As part of our living relationship with The Bible as disciples of Christ we are reading and studying the New Testament in 2023. During the Lenten season of the past few months, we read and studied The Gospel According to Matthew. Last week we began to read Acts, which is also known as The Acts of the Apostles. The book of Acts begins with Jesus’ final message to the disciples and his ascension, it quickly transitions to the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, and then shares decades of stories of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit within the apostles and disciples as they fulfilled Jesus’ commission to be his “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NIV). As we read throughout the coming days, weeks, and months, trust the Holy Spirit to guide you and the people of Avon UMC to continue being Jesus’ representatives and witnesses in our local community, throughout Greater Hendricks County and Indianapolis, among people we do not normally associate with, and further and further across the globe.

 

If you have not watched it yet, you are encouraged to watch The Bible Project video about the New Testament to provide a brief overview of this portion of the holy scriptures. The video is available on YouTube.

New Testament by The Bible Project:

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

3. What do these verses reveal about God?

4. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

5. What do these verses teach me about myself?

6. How do you see yourself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

7. Read, study, and discuss scripture with a small group or another person.

8. Are you using a Study Bible?

A Study Bible is a very helpful tool for understanding each book of the Bible. They include information shared by scholars about historical and cultural realities during the time depicted or the era of the document, the author, when the book might have been written, the intended audience of the document, themes and messages within a book or letter, and more. The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the Chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

Sunday (4/23)

READ the verses below from Psalm 116 to prepare yourself for time with the Lord:

 

I love the LORD because he hears my voice

and my prayer for mercy.

Because he bends down to listen,

I will pray as long as I have breath! – Psalm 116:1-2 NLT

 

READ Romans 13:8-10, a summary of God’s commandments shared by the apostle Paul. Look for opportunities to fulfill the laws of the Lord by loving others today and throughout the week through your words and actions. As United Methodists we seek to faithfully live as Jesus’ representatives in the world and express our love for others through:

Prayer – praying for and with others

Presence – being intentionally present with others in hardships, celebrations, and the normal times of life

Gifts – using our talents and resources to bless others

Service – humbly serving others like Christ did

Witness – sharing the good news about Jesus and God’s kingdom as well as how we have seen, heard, and experienced God working within our lives and the lives of others

 

PRAY today using Psalm 116:1-2 and Romans 13:8-10 as a guide.

 

 

Monday (4/24)

READ the verses below from Psalm 116 to prepare yourself for time with the Lord:

 

I love the LORD because he hears my voice

and my prayer for mercy.

Because he bends down to listen,

I will pray as long as I have breath! – Psalm 116:1-2 NLT

 

If you have not watched it yet, you are encouraged to WATCH the first of two Bible Project video summaries of the book of Acts to understand it more clearly before reading the verses today. The video is available on YouTube:

Book of Acts Summary (Part 1) by the Bible Project:

 

READ Acts 1:12-26. If you did not read verses 1 through 11 last week, then read those now before reading the verses for today. Notice in verse 14 what the disciples did as they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit. What do you do during times of waiting? Worry or pray? Which one is more helpful? Why?

 

PRAY – Pray through your day, including for the people you will be with, or have been with, as well as what you will do, or what you have done. Taking time to pray for others is a way to love them.

 

 

Tuesday (4/25)

READ Psalm 116:1-2 to prepare your heart for time with our God.

 

READ Luke 3:21-22 and Acts 2:1-13 to see parallels the gospel writer shares in regards to Jesus in Luke’s Gospel and the disciples in Acts. The verses in Luke reveal the Spirit of the Lord descending upon Jesus during his baptism in the Jordan River, and the verses in Acts reveal the Holy Spirit descending upon the disciples of Christ on the Day of Pentecost. If you are using a Study Bible, you may find it helpful to read the study notes for these verses.

 

LISTEN to the song “Rest on Us” by Maverick City Music using the link below for the YouTube video or searching for the song on an online

streaming service.

“Rest on Us” (song session) by Maverick City Music:

 

PRAY in response to the Day of Pentecost described in Acts 2, the presence of the Holy Spirit then and now, and the song as you allow the Spirit of the Lord to guide you in praying now and throughout the day.

 

PRESENCE – Who are you going to be intentionally present with today? A family member or friend, a co-worker, neighbor, or stranger? Set aside distractions and be as fully present as you are able as an expression of loving them, knowing that the presence of the Holy Spirit is with you and in you.

 

 

Wednesday (4/26)

READ Psalm 116:1-2 to prepare yourself for time with the Lord.

 

BE SILENT for a few minutes to turn your heart and mind towards the Lord as you seek to be present with Him as much as you are able. You may find it helpful to sit, lay down with your face towards the ground, kneel, or walk during this time of being intentionally present with God. Listen for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit as a word, phrase, idea, or message that comes to mind.

 

READ Luke 4:16-21 and Acts 2:14-41 that reveal more parallels from Jesus’ ministry in Luke and the ministry of the apostles in Acts. Within the verses Jesus declares that prophecy is fulfilled, and the apostle Peter makes a similar declaration of prophecy fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. From these verses, which word, phrase, or verse is the Holy Spirit using to speak to you today?

 

PRAY in the Spirit for:

• Those closest to you (family members & friends)
• Those who point others towards God (pastors, teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, and globally)
• People in need throughout the world (the hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, neglected, abused, lost, etc.)

• Yourself (share your needs and invite the Lord to guide you)

 

GIFTS – Look for an opportunity to use your talents and/or resources to bless others today. Trust the Spirit of God to guide you.

 

 

Thursday (4/27)

READ Psalm 116:1-2 to focus your heart and mind on the Lord.

 

LISTEN to the song “Spirit Move” by Kalley Heiligenthal of Bethel Music using the link below for the YouTube video or searching for the song on an online streaming service.

“Spirit Move” by Kalley Heiligenthal of Bethel Music:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbdSQ8MLnYs

 

READ Acts 2:42-47, which reveals a beautiful picture of the church in its infancy, believers living together as Christ intended. If you are using a Study Bible, you may find it helpful to read the study notes. How is your life similar to the disciples in these verses? How is it different? What needs to change in your life or within our church so that we look more like the believers of Acts 2:42-47?

 

PRAY in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

SERVICE – Today you will have opportunities to serve someone or multiple people as an expression of love. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you to humbly serve like Christ when the opportunities arise.

 

 

Friday (4/28)

READ Psalm 116:1-2 to seek to center yourself in God.

 

READ Luke 5:17-26 and Acts 3:1-10 that reveal more parallels from Jesus’ ministry in Luke and the ministry of the apostles in Acts. How are these accounts similar? How are they different? You may find it helpful to use the questions and suggestions from the Overview portion of this devotional during your study time.

 

PRAY that the Lord helps you and our congregation to faithfully follow the Spirit of the Lord wherever He guides us as we seek to live the AUMC virtues revealed in Jesus: Humility, Compassion, Forgiveness, Love

 

WITNESS – Today you can share Christ and be his witness through your words and deeds. Let others experience the humility, compassion, forgiveness, and love of Jesus in and through you. Trust the Holy Spirit to provide the words you need at the right time and boldly share them (Luke 12:11-12).

 

 

Saturday (4/29)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The Sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to stop, rest, worship, and delight in the Lord and what he has given us. You may need to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each week beginning with an hour, then increasing it to multiple hours or part of a day the next weekend or month, and eventually designating an entire day for remembering and observing the Sabbath.

 

You may find it helpful to light a candle and listen to a worship song or hymn before reading the verses for today as a way to prepare your heart, mind, body, and soul for observing the Sabbath.

 

During the morning READ Psalm 92 remembering that our Sabbath theme for today is “Sabbath.” You are encouraged to either spend some time using the following questions to guide you through a time of journaling, thinking through your responses, or use them for a discussion with a family member or friend:

• How have you experienced God’s love this past week?

 

• What does creation (the earth, sun, moon, stars, oceans, rivers, streams, ponds, creeks, the sky, plants, animals, and people) reveal about our Creator?

 

• The psalmist describes the Lord as “my Rock” in verse 15. What comes to mind when you think of the Lord as your Rock?

 

Solitude and Silence. Spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with Jesus seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and rest, consider laying down, kneeling, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

PRAY allowing the verses you read to guide your prayer.

 

 

During the afternoon or evening READ John 9:1-15. These verses share the story of Jesus healing a blind man.

• What healing do you need from the Lord today? Physical? Mental? Emotional? Spiritual? Relational?

 

• In what ways are you blind and need Jesus to enable you to see?

 

• Who are the people close to you who cannot see Jesus and life clearly? Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal them to you. Ask the source of life and sight to give them eyes that can see and a mind that understands the true identity of the Lord, as well as the truths of life.

 

• Notice the simplicity of the testimonial of the man who was blind but could see after Jesus healed him in verse 15. Try writing a one sentence summary of your testimonial that includes a description of your life before Christ or before being a committed Christian, your encounter with Jesus or when you progressed to a deeper faith, and the result(s) evident in your life afterwards.

 

PRAY allowing the verses you read to guide your prayer as you conclude this Sabbath.