Different

Devotional Guide  

April 29-May 6th

Acts 8:26-40

Morning Prayer

Morning sun that breaks the dawn I arise to praise the Lord of your light. Your rays of power and my heart glow in honor of you my Lord and God. Lead me in my prayers to open my heart to your grace, my mind to your wisdom, and my life to your purpose.  

St. Philip the Deacon by Ann Chapin

VISIO DIVINA 

is meditative/prayer practice that opens the heart and soul to connect with

God through images.

As you look at this image contemplate how the scripture from Acts speaks to you.

How does the artist create equality between Philip and the Eunuch?

What feelings do you encounter viewing this image?

What is God revealing to you about your path, heart, attitudes?

READINGS FOR REFLECTION

Use an additional resource like the Upper Room or any devotionals you prefer

Different is the Point.

    When you buy a hardbound book, it comes with a dust jacket. The paper cover that has amazing artwork to draw your eye, and on the back reviews. The flyleaf or the paper wings that fold behind the hardcover also has author notes, reviews, and publisher notes.  We all know that we cannot determine how we will enjoy, be inspired, or influenced by a book without reading it.  If we regularly read an author and know their work, we have a better sense of how we will respond to their book.  When choosing a new author to read the reviews and comments are important to get a feel for their writing and your response to it. The real test is to read the book.

     Philip, when prompted by the Holy Spirit, encounters a man with a dust jacket very different from his own. He is darker skinned, educated, powerful, wealthy, and a eunuch from Ethiopia. Without the review by the Holy Spirit, I don’t know that Philip would naturally engage this man. They are complete opposites. And yet through the power of love and grace, they celebrate God together. They read from the book of Isaiah. Philip explains the gospel and they become brothers in Christ.

     Stop judging books by their covers and start reading. It’s about relationships and being different is the point.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

You may also like Lectio Divina a focused reading and meditation of scripture.

Audio Lectio   

One Year Bible

Chronological Bible

Virtues to Guide Your Week

Consider what you can do to live out each virtue this week. How can you love your neighbor? How will you deny yourself? How will you be thankful?

love of God- Sunday                 

love of neighbor -Monday         

humility -Tuesday                     

self-denial -Wednesday and Friday

resignation and meekness -  Thursday

and thanksgiving - Saturday 

Heitzenrater, Richard P. (2013-08-20). Wesley and the People Called Methodists

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT

           * Find your quiet center, empty your mind, and be present to hear the voice of God. Color, write in a journal, listen to music, use prayer beads to help your focus. Concentrate upon what God is calling you to understand, change, make, explore…...

SENDING PRAYER

Maker of the melodies of life, the songs of the heart, the praise of the birds and flower, I steel myself to end my time in your presence. Fill my heart throughout this day with your peace and power that I might live in

joy and in devotion to you. Amen

DAYTIME

Set a reminder to pray throughout the day. Embrace the breath of prayer, release your burdens, be thankful. Recall today’s readings, the Visio Divina and meditate upon them and how they are affecting your day.

DAYTIME PRAYER

Designer of the stillness, calm my heart. Remind me of your love and my goals of joy and service for this day. Realign my mind and soul with your will. Infuse my heart with grace, and my body with strength and determination. Amen

EVENING

Questions for Day that has Past 

It is important to reflect upon our day and where we may be more present

in our faith and more expressive in sharing what we know of God’s grace with others. These questions are in response to what God begins within us.

God is the force to which we respond.  We live in response

 to his love given through Christ.

Did I grow in my disciplines to prayer, scripture, and devotion to God?

Did I in some way put God and others before myself in how I lived today?

Did I live out the virtue of this day?

Did I love better today?

What do I regret today?

What will be my goal for tomorrow?

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT*

EVENING PRAYER

Lord of the cooling shadows and the whispering wind, speak to the hot shame of my day. Forgive me for my failings and criticisms and my loveless actions. Bring to me in your love a pure heart and gentle sleep. Inspire my heart to remain in your grace and my mind in your word that I may be perfected in your love. Amen

Stealing Joy

Devotional Guide  

April 22-29

Acts 3:12-19, 4:1-10,12-20

Morning Prayer

Father of rising sun and morning light, you bring joy into my day. As the birds awake and the day begins I am entranced by your creation and energy. I seek to grow through your word and know further your love, and myself through this time of prayer. Take me in your Spirit to experience your presence and grace. Amen

VISIO DIVINA 

is meditative/prayer practice that opens the heart and soul to connect with

God through images.

As you look at this image contemplate how the scripture from Acts speaks to you.

How and Why are the High Priest’s destroying the joy of the people?

In Your life consider when you have destroyed joy.

What feelings do you encounter viewing this image?

What is God revealing to you about God, love, yourself?

READINGS FOR REFLECTION

Use an additional resource like the Upper Room or any devotionals you prefer

Stealing Joy

Why is it there always a joy stealer around right when you are feeling excited about an idea, accomplishment, possibility etc.? It is that miserable and negative person who wants everyone else to be miserable too. Perhaps it is that person who needs control, so they go about causing destruction. It could be jealousy, hatred, ambition, covetousness etc. that motivate their heart to hurt others.  Our scripture points out the power of joy held in the spirit focused on Jesus Christ. Those responsible for plotting and manipulating the system to ensure the death of Christ have encountered a joyful celebration of faith and healing. The scripture helps us understand that our joy based in Christ is not so easily stolen. The leaders are defeated in suppressing the joy of the crowd. Their success lies only in fortifying their misery and darkness.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

You may also like Lectio Divina a focused reading and meditation of scripture.

Audio Lectio   

One Year Bible

Chronological Bible

Virtues to Guide Your Week

Consider what you can do to live out each virtue this week. How can you love your neighbor?

How will you deny yourself? How will you be thankful?

love of God- Sunday                 

love of neighbor -Monday         

humility -Tuesday                     

self-denial -Wednesday and Friday

resignation and meekness -  Thursday

and thanksgiving - Saturday 

 Heitzenrater, Richard P. (2013-08-20). Wesley and the People Called Methodists

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT

           * Find your quiet center, empty your mind, and be present to hear the voice of God. Color, write in a journal, listen to music, use prayer beads to help your focus. Concentrate on what God is calling you to understand, change, make, explore…...

SENDING PRAYER

Lord of my joy, my heart, my life, I prepare myself to leave your presence. I center on your world, your people, your Son, and your Spirit. I give myself, my strength, my all into your will. Open my mind and heart to live your word and use my hands and resources to your will. Amen

DAYTIME

Set a reminder to pray throughout the day. Embrace the breath of prayer, release your burdens, be thankful. Recall today’s readings, the Visio Divina and meditate upon them and how they are affecting your day.

DAYTIME PRAYER

The day moves ahead quickly undaunted by time and purpose. I pause in your Holy Spirit to realign into your grace and power. Bestow upon me peace and resolve to continue this day in your spirit and love. Let me be your love and mercy to others. Amen

EVENING

Questions for Day that has Past 

It is important to reflect upon our day and where we may be more present in our faith 

and more expressive in sharing what we know of God’s grace with others. These questions 

are in response to what God begins within us.God is the force to which we respond.  We live in response

 to his love given through Christ.

Did I grow in my disciplines to prayer, scripture, and devotion to God?

Did I in some way put God and others before myself in how I lived today?

Did I live out the virtue of this day?

Did I love better today?

What do I regret today?

What will be my goal for tomorrow?

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT*

EVENING PRAYER

Father of night breezes and darkening sky, I come in prayer as the day begins to fade into tomorrow. I offer my day to do. I give you my doubts, regrets, sins, shame, and fears. Forgive me my failings and rejoice in my moments of love, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. Bless me with dreams of gentle beauty and sleep that restores my body, that I may awaken renewed and full of joy to live devoted to you another day. Amen

The Beautiful Gate

Devotional Guide  April 15^th-22^nd

Acts 3:1-19

VISIO DIVINA 

is meditative/prayer practice that opens the heart and soul to connect with

God through images.

As you look at this image contemplate how this scripture speaks to you.

Do doors represent beginnings or endings?

What feelings do you encounter viewing this image?

What is God revealing to you about God, love, yourself?

PRAYER

MORNING

Morning coo of loving praise find my heart as I awaken to the blessings of this day. Lord of song, warming seasons, and rich earth, inspire my heart to love you with the passion you love me. I endeavor to start my day lived as a masterpiece of love to your grace. Amen

READINGS FOR REFLECTION

Use an additional resource like the Upper Room or any devotionals you prefer.

The Beautiful Gate

There was a man crippled from birth who was carried every day to sit outside the temple door called beautiful. What was beautiful for that man to beg for mercy at the door and never to enter the sanctuary? It was a provident place to collect alms as people were preparing to enter the temple. Mercy was given there at the steps to the beautiful gate. The disciples encounter this man and offer not money, but life. Healing him through faith he is able to enter into the beauty of life in Christ. Who do we know that we fail to reach, invite, lead to enter the beauty of God’s presence?

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

You may also like Lectio Divina a focused reading and meditation of scripture.

Audio Lectio   

Chronological Bible

One Year Bible

Virtues to Guide Your Week

Consider what you can do to live out each virtue this week. How can you love your neighbor? How will you deny yourself? How will you be thankful?

 love of God- Sunday                love of neighbor -Monday         humility -Tuesday                     

self-denial -Wednesday and Friday  resignation and meekness -  Thursday

and thanksgiving - Saturday 

 Heitzenrater, Richard P. (2013-08-20). Wesley and the People Called Methodists

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT

           * Find your quiet center, empty your mind, and be present to hear the voice of God. Color, write in a journal, listen to music, use prayer beads to help your focus. Concentrate upon what God is calling you to understand, change, make, explore…...

SENDING PRAYER

Lord of blessings and comfort, set me upon my feet to walk and leap with joy. Remind me of your power to heal and energize my body and soul. Teach me, guide me, push me to walk the path of life and love. To live following Jesus. Amen

DAYTIME

Set a reminder to pray throughout the day. Embrace the breath of prayer, release your burdens, be thankful. Recall today’s readings, the Visio Divina and

meditate upon them and how they are affecting your day.

PRAYER

Breathe, pause, listen, remember. I stop in the center of this day to remember its beginning, my purpose, your love. Realign my heart in grace that I may continue in this day focused on all that is life giving, encouraging, based in love, and full of joy. Amen

EVENING

Questions for Day that has Past 

It is important to reflect upon our day and where we may be more present

in our faith and more expressive in sharing what we know of God’s grace with others. These questions are in response to what God begins within us.

God is the force to which we respond.  We live in response

 to his love given through Christ.

Did I grow in my disciplines to prayer, scripture, and devotion to God?

Did I in some way put God and others before myself in how I lived today?

Did I live out the virtue of this day?

Did I love better today?

What do I regret today?

What will be my goal for tomorrow?

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT*

PRAYER

Lord the days are lengthening bringing hope that my darkness will be overcome. Forgive my failures, my weakness, cruelties, ignorance, and selfishness. Open my mind and heart to overcome these loamy harbors for the seeds of doubt, and sin. Bring to light the glory of grace and the choices of life made in love. Amen

THE MANTLE OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS

Devotional Guide  

April 8^th-15^th

John 20:22-23

Welcome the Holy Spirit of the living God. 23You now have the mantle of God’s forgiveness.

 As you go, you are able to share the life-giving power to forgive sins or to withhold forgiveness.

  

VISIO DIVINA 

is meditative/prayer practice that opens the heart and soul to connect with

God through images.

As you look at this image contemplate how this scripture speaks to you.

How does this image convey God’s power?

How does this image portray the release or withholding of forgiveness?

Why are the shackles broken?

PRAYER

MORNING

Father of the dawning day, the sower of grace and love.

This day begins with its ordinary, routine, and expected. What do you hold in your power that will change my focus, my desires, my passions? Provoke me to faith and love as I enter your Word. Amen

 READINGS FOR REFLECTION

Use an additional resource like the Upper Room or any devotionals you prefer. 

The Power of Forgiveness

Our Scripture this week comes from John 20:19-31. Jesus arrives in the upper room the night of the resurrection. His hands remain pierced but healed. He makes a statement about forgiveness. “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." We can appreciate this statement in relationship to our ability to forgive. We are freed when we forgive and imprisoned when we do not. But what if this statement is more powerful than that? Jesus heals through forgiveness. Faith forgives sin. The disciples have just received the Holy Spirit. Jesus is calling them to heal the world. To bring people into wholeness, grace, love. As Easter people what is our call to forgive, heal, resurrect in our community? As individuals what are we to release so that we may bring wholeness to others. We remain scarred, but powerful in our witness to faith, love, and grace. Ann

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

You may also like Lectio Divina a focused reading and meditation of scripture. 

Audio Lectio   

Chronological Bible

One Year Bible

Virtues to Guide Your Week

Consider what you can do to live out each virtue this week. How can you love your neighbor? How will you deny yourself? How will you be thankful?

love of God- Sunday                 

love of neighbor -Monday         

humility -Tuesday                      

         self-denial -Wednesday and Friday

         resignation and meekness -  Thursday

        and thanksgiving - Saturday 

                                                 Heitzenrater, Richard P. (2013-08-20). Wesley and the People Called Methodists

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT

           * Find your quiet center, empty your mind, and be present to hear the voice of God. Color, write in a journal, listen to music, use prayer beads to help your focus. Concentrate upon what God is calling you to understand, change, make, explore…...

SENDING PRAYER

Grace of love, of Christ, of Spirit, take me from this time of sweetness and light, wisdom and inspiration into the day. May the adventure of life bring me closer to knowing your love and developing my faith so that I may be one who heals and forgives in the name of Christ. Amen

DAYTIME

Set a reminder to pray throughout the day. Embrace the breath of prayer, release your burdens, be thankful. Recall today’s readings, the Visio Divina and meditate upon them and how they are affecting your day.

PRAYER

Breath of heaven, of spirit and love, I intake your power and open my inner self to know, remember, awaken, to your peace, and joy. I release the negative things that cling to me and forgive the actions of others that wound my soul. I pray for them in love and pray for myself to grow in your grace. Amen

EVENING

Questions for Day that has Past 

It is important to reflect upon our day and where we may be more present in our faith and more expressive in sharing what we know of God’s grace with others. These questions are in response to what God begins within us.God is the force to which we respond.  We live in response to his love given through Christ.

Did I grow in my disciplines to prayer, scripture, and devotion to God?

Did I in some way put God and others before myself in how I lived today?

Did I live out the virtue of this day?

Did I love better today?

What do I regret today?

What will be my goal for tomorrow?

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT*

PRAYER

Lord, I hunger for spring breezes and the gentle bouquet of flowers. I long for the freedom of shirtsleeves and the whisper of air upon me. I ache for the beginnings found in your forgiveness and the freedom to be healed from the winter darkness. Lord, your Son of life, of spring, of new beginnings, has forgiven me. I lay my heart before you to be washed, renewed, and healed. Amen.