Aug 14 2024

Afternoon Bible Verse

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).

Add to Favorites Share with Friend Afternoon Bible study

We need mercy, although it may not be something we often think about. We're aware that we need forgiveness and grace, but why do we need mercy?

Maybe we can justify a criminal's need for mercy, but clearly, we haven't done anything as horrible as criminals have. Right? They commit crimes and deserve to be punished for what they've done, but we haven't done anything to merit punishment. Right?

Wrong.

Every sin we've ever committed deserves punishment. But fortunately for us, God's great mercy means that we don't have to suffer the eternal consequences. If we were to view our sin in the light of God's holiness, we would be keenly aware of how unworthy we are. But in the midst of our sinfulness, God reached down to us and granted us mercy.

This afternoon's verse says that "even when we were dead in our sins" we received grace through Christ. When we see others at their lowest point, do we extend that same type of grace to them?

Even when we demonstrate mercy to others, we are incapable of taking the next step that Paul mentions in Ephesians 2:4-5. We are made alive through Christ. We have no power within us that can bring us life. Only through His death and resurrection have we been offered eternal life that removes the curse of sin from us.

Now, though we were dead in our sin, we have been made alive through Christ. What an amazing gift!

Afternoon Prayer

God, how can I thank you for the gift of mercy you have extended to me? You saved me and offered me eternal life when I was unworthy. I will never be able to repay the debt that Jesus paid. I am alive in you and have everything I need to live for you. Thank you. In Jesus' name, amen.

Add to Favorites Share with Friend

Aug 13 2024

Yesterday Afternoon's Bible Verse

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? :

Add to Favorites Share with Friend
Yesterday Afternoon's Bible study

The word fear has sometimes been used as an acronym for "false evidence appearing real." Although many of our fears exist only in our minds, they can still play out in our lives. Fear can be crippling, and cause us to see a reality that doesn't exist.

Fear is a lie because it keeps us from seeing God's truth. Some of our greatest fears may have taken root in our hearts when we were very young. We might not even understand why they exist. When we confront the fears that are holding us captive, we expose their lies and take away their power. Fear can only have a place in our lives if we allow it to be there.

Fear is irrational. When it takes hold of us, something small can be magnified to the extent that it overwhelms us. We can choose to live in fear or allow God's grace and love to push it out of our lives.

Fear has a significant effect on us. We might be afraid to fail, so we never try. We might fear being rejected by others, so we keep people from getting to know us. Maybe it's the fear of letting others down, so we don't make commitments or promises.

We need to rest in God's peace and trust Him to meet us in the insecurities of our lives. When we listen to His voice, it can become louder than everything else that is happening around us.

Because God is with us, there is nothing in life we should fear—nothing.

Yesterday Afternoon's Prayer

Father, there have been times when I believed the fear in my life more than the truth that is in you. Today, I am wholeheartedly choosing to follow you instead of living in fear. I am turning every fear that I have ever experienced over to you. I refuse to allow the things that scare me to control me. I realize that I can miss out on what you have in store for me if I am held captive by my fears. Please help me to trust in you and take away the fear that is inside me. In Jesus' name, amen.
Add to Favorites Share with Friend


← View Last Verse View Next Verse →