Category: 2026 Trek Intro
Day 3–Multiply by Mentoring!
Scripture reading for February 11: 2 Timothy 2:1-2 “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
It is a tried and tested truth that we learn best when the majority of our physical senses are allowed to participate. If we just listen to a speaker, it is not as effective as having the ability to see, hear, and then watch someone demonstrate what is being taught. It is better yet to do it for yourself under supervision. Communication is only eight percent words we hear, the rest is body language, tone of voice and spiritual perception. That’s why Jesus chose those He wanted to become disciples and invited them to be with Him. He taught them in various locations and settings. He taught them in various ways, from lecture to questions and answers, to visible demonstrations of healing and casting out demons, to allowing them to go out and apply what He had taught and modeled. When they returned, He would reinforce what they did right and correct their mistakes. (Luke 10:17-20)
Paul also learned from Jesus and taught others how to apply Scripture to life and ministry to reach lost and hurting people. As a young man, Timothy joined with Paul and became like his son. He listened to Paul teach and saw Paul minister to people. At the end of his ministry, Paul wrote this letter to his understudy. He reminded Timothy to be strengthened by grace, not religious rules or laws. He instructed him to find other men (and women) whom he would teach spiritual truths and Scripture. These, in turn, would also be able to teach others.
Multiplication of ministers and ministry through mentoring was used by Jewish rabbi’s, Jesus Christ and His followers to train new believers in applying God’s Word. First responders have also been applying the mentoring principle to train those entering this field. This develops healthy relationships and fosters teamwork.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the pattern of personal relationships You use to train new believers for growth and ministry. Thank You for those who You have used to mentor me over the years. It is my greatest blessing to offer myself to share the truths You teach with others who will also teach. Amen.
Day 2–Blessed to hear and apply!
Scripture reading for February 10: James 1:22-25 “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
We as responders must be continually listening and applying what we already know with the new information we are receiving as we respond to each incident. We listen to the incident 911 dispatcher’s instructions and directions. We act by following the directions to the incident scene after procuring the needed equipment and tools. On the scene, we report new information that may help others respond with needed skills or other equipment. If there is a person in distress, we ask questions to determine how to best help that person in the most timely manner.
As faith responders who are learning to follow Jesus through the leading of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, listening and hearing are critical to success. We can hear but not listen, resulting in our knowing information but failing to act on that information. God’s Word says we deceive ourselves when we do not apply the instructions or corrections God gives us. If we lack wisdom on applying God’s Word, James tells us we must ask God in faith for help and He will generously give what we need. (James 1:5-6) But if we ask for wisdom and receive it, we should act on it not just hear the words. That is unbelief and not faith. Procrastination and fear of failure often hinder us from acting.
As we are with Jesus through the Holy Spirit indwelling us, we can have wisdom and new insight as needed. The perfect law of love for God and love for others will motivate us to always seek loving responses to meet the needs we face.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the perfect law of love expressed to us in the death of Jesus Christ and Your Gift of the Holy Spirit. We have liberty to love others and trust You for the wisdom and direction needed through Your Word and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Week 7–Day 1–Learning the Ropes!
Scripture reading for February 9: Mark 3:13-15 “And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those whom He desired, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve (whom He also named apostles) so that they might be with Him and He might send them out to preach and have authority over demons.”
When we volunteer or are hired to fill a position as a first responder, we automatically understand that part of the job is continuous training to sharpen our skills and develop teamwork and relationships. We may take required classes from a school or college or on-line. Where I volunteer at my local fire department we also have regular monthly training and special week end training events that enable us to simulate emergency situations and go over proper procedures and learn to use the tools we have to perform rescues, put out fires, work with wrecks and go on medical calls. Although we are volunteers, we want to respond with proficiency and excellence.
Jesus Christ studied those around Him and knew each person and their giftings and talents. He also knew their weaknesses and what they needed training in. As a Master Teacher, Jesus used an invitation to those whom He desired to follow Him. He wanted them to be with Him and observe His attitudes, actions, and gifts in action. He wanted them to see His mission to reach lost and hurting people walked out in the countryside, villages, and cities of their land. He desired to spend time with them and teach them the Word of God. He loved asking them questions to help them think. He told them stories (parables) and invited them to enter into the stories and learn God’s ways. (Mark 4:1-3)
Jesus’ goal was to multiply workers who would adopt His mission and carry His love for the lost. This was best learned through relationships. Questions and stories opened hearts and minds to make the needed changes and additions to skills and attitudes that would bring proficiency and lead to reaching those lost and hurting.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for taking time to invest in each person by calling them to spend time with You and teaching us the ‘ropes’ of following Jesus. Help me to set aside time each day to learn Your will and ways through reading Your Word and gathering with Your people. I want to be excellent in my calling! Amen.
Day 5–Blessed Assurance of Eternal Life
Scripture reading for February 6: 1 John 5: 11-13 “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the Name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”
When you work in a dangerous field like most first responders, there is always uncertainty of whether or not this day will be your last on earth. Each incident has the potential to threaten your life or your ability to continue doing your job. But responders have learned to face each incident with courage and optimism. We are realistic about the dangers, but chose to live fearlessly trusting that everything will work out. We respond with hope and courage that keeps us calmly rendering assistance.
But our Chief Responder, Jesus Christ, doesn’t want any of His followers wondering or worrying about their lives or fearful to give their lives as they serve. When we put our trust in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is given as a Gift from the Father to each believer. The Spirit testifies with our human spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:15-16) The Spirit testifies that God gave us eternal life in His Son. (1 John 5:6-10) The Spirit moved on John to write down these words for one purpose: “I write these things to you who believe in the Name of the Son of God that you may now that you have eternal life.” The Spirit testifies we belong to God. The Word of God proclaims that as we believe in Jesus, we have eternal life.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the blessed assurance of Your Word and the Holy Spirit Who testifies that I am in God’s family. Because of these assurances, I can face any incident or difficult circumstance and respond in faith that You are in me and will guide me through. Give my brothers and sisters who are fearful this assurance of eternal life. I am available to share Your gift of life. Amen.
Day 4–Believing in God’s Son
Scripture reading for February 5: John 3:16-18“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only Son of God.”
To become a person of faith, we must believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. We respond to God the Father’s great love for all mankind demonstrated by sending His only Son to provide escape from eternal damnation as the penalty for our sins. Our sin is recorded in heaven and would be used to determine our eternal punishment if not paid for. Jesus’ stated mission was to seek out and save the lost. (Luke 19:10) Scripture plainly teaches that all have sinned, there is no one who is without sin and we are under guilt and condemnation that we cannot remove ourselves. We have no sacrifice or good works we can do to pay the penalty of sin which is death and eternal separation from God.
Believing is more than just acknowledging Who Jesus is. We must admit our sins, confessing them and then turning away from them to Jesus as our only hope of payment. Faith works by love. Love of God is a choice we make when we change our minds about who is in charge of our life. We move the central focus of our thinking from ourselves, me and I, to Jesus Christ, Son of God Who loved me and gave His life for me and the whole world. Faith rests in Who Jesus is and what He said; “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have eternal life.” All we can do is say ‘amen.’ If we chose not to believe in Jesus Christ and His Word, we are under condemnation still. Truly believing in Jesus is the only way to become a Faith responder.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your only Beloved Son to seek and save lost people, of which I was one. I confessed my sins to You and asked for Your mercy and cleansing from guilt and shame. I now have Your assurance that I will not perish but have eternal life! Praise Jesus! Amen!
Day 3–From First Responder to Faith Responder
Scripture reading for February 4: John 3:1-5 “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Becoming a first responder is a transformational experience. It requires a personal decision to apply for the position and a willingness to train in the skills to do the job and use the equipment. After acceptance responders have to learn how to communicate and use the emergency response system. They have to be fitted for the uniforms, protective gear, and given new identification that certifies they are part of the team. A new mindset is also required that places priority on willingness to set aside personal time and matters to respond to emergency situations. They build skills and relationships fitting them into the team.
When Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, he was seeking to understand Jesus and His teaching and abilities that obviously came from God. He was concerned about what others might think of him doing this, so he came covertly. Jesus answered his inquiry with a strong statement of truth, stating that anyone seeking to know and join the kingdom of God must be born again. Nicodemus tried to fit this statement about being born again into a natural way of thinking. He asked if it was possible to enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born again? Jesus told him that his second birth would come by washing as with water through the Holy Spirit. It would be a supernatural birth coming by faith in Jesus.
Prayer: Father God, like Nicodemus, I have struggled to understand the kingdom of God and how to enter it. Keeping rules and laws have failed. I surrendered to Jesus Christ and ask Him to show me His way through new birth. Amen.
Day 2–The Greatest Lover
Scripture reading for February 3: John 10:11 “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 15:12-13 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Scripture reveals through the words of Jesus that He is the greatest Lover of all mankind. Our faith works by love. (Galatians 5:6) Jesus did not just tell us about love and then command us to love one another, He demonstrated that love;“. . but God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) He acted for the highest good of all people by providing for them a full payment for their own sins. He willingly took our sins, personally and corporately, in His own body on the cross and gave His life blood as a payment sufficient for all. Our response is to willingly accept His payment and Him as Lord through confession and forsaking of our sins. This is how we are born again.
When we choose to believe in Christ, God saves us from the penalty and eternal punishment for our sins. We can only say ‘thank You’ to the Lord Jesus. Jesus had the power to willingly lay down His life for all sinners and because He was Himself, sinless, He had the power to take up His life again, defeating death, hell and the grave. (John 10:17-18) He demonstrated God’s love by His faithful sacrifice.
The very nature of our emergency response network and those who work in it is our willingness to lay our lives down for the sake of those in danger or trouble. Behind this response is human compassion–love coming from God towards the hurting and wounded. This love takes on a new dimension when we receive Jesus Christ’s love and allow Him to dwell in us.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Love to us in Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ! That You would lay down Your life for me, a sinner, is amazing and humbling. Thank You for cleansing me through Your shed blood and for praying for me now and always. Teach me today how to love You and allow Your love to flow in me. Amen.
Week 6–Day 1–Jesus the Chief Responder!
Scripture reading for February 2: Colossians 1:16-20 ” For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the Head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.”
Who is Jesus Christ? Just looking at natural human history, there are many opinions about Jesus. Some say He was just a good man who lived as a Jewish rabbi under Roman government. Some say he was a prophet. Others said he was a rebel who added to the Jewish laws and taught rebellion and paid the penalty for that–a cruel death on a cross. Some say that He had delusions about being ‘God’s Son’ and taught that God was His Father. He stated that He was a King and the Son of God, calling people to follow Him to enter the kingdom.
This Scripture in Colossians sought to clearly explain Who Jesus is. He is the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. He is the source of all authority and power. He existed before all things and in Him all things find their purpose and completion. Jesus is the Firstborn from the dead, giving Him preeminence over all. Jesus taught that if you saw Him, You saw the Father because in Him was all the fullness of God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus responded to God’s direction to come to earth to reconcile all things to Himself, redeeming them from sin’s consequences and making peace between them and Father God through shedding His own blood on the cross. What a picture of Jesus Christ, our Chief responder and Head of the Church of all faith responders!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Jesus Christ. Your Word declares Jesus’ willing response to our need of redemption and restoration of peace with God the Father. Help me as a responder to His love to give Him preeminence in all things. Amen.
Week 5–Video Responder Highlight–Dallas R.
My Calling to Serve–Dallas Rhoads–EMT Jefferson Co. and Rock Creek Fire Department #5
Day 5–Called by Name
Scripture reading for January 30: 1 Samuel 3:8-10, 21 “And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if He calls you, you shall say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.” . . . .”And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the Word of the Lord.”
The story of Samuel, the young boy who was born to his mother and father as an answer to their prayers for children, helps us to again explore how our Lord calls us. Samuel was born in answer to passionate prayer from his childless mother. Eli, Israel’s priest had accused her of drunkenness until she explained her prayer for a son, promised to the Lord. After he was weaned, he was given back to the Lord to serve at the tabernacle at Shiloh under Eli. While serving there, God spoke to him by calling out his name. Samuel thought it was Eli calling for him and three times he responded. The third time, Eli told him he should respond by answering, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.”
The Scripture goes on to reveal what the Lord told Samuel about the coming judgment of Israel and the corrupt priesthood of Eli. Scripture also notes that God appeared to Samuel and revealed Himself to him through His Word. God’s Word is ultimate truth and is powerful to produce faith and love in us. This all comes through an established relationship with God. He calls to us and knows our name. He reveals Himself to us through His Word and gives us His Name! He provides the Holy Spirit to indwell us and guide us into His Word and walking by faith. Our humble response should be “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears!”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for the personal calling of us by name. You respond to our need for identity and relationship by inviting conversation. I affirm my desire to hear Your instructions and will respond to Your calling of my name in humility and attentive faith. Amen.