Bible Study & Devotional (January 13, 2021)
Guiding Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11
🔴 IN PURSUIT
Solomon was considered the wisest and richest man who has ever lived. We can read Solomon’s autobiography in Ecclesiastes. If we read and understand his frustration of having great wisdom and riches with objectivity, we learn that a life without God is meaningless. Solomon delivered the advice he was sought out to give, and yet he was unfulfilled.
Solomon found his life to be empty without a relationship with God. What makes us think that we can? Regardless of the number of degrees you have, position in life, or the achievements you have mastered, without God, we too will come out feeling empty.
Let’s consider – Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John. When Mary visited her, Jesus’ earthly virgin mother, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her and filled her with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:39-41). We don’t need to be the wisest person to realize that once we come in the presence of our Lord and Savior, we too leap with joy. There is just something about coming into His presence.
Let’s Pray: Lord, it is our duty to fear you and to obey your commands. Help us to do so with a pure heart and sincerity. Without you, we don’t have a future. The future we would have without you does not have value and would only lead to hell and damnation. Please, Lord, keep us forever in your mercy and grace. Thanks and glory to your name Jesus Christ. Amen
~Diana L.W. Coleman
This devotional was submitted by Diana L.W. Coleman, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan
Genesis 28:1-29:35, Matthew 9:18-38, Psalm 11:1-7, Proverbs 3:11-12
Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan
Bible In A Year Day 13
Communication: the successful conveying or sharing of ideas and feelings it is to have social contact.
Life: the condition that distinguishes humans from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth and continual change preceding death.
Currency: the time during which something is in use or operation.
Communication is a life currency.
My God shot for today’s reading begins with Gen. 27:46. Rebekah and Isaac disapproved of Esau’s choice of wives. (The strained in-law relationship started well before it was a point of holiday division.) Rebekah said they brought misery to their lives. Once we turn the page, we learn in Genesis 28:8 that Isaac blesses and sends Jacob to Bethel to find a wife from among Rebekah’s family. We, as the readers, know the complexity of that decision. (Gen. 27:42-43)
Is it comforting or troubling that this family lacks honest communication? I would venture to say both. However, the unexpected consequences and spiritual dangers they faced should be a lesson for us.
Genesis 28:8 After all the turmoil, Esau has an ‘AHA’ moment. He has vowed to kill his brother Jacob for stealing his blessing, and now he knows his parents disliked his wives. We watch Isaac’s family unravel at the seams and may wonder where their moral conviction is? And yet God continues to prosper a dysfunctional people.
Relationships benefit from constant contact. We grow more knowledgeable about one another. It is also how we communicate with our Lord and Savior. Have you shared your ideas with God?
Psalm 11:4-5 Offers comfort and conviction to commune with God.
The beautiful reminders from these two verses:
1. The Lord is in His Holy Temple ruling from heaven.
2. He watches everyone closely.
3. God examines both the righteous and the wicked.
4. Our Lord hates those who love violence.
Our emotions become weapons of destruction when we don’t wisely adhere to our Father’s command. Separation, independence, and rebellion are branches from the root of apostasy. If we fear God’s wrath, we will guard our tongues and be mindful of the life or death our conversation communicates.