DIVINE SURPRISES

The Fourth Sunday of Easter

GENESIS 28:16 (CEB)
When Jacob woke from his sleep, he thought to himself, The Lord is definitely in this place, but I didn’t know it.

LUKE 24:32 (CEB)
They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us?”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Sometimes God reveals himself to us in the least expected times and places.

DAILY FODDER
Have you encountered God where you didn't expect to find him? How do divine surprises shape the way that we relate to God?

PRAYER
Risen Savior, just as you slowly and gently revealed yourself to the disciples along the road to Emmaus, you continue to surprise us. I'm guessing that my mistake is in limiting how I expect you to operate. I get so caught up in all the drama that I'm not looking for you. That's what I want to change. Expand my imagination and my understanding so that your surprises are delights further developing my relationship with you. I'm eager to hear from you today – maybe in ways I wasn't expecting. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

OUTRAGEOUSLY GENEROUS

DEUTERONOMY 26:10–11 (MSG)
Bow low in the Presence of GOD, your God. And rejoice! Celebrate all the good things that GOD, your God, has given you and your family...

1 TIMOTHY 6:17–18 (MSG)
Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God blesses us extravagantly so that we can be extravagantly generous.

DAILY FODDER
What excuse do you most often use for not being extravagantly generous?

PRAYER
Great God, your gifts are endless. In spite of all the blessings I've received I contnue to hold on to a mindset of scarcity. Free me from my irrational fear so that I can partner with you in your extravagant generosity. Today I'm going to look for someone to bless with my time, money, or energy – even more so than anyone expects. I'm going to lean into your amazing grace. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

THINK DIFFERENTLY

1 KINGS 20:11 (MSG)
“Think about it—it’s easier to start a fight than end one.”

EPHESIANS 4:23 (CEV)
Let the Spirit change your way of thinking.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Followers of Christ by definition think about things very differently.

DAILY FODDER
How is your way of looking at the world different from your non-believing neighbor? Or is it?

PRAYER
Lord God, renew my mind to think like you. Pretension, arrogance, selfishness, martyrdom, self-pity, and critique—these feelings too often dominate my thoughts. I surrender them all to you. Rule and reign in my thoughts. Give me your wisdom for every situation, sharing your words with others as you prompt me. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

GOD REMEMBERS YOU

ISAIAH 44:21 (ABP)
You, dear Israel, are my servant. I'm the one who made you what you are. I'm not going to forget you.

ROMANS 11:1 (CEB)
So I ask you, has God rejected his people? Absolutely not!

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is above and beyond faithful, forever remembering his beloved people.

DAILY FODDER
In this time when one of the greatest fears is obscurity how does it make you feel to know that God does not forget his people?

PRAYER
God, I recognize that you are talking about Israel in our two verses today but I'm moved by the idea that you are faithful to all your people -- even people like me. I'm not exactly a stalwart of faith and devotion, yet you've included me, and your love is a reliable constant. Free me from my anxiety about being insignificant in the world. Refocus my attention on finding my significance in your faithfulness. I'm encouraged. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.