Category: 2026 Trek Intro
Day 2–Look at the Birds!
Scripture reading for April 21: Matthew 6:26-27, 31-33 “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? . . . Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
As far as first responders go, volunteers don’t get paid or are paid very minimally. Those working in rural areas in law enforcement and as EMT’s are also receiving a smaller salary and finances are usually tight. Besides dealing with the stress of their jobs, finances can also cause worry and rob us of our energy and focus. This has been true throughout time and Jesus Himself spoke to those following Him about faith in God’s ability and promise to provide what is needed.
Jesus asked His followers to look at the birds flying around them. They should take note that these birds had no jobs or fields of their own or barns to store up food. Yet God cared for each one of them and food was supplied daily. Jesus noted that each person was far more valuable than a bird. Jesus warned them that worry or anxiety about these daily necessities would not help to lengthen their lives.
Instead of worry and seeking out of life’s necessities, Jesus offered them simple advice. They were to put effort and focus into seeking God and His kingdom. They should strive to lay hold of His righteousness through faith. If they would pursue God He would bless them with what He already knew they needed. He had earlier taught them to pray to their Father, asking humbly for their daily bread and for forgiveness of their trespasses. (Matthew 6:9-12) All of us can apply these simple instructions on a daily basis. Where we focus our minds and efforts will determine our peace and provision.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for focusing my efforts on meeting my needs and neglecting to seek You first and Your kingdom and righteousness. Thank you for the lesson of the birds. I rest in You. Amen.
Week 17–Day 1–Provision for Responders
Scripture reading for April 20: Philippians 4:18-20 “I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Paul was in jail facing an uncertain fate. He was not sure if he would live or die. But he maintained his faith in God and fulfilled his responsibility to the churches he had helped found who were now supporting him while in prison. Paul viewed their gifts as a blessing and stated that they were like a fragrant offering and an acceptable sacrifice to God.
Part of God’s way of caring for His people is through others of faith who are willing to share from what God has blessed them. But God does not force anyone to do anything. He makes promises through His Word which are given to bring faith to act on them. In Paul’s message of thankfulness for the Philippian’s giving, He spoke a promise to them that God would supply all of their needs in return for their faithful and cheerful giving. The law of sowing and reaping is simple and true. If we sow or give cheerfully and abundantly, God will provide a time of reaping even more abundantly than what we sowed. (2 Corinthians 9:6)
So, we can conclude that one of God’s ways of meeting the needs of His children is through giving. Giving helps the one given to but it also blesses and sets in motion a harvest for the giver. When we are generous, we reflect our Father and His Son Who are continual givers of every good gift we receive. All we have in our hand is from Him. As we act in faith, we also bless God and bring Him joy and blessing. It is a win for everyone. Our God will supply all of our needs in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Father God, I sometimes fear that I may come up short if I give resources that I am a steward over. Thank You for faith through Your promise to meet all of my needs in Christ Jesus. I say ‘amen’ and ‘thank You’ that all my needs have been met through the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Day 5–Humbled and Thankful!
Scripture reading for April 17: 2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible Gift!”
As we just passed the half-way point of this devotional, I want to personally share how thankful I am for God’s ‘inexpressible Gift’ in my own life. The big ‘Gift’ is His Son, Jesus Christ given to all mankind to show the heart of our Father to bring forgiveness of sins and restoration into His Forever Family. God patiently worked with me through a believing mother sharing God’s love and Jesus with me from my earliest remembrance. She read the Bible to me and told me the stories of Jesus through flannel board and songs. She took me to church and Sunday School where others shared the Good News. Their joy and encouragement drew me to a commitment to follow Jesus in my early teens when I responded to an altar call at youth group.
My loving Father God and the Savior also provided me with Mary, a wonderful wife of 58 years and five children and ten grandchildren and one great grandchild. I have also had the privilege of being given many wonderful friends and Christian brothers and sisters who have encouraged me in my journey and challenged me to follow Jesus day by day.
Another ‘inexpressible Gift’ is from God our Father–the indwelling Holy Spirit Whom I received as I believed on Jesus. The Holy Spirit has given me assurance that I was in God’s family and daily reveals God’s Word and will to me. He is ‘God with me’ on a daily basis. His presence brings transformation and power to live in the freedom of forgiveness and grace. He comforts me in my trials and strengthens me to be a witness of Jesus Christ in word, deed, and attitude. He corrects me with gentleness and directs me with a still small voice. He brings God’s Word to my remembrance and empowers me to share it as He opens doors.
Father God, Thank You for Your ‘Inexpressible Gift’ in Your Son Jesus Christ for revealing Your heart and giving His body and blood for my salvation from sins power and consequences. Thank You for the Holy Spirit living in me revealing Your glory and holiness. Thank You for my wife, family, and friends given as gifts to enrich my journey. I am so blessed and the best is yet to come! Amen.
Day 4–The Meal of Thanksgiving
Scripture reading for April 16: Matthew 26:26-29 “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat’ this is My body.” And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is My blood of the Covenant, which is poured out for man for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.””
Today’s Scripture gives an account of the ‘Last Supper’ Jesus had with His disciples before His crucifixion. The church has called the celebration of this meal the “Eucharist”, which is translated “Thanksgiving” because Jesus thanked God for the bread and the cup before He offered it to His disciples.
Jesus was demonstrating as a their Lord the heart of thanksgiving that He had for doing the will of His Father. He would give His own body to be beaten, mutilated, and nailed to a rough cross. He did this willingly and thankfully, knowing by faith that this alone would bring deliverance from death to those who would believe. He would shed His own blood as the final sacrifice for those sinners who would repent and trust in the New Covenant that He was soon to ratify. His blood was for the forgiveness of sins. He thanked God the Father for the Gift of the bread, representing His body, and the cup, representing His blood. He gave it to His disciples to take and eat.
His final statement was to tell His disciples that He would not drink this fruit of the vine until that day that He would drink it with them in the resurrection glory of Father’s kingdom. This provided vision for a prophetic pronouncement of Christ’s return in glory for His people. The promise is affirmed for believers each time we celebrate the ‘Eucharist’!
Prayer: Father, as a first responder, help me to thankfully offer my own body and if necessary, my life for doing Your will. Like Jesus, I willfully surrender to Your will and await the promise of Your return and the joy of eating this meal with You in Your glory. Amen.
Day 3–Cheerful Giving Produces Thanksgiving
Scripture reading for April 15: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, 11-12 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” . . . .“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”
Some people struggle to give their money or time and talents to others in need. They are stingy and give reluctantly fearing lack themselves. They find it hard to serve others voluntarily and use their own energy or resources to bless those who cannot help them. This stinginess results in a diminished harvest back to them. God’s Word declares that if we sow (give) sparingly, we will reap sparingly.
But God, Himself, sets the example for us. He is a lavish giver to all. He sends His blessings of rain and grain to the just and the unjust. (Psalm 65:9-13) He instructs us that if we sow abundantly, we will reap abundantly. This can be giving money, but it is also our time, our energy, our talents and our love and care. When we give, God promised that all grace will abound in our lives and we will have plenty more to give in the harvest coming our way. God loves a cheerful and abundant giver.
But another harvest is also produced when we give cheerfully. The people we bless are thankful and thank God and us for our giving. God is blessed by the thanksgiving, and He in turn pours out more blessing on us. As responders, we can apply these truths every time we respond to a call for help. We give our time and talents voluntarily with joy and thanksgiving. As we sow abundantly, the thanksgiving will flow and blessings from our work as well. What a way to live in abundance!
Prayer: Father God, I want to sow abundantly of my time, talents, and resources to produce a harvest of thanksgiving to You. Thank You for the promise of abundant harvest to multiply thanksgiving. Amen.
Week 16–Day 1–“Thankful–Not Critical”
Scripture reading for April 13: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
When dealing with accidents, illness, addictions, and hurting people, it is sometimes hard to maintain a good attitude. One of the keys to staying positive in God’s Word is choosing to be thankful instead of critical. Paul was writing to those in the church and writing this letter to appeal to them to keep a godly attitude in the midst of persecution and mistreatment.
We notice that he appealed to the believers as ‘brothers’ and gently suggested the proper course of attitude and action that would maintain peace among them. The first issue in this passage was the respect of those in leadership. Their jobs are stressful, in that they must see a big picture and guide those under them, sometimes making corrections. Giving honor to them and respect instead of criticism helps everyone. Other areas he addressed were idleness and revenge. When we don’t do our jobs, everyone suffers and others have to do double duty. When we repay evil for evil, that never promotes unity and peace.
Instead of avoiding the wrong behavior, it’s best to be proactive. Doing good to all with continual rejoicing keeps a peaceful environment. Prayer for others instead of criticism is wonderful. And a thankful heart in all circumstances is the will of God for us who abide in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Father God, I ask for forgiveness for being critical and negative instead of thankful and rejoicing. Fill me today with Your Spirit and produce good fruit and works in my soul. May my attitude and actions bless those I work with and those we serve. Amen.
Day 5–God’s delays
Scripture reading for April 10: Psalms 37:7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him;. . .”
John 11:1-5“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, he whom You love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was.”
It isn’t easy to be patient when a loved one is near death. We call ‘911’ and summon help expecting urgency. The EMT’s and support helpers from fire also seek to go quickly to provide timely help. We pick the best route and turn on lights and siren as we speed to the scene. We want action and and have high expectations.
But in this story, sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus of a serious illness afflicting His friend and their brother Lazarus. Their expectation was speedy action and quick results. But Jesus had other plans that would demonstrate the Father’s love and bring Him glory. He told His disciples that this sickness would not lead to death. He then delayed two more days before announcing that they were headed to Bethany. Most believers know the story of Lazarus dying and placed in a tomb. Jesus came and wept over the tomb and called Lazarus out. Death was defeated through a God-directed delay.
There are some lessons responders can learn about time management from this story. Our human tendency is to hurry and expect quick results, especially from Jesus. We often think we have things figured out but God has other plans and a bigger picture we don’t take time to see. When we are delayed or get lost on the way, we should always trust God to work out the delay for our benefit and the blessing of those we come to serve.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for working out our lives with a bigger picture than we see. Help me to be patient and wait on You when delays come into my hurried schedule. Let me see how You are bringing glory to Your Name and blessing those who are hurting. Amen.
Day 4–God Sets our Boundaries
Scripture reading for April 9: Acts 17:25-29 “. . .since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each one of us, for “In Him we live and move and have our being’;. . .”
Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Man makes plans and often arrogantly thinks that he is the master of his own life and is in control. He sees no need for God and relegates those who seek God’s plans to ancient history. But Scripture teaches us the truth. God is the life-giver to all creatures including man. God also made from one man every nation and tongue who live on the earth. Scripture states that God sets the boundaries of each person’s habitation on earth. He determines our address and the length of time we will reside there.
As we feel our way along through life’s hills and valleys, God draws us to Himself, and His goodness leads us to repentance and life. As Paul states, God is not far from each of us. We are like fish in an ocean of God. Yet He does not overwhelm us or force us to know Him. True love must be freely given. God demonstrates this love through the giving of His Son.
As responders, a biblical world view that recognizes God’s nearness and good plans to help all mankind enables us to rest in God while we work. The fact that God made us all from one man means that we are all on level ground, there are no big ‘I’s or little ‘you’s’. Each person is precious and made in God’s image. God has and is setting boundaries for each person. When we face death, we understand that God is there and has the final say. We do the best we can with what God provides and trust Him for outcomes. Even when our plans get diverted in unexpected ways, we can and must trust God is ordering our steps for His purposes.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are in control of all things. Help me to recognize Your direction of my steps and the steps of those I am sent to help. Help me to treat each person as special and demonstrate the love of our amazing Father. Amen.
Day 3–Presumption on Tomorrow
Scripture reading for April 8: Proverbs 27:1 “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
James 4: 13-15“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”–yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”
Many people are very presumptive about time and assume that time will go on as it has for the future. Scripture from Solomon’s time warns us not to boast about tomorrow for no one knows what tomorrow will bring except God. There are a host of people claiming to be prophets that can accurately predict what will happen in the future. We are warned not to believe everyone who says they know the future and as Christ’s followers we are not to seek out the future. We are given what we need to know by God through the Word and Jesus Christ.
James, speaking to the early church, tried to reason with those making confident assertions about tomorrow as far as making concrete plans. James warned believers that their lives were very short, like a mist that appears and then vanishes in the sun. Instead of arrogantly boasting about plans, we should always make room for God’s plans and His will being worked out in our lives. Our time is not our own, but rather is in His loving and capable hands. We must stay humble and submit to His will and plans.
Responders also need to keep these truths in their own hearts as they work with others. We recognize that God is in charge of each person and we work for Him and with Him in each situation. We ask for His help and seek His will and trust Him for the outcomes.
Prayer: Father God, I sometimes struggle with plans and working out everything that I want to get done. I speak about those plans but am learning more and more to say ‘If the Lord wills’ and rest in Your timing and season. It is a joy to trust You! Amen.
Week 15–Day 1–Urgent but lingering!
Scripture reading for April 6: Genesis 19:14-17 “So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting. As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.”
First responders are always conscious of time. When the call comes for someone in urgent need, we are aware that time is of the essence. Several months ago, our department received a call of a terrible wreck with overturned vehicle, entrapment, and vehicle fire with possible casualties. I was only five miles from the scene and quickly sped to the station, meeting two other responders there as well. Praying as we headed out, we knew we needed God’s help and wise use of our time. It was certainly not a time to linger!
In the story from today’s Scripture, God had sent angels to warn Lot of coming judgment by fire on the city where he lived. It was urgent that Lot gather his family and get out quickly. Lot went to his sons-in-law and urged them to leave. They thought he was joking and did not move. Lot waited until morning and the angels urged him to take his wife and two daughters and leave quickly. The tragedy is that Lot lingered in spite of the warning of imminent danger. God, in His amazing mercy, had the angels grab Lot and his daughter’s hands and physically brought them out of the city. As they headed out, fire and brimstone was falling on the city. Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt! Genesis 19:26.
This story stands as a warning to all believers to heed God’s warnings immediately. We must maintain a sense of urgency to save our lives and that of our family. Timely response indicates faith which pleases God. Lingering indicates unbelief which is a sin leading to death.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the warning of Scripture concerning our need for timely action on Your Word. Help us as responders to act in a timely manner and also to warn those in danger of their need to escape before it’s too late. Amen.