Afternoon Devotion
April 9, 2021
Afternoon Bible Verse
Acts 17:28
For in him we live, and move, and have our being.
Afternoon Bible Study
God is the reason we exist. Our lives are in His hands. He created us with purpose, and without Him we will never live the abundant life He has called us to.
Whether or not we acknowledge Him, He is in control. Matthew Henry, a minister from the 1600s, said, "We have a necessary and constant dependence upon his providence, as the streams have upon the spring and the beams upon the sun." Everything depends on the Lord.
And God doesn't want just part of us. He wants us to live, and move, and have our being through Him.
Whether or not we acknowledge Him, He is in control. Matthew Henry, a minister from the 1600s, said, "We have a necessary and constant dependence upon his providence, as the streams have upon the spring and the beams upon the sun." Everything depends on the Lord.
And God doesn't want just part of us. He wants us to live, and move, and have our being through Him.
The world needs to hear God's message of hope and love. When we share the Gospel, God uses our words to draw His creation back to Him. When we experience the life God has for us, and when we accept that He is the ruler of every area of our hearts, then we can't help but share that message with others.
We can ensure that we abide in God by stopping and connecting with Him throughout the day. By denying ourselves and choosing to live through Him, we discover God's true purpose for our lives.
We can ensure that we abide in God by stopping and connecting with Him throughout the day. By denying ourselves and choosing to live through Him, we discover God's true purpose for our lives.
Afternoon Prayer
Jesus, you are my Lord and Savior. Without you, I cannot do anything. I live and move and have my being in you. Jesus, You provided the way for me to live an abundant life through you when you came to earth and died for me. Thank you for your sacrifice, Jesus, that allows me to spend eternity with you. 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
April 8, 2021
Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Verse
Matthew 5:37
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Study
Why is it so difficult for us to answer each other with a simple yes or no? Jesus addresses the tendency to try to communicate more in how we respond to others.
In Jesus' day, the Jews had the practice of making promises based on objects, not on the name of God. This was their way out in case they broke an oath to another person. They felt like as long as they didn't promise in God's name, they wouldn't be judged. However, Jesus was displeased with this practice.
God wants us to keep our word because we represent Him. God has kept every promise He has ever made throughout time. When we break our promises to each other, we are not representing who Christ is in our words and actions.
In Jesus' day, the Jews had the practice of making promises based on objects, not on the name of God. This was their way out in case they broke an oath to another person. They felt like as long as they didn't promise in God's name, they wouldn't be judged. However, Jesus was displeased with this practice.
God wants us to keep our word because we represent Him. God has kept every promise He has ever made throughout time. When we break our promises to each other, we are not representing who Christ is in our words and actions.
God cares about our promises and whether or not we live a life of integrity. When we do what we say we will do, people learn to depend on us. It is better to say we can't do something than to go back on our word.
Before we respond to something that is asked of us, we should take some time to really consider the request. It's important to be realistic in the commitments we make, knowing that saying no is honoring the person enough that we are honest and are not making promises we can't keep.
We are walking testimonies of the faithfulness of God, whether we say a word or not. Let's always say yes to Him and not be afraid to say no to others.
Before we respond to something that is asked of us, we should take some time to really consider the request. It's important to be realistic in the commitments we make, knowing that saying no is honoring the person enough that we are honest and are not making promises we can't keep.
We are walking testimonies of the faithfulness of God, whether we say a word or not. Let's always say yes to Him and not be afraid to say no to others.
Yesterday's Afternoon Prayer
God, sometimes I feel pulled in so many directions. My family, friends, and coworkers have expectations of me that sometimes I can't fulfill. Give me the strength to say no even when it might mean disappointing someone I love. Help me be honest in how I respond to others. I want to honor you in how I demonstrate love. In Jesus' name, amen.