Afternoon Devotion
March 22, 2022
Afternoon Bible Verse
Genesis 12:2
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.
Afternoon Bible Study
In the Book of Genesis, we read about a man named Abram, whom God called to take his family and travel to a new place. God's promise was that He would use Abram's bloodline to form a great nation. God said He would bless Abram and, in return, Abram would become a blessing to others. He did nothing to deserve this blessing. Through God's love and grace, Abram and his family were blessed.
The nation referenced in Genesis 12:2 is Israel, and the promise that God made to Abram was fulfilled when Jesus came to Earth. Because Jesus came to us, everyone is invited to accept salvation and enjoy a restored relationship with God.
Although God's message to Abram was a one-time promise, His covenant continued from that time into the present, and from now into the future.
The nation referenced in Genesis 12:2 is Israel, and the promise that God made to Abram was fulfilled when Jesus came to Earth. Because Jesus came to us, everyone is invited to accept salvation and enjoy a restored relationship with God.
Although God's message to Abram was a one-time promise, His covenant continued from that time into the present, and from now into the future.
We can still partake in the blessings of God all around us, and we have the opportunity to share His message with the rest of the world as we spread the Gospel. God's blessings, whether they are spiritual, physical, financial, or something else, are meant to be shared with others. They were never meant to be hoarded and kept to ourselves.
Even when it seems like the world has refused the blessings of God, He still offers them freely. We can pray that others will accept His blessings in their lives as they pursue a relationship with Him. God always keeps His promises, and He has remained faithful through every generation.
Even when it seems like the world has refused the blessings of God, He still offers them freely. We can pray that others will accept His blessings in their lives as they pursue a relationship with Him. God always keeps His promises, and He has remained faithful through every generation.
Afternoon Prayer
Lord, when I look at the world around me, it seems like your presence is sorely missing. So many have chosen to turn away from you and toward a sinful life that is against who you are. I believe that you can heal this country. Help us to turn from our wicked ways and move toward your perfect ways. Then, we will experience the kind of healing that only you can bring. In Jesus's 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
March 21, 2022
Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Verse
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Study
Thanks to modern technology, when someone steps on our front porch the person's identity needn't be a mystery. In the U.S. alone, more than 120 million people have installed cameras and monitoring systems in their homes. This enables homeowners to decide whether or not to open their front door. We can even electronically open a door from a remote location to allow someone to enter even if we're not at home.
Revelation 3:20 portrays the image of Jesus knocking on the door to our hearts, waiting for us to invite Him in. Opening the door requires us to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and surrendering our lives to Him. Then, Christ will take up residence in our hearts and become our Savior and friend.
Revelation 3:20 portrays the image of Jesus knocking on the door to our hearts, waiting for us to invite Him in. Opening the door requires us to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and surrendering our lives to Him. Then, Christ will take up residence in our hearts and become our Savior and friend.
Of course, in the same way that we might ignore a visitor who knocks on the door to our homes, we can ignore Jesus when He knocks on the door to our hearts—but we lose so much by doing so. We deprive ourselves of the benefits of having fellowship with God, and we miss out on the abundant life He offers to His followers. There are also eternal ramifications of not accepting Christ. Not only will we not have a relationship with God while we are on Earth, we could be eternally separated from Him.
Today, as we listen to the call of Jesus asking us to let Him in, we must decide how we will respond. He will wait patiently for us to invite Him in, but we can know Him right now if we welcome Him into our lives.
Today, as we listen to the call of Jesus asking us to let Him in, we must decide how we will respond. He will wait patiently for us to invite Him in, but we can know Him right now if we welcome Him into our lives.
Yesterday's Afternoon Prayer
Jesus, I remember when I heard your voice calling to me. Thank you for tugging at my heart and allowing me to let you into my life. I will never regret choosing you. Help me to lead others to you, Jesus, so they can experience the grace you have offered to me. In your name, amen.