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From now through Saturday, May 9, our new GPS (Grow, Pray, Study) devotional guide will lead the the Dakotas Conference in reading the entire gospel of Luke. Luke described how carefully he had studied Jesus’ story. He emphasized that he (as well as earlier gospel writers) relied on eyewitness testimony. Luke may have spoken with some additional witnesses, because his gospel was the only one that began with an angel announcing that aged Elizabeth would bear Jesus’ forerunner, while young Mary would give birth to the Savior himself.

• Most of the time, angels don't appear to tell us what God wants from us. In what ways have you learned to listen for God’s voice in your life? When you think a message or call may be from God, what ways have you learned of verifying or confirming that? What tough thing(s) do you believe God may be calling you to during this Lenten season? Are you willing to respond to God as Mary did in verse 38?
• In Luke 1:13, God’s messenger said, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah." Months later, the same messenger said, "Do not be afraid, Mary" (verse 30). In fact, "do not be afraid" is the most common command in the entire Bible. Does the thought of God taking a direct hand in your life feel at all frightening to you? In what part of your life do you most need to hear God’s message, "Do not be afraid"?

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for Luke, for the attraction to Jesus that led him to carefully trace out and record the story. Give me an understanding, worshipping heart as I read his gospel. Amen.