Afternoon Devotion
December 7, 2024
Afternoon Bible Verse
Psalms 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Afternoon Bible Study
Unity in the Body of Christ is beautiful. It is pleasing to God and brings joy to those who experience it. But how can we achieve unity in a world where people tend to only look out for themselves? It begins with seeking God's desire for our relationships, which goes beyond our own intent and expectations.
In order to live in unity with others, someone has to be willing to sacrifice their feelings and desires for the sake of living in harmony. When we seek peace, rather than always having to have our own way, we are demonstrating that unity is a priority.
When there is unity, people experience a kind of joy that goes beyond feeling happy. It's a feeling in our soul that things are good and right. It's a result of the unity that has taken place—everyone is on the same team, with the same purpose, wanting to accomplish the same goals.
In order to live in unity with others, someone has to be willing to sacrifice their feelings and desires for the sake of living in harmony. When we seek peace, rather than always having to have our own way, we are demonstrating that unity is a priority.
When there is unity, people experience a kind of joy that goes beyond feeling happy. It's a feeling in our soul that things are good and right. It's a result of the unity that has taken place—everyone is on the same team, with the same purpose, wanting to accomplish the same goals.
Unity takes work and effort. It never just happens. Christian unity occurs when people come together, and their only purpose is to worship God. It means that we forgive others, instead of holding onto a grudge and harboring hard feelings. We sacrifice what we want for the sake of the whole group.
A disunified group of Christians speaks to the world—but not in the right way. It conveys the message, "We can't get along with each other, so there probably isn't much hope that we will get along with you". It mars the image of the Church and hurts its witness. Where there is disunity, God's blessing and His Spirit cannot abide among His people.
Unity should be our priority. And it is only accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit. What can we sacrifice today to obtain unity with other believers?
A disunified group of Christians speaks to the world—but not in the right way. It conveys the message, "We can't get along with each other, so there probably isn't much hope that we will get along with you". It mars the image of the Church and hurts its witness. Where there is disunity, God's blessing and His Spirit cannot abide among His people.
Unity should be our priority. And it is only accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit. What can we sacrifice today to obtain unity with other believers?
Afternoon Prayer
God, help me to seek unity in my relationships with others. When I'm feeling selfish, remind me how you desire unity among your people. Help me to humble myself when I want my own way. God, I know you are patient with me. Give me patience with others even when they are selfish. Give your Church unity in our thoughts and actions as the Body of Christ. Help us to seek peace above everything. Thank you for bringing unity to your people so we can honor you with our lives. In Jesus' name, amen.
If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.
-C.S. Lewis
God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas but for scars.
-Elbert Hubbard
The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.
-C.S. Lewis
If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.
-Dorothy Parker
Yesterday's Devotional
December 6, 2024
Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Verse
1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Yesterday's Afternoon Bible Study
Sometimes, temptation can catch us off guard. It can come at us suddenly, without warning, and when we least expect it.
In today's verse, we are reminded that we will be tempted. It will happen, but it doesn't have to destroy us unless we allow it to.
Temptation pulls us away from God. It can be relentless in its pursuit. Unfortunately, we can't just ignore it and hope it goes away. Unless we confront temptation and ask for God's help, we will keep hearing its voice whispering in our ear.
One of temptation's greatest tools is to make us feel shame and embarrassment when we have given in. It can be something like lying to our boss, gossiping, or matters of the heart. The guilt we feel when we give in can make us feel like failures.
In today's verse, we are reminded that we will be tempted. It will happen, but it doesn't have to destroy us unless we allow it to.
Temptation pulls us away from God. It can be relentless in its pursuit. Unfortunately, we can't just ignore it and hope it goes away. Unless we confront temptation and ask for God's help, we will keep hearing its voice whispering in our ear.
One of temptation's greatest tools is to make us feel shame and embarrassment when we have given in. It can be something like lying to our boss, gossiping, or matters of the heart. The guilt we feel when we give in can make us feel like failures.
Just like God knew that we would face temptation, He also knew that we couldn't escape from it if we didn't turn to Him. The Scripture says that God will make a way for us to escape.
Imagine being trapped inside a burning building. There is a clear path that leads to safety. But instead of going in the direction of the escape, we can only see the destruction that is taking place all around us. Temptation can leave us with a similar feeling. We want to escape, but we can't see past the mess all around us.
God is there in the fiery temptations of life. He doesn't expect us to pull ourselves together and pull ourselves out. He meets us in the fire and pulls us to safety when we turn to Him.
Being tempted is not a sin. When we ask God to give us the strength to resist temptation, He will always help us.
Imagine being trapped inside a burning building. There is a clear path that leads to safety. But instead of going in the direction of the escape, we can only see the destruction that is taking place all around us. Temptation can leave us with a similar feeling. We want to escape, but we can't see past the mess all around us.
God is there in the fiery temptations of life. He doesn't expect us to pull ourselves together and pull ourselves out. He meets us in the fire and pulls us to safety when we turn to Him.
Being tempted is not a sin. When we ask God to give us the strength to resist temptation, He will always help us.
Yesterday's Afternoon Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that I will face temptation. Thank you for always being with me even when I fail. Help me to rely on your strength and not my own when I feel tempted. Guide me with your Word. Please forgive me for the times I have allowed myself to fall into temptation. Give me the wisdom to know exactly what to do when I'm tempted. Thank you for providing a way out. Make me aware of how I can escape when I can't see the way on my own. In Jesus' name, amen.