The Word.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
The Thought.
As you return home, take time to rejuvenate your spirit. Enjoy your surroundings and reflect on those you have left and those to whom you will return. Your lives have changed, you now have the ability to change others.
The Word.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:3
The Thought.
As this chapter draws to a close, take some time to reflect on your own. Think about the highs and lows of this journey. Where have you been? What have you learned? About yourself? About God?
The Word.
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
James 2:27
Casting the whole of your care - all of your anxieties, all of your worries, all of your concerns, once and for all on Him: for He cares for you, affectionately and watchfully.
1 Peter 5:7
The Thought.
How have you seen God today? How have you seen His hand in the world today? This week? Has it been hidden?
The Word.
The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." "Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?" Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
John 4:8-14
The Thought.
Is this a story which you see as relevant? Who is the Samaritan woman in your life? How do you treat her? Is this an opportunity for improvement?
The Word.
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly. "Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
Mark 14:3-9
The Thought.
Why did Jesus not see this act as wasteful? Do you consider this too much personal attention? Why does Jesus defend these women?
The Word.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redemption.
Psalm 19:4
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
The Thought.
How do you feel you are pleasing God today? How do you feel your team is pleasing God today? How do you feel you can continue this work?
The Word.
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
Isaiah 53:7-8
The Thought.
Do you feel this is a warning? Perhaps a call to service? Can this be used as an inspiration? How do we speak out? Here? Tomorrow? Next month? Next year?
The Word.
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
Romans 15:1-3
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
The Thought.
What do you believe are your God given gifts? Do you feel you utilize them daily? Monthly? Effectively? Do you feel you can aid others in using their God given talents? How can you better use your gifts in the next few days?
The Word.
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
1 Corinthians 1:10
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
The Thought.
As your second week begins, how are you feeling? How is your group bonding? On this day of worship and rest, are you feeling rejuvenated? What opportunities to do God’s work do you see in the week ahead?
The Word.
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:13
For the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10
The Thought.
Paul distinguishes between freedom to sin and freedom to serve. Do feel that is an easy distinction in your life? Or a difficult one? Is it a gray line? How do you use your freedom to serve? Whom do you serve?
The Word.
I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.
John 13:15
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6
The Thought.
Reflect on who Jesus spent his time with. Whom did He come for? While, this scripture is basic, it is also vague. What does it mean to you? What does it mean for your upcoming week?
The Word.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. "Then, the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'”
Matthew 25:35-40
The Thought.
Who do you feel you are serving? God? Others? Your neighbor? Your parish? Your family? Halfway through your first week, how are you feeling? Physically? Mentally? Emotionally? Spiritually?
The Word.
It is God’s call to seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphaned, plead for the widow.
Isaiah 1:17
The Thought.
Do you think the biblical text of widows and abandoned children applies still today? Do you feel this is relevant in today’s world? Do you feel this is something you advocate? Is this mirrored in your work?
The Word.
Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,'and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Romans 8:39
The Thought.
Do you believe that material possessions are important for us to be whole? Do you feel God is favoring those who have material possessions?
The Word.
I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor other creatures, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:39
It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35
The Thought.
What are your first impressions of the site you are visiting? Is it what you expected? How do you feel about this serving as your home for the next two weeks? What do you foresee as opportunities for growth? What relationships have you started to form?
The Word.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers.
John 15:5-8
The Thought.
God disciplines us to strengthen our character. God reminds us to remain in Him. How do you see God working in your life through this ministry? Do you see God as the vines? Yourself as the branch producing fruit? What do you think Jesus meant by fruit?
Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me, and know my anxious thoughts and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
Hebrews 13:6
And let us grow weary in well doing for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9
Do you have any fears or anxieties as you are waiting to arrive in Nigeria? How do you feel about your team? About the upcoming experience?