Life Out of the Ashes

Devotional Guide  

June 3^rd-10^th

Mark 2:23-3:6     2 Corinthians 4: 5-12

Morning Prayer

Master of the cooing dove, the dawning light, and my creator I awaken to this day to your presence. Open my inner light, mind, and soul to your word, inspiration, and guiding power.

READINGS FOR REFLECTION

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

Life Arises from the Ashes

I remember learning about the life cycle. It was amazing to me to learn about the earth’s biology to renew, reuse, and recycle. Fire ecology is an area of study that deals with the influence of fire on the ecosystem. Particularly with those plants and trees that need fire to germinate and the animals that depend upon them to survive.¹

Our personal life ecology welcomes the fire of Pentecost to germinates the power of God to grow within us. We are refined in the fire of God. When we embrace the works of Christ and seek to share the amazing new life that comes with the knowledge of grace we bring life to others. The wind of Spirit blows away the ashes of our failings to reveal the light of life. We set ourselves aside that we may help others accept the fire of Christ and grow.

^{1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_ecology}                               

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 speaks to you.

What feelings do you encounter viewing this image?

What is God revealing to you?  What are you called to do?

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 life and love, I give myself to your Holy Spirit and direction. Guide me in my growth and inspire me in sharing your grace. 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

Lord,

I listen for your voice

I pause in gratitude

I seek to be renewed

and focused in 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*

EVENING PRAYER

Father of the day and of the night, I bring my heart before you, my innerness full of rememberings. Clear my soul with your grace and inspire the light of your love to shine within my thoughts and actions. Bring to my dreamings in the day and night beauty, wonder, and gratefulness for your love and power. Amen