DAY ONE – SUNDAY, JULY 15th
Facing Your Fears
Read: Philippians 4:6-8 /1 Peter 5:7
Reflect: As we set out to be the hands and
feet of Christ it is easy to be fearful of what is ahead of us. We are leaving
behind our comfort zone and stepping into the unfamiliar. But, God does not
want us to be fearful. In a letter to the Philippians, Paul says that God does
not want them to worry, rather they should give their fears to God. And, so should we!
React:
What are you most anxious about this trip?
What are you most excited about?
Pray: Lord, I am thankful for all you have
done in my life. I surrender my fears
and anxieties to you that I might experience your peace. Amen
DAY TWO – MONDAY, JULY 16th
Unique Mission
Read: 1 Corinthians 12: 12-26
Reflect: We learn from Paul, that each person
in the church is called to serve. In this passage Paul compares the church to
the human body. Each part of the body has a unique and essential purpose as
does the church. A hand can’t just decide to be an ear, and if an ear decided
it no longer wants to be part of the body, the body will suffer. The body would
not be able to hear and would no longer be complete.
In a group like ours, thinking your individual contribution
doesn’t matter can be easy. If you don’t have the right skills or you don’t
know the Bible backwards and forwards or if you’re—gasp!—a sinner, then how
important can you be?
YOU ARE INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT!
No matter what God has in store for you on this trip, proceed
with an open heart and a readiness when God calls you, “Here I am!”
React:
List some of
your unique qualities
Pray: Lord, I am thankful for the gifts
you have given me. I pray for the wisdom to recognize the moment when you need
me to say, “Here I am!” Amen
DAY THREE – TUESDAY, JULY 17th
A Servant’s Heart
Read: Matthew 20:25-28
Reflect: There is no better example of a
servant’s heart than to look at Jesus. He came to us as a servant; he ransomed
his life so that we might be saved. Kind of makes the work we are doing seem
trivial, doesn’t it? But it isn’t. God has called us to serve and we answered
his call by coming to Costa Rica.
It has been said that everyone wants to have a servant heart,
but no one wants to be treated like a servant or do servant’s work! Reflect on your week so far. Where do you fit
in?
React:
Aside from
the main projects you are doing what are some other ways you can serve those
around you? (locals, teammates, or others?)
One of the
best ways you can serve others is with the humble attitude of a learner. Are
you showing interest in those around you by your questions and willingness to
enter in even if you’ll look foolish? If not, ask God for the grace to do this
more.
Pray: Lord, form in me a desire to serve,
and an attitude like that of Jesus Christ. I pray for my eyes to see and heart
to act on opportunities to serve during the rest of the trip. Amen
DAY FOUR – WEDNESDAY, JULY 18th
Judging Ourselves
Read: Galatians 6:4-5
Reflect: In a letter to the Galatians, Paul
speaks of paying attention to your own work. He takes it a step further and
says not only should you pay attention to your own work, but you should not be
comparing yourself to anyone else.
We discussed at the beginning of the week how we are each
given unique gifts. We are responsible for those gifts, just as we are
responsible for our own conduct. God is not judging us on how we compare to
anyone else, neither should we judge ourselves.
React:
Do you find
that you compare yourself to others? In what ways?
In what ways
did you excel today?
Pray: Lord, I am forever thankful for the
blessings in my life. I pray that you help me stay focused on my path so that I
may know the satisfaction of a job well done. Amen
DAY FIVE – THURSDAY, JULY 19th
Time to Recharge
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Reflect: We have reached the halfway mark on
our trip. By now you are probably getting a bit tired, and perhaps a bit
homesick too. Let’s take some time today to recharge our emotional and
spiritual batteries!
This scripture exhorts us to always be joyful, and to
continually be thankful, no matter our circumstances!
Joyful- full
of or suggesting exultant happiness
Always- at
all times; for all times
Continually-
seemingly without interruption
Thankful- to express gratitude
React:
In what ways are you finding it
challenging to be joyful?
In what ways
have you found joy this week?
Pray: Lord, thank you for the joyful
moments in my week, please help me to get the spiritual rest and refreshment I
need to carry out your will this week. Amen.
DAY SIX – FRIDAY, JULY 20th
Teamwork / Unity
Read: Psalm 133:1 / Romans 15:1-7
Reflect: This week we have looked at what it
means to be unique, to pay attention to our own work and not compare ourselves
to others. Just as it is important to remember this, you must also remember
that you are a part of a team. There is definitely a time to pay attention to
the others around you, it is your responsibility to help build them up in the
Lord. It is in the unity of a team we are able to join together with one voice,
giving praise and glory to God.
React:
Are there things that have been bugging
you this week about those you have been serving with? Now think about your own
shortcomings.
List some of
the good
things you’ve noticed in other team members this week.
Pray: Lord, I am blessed by the
experiences I have encountered this week.
I pray for the ability to let go of the little things that bug me, so that I may help the team to be of one heart
and mind! Amen.
DAY SEVEN – SATURDAY, JULY 21th
Consecration and
Amazing Things
Read: 1 John 1:5-10 / Joshua 3:5 /
Habakkuk 1:5
Reflect: You are a long way from your home.
Would you have imagined a few years ago that you would be here doing what you
are doing? The Lord has moved you and is using your life for His glorious
purposes. Pretty amazing, huh?
There is a song by Susan Ashton titled, “You Move Me”
“I can’t go with you
and stay where I am, so You move me. You give me courage I didn’t know I had.
You move me out of myself and into the fire”
React:
God wants us to
surrender and be willing to be moved. What areas in your life have you not
surrendered to God?
In what ways
has God moved you on this trip?
Pray:
Father,
I abandon myself into your hands.
Do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me and in
all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my soul.
I offer it to you with all the love of
my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself
into your hands without reserve and with boundless confidence, For you are my
Father.
Amen
DAY EIGHT – SUNDAY, JULY 22th
Reflection
Read: Deuteronomy 4:39 / 1 Corinthians 8:6
/ Luke 10:27
Reflect: Our week has been full of God’s
love. We have been moved, we have been humbled, we have been blessed. Take time
today to reflect on your personal blessings.
React:
In what ways
have you been blessed this week?
In what ways
have you been humbled this week?
Pray: Lord, thank you for showing us Your
amazing grace this week. May you continue to move me after my journey here is
done. Amen.
DAY NINE – MONDAY, JULY 23th
It is the Lord!
Read: John 21:1-14
Reflect: On mission trips, we can easily
experience the presence of Christ. He’s there in our prayers and our songs, our
devotional time and our work projects.
When we return home, we may feel like we’ve left Christ back
on the mission field. Rather than being a constant presence in our lives, he
again becomes just our Sunday-morning Savior.
But Christ isn’t the one who will change. Hebrews 13:8 says,
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Instead, we’re the
ones who will change—or maybe just change back. Amid the ordinary concerns of
school, work, sports, and chores, we forget to look for Christ. And so we don’t
find him.
Use the Journal page to jot down ways you experienced the
presence of Jesus Christ on the mission trip. What could you do in your daily
life to make him more than just a Sunday-morning Savior?
Pray: Lord, I pray that you might continue
to make your presence known in my daily life, even when I get wrapped back up
in the routine of things. Amen
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