A Pastoral Word. . . Protective Efforts
Pastor Kevin Freeman
February 20, 2025
In early February, news came of a tragic medical jet crash in Philadelphia, which took the lives of seven people. The scene on the ground was one of mayhem and carnage. Many people were in the vicinity of the crash, and it is miraculous that more were not killed or injured amid the disaster. Ten-year-old Trey Howard stepped in to provide incredible protection during those scary moments.
Trey and two of his siblings were on an outing with their father Andre to get donuts. They were in the car when the crash occurred quite close to them. The scene, Andre recalls, was “like a horror movie.” Forced to put the car in reverse to move to safety, Andre looked back and saw Trey shielding his sister. A piece of shrapnel was imbedded in Trey’s head. This required emergency surgery.
By God’s grace, Trey survived the surgery. When he awoke, he reportedly asked two questions. The first was, “Did I miss the Eagles Superbowl?” The second was, “Did I save my sister?” Trey’s first impulse when the crash occurred was to shield his sister using his own body. He is a hero.
As Christians, we are called to be like Trey. Our situation will likely not involve a plane crash and shrapnel, but we must nonetheless step in to protect one another. Scripture describes several protective efforts that we must make for each other.
We serve one another. Instead of meeting our own needs, we must seek to meet the needs of others. “Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4 CSB).
We sacrifice for one another. “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (Acts 2:44-45 NIV).
We intercede in prayer for one another. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1 ESV). “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16 NLT).
When we do those things, we imitate our Savior. Jesus modeled servanthood when He washed His disciples’ feet in the Upper Room (John 13:3-5). He became our example of sacrificial love when He laid down His life for us on the cross (Romans 5:8; Philippians 2:8). Having risen from the grave, Jesus now is our advocate, interceding to the Father on our behalf (Romans 8:34; 1 Timothy 2:5). We step in to help others, because that is was Jesus did and does for us.
This week, I encourage you to consider who has stepped in to protect you and help you thrive. You might want to let that person know how much you appreciate those efforts. Then think about who needs your protective intercession. Find a way to serve, sacrifice for, or intercede in prayer for that person.
Your partner in ministry,
Kevin Freeman
Trey and two of his siblings were on an outing with their father Andre to get donuts. They were in the car when the crash occurred quite close to them. The scene, Andre recalls, was “like a horror movie.” Forced to put the car in reverse to move to safety, Andre looked back and saw Trey shielding his sister. A piece of shrapnel was imbedded in Trey’s head. This required emergency surgery.
By God’s grace, Trey survived the surgery. When he awoke, he reportedly asked two questions. The first was, “Did I miss the Eagles Superbowl?” The second was, “Did I save my sister?” Trey’s first impulse when the crash occurred was to shield his sister using his own body. He is a hero.
As Christians, we are called to be like Trey. Our situation will likely not involve a plane crash and shrapnel, but we must nonetheless step in to protect one another. Scripture describes several protective efforts that we must make for each other.
We serve one another. Instead of meeting our own needs, we must seek to meet the needs of others. “Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4 CSB).
We sacrifice for one another. “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (Acts 2:44-45 NIV).
We intercede in prayer for one another. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1 ESV). “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16 NLT).
When we do those things, we imitate our Savior. Jesus modeled servanthood when He washed His disciples’ feet in the Upper Room (John 13:3-5). He became our example of sacrificial love when He laid down His life for us on the cross (Romans 5:8; Philippians 2:8). Having risen from the grave, Jesus now is our advocate, interceding to the Father on our behalf (Romans 8:34; 1 Timothy 2:5). We step in to help others, because that is was Jesus did and does for us.
This week, I encourage you to consider who has stepped in to protect you and help you thrive. You might want to let that person know how much you appreciate those efforts. Then think about who needs your protective intercession. Find a way to serve, sacrifice for, or intercede in prayer for that person.
Your partner in ministry,
Kevin Freeman
Source: https://abc7.com/post/daddy-did-save-sister-asks-10-year-old-boy-hospitalized-philadelphia-plane-crash/15865084/
Image source: https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4DfmQ2lpUWwDZbFRUFdJBw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_independent_635/4ab6b5a759df674e2f6f1468721435db
Image source: https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4DfmQ2lpUWwDZbFRUFdJBw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_independent_635/4ab6b5a759df674e2f6f1468721435db
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