Category: Gospels
Day 3–Bone-breaker!
Scripture reading for April 1: Proverbs 25:15 “With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft (gentle) tongue will break a bone.”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
In our culture, it is often thought that the loudest and meanest person gets his way and is heard. We often hear voices raised and demanding what is wanted from those in authority. Some people think that this might be the best way to approach God, our supreme authority, but Jesus modeled and taught a different approach. Jesus knew that patience and gentleness were powerful weapons to break through hearts hardened by labor and loads.
Jesus called out to those who were hurting in His culture with an invitation to come to Him with their heavy burdens and deep wounds and worries. Jesus offered to teach them His way of life. He lived a life of rest. Although He came from the throne of God, He came with gentleness and compassion, reflecting the heart of His Father. He humbly invited all to willingly come under His ‘yoke’. This may sound like a real burden if you view ‘yoke’ as the wooden beam thrown over an oxen’s shoulders to pull the load. But Jesus was talking about them becoming His disciples and the ‘yoke’ was His simple teaching and instruction. As a rabbi in the Jewish culture had disciples, so Jesus called disciples who would willingly ‘yoke’ with Him.
As we look at how important our words are in helping others, this simple teaching on gentleness can make a world of difference. When we see from God’s perspective, we understand that humility and gentleness are powerful influencers. God doesn’t force anyone to come under His ‘yoke’ but sends out a loving invitation. Being loud and demanding may appear to be cool, but is not Jesus’ ‘yoke’!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for modeling for us the gentleness and compassion of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to humbly listen to Your Words and Your Son’s example and respond to His call every day. Living in rest for our souls will draw others to our gentle Savior. Amen.
Week 14–Day 1– A Fountain of Life?
Scripture reading for March 30: Proverbs 10:11-13 “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offences. On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.”
Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Matthew 12:34-35 “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.”
For years I read a chapter of proverbs each day as a spiritual discipline to learn wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to take knowledge and apply it to living successfully. God gave wisdom to Solomon because he asked Him for it. This wisdom was written down to pass on to Solomon’s sons and God’s people. We would do well to listen and learn these simple statements and apply them to our daily lives.
Man’s mouth and the tongue are a source of either blessing or trouble. Solomon taught that the mouth of a righteous person was a fountain of life and a source of wisdom for sound and gracious living. Love in the heart and mouth would cover offenses. But the mouth of evil people, on the other hand, would stir up violence, hatred and strife. Truly life and death were found in the power of the tongue.
Jesus taught that from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Whatever your heart is filled with spills out of your mouth. The human heart contains a treasure–either of good or evil. First responders must watch their mouths and according to these words of wisdom, they must guard their heart for preserving good treasure. Part of our response to the needs of hurting people is using life-giving words and sharing wisdom. What treasure is flowing from your heart?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for revealing to us these truths about our mouths and the power we have to speak life or death to those You send us to. Fill my heart with Your love and wisdom and help me to guard it as treasure. Amen.
Day 5–The Unity of Holy Trinity
Scripture reading for March 27: Matthew 3:16-17 “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased.”
John 5:19 “I and the Father are One.” John 17:11 “Holy Father, keep them in Your Name, which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are One.”
It is extremely rare to find true biblical unity among families, marriages, clubs, organizations, or people groups. There is always a ‘fly in the ointment’ that causes division or strife. Even the best of marriages have occasional disruptions of the unity through unkind words, attitudes or violations of personhood. Our nation is certainly divided by political issues, racial issues, and cultural differences and even religious doctrines. It is hard to find an example of what unity is to be like.
God, Himself, has given us a model of unity in the Holy Trinity: Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. These three form a tight-knit ‘Community of Unity’ for us to learn from. God the Father is supreme in this community. His Word is the Truth and carries eternal value and authority. Jesus Christ, God’s Only Son, is God manifest in human flesh. Jesus came to reveal the Father. He only spoke what the Father had said and did what the Father did. He fully submitted to Father’s Word and will. The Holy Spirit, the Father’s Gift, was given by the Father to redeemed man. The Spirit is a ‘Helper’ and ‘Comforter’ Who reveals the Father’s Word and ways to us. These three are bound together by Love because God is Love!
When we consider how to maintain unity in our department or group of responders, it is good to start with these basic truths. God our Father and His Son Jesus are one in love, purpose, and power. They have prayed that we enter into Their absolute unity and made a way by sending the Holy Spirit. As we invite God’s Spirit to lead us, He reveals the path of peace and the anointing of unity.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your perfect unity demonstrated in the Holy Trinity. I surrender to Your Son’s prayer that I be one with Father and Son. Bless our family and department with Your unity. Amen.
Day 4–The Community of Unity
Scripture reading for March 26: Psalm 133:1,3 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! . . .For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.”
John 17:22-23“The glory that You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as We are One, I in them, and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and that I loved them even as You loved Me.”
For anyone that has worked on a team, the importance of unity is undisputable. Working together in harmony and sharing common goals and valuing the other team members makes work enjoyable. Good teamwork is developed by skilled leadership and willing followers. Unity is maintained by allowing God’s Spirit to flow to each member of the team through example of the leadership and humility of each member.
The psalmist who wrote Psalm 133 was describing the pleasure and goodness of the Israelite people when they worked and worshipped together in unity with each other and with God. If you read this whole psalm, it is interesting that unity starts with the precious anointing oil poured on head of the high priest, Aaron. This psalm teaches that the anointing of God’s Spirit starts with leaders who have been called and appointed by God. These leaders then stand firm and the anointing flows down from the head and even drips off the priestly garment. It is also likened to dew that settles on the thirsty ground and brings refreshing.
It is when brothers and sisters are in unity that God commands the blessing of His presence and anointing. Jesus gathered His disciples for the last time and prayed over them for the unity that comes from allowing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to dwell in us. Jesus modeled this oneness and prayed us into it. From it, the world knows the Father’s love revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Father God, I can only say ‘Amen’ to Jesus’ prayer for our unity with You and Him. Forgive me for disrupting that unity when I focus on myself and my flesh. As I work with teams of responders, help me to maintain the unity of the Spirit and bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3) Amen.
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 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.
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 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.