness is a holy love—a consuming love, a purifying love—that burns away all that is not of love and brings us back to himself. That love sent Jesus to the cross to break the power of sin, to open our eyes, so we can see who we are in him, his beloved children.

The news, my friend, is better than we’ve thought. God has not banished you because he despises you or cannot stand to be in your presence. He has acted so that a way of restoration could be made—and that is exactly what he’s done in Christ. He is present with us, right now, just as we are, and he invites us to participate with him in the great work of renewal and restoration.

Let us live in this truth. Let us experience the joy of it, let it shape our family, our relationships, and our world. Let this be our prayer—for our own soul, for those we love, and for you: that we truly see and live in the reality of God’s love, that we know we are his, and that we step forward, day by day, in that love.

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. 

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