Devotions Inspired by the Fresh Start BibleНамуна

Preface

Did you know God wrote the Bible for you? He inspired 40 different writers to compose 66 books over 1,500 years, and He did it for you. God gave us His Word to breathe life into us, fill us with His love, and light our paths. 

That’s why I’m especially excited about this year’s devotional! In fact, it’s more than just a devotional; it’s the start of your journey to reading through the Bible. It leads you into the Fresh Start Bible reading plan, which will guide you through the entire Bible in a year. The Scriptures are in the New Living Translation, which puts the thought of each verse into more contemporary language for easier understanding. While this devotional focuses on the first 21 days of the reading plan—it’s just the beginning! Three weeks from now, you’ll be well on your way to reading the entire Bible in a year. 

As you read this devotional, it’s my prayer that you’ll receive a renewed passion and hunger for God’s Word. I hope that once you finish these 21 days, you’ll have created a habit of reading the Bible every day and listening for what the Holy Spirit says. In fact, the key to change and growth is hearing, believing, and obeying what God says to you through His Word. My hope is that you wake up each day excited to see what God will speak to you through His Word. 

If you commit to making this devotional and the Fresh Start Bible reading plan part of your daily routine over the next year, I promise you’ll never be the same. God can and will change your life! 

Pastor Robert Morris 

DAY 1 | God's Greatest Desire

By Robert Morris

Have you ever wondered why you were created? The answer can be found by looking at Adam, the first person God created. Adam lived in the Garden of Eden and spent time with God every day, yet he had a desire for something more. One day when Adam was with God, I imagine he said, “God, I love everything in the garden! I enjoy walking with You and talking with You, but I’m lonely. I have a longing for something more.”      

While that conversation isn’t in the Bible, Genesis 2:20 does say, “[Adam] gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.” 

So what did God do? “The Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man” (Genesis 2:21– 22).     

How did God know the only thing that would satisfy the desire of Adam’s heart was a bride? It’s because He has the same desire. God desires a bride, and the bride is you! So that longing Adam had for something more? It was for God and from God! Scripture says God has placed eternity within the hearts of man (see Ecclesiastes 3:11)—not so it would drive us crazy but so it would drive us closer to Him! 

You were created to love God, but it’s your choice. You see, God created you in His image, which means He created you with a will because He has a will. He chose to create you, His bride, in hopes that you would love Him as much as He loves you. 

God’s greatest desire is you and that you would choose to love Him. Will you make that choice today? 

Prayer

God, thank You for creating me in Your image and giving me free will to choose how I will live my life. Today, I choose to live for You and to love You. Thank You for putting a desire for You in my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Memory Verse

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14–16