📌 Read Today's Passages (March 3, 2022)

Guiding Scripture:  Mark 11:13-14, “And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.  And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. “

There is power in your words!  Do you believe that you have faith to move mountains?   This is exactly what Jesus conveyed to his disciples in this chapter. Jesus has made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  He is hungry when He sees a fig tree with leaves on it, but ends up cursing the fig tree; even though, as Mark explains, it was not the season for figs.

This might seem extreme.  Why curse a fig tree when it’s not even in season?  A lot of commentaries agree that Jesus cursed the fig tree, because even if it was out of season, it was giving the appearance of bearing fig when in actuality it was not.  It had produced leaves, which would have been a sign that it should have fruit.  Jesus didn’t want the fig tree to deceive anyone else.

But let’s also examine another example.

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.

📌 Read Today's Passages March 2, 2022

Guiding Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Written By Torrie Slaughter

Our circle of confidants may change as a result of seeking to be healed.

We read about the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, crying out to be healed by Jesus, but he was told to be quiet: to stop yelling. Jesus had already performed many miracles; everyone knew His character of mercy, love, and grace. The "people" standing closest to Bartimaeus told him to hush. Bartimaeus cried out even louder, and Jesus, the Son of God, healed him because of his faith and belief.

We will show our reverence to God through how we treat ourselves and others.

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 1, 2022

Guiding Scripture: Mark 10:21 "Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

🔴 Grasping at Shadows

Written By Torrie Slaughter

When I was a child, I read lots of Aesop Fables. They were truths explained in a way I could digest. Today I turned to one of my favorites which is the Dog and the Shadow. In this fable, the dog carried a large piece of meat in his mouth to take home to enjoy. As he crossed over a creek using a plank, he looked down and saw his reflection. The dog thought it to be another dog with a bigger piece of meat in his mouth. Deciding he wanted both; he snapped at the reflection losing his dinner in the process.

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 February 28, 2022

Guiding Scripture: Leviticus 22:22  Do not offer to the Lord the blind, the injured or the maimed, or anything with warts or festering or running sores. Do not place any of these on the altar as a food offering presented to the Lord.

written by Torrie Slaughter

The Lord would not accept an offering of trash. Let's be real here. God required an authentic, wholehearted sacrifice.

We can learn from God's character and offer what we would desire (love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and neighbor as yourself). Like Cain became jealous of Abel because his offering pleased God, we too can envy the effort of others. Because we live in a society that does not celebrate the best offerings.

God wants our wholeness and we need to desire it for ourselves. It is a constant training and involves patience.

"The key to missions is not work but prayer. Too often, work is used as a substitute for or a by-pass to fervent prayer." Oswald Chambers

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.

Contributing Writer: Holly Rigos

Have you ever felt wrongly accused? Trapped by rumors, gossip, and/or false accusations?

Even the man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) felt despair and suffering.

Despair, suffering, tragedy, and persecution will come. It is up to us to learn how to pray with lament, praise, and confession to the Lord just as King David did in the Book of Psalms and to learn from their mistakes.

In Psalms 43, it is suspected that King David is making applications to God concerning the damage done by his enemies and harm done by his own hands.

King David was usurped by his son, Absalom. He lost his kingdom, throne, children, home, and identity. Absalom claimed that David had lost the favor of God.

King David ignored the sins of his children and neglected the duties of being a righteous father. It led to this unfortunate opportunity of suffering which is where we find him in Psalms 43...

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: Mark 8:27-30: ​​Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.”

Contributing Writer: Joshua Slaughter

Jesus wanted to test the disciples, a pop quiz if you will. He wanted to know if the disciples were gaining anything during their journey. They’ve been through a lot at this point, with more to come in the future.

In my opinion, a notable point is the other names they mention: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets of old. And I do wonder if they had moments where they thought Jesus could be someone new.

Then Jesus asked them, “But who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29a)

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.

Read Today's Passages (February 25, 2022)

Guiding Scripture: Psalm 41:1-13

Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;

the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.

2 The Lord protects and preserves them—

they are counted among the blessed in the land—

he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.

3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed

and restores them from their bed of illness.

4 I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord;

heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

5 My enemies say of me in malice,

“When will he die and his name perish?”

6 When one of them comes to see me,

he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;

then he goes out and spreads it around.

7 All my enemies whisper together against me;

they imagine the worst for me, saying,

8 “A vile disease has afflicted him;

he will never get up from the place where he lies.”

9 Even my close friend,

someone I trusted,

one who shared my bread,

has turned against me.

10 But may you have mercy on me, Lord;

raise me up, that I may repay them.

11 I know that you are pleased with me,

for my enemy does not triumph over me.

12 Because of my integrity you uphold me

and set me in your presence forever.

13 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,

from everlasting to everlasting.

Contributing Writer: Broderick Slaughter

God calls us to be personable to one another; our duty is to help others in need, and heaven is our reward. Now, of course, just assisting people may get us a seat on the ride to heaven, but it does not guarantee us getting through the Pearly gates. We as humans sometimes become too busy to listen to those in need. Our worldly goals, status, likes, and views consume us with nonessentials. We view items and things as God’s gift to us, not realizing that waking up, seeing loved ones, breathing, and opportunities to deliver the Word are the true gifts.

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.

Read Today's Passages February 24, 2022

written by: Torrie Slaughter

Families pass down traditions according to their culture. Some religious observances are rooted in ritual rather than obedience to God. As we honor our Lord and Savior, we must intentionally seek His guidance. We avoid errors when we follow God and not try to please people.

Jesus brings awareness, power, understanding, knowledge into our lives as we read the Gospels. The Pharisees and Scribes (Ephesians 4:18) spoke to their ritualistic ideals and not to the reverence of God our Father. Jesus tells us that the sins of the heart lead to abusive practices and defiles people. (Mark 7:14-16) Christ exposed the hypocrisy of the religious leaders.

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: Mark 6:30-34, "The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." 32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things."

Contributing Writer: Sheila Arrington

I love the fact that Jesus is always willing to notice and look after our daily needs and the repose of the disciples. As Shepherd he took tender care of them, He said, "come and let's depart to a desert place, where it is quiet, and you can get some rest."

We, too, come to a point when we need rest. We must heed the waving flags and the flashing neon signs, all pointing out the time has come for us to slow down and take a break. You're approaching overload!

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.

Contributing Writer: Irvine Saint-Vilus

In today's society, it is much more comfortable and painless to follow the crowd than to stand up for what you believe in, especially if that means doing so at a cost to a person's livelihood or even their life. The brave souls who choose to take a stand against wrong or an injustice often find their position is unpopular and even lonely.

In Scripture, John the Baptist had the depth of character and fortitude to rise to the occasion. In Mark 6:14-29, John the Baptist encountered this very issue, and the price cost him his very life. John, the Elijah of his day, paved the way for the coming Messiah, Jesus. In Mark 6:20, he is exclaimed to be a "just and holy man." John spoke out against the unlawful marriage of King Herod and Herodias.

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!

Irvine Saint-Vilus

Irvine is a published author, worship leader, instructor, and speaker. Over the past two years, she worked as an instructional assistant helping autistic students in the school system. Irvine also had the privilege of working as a chaplain in a hospital setting, which allowed her to minister to patients, staff and work in a team environment where collaboration and accountability were essential. Irvine received a Bachelor's degree in English at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; a Master's degree in Divinity, and a School Counseling degree at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

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