Afternoon Devotion
January 14, 2021
Afternoon Bible Verse
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Afternoon Bible Study
The United States Secret Service was created in 1865. When we hear something about this agency today, we typically think of the tough, heavily armed agents who guard the President and other high-ranking government officials and their families. But that's not why this law enforcement agency was founded. Its original purpose was to combat the widespread issue of counterfeit currency.
In the nineteenth century, this affected one-third of the currency that was being circulated, and the problem was out of control. Secret Service agents were therefore tasked with investigating crimes that promoted the spread of counterfeit bills. Over time, the organization morphed into what we know now as the safeguard to the President. To get to the President, you must go through these agents first.
In John 14:6, Jesus tells His disciples that the only way to God is through a relationship with Him. There's no way around it—to approach God, you must go through Jesus. Only Jesus, the Son of God, could make this bold statement, but He had complete authority to do so.
In the nineteenth century, this affected one-third of the currency that was being circulated, and the problem was out of control. Secret Service agents were therefore tasked with investigating crimes that promoted the spread of counterfeit bills. Over time, the organization morphed into what we know now as the safeguard to the President. To get to the President, you must go through these agents first.
In John 14:6, Jesus tells His disciples that the only way to God is through a relationship with Him. There's no way around it—to approach God, you must go through Jesus. Only Jesus, the Son of God, could make this bold statement, but He had complete authority to do so.
Throughout history, there have been many counterfeits who claimed to be God or offer a different path to God, but Jesus is the only way, truth, and life.
The Secret Service can't help us discern a counterfeit to God, but the Bible and the Holy Spirit can and will. We can read the prophecies about Jesus and see that all the other counterfeits don't meet the criteria. So, the only thing we can do is dismiss them and accept that if we want the real deal—knowing God—we must believe in and follow Jesus.
The Secret Service can't help us discern a counterfeit to God, but the Bible and the Holy Spirit can and will. We can read the prophecies about Jesus and see that all the other counterfeits don't meet the criteria. So, the only thing we can do is dismiss them and accept that if we want the real deal—knowing God—we must believe in and follow Jesus.
Afternoon Prayer
Jesus, thank you for providing a way for me to come to the Father. Your life, death, and resurrection proved that you are the true and only Son of God. The only way I can know the heart of God is through believing what you accomplished on the cross. Thank you, Jesus, for loving me so much that you provided a way for me to have a relationship with you and spend eternity with you in Heaven. In your name, amen.
If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.
-C.S. Lewis
God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas but for scars.
-Elbert Hubbard
The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.
-C.S. Lewis
If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.
-Dorothy Parker
Yesterday's Devotional
January 13, 2021
Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Verse
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Study
Years ago, a popular television show followed the story of someone who would be transformed from an ugly duckling to a remarkably beautiful swan. Dentists would give the person a perfect smile, and doctors would perform multiple surgeries to provide an extreme makeover.
However, while the outside transformation was amazing, the inside of the swan remained the same. The person still struggled with insecurities and fears about what people thought. Thus, a complete change did not take place, and many people were left feeling incomplete.
When we come to Christ, a complete transformation takes place. We look and feel differently, and that comes from the change in our hearts. In the Book of Romans, we read about a transformation that takes place in our minds.
However, while the outside transformation was amazing, the inside of the swan remained the same. The person still struggled with insecurities and fears about what people thought. Thus, a complete change did not take place, and many people were left feeling incomplete.
When we come to Christ, a complete transformation takes place. We look and feel differently, and that comes from the change in our hearts. In the Book of Romans, we read about a transformation that takes place in our minds.
As we live in the world, we see and feel the effects of sin all around us. We need God to continuously renew our minds so we do not return to our former way of living.
Everything about us continues to change as we become more like Christ—the way we interact with others, how we feel about ourselves, and even our appearance. The change God brings is thorough and affects every part of who we are.
Everything about us continues to change as we become more like Christ—the way we interact with others, how we feel about ourselves, and even our appearance. The change God brings is thorough and affects every part of who we are.
Yesterday's Afternoon Prayer
God, when I consciously chose to serve you, I knew that you had a lot of work to do in my life. I have lived only serving my own desires. Now, you are transforming my heart and mind to become more like you. The world offers so many things that could pull me away from you—but I want to follow your will for my life. Please help me to live in a way that is good, acceptable, and perfect. In Jesus' name, amen.