BibleTrekToday.com

Category: Teamwork is blessed

  • 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 2–Though Many We Are One

    Scripture reading for March 24: Romans 12:3-6 “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: . . .”

    The body of Christ is composed of many members with various giftings and talents and abilities. Paul, writing to the Roman believers, encouraged them to hold their own giftings with great humility. It is God Who has blessed us with our abilities and gifts, we can claim little credit. We use our giftings by faith as acts of grace to bless and serve others. In fact, we belong to God and to each other in Christ’s body.

    There are no big “I’s” or little “you’s” in Christ’s family. We are all on level ground at the foot of Jesus’ cross. He gifted us as He determined for His purposes and glory. One gift is not superior to the other so there is no reason for boasting or strife coming from pride and self-exaltation. We are to value each member and consider others of more importance than ourselves. (Philippians 2:3-4) We are to use our gifts to serve one another and those to whom God sends us. Our attitude of humility and loving and cheerful service reflects our Lord Jesus.

    Unity and teamwork are valuable among those working together to help others. Pride and holding grudges cause attitudes that divide and and create tension. These attitudes are easily detected by those being helped and interfere with rendering needed aide. Each person should check their own heart and make necessary adjustments.

    Prayer: Father God, thank You for bringing many and varied members into Your family. Help me to value each person you place on the team of responders I serve with. Give me grace to use my gifts to serve others and not as a means of gaining attention or controlling others. Amen.

  • Week 13–Day 1–Together We Are Better

    Scripture reading for March 23: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. . . .And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him–a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

    The ancient wisdom of King Solomon, the wisest man to have lived other than Jesus Christ, promotes the benefits of teamwork. There is synergy when two people work together in unity or a team of people put their various talents to work. Solomon points out that they will have a good reward for working together.

    Another benefit is to have help when trouble comes in the completion of a job. If one person falls down or is injured, the other can help him get back up and recover. Also, if there was an attack from another person, the helper would add strength and overcoming ability enabling the person to escape the attack. Solomon also observed that a ‘three-stranded cord” was not easily broken. Many commentators suggest that this is the two person team trusting the Lord as their third Person, giving them the edge.

    In our work as first responders, two are better than one. We often go in pairs to bring the help needed. I have responded to two calls in the last day where I went to assist the EMT’s with a person needing transport. Two EMT’s always go out together on the calls, but many times, an extra pair of hands or two more helpers make the job easier. In the last case, an elderly lady needed help getting out of her bedroom and down some steep and narrow stairs. We used the transport chair, but the battery was not working and we had to carry her. It was much easier with four of us lifting and carrying her and the chair.

    Sometimes there are situations where people are angry or resistant to those seeking to help. It is a blessing to have extra helpers who are able to stay calm and work with those distracting from the mission. Having our Lord with us is always welcomed, as He can guide and bring answers to difficult situations.

    Prayer: Father God, thank You for team members who work together to help those who are hurting. Thank You for Your presence with us and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help our teams. Use me to work with others in unity. Amen.