Dec 04 2024

Afternoon Bible Verse

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Afternoon Bible study

Our world currency system is based on the exchange of money for goods and services. If we want something, we pay for it. For better quality or larger quantity, we pay more because, as the saying goes, "you get what you pay for."

Imagine this paradigm shift: You receive something for nothing with no expectation of ever doing anything to earn or pay for it.

In the Book of Luke, we are presented with a form of giving that is countercultural and difficult to comprehend. This afternoon's verse is the account of what we call The Sermon on the Mount. A crowd had gathered around Jesus and His disciples. They had come to Jesus for healing. After He healed everyone, He spoke to the masses.

Jesus shared the heart of the Father—and it challenged people's beliefs.

He told them, "Bless those who curse you, don't judge others and you won't be judged" and "Take the plank out of your own eye before you point out the speck of dust in someone else's eye."

In Luke 6:35, Jesus said, "love your enemies." Enemies are the people in our lives that don't want the best for us. They are against us, positioned to watch us fall on our faces and fail in life.

These are the exact people Jesus told us to "love, do good, lend, hoping for nothing again." Following God requires a higher aim of doing what is right. It's not enough to only love those who love us. God asks us to love those who hate us, just as He does.

God is kind to the unthankful and the evil. With God's help, we can love others. The world will see the difference in our lives and know we are God's children.

Afternoon Prayer

Lord, you have called me to a life that I am incapable of leading without your help. I want to love others, but sometimes it can be hard. You are aware of the people who dislike me and those in my life are who difficult to love. When I don't know the right things to say and do, help me to turn to you for wisdom. Let me give to others without expecting anything in return. Give me the kind of love that shows the world I want to be like you. In Jesus' name, amen.

Dec 03 2024

Yesterday Afternoon's Bible Verse

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. :

Yesterday Afternoon's Bible study

The Bible has much to say regarding our relationships with others. God created each of us, and He knows how we are wired. For some, anger can be a constant internal struggle, while others only deal with it occasionally.

When our anger has the potential to get the best of us, the Bible offers wisdom that can save us the heartache of hurting people we love—and ourselves.

In the Epistle to the Ephesians, Paul advises us that when we are angry, we should deal with those feelings as soon as possible. We can remove the opportunity for bitterness to take root in our hearts by simply asking God to help us.

When we are in the midst of frustration, we can choose to control our feelings, rather than allowing them to control us. But we are incapable of doing it on our own.

Without God's help, it is impossible to move past our frustrations and live the life of peace He offers to us. We can take our anger to God in prayer, telling Him the who, what, where, when, and how of what has occurred. In an instant, God's peace can flood our hearts, driving out the rage that is stirring inside us. This calming of our spirit allows us to confront those who have frustrated us with an attitude of forgiveness and a willingness to move forward in our relationship.

If not managed, anger has the potential to harden the heart of even the kindest person. No one is exempt from needing God to intervene on their behalf. We can ask God to examine us for any anger that has taken up residence in our hearts. He can help us process and work through even the toughest situations.

Yesterday Afternoon's Prayer

God, only you know my innermost thoughts and feelings. You see when I am frustrated, and you know how I should handle every situation. Give me wisdom, so I don't react when I'm angry. And give me peace, even when my mind and heart are filled with rage. Thank you for the opportunity to turn to you, knowing that your love is always waiting for me. Help me to rely on you, instead of my wisdom. I don't want to sin against you when I am upset. Thank you for helping me to be mindful of my witness to others in how I react. In Jesus' name, amen.
Add to Favorites Share with Friend


← View Last Verse View Next Verse →