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ACTS: A Way to Live


Wednesday, March 30

ACTS: A Way to Live

The Gospel of Luke—Lent 2022


Read Luke 14: 7-23


Focus Verses—Luke 14:13-14

But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.


ACTion for Reflection: Extend the Invitation

When I read this above passage, the Lord brought something to mind that occurred about a dozen years ago...

My dear friend Melinda Seibert, who was also the women's ministry leader at our church, asked me to head-up the women's weekend retreat that spring. THANKFULLY, Melinda was present in each of the decisions we made, such as: securing a site, setting the menu for meals, sleeping arrangements, etc. It's always helpful to work with someone who knows what they're doing!


After the initial preparations, we opened the registration up at our church. We had some immediate registrants, and then the next week we had some more of our ladies sign up. However, as the retreat date drew closer, we still had plenty of room. One Sunday at church during this time, our paster taught on this very Luke passage (in our reading today). While listening, I heard him read these words, And the master said to the servant, "Go our to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled" (Luke 14: 23).


At this moment, I felt that the Lord wanted me to make an atypical decision. Instead of knocking on our own church doors for more to come, I thought we could ask the women from the Nashville Rescue Mission to join us. (These women are involved in a program that helps them transition out of homelessness.) I prayed about it, talked it over with my friend Melinda, and we set out to make it happen.


As a result, we had a gathering of about 100+ women, and it was a WONDERFUL event. We had a beautiful blend of our own church members, along with the ladies from the mission. I felt God on that Friday and Saturday in a way I had not felt him before. We worshipped, together. God's heart pulsated throughout the praise music, the teaching, and each one of us that was present. He is so good.


ACTion to Live Out: Give to those who can’t give back

An idea for today is you could invite someone in need to dinner, someone who you wouldn’t typically include. Bring them into the space that you would usually keep for your closest friends or loved ones.


Is there someone the Lord has put on your heart right now?


Be "atypical", be bold...and then be richly blessed.


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.









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