Tag Archives: biblestudymoments

A Daily Purpose

Bible Study, Teen Bible Study, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Study & Devotional Day 72

Written By Torrie Slaughter

(With an excerpt from The Gospel of Luke 24-Day Devotional ©2018)

Guiding Scripture: Luke 1:16  And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God,

🔴 Silence and Reflection

We begin the Gospel According to Luke; we journey to learn more about God through the reading of His Word. It is helpful for us to start with the basics and give some background. Luke is a Gentile physician and historian that occasionally traveled with the Apostle Paul. The purpose of Luke’s story is to provide an orderly account of the fulfilled things. The belief that Jesus is the accomplishment of God and Israel’s covenant story serves as a valuable faith lesson to us now. The Gospel According to Luke and its sequel, Acts of the Apostles, gives us a richer understanding. Luke’s attention to detail and desire to get many eye witness statements reached audiences beyond the immediate Gentile and Israelite community.

Worthy

We know Zechariah and Elizabeth were God-fearing people and were both in the priestly line of Aaron. The exciting fact about serving in the Temple is the order by which one can offer prayers. Some priests only experienced standing in the Holy of holies once in a lifetime, if at all. God’s timing is always perfect.

Luke 1:20 “And behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day these things take place because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

Not so long ago…

I saved a turtle’s life. No, I didn’t give it mouth to mouth, but I saw it on the road, picked it up, and placed it in a safer area. He looked back at me, and I felt his gratitude. With a smile on my face and warmth in my heart, I walked away… SMACK!!! I killed the gnat that was flying around my face. Yep, I saved the turtle and “silenced” the gnat. Why??? Well, the apparent reason; gnats get into places they shouldn’t!! Buzzing around eyes and ears, they are annoying little… buzzers.

Are You Easily Annoyed?


I shocked myself with my thoughts. I reacted with compassion for the turtle and annoyance to the gnat. (Insert the people in your life.)
We don’t always understand the bigger picture, so we question and react poorly. I recognized my need to be mindful of my impulses, and even though it was a gnat, it showed me how quickly emotions change.

God Shows Mercy


In Luke 1:13-17, The angel Gabriel came to give Zechariah good news. An answer to his prayers! Not only was he going to have a son, but this child would announce the coming of the long-awaited Savior of the world. But, Zechariah smacked down this excellent news with his questions and doubts. Through the angel Gabriel, God responded to Zechariah by silencing him. Zechariah’s posture needed to change. God’s divine timing was at hand, and Zechariah was unaware of the glorious miracle that was about to take place.

Zechariah’s doubt demoted him. He was part of an intricately woven master plan but questioned the authority and ability of God. Zechariah underwent a divine season of reflection while learning new ways to communicate more effectively. WOW! That made the wonder of this miraculous event even more powerful and historic. God’s arrival in human form was something to behold, a prophecy fulfilled. But He had to work around His created humans.

Whether we meet turtles crossing the road or gnats that fly around us, we are responsible for what we feel, say, or do. Will we react in understanding, doubt, or annoyance? Let’s be careful not to quickly dismiss the events in our lives simply because we can not see the immediate usefulness. God’s plan defines us; we all serve a purpose in His WILL. How much involvement we have may depend on God being able to trust us.

Points to Ponder

  • For what am I idly praying?
  • Am I living out my purpose in God’s plan, or have I given myself “busy” work?
  • Has God rendered me silent in an area I wanted to celebrate because I doubted Him?

~Torrie Slaughter

 


 

 

 

This devotional was written and submitted by Torrie Slaughter (with a portion from The Gospel of Luke Devotional Save the Turtles, Silence the Gnats) the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

 

🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Numbers 19:1-20:29, Luke 1:1-25, Psalm 56:1-13, Proverbs 11:8

Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan  

Join us on the YouVersion App

 

 

 

A Daily Purpose

Bible Study, Teen Bible Study, , , , , , , , ,

Bible Study & Devotional

Guiding Scripture: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24, NIV)

 

🔴 Are You Ready to Pay the Price for Purpose?

At the time of this writing, there is a great deal of political upheaval in the United States. The past weeks, months, and years have been difficult and painful for most Americans, if we’re honest. I’ve noticed many people, including Christians, complaining that they feel pressure to choose a side. But this shouldn’t come as a surprise. Jesus told us that if we followed Him, the time would come when we would have to draw a line in the sand.

In Matthew 10:34 and 10:36, Jesus says, “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword…Your enemies will be right in your household!” (NLT)

Now, this certainly doesn’t mean that we should go around picking fights and causing trouble, far from it. However, it does mean that whenever we take a stand for Jesus, we should expect opposition. And whenever we pursue God’s purpose for our lives, we should be prepared to pay the price.
Sometimes the cost is popularity, for example:


1. You may be the only one in your group of single friends who believes in waiting until marriage to have sex.
2. The only person in your office who truthfully reports your time off.
3. The only one who calls out your family member who makes racist comments.

It’s never fun to be the only person who stands for righteousness, but as Paul says in Galatians 1:10, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (NIV).

Other times, the cost is much higher, forcing us to give up personal comfort, financial resources, or in the most extreme cases, our lives. With John’s exception, we believe all 12 disciples died violent deaths, many as martyrs for the Christian faith. Even today, thousands of Christians worldwide pay the ultimate price for their loyalty to Jesus every year. It’s a difficult thing to think about, but as tensions grow, we must ask ourselves:

Would we be willing to do the same if the situation called for it?

Jesus tells us repeatedly throughout Scripture that the life of a Christian isn’t an easy one, but the good news is that He also gives us hope. He promises that “Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29, NLT). Not only that, but He also assures us that when we acknowledge Him before men, He will do the same before His father in heaven (Matthew 10:32).


We must remember that Jesus has paid the price for us that we can never repay, and we honor that sacrifice by living for Him. If we want to live our lives with purpose, bringing glory to God and expanding His kingdom on the earth, we must serve Him wholeheartedly, knowing that we will reap tremendous blessings in return.


Are you ready to pay the price for purpose today?

~Lisa C. Gant

LISA C. GANT: CEO & Founder of Purpose Without Apology, the Podcast. Tune in for weekly podcasts and connect with Lisa on Instagram. Visit www.lisacgant.com for more information. 

 

This devotional was submitted by Lisa C. Gant, 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

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Leviticus 4:1-5:19, Mark 2:13-3:6, Psalm 36:1-12, Proverbs 10:1-2

Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan  

Join us on the YouVersion App

 

A Daily Purpose

Bible Study, Teen Bible Study, , , , , , , ,

Bible Study & Devotional (January 12, 2021)

Guiding Scripture: Luke 9:62 “Jesus replied, “Suppose someone starts to plow and then looks back. That person is not fit for service in God’s kingdom.” Luke 9:62

 

🔴 LOOKING BACK

Looking back is not bad if it reminds you not to repeat a past mistake. But dwelling on the past and stewing in what was is unproductive.  
 
In the Book Genesis, we learn how Lot’s (Abraham’s nephew), character revealed by his greed, wanted better grazing for his livestock and took no thought for its sinful surroundings. Lot gave his two virgin daughters to be raped by perverts. Consequently, his daughters committed incest to preserve their family line. When Lot and his family was rescued by Abraham’s initiation and pleas to God, Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of ________. (Challenge – Read Genesis 19:26 for the answer). Caution, don’t judge Lot’s wife too harshly; he wasn’t excited to leave the wealth and position that he comfortably enjoyed in Sodom.    
  
We learn as we see God’s patience and intercessory of the righteous on our behalf reaches God; we should develop our faith.

 

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord, help us to move forward with you and not hold on to pieces of our sin-sick old life and begin anew and serve only you. Create in us a clean heart. Please forgive us when we fall short, and give us the strength to follow you and your plans for us.
We love and adore you, Holy God. 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

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Genesis 26:17-27:46, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 10:6-18, Proverbs 3:9-10

Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan  

Join us on the YouVersion App

 

 

 

A Daily Purpose

Bible Study, Teen Bible Study, , , , , , , , ,

Bible Study & Devotional (January 14, 2021)

Guiding Scripture: James 1:2-4

 

🔴 TODAY’S TRIALS TOMORROW’S TESTIMONY!

Hardships are something that we all face. What if we never had any problems, nothing terrible ever happened to us, and life was always sunshine and rainbows? That would be delightful! We could just hop, skip, and sing a happy song every day with no worry or care in the world. Reality check!!! Adam and Eve had that in the Garden of Eden before they sinned against God.  

How do we get back to the utopia Adam and Eve shared in Eden?

  1. By acknowledging that we are sinners and disobey God.
  2. Ask God for forgiveness and turn from sin.
  3. Accept God as the One and only true God by believing in His Son, Jesus Christ.
  4.  Ask God to forgive us and save us by His grace and mercy.

When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we receive His salvation. Remember this: What belongs to God is His, and no one has the power to take from God what belongs to Him! How’s that for security?! 

Our education taught us to read and study. Schools tested our knowledge for retention. Likewise, trials and tests from life grow our faith and our ability to trust in God. Hardships help define our character, and the struggles define our attributes.

 

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, we know that you always provide a means of escape. Help us follow the path directly to you. Thanks for your promise to never leave or forsake us. Please remind us that when we are at the end of our rope, you are at work for us. We love you, Lord, and we come out shouting hallelujah and glorious praise and honor to 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

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Genesis 30:1-31:16, Matthew 10:1-23, Psalm 12:1-8, Proverbs 3:13-15

Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan  

Join us on the YouVersion App



A Daily Purpose

Bible Study, Teen Bible Study, , , , , , , , ,

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

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

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  

Join us on the YouVersion App