Aug 04 2024

Afternoon Bible Verse

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

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Our human nature readily (often stubbornly) resists being told what to do. From the time we are toddlers until we are fully grown, our natural instinct is to be the one in charge and not the one being ordered around.

In John 14:15, Jesus comforts His disciples. He knows that it won't be long before He is crucified. Jesus is using every available opportunity to prepare His disciples for a time when He won't be with them.

While Jesus lived among the people, He demonstrated a love for God that could not be matched. He also modeled perfect obedience to God's commands. He did it with a servant's heart, rather than out of obligation.

As children, we have to obey our parents and teachers because they are in authority over us. When we are told to clean our room or do our homework, it doesn't matter if we want to or not, as long as we do it. It means so much more to our parents when we are obedient because we love them and want to please them.

When we choose to follow Jesus, we also agree to obey His commands. We have the opportunity to obey God because we love Him, not just because we have to. Whether it's in the small things or in significant ways, how we follow God demonstrates the condition of our heart.

Afternoon Prayer

Dear God, my heart's desire is to love you more than I love myself. Forgive me for the times I have disregarded your ways to follow my human nature. You always know what's best for me, so when I follow you, I can trust your leading without hesitation. May others see my willingness to do what you say and let it encourage them to do the same. Please give me the strength to obey you, even when it's hard for me. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Aug 03 2024

Yesterday Afternoon's Bible Verse

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. :

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Yesterday Afternoon's Bible study

The Ten Commandments have helped shape the morals and values of societies all over the world. As followers of Jesus, we can rely on the commandments to let us know how God wants us to respond to others and how we should interact with Him.

In the Old Testament, we read the account of Moses coming down from Mount Sinai, carrying tablets of stone, with commandments written by the finger of God. The first four commandments address our relationship with God—we are to put Him first, not misuse His name, remember the Sabbath day, and not worship idols.

The remaining six commandments guide us in our relationships, directing us not to murder, steal, covet, give false witness against others… and honor our father and mother.

The way we treat our parents is foundational to all of our other relationships. When children learn to respect their parents' authority, they also learn the importance of respecting other authority figures such as teachers, law enforcement officers, and future employers.

When we respect and honor our parents, we are honoring our Heavenly Father. As our culture has demonstrated a lack of respect toward elders and parents, God has been dishonored and disrespected.

Every day we can choose to honor each other in our relationships and to regard others more than ourselves. When it comes to honoring God, He should be revered above everything and everyone in our world.

Yesterday Afternoon's Prayer

God, I'm so grateful for my family. Help me to show love and respect in my actions toward them. More than anything, I want to honor you in the words I say and in my actions. Please forgive me for the times I have placed anything in front of you. I pray for this world that has dishonored you. God, show us mercy and turn our hearts back to you. In Jesus' name, amen.
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