Nov 11 2024

Afternoon Bible Verse

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

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Research has shown that the average American does five good deeds a month. The most common of these deeds are holding the door open for a stranger, giving someone directions, or picking up garbage.

These acts of kindness are considered charitable and help define someone as a good person.

In Micah 6:8, we see that God wants more than our good deeds—He wants all of us. Doing kind things for our neighbors can display godly character, but God wants us to depend on Him for everything.

At the time the prophet Micah wrote this passage, the Israelites' hearts were far from God. They had two extremes—try to please God with sacrifices and religious acts, or give up and give in to their sinful ways.

Micah told the people that following God required three things: justice, mercy, and humility. If we take away all of the things our world deems to be good and all the expectations that we place on ourselves, then all that matters is whether we are doing what God has instructed.

We were created to worship and honor God, but we can only do that when we surrender our entire selves to Him and choose to reflect justice, mercy, and humility in our lives.

Afternoon Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for making my burden light. Sometimes I make it more difficult than I need to. Help me to seek you every day and to reflect your justice, mercy, and humility in how I live. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Nov 10 2024

Yesterday Afternoon's 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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Yesterday Afternoon's Bible study

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.

Yesterday Afternoon's 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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