Bible Study & Devotional (Day 140)
Read Today’s Passages May 20, 2022
Guiding Scripture: Proverbs 15:22-23 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. 23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!
Do you have advisors? People you discuss your ideas and plans. Proverbs 15:22-23 reminds us that we need to consult counselors so that any foolish decisions are noticed and avoided. As we listen to LaVonda’s devotional think about the ways you seek advice, consult godly counselors, and focus on God’s perfect plan for your life.
🔴 An Inspired Vision, Responds with Authority
written by: LaVonda McCullough
“And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.” Luke 20:8
Did you create a vision board for 2022? I did, and each year I prepared myself by cutting out pictures from magazines and gathering all the crayons and markers to make my yearly work of art beautiful so I could hang it in my office.
Did you know that there is power in writing down goals and seeing them consistently?
You may have experienced a thought telling you to start that business, lead a Bible Study, or take that much-needed vacation to an exotic island, but you’re afraid to take that first step or believe you can achieve it.
You can accomplish any task that inspires you.
However, sometimes we are influenced by the “Negative Nellies” in the world, causing discouragement. This kind of discouragement will inevitably cause us to forget about the authority given to us.
Jesus was preaching and teaching the Good News in the Temple when the leading priest came to question his authority. They wanted to trap him with their question, Jesus used wisdom, not answering directly, but he turned the question on them. He exposed their motives and avoided their trap.
Not everyone will support our dreams and ambitions. The Good News that Jesus was teaching provides us the instructions to fulfill His plan and purpose in our life. And He did not leave us powerless and without authority.
Authority in Greek means “exousia,” and we get our word “exude” from it. It means “to leak out or pour forth from within”.
Now, let’s look at the English word for “authority.” And if we take off the “ity” we what you have is “Author.”
Author – the creator, originator, or designer of something.
Jesus has given us the right to authorship. God created you, and He has given you authority, and He has gifted you to pour forth into the world and make a difference.
Yes, the authority is from Jesus, but you have been given the power to create that dream or vision that He placed inside you.
You have the authority to speak either blessing or a curse.
When it comes to full bloom, that idea will change your life and the lives of those around you.
I never thought I was good enough to write words that would encourage others or that my passion for praying would impact. God planted that desire inside me to pray and teach others the importance of a prayer life.
Our gifts are to bless others; they are not for ourselves. They are to pour out from within and create a change in the atmosphere. I allowed the enemy to rob me of blessing others through writing and becoming an author because of a negative mindset and believing the “negative Nellies” in my life. The one thing that I loved to do~ Pray; the enemy used against me to plant seeds of doubt, trapping me from moving forward.
Just as the leading priest tried to trap Jesus from teaching and fulfilling what God had sent Him to do by preaching and teaching the Good News, the enemy will use people to trap us from fulfilling our destiny.
Friend, you have the authority. You can do whatever God tells you to do and live and abundant life.
Prayer~ Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray that you will inspire your son or daughter to begin speaking words of life and encouragement over themselves. Please give them the faith and confidence to move forward and start watering the seed you placed inside to blossom into who you have called them to be. Amen
LaVonda McCullough is the CEO & Founder of Joyful Journey, she is a Biblical Life Coach, Author, Speaker and Co-Pastor specializing in women empowerment. We invite you to connect with LaVonda on Facebook & Instagram. Visit www.lavondamccullough.com for more information.
This devotional was submitted by LaVonda McCullough, 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
