Surprise Archives - Pastor Terry Lema's Daily Devotions

I love surprises! When my husband turned 30, I threw a surprise party for him. I threw another when he turned 40. Then an even larger one when he turned 50 picking him up for the party in a hearse (a story for another time). He got another when he turned 60. (See a pattern here?) Finally, I threw a big party when he turned 70 with people flying in from other states to surprise him).

His sister called me shortly before he turned 80 and asked if he was getting a surprise party for his 80^th birthday. I told her only if she was the one throwing it!

One of my most precious surprises recently was when Beth and Lou got together on piano and flute to play my favorite hymn at church, “My Jesus, I Love Thee.” My heart was overwhelmed by their surprise. I do love surprises.

Today, as we approach Thanksgiving, as I dig deeper into gratitude for all God has done for us, I was reminded that He has a few surprises up His sleeve also.

“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 NKJV]

We have a glimpse of these “things which God hath prepared” in the here and now through the Holy Spirit. But I think there will be so many more to be unfolded when we see Him face to face. I think God loves to bless and surprise His children with goodness and eternity will be full.

Thank you, LORD, for the things you have prepared for those who love You. Amen.

Everybody has them. Nobody likes them, I’m sure. They pop up at the most inconvenient of times. They are trials. Some are small, others are overwhelming, and they come to us from different sources.

Some trials come from the fact that we are fallen. We make mistakes, we are foolish, irresponsible, or we allow sin in our lives. When those trials come, repentance must happen before anything else.

Some trials come because we are human. Our bodies age, we acquire a disease or illness, we are involved in an accident, or we lose our jobs or find ourselves economically unable to keep up.

Some trials come because we are Christians. Peter reminded his readers, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ.” [I Peter 4:12-13]

So, if we are going to have trials anyway, why not use them to our advantage? Why not use them to grow closer to the LORD? James says our outlook can determine the outcome. His blueprint is to “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” [James 1:2]

I seldom put “joy” and “trials” in the same sentence. James, however, wants us to count our trials as “all joy.”

There are two words in James’ blueprint that are crucial. We will look at those two words tomorrow.

(Part 2 Tomorrow)

Surprise

Surprise!

Don’t Be Surprised!