Guiding Scriptures: Psalm 103:2 ' Bless the Lord , O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, '

written by: Torrie Slaughter

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.

Join us each day as we read the One Year Bible together. Listen to the devotionals and use them as a space to begin or end the assigned Bible reading. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to share your insights!

Connect with Torrie via www.torrieslaughter.com

Torrie is a media ministry consultant who works with churches and faith driven organizations to build their ministry team, grow their online presence, improve communication with staff and volunteers by creating systems designed to combat inertia.

This devotional was submitted by the Founder of Our Given Purpose®, Torrie Slaughter

Read Today's Assigned Passages

Guiding Scripture: Proverbs 14:15 "The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps."

written by: Torrie Slaughter

Hard-hitting truth. That's what Proverbs 14:15 is for me. It is the no filtered version comparing simpletons and wisdom seekers. But here is a glimmer of hope. In Hebrew, the word simple is pethi which describes someone who is ignorant, but unlike fools, the simple can learn.

While we can't breathe a complete sigh of relief, we can ask God to help us develop wisdom. If we choose to remain uneducated in areas that affect ourselves and others, that is negligence. How can we exercise our power to change so many aspects and gain information to be good stewards of our lives?

Join us each day as we read the One Year Bible together. Listen to the devotionals and use them as a space to begin or end the assigned Bible reading. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to share your insights!

Connect with Torrie via www.torrieslaughter.com

Torrie is a media ministry consultant who works with churches and faith driven organizations to build their ministry team, grow their online presence, improve communication with staff and volunteers by creating systems designed to combat inertia.

This devotional was submitted by the Founder of Our Given Purpose®, Torrie Slaughter

written by: Torrie Slaughter

Today we begin the beautiful work by John. While there is a divide between which John is the author (John the son of Zebedee or John the Elder) the story does not lose its authenticity. Who is Jesus and who is He to you? That is the central question and one that sparks debates across religions. As a Trinitarian I believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Well, I could go into lengthy discussions and share countless ways God speaks to me through His Word and the love I feel as I repent of unspeakable sins. Yet, God never leaves me nor forsakes me. And He is always with you.

In this moment I would like you to read John 1:1-18 and see the heart of God moving through every situation in your life. I've often asked myself why would God manifest Himself in human form to draw His children back to Him? And the conclusion I come away with is persevere to continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.

Join us each day as we read the One Year Bible together. Listen to the devotionals and use them as a space to begin or end the assigned Bible reading. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to share your insights!

Connect with Torrie via www.torrieslaughter.com

Torrie is a media ministry consultant who works with churches and faith driven organizations to build their ministry team, grow their online presence, improve communication with staff and volunteers by creating systems designed to combat inertia.

This devotional was submitted by the Founder of Our Given Purpose®, Torrie Slaughter

Guiding Scriptures: Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.

written by: Torrie Slaughter

"Loss of control is always the source of fear; it is also, however, always the source of change." Jams Frey

Things change, and we choose how to react. Last year I had a plan, but it wasn't the right time to execute all of it. The Pandemic became the focus of a common enemy at first but quickly divided people.

There is a way that appears rational, and it's simple to follow a plan that would please a distinct group of people. However, we must consider the bigger picture, which includes prayer and asking God to direct us.

Join us each day as we read the One Year Bible together. Listen to the devotionals and use them as a space to begin or end the assigned Bible reading. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to share your insights!

Connect with Torrie via www.torrieslaughter.com

Torrie is a media ministry consultant who works with churches and faith driven organizations to build their ministry team, grow their online presence, improve communication with staff and volunteers by creating systems designed to combat inertia.

This devotional was submitted by the Founder of Our Given Purpose®, Torrie Slaughter

📌 Read Today's Passages (April 28, 2022)

Guiding Scripture: Judges 8:27: “Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family.”

By Contributing Writer Magan Martin

Sometimes in life, we are knowingly fighting spiritual battles. These battles come in so many different forms, don’t they? Sometimes it’s in addictions, abuse, anger, relationships, hardships. . . truly, the list can go on and on. I won’t spend too much time talking about these battles because that’s not the focus for us today, but the truth is, as Christ-followers, we know how to combat those battles, don’t we? I’m not saying they’re easy fights, but we learn to pull out Ephesians 6:11-17, the whole armor of God. We know that our battle is lost without God, so we fight fervently, clinging to the Lord—and we’re victorious in Him.

Gideon, though he wasn’t perfect, excelled in the moments of spiritual battle. He listened to God and fought, standing in the faith tha

Read More at www.ourgivenpurpose.com

Join us each day as we read the One Year Bible together. Listen to the devotionals and use them as a space to begin or end the assigned Bible reading. Follow us on Facebook & Instargram to share your insights!

Connect with Magan Martin at www.wrongkindofchristian.com

Magan hails from the heart of the USA, in the very southeast corner of Kansas. She's married with three beautiful kids who keep them on their toes. Magan and her husband both own businesses as well as work regular jobs. You can find us on Facebook Crown Promotions and Big End Motorsports. Magan also teaches online English classes every morning to kiddos in China.  And serves as a youth minister and on the local school board.

So how is Magan the “wrong” kind of Christian? Follow the link to her website and find out more.

This devotional was submitted by Magan Martin, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Contributing Writer: Holly Rigos

If there is one book of the Bible I would recommend to new believers and readers of God’s Word, it would be reading a chapter in Proverbs every day. With 31 chapters, it is a book about wisdom, knowledge, and the folly of sin.

Personally, as a mother of four children, we turn to this book often when providing simple instructions and eventually more complex instructions for difficult conversations around obedience, discipline, sexual immorality, and character.

For example, in Proverbs 14:7-8, for children (and adults) struggling to find their community, crowd, and proper influence in their lives.

-fools means a senseless fellow, a dullard, and biblically, it means someone who disregards God’s word. He is often contrasted with a wise person such as in this verse and in Ecclesiastes 10:2. He hates knowledge, takes no pleasure in understanding, enjoys wicked schemes, proclaims folly, and much more.

(Read the following verses for more descriptions of a fool - Prov. 1:22; 18:2; 10:23; 12:23; 15:5; 19:1; 12:16; 14:3; 14:9; 14:8; 15:20; 17:25; 19:13; 6:32; 7:1-12; 14:1)

Join us each day as we read the One Year Bible together. Listen to the devotionals and use them as a space to begin or end the assigned Bible reading. Follow us on Facebook & Instargram to share your insights!

Connect with Holly Rigos

Wife.Mom.Storyteller.Photographer.Teacher.TechDIYer.Believer.

After enduring two family members succumbing to cancer, two family friends were killed in the line of duty only then to watch my own husband battle Lymphoma in his 30s. I was at a crossroads with my faith - I could either TRUST GOD or not. I choose to TRUST and CAPTURE our legacy for God’s glory.

This devotional was submitted by Holly Rigos, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Guiding Scripture: Luke 22:63-65, The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him.64 They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?”65 And they said many other insulting things to him.

Contributing Writer: Joshua Slaughter

Let's linger on these verses. Jesus is a man of limitless power. He certainly knew who hit Him. But He said nothing. He wasn’t going to shy away from the plan God had for him. The pain of being separated from God the Father was more unbearable than the physical pain He endured. In order to save humanity and glorify God, Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb.

Many of us would waver at the mass amount of trauma Jesus was going through. And yet, He still went forward.

Join us each day as we read the One Year Bible together. Listen to the devotionals and use them as a space to begin or end the assigned Bible reading. Follow us on Facebook & Instargram to share your insights!

Connect with  Joshua Slaughter

Joshua is the founder and host of Technically Unbothered, a podcast, mentality, and movement focused on helping others be comfortable with technology. Being 'Technically Unbothered' means growing horizontally with the ever-changing digital environment.

This devotional was submitted by Joshua Slaughter, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Contributing Writer: Broderick Slaughter

Solomon continues sharing his wisdom; in Proverbs 14: 7-8. These verses state that we should "stay away from fools, for you won't find knowledge on their lips." The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.

At the beginning of the collection of Proverbs, Solomon tells us that in this book, we are trying to teach people wisdom and discipline to help them understand the insights of the wise (Proverbs 1:2). In these passages, Solomon tells us that the knowledge we need comes from the word and not the world, and if anybody is trying to feed you, the scraps of the worldly and not the bread of life are fools. We need to move away from people who are not providing for our souls- away from those not walking the same path. However, we cannot close our eyes to the wanderers or the lost.

Read More at www.ourgivenpurpose.com

Join us each day as we read the One Year Bible together. Listen to the devotionals and use them as a space to begin or end the assigned Bible reading. Follow us on Facebook & Instargram to share your insights!

Connect with Broderick Slaughter

Broderick is a man of God, devoted father, and loving husband. He is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration and transitioning into entrepreneurship. Broderick enjoys art, photography and is a fitness enthusiast. He loves to motivate people to push past their struggles to reach the purpose God intended them to have. He often reminds others, “Never limit yourself, we are here for a purpose.”

This devotional was submitted by Broderick Slaughter, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Guiding Scripture: Judges 2:9-10 'After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. 10 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. '

written by Torrie Slaughter

Plans change, perspectives shift, and life is stressful. Our circle of influence shapes our thinking. We can be easily manipulated into a rebellious path if we do not heed the warnings. (Joshua 24:14)

Yesterday we reviewed the benefits of prayer, praise, and meditation to strengthen our spirits. As God speaks through his people in time of apostasy, we can learn to adjust accordingly. We live in a time that requires us to be still and know that the Lord He is God. He will never leave, nor will He forsake us. Understanding who we are in Christ is the filter through which we, as humans, can decide to be kind, show mercy, and not be oppressive. (Judges 2:18)

Join us each day as we read the One Year Bible together. Listen to the devotionals and use them as a space to begin or end the assigned Bible reading. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram to share your insights!

Connect with Torrie via www.torrieslaughter.com

Torrie is a media ministry consultant who works with churches and faith driven organizations to build their ministry team, grow their online presence, improve communication with staff and volunteers by creating systems designed to combat inertia.

This devotional was submitted by the Founder of Our Given Purpose®, Torrie Slaughter

Guiding Scripture: Psalms 90-91:16

Contributing Writer: Sheila Arrington

With a sigh, we notice how time ticks by- in our busyness of life. It is so important that we remember that our life is just but a vapor. In all generations of humanity, God has been his dwelling place. As a matter of fact, this Psalm reminds us that God was there before He created the mountains and earth. He is from everlasting to everlasting.

Moses, the author of Psalm 90-91, asks God to teach us to know the number of days and wisdom so we may spend our days wisely. I think about how God has a purpose for each

Read More at www.ourgivenpurpose.com

Join us each day as we read the One Year Bible together. Listen to the devotionals and use them as a space to begin or end the assigned Bible reading. Follow us on Facebook & Instargram to share your insights!

Connect with Sheila Arrington www.sheilaarringtonministries.com

Sheila is a licensed and ordained minister, known as an ardent prayer warrior and teacher of the Word. She is a sought-out speaker; women love her relatable transparency and energetic approach to sharing the Word and empowering women to live their God-given purpose.

A national speaker and founder of multiple Christian Conferences such as the "Purposely Designed Conference," "Yes, Mom, We Will Celebrate You," and Spirit, Soul, and Body Expo.

This devotional was submitted by Sheila Arrington, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.