Guiding Scripture: Psalm 56:3 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Written By Lisa C. Gant

When we’re small children, fear is easy enough to identify, often taking the form of invisible monsters who lurk under the bed or hide in dark closets. Over time, however, we learn that those fears usually aren’t based on reality. The monsters that we imagined with sharp claws, shaggy fur, and vicious fangs aren’t real, and nothing is waiting in the dark to grab us while we sleep.

As adults, fear becomes menacing in a different way. Instead of ghosts, monsters, or werewolves that fill our nightmares, our fears take the form of a cancer diagnosis, a sudden job loss, or the death of a loved one. Each day, we battle these larger-than-life fears that seek to rob us of peace.

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 Lisa

Is the CEO and founder of Gant Editorial Services and the founder of Purpose Without Apology, a podcast that teaches women of faith how to boldly live out their God-given purpose. She is also a wife to my incredible husband of sixteen years, and a mom of two brilliant, wonderful children. Tune in for uplifting Bible teaching podcasts and connect with Lisa on Instagram. Visit www.lisacgant.com for more information and how you can work with Lisa.

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.

📌 Read Today's Assigned Passages

by Torrie Slaughter

Betrayal is challenging to navigate, especially when it's a close friend. Well it isn't easier to deal being betrayed by a stranger or enemy, but, at least the situation is explainable. Psalm 55 is the emotional place many of us have experienced. We feel trapped by hostile forces, and yet that doesn't shake our trust. However, those who cried, talked, laughed, and loved with us make the burden of chaos unbearable.

If you feel attacked by the enemy as he uses your career, home, schedule, or loved ones against you, be still. Ask God to help you follow His will and not lean into your own understanding.

Through prayer and reflection God will remind us that we are human no matter how 'closely' we walk with Him. We all fall short. (Romans 3:23) We need our Lord to help us clarify and organize to solve issues of the heart with compassion.

I have often used the analogy of the grocery cart to explain how our actions affect everyone. We can sit in the cart with the fake steering wheel and believe we have control. But standing right behind us is the person operating every turn, controlling the speed, and direction.

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

The following is a portion of an article from The Christian Post by Kevin Porter

"When Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was captured, he sweated blood out of distress about the crucifixion. "This is a known medical condition called hematidrosis. It's not very common, but it is associated with a high degree of psychological stress," Metherell adds.

"What this did was set up the skin to be extremely fragile so that when Jesus was flogged by the Roman soldier the next day, his skin would be very, very sensitive. Roman floggings were known to be terribly brutal. They usually consisted of 39 lashes but frequently were a lot more than that ...

"The soldier would use a whip of braided leather thongs with metal balls woven into them," he continued. "When the whip would strike the flesh, these balls would cause deep bruises or contusions, which would break open with further blows. And the whip had pieces of sharp bone as well which would cut the flesh severely.

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 (March 10, 2022)

Guiding Scripture: Proverbs 11:4, "Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."

Contributing Writer: Temi Michael-O

I love that this scripture does not simply say “wealth is worthless.” The truth is that wealth is not worthless because God gives us the power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). Wealth is an essential tool for meeting the needs of others. However, wealth without righteousness is worthless. Wealth cannot give eternal life.

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 (March 9, 2022)

Guiding Scripture: Mark 14:48-50, And Jesus said to them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a man inciting a revolt? 49 Every day I was with you within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me; but this has taken place so that the Scriptures will be fulfilled." 50 And His disciples all left Him and fled.

Contributing Writer: Robin Lambert

Jesus knew Judas' heart, and He still washed his feet.

It's difficult to understand or believe that God can use broken people or flawed individuals to fulfill His plan. Yet, throughout the scriptures, you see Him do this. David dealt with rejection from King Saul. Joseph with betrayal from his brothers. Rahab with her sinful past. Elijah with his bouts of depression. And yes, even Judas who delivered Jesus into the hands of an enemy in violation of his allegiance to Jesus as one of His disciples.

Jesus may have marveled at the small army that came to arrest Him. Yet, He was in command; with a word, He could have destroyed all those who came to arrest Him. Jesus could have stopped Judas from betraying Him, but Jesus knew God had a plan.

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 (March 8, 2022)

Contributing Writer: Stephanie Bright

Have you ever read a passage of scripture and just LAUGHED? And you laughed at what happened but also at the fact that you could relate to the people in the story? That’s what this passage of scripture does for me. God led the Israelites out of captivity and slavery from Egypt miraculously. He parted the Red Sea, led them through on the dry ground, and drowned all of their enemies. Now, He was leading them into the promises that He had for them. GOD provided for the Israelites the entire time. Already, we see the magnificence and divine attributes of God.

We see it as we read, but the Israelites could NOT see 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 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 (March 7, 2022)

Written By Reason A. Chandler

Watch is a word of advisory to the wise as it gives warning of things to come. For a while, I lived my life as unwise, meaning I did not want to remember anything taught to me by my parents, grandparents, and the people around me. I tried to hide any signs of upbringing that would indicate where I was from and become something different. Of course, I wanted acceptance by everyone I encountered.

My need for approval overcomes my need to watch. So when certain things begin to happen in life, it is somehow connected to something you were taught in the past.

As the seasons change, so does everything around you.

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.

📌 Read Today's Passages March 6, 2022

Written by: Torrie Slaughter

Numbers 6:22-27 The Lord said to Moses, 23 "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

24 "The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."'

27 "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

There are several songs that I love to sing and permeate my space. The Blessing is one of them. If you haven't heard this incredible song by Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes, I highly recommend looking it up on YouTube.

While the Lord was instructing Moses on setting up the tabernacle, consecrating the people, and bringing an offering, I asked: what could I learn? How is my posture in worship? That is a question for all who claim that Jesus Christ is Lord.

All too often, there is a disconnect between the heart and the mind. How do we solve the problem of communication with our Lord? We pray!

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 March 5, 2022

Written by: Torrie Slaughter

How do we love our neighbor?

We learn how to be a friend by becoming one. Following Christ's example, we can study the Word of God and apply it to our lives.

Prayer is a powerful tool, but like anything, we have to practice exercising our spiritual muscles. How will we know God is speaking to us? We have the power of discernment to receive God's word; by getting to know Him, we can imitate what we read. Turn to God and become healthy in mind, body, and spirit. Enjoying the freedom of knowing God is the essential part of our day.

The whole point is to show love; to be love, we must communicate what the other cannot see. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. We can trust Him to give us the answers and steer us in the correct direction. Letting go of the arrogance of believing we can do it ourselves.

Love serves, love disciplines, love is faithful, love is sincere. Love is a responsibility of our hearts.

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 (March 4, 2022)

Guiding Scripture: Mark 11:28, “They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”

Contributing Writer: Christina Price

The dictionary defines authority as (1) the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience and (2) a person or organization having power or control in a particular (typically political or administrative) sphere. In Mark chapter 11, the teachers of religious law challenged the authority of Jesus and demanded to know what power gave him the right to do all these things.

As they challenged the authority of Jesus within the chapter, I couldn’t help thinking that Christians today, sometimes allow our authority to be questioned. Then it raised the question, as followers of Christ do, we truly know and OWN our spiritual authority in Christ?

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.