December 2nd, 25: Renewing Your Mind and Living in Real Love: Romans 9-12

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form!TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Romans 9-12Click 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! In this episode, Hunter invites listeners into day 337 of a year-long journey through the Scriptures, marking the second day of December. Together, we'll explore Romans chapters 9 through 12—a powerful section in which Paul wrestles with God's promises to Israel, the mystery of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles, and the call to genuine, transformed living through the love and presence of Christ. Hunter challenges us not to simply imitate religious behaviors or the customs of the world, but to let God renew our minds and hearts, guiding us toward authentic love and humble service. The episode wraps up with heartfelt prayers, encouragement, and a reminder that we are deeply loved. Settle in as Hunter leads us through rich biblical teachings, personal reflection, and unified prayer—reminding us all to journey forward with joy and the assurance of God's love. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Don't copy and don't pretend. Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. So often we think that Paul is just talking about worldly behavior, telling people not to copy the destructive habits of the world. And no doubt he's cautioning against that. But that's not all he's warning us away from. He's telling us not to copy the world's picture of piety. We are not to parrot out pious behavior that we see in other people, thinking that somehow this is going to justify us before God. He wants us to renew our minds in the gospel, what Christ has done for us and the reality of Christ, Christ's presence in us. So don't copy the behaviors of this world, whether through license or religious performance. Life is not found in either of those things. We are to renew our minds in the reality of what is. And that is what Christ has done, accomplished, finished, and the reality of his presence now with us. That is where real life is found. So don't copy. Rather, let us discover this new life and let us have our minds renewed with what is the truth. Then in verse nine, Paul says, don't just pretend to love others, really love them because of Christ's life that is born in you, a life that is based on God's kindness toward you and rooted in his mercy for you. You have been given the privilege of learning to really love. He empowers you to express his love to those nearest and closest to you and to those who are far away, even your enemies. We can live in harmony with one another, not paying back evil with evil. We can be honorable towards one another, living at peace, not taking revenge, but trusting in God. We can learn to live and love without copying and not pretending. All of this is accomplished not by us, but by Christ who lives in us. He teaches and he empowers us to live and to love. And the prayer of my heart is that I will not copy and I will not pretend. Instead, I will live the life that is mine now, in him, through him, and for him. And that's a prayer that I have for my family, too, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's the 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 ...