June 8th, 25: Finding Hope and Unity: Ecclesiastes and Ephesians Reflections with Heather (Daily Bible Reading).

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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! In today’s episode, guest host Heather invites us to join her on June 8th for Day 159 of our journey through the Scriptures. Together, we reflect on the wisdom found in Ecclesiastes chapters 7 through 9 and Ephesians chapter 4. Heather thoughtfully reads through these passages, exploring profound truths about the fleeting nature of life, the value of wisdom, and our calling to unity and love as followers of Christ. She reminds us that while effort is required in our walk with God, it is always a response to His love, not something we earn. The episode concludes with heartfelt prayers, encouraging us to rely on God’s strength, seek His peace, and step forward renewed in our identity as His beloved children. Join listeners around the world as we gather to warm our hearts around the Scriptures and discover fresh hope for the future.

TODAY'S DEVOTION:

Work at it. God may be opposed to trying to earn something, but he's not opposed to our effort. So let's work at it. We have to work at it because effort is what it's going to take, and our work is an active participation with God. It's a testimony of our inclusion into the life and love of God. It's not done in exchange for his favor or love. No, he has already included us and loved us.

Our work is a response to what we have become, what he has made us—his children. So we work. We participate, we respond. We share in the ministry of Christ in this world now. And we all get to do this. Not just the hired folks, the pastors and teachers, the people who speak for a living. No, we are all a part of God's kingdom work.

In Ephesians 4:3, we're told that we are to make every effort to keep ourselves unified in the Spirit. Make the effort by throwing off those old attitudes and behaviors that lead to hopelessness. Instead, work at stepping into and training your heart in new attitudes that lead to life and hope and a future. Ephesians 4:4 says that you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. We are to make every effort to renew our mind and thoughts and attitudes. We do that by hearing and applying the gospel to our daily lives. We have to work at that. We have to receive the good news of Christ's sufficiency.

We have to remind our hearts daily that his grace is sufficient for all that we face. We need to rest in his love and care for us every day. That is a worthy effort that God honors. Jesus says, for everyone who asks, receives; everyone who seeks, finds; and to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. That will require effort, but the strength will be his.