Just like in Ezra 1: 5, I am asking God to move my heart this coming year
January 01, 2018
I really appreciate written devotions, especially those published by Our Daily Bread, formerly Radio Bible Class.
For me, they have served as a connecting point between me and God.
The devotions from the Grand Rapids-based ministry are usually written in the first person by a diverse team of writers from around the world. They a Bible-based and never lose sight of the Gospel and what Jesus did for each and everyone of us who accept him.
Today being the first day of 2018, after getting up early, I went right to the devotion for today in the online version of Our Daily Bread. As I do errands, quite often I'll look at the mobile app and get it there and ask for God's help in making the Biblical truth in the piece personal to my life, particularly, the text from God's Word.
How many of you remember the story of the Israelites when they were taken captive by the Babylonians and King Nebuchandnezzar. They were in captivity for 70 years. Then God spoke to his successor King Cyrus who told him to let them go back to their country to fix the temple that had been destroyed. Not knowing what this year will bring for me and for others, I feel the need to load up with hope and then share it.
This all happened because of God's grace. The author of the devotion, Kirsten Holmberg, writes:
No matter what lies in our past, when we confess our sin, God forgives us and gives us a fresh start. What great cause for hope!