Dec 05 2024

Afternoon Bible Verse

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

Afternoon Bible study

We have been saved according to God's purpose and grace. Our salvation isn't dependent on anything we have ever done or will ever do. Salvation is a gift from God, given to us freely.

When you put in a hard day's work, you earn a paycheck. Grace is the equivalent of not working and still receiving the same payment anyway. Our co-workers would most likely not appreciate that we were given something we didn't deserve. It wouldn't be fair, but grace is given whether or not we are worthy.

We should never look at another believer and compare our good works to what they have or have not done for Christ. In God's eyes, the pastor who preaches to hundreds of souls has the same value as the murderer who accepts Christ on his deathbed. We are made right through God's grace that is given to His children—and that's all of us.

Salvation is not based on our actions and efforts because we cannot do enough to earn it. We have the opportunity to be saved because of Jesus's work on the cross. God doesn't want us to be burdened by the weight of trying to be better and do more. He simply invites us to come to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us.

So, why does God offer this gift to us? This afternoon's verse tells us that God chose to save us before Jesus came; even before the world began.

God knows everything that has ever happened and everything that will happen. He knew we would need a Savior who could provide a way for us to have a relationship with Him. It was always His plan.

So, whether we accept grace or deny its power in our lives, it is still there waiting for us. Accept it today.

Afternoon Prayer

God, thank you for the grace that has been extended to me. You didn't choose me because of what I could do or offer to you because it would never be enough. Thank you for sending Jesus to a sinful world that rejected Him. Help me to never take your grace for granted. Everything in my life has come from you—the food I eat, my home and family, my job—are all a result of your love being demonstrated to me. I want to cherish the wonderful gifts you have given me. I am so grateful, and you are so good. Thank you. In Jesus' name, amen.

Dec 04 2024

Yesterday Afternoon's 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. :

Yesterday Afternoon's 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.

Yesterday Afternoon's 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.
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