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.
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.
Week 10 Video Responder Highlight
March 7–Chris Rosencutter –EMT and Firefighter–at the accident–email–rosencutterfamilyCL@Yahoo.com
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.
Day 3–More for Us than Against Us!
Scripture reading for March 4: 2 Kings 6:15-17 “When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
Sometimes our life seems like we are being overwhelmed by more than we can handle. We go to the doctor for a physical and come home with a list of issues showing us we are in trouble. We set up a budget, but then the sewer backs up and we are faced with a large financial disruption. As a first responder, we respond to a call for help in an accident and suddenly find multiple injuries and fatalities and entrapment with fire potential. Sometimes we respond just like the servant of Elisha, with despair and wondering what to do next.
This short story from Scripture tells us of a time when the prophet Elisha was staying in a walled city and the army was out fighting in another location. In the night, the enemy army surrounded the city with overwhelming forces. When the servant saw what had happened, he returned in despair, asking Elisha what they could do. Elisha simply turned to the Lord in prayer and with the vision of faith he had developed from walking with God. He asked that eyes would be opened to the invisible realm of the Spirit. God graciously granted the request and clearly revealed heaven’s army, armed with glory!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this simple story from long ago showing Your power and ability to protect Your people. Remind me each day of this profound truth: “There is more for us than against us!” Give me grace to pray for open eyes when I feel overwhelmed or overrun. Thank You! Amen.