Afternoon Devotion

February 12, 2025

Afternoon Bible Verse

1 John 3:21-22

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Afternoon Bible Study

"Can you do me a favor?"

This question is often posed by friends or family members when they believe we can do something for them. They might ask us to do a task we could easily do, or something that's seemingly impossible. Either way, when someone asks us for a "favor," they have confidence that we can help them.

Now, imagine that this friend or family member who needs a favor never listens to anything we say. In fact, the person does the opposite of whatever we ask them to do.

This afternoon's verse in 1 John addresses the confidence we can have toward God: "whatsoever we ask, we receive of him." We might interpret this as giving us the right to ask for anything we want, even billions of dollars, because it says that if we ask, God will give it to us.

The next part of the verse, however, reveals the true meaning: "because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." We can ask anything of God because we are obedient to what He wants from us. As we grow closer to Him, our hearts and minds conform to God's character. As we focus on Him, we begin to see things through His eyes. Then, we ask for the things that line up with God's Word and receive riches that are according to His will for all of our lives.

Afternoon Prayer

God, today I confess that I have confidence in who you are. You have been faithful and good in my life, and I can depend on you. Help me learn and obey your commands. I don't want to be disobedient... I want to follow you with all of my heart. With your guidance, I can ask for what I need according to your will, knowing that you will always provide. Thank you, Lord. 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

February 11, 2025

Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Verse

Lamentations 3:22-23

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Study

Research has shown that more than half of the U.S. population considers themselves to be morning people rather than night owls.

Another research finding is that early risers earn higher incomes, exercise more, and procrastinate less. With such positive benefits, who wouldn't want to be a morning person?

In this afternoon's verse, we discover that God's compassion and mercy are new every morning. He offers His grace no matter what the day before looked like. Grace is an undeserved favor. It's free and offered to every person, no matter who they are or what they have done.

Who wouldn't want to receive the grace and mercy that God extends to us every day? The benefits are incredible and life-changing.

Imagine if we approached each new day with the same perspective of grace in our relationships. At the end of each day we could let go of hurt, quit holding grudges, and have a renewed outlook for the next morning.

Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us that because of God's compassion toward us we won't fail. We may fall down sometimes, but God will not let us fail. As long as we are breathing, God will never give up on us. He doesn't expect us to be perfect, but He does want us to rely on His perfect grace.

Yesterday's Afternoon Prayer

God, thank you for loving me. There are times when I don't feel good enough, but your love strengthens me when I feel defeated. Help me to embrace your mercy and grace and share it with others. Thank you for accepting me despite all my imperfections. Let there be more of you and less of me. Make me more like you. In Jesus' name, amen.