Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Numbers 34-36; March 11 Click 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, where we continue our journey through the Bible on this 63rd day of the year. I'm Hunter, your Bible reading coach, here to guide you through scripture and into a deeper relationship with the one who is the living word of God. Today, our reading takes us through Numbers chapters 34 through 36 and Mark chapter 11. We'll explore God's instructions to the Israelites about dividing the land and cities of refuge, and listen as Jesus interacts with His disciples, performing miracles and teaching profound lessons in the Gospel of Mark. Later, we'll reflect on how we are called to participate in God's life, and engage in a time of prayer, seeking God's guidance and peace. Thank you for joining us today as we invest in the most valuable part of ourselves – our soul. Let's embark on this spiritual journey together, experience the encouragement of Scripture, and remember that you are always loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Jesus speaks to the tree, and Jesus speaks to his disciples. Strange thing to speak to a tree. If you caught me speaking to a tree, you might think that's strange, and you would be right. It is. And Mark tells us I love this part. The disciples heard him say it. So Mark circles back to this moment the next day, and what happened there was still lingering in the air, apparently. After seeing it, the tree withered there the next day. They have to bring it to Jesus' attention. They say, Rabbi, look, the tree, it's withered. And Mark tells us this in verse 22, then Jesus said to the disciples. So Jesus speaks to the tree, and now he speaks to the disciples. And I think there's a connection here in this story of the two things Jesus is saying to both. To the tree, well, he's not happy with the tree. He curses it, in fact. It seems unreasonable for him to be so displeased with the tree. I mean, it is just a tree. Mark tells us it was not the season for figs, but still the tree is being called out. Why? I don't know. It's a mystery. But maybe maybe it has something to do with the fact that it had no fruit. Right? I mean, Jesus says that because it had no fruit, or Mark tells us it had no fruit. It wasn't being what it was meant to be and do. The creator of that tree has come walking by, and he's looking for fruit. You would think that the creator of all the trees, of all things, would have the prerogative to have some fruit from the tree that he has made where and when he wanted it. But the tree is not cooperating with the creator when he comes. So it came to be what it was, cursed and withered, because it failed to respond and participate with the creator who made it and was asking for some fruit even out of season. The next day, Mark tells us that Jesus speaks to his disciples. No trees today. And to his disciples, he says this, have faith in God. The creator is walking with his disciples and he says, do and be who I created you to be. Participate. Cooperate with me. It's my prerogative. I made you. So be and do what I ask you to. Does it seem unreasonable or impossible for a tree to produce fruit out of season? Not if the creator asked you to do it. Does it seem impossible for you to tell this mountain to be thrown into the sea? Well, not if the creator asked you to do it. Does it seem impossible to forgive someone? Well, not if the creator has forgiven you and made you his own. Not if he's asked you to do it. The life of the disciple is a life of participation with God. Jesus isn't trying to teach us to have magic trick faith. Faith isn't about doing parlor tricks. Faith is a response to the creator who is asking us to participate in his life, to be and do what we were created to be and do. And then he says this, so when you pray, when you are participating in my life, forgive. This is what the creator has created you to do and to be, forgiving. You are forgiven, loved, a disciple of God. Now participate with the life of God and do what he says. And when we do that, life might become strange to onlookers, but it will become so much bigger, so much freer, so much more full of life. And that's the prayer that I have for my soul, that I will be and do what the creator has asked me to be and to do. That's a prayer that I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and 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 from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ. Amen. 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