Category: 2026 Trek Intro
Week 12–Responder Video Highlight
Scripture reading for March 21: John 13:15-16 “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”
Thane Meyers–Ozawkie Fireman-Thaynemeyer03@gmail.com–on being a servant leader.
Day 5–Bless as You Serve!
Scripture reading for March 20: Matthew 5:43-45 “”You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father Who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.””
Acts 20:35 “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
As we finish this week on being a servant of our Lord, it is good to be reminded of the words of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Servant/Leader. Normal human behavior is to love those who love us and to hate those who hate us. This creates a culture of division and strife that binds up those involved in it. Jesus taught His followers that God’s adopted children must change their own ways to accurately reflect their heavenly Father.
God is Love and His Love gives blessings to all, the just and the unjust, the good and the evil. He sends rain to all, showering them with blessings. The sunshine of His Love is rising on all mankind and His goodness leads people to repentance. (Romans 2:4) God’s Love for the world of lost mankind moved Him to sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to demonstrate that love by giving His life-blood to pay for our sins.
As first responders, we can apply these truths to our lives each day. We must be hard workers and help the weak, giving them aid and blessing them with goodness. Even if they may treat us with disrespect or appear as enemies, we can pray for them and bless them. Remember, hurting people often hurt others. Even Jesus was reviled by those He came to serve and save. It cost Him His life, but the reward of seeing lost souls come into God’s family was worth it to Him. (Hebrews 12:2)
Prayer: Father God, thank You for serving me, even when I was self-centered and rebellious to You and Your ways. What a blessing I have received in adoption into My Father’s forever family. Use me to help the weak and give blessing to the hurting. Amen.
Day 4–Serving the Least
Scripture reading for March 19: Matthew 25:34-36, 40 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed Me, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to Me. . . .And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me'”
In today’s reading Jesus revealed His heart as King of Kings for those marginalized by human society. He carefully explained to His disciples, who were placed on His right, how He viewed their service to Him and His kingdom. They would be blessed by the Father and would inherit the kingdom as God’s children.
Jesus explained to them why they would receive this honor. He explained that they had fed Him when He was hungry and gave drink to Him when He was thirsty. They had welcomed Him as a stranger and clothed Him when He needed covering. They had visited Him when sick and ministered to Him in prison. Those on the right asked Him, when did we do all these things to You? And Jesus answered, ‘Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.’
As first responders, we would do well to keep in mind this simple principle every time we respond to a call for help. We should view each person as one loved and made in Jesus’ image. When we serve those that our culture marginalizes, we are serving Jesus. We delight our Father in heaven as we act in faith, using our talents and training to meet the needs presented to us. He takes the ministry of His servants personally!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the privilege of this calling to serve others. Help me to remember that as I respond to each call for assistance, that I am not just doing a job, but I am ministering to You. Fill Me with Your Spirit that I might accurately reflect Your love and grace each day. Amen.
Day 3–Delighting Jesus
Scripture reading for March 18: Matthew 25:14, 19-21 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.” . . .”Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him ,‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”
In response to His disciples question about what it would be like when He returned and what would be the signs of His coming, Jesus told this story about a man who left on a long journey and entrusted each of his servants with gifts and talents according to their abilities. When he returned, he called the servants in to give an account and receive their reward for serving.
Those servants who had been diligent to use their talents, no matter how few or many, were commended by their master and invited to enter into the master’s joy. The one servant who did nothing with his one talent, suffered loss of his stewardship and punishment instead of commendation. (Matthew 25:24-30) The unfaithful servant was cast out into darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth.
As first responders, appointed by God to serve others on His behalf, we must take this teaching to heart and use it to evaluate our own lives and attitudes. The wicked servant held a contemptuous attitude towards God. He did not know God’s goodness and promised rewards. The faithful servant wisely invested God’s talents and brought increase. We all desire to hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” “Enter into the joys of your Master!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this plain teaching by Jesus about how to delight You through investing our talents to serve You and others. Guide us today in fulfilling our God-given purpose and producing fruit from sharing Your love. Amen.
Day 2–Servants of God
Scripture reading for March 17: Romans 13:1-5 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrong-doer.”
Most first responders, even volunteers, are a part of the government provided to serve and protect the people under their jurisdiction. The fire departments, sheriff departments, municipal police, emergency medical teams, and emergency management are all there as servants. And God’s Word declares that God has really appointed them! God instructs the people to be subject to them and respect them as His servants. God has provided them to watch over the people and reward and protect those who do good and to apprehend and punish those doing harm and evil. God even authorizes the use of deadly force. There are some instances where that is necessary to protect the innocent and stop evil from being perpetrated.
God is a God of order and justice. He is a lawgiver Who demands obedience and lists the rewards for obedience and the consequences of disobedience. He gives each person a free will to choose and encourages them to obey with promised blessings. He warns of curses overtaking those who live in rebellion or disobedience. (Deuteronomy 28) All those in authority are appointed by God and will ultimately answer to God for their execution of their job. God demands impartiality and justice because those in leadership reflect His rule.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing justice and righteousness reflected in Your order in this universe. Thank You for placing those in authority to carry out Your Word and laws. As one under Your authority, help me to reflect Your holiness and justice and compassion to this world. Amen.
Week 12–Day 1–Greatness Through Serving
Scripture reading for March 16: Mark 10:42-45 “And Jesus called them to Him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.””
Among the twelve disciples that Jesus had selected, there arose a dispute among them about who was the greatest of the group. James and John had sought out Jesus and asked Him for seats of honor when He came into His promised kingdom. Jesus stated that they did not know what they were asking. He asked them if they were able to drink the cup that He would drink and be baptized with His baptism? They confidently responded “we are able.” This upset the other disciples and Jesus stepped in with a word of wisdom that applied to them and us all.
Jesus taught them that in the world the Gentile rulers would lord it over those under their authority. They would demand tribute and respect, sometimes using force. But in God’s eternal kingdom, there was a different path to greatness. This path was one of humble service and those desiring greatness in God’s kingdom must become servants, even slaves, of others. Jesus, Himself, although King of kings, by example humbled Himself and took the form of a servant who actually gave His life as a ransom for many! It was because of this, that God highly exalted Him to the highest place. (Philippians 2:9-11)
As first responder, we are called to serve others. According to Jesus, this is a path to greatness in His kingdom! Even the small tasks that we do to help the hurting and weak are noticed by Him and reflect His heart to help the weak and hurting. Let’s remember our Lord’s call to greatness through serving!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Jesus as a humble example of true greatness. Use me as I respond each day to reflect Your humble attitude of a servant to all who need assistance. May I always put You first and others before myself. Open doors for me to share Your serving love. Amen.
Day 5–Blessing of Peace
Scripture reading for March 13: 2 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”
Numbers 6:23-26 “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. So shall they put My Name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.””
In the days of Moses, God’s presence was with His people in the form of a cloud of glory by day and a cloud of fire by night. When Moses went up on Mount Sinai to receive God’s law, the mountain was covered in clouds and fire. There was lightning and rumbles of thunder. The people were told not to even touch the mountain or they would die. This presence of God was meant to bring comfort and assurance to God’s people, but instead caused great fear of punishment and awareness of their guilt. God instructed Aaron to bless His people and assure them of His smiling face and gracious heart for them. They were to picture God’s smile shining on them and His peace resting on them. Through that spoken blessing, God’s Name would rest on them and they would be blessed.
But God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bring true peace to mankind. Through faith in Jesus, God, Himself gives us His peace. Paul prayed for the Thessalonians (and us) that God would give us His peace at all times and in every way we might have need of it. He prayed that the peace would come from the Lord’s presence with us all. Let this simple prayer and declaration of faith bring you the blessing today. Then go forth to bring peace to each place you find yourself in.
Prayer: “Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with you all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.” (Ephesians 6:23-24) Amen.
Day 4–Shoes of Peace!
Scripture reading for March 12: Ephesians 6:10-15 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the Gospel of peace.”
As first responders we always need strength and courage to face the dangers of life in this world. God is well aware of the battle that is raging here on earth. There are spiritual forces of darkness behind some of the troubles we deal with. We must always remember that it is not flesh and blood that is our biggest problem, but these fallen angels called demons who seek to kill, steal and destroy. (John 10:10) They oppose those we seek to help and us in helping them.
But our Lord has given us an illustration in this passage of Scripture to help us see how He has provided everything we need in our daily battle with darkness. The equipment is called here ‘the whole armor of God’ and we are told that this armor enables us to stand firm in each incident. The belt of truth is the foundation of our armor. The truth of God’s Word must hold our armor together and protect our vital organs. The breastplate of righteousness guards our heart and midsection. Next come the shoes of readiness given to us through the Good News of peace with God for all who believe. A closer look at these pieces of armor reveals that Jesus Christ provides them all as He is the ‘Truth’, our ‘Righteousness’ and the ‘Good News’ from God the Father.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for providing protection and strength today against the forces of darkness and evil in this world. Help me to draw from my Lord the full armor of God. Let my feet run in readiness with the Good News of Peace through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Day 3–Jesus’ Gift of Peace
Scripture reading for March 11: John 14:25-27 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
First responders must be prepared to enter into the trouble and chaos of others involved in accidents, crime, sickness or disease. On top of that, each person has troubles of their own to deal with. In these Scriptures we uncover a Source of peace that helps us overcome each incident. God has made several key provisions for those who trust in Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. He desires that all men and women enter into the perfect peace He offers. That peace comes when we receive and believe His Word. Faith comes into our hearts through this process. Jesus Christ came as the ‘Word made flesh’ (John 1:14) and He spoke His Word to those willingly following Him. “So faith comes by hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
But after Jesus gave His body and blood to cover and cleanse us from guilt and sin, Jesus rose again and told His disciples to wait for the Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would live in each believer and personally teach each person the Word of God and help them to apply it through faith. The Holy Spirit would bring the fruit of peace. (Galatians 5:22) He would actually bring Christ Jesus’ own peace that gives comfort to us in the midst of the world’s troubles. It enables us to overcome those troubles and fears and walk in confidence. It is a gift from our Father and Lord to be received daily as we walk with Him.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing provision of peace given through the Words of Your Son Jesus Christ. Even more amazing is the Gift of Your Holy Spirit living in me to teach me God’s Word and manifest the fruit of peace through me to a world in trouble. Amen.
Day 2–Faith’s Perfect Peace
Scripture reading for March 10: Isaiah 26:2-4 “Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock.”
It is our Lord’s desire as ‘Prince of Peace’ that we all enter into the righteous kingdom of heaven under His blessed Kingship. This peace is not just the absence of war or conflict. This peace is between us and God. The barrier of God’s wrath against sin is removed through faith in the One offering it. It comes as we choose to repent of running our own life and invite Jesus Christ to be Lord over our life. (Romans 3:24) This opens the Gate or Door, Who is Jesus Himself. (John 10:7) Trust grows as we develop a relationship with God that He promises will last forever.
The peace offered is called “perfect peace” by Isaiah. It is perfect in that all hostility between man and God ceases because Jesus Christ has satisfied God’s wrath against sin. We are declared ‘righteous’ through our faith in Christ’s sacrifice. Justice is satisfied and perfect peace abides as we fill our minds and hearts with God’s eternal truth. To stay in this peace, we fix our minds on Christ and meditate on His Word. As we do this day by day, God’s peace transforms our thinking, attitudes, and actions. People notice and can ask us how this can be. (1 Peter 3:15)
It is a great blessing when first responders enjoy the perfect peace coming from faith. We don’t earn this peace or work to make it evident. It is a gift from God that marks our lives and helps us daily to stay calm when others are at their worst. No matter what we face, this peace guards our hearts and minds and comforts those we help. (Philippians 4:7)
Prayer: Father God, I want to enter into the peace You offer. I have put my trust in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to daily choose to trust You. Fill me with this perfect peace that I may share that with those caught up in this world’s turmoil and conflict. Amen.