6/16 – 6/22

Like us, the apostle Paul had times and seasons of need. He specifically notes in his letter to Christians in Philippi, “You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once” (Philippians 4:15-16 NRSV). Perhaps their message to Paul might have been, “Help is on the Way.”

 

How has God provided for your needs in the past? Paul reminds us in Philippians that he received help from the people of Jesus’ church. How have the people of Jesus’ church helped you? The help we need can change depending on the season we are in. What help do you need right now?

 

In addition to God providing for us, he uses us to care for and meet the needs of others. So, who needs help from you? Paul believed that, “God will fully satisfy every need…according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NRSV). In what ways is God seeking to satisfy needs through us, the people of Avon UMC?

 

As we continue through the Blinding Light: Lessons from the Life of the Apostle Paul sermon series, this week the Living Faith Devotional will guide us to read and study verses about God providing for us, as well as us providing help for others. The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

 

Each Day

• Read the Daily Psalm
• Spend a few minutes in silence as you wait in the presence of the Lord
• Read the Bible verses for the day
• Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone else about them, or simply think about your responses
• Listen to and/or Sing a worship song or hymn
• Pray
• Live guided by the Spirit of the Lord

 

DAILY PSALM:

READ Psalm 121 to begin your time set apart to be with, encounter, and worship the living God.

 

SILENCE & SOLITUDE:

You are encouraged to spend a few minutes quietly alone with the Triune God (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) after reading the verses. You may find it helpful to sit, kneel, lay down, or walk as the message rolls around in your heart and mind.

 

DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ:

Sunday – Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (love God)

 

Monday – Acts 4:32-37 (Barnabas exemplifies the generosity of believers)

 

Tuesday – Acts 11:19-30 (the church in Antioch helps others)

 

Wednesday – Romans 8:22-27 (the Holy Spirit intercedes for us)

 

Thursday – Ephesians 4:29 (speak helpful words to others) & Hebrews 13:15-16 (share with others)

 

Friday – Philippians 4:10-20 (help for Paul from the Philippians)

 

Saturday – Psalm 145 (The Sabbath theme is “worship & delight.”)

 

VIDEO TO WATCH:

To learn more about Saul/Paul’s conversion and the earliest years of Christianity, or to be reminded of things you already know, you are encouraged to watch The Apostle Paul: Acts 8-12 video using the link provided:

 

The Apostle Paul: Acts 8-12 by The Bible Project

 

 

DAILY QUESTIONS:

You may find it helpful to read the verses a second time as you ask yourself these questions while pondering about God’s message within the verses. You may find it helpful to write your responses to the questions, or talk about them with a family member, friend, or your small group, or to simply think about them:

 

What is the biblical author revealing in these verses? You are encouraged to read the study notes from a Study Bible. If you don’t have a study Bible, you can borrow one from the AUMC library or find one online through www.BibleGateway.com or the Bible Gateway App.

 

What do the verses reveal about God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?

 

What do the verses from Acts, Romans, Ephesians, or Philippians reveal about Saul/Paul?

 

What do these verses reveal about people who were part of Jesus’ Church, as well as those who were not?

 

What is God’s message for me from what I read? Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal it as you prayerfully re-read the text.

 

How should I respond to the Lord’s message?

 

How will I prepare to observe a full or partial Sabbath day to worship and delight in the Lord this weekend?

 

LISTEN to and/or SING a worship song or hymn to help you respond to God. You may find it helpful to use the same song each day, or a different one on some, or all, of the days because of what the Bible verses bring to mind.

 

PRAY:

You are encouraged to let the Bible verses you read guide your prayer. You may find it helpful to use the daily suggestions as well:

 

Sunday – Invite the Holy Spirit to help the people of Jesus’ Church locally and globally to love God.

 

Monday – Pray for God to guide the people of Jesus’ Church to follow Barnabas’ example by encouraging others and living generously.

 

Tuesday – Pray for Christians in need, as well as any and all people experiencing hardships because of natural and man-made circumstances.

 

Wednesday – Invite the Holy Spirit to intercede for the needs of the world, our nation, this community, your family, and you.

 

Thursday – Offer thanks to God for the many blessings you have been given and continue to receive. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide the words and actions of Christians to be words and actions that meet the needs of others according to God’s will.

 

Friday – Praise and thank God for the help you have received throughout your life. Ask the Lord to guide our church, and churches throughout the world, to know the needs we should be focusing on during this season.

 

Saturday – Pray a prayer you have memorized, such as the Lord’s Prayer, or let the words of the psalmist guide you.

 

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