Guiding Scriptures: Psalm 103:2 ‘ Bless the Lord , O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, ‘
🔴 The Word Became Flesh
The Gospel, According to John, is arguably a Bible within itself. It is introduced to new believers to deepen their understanding of Christ. John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” Our spiritual curiosity is piqued, and we want to know ‘Who is the Word?’
The answer: Jesus the Son of God!
The Word became flesh, and all who believed and received Him had the right to become children of God.
The Book of John is rich with imagery and detailed stories that bring to life the God we worship. In chapter two, we witness several different events as the story moves forward.
Jesus performed the first miracle at the wedding in Cana. (John 2:1-5)
The righteous anger of Jesus as He threw the merchants out of the Temple courts. (John 2:13-17)
The continued signs and miracles Jesus performs do not validate Him. (John 2:23-25)
As you read today, think about why your deeds are significant. Ask yourself who will it glorify? Jesus shows us in verses that He did not believe those that followed Him because of His works. Christ continues to encourage believers not to be concerned about earthly approval.
This devotional was written by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® for A Daily Purpose Bible Study & Devotional.
Guiding Scripture: “ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20: 29
Six years after landing my first job after college, the company gossip mill worked overtime that layoffs would be imminent. It wasn’t the first time. The company had previously downsized, and I was spared. This time was different, however. I was now married, with an infant son in daycare, and pregnant with my daughter- Not to mention that everyone was on my insurance! For two weeks, I anxiously went to work, unsure if that day would be my last.
Finally, on a Wednesday, I pulled into the parking lot in time to see my coworker heading to her car with the infamous box of her accumulated items. I had just settled into my cubicle when my manager’s supervisor asked me into his office. All suspicions were finally laid to rest when I, too, prepared my box.
Suddenly, my thoughts raced.
How on earth are we going to survive? Should a six-month pregnant woman look for work? There’s no way we can afford Cobra’s health insurance. I had a lot of questions and felt I deserved an answer. But then I was comforted by an old song. You Don’t Have to Know Why by Tata Vega encouraged me as we were waiting for God to bless us with children after suffering child loss.
Friends, the truth is we’re not always afforded, nor are we entitled to know with certainty what God plans for us. But one of the most important things we can do during uncertain times is asking God to help us believe and stand firm on the promises He’s given in His word. Even if we don’t know what God is doing at the moment, His word gives us promises. In John 20:28, Jesus tells Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believed.” Though Jesus was talking about himself, the same can be true of our uncertainties. Blessed are we when we take God at his word and believe, even when we don’t yet see the outcome.
Regardless of the circumstances, we can take comfort in:
Romans 8:28,31 knowing that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Then, we can boldly tell our uncertainties, if God be for us, who can be against us?
1 Peter 5:7, and cast all of our cares on Him. Why? Because He cares for us.
Jeremiah 29:11, believing that His plans for us are all good. He has a wonderful future for us! Even if we don’t know what it is yet.
Hebrews 10:23, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Take heart! Whatever the future holds, you can be encouraged to know that nothing we can ever face in this world will be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18).
As we continue to see so many dark and ugly things play out in this world, it might seem easy to feel restless in these uncertain times. Who knows what this world will look like, or what our lives will look like in five to ten years. But greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4, KJV).
Detria Moore, J.D. is a believer, wife, mother, college professor, intercessor, community servant, writer, speaker, and volunteer of all things. Above all else, she is enamored with her Savior. Her main goal is to serve the Lord, walk in a manner worthy of her calling, and bring glory to her Savior. Detria enjoys reading and teaching the Bible, praying for others, and walking the Lynchburg trails.
This devotional was submitted by Detria Moore, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Have you ever felt like you were drowning? Not in water but just overwhelmed by life! Perhaps your zeal for God while serving in your community, business, relationships, or church, isn’t received. Maybe you are constantly ridiculed by pietistic attitudes. Well, it’s easy to believe we are suffering alone.
The psalmist speaks of this inner turmoil, and his language is a desperate cry for God to act urgently. The enemies and those who hate without cause are numerous; he cannot escape his torment.
What would you do?
Cry out to the One who understands and can calm your spirit…
Christ Jesus knows what it feels like to be hated and to restore what He did not remove. That alone should give us hope! If we keep our hearts and minds focused on God through praise and worship, it is a healing balm. The answer doesn’t seem obvious, but forgiving our enemies as Christ did as He hung on the cross, will release your inner turmoil. Think about how much more you will understand His Kingdom.
God knows us at the most intimate level. Psalm 38:5 My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, and Psalm 69:5 O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.
The stronger language of Psalm 38:5 reminds us of how disgusting our sin is and that we are not always victims. I believe God will work in our lives to show us the gravity of our apostasy and idol worship, no matter our social status.
But woe to those who lead others astray. (Matthew 18:6, 2 Peter 2:1)
When we acknowledge our guilt, confessing our sins to God, and seeking forgiveness from those we have wronged, the Lord delights in our behavior. We also can forgive by interceding on their behalf. Psalm 69:6 says: Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.
Those who seek the fellowship and guidance of Jesus will also submit to His ways. Humble yourselves and ask God to “Draw near to your soul, redeem you.”
This devotional was written by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In Genesis 3:7-8 we read how Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together to cover their bodies once their “eyes” were opened. They also hid from God. Their rebellion was known. Adam and Eve desired to cover themselves even more because they knew they had sinned.
When we sin, our first reaction is to cover it up.
We may keep layering on “clothes” until we no longer know the truth.We give excuses, blame others, and do not hold ourselves accountable. But is that the way God intended us to deal with sin? Of course not! Satan will have us hiding and keeping ourselves out of sight. But, God forgives even when we have to deal with the consequences of our actions.
We Have A Choice:
Who fertilizes us and what nutrients we absorb? While we could easily blame our lack of growth on our living conditions, exposure to opportunities, or economic status, we are responsible for what we produce. Feeling like a useless waste of space is a scheme of the enemy, and he will keep us from repenting if we allow him to use our insecurities.
Moving our minds from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness is the goal of transformation. The positive side of repentance is conversion, the real turning to God for grace. We can turn away from sin and become fruit-bearing, purposeful servants of God.
In every season of our lives, we can be of service to our Lord and Savior. The years we spent on this earth toiling for riches, being self-centered, and not producing any fruit will have us cut out of God’s glorious kingdom.
Mark 11:14- Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
The imagery of fruitless trees echoes throughout the Old Testament as a metaphor for Israel’s unrepentant heart. God calls us to bear fruit in season and out. (Mark 11:13) We are His image-bearers which means we bring life to this world through God’s grace. Any area of our lives that is not glorifying God should be destroyed to make room for the beneficial fruit that will bless others.
What do we entertain that is just taking up space? What is keeping us from producing ‘fruit’? These barriers may also keep us from repenting because it is easier to blame than to own our faults.
May we resolve to not stand in an untruth attempting to conceal our inappropriate behavior. Our lives need not be complicated with emotionally draining tirades while hiding the truth. Let us repent and stand in the grace of God’s forgiveness and consistently applying His Word to our lives.
~ Torrie Slaughter
Journal Prompts:
What do you believe you should be producing?
Are you planted in good soil?
Is it time to weed your garden?
This devotional was written and submitted by Torrie Slaughter, the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Guiding Scripture: Leviticus 20:23 (AMPC) “You shall not walk in the customs of the nation which I am casting out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I was wearied and grieved by them.”
Words to Ponder:
Separate- forming or viewed as a unit apart or by itself.
Anxious– experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
Weary– calling for a significant amount of energy or endurance; tiring and tedious.
Grieve- cause great distress to (someone).
Abhor– To cause a sickening dread
What were the things that grieved our Lord? Idolatry, incest, uncleanliness. God will set His face against anyone who turns to familiar spirits (Lev 20:16). He wanted the nation of Israel to consecrate themselves and be made holy.
How do we separate holiness and ungodliness today?
Think about the ungodly people we look to for guidance but do not know our Lord’s ways. Unfortunately, we have religious leaders who do not comprehend the message of Christ. You will know them by their fruit, for they invite division, chaos, and disorder into their lives. No one can quench their perfection standard, which leaves others exhausted mentally, physically, and spiritually.
How have we contributed to the confusion or turmoil inflicted in the lives of others?
We cannot be a victim unless we understand how we played the villain. By separating our hurt feelings and growing in a deeper understanding of spiritual warfare, we learn valuable godly behavior.
In Mark 9:5-7
Peter didn’t understand what was happening when Jesus was transfigured. It is interesting to see how quickly we fall back to the reality of what we think we know. The Bible tells us a cloud came over them, and the voice of God was audible. “This is my Son, the Beloved One. Be constantly listening to and obeying Him!”
Don’t be afraid of the divine Holy wisdom God wants to give you. Our separation anxiety should happen when we feel far off from God, not the things of the world. Allow Wisdom to have His way.
Mark 9:8 And looking around, they suddenly no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus only.
JESUS ALONE
Belief is a spiritual connection we have through God’s divine Holy Spirit. Have faith that nothing can separate you from our Abba Father. We must learn to believe first before we can know God’s truth.
This devotional was written and submitted by Torrie Slaughter, the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
