Afternoon Devotion

January 16, 2021

Afternoon Bible Verse

Revelation 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Afternoon Bible Study

At the beginning of a new year, people often have high expectations that the coming year will be better than the last. They make New Year's resolutions, setting ambitious goals to push toward the desired result. Yet research has shown that by the end of January, most of us have given up. Then we end up disappointed and discouraged because changes didn't happen, and we are left in the same situation as the previous year.

Life tends to be a series of ups and downs. One day we are living with hope and expectation, and the next day things don't look so great. For believers, we know that our life on Earth is a short prequel to eternity with Jesus.

In the Book of Revelation, we read about a time when we will no longer feel sadness or sorrow. This afternoon's verse says that "the former things are passed away," which refers to everything that is happening before we enter into eternity.

This blessed hope helps us stay focused on a future that will be free from pain. For now, we must remain close to God in our souls until our souls are reunited with Him.

If we abandon our New Year's resolutions, that's okay. Ultimately, we should focus our hearts and minds on living in a way that honors God on Earth before we are together with Him in Heaven.

Afternoon Prayer

God, I long for the day when the cares of this world no longer affect me. You see every tear I have cried, and the times my heart has felt the sting of death. For now, I pray that you will give me peace and help me endure whatever comes my way. Someday, I will see you face to face. Until then, I will live with the hope you have given 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 15, 2021

Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Verse

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Study

At some point in life, we all experience times when we don't have enough of something. Whether it is money, food, possessions, or even love, we might feel that we lack in a particular area. It can leave us feeling like we are searching for something more.

In this afternoon's verse, we read that the Lord is never slack concerning His promise. He isn't slow in doing what He said He would do. He never leaves us feeling like we are missing something. In fact, that feeling only happens when we are seeking something other than God.

God gives us contentment and peace. We can trust what He says and know it is 100 percent true. In the Bible, we read that God provides all of our needs—everything we need is found in Him. So why do we experience times when we're in need? Because we are living life on a different timeframe than God. God is not slack. He sees our needs, and He knows when those needs will be met. Often, that isn't at the same time we thought we should have received it.

With our limited human sight, it might seem as though God has forgotten to do what He said He would do. Instead, however, God is allowing us to learn to trust Him in new ways. In the end, we will see that God has always been faithful, even when we didn't have faith, and that He always came through for us. He is merciful and just and never fails to take care of His children.

Yesterday's Afternoon Prayer

God, all your promises are true. If you said something in your Word, it could be trusted now and forever. My words are not always trustworthy, but I want to be more like you. Because of your love for the world, you provided a way for us to know you. What you have said will never change, including your plan of salvation. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus' name, amen.