Jul 16 2024

Afternoon Bible Verse

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden (meaning burdened), and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

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In a busy world, it can be challenging to remember the last time we experienced rest. People wear a busy schedule as a badge of honor because often we find our value in what we do.

In this afternoon's verse from the book of Matthew, we read the opposite. Jesus says to come to Him when we are tired and burdened, and we will find rest. The type of rest God offers to us is not only for our body but also our spirit.

Our relationship with God and our spiritual health often suffer the most when we are busiest. Unfortunately, whatever is putting the most pressure on our schedule typically gets the most attention. God will not compete for our time. Instead, He waits for us to come to Him to find what we need, and He always knows what that is.

If we choose to allow God to help us in our busy lives, we will find a more peaceful way of living. We may even weed out the activities in our schedule that keep us from finding a healthy balance. We should resist the tendency to feel guilty when we choose to take care of ourselves.

Our first priority should always be God. When we put Him first, he will then help us prioritize our lives. He can provide rest for our soul and a clear focus on what is essential in our lives.

Everyone has different levels of what we can handle. It is much better to ask God to control our lives than to come to Him after we are burned out and exhausted. Our rest begins when we simply turn to God.

Afternoon Prayer

Heavenly Father, there are times when I am tired, even exhausted. My flesh can only handle so much before I feel like I can't handle it anymore. Thank you for providing rest before I even realize I need it. Thank you for calming my spirit when I feel overwhelmed. Help me to prioritize everything I do around my relationship with you. Let me not feel guilty when I choose a slower and more peaceful pace of life. Remove anything from my schedule that is keeping me from living a peaceful life. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Jul 15 2024

Yesterday Afternoon's Bible Verse

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. :

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Yesterday Afternoon's Bible study

At the beginning of a new year, people often have high expectations that the coming year will be better than the last. They make New Year's resolutions, setting ambitious goals to push toward the desired result. Yet research has shown that by the end of January, most of us have given up. Then we end up disappointed and discouraged because changes didn't happen, and we are left in the same situation as the previous year.

Life tends to be a series of ups and downs. One day we are living with hope and expectation, and the next day things don't look so great. For believers, we know that our life on Earth is a short prequel to eternity with Jesus.

In the Book of Revelation, we read about a time when we will no longer feel sadness or sorrow. This afternoon's verse says that "the former things are passed away," which refers to everything that is happening before we enter into eternity.

This blessed hope helps us stay focused on a future that will be free from pain. For now, we must remain close to God in our souls until our souls are reunited with Him.

If we abandon our New Year's resolutions, that's okay. Ultimately, we should focus our hearts and minds on living in a way that honors God on Earth before we are together with Him in Heaven.

Yesterday Afternoon's Prayer

God, I long for the day when the cares of this world no longer affect me. You see every tear I have cried, and the times my heart has felt the sting of death. For now, I pray that you will give me peace and help me endure whatever comes my way. Someday, I will see you face to face. Until then, I will live with the hope you have given to me. In Jesus' name, amen.
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