Hey, Beautiful Souls! Today’s March 24, 2025, and we’re well into Lent—our “Journey Through Lent: 40 Days from Ashes to Alleluia,” running from March 5 to April 19. This season always feels like a chance to slow down, look at my life, and focus on Jesus, even when everything’s a little messy. I don’t know what your day’s been like—maybe it’s smooth, maybe it’s rough—but for me, Lent is stirring up a need for a faith that’s solid and real. Something I can hold onto when things get tough.
That’s why I’m excited to dig into Acts 10:2 with you. It’s a short verse about Cornelius, a Roman soldier, but it’s got a lot to say about living with devout faith. So, grab your coffee (or whatever’s keeping you going), and let’s get into it together. Ready? Here we go!
Acts 10:2 (NIV)
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
This verse introduces Cornelius—a Roman centurion, a guy with a sword and a surprising devotion to God. He’s not a religious leader or even part of the Jewish community. He’s an outsider, yet his life stands out. Here in the middle of Lent, I keep asking myself: What’s this saying to us? How does his story fit into our 40-day stretch? Let’s break it apart and see what sticks.
Table of Contents
A Heart Set on God
“Devout and God-fearing.” Those words make me pause. They’re not just a tag—they describe a whole approach to life. Cornelius didn’t have the scriptures memorized or a temple nearby. He was a Roman, a soldier, someone who could’ve ignored faith altogether.
But he didn’t. He chose to focus on God, deliberately and consistently. I think about that a lot during Lent, especially when my days feel scattered. Am I keeping my faith front and center? Or is it slipping into the noise—lost between phone screens and endless tasks?
The other night, I saw it plain as day. It was late, the house was quiet, and I was scrolling Instagram, pretending I needed “ideas.” I felt this quiet pull, like Jesus saying, “Hey, set that down and sit with Me.” I kept scrolling for a bit—those videos are hard to quit—but finally, I put the phone away. I lit a candle, grabbed my journal, and wrote a few shaky lines: “Jesus, I’m here. I’m worn out. Show me You’re near.” Nothing dramatic happened, but the stillness felt like a gift.
Cornelius’s focus wasn’t about noise—it was about showing up. Lent is asking us: Where’s Jesus tugging at you? Maybe it’s in the silence you avoid or the rush you can’t dodge. What’s one way you could turn toward Him today? For me, it was that night—what’s yours?
God’s Grace Fuels Devout Faith
Cornelius’s devout faith didn’t come from his strength—it was rooted in God’s grace. That’s what keeps me going during Lent too. A couple of days ago, I was beating myself up over something I forgot about, and I felt like a failure. Then I remembered: God’s grace doesn’t hinge on my performance. I sat with that, letting it sink in, and it shifted my whole day. Living with devout faith during Lent means resting in God’s grace, not chasing perfection.
This ties into our Lent devotional journey—God’s grace is the thread that holds these 40 days together. I’ve been writing “Grace is enough” in my Bible journaling pages lately, a little reminder when I’m tempted to overthink. How’s God’s grace carrying you right now? Maybe it’s in a moment you didn’t expect—like that stillness after my late-night scroll. It’s the foundation of spiritual renewal, and Cornelius knew it.
Giving Without Holding Back
“He gave generously to those in need.” This part gets me every time. I like the thought of giving—until it costs me something. A few weeks ago, right as Lent started, I was at the grocery store, wrestling with my bags. The woman ahead of me was counting coins, her hands unsteady, coming up short a couple of dollars. I had this sudden urge: to Cover it. It was clear, like a nudge from above. But then I talked myself out of it—I’m late, I don’t have cash, someone else will help. I paid for my stuff and left. That moment’s stuck with me since.
Cornelius didn’t second-guess. His faith showed up in action, meeting needs without hesitation. Giving isn’t just about money—it’s time, care, showing up for someone. During Lent, I’ve been trying to act on those nudges more.
Last week, I texted a friend who’s been struggling. I’d been putting it off—too busy, too tired—but I finally sent, “Hey, I’m here. How are you?” She wrote back quickly: “I needed that more than you know.” It wasn’t much, but it mattered.
Lent is a time to let our faith move outward. What’s one way you could give this week? Maybe it’s a coffee for a stranger, a note to a friend, or just listening when you’d rather not. I keep thinking about that grocery store—if I get another shot, I’m stepping up. What’s your next move? Little choices add up—let’s make some good ones.
Creative Faith Through Generosity
That grocery store moment got me thinking about creative faith—Cornelius didn’t just give; he did it with purpose. Creative faith is finding fresh ways to live out God’s grace, like turning a missed chance into a new habit. I started a Lent devotional practice after that—each week, I pick one person to help, no excuses. Last Sunday, I dropped off cookies for my neighbor. It’s small, but it’s creative faith in motion.
Bible journaling helps here too—I sketched a coin next to Acts 10:2, a nod to that grocery store nudge, and wrote, “Give where I can.” It’s a visual cue for spiritual renewal, tying my faith to action. Creative faith isn’t flashy—it’s personal.
How could you get creative with giving this Lent? Maybe it’s a drawing for a friend or a meal for someone down the street. It’s all part of living with devout faith during Lent.
Prayer as a Constant
“Prayed to God regularly.” This might be my favorite bit. Cornelius didn’t have apps or journals (though I’d give him our Mini Journaling Kit in a heartbeat!). He just prayed—day after day, like it was part of who he was. I’ve had times when prayer felt that natural—mornings with coffee, chatting with Jesus about everything. But lately, it’s been a struggle. Life’s loud—chores, family, that list in my head that won’t quit—and prayer feels like an extra task.
A few days back, I was done. Tired, grumpy, and a little frustrated with God over some stuff I’ve been asking about that’s still silent. I didn’t want to pray, but I grabbed my Bible anyway, opened to Acts 10, and stared at this verse. I pulled out my journal and let it rip: “God, I’m exhausted. I don’t get this. I’m annoyed. Help me.” It wasn’t neat, but as I wrote, the frustration eased. I didn’t get answers, but I got peace—like He was sitting there with me. I mean I am not proud of my little rant with God, but I am being real raw and honest.
Cornelius’s prayers weren’t about being perfect—they were about being there. Lent’s a chance to find that again. What’s your prayer like these days? A fast “thanks” at night, or a long spill of your thoughts? Start where you’re at. I’ve been keeping my journal by my bed—some days it’s a page, some days it’s one line: “Jesus, I’m here.” What’s one way you could make space for prayer this week? Let’s keep it steady, like Cornelius.
Lent Devotional Prayer for Spiritual Renewal
Prayer’s the heartbeat of our Lent devotional life—it’s where spiritual renewal starts. Cornelius prayed regularly, and I’ve been leaning into that for this season. Last night, I tried something new: a Lent devotional prayer time with my journal open. I wrote out Acts 10:2, then listed three things I’m grateful for—coffee, my dog, and a sunny afternoon. It turned into a full page of thanks, and I felt lighter. God’s grace showed up in that quiet space.
Bible journaling amps this up—try writing a prayer next to the verse, like, “God, help me show up like Cornelius.” Add a doodle—a cross, a flame—and you’ve got creative faith meeting spiritual renewal. How’s prayer shaping your Lent devotional rhythm? For me, it’s becoming a lifeline, one messy page at a time.
Creative Tie-In: Journaling Devout Faith
Okay, Creative Jesus Girls, let’s get our hands moving! Acts 10:2 is perfect for Bible journaling. Grab your Scripture Journaling Kit (it’s my go-to—everything you need!), some pens, and maybe some tape if you’re up for it. Write the verse out—make “devout,” “generously,” and “prayed” stand out with a bright color like teal or red. Then, add some doodles—a house for his family, a heart for giving, a flame for prayer.
I did this last week, and it was a quiet kind of fun. I painted a light watercolor background—blues and purples, like a Lent dusk—and added a “faithful” sticker. I’m no pro, but seeing the verse take shape felt right. Use our free Lent resources. What’s it like to mix faith and creativity for you? For me, it’s a way to process what I believe.
Here’s another idea: List three things “devout faith” means to you—like “trusting God every day,” “giving when it’s hard,” and “praying no matter what.” Draw around it—dots, lines, whatever feels good. I did this yesterday, and it turned into a page of swirls and notes—I got lost in it, in a good way. How do you like to bring scripture into your creative space? Let’s make Lent a canvas together.
Bible Journaling for Spiritual Renewal
Bible journaling is my secret weapon for spiritual renewal—it’s creative faith with a purpose. Last month, I started a Lent devotional habit: one verse a day, sketched out. For Acts 10:2, I added a border of tiny hands—open, giving—around the page. It’s a visual prayer, a way to live with devout faith during Lent. God’s grace flows through those lines, reminding me I’m not alone in this.
New to Bible journaling? Start small—grab our free Lent resources and doodle a word from the verse. It’s less about art and more about connection. Yesterday, I showed my sister my journal, and she said, “That’s so you.” Creative faith is personal—it’s your story with God. What’s one verse you’d journal this Lent?
Living Out Devout Faith
How do we make Cornelius’s faith part of our Lent? Here are some steps—small, real ones:
- Pray on Purpose: Set aside five minutes today. No plan—just talk to Jesus about what’s on your mind.
- Give Something: Choose one person to help this week. A message, a snack, a quick note—make it count.
- Journal It: Try that creative idea—spend 10 minutes writing what “devout” means to you. Use our free Lent resources.
- Stop and Hear: Before bed, sit for a minute. Ask God, “What do You want me to know?” Write what comes up.
These aren’t big deals—they’re steps we can take. I’ve been doing the “stop and hear” one, and it’s surprising what pops up. Last night, it was, “You’re enough.” Simple, but it stuck. Which one fits your day? Try it, and let God handle the rest. We’re doing this side by side—small moves, real faith.
Creative Resources
Creative Jesus Girl is all about encouraging your faith walk and equipping your creative journey. And friends, I am excited about my newest series Free Lent Creatives, now available! It’s tailored for our Journey Through Lent: 40 Days from Ashes to Alleluia—download them now! You’ll find them on the menu above or just click the link above. Think beautifully designed Journaling, Prayer, Note, Scripture, Bible Study Cards, Mini Bible Journaling, and Scripture Kits – all created to help you grow this Lenten Season.
Download your freebies now and let’s journey through Lent together! I’d love to see how you’re using them. Share your insights and creations with #CreativeJesusGirl – I can’t wait to see your faith shine! Want even more? Explore my full Scripture Journaling Kits over on my Patreon for past kits, or grab the full Scripture Journaling Kit for your Lenten deep dive. These are yours to enjoy, beautiful souls—let’s create and grow together!
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thanks for Cornelius—for his steady faith that still talks to us. We’re all over the place sometimes—worn out, sidetracked, tripping up—but we want to love You with all we’ve got. Show us how to pray like it’s natural, give like it matters, and live like You’re with us—because You are. Hold my Creative Jesus Girls close this Lent. Pick us up where we’re down, refresh us where we’re stuck, and pull us near You. We’re Yours, Jesus—every day of these 40 days and after.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Spiritual Renewal Wrap-Up
Spiritual renewal is the goal of this Lent devotional stretch—Cornelius nailed it with his devout faith. I’ve been chasing that too. Last weekend, I sat outside, journal in hand, and wrote out every worry I’ve carried this month—work, family, you name it. Then I crossed them out, one by one, trusting God’s grace to take over.
That’s spiritual renewal—letting go and letting God. Creative faith, like Bible journaling those worries into prayers, makes it stick. How’s Lent renewing you? For me, it’s those raw, honest moments that shift everything.
Final Thoughts, Connect & Share
Here on March 24, 2025, I’m amazed how a soldier from way back still points us to Jesus. Devout faith isn’t about perfection—it’s about being there, letting God’s grace cover the gaps. What’s Lent doing in your faith right now? Tell me in the comments—I read them all and love hearing from you!
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I’m Debbie, a Jesus girl obsessed with knowing Him and sharing Him with others through creative faith. Learn more about my story here!
