Tag: Genesis 6:8-9
Day 3–Walking with God
Scripture reading for January 21: Genesis 6:8-9 “But Noah found favor (grace) in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.”
When I was in my early teens, my father and I were called by a frantic neighbor to come help rescue his son who had an accident with a tractor. This son had been up all night at a prom, and was doing chores on the dairy farm. He was hauling manure and spreading it on a field when he fell asleep and went down a sharp embankment to the creek-bed below. My dad and I were the first on the scene and dad helped me to lift a tractor tire off this boy and asked me to hold his head out of the water of the creek. I held up the tire and began to pray. His legs were still trapped in the soft mud under the overturned tractor. I called upon the Lord and prayed the scripture that I had just memorized, Psalm 23. My dad got a spade and dug under the trapped leg, freeing him. He was bruised, lacerated, but saved from death that day. God’s grace had provided for this young man and the responders!
Noah was a blameless man who found favor with God because of his simple faith. God had revealed a coming flood that would destroy the world. He asked Noah to build an ark for himself, his family, and two of every species of animals. Noah chose to walk with God through this process and follow His specific directions. A side note, the ark God had Noah build did not have an engine, sail, or rudder. God would guide them through the flood!
As first responders, we can face impossible or trying situations that are beyond our natural understanding or abilities. Not only does God answer prayers, He often leads us to provide the answer. It strengthens us to know that we are not alone as we say ‘yes’ to cries for help. All things are possible to those who walk in faith.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for inviting us all to walk with You throughout life. Teach me Your ways and lead me through the trials. As a responder, I know that I need Your grace and favor each day. Amen.
Godly character shines
Scripture reading for January 6th: 1st Timothy 3
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 3:1-7 “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”
Becoming an effective spiritual leader is an inside job. As Paul shares the qualification for overseers and deacons with Timothy, we note the many character traits, good and bad, that he lists. The positive traits come from time spent in God’s presence and humbly inviting the Holy Spirit to transform our weak and sinful nature to become like our Lord. It comes from applying God’s Truth to our lives in repentance and faith to crucify the negative traits. This brings stability in the home and family and is noticed in the behavior of the wife and children by those in the church and outside. Ability to manage the family and finances shows good leadership. Humility is most prized in that it keeps us close to Jesus and dependent on Him to avoid Satan’s snares.
Psalm 24:3-4 “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me into spiritual leadership and shaping me inside by Your Word and Holy Spirit. Help me daily to maintain a clean conscience flow of Your love and to walk true to my calling pleasing You alone!
Genesis 6:8-9 “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. And these are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.”