Afternoon Devotion

April 20, 2021

Afternoon Bible Verse

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Afternoon Bible Study

Human beings can be giving and generous creatures. We give to our families and also to others in need. But can you imagine the thought of giving and sacrificing something so precious as your own family in order to benefit someone else? That's unimaginable—but it's exactly what God did for us.

Ever since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, God put His plan in place to redeem us and bring us back to Him. By simply believing in Jesus as the perfect Son of God and perfect sacrifice, we could have everlasting life.

Of all the verses in the Bible, John 3:16 is one of the most well known and beloved. It is often memorized during childhood as a foundational Bible verse. It speaks of God's love, Jesus' sacrifice, and our eternal reward for faith in Him.

Yet because the verse is so familiar, it may have become less meaningful for us over time. We might think of it as just words we have memorized, rather than dwelling on the deep meaning of the Scripture. Although that may be human nature, it's a tendency we need to strongly resist.

We have the privilege of receiving everlasting life with the Creator of the universe. Imagine that… spending eternity with God in Heaven!

And we don't have to wait to have a relationship with God. We can experience all that He has for us right now by building our lives around Jesus.

Afternoon Prayer

God, help me to never take the precious words I read in Scripture for granted. Instead, give me wisdom and understanding to meditate on your Word and have it dwell inside of me. Let it affect everything I say and do. Remind me that this life is important because I have the opportunity to share your Good News with others. But also, let me remember that I have all of eternity in front of me to spend with you. 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

April 19, 2021

Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Verse

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Study

God has a plan for each of us! And that plan is much better than anything we could concoct for ourselves. How many times have we tried to do things on our own without God's guidance or the direction of the Holy Spirit? Since we don't always learn from our mistakes, maybe we're trying to do that right now.

The power that works in us, which Paul talks about with the Ephesian church, does not come from our own understanding or abilities. That power only comes from the Holy Spirit, and He doesn't need our help to move forward.

As God works in our lives, He increases our faith and gives us the mind of Christ. This is needed in the life of a believer because our human minds are incapable of thinking godly thoughts.

Whatever "we ask or think" pales in comparison to God's great plans for our lives. So, it isn't unbelievable to us that God can do so much more than we ever could.

We can therefore let go of the plans we have and embrace the one that God wants to work in our lives. And God will do it "exceedingly" and "abundantly," which is far beyond what we could ever imagine. Then, for all of eternity, we can offer up the glory that God deserves to receive.

Yesterday's Afternoon Prayer

God, You have done great things far beyond anything I could ever imagine. I can worship you freely, knowing that you are working inside my heart and mind to make me more like you. For generations, you have been faithful. And in everything that happens in the future, I want to choose to worship you and give you the glory that you deserve. In Jesus' name, amen.