Aug 12 2024

Afternoon Bible Verse

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

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On a regular basis we hear about customers in drive-thru restaurants who purchase the meal for the vehicle behind them. This action typically leads the next customer to do the same, and then the next, and the next.

Known as paying it forward, these acts of kindness have sparked numerous news articles and stories of good-hearted citizens doing something nice for people they don't even know. When we hear about it it makes us feel good, and reminds us that there are indeed kind people in the world.

God expects us to care for each other. This afternoon's verse in 1 John makes that clear—even telling us that "we ought to lay down our lives" for each other. After all, God made the ultimate sacrifice for us by giving up His beloved Son. Nothing we could possibly do would ever equal that. So shouldn't we do everything possible to thank Him by caring for and loving each other?

God wants us to show His love for other people, no matter who they are, regardless of their past or background, as an extension of how He loves us and sacrificed for us.

Afternoon Prayer

Dear Lord, I pray for each and every person whom I come into contact with, that they would see your love in my actions toward them and toward others. I pray that I would be willing to love them as you love me. And when I don't think I can, remind me of all that you have done for me—and encourage me to keep trying. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Aug 11 2024

Yesterday Afternoon's Bible Verse

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. :

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Yesterday Afternoon's Bible study

We make thousands of decisions every day. Each choice results in an action or reaction. Every action has results and consequences. The choices we make are significant.

In this afternoon's verse, we read about the principle of sowing and reaping. Whatever we plant will grow and produce a crop. Our choices are the seeds we plant, and the consequences are what we reap. If we sow seeds of peace, then we will reap peace. If we sow discord, then we will reap conflict.

Farming requires education and training. In order to have a successful crop, farmers discover which types of seeds grow the best at different times of the year. They study soil and learn how much water is required for plants to grow. In all that they do to make their farms productive, farmers are intentional. Just as a farmer plans to produce the best crops, we should be intentional about the seeds we plant in our lives.

Everyone makes choices they regret. We plant bad seeds, or we plant good seeds but don't encourage them to grow. It's part of growing and maturing in our faith. We will reap the consequences of our decisions, but God can give us grace during those times to endure and then move forward.

Our walk with God consists of obstacles that are sometimes a result of our actions, but they provide an opportunity to plant better seeds in the future.

Yesterday Afternoon's Prayer

Lord, I'm so grateful for your wisdom. You have given me the ability to grow and become more like you. When I fail or miss the mark of living a holy life, please help me see the opportunity to learn how to be more obedient. I want to reap the benefits of living a life of service to you, my Lord, and Savior. In Jesus' name, amen.
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