Bible Study & Devotional (January 6, 2021)
Guiding Scripture: Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
🔴 FOR WHAT ARE YOU SEARCHING?
Read the parable in the Bible Jesus taught about “The Prodigal Son” in Luke 15:11-32.
The younger son showed arrogance by asking his father to give him one-third of the estate he would inherit (Deuteronomy 21:17 – his older brother would receive two thirds), as was the custom. This son was riding high as long as he had money, fame, and status. But we learn he was brought to his knees when the cash ran out along with his temporary friends.
He did come to his senses because of his hunger to eat the pigs food.
This humiliating and degrading to Jews because unclean animals were off-limits to them. Read to see how the story ends.
Yes! The son left his Father’s estate because of selfishness.
He recognized his loss and returned home. His Father forgave him wholeheartedly because of his deep abiding love. The brother was suspicious of his brother and probably mixed with a little jealousy to not want to welcome him back into the fold.
Self-Examination:
Where are you on your faith journey? Are you living it up? Eating the slop of pigs, or are you suspiciously watching the repentant hearts return to our Abba Father?
You have a choice to forgive wholeheartedly and join the reunion. Christ commanded us to love the Lord God with all our heart, mind, and souls, AND our neighbor as ourselves.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for reminding us that every perfect gift and blessing comes from you. Please bind up our arrogance so that we won’t think too highly of ourselves. All that we are and ever hope to be; we owe it all to You. Thank you. 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 13:5-15:21, Matthew 5:27-48, Psalm 6:1-10, Proverbs 1:29-33
Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan
Bible in a Year Day 6
We protect the vision of God’s wealth by doing three things:
1. Acknowledge that God is the sole provider of wealth.[(Contrast Lot raising his eyes (Gen 13:10) and Abram seeing God’s vision (Gen. 13:14.)]
2. Give praise for Him allowing us to give beyond ourselves. (Gen. 13:18)
3. Not worship at the foot of material things. (Gen. 14:21-24)
When Abram and Lot’s servants began to argue over provisions, it created a divide. The mightiness of God was up for debate. The land God sent Abram to was not supporting his accumulated abundance. It offers a question, were they doing God’s will? The answer, raise your eyes and look around; the land is spacious. Plenty of good room to spread out.
Like those who wanted to build the tower and make themselves famous(Gen. 11:1-9), we can get caught up in the big fish little bowl syndrome. Everyone knows who we are at this church; we have a measure of power at that cooperation. But when God says it’s time to move, we should ask for direction. Lot choose an area lush with green grass and flowing water in an established city. Perhaps it was also the easiest route. Making a change isn’t about going linear but advancing. We can ask: How will God be glorified through our actions? Are we able to give beyond our human abilities?
The Lord is with us as we go the extra mile. We don’t have to fear because the Lord will be our shield(Gen. 15:1). Abram didn’t have an heir, and yet the Lord promised Him descendants, as numerous as the grains of sand and the stars in the sky. We can trust God’s promises. Abram’s confidence in our Lord provided a vision for the future; while it would not be easy, it was necessary to expand the gospel into all the nations(Gen. 15:12-16). Take heed, don’t fear hard work. The rewards are so much more significant when we trust God’s vision.
Praying Psalm 6: Lord, I am weary and drained. The grief of starting anew has engulfed me. Hear the sound of my weeping. I want to follow Your plan for my life, yet evil enemies challenge me. Please help me turn toward heaven and accept my prayer.