February 17th, 26:Numbers 1-2; Acts 24; Daily Bible in a Year

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Numbers 1-2; Acts 24Click 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 episode, your host Hunter invites listeners into a fresh section of Scripture, marking the 17th day of February and day 48 of the Bible journey. We begin exploring the book of Numbers, delving into the census of Israel's tribes and their careful organization as a community poised for movement and purpose. Alongside Numbers, Hunter guides us through Acts 24, where Paul's resilience and obedience are highlighted as he waits in prison, trusting God's plan even in times of stillness. Throughout the episode, Hunter reflects on the significance of being counted among God's people—whether marching forward or staying put—and connects these readings to our own growth, endurance, and awakening to Christ's life within us. To close, we join together in prayers rooted in scripture and tradition, seeking God's peace, guidance, and love in our daily lives. If you're ready for encouragement, perspective, and a reminder that you are loved, this episode sets the tone for another meaningful day in your Bible journey. TODAY'S DEVOTION: All are accounted for, all 603,550. These are all the troops of Israel listed by their family names. All are warriors ready for battle, ready to march out under the banner of their family name. They are ready to follow the Ark of God's covenant and go wherever God's Spirit leads them. And so it is with Paul too. Solitary Paul is accounted for every day for two years in his prison cell. Paul too is a kind of soldier, ready to go wherever the Spirit of God leads him. But sometimes God's leading is not to go anywhere at all. Sometimes God's calling you to march forward into new lands. Sometimes it's to stay put. For Paul, he was to stay put for two years in prison. For two years, he was brought before his captor and forced to present himself, only to be sent away. No changes to his status. Sometimes your orders are just to stay put, and when they are, it can be discouraging and hard. It's important to remember that waiting is a part of God's plan too. James 1:2-4 says, dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow. For when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. Sometimes God's doing a work on the soldier, and sometimes that means staying put. It might be two days, it might be two years, it might be two decades, but God's got a plan, and part of that plan is to work on us. He's making an opportunity for us to grow, and our growth comes from tested endurance. When that endurance is being tested, it's an opportunity for great joy. Remember that you are a soldier too, and remember that God has a plan. A big part of God's plan is awakening us to the transforming power of Christ's life in us. That's what gives us the strength to do those hard things like staying put or marching forward. It's only in the power of Christ in us that we can do any of the things he calls us to do. So allow the Spirit of God to wake you up to the life of Christ in you. It's his life now. All glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. And that's a prayer that I have for my own soul, that I'll wake up to the life of Christ in me. 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...