Middle School PreTrip Devotional Packet

Middle School PreTrip

Devotional Packet

A NOTE FROM THE YOUTH PASTORWelcome to the Holland 2018 Pre-Trip Devotional Packet. Each devotional is

written by a mission trip participant. It’s so exciting to think that each person going on the trip has already started thinking and praying about the trip (by writing their devotional), and that each of us will be preparing for 26 days leading up to this trip! I expect God to bless this preparation in huge ways!

Instructions for using this devotional packet:1. Read each devotional on the date at the top of each page.*2. Pray for the person who wrote the devotional. Prayer tips:

That God would speak through these devotionals and prepare them for this trip.That this trip would be an encouragement in their spiritual life.That they would connect with God in deep ways during worship.That they would give all of themselves to God in service.That they would be an encouragement to others.That they would see God in other people and tell them that.That they would deepen their relationships with people in our youth group.That they would develop, even more, a caring, compassionate heart for others.That this trip would lead to life change after the trip.That they would have SO much fun.That they would keep a positive attitude and help others to stay positive too.That they would understand God in a new way.That God would speak to them through others.That they would be willing to try new things.That other people would enjoy their company.That they would find times to connect with adult leaders.For safety and good health.That they would be hungry spiritually for God before, during, and after the trip.

3. Text/Email/Message the person who wrote the devotional, letting them know you prayed for them. This can be as simple as saying, “I prayed for you today” or you could write out what you actually prayed for them. (parents, its up to you if you want to text them)

*If you get behind in doing these devotionals, don’t quit. Simply catch up. You need to do them all and message everyone before getting in the vans to leave on June 24. If you haven’t done the devotionals and messaged everyone by then, you will have to spend some time alone at the beginning of trip writing out prayers to the people you missed.

Bryston VanWyke Instagram: bryston.vanwyk

iMessage: [email protected]

Fishers of men Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.(Mathew 4:19)

Watch “Jesus Calls Peter" From the Saddleback Kids Channel

What does it mean to be fishers of men? When Jesus said Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men he was using that as a way to connect with them because they were fishermen and he wanted to say it in terms they would understand. They already knew how to fish by using the proper tools like where to cast their nets. So Jesus took them out and gave them the proper tools and tactics to fish for men. I can relate to this because I understand the world of fishing. On our mission trip we should make it our mission to fish for men. We can do this by be-ing Christlike, showing love and compassion toward people and sharing the word of God with them.

Dear God, please be with us on this mission trip. Help give us the tools we need to follow you and be fishers of men. Amen

Often times when we catch fish they are killed but when we fish for men we help give them new life.

Dylan LambPhone: 616-323-4766 Email: [email protected]

HOPE

Bible Verse: Isaiah 9:7. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Prayer: Dear lord, I pray that we all have a safe but fun trip to holland. I pray that we all grow closer to you. I hope that we are safe.

Video: Listen to “Shout to the Lord” by Hillsong

May 30 Holland PreTrip Devotional! I finished doing this devotional.! I prayed for and sent Bryston a message! I prayed for and sent Dylan a message

https://youtu.be/EhIwTU9RbxY

mailto:[email protected]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqSQvoinDE4

Messing Up By: Reagan Davis

Email: [email protected] Phone number: (616)856-951

Romans 5:21 New Living Translation (NLT)

21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s

wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in

eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

As middle schoolers this is probably a daily thing as we are dealing with so

many different things pulling for our attention and it's easy to fall into the trap of

sin and temptation in so many things in our daily lives.

God’s love is full of grace. He understands immaturity and knows that there

is no real life without him. He knows that if he is patient that people will

eventually be faced with the fact that their big dreams are empty if they do not

include him. He loves it when people come back to him when they have messed

up. He is where we find the love and acceptance we long for when we are at the

other side of hopelessness.

Song: Tenth Avenue North - Worn (with lyrics)

Dear God, thank you that we can come back to you when we’ve sinned.

Thank you for forgiving us. Help us to extend the same forgiveness to each other

on this trip.

May 31 Holland PreTrip Devotional! I finished doing this devotional.! I prayed for and sent this person a message


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUEy8nZvpdM

Kim Verbrugge

(616) 238-2525 [email protected]

All in

Before our trip to alaska last year we all had to choose a job that we had to perform during or before our trip. Out of the jobs provided I chose to write bible verses for everyone in our youth group. The purpose of my job was to give our group something to reflect upon and carry around with them during the week. I found my task very challenging because I wasn't finding a verse that had the right theme. Nothing was jumping out at me and telling me “SHARE THIS WITH YOUTH GROUP!” That is until I found 1 Peter 4:10-11. It really spoke truth and was an inspiration to me and hopefully others on that trip. So I would like to share that verse with you guys again this year.

SCRIPTURE:

1 Peter 4:10-11: Each one of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in all its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus christ.

The whole point of our mission trips is to serve God. Sometimes I feel as though this mission gets lost behind all the stresses, anxieties, and thrills of participating in our trips. We all go because we want to have fun and serve God but our heads aren't always “all in.” There are things that will always distract us from staying focused on mission trips. It may be things at home or at work or even things happening on the trip that prevent us from being “all in” for serving god. We all have our own talents and strengths so let's use them to serve our amazing God continuously and wholeheartedly on this trip:))

CHALLENGE:

As our time is getting closer to our trip together I challenge you to really engage yourself into these devotions. Don't do them because we HAVE to, but do them because you want to serve God with your whole mind and heart. Put aside distractions before our trip and really dive into the devos so when it comes to our trip, you will be better able to put aside the distractions and be “all in.”

PRAY: God, help us to use our gifts to the best of our abilities. Prepare our hearts to be ready for this trip. Help us to set aside all distraction and be “all in.”

June 1 Holland PreTrip Devotional! I finished doing this devotional.! I prayed for and sent this person a message

Abigail Ursiny Abigail [email protected]

Salvation

John 14:6 “I am the way the truth and the life. No one can come to the father except through me. I think that this verse means that you have to accept Jesus into your heart to go to the God, the father and to live eternally in heaven.

I am going to tell you about the time I got saved. I was in second grade in Hiptown, the children’s program at the church I attended. The leaders asked if anyone wanted to ask God into their hearts. On one of those days I felt like it was something I wanted to do so I went up on stage and prayed the prayer. When I was done praying I felt really good and I wanted to do more. That was a very special day for me and my leaders were so proud of me and I was proud of myself to have the courage to go up there in front of everybody and accept Jesus.

Listen to Our God - Jason Waller (Acoustic Cover)

Dear God, I hope that I will be able to share my story with others on the trip and

encourage them to accept Jesus into their hearts. And that they will want to find out more about Jesus. And listen to what Jesus has to say. Amen.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDXae5sz068

Ian Lobbes616-888-5504

[email protected]:Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge but whoever hates correction is stupid. Good people obtain favor from the lord,but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes. No one can be established through wickedness but the righteous cannot be uprooted. Proverbs 12: 1-3.

Thoughts:To me this verse is saying that I need to appreciate the discipline that I get from the people around me. I need to remember that when people in my life correct me they are trying to help me and make me into a better person. It is also telling me to be careful of the friendships I choose and to make good decisions.

Prayer:God please help me to accept the discipline from the adults in my life who only care about me and want me to be the best person I can be. Please also help me to make good friend choices and make good decisions when I am with my friends.Amen


Kailey Kozminski

231-510-4017

[email protected]

Proverbs 31:25- “She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”.

To me, this verse means that it’s okay to be you and to live in the moment. I’m always so worried about the past or the future. Sometimes it feels like i’m not living in the present. This verse always reminds me to breathe and be myself, no matter what obstacles I encounter on the way. This verse motivates me to be myself and let others know it’s okay to be you no matter what anybody else says or thinks.

Song: Voice of Truth - Casting Crowns

But the waves are calling out my name, And they laugh at meReminding me of all the timesI've tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling meTime and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!" "You'll never win!"But the voice of truth tells me a different storyThe voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"Out of all the voices calling out to meI will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Lord, please help me accept your offer to not be afraid. Please let me learn to love myself the way I love others. Help me to love myself the way you love me, unconditionally. On this trip awaken me from my shell, let me show my true colors. Let those who struggle with self acceptance or dwelling of the past or fear of the future be in the present. Amen.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5FuR41p-pg

Gifts By: Ella Kooy

Email: [email protected] Phone number: (616) 229-1336

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ to do good works, Which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

I’m the third child out of 4 VERY competitive kids. All 4 of us are not that far apart in age and therefore make everything a competition. From music to our grades to who gets ready the fastest in the morning. Another fact about me and my siblings is we are all very similar. We all look somewhat alike, have pretty good grades, and we all do some type of music, from orchestra and band to choir. Because we are all so similar and competitive it’s very hard for me to not compare myself to them or get jealous. I find myself asking sometimes, Why didn’t I get the ability to understand science so easily? Or, how come I can’t memorize a song that fast? It’s so easy for me to look at what talents each of my siblings have and not pay attention to what talents I have. God gave me, my brothers, and sister all so many unique gifts. We all love music, but we also do different types of music. My sister plays violin, my older brother plays the tuba, My little brother does percusion, and I sing. God did the same with all his children. Each of us are similar in the way that all our hearts pump blood, and all our nose’s take in smells. But we were also made very differently, each of us have different strengths and weakness. For example, my sister is very good with little kids, but I love working with children who have disabilities. My younger brother is very good at math, but my older brother is very good at history. In the verse Ephesians 2:10 it talks about how we are all God’s handiwork, and we were created to do good works which God prepared in advance for us. God took the time to give each and every one of his children a unique but equally important gift. We all need to start paying more attention to how we can use our gifts rather than what gifts other people got.

Pray For... -You to find your gifts

-Ways you can use your gifts -New ways you can serve



The Upside Down Kingdom Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 616-727-0173

Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom. Blessed are those who mourn, For they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3-10

Thoughts

This passage is quite complicated. Why would the poor in spirit get the kingdom? I think Jesus doesn’t mean those who don’t know God, but instead he’s talking about how those who are poor, or not high in power. Jesus is saying the first will be last and the last will be first. Those in low power are like caterpillars. They aren’t considered much. People look down on them. However, when the kingdom of God comes, they will become beautiful butterflies. Now, people look at them in awe. So, remember on our mission trip people we meet may be in those lowly positions. We must respect them, pray with them, love them. Blessed are the poor in spirit.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that we will love the poor, that we will respect them, and remember that they will become first when the kingdom of God comes. And all God’s people say, Amen.



“Fruit of the Spirit”

By Mackenzie Paul 616-723-3281

[email protected]

There are many things you need to have in order to be a better person. In the Bible verse Galatians 5:22-23, it says “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Love- You have to love God and others. You care for them. Joy- You have to have joy in what you do. Be happy in all things. Peace- You have to have peace with others. Do not fight. Kindness- You have to be nice to others. Be NICE- Notice, invite, challenge and empower others. Goodness- You have to have a good heart. Helping others. Faithfulness- You have to have faith in God, yourself, and others. Trust that things will be okay. Gentleness- You have to use gentle words. Do not be so mean to others in tough situations. Self-Control- You have to control yourself. Stay calm in tough situations.

Song: Lyrics for Fruit Of The Spirit by Uncle Charlie The Fruit of the Spirit's not a coconut. The Fruit of the Spirit's not a coconut. If you want to be a coconut You might as well hear it: You can't be a fruit of the Spirit cause the fruit is Love, joy, peace, patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control Love, joy, peace, patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control Ohhhh! The Fruit of the Spirit's not a banana. The Fruit of the Spirit's not a banana. You want to be a banana You might as well hear it: You can't be a fruit of the Spirit cause the fruit is Love, joy, peace, patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control Love, joy, peace, patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control Ohhhh! The Fruit of the Spirit's not a watermelon. The Fruit of the Spirit's not a watermelon. You want to be a watermelon You might as well hear it: You can't be a fruit of the Spirit cause the fruit is Love, joy, peace, patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control Love, joy, peace, patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control Ohhhh! The Fruit of the Spirit's not a lemon. The Fruit of the Spirit's not a lemon. You want to be a lemon You might as well hear it: You can't be a fruit of the Spirit cause the fruit is Love, joy, peace, patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Love, joy, peace, patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control Ohhhh! The Fruit of the Spirit's not a cherry. The Fruit of the Spirit's not a cherry. You want to be a cherry You might as well hear it: You can't be a fruit of the Spirit cause the fruit is Love, joy, peace, patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control Love, joy, peace, patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control Ohhhh-kaaaaay! Everybody knows the grapes come in bunches so everybody get in big bunches The Fruit of the Spirit's not a graaaape. The Fruit of the Spirit's not a graaaape. You want to be a graaaape You might as well hear it: You can't be a fruit of the Spirit cause the fruit is Love, joy, peace, patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Love, joy, peace, patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Prayer: Dear God we thank you for blessing us with the fruits of the spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In the name of the Lord, Amen.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4oyh2sBDlE

Megan Taylor616-437-0605

[email protected]

1 John 3:1 NIVSee what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

Matthew 25:40 NIV“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Song: Kings and Queens by Audio Adrenaline https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rAlE2EnUP5A. Have you ever felt drawn to go talk to someone you don't know or seen someone in need and you felt pulled to help them? God has called us to serve others. He uses us to bring others to Him. How is He calling you to serve? In Matthew 25:40, he tells us that what we do for others, the least of these, we do for him. Later in the chapter, verse 45, he says what you do not do for others you do not do for Him. If God is calling you to serve someone, go and serve. Is God calling you to volunteer at church or school? Is he calling you to seek out a classmate who needs a friend but maybe isn't in your typical circle? Is he calling you to donate something you have plenty of where they may not? Could you donate to a food pantry or family in need? Donate your old clothing to someone in need? Or give your time? God loves us and we must show others His love for us through our actions towards others. I challenge you to take some time this week to listen to God. Ask him where he is asking you to serve others. Take time to notice the people around you and how you can help them. Maybe what He is asking you to do is scary or outside of your comfort zone. Pray about it and trust God.

I pray that as we prepare for this mission trip, Lord, you will open our eyes to those around us that you are leading us to get to know and serve. I pray that you will give us the courage to get out of our comfort zones, try new things, meet new people, and share your love with those we will be working with. I pray for the middle schoolers and leaders as they prepare their hearts for this trip, that you will speak to them and they will listen. Open their hearts to the needs of those around them. Help us to be your hands and feet in Holland as well as in our daily lives. Amen


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rAlE2EnUP5A

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rAlE2EnUP5A

Mathew VandenBos Phone number:(616) 634-7217 Email: [email protected]

Facebook:/matty.vandenbos.5 Instagram:Mathew_vbos

God’s Forgiveness

Matthew 7:7 - 7:12: “ Ask and it will be given to you; Seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give goods gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Meaning: For me this passage means that if you ask God for something, like forgiveness, he will provide it for them. If you seek forgiveness, you will get it. If you sin you can have the chance to be forgiven by God. God will forgive us for just about anything we do. We just have to work to not do these things again.

Song: Listen to the song The More I Seek You by Kari Jobe.

Prayer: Pray that God will forgive us and guide us on this journey to make more like him.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI_1YliutzA

Audrey DeVries616-272-9079

[email protected]

Hope

Psalms 39:7 And now, Lord what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

Listen to What a Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship

hope: hōp/ noun 1. a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

I often found myself putting my hope in God a lot when my dad got diagnosed with cancer for the second time. But sometimes, I felt like my hope was falling down right before my eyes. The fact that he might not get better or that he might have chemotherapy absolutely terrified me. I prayed and prayed to God that my dad would get better and he would give me strength. I realized God doesn’t always answer your prayers by directly telling you something. He answers them through others. When my parents let everyone know what was happening in our life, almost immediately everyone made it so we felt like we weren't alone and gave us strength. My neighbor organized it so a different family made us a meal everyday for three weeks. When something like this happens everyone you know and people you don't even know you knew just check in to make sure you are okay. When this happened I had my teacher in first grade who I haven't talked to in nearly six years, came up to me and asked me how my dad was doing. God didn't answer my prayers directly but he answered them through my neighbors, school, and church. It is so amazing to me that God speaks to you through people that you love even when you might not know its him speaking. So, just remember even if it feels like God isn't answering you and your whole world is falling apart, know that he is here, but not in the way that you might think.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for this day. Please guide us through this mission trip and change us for the better. Help us to see how you are answering our prayers through other people. In Jesus name, Amen



https://youtu.be/nQWFzMvCfLE

By: Josh Verbrugge Phone #: 616-406-4639 Email: [email protected]

Do Not be Afraid

Philippians 4:13 (NIV) 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Psalm 27:1 (NIV) 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?

Song: Listen to My Lighthouse by Rend Collective

-When going on mission trips I tend to get a little intimidated and really nervous. Most times this gets to me, and I may not participate. So may this devo help you to participate more, and hopefully you will become less nervous/stressed.

Prayer: As we go through this amazing week of bonding and serving you may we not be afraid for I know you are the foundation of my life, and may you be the light in the darkest of moments.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reAlJKv7ptU

Hannah FroshEmail: [email protected]

Text: 616-295-5627

Measuring SticksBible Verse: But let each one examine his own work and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in others. 5: For each one shall bear his own load. Galatians 6: 4-5

Thoughts: God does not want us to brag about ourselves or compare ourselves to someone else. God has given each of us special talents, to use in honor of him. For example, if God gave me a talent in sports, I am thankful but don't brag about it.

Question: What is your talent and do you honor God or brag about it?

Prayer:God, Thank you for the talents you have given us. Please, Lord, help us to be humble with the talents you give, and Lord may we use these talents to help others. Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit working in us to help others. Through our examples may we be a witness to Gods love to them. Thank you for your blessings today and every day. Amen.



Hailey Clack 616-560-0318

[email protected]

Anger Verses:

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,”Ephesians 4:26

“because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”James 1:20

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”Ephesians 4:31

“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”Psalm 37:8

Meaning:

These verses mean that unrighteous anger is not something that stems from God it was not created by God and that we shouldn’t let our anger carry on we should forgive. God doesn’t like when we are angry. You should try not to be angry. In fact we should try to get rid of rage and evil in our lives. God tells us that unrighteous anger and these things are from the devil and also lead to evil. This is why we should refrain from anger and turn to God.

Prayer:

That people can control their anger That our group will be able to talk to God when there upset


Fluggle Frubble Filosiful by Tom MacGraw Cell: 616-375-0017 Snap: tmac0319

Insta: tommacgraw_ Email: [email protected]

“God Turned Their Language into ‘Babble’”Genesis 11 1-2 At one time, the whole Earth spoke the same language. It so happened that as they moved out of the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled down.3 They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks and fire them well.” They used brick for stone and tar for mortar.4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city and a tower that reaches Heaven. Let’s make ourselves famous so we won’t be scattered here and there across the Earth.”5 God came down to look over the city and the tower those people had built.6-9 God took one look and said, “One people, one language; why, this is only a first step. No telling what they’ll come up with next—they’ll stop at nothing! Come, we’ll go down and garble their speech so they won’t understand each other.” Then God scattered them from there all over the world. And they had to quit building the city. That’s how it came to be called Babel, because there God turned their language into “babble.”

I recently got a new coworker who is reporting directly to me, and I am in the process of training her how to do what I do. Her name is Sridevi, and she is originally from India but has been in the United States for at least 3 years. Since she has been here for that long, her english is really good, along with her understanding of it, but there are still times where American slang is lost on her. There are also times when I will be talking and slur something or trail off in the middle of a sentence or my accent is hard to understand (yes, we have accents too!). But that goes both ways...there are times that she will ask me a question and I will have to have her ask it again and really focus to understand what she is asking.

While we are in Holland, we will be working with kids who may not talk much at all, or what they say won’t make sense. We may also encounter people who speak Spanish or another language as their first language and it may be difficult to communicate with them at times. I challenge you to not get frustrated and find ways to communicate. Maybe make motions, or draw, or find someone who can help bridge the gap between you and the person you are trying to connect with. Just don’t give up, because you never know what God is trying to tell you through that person.

Pray: Lord, help me to understand and be understood while in Holland. I pray for the people that I will encounter, and that they will be able to see You through me. Amen.


Attitude of Gratitude By: Sydney Mott

Email: [email protected] Phone Number: (616) 498-4832

1. In Psalm 9:1 it says “I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” This means you should praise the Lord and be thankful for the big thing just as much as the little things. On this trip you should express kindness to as many people you meet and share the love of God with them. Sometimes we take things for granted when we shouldn’t. God provides everything for us and loves us and we should love others and show gratitude just like him.

2. Dear God, I pray that everyone shows thankfulness and love to people we meet. I pray that we grow closer to you through worship and by serving you. I hope that we can grow closer together as a group and become a stronger family. Amen.

3. Listen to Desert Song -Hillsong Worship https://youtu.be/HUISd7LSxAQ



https://youtu.be/HUISd7LSxAQ

Gods Unyielding Love Amaris Demaray

[email protected]

Proverbs 15 :1,2

1 A gentle answer turns anger away But mean words stir up anger. 2. The tongues of wise people use knowledge well. But the mouths of foolish people pour out foolish words.

I often have a temper (blame it on my red hair! ) and I say and do things that God would not be proud of. I often get mad at my mom because she tells me what to do and I want to do it my own way! I say mean things to her and later (much later) I sit and think about our argument and I end up saying I’m sorry. I realize that she cares about me and loves me and she is trying to keep me safe. I wish I could take back some of the mean things I say and the mean thoughts I have against her. I love my mom and even though she knows I do, I want to show my appreciation for her for all she does for me.

Prayer:

God,

please help me to control my tongue when it comes to dealing with other people. Please help me gain control over the things I say and the thoughts I have out of anger. Please help me realize that I am loved and people care about me and my well being . According to your word I am to listen and respect adults. Please open my eyes on this mission trip to others who may be struggling with similar issues so I may forgive them when they say unkind things to me as I hope to be forgiven. In Jesus name I pray.

Amen



Using our Talents to serve God Samantha Eriks

[email protected] Insta:2023seriks “Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God” -Anonymous

1 Peter 4:10-11 says: “Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!” Today, and every day as we start getting ready for the mission trip I think it is important for us to think about the talents God has given us and how we can use them to glorify and serve him. It’s important to remember that God has given us our talents to glorify Him and not ourselves. Sometimes it is hard to remember that all things we do--whether it’s singing, art, sports, working with kids or anything else in between; God has given us the gifts we have for a reason. The question is, how are we using them to glorify Him? For most of us, it will be easier to use our talents to

glorify God during the mission trip; we will be able to use our strengths to help the kids at Blacktop Rec along with the community, but what about when we are not on the Mission Trip? What happens when we are at school, what do we do when we get chosen to be a captain in a sport or get a solo in choir? How do we, in those moments, serve God? How do we point our actions to Him? Take a moment to answer the following questions (just think or you can write them down): What talents has God given me?

How can I use those talents to serve God on the mission trip?

How can I use the talents God has given me to serve and bless others in my everyday life?

Basically, what God wants us to do is to bless others and help build his kingdom. The best part is, He has given us the tools we need to do that right here in our Youth Group! What talents do other people in our Youth Group have? How can we work together to show God’s love? Think about that as we prepare for the Mission Trip.

Dear Lord, Help me to use my talents: (______________________) that you have given me to bless others at all times, not just on the mission trip. Help me to also use my talents to build your kingdom. Help us to also have fun and lift others up on the mission trip! Amen.



God on the Ropes By Calum Leistra

[email protected]

This Friday I just back from Grace Adventures. I was there for four days for sixth grade camp. That is where all the kids in sixth grade from each Jenison elementary school go to camp, try new things, learn teamwork skills, and have fun. I was very excited to go, but I was nervous about one thing - the high ropes course. I am afraid of heights and this course was going to be challenging.

Wednesday morning started out rainy, so they sent us to the indoor ropes course right away. Feeling a bit sick in my gut, I stared up at the ropes and thought, “Man. This is going to be a challenge.” I had friends there cheering me on, but I was still nervous. Climbing the ladder, I whispered a quick, “God, help me” and started climbing.

God didn’t take away my fear, but He watched over me and I made it through. God won’t always make you invincible, but He always helps you. Life is an uphill climb and I’m only at the start, but I know I’m never alone.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Joshua 1:9. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

God was with me on that ropes course and He will be with me wherever I go in life. I’m not alone. That gives me a new confidence and the courage to keep climbing.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You that You are always with me. Thank You that you are always with us wherever we are and wherever we go. Amen.


Jeremy Zoet Cell: 616-886-1620 | Email: [email protected]

Snapchat: jeremyzoet | Instagram: jeremy_zoetScripture: Matthew 6:3325 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Thoughts: Every day of our lives we struggle with where our focus should be. We worry about what we are going to eat, what we are going to wear, what people are going to say about us, whether we are good enough, what people are going to think about our social media posts, if the day is going to go how WE want it to go. On mission trip, we also struggle with where our focus should be. What’s for breakfast, who am I going to sit by, did I pick a good outfit for what we are going to do today, what ARE we going to do today, what if I don’t like the work we are doing, what if I have to talk to a stranger, or what if the kids we are playing with don’t like me?We worry about the details, forgetting God’s care for us in each of these circumstances. Instead, Matthew 6:33 says to seek/strive FIRST God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness and God will take care of the rest. What would it look like if we started our days and kept our focus on God’s kingdom, putting God’s kingdom first? What if we were more concerned about what God cares about as right and good rather than what we want?What would it look like if on our mission trip, we started our day with God first, prioritizing God’s kingdom and what God thinks is right, instead of worrying about all of our junk? What if we set aside our worries of the day and sought after what God wanted for the day?

Prayer: God, I confess I get so caught up in what I want, often ignoring what you want. Help me to strive for you first. Give me a hunger that seeks for you so that you are all I really want and all I really need. May I learn how to seek you first so that all else fades to the background.

Listen to Seek First by Housefires



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfAusAxKaaE

Holding on even when it’s hard By:Ella Bond

(616)734-9249 [email protected]

Isaiah 41:13-For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Listen to King of My Heart by Sarah McMillan My favorite lyrics from this song are from the bridge part:

“You’re never gonna let, never gonna let me down.”

I chose the song “King of my Heart” for my devotional. I learned this song at our Spring Hill Retreat this year and have been in love with it ever since. I especially love the part “you're never gonna let, never gonna let me down.” It speaks to me very much and tells me that no matter what, God will never let us down and will always be with us, by our sides.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for everything that you do for us. You are always there for us when times get hard and I know that you will hold on. I pray that you would bring light to me, all the wonderful things that you do

and give me a deeper connection with you and the people I work with, including all of my wonderful youth group friends. Amen.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpqSbKYxd9Y

Lexie Austin

616-648-6263

[email protected]

Proverbs 13:5

“The LORD detests lying lips, but delights in people who are trustworthy.”

Lying is something we can often do without thinking. We have all done it. We know it’s wrong. Nobody wants to be lied to because it hurts so much. Even the smallest of lies we tell can turn someone’s life upside down. We would never intentionally do something that could really hurt someone, however, lying can be like stabbing a someone in the back. We all want our friends to stay truthful to us and not hurt us. We need friends and it’s difficult to find one who would never lie to us’. You definitely would not want to be around them if they do lie to you because you lose trust in them and would never know if they are telling the truth or not. Yes, sometimes lying can seem like a good idea. We think we are sparing someone’s feelings by lying. However, you can really never know if someone is hurt by it. Lies can hurt people emotionally and physically. We don’t want our friends to feel hurt, and we don’t want ourselves to get hurt. We want to have friends who we can trust and not stab us in the back. We have one friend who would never lie to us or hurt us. God. He will always be there for us whenever we need him. Trust in him and he will answer your prayers without lying. Trust in him and he will lead you closer to him. He will also help us with the struggles in life from big to small.

Listen to: If we’re honest by Francesca Battistelli

Dear Lord,

Please guide our hearts to not hurt others but to bring others up and be honest. Put your words in our minds so that we can try to be more like you in the way we think and the way we do things. Please forgive us for all the wrong we have done and help us not to repeat them. Amen.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzkBkCihiT8

Character. Revealed. When the pressure’s on, what does our character reveal about us?

Rachel Eriks, 616.403.4317, [email protected]

Movie. In the movie “Captain America: The First Avenger,” Steve Rogers (soon-to-be Captain America) is a physically weak and puny guy. But Steve had something a lot of the strongest men didn’t: even when under intense pressure, Steve displayed integrity and heroism that most others did not even come close to having. When Steve Rogers was put under intense pressure, his character revealed selfless maturity and heroism. Watch this quick gif as Steve shows his heroic character early in the Captain America movie. https://bit.ly/2rDrgsG While everyone else ran away when the grenade was thrown, Steve dove onto it to protect others.

Bible. In the Bible, we read about a real man of strong character: Daniel. When we read Daniel (I recommend reading or rereading the book of Daniel), we find that he, like some of his good friends, had been taken from his homeland and moved to Babylon when King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem. Daniel and a few of his friends were pretty great guys (remember the 3 guys and the fiery furnace?), and the King and his advisers recognized that as they were put in the King’s special group of academically and physically talented young men. But when the King as his advisors asked Daniel and his friends to eat their food and drink their wines that were normally not acceptable for their beliefs, Daniel and his friends took the risk of staying true to their beliefs, even under pressure, and they neither ate nor drank these things. Later on in the story, when a new King was in power, the king’s officials became jealous of Daniel and tried to trap him. They got the King to give an order that for 30-days, the only person that could be prayed to was the King himself; anyone not following this command would be thrown in the lion’s den! Daniel, however, continued to pray to God as he always had, and because of this, he was eventually thrown into the lion’s den. Read Daniel 6 for this exciting account! The key though: When Daniel was put under intense pressure, his character revealed integrity to his faith in God.

School. Working at the junior high, I get to see a lot of you from time to time. Whether or not I get to see you, I know you face many pressures at school. You may deal with pressures that involve your friends, or you may experience difficult times with your parents, you may want to make sure you are popular or that you are seen with the “right” people and that you’re wearing the “right” clothes… In the midst of all these pressures and more, I know many of you have claimed Jesus as your Lord and Savior and you are striving to live in a way that would make Him happy. So the question for you with school is: When you are under pressures at school, what do your character, actions, and words say to the world around you?

Adult-life. Guess what? As an adult, I still face some of the very same trials and temptations that you do. I may have challenges with my friends or disagreements in my family, or I may worry that I don’t “fit in” when I’m in different places. I may not speak up every time about what I feel is right because I don’t want to offend someone, while at other times when I do speak, my reaction could be more gentle. There is always room for improvement and growth during these uncomfortable times; I want to become both more courageous and mature in God’s eyes. So the question for me STILL is: When I’m under any kind of pressure, what do my character, actions, and words say to the world around me?

James 1: 2-4 “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Prayer. God, we thank you for giving us your grace and hope, and for developing patience and maturity in us through the experiences you put in our lives. Help us as we try to live for you in the pressures we face every day. Amen.


https://bit.ly/2rDrgsG

Forgetting About The past

By: Kaylee Anthony [email protected]

616-430-2846 Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining for what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ jesus.

Tell your heart to beat again By: Danny Gokey

You're shattered Like you've never been before

The life you knew In a thousand pieces on the floor

And words fall short in times like these When this world drives you to your knees

You think you're never gonna get back To the you that used to be

(Chorus) Tell your heart to beat again Close your eyes and breathe it in

Let the shadows fall away Step into the light of grace Yesterday's a closing door

You don't live there anymore Say goodbye to where you've been And tell your heart to breathe again

Beginning Just let that word wash over you

It's alright now Love's healing hands have pulled you through

So get back up, take step one Leave the darkness, feel the sun Cause your story's far from over And your journey's just begun

Chorus

Let every heartbreak And every scar

Be a picture that reminds you Who has carried you this far

'Cause love sees farther than you ever could In this moment heaven's working

Everything for your good

Chorus

Prayer Dear Lord, I pray that over this mission trip we will be able to forget about the past and focus on the present. I pray that we will enjoy the moments that we have and not let the past bring us down. Amen



Ethan Brower Email: [email protected]

Phone: 616-202-6347

Love Your Neighbor In reply, Jesus said: A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was

attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper.

“Look after him,” he said, “and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.” Luke 10:30-35

Thoughts: After thinking about this passage, I started to wonder who I am in this story.

When I think about my life, I wonder who I have passed by on the road? Who have I been a samaritan to? When we see people struggling with money in our own neighborhoods, what do we do? When refugees come to us, do we let them in or send them away? Hopefully, on this trip, we can work hard to care for the people in Holland and become good samaritans.

Prayer: Dear God, You are an awesome and great God. Thank you for allowing us to go to Holland. While we are there, help us to take care of those in need. God, help us to reform our lives into lives of servitude. Give us the courage to help the kids at Blacktop Rec. Thank you for always being with us. Amen



Documents

Middle School PreTrip Devotional Packet