God Delights in Surprising His People

Sacred Surprises: When Heaven Breaks In

“See, I am doing a new thing! 

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” –

Isaiah 43:19

God is full of surprises—not random shocks or careless turns of fate, but holy, loving interruptions that transform ordinary moments into revelations of His glory. Scripture is woven with stories where God surprises His people, breaking into their fear, grief, or need with joy, abundance, and unexpected grace.

The Wedding at Cana (John 2:1–11) is a classic example. When the wine ran out, Jesus turned water—meant for ceremonial washing—into rich, abundant wine. “You have saved the best till now,” the master of the banquet exclaimed (v.10). Theologian William Barclay reflects: “Whenever Jesus comes into life, there comes a new quality which is like turning water into wine.” In Christ, the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Mary at the Tomb (John 20:11–18) came expecting death and found life. Grieving and confused, she mistook Jesus for the gardener. Then, He simply said her name: “Mary.” In that moment of recognition, her sorrow turned to astonished joy. As N.T. Wright notes, “The risen Jesus tends to come to us not in blinding glory, but in the ordinary, in the voice that speaks our name.” God’s surprises are personal and tender.

Abraham and Sarah laughed at the idea of bearing a child in old age (Genesis 18:12), yet God’s promise brought forth Isaac—whose name means “laughter.” Surprise. Joy. Fulfillment.

The disciples on the road to Emmaus walked with the risen Jesus, unaware of who He was—until He broke bread with them. “Were not our hearts burning within us?” they later said (Luke 24:32). Jesus often walks beside us long before we recognize Him.

As C.S. Lewis wrote in Surprised by Joy, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.” God’s surprises may come through suffering or stillness, but they always lead us into deeper joy and trust.

Are you prepared for God to surprise you?

He may answer your prayer in a way you never imagined. He may show up in a place you least expect. His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8–9), but they are always good.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You that You delight in surprising me with Your grace. Help me to expect Your goodness, remain open to Your interruptions, and walk in joyful trust—even when I don’t understand. Surprise me again today with Your love. Amen.

Flourishing Like an Olive Tree,

Unshaken in a Shaking World

Fruitful in Every Season

“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. 

I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.”

— Psalm 52:8

Henri Nouwen beautifully wrote, “ The soul rooted in God’s presence grows slowly, silently, like an olive tree that bears fruit over decades.” This image of the olive tree—evergreen, enduring, fruitful—stands in sharp contrast to the arrogant evildoer described earlier in Psalm 52:1-5. Where deceit and destruction may seem to flourish for a time, those who trust in God grow quietly, deeply, and eternally.

Jesus said, “Remain in me, and I also remain in you… If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:4–5). Rooted in the house of God, we grow not by force, but by abiding. The olive tree thrives not through hurried effort, but by consistent connection to the source of life.

Psalm 52:9 concludes with praise: “I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.” Warren Wiersbe reminds us, “Praise flows not from present ease but from trust in God’s ultimate deliverance.” Even when justice seems delayed, the psalmist waits with hope in God’s unchanging character.

In times of discouragement, we are reminded:

• “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake… Rejoice and be glad” (Matthew 5:10–12).
  
  
• “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
  
  
• “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap” (Galatians 6:9).
  
  

Psalm 52 doesn’t hide from the reality of evil, but it proclaims a deeper truth: those rooted in God will endure and flourish.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

In a world filled with noise, pride, and injustice, make us like olive trees—rooted in Your presence, steadfast in Your love, and fruitful through every trial. Teach us to wait, to trust, and to praise. You have done it, Lord. Our hope is in Your name.

Amen.

Children of the Living God

The Unique Gift of Jesus

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

— John 1:12 (NIV)

There is no one like Jesus. Across history, countless leaders, philosophers, and prophets have pointed toward truth. But only Jesus declared, “I am the truth” (John 14:6). Only Jesus reveals God in His fullness. The invisible God, whose glory made Moses hide his face, has been made visible through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

When we look at Jesus, we see the heart of the Father. His compassion for the broken, His forgiveness for sinners, His authority over nature, and His sacrificial love on the cross unveil the character of the God who created the heavens and the earth. Jesus is not merely a messenger—He is the message. He is not simply a reflection of God—He is God Himself, reaching out to a lost world.

And the invitation He offers is stunning. Those who believe in Him are not merely called followers or admirers; they are given the right to become children of God. This is a change of identity, a new birth into God’s eternal family. It means intimacy with the Father, security in His promises, and hope that stretches beyond this life into eternity.

We are no longer defined by our failures, our past, or our doubts. We are defined by His love. To be a child of God is to live under the covering of His grace and the assurance of His faithfulness. It is to walk daily with confidence, knowing we are deeply loved, fully forgiven, and eternally His.

In a world of shifting identities and uncertain truths, Jesus stands alone. He is the unique Savior, the full revelation of God, and the one who calls us His own.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing the Father to us in all His beauty, grace, and truth. Thank you for giving me the right to become a child of God through faith in Your name. Help me to live today with the confidence, joy, and hope that come from knowing I belong to You. Amen.

The Great Commission

 

Jesus Gives the Great Commission

Reading: Matthew 28:16–20 

After His resurrection, Jesus called His eleven disciples to a mountain in Galilee. There, on that mountain of meeting, they saw Him. Some worshiped immediately, while others hesitated in doubt (v.17). How comforting that even in the presence of the risen Christ, Jesus met them not with rebuke but with purpose.

Then came His words of commissioning: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (v.18). Jesus doesn’t begin with a task but with a declaration of His sovereign authority. The mission is not grounded in our competence but in His reign. Because Jesus reigns over all things, we can go into all places.

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… and teaching them…” (v.19–20). This is not a suggestion—it’s a command. The church’s mission is clear: to make disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching. The gospel isn’t confined to personal experience; it’s meant to be shared, crossing cultural, geographic, and generational boundaries.

To baptize is to initiate new believers into the covenant family of God—marked with the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To teach is to shape lives around the commands of Jesus—especially His call to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37–39). The Great Commission is not simply about converts; it’s about transformation.

And Jesus ends with this great comfort: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (v.20). We are not alone. The risen Christ walks with us. His presence empowers our mission, sustains our weakness, and assures us of final victory.

In a world filled with uncertainty, this commission remains our calling. Wherever you go, carry Christ’s authority, proclaim His name, and remember His promise: He is with you—always.

Reflection Question: Where is Jesus calling you to go, and who is He calling you to disciple?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You have all authority in heaven and on earth. Help me obey Your commission. Teach me to live as Your disciple and make disciples who love and follow You. Thank You for Your promise that I am never alone. Amen.

He Is Alive

Victory Manifested

Indeed, Jesus is alive! As the angels proclaimed at the tomb, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:5–6). The resurrection is not the reversal of defeat, but the unveiling of Christ’s great victory over sin, death, and evil.

Victory is not a boastful word for Christians; it is our joyful confession. At the cross, it looked as though darkness had won. But Easter morning tells a different story: the tomb was empty, and the power of death was broken. As Bishop Lesslie Newbigin said, “The resurrection is not the reversal of a defeat but the manifestation of a victory.”

Jesus is not among the dead. He is the Living One, still present, still saving, still victorious. Because He lives, we can walk daily in His power. We are no longer defined by failure or fear, but by His triumph. As Scripture says, “ Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You that You are alive. Fill my heart today with the joy of Your victory. Help me to live in the power of Your resurrection.Amen.

Standing Firm in the Gospel

Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1–11

“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.”

 (1 Corinthians 15:1)

Paul reminds the Corinthians—and us—of the foundation of faith: the gospel of Jesus Christ. He urges believers to receive it, stand firm in it, and hold fast to it. Salvation is not by merit but by Christ’s finished work.

Churches are filled with people at various stages of belief. Some are seeking, others pretending. Yet as Jesus taught (Matthew 13:28-29), it is not for us to uproot imposters; God alone judges hearts. Our call is to continue believing and following Christ, for salvation belongs to those who persevere (1 Corinthians 15:2).

Paul summarizes the gospel’s core: Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). His death was no accident but the fulfillment of Scripture (Isaiah 53:5-6; Psalm 16:8-11). His burial confirmed His death, and His resurrection secured eternal life, just as prophesied.

Anticipating doubt, Paul names eyewitnesses: Peter, the Twelve, over five hundred believers, James, all the apostles, and finally himself (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). Even skeptics like James, Jesus’ half-brother (John 7:5), became church leaders after seeing the risen Christ (Acts 15:13). Paul’s own encounter with Jesus transformed him from persecutor to apostle, a work of pure grace.

Paul humbly confesses, “by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). His tireless labor was fueled by divine kindness, not human strength. True humility, as Paul demonstrates, is not denying effort, but recognizing God’s hand behind every success.

As William Barclay writes, “It is not what we have done, but what God has done for us, that is the source of our salvation.” Charles Spurgeon adds, “If there be anything of merit, it is the result of the grace which has been bestowed.”

Today, let us receive this gospel anew, stand firm in Christ’s finished work, and hold fast to the hope of His resurrection.

Prayer

Lord, help me to stand firm in the gospel, to live by Your grace, and to hold fast to the hope You have given. Amen.

Thousand Eyes on the Savior

Witnesses of the Risen King

“After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.” — 1 Corinthians 15:6

One of the most astonishing claims of the Christian faith is not simply that Jesus rose from the dead — but that He appeared to many witnesses. Not in secret. Not to just one or two. But to more than five hundred believers at once.

Paul boldly reminds the Corinthians of this truth, adding that most were still alive at the time of his writing. In effect, he is saying: “You can go and ask them yourself!” The resurrection was a public reality, not a private vision.

Matthew Henry beautifully explains why Jesus appeared to so many: “Christ showed himself alive, not only to one or two, but to multitudes; for He would leave no room for fair doubt concerning it.” Henry’s words remind us that Jesus’ many appearances were an act of mercy — strengthening the faith of His followers and establishing an unshakable foundation for generations to come.

Today, we live by faith and not by sight. Yet our faith rests on the sturdy testimony of those who saw, touched, and heard the risen Lord. The empty tomb is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of a new creation, testified to by hundreds, proclaimed to billions, and still transforming hearts today.

When doubts and fears arise, we can stand firm, remembering the great cloud of witnesses who saw Jesus alive and never turned back, even when it cost them their lives.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the great cloud of witnesses who saw You alive and shared the Good News at the cost of everything. Strengthen my faith today. Help me to live boldly, knowing that my faith is not built on myth, but on the unshakable reality of Your resurrection. Amen.

Breakfast by the Sea

The Voice at Dawn

Simon, Do You Love Me?

Reading: John 21:1–19

The Gospel of John seems to end beautifully in chapter 20 with the triumph of faith over doubt. Yet John continues with a tender epilogue—one final glimpse of Jesus’ heart after the resurrection. This is not just a story about breakfast; it’s a story about forgiveness, recommissioning, and the daily presence of the Risen Lord.

Peter, restless and perhaps unsure of his future after denying Jesus, returns to fishing. The others follow. All night, they catch nothing. At dawn, a stranger calls out, “Children, have you any fish?” It’s a question that probes deeper than just their nets. They answer, “No.” Then comes a familiar instruction: “Cast the net on the right side.” Suddenly, an overwhelming catch. John recognizes the voice—it is the Lord. Peter, impulsive and eager, leaps into the sea to meet Jesus.

Waiting on shore is a charcoal fire and breakfast. Jesus serves them, just as He had washed their feet. This quiet act of hospitality proclaims the resurrection not only as a cosmic victory but also as intimate restoration. The bread and fish He gives are signs of provision, presence, and peace.

Then Jesus turns to Peter. Three times He asks, “Do you love me?”—a question that mirrors Peter’s three denials. Each time Peter affirms, Jesus responds, “Feed my sheep.” With this exchange, Jesus not only forgives Peter, but entrusts him again with leadership and care. This is grace in action—restorative, personal, and powerful.

The call to “fish for people” echoes from their first encounter by the Sea of Galilee. Now, post-resurrection, it carries new depth. The Church—like the net—is meant to draw all kinds in, to be mended regularly, and never to discriminate.

That steadfast love is what Peter experienced that morning by the sea—and it is what we too can cling to today. Jesus still calls us not only to believe but to belong—to restore those who feel unworthy, to cast our nets in faith, and to feed His sheep with love and humility. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to us in our failures, our weariness, and our doubt. Thank You for forgiving and restoring us like Peter. May we love You more than anything else and follow You faithfully. Amen.