Heart Strangely Warmed Devotional Guide
Day 1: The Transformation of Saul. Acts 9:1-6
Reflect on Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and the beginning of his transformation. Saul’s sudden, dramatic conversion reminds us that God’s grace can break through even the hardest of hearts. Reflect on how God’s grace has transformed you or wants to transform you.
•How can Saul’s story encourage us when praying for the transformation of others? Spend time in prayer, asking God to reveal areas in your life that need transformation. Be open to the “strange warming” of your heart by God’s grace.
Day 2: Ananias’ Obedience. Acts 9:10-18
Contemplate the role of Ananias in Saul’s conversion and what his obedience teaches us about our own faith journey. Ananias faced fear and doubt but chose to obey God’s call. Reflect on how God might be calling you to step out in faith and obedience, even when it feels risky.
•What can we learn from Ananias about obedience and trust in God’s plans? Identify a situation where you feel God is calling you to act but are hesitant. Pray for courage and take a small step towards obedience.
Day 3: The Power of Grace. Ephesians 2:8-9
Reflect on the nature of God’s grace as a gift that transforms us and prepares us for good works. God’s grace is a gift that changes us from the inside out. Reflect on how this grace has been evident in your life and how it “strangely warms” your heart.
•In what ways has God’s grace surprised you or changed you? Write a journal entry about a particular instance when you felt God’s grace deeply in your life. How did it transform your heart and actions?
Day 4: New Vision and Mission. Acts 9:17-18
Reflect on Saul’s new vision and mission after he was filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized. Saul received a new purpose after his transformation. Reflect on your own life purpose and how God might be calling you to new missions or visions through a “heart strangely warmed.”
•How can our renewed vision and mission impact our communities and the broader world? Spend time in prayer asking God to clarify your mission and purpose. Write down any insights or directions you sense God’s Spirit leading you towards.
Day 5: Living a Wesleyan Heart. Romans 5:5
Consider what it means to live with “a heart strangely warmed” by the Holy Spirit. The love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit compels us to live differently. Reflect on how this love can guide your actions and decisions every day.
•What does it look like to live each day with a “strangely warmed” heart? Reflect on how your actions can spread God’s love in practical ways. Commit to one act of love or kindness today that reflects the transformation God has worked in you.