Daily Devotions for Busy Parents

Genesis 6:9 “Noah was a righteous man, blameless is his generation; Noah walked with God.” Sometimes we think of ourselves more highly than we deserve. Our egos play tricks on us. The truly righteous person, like Noah, is a humble person, someone who focuses more on the welfare of others than on one’s self. I wonder if Noah became confused when God appointed him to shoulder the responsibility for the salvation of God’s creation? When we are asked to take responsibility for important matters, we are likely to feel unqualified. Knowing that God always walks with us makes the heaviest of burdens that much lighter.

Prayer: Give me strength, Lord. Make my burdens light and my
weariness short lived.

Genesis 8:19 “And every animal, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out of the ark by families.” All children are fascinated by “creeping things,” little bugs that wiggle, snakes that slither, tadpoles that change into frogs, and worms that emerge as butterflies. How much they enjoy examining them close up and asking questions about their creation and purpose. God gives credibility to even the least of his creatures when he assigned two of each to the ark. We help our children see the sacredness of all creation when we acknowledge that, yes, even the smallest and least of these, are important in God’s eyes.

Prayer: Creating God, teach us the importance of all that you have created and still create today.

Genesis 8:20: “And then Noah built an alter to the Lord… and offered burnt offerings on the alter.” Despite that we are often confronted by tragedy and loss, those who have faith in God can still offer thanksgiving. Today, take time to write down at least two blessings that happened to you. Offer a prayer that it was more than just one.
How fortunate we are to have been created in the image of God.

Prayer: For the little things that we easily forget that so enrich our lives each day, we thank you God.

Genesis 9:1: “God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” God is not instructing Noah in the rudiments of mathematics. God is giving permission for Noah and his family and friends to live in creation and become stewards of the land. Let us remember it is God’s creation and not ours. Take time today to consider what you can do as a care taker of God’s creation and help to keep it beautiful and sustainable for our children.

Prayer: Lord, let me be an instrument to fill the earth with your peace and justice.

Genesis 9:9: As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you.” It all seems to have happened such a long time ago, but when God speaks of “your descendants” God is referring to us. Through Noah, we have the same connection with the same God and the promise made to Noah is the same promise made to us. The same God who walked with Noah is the same God who walks with us. We are assured that God is still by our side every moment.

Prayer: Lord, we pray that our own families feel the same assurance of care from us that we feel from God.

Genesis 9:6b: “For in his own image God made mankind.” When you look into a mirror and think about this passage, do you ever wonder if you are looking at God? It’s hard to imagine that we might look like God and even harder to imagine God looks like us. “In his own image” does imply intentionality. God intentionally created us and did so for a purpose. Spend time today considering the purpose God has for your life. What is your responsibility for God’s created world? Think about how much greater this responsibility is than to simply take up space and use of resources.

Prayer: Help me find direction, Lord. Keep me from wandering aimlessly. Show me why I am created in your image and what my responsibility is.

Genesis 9:16: “When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” The Psalmist writes, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers…what are human beings that you are mindful of them?” (Psalm 8: 3-4). We wonder at times why God would want to take such good care of us knowing how we have treated God’s creation. But then we recall that God promised Noah and his descendants that care taking is God’s greatest gift and chief preoccupation. God promises to be our God no matter what happens.

Prayer: Lord, there seems to be no limits to your love. You care so much for us and we are eternally thankful.

Our preferred method of bible study is dialogue. We assume that we know what dialogue is, but to better understand why it works for bible study, we need to dissect the concept a bit further. Dialogue is always more than two people talking. It is not a tandem conversation. Dialogue incorporates the best of the art of listening. Listening starts when we stop speaking. Listening happens when we are ready to hear something we do not think we already know.

Understanding the origins of the word”dialogue” helps us focus on its impact. Dialogue comes from the Greek word dialogos. Logos means “the word” or “meaning of the word.” Dia means “through.” A dialogue then is a “stream of meaning flowing through.” If dialogue happens as part of a discussion, it does so only when the participants are actively seeking mutual understanding. An argument is not a dialogue. Two people attempting to persuade each other may be a discussion, but it is not a dialogue unless there is a willingness to listen and change. Despite the fervor by which evangelicals might want to persuade, arguments do not lead to truth.

When we become serious and find ourselves searching for ways to act faithfully, the methods we use for bible study begin to make a difference. Dialogue, the process of learning through understanding the meaning of thew Word as it impacts our lives is a most effective tool to approach bible study with reluctant adults. We have choosen this method because

1. It avoids arguments which are ineffective at persuasion.
2. It respects differing perspectives from different people
3. It draws together input from all participants thus adding to the body of knowledge and experience.
4. It is not authoritarian.
5. It relies more on listening and less on talking.

All of the above are beneficial ingredients on the learning smorgasbord that helps nurture adults in their quest for both meaning as well as the impact of Bible study