Apr 16 2025
Afternoon Bible VerseThere is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
What makes us afraid? Is it our lack of understanding or ability? Does the future make us afraid?
When we experience fear, it's like something has taken over our bodies. Our hearts start beating faster. A surge of adrenaline rushes through the bloodstream. Our senses are on high alert.
This is actually a natural human reaction known as the fight-or-flight response, and it can save our life if we're facing a real threat. But if this reaction happens too often, such as with prolonged stress, it can be very unhealthy.
When we are perpetually fearful, we're focusing on the worst-case scenario, instead of turning to God and immersing ourselves in His love. God's love for us is so great, so immense, that it overcomes fear and casts it aside. That's what the Apostle John meant in this afternoon's verse when he said, "there is no fear in love" and "perfect love [casts] out fear." His reference to perfect, of course, means God's love.
Perfect love only exists in the context of God and His gift to us. If our concept of love for others is based on how God loves us, we will finally see the world as God sees it—and we will never have reason to fear. Love will have conquered it.
Father God, I know your love is greater than fear. I also know that love alone can cast out all fear. I pray that fear will no longer haunt my life or the lives of my family, but instead, that my fear is transformed by your perfect love. Help me to trust in you. 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
Apr 15 2025
Yesterday Afternoon's Bible VerseFor our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. :
Unfortunately, it is easy to look around and see the difficulties that surround us. Bills, work, challenges at home, health problems… they seem to be unending. In short, these daily issues can drive us to the point of worrying ourselves sick.
Worry was as much an issue for the church in Corinth as it is for us in the twenty-first century. Paul's words to the Corinthians should be a light for us today, showing us how to look beyond what we can see with our eyes to what awaits us in Heaven.
God is always working on our behalf. Our human eyes will often paint a different picture. We can only see what's right in front of us. But if we look at where we have come from, the events of our past, we can see God's hand guiding us through the everyday situations that required us to trust Him.
When we take into account the faithfulness that God has shown throughout our lives, then our faith in Him should grow. Our lives then become a testament of what happens when we replace worry with an assurance that God is taking care of our needs.
The only things that will last forever are the things we do and say, the way we interact with those around us, how we encourage and help lead others to God's grace, and all that we do for the glory of God.
Heavenly Father, my mind is often flooded with worry as I look at the situations that are happening all around me. It's easy for me to forget that you have already provided for everything I need in life. Remind me of your faithfulness and teach me to trust you more every day. Let my worries be replaced with faith in you. In Jesus' name, amen.
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