Afternoon Devotion
April 3, 2021
Afternoon Bible Verse
Matthew 6:31-32
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Afternoon Bible Study
Research has shown that about 85 percent of what people worry about never happens. In other words, we spend a lot of time worrying, dreading, fearing the worst, and fretting for no reason.
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses our worries and tells us what we should do instead. Although Jesus does not say we shouldn't think about what we are going to eat, drink, or wear, He says we shouldn't allow these things to cause us anxiety.
God knows all of our needs, and only He can take care of us—worrying certainly can't do that. Worrying doesn't give us peace but trusting God always will. Worrying doesn't take away our problems, but we can lay down our burdens at the feet of Jesus and leave them there.
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses our worries and tells us what we should do instead. Although Jesus does not say we shouldn't think about what we are going to eat, drink, or wear, He says we shouldn't allow these things to cause us anxiety.
God knows all of our needs, and only He can take care of us—worrying certainly can't do that. Worrying doesn't give us peace but trusting God always will. Worrying doesn't take away our problems, but we can lay down our burdens at the feet of Jesus and leave them there.
For some, worrying can become a habit that is hard to break. It can consume our hearts and minds to the point that we are crippled. But when we put our faith in God to provide for our needs, we can rewire our brains to trust Him first.
Not only can we know that God will provide for all our needs, He hears every prayer that we pray. Nothing is too big for God to handle; He even cares about the things that we feel are insignificant.
We can be grateful that God has made a way to provide for everything we will ever need.
Not only can we know that God will provide for all our needs, He hears every prayer that we pray. Nothing is too big for God to handle; He even cares about the things that we feel are insignificant.
We can be grateful that God has made a way to provide for everything we will ever need.
Afternoon Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know you have the ability to watch over me now and for all eternity. You see every need in my life, and you even care about my wants. Help me to lay down all my worries and burdens and release them to you. It isn't easy for me, but with your strength, I can. 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
April 2, 2021
Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Verse
John 6:35
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Study
Hunger can be a powerful and forceful motivator in our lives. For some people, hunger gains control of their thoughts and tempts them to consume more than their bodies need. It is impossible to quench our own hunger and thirst because we are only truly satisfied when Jesus fills the void in our soul.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus fed people. He understood that it was essential to not only supply their spiritual needs but also their physical appetite. When hungry people were in the presence of Jesus, they always walked away feeling satisfied. That is… if they chose to accept the gift that He offered to them.
While it doesn't make sense to remain hungry when someone can be fulfilled, people do it every day, and they have for centuries.
In John 6, Jesus had just performed two miracles: He fed 5,000+ people with five loaves of bread and two fish. Then, soon afterward, He walked across a stormy sea to a boat that the disciples were using for travel.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus fed people. He understood that it was essential to not only supply their spiritual needs but also their physical appetite. When hungry people were in the presence of Jesus, they always walked away feeling satisfied. That is… if they chose to accept the gift that He offered to them.
While it doesn't make sense to remain hungry when someone can be fulfilled, people do it every day, and they have for centuries.
In John 6, Jesus had just performed two miracles: He fed 5,000+ people with five loaves of bread and two fish. Then, soon afterward, He walked across a stormy sea to a boat that the disciples were using for travel.
People had firsthand experiences of Jesus' power, but some still chose not to believe. Although we don't have the privilege of seeing Jesus perform miraculous feats, our faith sustains and encourages us to believe that God can do anything and will provide everything we need.
While it can be easy to wonder why those who lived in Jesus time didn't believe He was the Son of God, we are also without excuses. We have also seen God's power and experienced His presence in our lives. We simply have to choose to receive Christ and everything He offers to us… and we have the opportunity to do that today.
While it can be easy to wonder why those who lived in Jesus time didn't believe He was the Son of God, we are also without excuses. We have also seen God's power and experienced His presence in our lives. We simply have to choose to receive Christ and everything He offers to us… and we have the opportunity to do that today.
Yesterday's Afternoon Prayer
Dear God, I have a hunger in my soul that can only be filled by you. There are times when I try to fill myself with things that can only temporarily fill me. I believe that you are truly all I need in my life to satisfy me. So please forgive me for the times when I have chosen anything other than you. Give me the strength to choose you. In Jesus' name, amen.