Your Personal Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide

Day 1 (Monday): Practice Lectio Divina with Isaiah 55:6-7.

Day 2 (Tuesday): Practice Lectio Divina with Isaiah 55:12-13.

Day 3 (Wednesday): Practice Lectio Divina with Phillippians 3:17-19.

Day 4 (Thursday): Practice Lectio Divina with Phillippians 3:20-21.

Day 5 (Friday): Practice Lectio Divina with Mark 16:1-5.

Day 6 (Saturday): Practice Lectio Divina with Mark 16:6-8.

Our annual theme for 2022/2023 is "DEVOTED" from Acts 2:42. 

Recent additional GO DEEPER reading opportunities available on Amazon Books (#ads):

• "Lutheranism 101 Baptism" by Charles Lehmann
• "The Soul Felt It's Worth: A 25-Day Devotional Journey Through the Music of Christmas" (The Trinity Project)
• "The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life" by Louie Giglio

Watch this week's sermon or read the entire message & GPS here.

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You are encouraged to use the Journey Through The Book of Acts Devotional (available in the back of the sanctuary or download online at christlamesa.org).

May 8 (Monday): Read Acts 12:20–13:12.
May 9 (Tuesday): Read Acts 13:13–52.
May 10 (Wednesday): Read Acts 14:1–7.
May 11 (Thursday): Read Acts 14:8–28.
May 12 (Friday): Read Acts 15:1–21.
May 13 (Saturday): Read Acts 15:22–41

Please use the S.O.A.P. actions of observation, application, and prayer for each day's reading:

• Scripture: Read the verses for the day from the Gospel of Luke. Before you start reading, pray:
  “Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening.”
• Observation: Observe what the verses say. Think about who it was addressed to and why it was
  written. Ponder the meaning, tone, and purpose. Write down your observations.
• Application: Personalize what you have read by asking yourself: “How does this apply to my life
  right now?” “How will I put this into practice?” “How will I live differently?”
• Prayer: What do I want to thank God for? What do I need to ask for forgiveness for? What do I need to ask God for?

Recent additional GO DEEPER reading opportunities available on Amazon Books (#ads):

• "[email protected]: Marketplace Success for People of Faith" by John C. Maxwell, Stephen R. Graves, and Thomas G. Addington
• "Who Is This Man?: The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus" by John Ortberg
• "He Chose the Nails" by Max Lucado

You can also watch this week's sermon or read the full message & GPS here.

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that He had said these things to her. (John 20:18)

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You are encouraged to use the Journey Through The Book of Acts Devotional (available in the back of the sanctuary or download online at christlamesa.org).

April 18 (Monday): Read Acts 1. 

April 19 (Tuesday): Read Acts 2:1-13. 

April 20 (Wednesday): Read Acts 2:14-41. 

April 21 (Thursday): Read Acts 2:42-3:26. 

April 22 (Friday): Read Acts 4:1-22. 

April 23 (Saturday): Read Acts 4:23-5:11.

Please use the S.O.A.P. actions of observation, application, and prayer for each day's reading:

• Scripture: Read the verses for the day from the Gospel of Luke. Before you start reading, pray:
  “Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening.”
• Observation: Observe what the verses say. Think about who it was addressed to and why it was
  written. Ponder the meaning, tone, and purpose. Write down your observations.
• Application: Personalize what you have read by asking yourself: “How does this apply to my life
  right now?” “How will I put this into practice?” “How will I live differently?”
• Prayer: What do I want to thank God for? What do I need to ask for forgiveness for? What do I need to ask God for?

Recent additional GO DEEPER reading opportunities available on Amazon Books (#ads):

• "Who Is This Man?: The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus" by John Ortberg
• "He Chose the Nails" by Max Lucado
• "Dangerous Prayers: Because Following Jesus Was Never Meant to Be Safe" by Craig Groeschel

You can also watch this week's sermon or read the full message & GPS here.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

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Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. (Mark 16:8)

Day 1: Read Mark 16:6. What do you fear? Where do you need to hear the angel’s words: “Don’t be alarmed”?

Day 2: Read Psalm 34:4. David teaches us to flip our fears into prayers. Take time like David to seek God in your prayers today.

Day 3: Read Mark 16:7. One great way to study the Bible is to personalize it. Replace “AND PETER” with your name in this verse. What does it mean for you to realize when Jesus rose for the dead, He rose for you to have a second chance?

Day 4: Read John 20:30-31. How has your faith in the Easter story of Jesus’ resurrection given your life meaning? Who can you share that story with this week?

Day 5: Read John 20:19. Easter turns graves into gardens. Where in your life today do you need to hear Jesus say: “Peace be with you!”?

Day 6: Read Philippians 4:5-7. Like David, Paul learns to flip fears (or in Paul’s case anxiety) into prayer. Give your worry to God in prayer today. Start first by giving Him thanks. Then ask for His peace amid whatever problem you face.

Recent additional GO DEEPER reading opportunities:

• "This Changes Everything: Unleashing the Power of the Resurrection in Your Life" by Ray Johnston (Paperback from Amazon)
• "Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Amazon Kindle)
• "Life Together" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Amazon Kindle)
• "Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation" by Ruth Haley Barton (Paperback from Amazon)

You can also watch this week's sermon or read the full message & GPS here.

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In place of our usual 6-day Grow, Pray, Study (G.P.S.) Guide, we encourage you to use the Lent 2021 Devotional Journal, which is available in hard copy at the back of the Square and
online at christlamesa.org/lent.

Based on the review of our recent surveys here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)!

Recent additional GO DEEPER reading opportunities:

• "Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Amazon Kindle)
• "Life Together" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Amazon Kindle)
• "Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation" by Ruth Haley Barton (Paperback from Amazon)
• "Why? Trusting God When You Don’t Understand" by Anne Graham Lotz (Amazon Kindle)

You can also watch this week's sermon or read the full message & GPS here.

[email protected] | Give | Keep Calm and Quarantine On

This week’s Grow Pray Study (G.P.S) Guide provides an opportunity for a devotional framework to read through the book of Acts. Each day’s readings are a chapter from Acts and how the church began and still grows.

Before you read, pray:

“Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”

As you read each day, Pastor Burkey encourages you to use the S.O.A.P. method of devotional reading (Scripture, Observe, Apply, Pray):

• Each day offers a Scripture reading.
• Then a place to Observe what you’ve read, what’s happening, what key statements are made. 
• Follow up as you Apply what you’ve just read:
  • How is God speaking to you through what you’ve read? 
  • Where is Jesus' story this week speaking into your life story this day? 
  • You might sense a sin to confess, an action to take, a word of thanksgiving or a special need to pray for someone.
• Take time to Pray to what you have sense God saying to you in this time in His word. In addition, I suggest 2 sentence prayers to end your time with God. Lord, thank you for … ___________ ... Lord, I ask … ___________ … Then close, “In Jesus name. Amen.” 

Day 1: Read Scripture Acts 1. Jesus ascends into heaven!

Day 2: Read Scripture Acts 2. The Church is Born!

Day 3: Read Scripture Acts 3. Lame Man Healed.

Day 4: Read Scripture Acts 4. Persecution Begins, so does Sharing Possessions. 

Day 5: Read Scripture Acts 5. Being Honest with God and Others. 

Day 6: Read Scripture Acts 6. Leaders Developed and Deployed.

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book He Still Moves Stones: Everyone Needs a Miracle by Max Lucado.

You can also watch this week's sermon or read the full message & GPS here.

[email protected]

Keep Calm and Quarantine On

This week’s Grow Pray Study (G.P.S) Guide provides an opportunity for a devotional framework as we move through Holy Week, especially leading into Good Friday. Each day’s readings refer to part of Jesus' journey from the Garden of Gethsemane to being place in the tomb. Before you read, pray:

“Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”

As you read each day, Pastor Burkey encourages you to use the S.O.A.P. method of devotional reading (Scripture, Observe, Apply, Pray):

• Each day offers a Scripture reading.
• Then a place to Observe what you’ve read, what’s happening, what key statements are made. 
• Follow up as you Apply what you’ve just read:
  • How is God speaking to you through what you’ve read? 
  • Where is Jesus' story this week speaking into your life story this day? 
  • You might sense a sin to confess, an action to take, a word of thanksgiving or a special need to pray for someone.
• Take time to Pray to what you have sense God saying to you in this time in His word. In addition, I suggest 2 sentence prayers to end your time with God. Lord, thank you for … ___________ ... Lord, I ask … ___________ … Then close, “In Jesus name. Amen.” 

Day 1: Read Scripture John 18:1-14. Jesus arrested. 

Day 2: Read Scripture John 18:15-27. Jesus Tried/Peter Denies.

Day 3: Read Scripture John 18:28-40. Jesus before Pilate.

Day 4: Read Scripture John 19:1-22. Jesus was sentenced to death. 

Day 5: Read Scripture John 19:23-37. Jesus crucified. 

Day 6: Read Scripture John 19:38-42. Jesus is buried. 

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book Six Hours One Friday: Living in the Power of the Cross by Max Lucado.

You can also watch this week's sermon or read the full message & GPS here.

Monday: Read Luke 24:6. G.K. Chesterton observed, "Jesus' resurrection is the ground and basis for all true love, hope, and joy; for if Jesus is still in the grave than all of humanity will remain in the grave too. But he is not in the grave, then this makes all the difference." What difference have you seen the resurrection of Jesus make in someone's life? Your own life?

Tuesday: Read Luke 24:7. At least three times Jesus had told His disciples what Luke records here in verse seven.  Why is it significant that Jesus knew what was coming, told His disciples, and then that is what happened?

Wednesday: Read Luke 24:8. What are some significant experiences in your life that you return to in memory and share about with others? Why have these experiences impacted you so?

Thursday: Read Luke 24:44-47. What circumstances helped you to come and see the empty tomb of Jesus with eyes of faith, or what is holding you back from knowing Jesus?

Friday: Read Luke 24:11-12. What one truth in these resurrection appearances stands out as personally significant to you? How have you seen this truth affecting your life already? How would you like it to affect what you do and think more than it does now?

Saturday: Read Luke 24:48. What are the easiest things in life for you to get excited about and want to share with others? What are some of the hardest? Why do think we so instinctively desire to share our experiences with others? Whom can you share the story of Easter with this week?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book "Jesus: The Greatest Life Of All" by Chuck Swindoll.

Don't forget you can watch this week's sermon message or read the full PDF of the sermon message & GPS.

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimated as 30% done). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Photo by Jordan Wozniak on Unsplash

Day 1: Read Mark 16:3-6. The story of the resurrection is not just good news; it's true news. Easter is not a metaphor of some vague hope. Easter means death has no power to take you from the arms of the Father. Guilt cannot separate you from God. Whatever bad news you face, if you have trusted Jesus you have a resurrection coming! Where do you need to remind yourself you have a resurrection coming?

Day 2: Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-6. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead forms the foundation of the Christian faith. Turns out Easter is more than a piece of fake news fantasy, but the real true story of God’s good news for you. Paul writes 20 years after the resurrection of Jesus with 500 plus witnesses including himself. What does it mean for you that Easter is not just a great story, but a true story that actually happened?

Day 3: Read Mark 16:7 and 1 Corinthians 15:8-10. Both Peter and Paul have their own stories of second chances. What’s your story of second chances? Where do you need God’s forgiveness, His second chance for your life today?

Day 4: Read Mark 16:7. God has paved the way. Two disciples who abandoned him and women at the tomb who show up overwhelmed and a bit clueless, Jesus does not abandon them nor you. He paves a path for you to follow – the presence of Jesus leading the way. As you look at your life in the past 24 hours, where have you seen God paving the way before you? As you look at what the next 24 hours holds, where are you asking God to pave the way? Spend time thanking Him for His presence and asking for His guidance as you face the day ahead.

Day 5: Read Isaiah 25:6-9. As a fan of a feast of rich foods, I think that’s absolutely awesome what God can do. Better than your cell phone’s GPS is the God who goes ahead of you--not just in the big changes of life, but the everyday moments that define our lives. Today take the angel’s words to heart, “He is risen. He is going ahead of you”, and then pray through specific moments you will face today (work, school, family, friends), “Jesus is risen and goes before me this day as I...”

Day 6: Read Mark 16:8. If this is the last verse of Mark’s gospel, he provides a bit of a cliffhanger. Somebody told the good news, and will you tell the good news? For Mark, your life is the next chapter in the book--even if the last chapter didn't end the way you wanted it to end--even if it seems like every day ends with a cliff-hanger, you can finish the story. Because Jesus Christ is alive, and He is with you. What story do you sense God writing in your life today? Whom is God inviting you to share the story of Jesus with today?

You can Go Deeper this week by reading the book The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee Strobel.

Don't forget you can listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS. 

Monday: Read John 20:1-2. What if Jesus' body is missing instead of resurrected? What happens to the Christian faith? What happens to your faith?

Tuesday: Read Romans 8:28. Easter hope sees good news in what seems like bad news because God is present. Where have you experiences the good news of Easter hope amid bad news? Where could you use Easter hope awareness today?

Wednesday: Read John 20:3-8. Fast John beats bold Peter to the tomb. At first, John is curious, Peter theorizes and wonders, and then John sees again and gets it. When did Easter come true for your life.

Thursday: Read John 20:9. Easter brings God's promise into the present. Part of the disciples challenge that first Easter is they forgot Jesus' promises of His death and resurrection.  What Easter appearance questions do you have?

Friday: Read John 20:10-15? Mary couldn't see Jesus because of her focus - she's looking for a dead body, not a risen Savior. What hurts your focus on Easter hope? What helps you focus on Easter hope?

Saturday: Read John 20:16-18. As you have read the Easter story this week, what have you heard God speak into your life? How does it feel to have Jesus as your Brother.

You can GO DEEPER this week by:

• Read the book The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel.
• See the movie The Case For Christ (Story of Lee & Leslie Strobel).
• Consider the 365-day devotional book Through a Season of Grief: Devotions for Your Journey From Mourning to Joy
• Check out organizations we will be giving our Easter offering to:
  • Lutheran Young Adults Corps
  • Su Refugio: Pack A Meal
  • Generate Hope: Empowering and Restoring Lives

 You can also listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS