Swaziland 2017: Devotions for Day 2

July 23
Sunday

Today’s Tentative Plan:
Breakfast at Aviator,
Drive to Swaziland,
Lunch on road,
Cultural orientation

 Please Read Psalm 142
1 With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.
2 I pour out my complaint before him;
I tell my trouble before him.
3 When my spirit faints within me, you know my way!
In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.
5 I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
6 Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me!
7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.

Is there something on your heart where you would join with the Psalmist today in crying out? How awesome that our God hears and cares for our every thought. This week you will see many who are hurting, lonely and feel helpless. Our message this week is to tell them that there is One who cares. He is not an American or Swazi. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and yet He cares for us and them. Pray this week that the people we come in contact with will not see us as Americans, but as Children of the Living God who love them and have come to be His hands and feet.

Focal Passage for Today
1 John 4:7: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”

Theme: Love One Another
As we interact with those around us today may we treat each other with love. Romans 12 tells us to try to outdo one another in showing brotherly affection. Find someone in our group today that you don’t know well and spend some time learning about them. Take time to show them the love of Jesus. Tomorrow we will be meeting our new Swazi friends and we will want to pour the love of Jesus on them as well, but today focus on building relationships with your team members. Look for the good in them. After two days of travel you may be weary, but the love of Jesus and your team will give you new strength.

Pray for:
Safe travels
The mission ahead
Unity and love in the team
Easy passage across the boarder
The missionaries as they prepare for our group
Our families and church families at home as they worship today