Daily Wisdom for First Responders: 180 daily devotions for first responders Start any time of the year Encouragement, Strength, and peace of mind

By Armando Fontes

Daily Wisdom for First Responders is a 180-day daily devotional that one can start at any time of the year. It provides daily scripture, and inspirational wisdom from someone who has seen the same grief, sorrow, and devastation created by people’s poor choices and lack of spiritual accountability. This book will make you think and help you realize the importance of your profession and calling. It will strengthen you and remind you that you are not alone. This book will motivate you to see people through God’s eyes and help you to live in His strength found in His word.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9798385025152

Armando Fontes

Armando Fontes began his career in 1996 as a corrections officer, in 1997 he began full time as a Deputy Sheriff with the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office. During his career he became an ordained minister and completed training to become a police chaplain. He continued his work in Law enforcement as a School Resource Officer and in 2010 He was elected Sheriff in Newport TN. Armando retired from the sheriff position after 25 years of service and went to work part time as a patrolman for the White Pine Police Department in White Pine TN. He served full time as a School Security Officer at Lakeway Christian Academy in White Pine TN and God opened a door of opportunity with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office in 2023. Armando currently works as the East Tennessee Law Enforcement Liaison with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office serving multiple Law Enforcement agencies in the Eastern District of Tennessee. Armando is now serving his fellow officers and assisting agencies to make their communities a safer place, he has had the privileged to work with many men and women who are first responders in the field of police, fire, and EMS. Armando has been married to his wife Jackie for 27 years, has 4 children, and loves the Lord as His faith is in Jesus Christ. It is an honor for him to serve his fellow officers and fellow man.

Book preview

So You’re a First Responder

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

—Romans 13:1 (NIV)

You have entered a profession in which you work for a government entity. If you are a police officer, border patrol agent, deputy sheriff, firefighter, emergency services worker, or federal agent, there is one thing in common: you work for the government to serve and save people.

You are a leader, a trained professional, and you should have a sincere desire to make a difference in the community you serve. Read the book of Romans 13:1–9 (NIV); it teaches that our profession has been established by God for serving others. We are called to help others and hold others accountable for their actions, and we are to lead by example while holding ourselves accountable to God’s standards. Jesus Christ is our standard; He is our living example and the hope of the world.

God created us for fellowship and has provided us with direction through His Word. The scripture teaches us how to live and how to act, so take time to prepare yourself spiritually because you just entered a profession where you will experience dysfunction, despair, heartache, ridicule, satisfaction, and personal fulfillment. Make a difference by helping people; do not allow your view of humanity to become distorted by the negative experiences you encounter. Try to see people through God’s eyes. Show people that there is a better life for them if their hearts are aligned with God’s will, not their own will. Lead people by being an example in your speech, conduct, character, and compassion. Make America great again by teaching others to love one another, forgive one another, and always encourage one another. In God We Trust, our nation’s motto, means so much more when you learn God’s Word, apply it, and live by it with genuine faith.

BOLO

Lord, thank you for my calling as a first responder. Prepare my heart and my mind and give me the physical strength to be a living example that reflects Your goodness. Help me to see people through Your eyes, and protect my family and me as I serve others.

Day 1

911, What’s the Emergency?

In the time of my favor, I heard you, and in the day of salvation, I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

—2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV)

As Paul was inspired by God to share his faith, he reminded the church to not squander what God has given to His children. We live in a time of urgency where people are dying daily. We deal with motor vehicle crashes, drug overdoses, homicides, house fires, and many other tragedies. Lives are lost and families endure great pain and sorrow, and they need someone to comfort and encourage them.

In Mark 16:15 (NIV), we are called to share our faith given by Him. Today is the day that we need to share the love of Christ with everyone. We may feel broken, tired, discouraged, and done with the world around us, but the world needs salvation, the world needs godly leaders, and the world needs men and women of character and compassion.

The next hour or minute is not guaranteed in a person’s life, so there is an urgency to share our faith. You may be the only one who has ever taken the time to tell someone about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Those few small words you say could change a person’s life forever. Today is the day to share your faith with others. Today is the day to answer the calling that God has commissioned you to do.

BOLO

Lord, remind me daily that I have been called into a ministry to share Your good news of salvation. Provide opportunities for me to share my faith and Your goodness, for You are worthy and times are urgent.

Day 2

Men and Women of Honor

So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

—1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

True fellowship with God requires you to honor Him with the life He has given you. Our actions, attitudes, and lifestyles should reflect His good nature. We are called to represent Him; we are called to be a living example of His goodness.

As firefighters, police officers, paramedics, nurses, soldiers, or EMTs, we are called into careers of service that require us to perform our duties with professional standards. We are to project sincerity; we are to show compassion and understanding. We live in a time where everyone is looking at your conduct and the way you project yourself, and they record your actions on their smartphones as well. Some people love to post your demeanor on social media, and all of a sudden, your conduct is in the mainstream media.

We need to train ourselves to honor God with our speech, conduct, attitude, and reactions. As Christians, we have a calling to be men and women of honor as we live a lifestyle that honors our Creator. Read God’s Word and take it to heart, study God’s Word and apply it to your lifestyle, and cherish God’s Word because it will make you successful in your profession and in life. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together (Psalm 34:3 NIV). We honor God by our faithfulness. Our faithfulness results in honorable actions and speech, so let us honor God with everything we do.

BOLO

Lord, teach me through Your Word to honor You. Help me to apply Your Word to my daily life so others will see Your goodness in me. Help me, Lord, to share Your way of life with my family and friends.

Day 3

Faith, Family, and Service

Then God said, Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.

—Genesis 1:26 (NIV)

We were created for a purpose, and that purpose is fellowship with God through Jesus Christ and fellowship with one another grounded in His Word. Our purpose in life is to love one another, serve one another, and help one another, all while serving our awesome Creator.

Law enforcement has a motto: To Protect and Serve. Emergency management services have a motto: EMS Strong. Firefighters have a motto: Always Ready. And the United States Border Patrol has a motto: Honor First. We are men and women with a heart to serve others, we are leaders, and we are all motivated to make a difference. We are heroes to children. Some of us are parents, some are married, and others are single, but we all need one another.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27 NIV). As men or women, we are a part of God’s greatest creation, made to live out His virtues, so let us live up to His expectations. Serve God through faith. Honor your family by teaching them the same virtues, and serve with sincerity. Love your family and be devoted to their best interest as you guide them as a spiritual leader. Teach your children the importance of God’s Word, and help them to see how important it is to learn it and apply it. Work in your profession with honor, service, and integrity. Our faith should have an impact on our family, friends, and coworkers, making our service conform to God’s example.

BOLO

Lord, I love You. Help me to always serve You with sincerity. Help me to grow in my faith, teach me to love my family, and guide me in my service to my community. Without You, I am nothing.

Day 4

Learn and Prepare

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.

—2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

As emergency responders, we devote our lives to serving, protecting, and helping others in need. Police officers, EMS, and firefighters provide emergency medical care, rescue those in trouble, and deal with tragedy daily. We train to be prepared and to react to various situations. We train to better ourselves so we can be successful at our jobs.

One thing we should never forget is to train ourselves spiritually by reading God’s Word to help prepare our hearts for service. We train spiritually to help prepare the hearts of others, to comfort the afflicted, and to train one another to live a godly lifestyle that will benefit our society.

The early church trained spiritual leaders to lead by example, to always be able to give sound biblical direction, and to hold one another accountable with love, patience, correction, and instruction. We should follow these same principles today for a better tomorrow. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts (Colossians 3:16 NIV). Proper preparation consists of learning, living, and applying God’s instructions.

BOLO

Lord, help me to lead others through Your Word. Help me to teach others and to guide others by being a living example.

Day 5

Dealing with Conflict

If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

—Matthew 18:15 (NIV)

So your fellow emergency responder makes you mad, lies to you, or, rumor has it, says something about you. You begin to focus on the issue; you get angry and start having judgmental thoughts against this person who is not only a coworker but supposedly a friend. When our focus is directed at a single issue, it can consume us, and once consumed, it can distract or even destroy us.

Ephesians 4:26 NIV says, In your anger do not sin, do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Go to the source of your problem with a patient, forgiving, humble attitude immediately after you pray for your own attitude. Seek reconciliation, not retaliation. Remember, What would Jesus do?

Conflicts or issues that are not addressed will fester and consume your thoughts. Holding in issues that are bothering you never fixes the problem; it only creates more problems. True friends should be able to come to one another and resolve conflict, true leaders should be able to resolve conflict, and true character learns to deal with troublesome issues in a godly manner. Do not allow your mistakes or the mistakes of others to destroy friendship and do not allow conflict to distract you or destroy your witness.

BOLO

Lord, help me to have a forgiving heart, help me to deal with personal conflict and help me to let Your light shine in the life You have given me.

Day 6

No Fear

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.

—Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

We work in a field where we deal with some scary, tense, and uncertain situations. Whether it is responding to a house fire, an active shooter, or a domestic altercation, we can guarantee one thing: we have a serious situation at hand. What makes us great is we run to the threat, knowing that danger is waiting on our arrival.

Remember, we are called to be brave, and we are not alone. As God was with the children of Israel, he will also be with us as we fulfill His calling as a Christian and public servant. Were you led into the profession of a public servant? If the answer is yes, then remember, God has your back.

If God has called you, He will equip you, protect you, and never leave you. Our job is to train, prepare, and communicate with our Lord as we respond to these difficult situations. God will never leave you nor forsake you; He still fights our battles for us as he did with His chosen people. Do not fear, He will help you. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). God will help us, sustain us, and provide us with the tools and resources needed to address all emergencies.

BOLO

Lord, help me to trust in You, to put my life into Your hands, and to always honor You as I serve my fellow men. Keep me safe and protect me for I am Your child called to do good.

Day 7

The Drug Addicted and Sin Addicted Are Searching for Joy

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

—John 15:11 (NIV)

As emergency responders, we are bombarded with a sin-addicted society that is struggling with various drug addictions. I’ve never heard an addict say, Hey, I want to be an addict, I want to victimize my family, I want to victimize myself, I want to have a life full of hurt and sorrow.

Addicts become addicts by making bad choices, some by experimenting and others because of being prescribed legal, highly potent, and addictive painkillers such as OxyContin. Addicts are stripped of their joy and self-worth, and they lose their path in life. Addicts become victims of their choices and seek temporary fulfillment from a fix. On hearing this, Jesus said to them, It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners (Mark 2:17).

Jesus came to heal the sick, help the hurting, provide hope, give life, and seek out those who were struggling with addiction. As emergency responders, we need to see addicts through God’s eyes. We need to remind them that God loves them and wants to give them the true joy that can only be found in Him. God wants to heal their self-worth and give them hope and a future. If the drug-addicted person does not see the love of Christ in us as emergency responders, we are failing our calling.

BOLO

Lord, help me to see the sin addicted through Your eyes. Remind me that they are just as important to You as I am. Help me to be a source of joy even when I do not feel like doing so.

Day 8

In God We Trust; All Others, We Run through NCIC

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

—Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)

Being in law enforcement, you see and experience lies, deception, wickedness, and evil in people. You are constantly dealing with people who lack morality and who are driven by selfish ambition. In law enforcement, when investigating a person, we run them through a nationwide database called the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). This allows officers to see who is wanted for committing a crime. God does not need NCIC; He knows our every deed, sin, and motive in everyone.

Constant exposure to people’s evil deeds results in a serious lack of trust in others. Then when you must deal with a friend, family member, or everyday citizen who cheats or lies to you, you ask yourself, Is anyone trustworthy? The answer is yes, God and His Word are trustworthy. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you (Psalm 9:10 NIV).

Everything and everyone can let you down, including yourself, but God never lets you down. Trust in His Word and His ways, and learn His plan for your successful life serving Him. Yes, things may not make sense at times, but trust in our Miracle Worker who sees the result. We see our past and current events; God sees our future, so trust in Him.

BOLO

Father, help me to trust You, teach me to trust You, and grow my faith in You.

You see the big picture and You know what is best for me.

Help me understand Your plans for my life.

Day 9

Spiritually Discerned

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

—1 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)

The person who does not have Christ in their lives simply does not understand faith, the Bible, or biblical teachings. They look at salvation and spiritual needs as foolishness. When they open their hearts and minds to God’s Word, accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they experience a transformation.

We are told in Romans 8:9 NKJV that God’s Holy Spirit becomes a part of us, to lead us, teach us, and help us grow in our faith. People who reject Jesus Christ do not have God’s Spirit, which adds to their inability to understand spiritual matters. John 14:26 (NKJV) tells us that people who accept Jesus as their Lord learn and grow in faith through God’s spirit which teaches them God’s will.

As emergency responders, we need to grow spiritually through the study of God’s Word, obeying His spiritual nudge and convictions. We work in a field where there are so many people who are spiritually discerned, and their lives are in chaos. We need to prepare ourselves to share our faith so others will benefit. We cannot share what we do not understand, so it is important to study God’s Word allowing His spirit to teach us and learn it. Our calling is to serve, our mission is to help better