CHAPTER 1

DAY 1

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

GENESIS 1:1

These are the opening words of the greatest book the world has ever known: theBible. Several years ago, we decided to bring this story to the world indramatic form. Why? Because there is a God, and he is real. He is the Creator,and he has spoken. We can know him! Everyone deserves to be told the story, tobe inspired by it, to be touched by it—it is the story of God and all ofus.

The word for Bible simply means "book." But this is THE book! It tellsthe story of God and his people—all of us! It proclaims that life hasmeaning and purpose. We are not simply the result of matter, time, and randomcosmological events. God created the universe, life, and humanity. God createdus because he loves us.

When you love someone, you want to communicate with them. Because God loves us,he wants to communicate with us. God speaks to us through the Bible. It is acompilation of those things God wants us to know about him, life, love, meaning,and purpose.

Our lives take on meaning when we open our hearts to God and enter intorelationship with him. When that happens, spending consistent time with him ishow we cultivate that relationship. We have put this devotional book together asa tool. We also hope you will see some of the deeper meaning behind the storiescontained in The Bible series. Think of it as a love letter, in the sameway the Bible is a love letter from God to all of us. May you remember today andevery day, "God loves you." Roma&Mark

Father, thank you for loving us. We want to better understand how our livesare a part of your plan. We open our hearts to you. Thank you for giving us theBible. We are grateful that you have left us such a great treasure through whichyou can speak to us. Help us experience your love and presence today. Amen.

DAY 2

"Be still, and know that I am God."

PSALM 46:10

I need regular quiet times in my life. The world is so noisy. Betweenthe TV, computers, and mobile phones, it is hard to do what God tells us to doin today's verse. Be still. For me, that means finding some quiet space.It is in the quiet space that I hear God speak.

I try to take time daily to wait, listen, and feel. For most of us, God's voicedoesn't come as a burning bush experience. At times, I wish it did. I've oftenwished "Monica" could show up for me, like I did for all those people onTouched by an Angel. It usually isn't that clear.

And yet, if we really have the ears to hear and eyes to see, God's voice isstrong. Over time, you learn to know and hear it. As Mark and I worked onThe Bible series, we prayed every day that we would have access to thatknowing. We prayed that God would bring us the right people, and that he wouldprovide solutions to challenges we faced. We watched and listened carefully.

When we are still, we are to know that God is God. That requires trust. We havelearned to trust God. We had to trust him when the journey of The Biblebegan, and we learned to trust him throughout the process. It has deepened ourspiritual journey.

We are glad that you are reading these devotional thoughts. For you, this mightbe your quiet time and space. We hope that you will seek to hear the voice ofGod speaking to you through what you read. And we pray that as you learn tolisten, you will grow in your confidence that he is God. He loves you and wantsto be part of your life today and every day. R

Heavenly Father, help us take time to get alone with you in a quiet place. Teachus to hear you when you speak. You speak through the Bible. You speak by yourSpirit. You have created us with the capacity to hear your voice. Help us bestill so we can know you and hear you in our hearts. Guide us and help us trustin you. Amen.

DAY 3

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father ofthe heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

JAMES 1:17

We consider our love and our children to be among the good gifts God has givenus. Our story is a beautiful example of how God works when you pray for his willin your life.

We had both met with disappointment in relationships before. We came to a pointwhere we needed God's help and wisdom in meeting and choosing a life partner. Iasked God to choose for me. I actually made a list of suggestions for God! Iwrote out the qualities that were important to me and then handed them over toGod to find a husband who would be my soul mate, my lover, my best friend, andlife partner.

I did ask God to let me know when my answered prayer was here. I knew God wouldsend him, but I wanted to make sure I recognized him when he arrived! God sentMark. I knew he was the answer. Just to make sure, I introduced Mark to DellaReese. In classic Della fashion, she put Mark through his paces and then cameand told me, "Baby girl, he is the one!"

I don't know what you need in your life. Sometimes it is hard to distinguishneeds from wants. But I know God has good gifts for you. I'm sure he has alreadygiven you many. But ask him for what he wants for you. Turn your needs over tohim and ask for his best. Trust his love for you. Ask him not to give youanything that would not be good for you. Trust his timing—it isalways perfect. And always be sure to give him thanks for every good and perfectgift he bestows! R

Heavenly Father, thank you for all your good gifts in our lives. Help us seekwhat you desire for our lives. Teach us how to pray in a way that releases thetreasures of heaven. Thank you for your greatest and most loving gift: Jesus.Amen.

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing tothe eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.

GENESIS 3:6

DAY 4

DO NOT MERELY LISTEN TO THE WORD, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT ITSAYS.

JAMES 1:22

When we read the Bible thoughtfully, with an open heart and mind, or hear itbeing taught or preached with the same openness, God will speak to us. The HolySpirit uses the Bible as a means through which God communicates directly withus. When we sense God is speaking to us, it is important that we respond to whathe is saying! Hear and respond. That is the intended pattern. James says that ifthere is not a response, we are deceiving ourselves about having authenticfaith.

Information is not the only purpose of the Bible. It is intended to producetransformation. Transformation requires actually doing the things God's Wordteaches us.

We encourage you to take some time today and get away to a quiet place. Read theBible. If you don't know where to start, try reading the chapter in James fromwhich today's verse is taken. Ask God to speak to you. If you sense him speakingthrough the text, ask what you need to do to respond. Then do it! M

Heavenly Father, help us hear your Word. Make the Bible come alive and useit to speak to us. Teach us what you would have us do. Give us grace andstrength through your Spirit to put into practice the things you teach us.Amen.

DAY 5

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed bythe renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and...