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A Daily Purpose

Bible Study, Teen Bible Study, , , , ,

Bible Study & Devotional 218

Written by: Torrie Slaughter

Guiding Scripture: Proverbs 20:24 ‘A person’s steps are directed by the Lord . How then can anyone understand their own way?’

 

🔴 How Do I Know?

  • Do I diligently consider my course of life?
  • Is every decision based on the knowledge that it will lead me to another choice?

That seems like a daunting task. To always look beyond the present and realize the future results of our actions.

We live in a ‘now’ and ‘trending’ society. If it’s good, fulfills an immediate desire, or profits our ego, we are likely to: ‘Go For It!’ Throwing caution and common sense to the wind and accept the quick win. Yay!?!

Our current desire is instant satisfaction. We don’t want to wait.

But God understands the universe from a different capacity. His knowledge and wisdom are far superior. Even the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom. (1 Corinthians 1:25) And yet, we don’t carefully consider all the repercussions of our behavior even though we have access to divine intelligence.

Why?

It’s embarrassing to not ‘know’ the answer, so we quickly make things up. For example, have you ever asked a stranger for directions and ended up more lost? We want to give solutions, even if they aren’t accurate.

But

God helps us when we ask. And speaking truth through Christ is beneficial to our spiritual growth. While we will not be all-knowing beings walking this earth, the opportunity to catch glimpses of His Divine understanding makes an impact.

Growing Knowledgable

Keep the lines of communication open between you and the Holy Spirit. Don’t be afraid to ponder the path you’re about to take. No matter the circumstance, you have multiple choices. Consider how God wants to use you at that moment and how your walk will inspire others to ask: How do you know?

Prayer: Father, please help to pause, reflect, ask, and yield to your wisdom. We can place our trust in you. Thank you for going before us and guiding our steps in Your Word. Jesus is the Way and the Truth. We want to bring You glory by learning more about Your ways. Amen.

 

🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan

Friday, August 6, 2021

Ezra 4:24-6:22, 1 Corinthians 3:5-23, Psalm 29:1-11, Proverbs 20:26-27

Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan  

Join us on the YouVersion App

 

This devotional was written by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® for A Daily Purpose Bible Study & Devotional. Want to hear more? Tune in on Mondays and listen to Our Given Purpose the Podcast and on Fridays to Talking on Purpose with Torrie the Podcast & Internet Show. Torrie also hosts a YouTube channel of the same name. 

 

 

Please consider supporting Our Given Purpose® by becoming a monthly sponsor or leave a tip in the tip jar!

 

A Daily Purpose

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

Bible Study & Devotional 200

Written by: Torrie Slaughter

Guiding Scripture: Romans 5:6-7 (emphasis added), At just the right time, Christ died for ungodly people. He died for us when we had no power of our own. It is unusual for anyone to die for a godly person. Maybe someone would be willing to die for a good person.

 

🔴Unusual 

As the Apostle Paul goes into a deeper discussion about atonement, his statements to the Jews and Gentiles reflect God’s great mercy.

“While we were yet, sinners.” (Romans 5:8) In our state of complete powerlessness, God sent His Son Jesus as the unblemished Lamb to die for the world’s sins. 

His Jewish audience would thoroughly understand God’s sacrificial system of the Old Testament. Their practice of sacrifice-(placing their sins on a flawless animal) was for reconciliation. The Pagans also practice a version of this to their deities (1 Kings 4:4-11). 

To understand Christ’s transcendent atoning for our sins is incomprehensible. As finite beings, that type of love for His image-bearers is the tension with which we struggle. 

John 15:13, No one has greater love than the one who gives his life for his friends. 

And we know Jesus consistently prayed for those who “knew not what they did” (Luke 23:34) and reminds us to forgive one another. To love is an unusual sacrifice when we’ve experienced abuse, trauma, and rejection. Loving those who do not love us back is the thread of being blameless before God.

As you read today, think about why the Old Testament sacrificial system was necessary. How did it prepare the hearts of God’s chosen people to comprehend the transcendent nature of Jesus’ work on the cross? While ethically we deserve death (Romans 1:32), God proves He so loved the world that He provided divine reconciliation. 

What will motivate you to be prosperous? Your sin debt paid, the victory you can walk in, or the justice you receive? God wants to restore us to a right relationship. Faith covered by grace declares we are not guilty.  Isn’t that unusual?

Prayer: Lord, because of your sacrifice, we can break free of the bondage of sin. That includes the way we think, act, and behave. Would you please help us understand the importance of your habits to acknowledge our unbeneficial actions? Please be with us as we wrestle with arrogance, pride, and vanity so we can humble ourselves before You. We want the ‘hell’ in our ways to be removed. You are our Redeemer, and without you, we can do nothing. We submit to your will Lord. Amen

 

 

🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan

Monday, July 19, 2021

1 Chronicles 28:1-29:30, Romans 5:6-21, Psalm 15:1-5, Proverbs 19:18-19

Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan  

Join us on the YouVersion App

 

This devotional was written by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® for A Daily Purpose Bible Study & Devotional. Want to hear more? Tune in on Mondays and listen to Our Given Purpose the Podcast and on Fridays to Talking on Purpose with Torrie the Podcast & Internet Show. Torrie also hosts a YouTube channel of the same name. 

 

 

Please consider supporting Our Given Purpose® by becoming a monthly sponsor or leave a tip in the tip jar!

 

A Daily Purpose

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

Bible Study & Devotional 197

Written by: Torrie Slaughter

Guiding Scripture: Romans 3:20, “So it can’t be said that anyone will be made right with God by obeying the Law. Not at all! The Law makes us more aware of our sin.”

🔴Justified

Justification leads to knowledge of sin, and God provided Jesus Christ to justify us through faith in His Son.

The Jews believed the Law (Torah) excluded them from judgment. They held the superior belief that because God chose them to be their people, unquestionably, they were better than the Gentiles.(?!?)

The Apostle Paul pointed out the error of their ways.
 

Everyone falls short. We are all sinners. Romans 3:23

No one is good. Romans 3:10

Paul reminded his audience that the Lord looks down from heaven and wants to see any understanding and trust in God is present. (Psalm 14:2)

So, how do we become good if the Bible declares there isn’t even one?

Faith.

When God moves a willing person, someone who desires to be transformed, from a state of sin to one of grace, they are justified by faith.

Paul’s conversion story is a powerful example of God showing up. (Acts 9:1-22) God used Paul’s gifts and talents to glorify and propel the Good News. Jesus penetrated the layer of pride Paul had to change his perspective. Our Lord can do the same for us. Just like the Jews who knew the Law and created stumbling blocks for the Gentiles, we too can get in the way of the Gospel.

As you read today’s passages, think about your posture before God. Are you a willing participant in this life cooperating with Jesus? Or are you planning your disobedience by making excuses?

 

Let’s Pray Psalm 12 together: Help us, Lord, for no one is faithful, and those who are loyal have vanished. We’ve become liars and speak all types of corruption from our lips. But we know Your ways are higher, and your infinite understanding can realign your people. We need your protection Lord, cover us with your presence, for we groan in need. Be a shield in front of our enemies. Lord, keep us humble and our words flawless as we seek your face. Amen

 

🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan

Friday, July 16, 2021

1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32, Romans 3:9-31, Psalm 12:1-8, Proverbs 19:13-14

Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan  

Join us on the YouVersion App

 

This devotional was written by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® for A Daily Purpose Bible Study & Devotional. Want to hear more? Tune in on Mondays and listen to Our Given Purpose the Podcast and on Fridays to Talking on Purpose with Torrie the Podcast & Internet Show. Torrie also hosts a YouTube channel of the same name. 

 

 

Please consider supporting Our Given Purpose® by becoming a monthly sponsor or leave a tip in the tip jar!

 

A Daily Purpose

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

Bible Study & Devotional Day 180

Written by: Torrie Slaughter

Guiding Scripture: Acts 19:15 ‘One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?”  

🔴Belonging

Clearing out the clutter helps us gain clarity. We see a more comprehensive, more pronounced picture of who we are in Christ. What we say versus what we do is the manifestation of our belief in Jesus.

If we belong to God through His Son Jesus, even the evil spirits will know it. These demons who roam the earth to carry out their father’s work, Satan, have one job-kill, steal, destroy! It is wise for us not to ignore them, but it can become unhealthy to make spiritual warfare a primary duty. God is in control and rules over the heavens and earth.


What can we do?

Putting on the divine armor of God, we can wage battle against the excuses we make when we sin. It begins with the WHO we belong. Jesus is the unblemished Lamb of God who died for our sins. But repentance is not enough, we must receive the Holy Spirit and faithfully follow Christ and His forgiveness.

As you read today take a personal inventory. Read with Christ at the center and ask yourself if you’ve made Him your Savior.

I want to close this devotional with two quotes and implore you to think about your thoughts, actions, and deeds throughout this day. Are you focused on eternal things?

J.M. Boice wrote, “No human birth can compare to the supernatural birth of a child of God.”
Dwight Ozard, “The greatest mission field we face is not some faraway land. It’s barely across the street. The culture most lost to the gospel is our own-our children and neighbors.”
 

Prayer: Lord, let us know You and hear Your voice above all. Amen

 

This devotional was written by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® for A Daily Purpose Bible Study & Devotional. Want to hear more? Tune in on Mondays and listen to Our Given Purpose the Podcast and on Fridays to Talking on Purpose with Torrie the Podcast & Internet Show. Torrie also hosts a YouTube channel of the same name. 

 

🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

2 Kings 15:1-16, Acts 19:13-41, Psalm 147:1-20, Proverbs 18:4-5

Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan  

Join us on the YouVersion App

 

Consider supporting Our Given Purpose® by becoming a monthly donor or leave a tip in the tip jar!

 

A Daily Purpose

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

Bible Study & Devotional Day 152

Written by: Torrie Slaughter

Guiding Scripture: : 2 Samuel 18:29, ‘The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” Ahimaaz answered, “I saw great confusion just as Joab was about to send the king’s servant and me, your servant, but I don’t know what it was.” 

🔴The Truth In Layers?

2 Samuel 18 tells the story of Absolom’s death. In many ways, we are reading the consequences of things left undone. (Joshua 11:15)

It is challenging not to compare ourselves in these narratives as it feels so modern. We may ask: what has changed? Well, the truth is God created humans in His image. He gave us a choice in the garden of Eden, to trust entirely in Him or seize autonomy. The battle with the truth began, as did blame, excuses, and death. Some theologians have argued that perhaps men would have been better off alone and often attempt to silence women. Is that an excuse?

Each of us can influence change in our ecosystem. We choose the layers to fortify and equip the people God has entrusted to us. In reading 2 Samuel 13, David continues to live under the rebuke of the prophet Nathan (to offer more grace to others); he did not punish his son Amnon. 

Fast-forward to 2 Samuel 18, and we wonder if earlier discipline would have rendered a different result. 

The ecosystem of King David’s kingdom is strained because of his emotional state and consequences of sinful behaviors. Although the Lord will work everything together for the good of those who love Him, King David is in a downward spiral. 

Take 2 Samuel 18:11-15, for example. Joab, the commander, and nephew of King David, willfully disobeyed a direct order. He even chastised his soldier.

And then we read in 2 Samuel 18:19-23 that Ahimaaz begs to deliver the news of Absolam’s death and Joab’s reluctance.  

Perhaps Ahimaaz thought he was softening the blow of truth that he knew the Egyptian(Cushite) would bring. No matter the reasoning, we still practice these same actions. Death and destruction have a way of complicating the most straightforward of circumstances. However, our God teaches that being spiritually sound and of a good mind helps us understand the truth (Proverbs 3:5). It is also beneficial to others in our midst. 

As you read today’s passages, think about your layers. Are your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors able to tell you the truth without fear? Are you able to handle the truth with wisdom and take action as the Lord directs?  

 


 

 

 

This devotional was written by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® for A Daily Purpose Bible Study & Devotional. 

 

🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

2 Samuel 18:1-19:10, John 20:1-31, Psalm 119:153-176, Proverbs 16:14-15

Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan  

Join us on the YouVersion App

 

Support Our Given Purpose® by becoming a monthly donor!