BibleTrekToday.com

Category: Jesus is watching

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Week 11–Day 1–Abiding Peace

    Scripture reading for March 9: Isaiah 9:6-7 “For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His Name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The Lord of hosts will do this.”

    Isaiah spoke God’s Word to a people who were struggling to find peace. The super power of that day, Assyria, was threatening to take God’s people captive. The people and their leaders were not fully committed to follow God either. But God knew what they needed. He spoke to them about His own zeal to bring them a government of peace. He would give them a Child, His own Son. This Son would shoulder the burden of government with great wisdom. He would be called ‘Wonderful Counselor’, ‘Mighty God,’ ‘Everlasting Father’ and ‘Prince of Peace’! He would bring a lasting peace of which there would be no end through His righteous rule! God Himself, Lord over angel armies, would bring it to pass!

    Our world is no different today. God’s people are scattered among those whose lives are disrupted by selfishness and sinful influences. As a responder to less than peaceful troubles, the best thing we can show those we are helping is a calm spirit and a personal peace that reassures the hurting. The only way to truly have this peace is to embrace the One spoken of by the prophet Isaiah 2700 years ago. We must come by faith to Jesus Christ, God’s Son Who came to earth as a child. This Son was given as a gift to the world of sinful men and women. He came proclaiming the kingdom of heaven and inviting those who would humble themselves to enter and find peace. The Lord of hosts (angelic warriors) would bring it to pass and has through Jesus Christ our Lord.

    Prayer: Father God, thank You for fulfilling this ancient prophecy given to people lacking peace and justice. Thank You for Your zeal to love us by providing the ‘Prince of Peace’ to rule over us eternally. Help me to reflect His peace to those I am sent to help. Amen.

  • Day 5–The Rubber Meets the Road

    Scripture reading for March 6: Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God , which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

    It was close to my bedtime on a cool fall night and I was in my sweatpants when my phone began to beep loudly signaling an emergency. “I am Responding” had broadcast a need to those willing to volunteer. A car wreck with possible fire and entrapment had taken place about five miles south of my home. I clicked on “responding” and “station 2”, and slipped on my jeans, grabbed my radio and flashlight and quickly took my pickup to the station a half-mile away. I met two other responders I regularly work with and we quickly dawned our fire gear and reflective vests. They took the big engine and I took the grass truck, praying as we sped to help.

    Arriving at the scene, there were already a highway patrol, sheriff’s deputy, adjacent fire company and an ambulance soon arrived. The scene was chaotic and spread out. There were multiple fatalities and an entrapment plus one of the vehicles was on fire. There was construction on the four lane highway and it was blocked off. I parked my grass truck and immediately went to help the medics and other firemen attend to those who were injured. I got supplies from the ambulance and was directed to help with a relative who was hysterical over a deceased loved one. Two of the injured were young children with severe trauma. They had been pulled from a burning vehicle. I was particularly drawn to pray for them. We established a landing zone and one was taken by life-flight helicopter to the hospital.

    God’s presence was there that night. His angels were ministering and helped as answers to prayers. The two girls recovered and those entrapped were cut out. Many responders worked together to meet needs and help the hurting. I had many opportunities to pray for people and share God’s love and comfort. I am confident that our Lord was present and is yet fulfilling His plans and purposes. We thank our Lord for His presence and mercy!

  • Day 4–God’s Angel Army

    Scripture reading for March 5: Psalm 34:4-8 “I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers him.”

    Hebrews 1:14 “Are they (the angels) not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”

    Today we will continue with the theme of God’s watching over His people. As fallen humans, we are often held captive by our senses and experience living in the natural world. We all experience fear in some of the incidents that happen to us each day. We know that we don’t have the resources, strength, or ability to solve the problem at hand and we worry or fret about what we should do. Some turn to alcohol or drugs to mask the pain and these are often depressants that take us lower instead of solve the problem. God wants His children to trust Him for His protection.

    God’s grace through His Word has revealed a hidden realm of powerful spiritual beings called angels who willingly serve God in total loyalty. When God’s people turn to Him in times of trouble, He is delighted with their faith and trust. (Hebrews 11:6) The psalmist declares that the one who calls on God begins to radiate God’s glory and they will never be ashamed or regret calling on Him. He will send an angel or more to set up a wall of fire around those calling Him and they will camp out there in protection. God’s stated purpose for His angels was that they be ministering spirits, sent out to serve the heirs of salvation! How comforting and empowering to know that we have unseen help close at hand camping out around us who honor God by calling on Him!

    Prayer: Father God, although I have never knowingly seen an angel, I have been aware of Your supernatural protection preserving my life several times and probably many more. I invite You to send me protection and help as I go into situations of danger and darkness. Reveal the reality of the unseen world to your children as they call on You. Amen.