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