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Family Devotional
Day Thirty-Two
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will
guide you into all the truth.” John 16:12
Albatrosses have a wingspan of up to twelve
feet and rarely flap their wings. Instead they gracefully fly the ocean wind
currents soaring up and down indefinitely. When there is no wind, they cannot
fly.
Sailors were in awe of them. Samuel Taylor
Coleridge’s poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is a tale of the bad
consequences when a seaman shot one. Often it is regarded as a symbol of sin
and retribution.
Jesus wanted His disciples to know about the
Holy Spirit so that they would always choose to do the right thing.
Often we know what we should do, but we
choose not to, and then we have consequences we don’t like. For example, if we
don’t study for a test and then we get a bad grade, it’s not someone else’s
fault.
The Spirit helps us to choose to act wisely.
He is often also described as coming like the wind.
Just like the sailors didn’t understand how
the albatross could ride the wind currents, we don’t always understand how the
Spirit speaks to us. However, we know he is good because Jesus sent him to us,
and we need to remember to respect him.
Action
1. Write
down some questions you have about how to know what things are true and what is
not.
2. Ask an
adult to show you how to find out the answers.
3. Think of
a way you can explain what truth is to someone who asks you.
Read More
John 16:5-15
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Family Devotional
Day Thirty-One
“I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out
to him, and he answered me.” Psalm 120:1
The elusive whippoorwill is named for its call.
It is frequently heard at dawn and at dusk when it feeds, but is almost never
seen. Its characteristics and habits are mostly known from anecdotes told to
ornithologists.
In general only trained and observant bird
listeners can tell the differences in many bird notes. However anyone who hears
a whip—poor—will can identify it immediately. It’s fun to repeat its call too.
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what
you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door
will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks,
finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).
Sometimes our own thoughts and the opinions
of others jumble up in our mind and they become just a bunch of noise to us.
Just as Jesus said that the world would know
His voice, He also promised to give us insight and guidance when we need it.
Sometimes our answers come from reading, or a
surprising idea jumps out clearly, or we remember some encouragement from a
conversation. But we know it is clear and sharp and we immediately recognize
its “call.” There are many ways that Jesus helps us to know what to do when we
are confused. When He gives guidance, we can recognize His voice even though we
can’t see Him.
Action
1. Every day
this week when you need guidance, pause for a few moments and ask God to give
you guidance.
2. Spend one
hour listening to voices around you. How can you tell what their attitude is
based on the sound of their voice?
Read More
Psalm 86:5-7
Psalm 116:1-2
Jeremiah 33:3
Family Devotional
Day Thirty
“Instead, be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven
you.” Ephesians 4:32
These dazzling birds live and breed in
tropical climates. Except for breeding time they spend all their time at sea.
To feed they make high-velocity dives from as high as 100 feet.
Sailors gave these birds their insulting name
because they considered the birds to be stupid due to their lack of fear around
humans.
But these birds had no reason to experience
fear from humans until they met the sailors.
When the early church began their witness of
love and caring to each other and to their community, many onlookers spoke of
them with derogatory names. Some thought of them as harmless fools, and some
thought of them as radicals that required imprisonment or death.
Even in our world today, many people still
view acts of kindness and compassion with distrust. And although it is
necessary to use common sense when encountering strangers, it doesn’t mean
people cannot trust others, especially if they meet in safe environments.
It really wasn’t the masked booby that had
the problem to trust, but the sailors who allowed their own fears to mistrust
innocence.
When we follow Jesus’ ways, often others
don’t understand and they say bad things or call out embarrassing names.
Action
1. Say something kind to as many people as
you can today. Was it hard to do? Why?
2. Do one act of kindness for one person
every day this week.
Read More
Matthew 25:40
Galatians 6:10
Philippians 2:3-5
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Family Devotional
Day Twenty-Nine
“For we know it is made acceptable by the word
of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:5
The California Condor is the largest soaring
bird in North America. Despite their size, these giant birds fly in a steady
pattern of flight unlike other vultures that tend to appear wobbly.
Their steadiness extends to their habits as
well. They are monogamous and stay with their mates for life. It takes sixty
days for an egg to incubate and up to a year before a young condor can survive
on its own. Both parents remain faithful in the process.
In the 1800s this species existed all
throughout the West as far north as Alberta, Canada, and as far south as Baja,
Mexico. But like many other species that were once abundant, they were reduced
almost to extinction.
In Jesus’ time there were certain occupations
that were also considered “unclean” and their workers had to live apart from
the community. A tanner fell into this category. Peter himself stayed as a
guest in a tanner’s home showing that these people were just as acceptable to
God as anyone else.
It was there that Peter had a vision that
helped him realize that God also loved the Gentiles too, even though they were
considered “unclean” like the tanners.
Action
1. Some jobs are hard to do because they feel
disgusting. What chores do you think are the hardest to do? Offer to help
someone in your family do them so you can both finish faster.
2. Be extra nice to people at your school or
in your neighborhood who are willing to do the yucky jobs. Say thank you.
Read More
Matthew 7:12
Matthew 15:10-11
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Family Devotional
Day Twenty-Eight
“He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:3 (NAS)
A skimmer catches its food through its unique
bill which cuts into the water with its lower bill, catches its prey, then the
upper bill snaps shut. It is so precise that as they skim over the water their
bodies rarely get wet. However, their most interesting characteristic is that
their lower bills grow twice as fast as the upper bill. They have a built-in replacement
warranty on the friction of wear and tear.
Peter protested at first when Jesus knelt to
wash his feet. Then he immediately asked for more when Jesus told him, “Unless
I wash you, you have no share with me.” But Jesus also explained, “One who has
bathed does not need to wash except for the feet, but is entirely clean.”
Just like our feet get dusty when we go
barefoot in the summer, so can we get discouraged when we see bad things happening
in the world. Yet Jesus restores us every day when we stay close to Him. When
parts of our hearts get rubbed with dirt because of friction with people and
hard circumstances, the psalmist promises, “He restores my soul.”
Some days we face difficult choices and tough
obstacles, but they all can be only outside struggles that don’t harm our
hearts when we trust Jesus to take care of us.
Action
1. Sometimes
we need to “wash” away bad attitudes towards others. Watch what words you think
for a few days this week that would be mean or hurt someone if you said them
out loud.
2. Think of
ways you can change your attitude without agreeing with ideas that are wrong.
Read More
Psalm 23
Matthew 11:28-30
John 13:5-11
Family Devotional
Day Twenty-Seven
“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you
do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following
the example of Christ.” Ephesians 5:1
There are swan legends and stories spread
throughout almost all cultures. At the heart of most of them is a tale of
transformation. A good one is when the ugly duckling turns into a beautiful swan.
A sad one is when a power-hungry queen changes her six stepsons into swans.
It was thought for centuries that all swans
were only white. So much so that the term black swan became a symbol for the
impossible. Then when a real black swan was discovered in Australia, it was a
huge surprise!
A scientific term for the difference has been
coined Black Swan Theory. The concept
is based on the foundation that important differences happened historically and
were unexpected.
Jesus prays for all His disciples to be in
the world but not of the world. This concept is difficult to understand. It
seems impossible. Yet that is just how Jesus lived.
He kept His heart and His values based on
what mattered to God and what was true to His words.
He didn’t follow the religious leaders’
worldly definitions of possibilities, but looked to do God’s creative power
instead. No matter how unexpected the action would be.
All swans have one interesting characteristic
in common. A swan’s feathers do not get wet although it swims in the water.
They have a special natural oil that keeps them dry.
Jesus also prayed for the Holy Spirit to
cover His disciples. By his oil of presence we can learn to be in the world without
getting wet.
Action
1.What are
some of the world’s attitudes that are different from God’s love?
2.How can
you choose to walk away from a conversation or situation that you know is not
right?
3.What good
attitudes can you imitate this week?
Read More
Matthew 5:13-16
Matthew 16:24
John 15:18-19
Family Devotional
Day Twenty-Six
“Today I have given you the choice between
life and death, between blessings and curses.” Deuteronomy 30:19
The roadrunner is a type of cuckoo bird.
Although they have the ability to fly, they prefer to run. They can reach
speeds of up to fifteen miles per hour.
In Mexico they are often called paisano because they are easy to train.
They fiercely attack snakes and are a good protection.
Like other cuckoos they have zygodactyl feet,
which means there is no way of knowing by their tracks in which direction they
are going.
One time Jesus told His disciples that if
they were invited to a banquet they should sit at the lowest place instead of
seeking the place of honor. He told them to let the host choose if they were to
be moved up.
Another time Jesus told a story encouraging
them not to pray as the Pharisees. They prayed loudly and publicly for show so
everyone could see them. Jesus said instead pray quietly in private with God.
Whenever Jesus talked about God’s kingdom, He
turned over everyone’s expectations of what it would be like. Having ability,
or power, or a special position, was not the important characteristic. Heart
attitude mattered more.
His disciple John the Baptist said about
Jesus, “I must decrease. He must increase.”
Jesus’ ways turned the world’s ways upside
down.
A roadrunner can fly but chooses to run. We
too can choose to do the unexpected if God asks us to. We can choose to return
hate with love and anger with peace.
Action
1. What are some situations at school where
you have to make choices on how to act? How do you make good choices even when
others jeer at you, including your friends?
2. Choose to sit in a different place than
usual at lunch break. What do you notice that is different?
3. Next time someone says something mean to
you, say something nice back to him.
Read More
Deuteronomy 30:15-18
Amos 5:14-15
Luke 14:15-24
Matthew 6:5-6
Family Devotional
Day Twenty-Five
“He gives food to every living thing. His
faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 136:25
Have you ever seen a puffin run on water?
They almost look like circus clowns with oversized feet and large noses
stumbling about in funny situations.
However the puffin is an expert fisher. They
can dive as deep as thirty feet and can stay under water as long as a minute if
they need to. Usually though, their dives last 20 to 30 seconds. They know how
to find the food they need to survive. They will go as deep as possible to get
it.
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a
light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).
Often we are in situations that make us feel
as clumsy as a puffin. Or there are people around us who make fun of us because
of the way we look or talk.
But when we read our Scripture verses and
pray, we find a special kind of food just for us. It’s a special relationship
with Jesus that helps us to see what is important and what is not.
When we have this light, we know just where
to find the right words or the right attitudes to give us strength. We can be
patient when we are learning new skills that make us feel awkward at first.
The deeper we dive into understanding God’s
words, the more filled up we are. We have fuel to keep us from getting
discouraged or upset.
Action
1. Do you
remember playing dress-up when you were little and wore clothes that were too
big for you? Did you clomp around in oversized shoes? What might you be trying
to learn to do now that makes you feel like that?
2. Learning
to do new things can make us feel awkward. Write down some Bible verses to
encourage you or a friend who is struggling with learning a new skill.
Read More
Psalm 36:6-9
Luke 12:24
Family Devotional
Day Twenty-Four
“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:10
Eagles are among the longest living birds.
They are known as faithful partners and parents. From the times of ancient history
they have become a symbol of power, whether in military terms, or in legends.
However, the bald eagle is also known to
steal prey from other birds. So because of this habit there were objections to
it becoming the national emblem of America.
The golden eagle has neck feathers that
reflect light. So they have become a symbol of rebirth.
Jesus said, “But those who do what is right
come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” John
3:21
Jesus reminded His disciples that those who
do not want their deeds to be seen hide in darkness.
People see our actions and make judgments on
our character based on these observations. Then what we do and how we act also
reflects on Jesus’ name when others know we choose to follow Him.
Eagles don’t always steal food and they don’t
need to steal food to eat. They choose how to behave towards other birds.
We also make choices everyday that either highlight
the light in us or the darkness we choose to hide behind.
Action
1. Pay
attention to some decisions you make today. Which ones give light and which one
are dark?
2. What
reasons did you have for making those choices?
3. Which
ones do you think would please Jesus? Why?
Read More
Ephesians 5:1-2
Ephesians 5:8-10 (fruits of the Spirit)
Family Devotional
Day Twenty-Three
“He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect.
Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong;
how just and upright he is!” Deuteronomy 32:4
To watch an osprey dive is an enthralling
moment. At first it lifts itself from its perch, almost as if in slow motion,
then dives directly at its prey like an arrow plummeting into water. The osprey
then carries the caught fish out of reach from the water and swallows it whole.
Many comments written about the osprey over
the centuries include descriptions such as majestic, industrious, and noble.
One quote Diana Wells shares is, “clean industrious bird... living through its
own skill and labor.”
The apostle Paul exhorts early Christians who
were still bound by slavery laws, to work even harder for their masters,
especially if their masters were fellow believers. He said to work as for the
Lord.
When work is hard or boring or it doesn’t
seem to matter, it seems easy to spend less energy on it.
But God always sees into our hearts and our
thoughts. Even if no one else ever sees how hard we work God does, and he
appreciates our effort. And sometimes others will notice that we do our own
work well.
Action
1. Look at
some chores in your family. Is there someone who could use some help today?
2. On your
next weekend ask if there is a special job that you can do for your family or
help one of your parents to do.
3. Is there
a chore in your family that no one does very well? Can you learn how to do it
and make it yours?
Read More
Proverbs 16:3
Romans 8:28
1 Corinthians 3:9-11
Family Devotional
Day Twenty-Two
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created
us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long
ago.” Ephesians 2:10
Loons are known for their distinct mournful
cry. It can be heard from quite a distance. Often one pair of loons will be the
only ones on a lake or a river and to watch them swim is almost like watching a
ballet because they are so graceful.
But on land they are clumsy and vulnerable.
Some early nature writers often made fun of their land movements.
The psalmist tells us that we are “fearfully
and wonderfully made.” Like snowflakes, we are each unique and have different
talents and abilities.
Until we discover and grow into our parts,
sometimes we feel clumsy and awkward and feel like others are making fun of us.
It’s normal, especially when we have a growth spurt.
But when we are being the unique people God
created us to be, we can then recognize our beauty regardless of what others
see or say. And we know that we will get used to the changes that are happening
in us.
Action
1. What do
you love to do so much that you forget what time it is?
2. What
actions make you feel clumsy?
3. What
actions make you feel wonderful?
4. Think of
ways you share them with others.
Read More
Psalm 139:13-16
Psalm 40:5
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Family Devotional
Day Twenty-One
“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of
you, and he will prepare your way before you.” Matthew 11:10
Ravens also have the ability to mimic human
speech. Stories about them include them being sent as messengers and prophets,
both good and bad.
A single raven sits quietly on a tree branch,
very regal, very beautiful. But smaller birds do not scatter into flight the
way they do when a hawk approaches. The raven is not seen as a threat.
It was the ravens that God called upon to
feed His prophet Elijah when he was in the wilderness. Ravens keep their
surplus food hidden and often have extra resources in times of drought.
Elijah had done a great work of witness for
God, but now he needed both food nourishment and soul nourishment because he
was exhausted. After he slept and the ravens fed him, Elijah was ready to hear
God’s words again.
Sometimes we also need God’s messengers
through our friends and family to comfort us when we are sick or sad or disappointed.
They share themselves with us and give us their strength until we are ready to
take care of ourselves again. Other times God might ask us to be a messenger to
someone in need.
When we listen and repeat God’s words so that
they are true and familiar to us, then we have the right resources to share
with others.
Action
1. Every day
for a week, look for someone who needs a message of hope.
2. Share
with them words of comfort, or time to listen, or food to cheer them.
Read More
Malachi 3:1
1 Thessalonians 4:18
1Peter 4:9
Family Devotional
Day Twenty
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be
courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
In North America, Elf Owls are found in
desert regions. They can be as small as a sparrow and often nest in old
woodpeckers’ holes. They can also camouflage themselves up against a tree when
they suspect danger. They are known as the smallest owl in the world.
Like all owls they see extremely well in the
dark because of extra-long light- gathering rods in their eyes. But to look
around, they need to be able to turn their heads. They can move up to 270
degrees.
Because the edges of their wings are fluffy,
rather than stiff, they are able to fly without making a sound. Their prey doesn’t
hear them coming because the softness of the wings muffles their approach.
Since their size makes them vulnerable to
predators, these attributes of stealth make it possible for them to hunt for
their food and keep hidden at the same time.
There is wisdom in silence. Sometimes it is
as uncomfortable as when we see an elf owl turn its head and suddenly see its
gleaming yellow eyes. Yet if we learn to listen carefully in silence, we will
have a clearer understanding of where we are to go or how we are to act. No
matter how small we may feel we are.
Our lives are often so busy that our feelings
and thoughts need time to catch up with us. So the silent waiting of an elf owl
gives us a good example to watch carefully.
Action
1. Turn out
all the lights in your bedroom and stay very still. What do you see and hear
that looks different?
2. With an
adult’s supervision, play a game of hide-and-seek using camouflage. Who did the
best?
3. Next time
you have to wait for someone, wait in complete silence. What do you notice?
Read More
Psalm 130:5-6
Proverbs 3:5-6
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