Bible Study & Devotional (January 9, 2021)
Guiding Scripture: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you pretending to be sheep. But on the inside, they are hungry wolves.” Matthew 7:15
🔴 WEARING A MASK
It is hard to breathe when wearing the mask, and it’s even more challenging to hear the person speaking to you. How many times have you said this or had something similar said to you? My mother-daughter told me that it was like doing a workout because of the oxygen levels and tada tada tada.!!! Perhaps that’s why I’m so tired when I return home. Since I’m retired, I only want to venture out when I have a doctor’s appointment – seriously! It is then that I run other errands and shop for groceries.
Wearing the mask is a choice and a responsible decision if we want to do our small part. Can we be trusted to stay home ‘if’ we aren’t well?
A mask can also be considered a disguise. How are you presenting yourself to others? Can they see a smile even with you wearing a mask? It is something about the approach of someone whose mask-wearing is smiling, or perhaps it is his or her Holy Spirit connecting with yours that makes the mask-wearing less cumbersome.
Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your endless love towards us. Thank you for the ability to love others and that we belong to you. Forgive us, Lord, and we pray that all will come into a right relationship with you and each other to show the love and compassion you consistently and continually give to us. We love you, Lord. 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 20:1-22:24, Matthew 7:15-29, Psalm 9:1-12, Proverbs 2:16-22
Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan
Bible in a Year (Day 9)
The words ‘meager provisions’ kindled my spirit. Hagar and Ishmael were sent away with bread and a skin of water (Gen 21:14) into the wilderness. We know the Lord appeared to Abraham, permitting him to release his son(Gen. 21:12-13). God promised to protect and multiply Ishmael’s descendants.
Inadequate would be an understatement for what Hagar and Ishmael were about to endure. However, the abundant grace and mercy of the Lord are always sufficient. While you’re meditating on God’s Word and reading through the consequential circumstances of disobedience, think about your disobedience. How have you tried to get ahead of God’s plan?
Our human desire to immediately satisfy impulsive thirst leads to chaos (Gen 16:2). We would serve God well to wait for His providential generosity, which surpasses our human-made accommodations. (Psalm 9:1, 10)
~Torrie Slaughter