Afternoon Devotion
January 19, 2021
Afternoon Bible Verse
Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Afternoon Bible Study
Various forms of junk food are a staple in most households. There are plenty of options for those who have a sweet tooth or crave something salty. Although these high-carb and fat-filled foods tend to be unhealthy, we still can't wait to consume them—but a steady diet of junk food will cause our bodies to suffer the consequences.
In our walk with Christ, if we aren't careful, spiritual junk food can find its way into our lives. This comes in the form of feeding our souls with things that aren't godly or trying to fill the places where God should be with something else. When we spend too much time on our smartphones or watching television, for instance, we will find less and less time to spend time with the Lord.
In our walk with Christ, if we aren't careful, spiritual junk food can find its way into our lives. This comes in the form of feeding our souls with things that aren't godly or trying to fill the places where God should be with something else. When we spend too much time on our smartphones or watching television, for instance, we will find less and less time to spend time with the Lord.
It isn't that TV watching or using smartphones are bad; we just shouldn't allow them to crowd out time for God. It's important that we trade spiritual junk food for a desire to study God's Word. The things of God can fill all of the empty spaces in our hearts, minds, and souls like nothing else on Earth.
When we seek God, we will always find Him. He can give us contentment like no other and fill all of the empty places in our lives.
When we seek God, we will always find Him. He can give us contentment like no other and fill all of the empty places in our lives.
Afternoon Prayer
God, please make me aware of the spiritual junk food I'm consuming. Give me a desire to study your Word and draw closer to you. I know that nothing else on Earth can fulfill me like you can, so help me to recognize when I have accepted anything other than a craving for you. If there are changes that I need to make in my spiritual diet, please make it very obvious to me. In Jesus' 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 18, 2021
Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Verse
Luke 9:23
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Study
In this afternoon's verse in Luke, we read about a time when Jesus told His disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow after Him. This is a curious situation since the disciples had already given up everything they had, including possessions and family, to follow Jesus.
Yet Jesus is telling them to go even further and sacrifice even more as they follow Him. He wants them to be willing to go even as far as to lay down their own lives. They had already been willing to do more than most, but they also experienced a closeness with Jesus that was not available to everyone.
Yet Jesus is telling them to go even further and sacrifice even more as they follow Him. He wants them to be willing to go even as far as to lay down their own lives. They had already been willing to do more than most, but they also experienced a closeness with Jesus that was not available to everyone.
The disciples had firsthand access to Jesus' wisdom and guidance. They witnessed His miracles and the compassion He had for the poor and the hurting. The price for their closeness was that they abandoned everything to be with Jesus.
Are we willing to deny ourselves, take up our cross every day, and follow Jesus? It means we offer everything we are and have to God. Then, we ask Him to show us what is drawing us closer to Him and what is pushing us away from Him.
Growing closer to God is always worth whatever cost we may pay. It is a great privilege to know Him.
Are we willing to deny ourselves, take up our cross every day, and follow Jesus? It means we offer everything we are and have to God. Then, we ask Him to show us what is drawing us closer to Him and what is pushing us away from Him.
Growing closer to God is always worth whatever cost we may pay. It is a great privilege to know Him.
Yesterday's Afternoon Prayer
Lord, thank you for sacrificing everything for me when I didn't deserve it. When I look at the example the disciples set, I am encouraged to lay down whatever I have for the sake of knowing you better. I don't want to follow you in my own strength, so help me depend on you. No matter what the cost, I will always choose you over my desires. In Jesus' name, amen.