Oct 06 2024

Afternoon Bible Verse

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

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In our current culture the word entitled has a negative connotation. It implies that a person should be given something, or deserves to be treated a certain way, just because.

Humans are selfish by nature… and that behavior begins at a very young age. In a room full of toddlers, we see grabbing and snatching toys as they repeat the word mine over and over. As children grow into teens, they learn to understand that everything doesn't belong to them, and there are some things that they have to work for if they want them.

Although many develop a strong work ethic that drives them to earn their own way as adults, others come to expect someone else to provide for them. In other words, they feel entitled to have their needs met, rather than providing for themselves.

King Solomon certainly didn't promote the idea of entitlement. In Proverbs 14:23, we learn a simple lesson about the value of hard work: Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty. When we work hard it usually pays off, whereas merely talking about work leads to a life of never having what we need.

Hard work is not always for financial gain. Sometimes our payment is an experience or the opportunity to be involved in something great.

The way we work can honor God, help us find our purpose, and allow us to develop the gifts God has given us. As we work, the greatest treasure we can discover is the joy of doing our best in whatever we put our hands to.

Afternoon Prayer

God, thank you for the opportunity to work. Help me be diligent in everything I do. When I feel frustrated or tired in the work I do, forgive me and replace those feelings with a grateful heart. Thank you for the gifts and abilities you are developing in me. Use the work I do to bring glory and honor to you. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Oct 05 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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