Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 17, 2 Chronicles 28, Psalm 46, James 3 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus’ kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved.

TODAY'S EPISODE:

Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! On this July 19th episode, Hunter leads us through another step in our year-long journey through scripture. Today, we’ll read from 2 Kings 17, 2 Chronicles 28, Psalm 46, and James 3, exploring stories of Israel’s exile, Judah’s struggles under King Ahaz, the hope and refuge found in God, and the wisdom and peace offered through Christ. Hunter reflects on how God’s love transforms our hearts, the challenges of taming our words, and the invitation to live as peacemakers, filled with the Spirit. Stay with us for scripture, reflection, and prayer as we seek to be shaped by the living Word of God.

TODAY'S DEVOTION:

When he tames our heart with his love, our lives are changed. It's as if we've been reborn. We begin to live a different kind of life.

James is contrasting two different kinds of life here. There is the Spirit-filled life, evidenced by a heart that's being tamed by his love. And there is the heart of the flesh. James points to something as simple and mundane as the tongue and our words. And he shows us that this little tongue of ours simply cannot be tamed. It can't be controlled. It often controls us. It creates circumstances in our lives that are simply beyond or out of our control.

It's a flame of fire, he says, and that fire finds its source in hell itself. He tells us that if we could control the tongue, we'd be perfect. But alas, we can't even control this tiny little tongue of ours. And we are not perfect. We can't even affect the change we want in something as simple as the use of our words. It's as futile as trying to draw fresh water from a salty spring, James says. But in Christ, our heart is tamed by his love, and we begin to participate with that love. And we begin to learn to draw from the refreshing springs of Christ, his presence with us and in us daily.

We experience something completely different in Christ. We can learn to have wisdom that is pure and peace loving. We can learn to be gentle. We can learn to yield to others, to show mercy, to be sincere, to not show favoritism. We can learn to be peacemakers. A life tamed by his love in the end will yield a harvest of righteous living. James is describing in such beautiful detail here what the Spirit-filled life looks like. And that life is possible if we want it.

It's not possible on our own effort, but it is possible when we are captivated, tamed by the love of God. So let us look into the face of Christ and see the One who is love itself. Let us behold the manner of love that has been poured out on us. Unqualified, unconditional, fully received, fully embraced. Let us live in this love of his and let us participate with the Spirit's work by offering that love to others, even today.

That's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's a prayer that I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that's a prayer that I have 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...