Guiding Scripture:Luke 15:6 And when he returns home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!'

What is a parable? According to Google it is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels.

Jesus told the disciples that the mysteries of the kingdom of God are unlocked for them to understand. However, those who were offended or repelled by His Words would not comprehend. (Luke 8:10)

In Luke chapter 15 he presents three different parables all about the lost being found: the Parable of the Lost Sheep(Luke 15:3-7), the Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10), and the Parable of the Lost or Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).

The sheep, perhaps led astray, was separated from the rest. The owner couldn't remember where they placed the coin, and the son chose to be independent and lost his way.

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 11, 2022)

Guiding Scripture:Luke 14:18-20 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’.

written by: Diana L.W. Coleman

Let’s face it, when we are not willing to work at something, we can find a million excuses to avoid accomplishing anything! How often(for those who before Covid -19 worked outside of the home) are not bothering to get dressed but rather lounge around in sweatpants with no attention to skincare, makeup, or hairstyling? We won’t bother to mention those who have worked from home all along and do the arm test before even taking a shower!

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 & Instagram to share your insights!

Diana, is a woman of God, entrepreneur, and Bible teacher. She loves water aerobics and enjoys conversations with friends. You can connect with Diana at Living Earth CBD part of Wakanna For Life a holistic approach to healing.

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.

📌 Read Today's Passages (April 10, 2022)

Guiding Scripture: Proverbs 12:26 (KJV), "The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them."

Contributing Writer: Temi Michael-O

What makes us righteous is not what we do to earn God’s love. Rather, we are righteous because we respond to God’s love by keeping his commandments (John 14:15). As we choose the ways of an excellent God, we become people of excellence and a guide for those around us.

Proverbs 12:26 reminds me of Daniel in the old testament. Daniel was a standard for others. Daniel 6:3 (KJV) says, “Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.” The same spirit of excellence is in every believer who has received the Holy Spirt (Acts 19:2), and we are empowered to operate in excellence as we lean on the Holy Spirit for help in our endeavors.

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 Temi Michael-O at www.christianmommas.com

Temitope Michael-Olaniran (Fafore) is a wife, #boymom, and U.S. Army veteran. She is the author of A Christian Mother’s Creed and founder of Christian Mommas. As an advocate for spiritual and emotional wellness, Temi provides spiritual and emotional support to families of children ages zero to five. She is a Perinatal, Infant, and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant, Certified New Parent Educator and trained Postpartum Doula. She enjoys traveling, blogging, and spending time with her family.

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

📌 Read Today's Passages 

Guiding Scripture: Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.

Contributing Writer: Robin Lambert

Anxiety can creep in at any time. You live in a world that attacks you daily with events and situations that cause worry and panic to rise. Anxiety, if left unaddressed, can slowly rise to a level of non-stop panic and fear. While you may do a good job at hiding and masking it, the anxious feelings will destroy from the inside out. From the inability to focus on tasks to panic attacks, Satan will use anxiety to stop you from living the full life God has for you.

When anxiety overwhelms you, find that friend who understands you, believes in you, will pray for you and can give you that encouraging word. Choose a friend who will lead you to thankful praying over wallowing in anxiety and worry.

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 & Instagram to share your insights!

Connect with Robin Lambert via Facebook & Instagram

Robin is a California native and a SW Virginia resident who is a wife, mother, grandmother, Young Living Essential Oils representative and founder of Emotionally Messy Friends. The Church is full of women who desire a deeper walk with Christ. Their lives may be a mess, but God doesn’t want to keep them that way!

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

📌 Read Today's Passages 

Contributing Writer: Stephanie Bright

Psalm 78 is a psalm of reflection. It puts us in a position to take time to think back on the wonders of God and all that He has done. Reflection is something that we all should do every now and then to remember God’s faithfulness. One specific verse that caught my attention in today’s reading was actually Psalm 78:58:

Throughout the reading for today, we see what God did with the Israelites. We see how he pronounced judgment but also rescued them, saved them from their enemies and brought them into safety.

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 Stephanie Bright at www.christiangirlspop.com

Stephanie is an on-fire woman of God living in Houston, Texas. As a woman of God, Stephanie commits to the purpose of serving others while building confidence in God through obedience and fervently prays for intimate relationships with God for every Christian girl. Stephanie is inspired to bring CGPOP to college campuses worldwide and is experienced in several areas to guide young women into a meaningful relationship with Christ.

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

📌 Read Today's Passages 

Guiding Scripture: Luke 12: 18-19, “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

Written By Reason A. Chandler

The value of life for many depends on things accumulated over time. So much so that it is wired into how we determine our worth. Some, place their value in other things such as heavenly possessions. The Bible communicates to us the importance of place and time.

The man in the story has placed his value in his food supply and is content with what he has accomplished, and is now ready to rest and relax because he has more than enough food to last him a long time.

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 & Instagram to share your insights!

Reason A. Chandler, is a pastor serving within the United Methodist Virginia Conference. As the senior Pastor of Jackson Street United Methodist Church (JSUMC) in Lynchburg, Virginia, he has inspired the community to push beyond the limits. The last seven years at JSUMC laid the foundation to move worship into a digital space. The pandemic provided an opportunity to grow and expand the ministry virtually, with Sunday service available on YouTube. Connect with Reason via Facebook.

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

written by Torrie Slaughter

Psalm 105:8- God remembers His covenant forever.

2 Corinthians 12:9 God's grace is sufficient His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your cares on the Lord.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength.

Social media is full of 'tests' to tell us who we are. They are generally fun, and the topics are endless—find your identity based on your favorite color or which celebrity you most resemble. It's easy to get sucked in and waste time.

But what about our relationship with God? Who does He want us to be?

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: Psalm 77:1-20

written by: Torrie Slaughter

It's a curious thing when we desire mercy for ourselves but don't want God to extend it to others.

As you read Psalm 77:1-20, think about your experiences, both private and professional. Ask yourself if your inaction or confusion is a delay tactic or a cover-up. What I know for sure is that we cannot hide from God. The truth will rise, and it may reveal we weren't innocent victims. May the eyes of your heart be opened to not travel down the same path or continue the same sin differently.

Focus on God's past actions as you make choices that will affect your family, business, ministry, or organization. Will our Lord be pleased?

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 

Guiding Scripture: Luke 11:1 “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Contributing Writer: Christina Price

In Luke 11, the Disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray. Jesus models this in the Lord’s prayer and provides an outline. As we continue to read in the passage, He supports the outline of prayer with introducing facets of relationship such as a friend arriving for a visit and most importantly a parent.

I believe this is pivotal to understand as we pray and to know that you are communicating with a Father who knows the intricate parts of you. Scripture plainly tells us that God made all the delicate, inner parts of our body and knit us together in our mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13)

As we pray and hone into our source, His power is transferred to us. We defeat the enemy and his tactics to keep us bound under various strongholds in life.

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 & Instagram to share your insights!

Christina Price on Instagram and visit www.amazon.com to purchase her devotional memoir Saved By Choice

Christina was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in a Hindu household.  She accepted Jesus as a teenager after being introduced to Christianity by her mother, who became saved herself just a few years before passing away from cancer. After walking away from her faith for years, Christina recommitted her life to Christ as an adult and is now passionate about the Lord and serving others. She believes sharing her experiences will encourage readers to stretch past the superficial trappings of life, and embrace the sovereignty of God’s purpose in their lives.

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

📌 Read Today's Passages 

Guiding Scripture: Luke 10:20, “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Jesus sends out 70 (or 72) disciples to help prepare the way for him into Jerusalem.  He gives them explicit instructions on how to be received and how to interact with their hosts.  Most importantly, He gives direction about their purpose.

When these disciples return, they are ecstatic that they accomplished that and more!  They were able to cast out demons in the name of Jesus. But the Lord reminds them that the power and authority they’ve been given came from Him anyway.  So they’re not to be surprised about that.  Instead, they should rejoice that their names are written in heaven.

The older saints would often say, “If He never does anything else, He’s already done enough.”  Nice lyrics.  But how true is it?

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 Detria Moore at www.detriamoore.com

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.