ACTS: A Way to Live
- Mar 1, 2022
- 3 min read
Tuesday, March 1
ACTS: A Way to Live
The Gospel of Luke—Lent 2022
Tomorrow is the beginning of our Lenten disciplines and devotional times for us to focus on how we can grow closer to God and obey his callings to serve him and others. During these next 7 weeks we’ll walk through Lent together with the ACTS: A Way to Live devotional and The Gospel of Luke. To prepare for this study, read or listen to Luke 2 so that we “get to know” who Jesus is before we study his ministry and acts that God called him to live out. Our Lenten journey and march to the cross will include -
Sacrifice – Give more of your time to God and others (even though it may be inconvenient). Make these 40 days of Lent less about self, more about being Jesus’ hands and feet in the world. Also, sacrifice by fasting; give up something that you want for something that you want more of (i.e., closeness to God). Make certain that what you do is God-initiated and God-ordained. Take time to be still, listen and obey.
The Gospel of Luke – We will read/listen all the way through the book of Luke. The book covers the birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ and it gives us examples of how we can become more Christ-like. Each day we will provide audio for one chapter of Luke according to the specific verses and chapter we’re studying for that day. Our daily devotion/post will only be on a portion of each chapter, but it will be good to hear the focus verses within its context. Please prepare your heart and soul for reading or hearing the entire book of Luke throughout our Lent journey. Be sure to pay attention to prayer, fasting and action promptings from these reading so you will be prepared for how God wants to use you throughout the next 40 days.
Daily Scripture and Focus verse – Each day you will have specific scripture verses from Luke to read AND a daily focus verse. Try memorizing the focus verse and reflecting on it as you let it guide you through the day.
ACTion for Reflection – This is a time for inward spiritual growth and absorbing Jesus’ instructions on how to live. Reflect on his ministries and actions as he humbly goes out into the world to love and serve others. Just think, if we are called to be image bearers, don’t we need to know the One we are called to reflect.
ACTion to Live Out – As you spend time in reflection on Jesus’ words and actions, be prayerful about what God is pressing on your heart. The devotion will include an idea for living out an act of kindness or action that reflects a heart of Jesus. Be intentional about your daily acts and move forward in obedience just as the Holy Spirit leads; no excuses, just do it. Then, consider keeping a journal with all of your actions for future reflection and commenting on the daily post to encourage others.
Prayer – We will end our daily devotion with the same prayer throughout Lent in hopes that we can say it by memory and let it be a true reflection of our heart’s desire to be more Christ-like.
All that you do during Lent will help you grow spiritually, make more room for God, surrender to God, and ACT out His love. Let us now begin the journey for our lives to be less about ourselves and more about Him! Remember, God didn’t say it would be easy; but all our efforts and actions done according to his will are going to be for our good and his glory.
If you have thoughts on how you plan to sacrifice more of your time or how you plan to fast during Lent, would you comment below?
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for teaching us how to live! After we daily reflect on your life-giving words, help us to then, through your Spirit, get up and ACT. Give us hearts of compassion, hands of generosity, and feet that take your good news to the world. What an honor it is to be your image bearer. Amen.
To prepare for the Lenten study, please read of listen to Luke 2.
Audio: https://youtu.be/QxJHeSC7rkM
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