q Friday, Saturday, Sunday—May 3, 4, 5 • God’s Appointment Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. Mark 3:7 I went to eat at a restaurant and the parking lot was full, so I parked in front of a nearby store. When I came back, I noticed a sign in the store window: “Store Closing. Up to 80% off rugs.” I jotted down the phone number, called a couple times on Friday and Saturday, but never reached anyone. By Monday, the phone had been disconnected. On my way to the gym Tuesday morning, I stopped and taped a note with my phone number to the door. The owner called me, and I went over. I thought I was looking for a rug (what I wanted), but that is not what the owner needed. As you might imagine, a man who had to close up shop is hurting. He had an accent, so I asked him where he was from; he was an immigrant. That made me proud of my country to give this man the opportunity to build a business and raise his family here. I asked, “Are you a spiritual man?” He told me how he explored all the different religions. One of his customers had even given him a Bible. He then began to talk about his financial needs and about how he was exploring different options. He wanted to find something that gave him meaning and purpose in life. We had a wonderful spiritual
conversation. Providentially, because of certain circumstances he needed to come by my house. When he came over I showed him where I had laid the rug. God is building a friendship. It is great when God reminds me that my plans are in His hands. I thought I was looking for a rug, but God had a human connection in mind for me. The rug was just a mechanism—and a fringe benefit. MIMBS 3 Are you ready for divine appointments? Consider this and pray about it, and then be on the lookout.
Daily Reading: Judges 17:1–Ruth 1:22, John 3:1–4:42, Psalm 104:1–105:15, Proverbs 14:20–25
For Your Small Group
❏❏ April 28–May 5: Read aloud Psalm 37:4 in several easy-to-understand versions or translations (New Living Translations, The Message, New King James Version) •• How would you define “your heart’s desire”? •• Does this mean that if you want to be an NBA star, drive a Ferrari and travel the world that God will give it to you? •• What is your heart’s desire?
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