Read an Excerpt
Ready to go Devotions
For Mission & Service
By Mark Ray, Janie Wilkerson Abingdon Press
Copyright © 2008 Abingdon Youth!
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4267-3499-1
CHAPTER 1
Pre-Trip Devotions
TRAVELING LIGHTLY
FOCUS: Beginnings
READ: Mark 6:6b-13
REFLECT
Jesus wanted his disciples to be more than mere followers; he wanted them to be his representatives in the world. So he sent them out in pairs to preach the gospel, perform miracles, and heal the sick.
Jesus told the disciples to travel lightly—no food, no money, just the clothes on their backs. He wanted them to rely on the hospitality of the people they encountered along the way, and he knew they'd make more progress if they weren't burdened with a lot of baggage.
And progress they made. Even though they didn't have their stuff, they did just what Jesus called them to do.
REACT
Traveling lightly is still a good idea today. Hardcore backpackers, for instance, sometimes saw off the handles of their toothbrushes and leave their flashlights and spare underwear at home. They don't want to deal with all that extra weight.
Though weight usually isn't an issue on mission trips, we all tend to carry around spiritual baggage: broken relationships, anger, addictive behaviors, selfishness, misplaced priorities, and cliques. And they slow us down just as much as a boat would slow down a backpacker.
Like Jesus' disciples, we've been commissioned to spend the days ahead sharing the gospel with people who desperately need Christ in their lives.
What spiritual baggage are you tempted to bring on the trip that might prevent you from doing what God is calling you to do? What do you need to leave at home (or maybe abandon at our first rest stop)? How can you do so?
Prayer Focus
Pray for the strength to leave behind your extra baggage so that you can travel lightly and serve effectively in the days ahead.
HERE I AM
FOCUS: Your unique mission
READ: Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
REFLECT
The passage from Isaiah tells a strange story. Isaiah, this "man of unclean lips," saw the Lord in all God's glory seated on God's throne. The air was full of smoke, angels, and (we can imagine) the sound of trumpets blaring a heavenly fanfare. Why did God appear to Isaiah? Because God was looking for a volunteer to do a tough job—to go and tell Israel some hard truths. The prophet immediately raised his hand and said, "Here I am."
Isaiah wasn't the only individual whom God equipped for a unique mission. Paul tells us, each person in the church is called to serve. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul built an analogy between the church and the human body. Both are units made up of lots of different parts, each of which has a unique and essential purpose. A body made entirely of ears cannot function; and an ear cannot decide that it would rather be an eye leave its body. Later in the chapter, Paul talks about some of the many gifts that members of the church have: leadership, teaching, healing, and so Again, each of these gifts is essential to the church's success.
REACT
In a group like ours, thinking that 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?
Incredibly important. God may place someone in your path during our trip whom you, and only you, can minister to. The person may be someone at a worksite, someone you encounter on the street, or even another group member. Whoever it is, you may be uniquely qualified to reach out to him her.
Take a few minutes to reflect on the unique qualities you possess. What about you—your age, your heritage, your interests, or maybe your weaknesses—can God use to reach others?
Prayer Focus
Pray for the wisdom to recognize the moment when God needs you to say, "Here I am."
HOW CAN I UNDERSTAND?
FOCUS: Being ready to witness
READ: Acts 8:26-39
REFLECT
In the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus' disciples traveled the countryside, spreading the gospel (literally the "good news") about Jesus. Many of them had encountered the risen Christ, and they were eager to share their faith in him with anyone ready to listen.
One person who was ready was the Ethiopian government official found in Acts 8. As his chariot rolled away from Jerusalem, he read from Isaiah 53, which prophesied that the long hoped-for Messiah would be "led like a sheep to the slaughter." When Philip popped up and asked whether the Ethiopian understood the reading, the official replied, "How can I unless someone explains it to me?"
Fortunately, Philip was ready. He used the Ethiopian's question and the passage from Isaiah as an opening to share the gospel and talk about his faith in Jesus. In the end, the Ethiopian asked Philip to baptize him and then went on his way, rejoicing.
REACT
On this trip, you may meet a person who needs you to be his or her Philip. It might be a lifelong Christian who's curious about why you look so joyful. It may be someone who's never set foot in a church and wants to know why you're spending time working in her community. It may be a fellow group member who's ready to go deeper in his faith.
When someone asks you to talk about Jesus, you're going to have an opportunity to change that person's life—if you're ready. You don't have to have all the answers or be able to spout a bunch of theological statements; but you do need to be prepared to honestly and openly share your faith. Make some notes on the next page about what you might say.
There's one more lesson in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian. Go back to Acts, and notice who spoke first. Yep, it was Philip. The Ethiopian's question came only after Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
Part of your job as a Philip is not just to answer questions but also to ask a few of your own. Not sure what to ask? Start with names or sports or the weather. With the simplest questions, you can open doors and create relationships that could eventually send people on their way rejoicing.
Prayer Focus
Pray for the strength to ask some questions and the wisdom to answer others.
ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE
FOCUS: Finding common ground
READ: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
REFLECT
Paul was uniquely qualified to spread the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews). Unlike Peter and the other original disciples, Paul was a well-traveled, well-educated Roman citizen. As a Jew, he understood the roots of Christianity. As a Roman, he understood how to spread the Christian gospel throughout the empire.
One of his techniques, as he explained his first letter to the church at Corinth, was to use every part of himself for the sake of the gospel. To the Jews, he was like a Jew. To the Gentiles, he was like someone not bound by Jewish law. To the weak, he exposed his weaknesses.
Paul didn't pretend to be something he wasn't. Instead, he revealed everything he was. In doing so, he found things he had in common with people who were different from him; and he allowed the Holy Spirit to use those commonalities to bring people to Christ.
REACT
If you don't find people who are vastly different from you on this trip, it'll be because you aren't paying attention. The people you're going to serve are very different. So are your chaperones and even your friends.
The first step in reaching out to people who are different from you is to find things you have in common. Like Paul, you are the sum of all your experiences, a unique combination of strengths and weaknesses, skills and shortcomings, hopes and fears. And there's something about you—something in you—that God can use to connect with someone during this trip. All have to do is find it and reveal it.
Think about the people you're going to serve: their culture, religion, language, economic status, politics, hobbies, and so on. Now think about yourself. On the next page, write down some areas where you think your life might intersect with theirs.
Prayer Focus
Pray that you can find ways to build relationships on this trip through common interests and experiences.
WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
FOCUS: Writing your testimony
READ: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
REFLECT
Besides being a tireless apostle, Paul was an advice columnist of all sorts. His letters to the church at Corinth, written a few years after his visit to that city, are full of detailed advice about specific problems the church was having.
But this passage doesn't deal with specific problems. Instead, it focuses on the core truth of the Christian faith: that Christ died for our sins and was resurrected on the third day.
Most likely, 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 is an early Christian creed, or statement faith, that stresses the importance of receiving and transmitting holy truths.
In verse 8, Paul included himself in the creed's list of people who had a personal encounter with the resurrected Christ. In doing so, he emphasized that he hadn't just heard about the Resurrection but had experienced it.
REACT
During our mission trip, you may have the chance to share Christ with people who've never encountered him before. Your chance may come in a formal setting, such as a worship service, or more informally around the dinner table. Whenever it comes, you need to be ready.
Take some time now to write on the next page your own testimony about experiencing Christ. Start with familiar Scriptures (such as John 3:16) or standards of faith (such as the Apostle's Creed), but don't stop there. Note some of the ways Christ has touched your life, the way you've been changed by your relationship with him. Practice and polish your testimony so that you're ready to give it at a moment's notice.
Prayer Focus
Pray that God will use you to spread the good news to people who need to hear it.
CHAPTER 2
On-Trip Devotions
GETTING DOWN OUT OF THE BOAT
FOCUS: Trust in Christ
READ: Matthew 14:22-33
REFLECT
The story of Peter trying—and failing—to walk on water is a familiar one. The disciples had been out in a boat waiting for Jesus, who came walking across the lake toward them. They were all terrified, thinking they'd seen a ghost. But then Peter got out of the boat, walked toward Jesus, and started to sink. "Lord, save me!" he cried out—perhaps the Bible's shortest and simplest prayer.
Most of us would react to Peter the same way Jesus did, accusing Peter of having too little faith in his Master. But think about this question: Who else got out of the boat? Who else was willing to walk toward Jesus, harnessing, for however short a time, a little of his awesome power?
REACT
We all have times in our lives when we need to get down out of the boat. Perhaps you're nervous about the projects you'll be working on today. Perhaps this trip is bringing up relational or personal issues that you need to finally start dealing with. Perhaps these matters are waiting for you back home. You know you need to take that first step, but you just don't know where to find the strength.
As Peter discovered, that strength lies in Christ. Keep your eyes focused on him, and you'll be fine. And if you happen to look at the wind and the waves instead, he'll be close by to catch you.
Sometimes, we need to name our demons to tame our demons. Write down the areas in your life where you need Christ to support you today.
Prayer Focus
In what way do you need to get down out of the boat? Pray about that situation, asking for the strength and support that can come only from Christ. Picture him holding out a hand ready to catch you and keep you from falling ... and failing.
MUTUALLY ENCOURAGED
FOCUS: Being served by those we serve
READ: Romans 1:8-12
REFLECT
By the time Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, he'd been a Christian for twenty years. His first three missionary journeys were behind him, and he had plenty to be proud of. But he hadn't made it to Rome yet. Like an actor who hasn't reached Hollywood or a politician who hasn't gotten to Washington, D.C., Paul longed to visit Rome, the seat of power, the hub of empire.
He would get there a few years later, but Christianity beat him to the capital. In fact, the Roman Christians' faith was being reported "all over the world," although plenty of work was yet to be done there. Paul looked forward not just to strengthening the Roman Christians but to being strengthened by them. He longed to see them so that he and they might "be mutually encouraged by each other's faith" (Romans 1:12).
REACT
When we go on mission trips, we often imagine ourselves taking Christ to people for the first time. But the truth is that Christ is already there; the seed of faith have already been planted. All we need to do is water them and nurture them and maybe pull a few weeds here and there.
And we ourselves have the chance to be watered and nurtured, to have the weeds pulled out from around our faith. We're here to serve, but don't be surprised if someone serves you. In that way, we can all be mutually encouraged by one another's faith.
Take a few minutes to write (on the next page) ways you need to be encouraged in your faith today. Do you ever find yourself putting up barriers to the help that other people offer? What are those barriers? How could you lower them and let the help flow in?
Prayer Focus
Pray about those areas of your life where you need to be encouraged during this trip.
BACK IN EGYPT
FOCUS: Remembering our blessings
READ: Exodus 16:1-5
REFLECT
By the sixteenth chapter of Exodus, the journey out of Egypt had finally begun. After centuries of bondage, Pharaoh had finally let God's people go, and they had started walking toward the Promised Land.
This passage picks up the story one month into the trip, when the Israelites weren't very happy. The Scripture says the "whole community" was grumbling against their leaders, Moses and Aaron; some people were even openly saying they wished they were back in Egypt.
Back in Egypt?! Yep. After a few weeks of relatively minor suffering, they were ready to go back to Egypt, where they could again build cities for Pharaoh, get beaten by their overseers, make brick without straw, and watch their male newborns being thrown into the Nile. But even in the midst of their ingratitude, God provided them, literally, with their daily bread.
REACT
We all act like those grumbling Israelites from time to time. We get so accustomed to the many blessings in our lives that we focus on what we don't have instead of thanking God for what we do have. We're like the man who complained he had no shoes until he saw a man who had no feet.
Ingratitude can creep up on us during mission trips. Long hours on the road, too little sleep, and too much togetherness can all magnify the problems we face. But the people we're here to serve and work with—people who have plenty of legitimate things to grumble about but are generally more grateful for what they do have—should prompt us to focus on our blessings instead.
Take a moment to list the blessings you're enjoying on this trip and those that await you back home.
Prayer Focus
Do you feel like a grumbling Israelite today? Do you find yourself doubting that God will supply your every need? Take a few moments to thank God for the blessings in your life.
SOLD INTO SLAVERY
FOCUS: Finding God in suffering
READ: Genesis 37:17b-28; 45:4-10
REFLECT
If there was ever someone who didn't want to go on a journey, it was Joseph. Back in Genesis 37, this son of Jacob was happy flitting around in his "amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" (as a famous musical describes it) and having prophetic dreams about his eleven brothers all bowing down to him like many sheaves of grain. But then his brothers sold him into slavery, as the first passage recounts. He eventually ended up in Egypt, where he and dreams seemed likely to die in jail.
But God wasn't done with Joseph. Through a series of "happy accidents" (which weren't really accidents but acts of God), the dreamer came to the attention of Pharaoh, a man whose dreams weren't quite as pleasant as the ones Joseph had enjoyed. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams as a prediction of a seven-year famine, told him how to prepare, and promptly got promoted to the post of Pharaoh's second-in-command.
Suffering from the famine, Joseph's brothers had come to Egypt to buy food, as Genesis 45 shows. After reuniting with Joseph (whom they'd figured was dead), he helped them, forgave them for their past misdeeds, and showed them how God had been at work throughout the story.
REACT
God doesn't cause suffering, but God can certainly use it for good. For the ultimate example, just look at the cross.
You may be suffering right now, either from temporary problems on this trip or more persistent problems you'll have to face when you get home. How can God help you through your suffering and make good things come out of it? The song "Hymn of Promise" says "there's a dawn in every darkness." Where do you see a dawn in your darkness? Make some notes on the next page.
Prayer Focus
Pray that God might reveal God's plan for transforming your suffering into triumph the way the Lord did with Joseph.
SAY WHAT?
FOCUS: Language barriers
READ: Luke 10:25-37
REFLECT
Most of us are quite familiar with the parable of the good Samaritan. But we sometimes forget that Jesus originally told the story in response to a question: "Who is my neighbor?"
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Ready to go Devotions by Mark Ray, Janie Wilkerson. Copyright © 2008 Abingdon Youth!. Excerpted by permission of Abingdon Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
