Easter Sunday (4/17)

Although the gospel accounts reveal that Jesus endured torture and experienced an excruciating death upon the Roman cross, that was not the end of the story. Just as Jesus foretold, he arose from the grave. Hallelujah, Christ arose! The angels at the tomb told the women who had gone there that first Easter morning, “He is risen!” Yes, Jesus conquered sin and death. Through faith in Jesus, we can too. Hallelujah!

 

During the season of Lent we have been on a journey through the Gospel According to Luke, reading and studying it as part of worship services and the Your Faith Journey weekly devotionals. Our read through of Luke will conclude this week. Even if you have not read the previous chapters, you are strongly encouraged to read chapter 24.

 

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. In regards to the verses you read, what do these verses reveal about humanity?

4. What do these verses teach me about myself?

5. How do I see myself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

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

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

8. Use 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.

 

 

Monday (4/18)

Memory Verse: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” – Acts 16:31 NIV

 

Read, say, or sing the following lyrics from the Elevation Worship song “Rattle” by Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, and Steven Furtick:

 

Saturday was silent, surely it was through.

But since when has impossible ever stopped you?

Friday’s disappointment is Sunday’s empty tomb.

Since when has impossible ever stopped you?

 

Read Luke 24:1-12. You are encouraged to use the suggestions and questions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional during your study time.

 

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, then conclude your prayer time with the prayer Jesus taught from Luke 11:2-4 (NIRV) listed below:

 

Father, may your name be honored.

May your Kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins,

as we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

Keep us from falling into sin when we are tempted.

 

 

Tuesday (4/19)

Memory Verse: Acts 16:31

*Read the Memory Verse a few times.

 

Pray, say, or sing, the following lyrics from the hymn “The Day of Resurrection” by John of Damascus:

 

The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad;

the passover of gladness, the passover of God.

From death to life eternal, from earth unto the sky,

our Christ hath brought us over, with hymns of victory.

 

Be silent for a few minutes as you use your imagination. Imagine walking in our community with the resurrected Jesus. The two of you visit businesses, restaurants, schools, parks, neighborhoods, and eventually your journey ends with Jesus going into your home. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts in regards to what Jesus might say and do. Think about how you would welcome Christ into your home and express loving hospitality. Let your mind think about the meal you would provide for Jesus, as well as how you would enjoy the special time of fellowship with the resurrected Son of God.

 

Read Luke 24:13-35. Use the suggestions and questions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional to dive deeper during your study time.

 

Pray 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 Ukrainian & Russian citizens, as well as those who are hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, neglected, abused, lost, etc.)
• Yourself (share your needs and invite the Lord to guide you)

 

 

Wednesday (4/20)

Memory Verse: Acts 16:31

*You are encouraged to spend some time trying to memorize it using whichever translation you prefer.

 

Read, say, or sing the following lyrics from the Elevation Worship song, “Rattle”:

 

My God is able to save and deliver and heal

and restore anything that He wants to.

Just ask the man who was thrown on the bones of Elisha

if there’s anything that He can’t do.

Just ask the stone that was rolled at the tomb in the garden

what happens when God says to move.

 

Read Luke 24:36-53. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray however you feel led to pray today, then conclude by praying the Lord’s Prayer as you have memorized it.

 

 

Thursday (4/21)

Memory Verse: Acts 16:31

*Read the Memory Verse a few times.

 

Read, say, or sing the following lyrics from the hymn “The Day of Resurrection”:

 

Now let the heavens be joyful! Let earth the song begin!

Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is there-in!

Let all things seen and their notes in gladness blend,

for Christ the Lord hath risen, our joy that hath no end.

 

Be silent for a few minutes as you use your imagination. Imagine being with the resurrected Jesus and his disciples during the days after his resurrection and before he ascended into heaven. Imagine conversations, meals, and during your interactions you see the holes in his hands and the scars on his ankles from the crucifixion, so you know he is Jesus. What would you ask him? Listen for the Holy Spirit to speak to you through an internal whisper within your heart and mind as you seek to be with and hear from our resurrected Savior.

 

Read Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1. Luke, the physician and traveling companion of the apostle Paul, wrote both The Gospel According to Luke and Acts. Acts, which is also referred to as The Acts of the Apostles, is a continuation of the Gospel According to Luke. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Lord using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray in response to the Lord using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Friday (4/22)

Memory Verse: Acts 16:31

*You are encouraged to spend some time trying to memorize it before you pray, using whichever translation you prefer.

 

Read, say, or sing the following lyrics from the Elevation Worship song, “Rattle”:

 

Pentecostal fire stirring something new,

You’re not gonna run out of miracles anytime soon.

Yeah, resurrection power runs in my veins too.

And I believe there’s another miracle here in this room.

 

Read Acts 2, which is an account of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and the birth of the church. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you as you read the verses.

 

Have you been baptized? Three thousand people were baptized on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. If you have not been baptized, you are invited to attend our 3-session baptism preparation class that will walk through the basic beliefs of Christians as revealed in the Apostle’s Creed beginning on May 1st at 3:00 pm. Baptisms will take place during the June 5th worship services. To sign up contact Pastor Rob: robprobus@avonumc.com or 317-272-4068

 

Are you a member of Avon UMC? Thousands of people joined the church of Jesus Christ on the Day of Pentecost according to Acts 2. If you are not currently a member, but you are interested in learning more about AUMC membership, you are invited to contact Pastor Rob to sign up for our 3-session membership class that begins on Sunday, May 1st, at 4:00 pm:

robprobus@avonumc.com or 317-272-4068

 

Pray for people throughout the world who have not heard the gospel message, as well as all who have not placed their trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Pray for Jesus’ followers throughout the world, including our sisters and brothers in Christ who are part of Avon UMC. Afterwards, conclude your prayer time with the prayer Jesus taught from Luke 11:2-4 (The Living Bible):

 

Father, may your name be honored for its holiness;

send your Kingdom soon.

Give us our food day by day.

And forgive our sins—for we have forgiven those who sinned against us.

And don’t allow us to be tempted.

 

 

Saturday (4/23)

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 worship God, rest, and be refreshed. You may need to begin by setting aside an hour on Saturday or Sunday to develop a new habit of observing the Sabbath. It might be helpful for you to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each weekend until you are eventually able to worship and rest an entire day each week.

 

Read Acts 16:31, the Memory Verse for this past week. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus? What does the verse reveal about your belief in Christ?

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to find a place where you can quietly be alone for at least ten, twenty, or up to thirty minutes. During your time of solitude & silence with Jesus, you may want to lay down, sit on a comfortable chair, couch, or swing, or go for a walk. During the solitude, allow the Holy Spirit to bring to mind portions of all that you read about Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection within Luke’s Gospel during Lent. Try to shut out the thoughts of to-do-lists, plans for the day, etc., so that you can simply be with our Savior. Let his life, death, and resurrection speak to you, guide you, and overwhelm you.

 

Listen to “Agnus Dei/King of Kings” at the Grove by Passion Music using the YouTube link below:

Agnus Dei/King of Kings at the Grove by Passion Music

 

Read Psalm 30. You may find it beneficial to listen to one translation of the psalm from the YouVersion Bible App, then read the psalm from a different translation now or or before going to bed.

 

Spend some time thinking about how you saw, heard, or experienced the Spirit of the resurrected Christ working in your life and in the world this past week. What did you learn about yourself, Jesus/the Holy Spirit, or others? Consider writing your answers in a journal or spending some time talking to your spouse, another family member, or friend.

 

Pray in response to our Lord and King. You may find it helpful to use some of the words of the psalm as a guide for your time of prayer.