Devoted

July 20, 2024

Bible Readings

Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.

Ephesians 6:1-4

Memory Verse

Ephesians 6:4

Parents, don't be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord. (CEV)

written by Ron VandenBurg
illustrated by Chad Thompson

Text box at the top: Look for ways to include God in your day! Text box: “Morning” At a distance, we see Casey, her friends, and her mom during a beautiful nature hike. Each has a backpack and maybe walking sticks. We see them hiking and light is beaming through the trees. We see birds, butterflies, a squirrel, and a rabbit in the distance. Casey exclaims, “Thank you, God, for this beautiful day!”

Text box: “Afternoon” Casey, her family, and her friends are at a pretty spot and have their lunches out of their backpacks. Casey is leading prayer, “Lord, bless this food and drink, for Jesus' sake. Amen.”

Text box: “Night.” Casey is in bed praying. Her mom and dad are also praying. Casey says, “God, thank you for being close to me today! Please be with all the people who I love."

Print Comic

Is there something you are really devoted to?

Charlie was devoted to all things about the big race. He spent all week thinking about running fast. Charlie made sure to eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible to run fast. He practiced the start of the race during recess so he could run fast. He went to bed early, so he had lots of energy to run fast. He devoted all his time and energy to being ready for the race.

When we are devoted to something, we think about it often and make sure it becomes part of each day. Maybe you practice your favorite sport, wear your favorite color as often as you can, or listen to your favorite song over and over. When we are devoted to something, we give all our time and energy to it—that's why when we read our Bible and pray, it’s called devotions. God calls us to be devoted to him. Think about that! God wants you to think daily about how he loves you enough to send his Son to die for your sins! That is way better news than doing well in the big race or our favorite sports team winning! God gives us people in our lives to help us learn more about who he is and what he has done for us. We can be devoted to God together.

This week, look for ways to include God in your day: read your Bible before dinner, sing a song from church while waiting for the bus, and pray for your family before bed.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for the people you have put in my life who help me learn more about you and what Christ has done for me. Amen.

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Philip Vander Windt

Philip VanderWindt is the pastor at Champlain Valley Christian Reformed Church. In his free time he enjoys building “tall-tall towers” with his kids, analyzing worldviews of films and music with his wife, photographing the beauty of God’s creation, dabbling in leathercraft and woodwork, and writing.