I started out by saying to you that prayer, Bible Study and tithing are not the way to anticipating Christ in your life. These tools are rich and necessary rituals in holding fast to what is important in life, your faith. However, it is only when you desire to see the Christ as Simeon and recognize the Christ as Anna that you see in yourself and the church growth, depth and strength. Do you expect Christ to shine in your life or are your expectations too clouded by your experiences? I don’t want to believe that at First United Methodist Church because of the hurt and pain of the past that our expectations will be clouded and that this is as good as it gets! It cannot believe!
How do we share? Do you see what a I see? An old man and a baby or a promised fulfilled and a Messiah. Do you see what I see? A good man who taught good things in a time in history or a Christ who loves us, values us and choose to live among us. Do you see what I see? A plate of bread and a cup of juice or Christ’s sacrifice for our salvation. Is God's salvation to be seen in such common ordinary things? God is present in an infant, in bread and cup, in each other, and in the events of the day. Today, on this New Year’s day, I want to pray for you. That your pains and hurts, your experiences do not so cloud you that you do not see what God is doing in you for this point forward to grow you, bring you deeper and strengthen you in His presence. Will you commit to the coming year by seeking growth, depth and strength? In just 9 days, about thirty per cent of you will begin the church wide 21-day fast. What does that mean to you…how will you change! How will your commitment grow? How about you will you see what Simeon and Anna saw? Tim sang, "Sweet Little Jesus Boy...and they didn't know who you was...." But Simeon and Anna knew. How about you and what would you give for a relationship like that? Please pray with me…
Holy God. There are expereinces in my life that have clouded my expectation of your presence. In this New Year show me how to deal with them and let them go so that I may grow, become deeper and gain strength in you. May this week that I spend in a time of preparation for fasting reveal to me what I need to let go.
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