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have you been disappointed by God lately if you have been do you lean closer into Jesus or away
from him during those times well if you've lived very long at all you've probably felt disappointed
by God before I'm not implying in any way that God was somehow at fault he is perfect than all
his dealings with us but because of our limited understanding and perspective we feel as if God
lets us down sometimes well that is exactly what two weary travelers must have felt 2,000 years
ago when they were walking down the long dusty road between Jerusalem and Emmaus on that first
Easter Sunday morning as these two travelers walked along talking about the disappointing
events of the day a stranger caught up with him he was really not a stranger though he was the
risen Lord Jesus but the text states that their eyes were prevented from recognizing him the Lord
does two things with these men before he opens their eyes to see who he is he first rebukes them
because of their lack of faith and then because of their lack of knowledge in the scriptures so
how do you respond when disappointed do you wish you had more faith and a deeper knowledge during
those times will join me as we meditate reflect and pray about finding hope in disappointment
from Luke chapter 24 verses 6 through 7 but as we do let's begin with a time of opening prayer
dear God of promise and hope I confess I am all too acquainted with feelings of disappointment I
know where my eyes should turn in those times but so often I turned inward and not upward
self-reliance and not you reliance doubtful not hopeful but may you the god of hope and
strength teach me to hope and be strong in you and it's the name of Jesus that I pray
amen take those thoughts that are trying to distract you right now and just lay them out
before him take a few deep breaths as we begin close your eyes and find a moment where you
feel peace a sacred space to posture and reset yourself before God right now in reverent awe
is there anything in your heart that's blocking you today maybe an attitude or
a sinful habit some doubt confess that to God right now and remember
that he is a God of grace and of love and of mercy and forgiveness
God is the God of all hope but what does that word mean to you hope ask him to reveal it to
you and to center you on a word or a phrase a thought or an image as I read from Luke chapter
24 verses 6 through 7 he is not here but he is risen remember how he told you while he
was still in Galilee that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and
be crucified and on the third day rise what stands out to you from this passage listen
to it again he is not here but he has risen remember how he told you while he
was still in Galilee that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and
be crucified and on the third day rise what word or phrase did you hear ask God what he
is saying to you right now as you Center on that word that gift that he just gave you
I love how the angel tells Mary and Mary to remember what Jesus said Jesus did that to
two Cleophus and his friend on the road to Emmaus Jesus took them back to the beginning
in Scripture so they could remember what aspect of God do you forget most often what
do you wish you could more frequently remember about Jesus share your answer to God in prayer
with I still closed listen again as I read from the amplified version of Luke chapter
24 verses 6 through 7 he is not here but has risen remember how he told you while he was
still in Galilee saying that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men and be crucified
and on the third day rise from the dead to life what did you hear this time what did
you remember about the story that you might have forgotten before where did your memories settle
take a moment to focus on that spot Center on it and drive it deeper into your mind as you pray
just imagine for a moment being there that morning seeing Mary and the other
Mary seeing the Roman guards the angel which aspect of the passage are you most drawn to
first what do you imagine seeing in the woman's faces fear excitement hope what
about the guards fear for a different reason ponder their faces right now their expressions
which of them can you most relate to express it to God for a moment in a time of Prayer
stay there for another moment now imagine what they would see in your
face are you afraid and of what are you excited about what are you hopeful for
what ponder your experience at the tomb what are your own emotions and
let your emotions become your prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God right now
listen one and final time as I read and you reflect on Luke chapter 24 verses 6 through
7 Jesus isn't here he has been raised from the dead remember that while he was still in
Galilee he told you the Son of Man will be handed over to sinners who will nail him to a cross but
three days later he will rise the day of the resurrection he met the disciples in Jerusalem
Thomas wasn't there he met with him again and Thomas was with him this time and it's then that
he tells them to meet them in Galilee that's a good two days walk why Galilee why not Jerusalem
they were already there I want you to settle into a posture as you ponder this let's begin on the
two day walk Jerusalem is in turmoil as word spreads about the resurrection you are afraid
that the rabbi you've been following for two years may be leaving as gone might be dead imagine that
two-day walk to Galilee what would your thoughts be fear hope take a moment and walk the road
to Galilee imagine it what are you thinking and feeling let your thoughts be your prayer
so why Galilee well it's simple really that's where it all started when Jesus
heard that John had been arrested he withdrew to Galilee it's where he began his ministry and
called his disciples to join him Galilee was home base it was comfortable safe so
what is your Galilee where do you return for safety what is your safe place I want
you to take a moment and go there in your mind and invite Jesus to be there with you
how do you feel with him there ponder it experience it and soak in it as you pray
so stay in your Galilee for a moment do you have memories of Jesus with you there
in the past what are those memories share them with Jesus as you pray
don't let this experience end here stay here throughout your day linger in it spend time
now in thoughts of Thanksgiving as you remember Resurrection Sunday as you remember walking to
Galilee with thoughts of Jesus as you remember your safe place in Galilee with Jesus let today
be those times and those places be present with him now in moments of Thanksgiving
you
join me in a moment of closing prayer dear God of promise and hope I confess that I feel
disappointed by you sometimes in those times open my eyes and heal me back into right relationship
with you let me feel peace in casting out all my cares all of my anxieties all of my worries
my concerns once and for all on you remind me of how you lavish your love on me how much you care
about me with deep affection and how much you watch over every step I take so very carefully
may you the god of Hope fill me with all joy and peace in believing through the experience
of Scripture and faith that by the power of the Holy Spirit I will abound in hope and overflow
with confidence in each and every one of your promises then it's in the name of Jesus I will
and do pray amen we're almost finished but not quite let the world around you slowly back in
and open your eyes softly just take a stretch and look around but hold on to that stillness
in your heart for just a moment longer before you go reflect one last time on being present
with Jesus now today tonight what can you do to hold on to that truth all day I hope you're able
to and if you need to you're always welcome to come back here to meditate reflect pray and abide
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