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A Weekly Devotional by
Peggie C. Bohanon
Are you hurting? Then you've come to the right place--the place where long ago a woman from Samaria found help and healing. From human answers? No--from the One Who IS the Answer! Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, awaits us all at the Well today--come with me, and let's meet Him there!
The God of the Unexpected!
A Hurting Word...
Surprises--I love 'em! The good ones, that is--Christmas presents, birthday presents, flowers, candy (if it's chocolate!)--big and little surprises of all sorts! Now, that's fun! But sometimes in life, the surprises are not always good ones--a frightening doctor's report (the doctor AND the report are BOTH frightening!), an unexpected job loss, devastating divorce papers, an IRS audit--and the list goes on and on--the kind of surprises no one likes! And yet, that's life, and in it, we learn all about hills and the valleys, and the God who walks with us through them all!
But sometimes the surprises are not "life" ones--they are "God" ones, and so wonderful we can hardly know how to praise our loving Heavenly Father. For He IS good, and His mercies DO endure forever...and when He bestows His surprises on us, we slow-to-understand humans finally begin to realize He really IS a good Father who really DOES loves to lavish good things on His kids! You can't believe it? Neither can I sometimes! But let's go to the Well--there are some awesome surprises waiting for us there!
A Helping Word...or Two!
The God of Unexpected Love!
Peter needed that love--he had miserably failed His Lord--would he even be accepted as the Lord's disciple anymore? Imagine the thoughts that must have tortured this poor man, who so loved His Lord, and yet had so undeniably betrayed Him. Peter must have suffered emotional anguish! And yet, when Jesus appeared to the women at the tomb, He said, "Go tell my disciples--AND Peter!" Unexpected love? You'd better believe it was for Peter that day! He was accepted; he was loved; he was forgiven. Unfailing, undeniable love--and he'd never forget it!
Do YOU need that love? Perhaps you've miserably failed your Lord--will YOU be accepted as His follower anymore? Yes, a thousand times yes. There is forgiveness, acceptance and love that never quits. You don't deserve it? You don't expect it? Forget it--none of us do! But there's LOVE for the taking--for your Lord loves you; you ARE accepted; you are forgiven! Unfailing, undeniable love--don't ever forget it! It's yours!
The God of Unexpected Joy!
Mary needed it--she knelt in sorrow in the garden near the empty tomb. Her Lord and Master had been taken away; her very hope of living was gone. And then came the unexpected Voice calling her name, "Mary!" And she KNEW--beyond any doubt--it was the voice of her Lord. Joy? Unbelievable, unforgettable, unimaginable joy--and she'd never forget it!
Do YOU need that joy? Perhaps you kneel alone in a garden of sorrow, sadness, or silence. Hope of living has vanished--you barely make it from day to day. Heavy depression and grief fill your heart...well, weep no more! For the Master is here--He calls Your Name, and if you listen close enough, deep within your heart, you will hear it. There's JOY for the taking--your Lord is alive; He brings YOU a reason for living! Unspeakable, unexplainable joy--don't ever forget it! It's yours!
The God of Unexpected Peace!
The disciples needed it--they feared for their very lives in the little boat in the middle of the big sea. Winds blew, waves crashed, and, in King James English, they were "sore afraid!" Surely they would die...and that's when the unexpected happened. The Lord of the seas, awakened from sleep, stands in command. (I LOVE it when HE stands in command!) He speaks but three words, "Peace be still," and the storm ceases. Peace on the troubled seas--peace in the troubled hearts. Unbelievable, unexplainable peace--and they'd never forget it!
Do YOU need that peace? Perhaps your boat rocks on life's sea--you are sure the very next wave will drown you and everyone else in the boat. But fear no more--for the Master of the sea is here! Were you expecting Him? Of course not--you were ready to go down with the ship! But He stands in command of the ship of your life and calmly whispers , "Peace be still." The sea may or may not, at that instant, quit bashing and crashing your ship--but now it doesn't matter. You know you'll survive, for His peace fills your heart. Unforgettable, undefinable peace--don't ever forget it! It's yours!
Love, joy, peace--if you read my devos regularly, you'll know they are three of my favorite ways to describe the God I love. And I want them to be yours too! Watch your mailbox, for God's surprise packages are on the way, special delivery to YOU--His love, joy, and peace will show up in the most unexplainable ways, at the most unbelievable times, and by the most unforgettable means--as He delights to give us more than we ever imagined. But there's a catch--He can't deliver those surprises into your hands until you let go of the failures, the sins, the sadness, the fears of your life. Clutch on to them, and miss the most wonderful blessings of life. Let go of them, and watch Him fill your empty hands and hearts, with "God surprises," until you can contain no more! We serve an awesome God worthy of our praise and adoration. He's the God of the unexpected, and we worship Him this day!
And that's just a thought or two--from from my heart to yours!
His Healing Words
"...Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV)."
"Lord, so often I dread the surprises of life. I'm never prepared to handle any one of them. But thank YOU for the unexpected graces you bring to my life in those special times of need--Your love, joy, and peace which fill my heart in the turmoil and trials of life. Help me let go of the woes of my life that I may receive the wonder of YOURS. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
