Day 3–From First Responder to Faith Responder
Scripture reading for February 4: John 3:1-5 “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Becoming a first responder is a transformational experience. It requires a personal decision to apply for the position and a willingness to train in the skills to do the job and use the equipment. After acceptance responders have to learn how to communicate and use the emergency response system. They have to be fitted for the uniforms, protective gear, and given new identification that certifies they are part of the team. A new mindset is also required that places priority on willingness to set aside personal time and matters to respond to emergency situations. They build skills and relationships fitting them into the team.
When Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, he was seeking to understand Jesus and His teaching and abilities that obviously came from God. He was concerned about what others might think of him doing this, so he came covertly. Jesus answered his inquiry with a strong statement of truth, stating that anyone seeking to know and join the kingdom of God must be born again. Nicodemus tried to fit this statement about being born again into a natural way of thinking. He asked if it was possible to enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born again? Jesus told him that his second birth would come by washing as with water through the Holy Spirit. It would be a supernatural birth coming by faith in Jesus.
Prayer: Father God, like Nicodemus, I have struggled to understand the kingdom of God and how to enter it. Keeping rules and laws have failed. I surrendered to Jesus Christ and ask Him to show me His way through new birth. Amen.
Day 2–The Greatest Lover
Scripture reading for February 3: John 10:11 “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 15:12-13 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Scripture reveals through the words of Jesus that He is the greatest Lover of all mankind. Our faith works by love. (Galatians 5:6) Jesus did not just tell us about love and then command us to love one another, He demonstrated that love;“. . but God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) He acted for the highest good of all people by providing for them a full payment for their own sins. He willingly took our sins, personally and corporately, in His own body on the cross and gave His life blood as a payment sufficient for all. Our response is to willingly accept His payment and Him as Lord through confession and forsaking of our sins. This is how we are born again.
When we choose to believe in Christ, God saves us from the penalty and eternal punishment for our sins. We can only say ‘thank You’ to the Lord Jesus. Jesus had the power to willingly lay down His life for all sinners and because He was Himself, sinless, He had the power to take up His life again, defeating death, hell and the grave. (John 10:17-18) He demonstrated God’s love by His faithful sacrifice.
The very nature of our emergency response network and those who work in it is our willingness to lay our lives down for the sake of those in danger or trouble. Behind this response is human compassion–love coming from God towards the hurting and wounded. This love takes on a new dimension when we receive Jesus Christ’s love and allow Him to dwell in us.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Love to us in Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ! That You would lay down Your life for me, a sinner, is amazing and humbling. Thank You for cleansing me through Your shed blood and for praying for me now and always. Teach me today how to love You and allow Your love to flow in me. Amen.
Week 6–Day 1–Jesus the Chief Responder!
Scripture reading for February 2: Colossians 1:16-20 ” For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the Head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.”
Who is Jesus Christ? Just looking at natural human history, there are many opinions about Jesus. Some say He was just a good man who lived as a Jewish rabbi under Roman government. Some say he was a prophet. Others said he was a rebel who added to the Jewish laws and taught rebellion and paid the penalty for that–a cruel death on a cross. Some say that He had delusions about being ‘God’s Son’ and taught that God was His Father. He stated that He was a King and the Son of God, calling people to follow Him to enter the kingdom.
This Scripture in Colossians sought to clearly explain Who Jesus is. He is the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. He is the source of all authority and power. He existed before all things and in Him all things find their purpose and completion. Jesus is the Firstborn from the dead, giving Him preeminence over all. Jesus taught that if you saw Him, You saw the Father because in Him was all the fullness of God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus responded to God’s direction to come to earth to reconcile all things to Himself, redeeming them from sin’s consequences and making peace between them and Father God through shedding His own blood on the cross. What a picture of Jesus Christ, our Chief responder and Head of the Church of all faith responders!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Jesus Christ. Your Word declares Jesus’ willing response to our need of redemption and restoration of peace with God the Father. Help me as a responder to His love to give Him preeminence in all things. Amen.
Week 5–Video Responder Highlight–Dallas R.
My Calling to Serve–Dallas Rhoads–EMT Jefferson Co. and Rock Creek Fire Department #5
Day 5–Called by Name
Scripture reading for January 30: 1 Samuel 3:8-10, 21 “And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if He calls you, you shall say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.” . . . .”And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the Word of the Lord.”
The story of Samuel, the young boy who was born to his mother and father as an answer to their prayers for children, helps us to again explore how our Lord calls us. Samuel was born in answer to passionate prayer from his childless mother. Eli, Israel’s priest had accused her of drunkenness until she explained her prayer for a son, promised to the Lord. After he was weaned, he was given back to the Lord to serve at the tabernacle at Shiloh under Eli. While serving there, God spoke to him by calling out his name. Samuel thought it was Eli calling for him and three times he responded. The third time, Eli told him he should respond by answering, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.”
The Scripture goes on to reveal what the Lord told Samuel about the coming judgment of Israel and the corrupt priesthood of Eli. Scripture also notes that God appeared to Samuel and revealed Himself to him through His Word. God’s Word is ultimate truth and is powerful to produce faith and love in us. This all comes through an established relationship with God. He calls to us and knows our name. He reveals Himself to us through His Word and gives us His Name! He provides the Holy Spirit to indwell us and guide us into His Word and walking by faith. Our humble response should be “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears!”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for the personal calling of us by name. You respond to our need for identity and relationship by inviting conversation. I affirm my desire to hear Your instructions and will respond to Your calling of my name in humility and attentive faith. Amen.
Day 4–Called to Strength and Courage!
Scripture reading for January 29: Joshua 1:1-3, 8 “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised Moses.” . . .Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””
The Lord’s call and instructions to Joshua is a great word for all faith responders! We are called by God to arise and go into whatever situation or trouble we are facing. The Jordan River was the boundary of the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that belonged to them. Joshua, Moses’ assistant had walked for forty years with them through the wilderness as a consequence of the unbelief of the older generation of Israelites. As Moses lead God’s people out of Egypt through the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea, so Joshua was to face the flooding Jordan river as the first obstacle to lead God’s people through to inherit their land.
It is interesting to note that God promised Joshua that every place that the sole of his foot would tread, God would give to him. Joshua must do the walking out of God’s commands in trusting faith, no matter what the obstacle or enemy facing him. God promised His presence as they walked. In that presence of the Lord God was their strength, courage, and deliverance! How easy it would be to become frightened or deeply insecure when impossible situations confronted them. God knew their tendencies and with His Word and Presence would give them grace to overcome and possess their inheritance!
This is exactly what God calls us to do as first responders. As we walk into danger or trouble, we rely on God’s Word and presence with us through the Helper, the Holy Spirit. We choose to trust and obey and reject fear and dismay.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your Word that brings faith and courage to face life’s trouble. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and guide me to respond as You to those who are in need. Amen.
Day 3–Hiding from God’s Call?
Scripture reading for January 28: Exodus 3:9-12“And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, ‘But I will be with you, . .”
We get great insight into God’s heart of compassion for His people when they are oppressed and suffering. Their cries are heard by God and moves Him to action. In this recorded instance, God had been preparing the help for quite a long time. He had set aside a baby boy, born to an Israelite woman and her husband. In Egypt, Pharaoh had commanded all male Israelite babies to be drowned. But this family found a way to trust God by placing baby Moses in a basket in the water. God’s providence placed him in Pharoah’s household and then his own mother was hired to raise the child! Moses understood God’s call on his life through his mother’s training. But when He was older, he ended up running for his life after avenging an Israelite’s mistreatment.
Much later, God got Moses’ attention as he was tending sheep and minding his own business. At a burning bush, God spoke to Moses about the need to deliver His people out of Egypt. (Exodus 3:2-3) Moses made an excuse about his own insignificance. In fact, Moses had difficulty speaking because he stuttered! But Moses’ ability and talents weren’t the important qualifications. God promised to be with him in the whole process and reward him and His people for obedience! (Exodus 3:8)
Many responders, like Moses, have sensed God’s calling but have hidden out on the back side of the desert. God had to arrange for a special revelation to revive the calling again. When we come to understand God’s compassion, desire to bless the oppressed, and use us as His agents, our faith comes alive and a new journey to the promised land begins!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your great preparation of those You call and equip to serve. Often You take us through wilderness and trial to prepare our hearts with compassion for the hurting. Increase my faith response to Your call today! Amen.
Day 2–Called to Blessing and to Bless.
Scripture reading for January 27: Genesis 12:1-2 “Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” vs. 4 “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.”
As we continue to consider God’s calling of each person to the plans and work that God has prepared, we can learn from the life of Abram, a shepherd living in the land of the Chaldean’s. God spoke to Abram, asking him to leave behind everything familiar in his home country, including his father’s household. He was not told where he was being directed or how long the journey would take. Abram was already seventy-five years old and had a wife and servants. Abram responded to God’s invitation and gathered his family and herds and a nephew, Lot, and left for the land God had promised him.
God did not force Abram to obey, but God did make Abram promises that were amazing if he chose to obey. This is the essence of faith. We choose to trust God and believe what He says and promises over what we can see with our eyes or understand with our minds. God promised to make Abram a great nation when he had no children, only an older wife! God promised to bless Abram and make his name great among men when Abram was just a simple aged shepherd. God promised to do all of this in order to make Abram a blessing to all the families of the earth! (Genesis 12:3) God’s plans are amazing and beyond human understanding. They are prepared for those who by faith will respond!
As ‘faith responders’ who have chosen to follow Jesus, God has promised to lead us to a land we do not know presently–heaven! He will make our names great through His Name. We are blessed to be a blessing.
Prayer: Father God, I respond to Your call to follow Jesus and allow Him to lead me daily into Your perfect will and plans. I desire Your blessing and to become a blessing to all You send me to! Amen.
Week 5–Day 1–God Calls; We Must Respond
Scripture reading for January 26: Jeremiah 1:4-6 “Now the Word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I (Jeremiah) said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”
I remember knowing a call from God when I was barely five years old. I announced to my Dad and Mom that I was going to be a preacher when I was old enough. My Mom was a believer and had prayed over me many times and taught me God’s Word, even at that young an age. My Dad was not a believer and he stated plainly, “No way! That’s the lowest occupation on earth!” Mom didn’t argue, but hid the statement I made in her heart and continued to instruct me and pray. God had already called me as a young child! I had responded as best I knew at five years of age!
In today’s passage of Scripture, we observe that before Jeremiah was even formed by God in the womb, God knew him! Our existence goes beyond our conception or our birthday. God forms each person and give them their genetic makeup and giftings. Billions of chromosomes come together from mother and father but are knit together by God Himself. (Psalm 139:13-16) Before birth, God’s appointed plans are designated by Him for the individual. He knows us intimately and personally and thinks about us with love and affection. (Jeremiah 31:3)
But does this mean that we have no free will? Each person is sovereign and must choose to willingly love and serve God and seek out His will and plan. This sometimes happens early in life, while others go their own way for a time resisting God’s call. Sometimes, like Jeremiah and many others, we have shortcomings we think disqualifies us to follow God’s plan. But through relationship and humble trust and yielding to God we make progress! Instead of excuses, we should ask God to supply whatever we lack.
Prayer: Father God, I am in awe that You personally have taken time to design my life, even from before conception and birth! Thank You for life and Your plans for my life. I willingly respond to Your call to serve and offer my mind, body and spirit to You to do Your will. Amen.
Day 5–God’s Personal Pager
Scripture reading for January 23: John 14:15-17 “If you love Me you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, Whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
Again in today’s passage of Scripture, Jesus makes a promise to those who are in a loving relationship with Him through obedience of His Word. He promised to ask the Father to send the Spirit of Truth to live in them to help them. This ‘Gift’ from the Father would be a permanent Presence in each believer. The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of truth because God is a God of Truth. (John 14:6) The Spirit takes the Word of God and guides the believer in all truth. (John 16:13) The Helper with bear witness of Jesus through each believer. (John 15:26)
Jesus taught that those in the world could not see or know the Spirit of truth. But the Spirit of truth also would bring conviction of sin, righteous and coming judgment to those in the world. God the Father sends the Holy Spirit of truth to accomplish His will and purposes through empowering those following Jesus Christ to be fruitful in their service of God and others.
First responders carry either a pager or phone application like “I Am Responding” to receive calls to respond and the nature of the incident. Communication is vitally important to bring the right help and equipment on the scene in the shortest time. Good communication prepares the responders with information that helps them to properly and efficiently help and cooperate with other responders on the scene. If they are followers of Jesus, they also have God’s Holy Spirit of truth to direct them and empower them. God tells believers to ask Him for this ‘Helper’ and He will send Him. (Luke 11:13) “. . how much more with the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for providing each believer with Your personal Helper, the Holy Spirit. Thank You for drawing me into relationship with You and helping me to ask You for this special ‘Gift’. Enable me to listen to Your guidance and wisdom to help others most effectively. Amen.