Hope Shows Up

As we enter 2023, Pastor Mike invites us to reorder our lives in this new year. He encourages us to continue showing up; to the discomfort of a new habit, to the inconvenience of messy relationship, to the often frustrating silence of prayer, eventually we will encounter God, perhaps in ways we could never have anticipated.

Live Teaching Podcast Scripture & References

Luke 2

25 While fulfilling these sacred obligations at the temple, they encountered a man
in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was a just and pious man, anticipating the
liberation of Israel from her troubles. He was a man in touch with the Holy
Spirit. 26 The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he
had seen the Lord’s Anointed One. 27 The Spirit had led him to the temple that
day, and there he saw the child Jesus in the arms of His parents, who were
fulfilling their sacred obligations. 28 Simeon took Jesus into his arms and blessed
God.
29
Simeon: Now, Lord and King, You can let me, Your humble servant, die in
peace.
30 You promised me that I would see with my own eyes what I’m seeing
now: Your freedom,
31 Raised up in the presence of all peoples.
32 He is the light who reveals Your message to the other nations, and He
is the shining glory of Your covenant people, Israel.
33 His father and mother were stunned to hear Simeon say these
things. 34 Simeon went on to bless them both, and to Mary in particular he gave
predictions.
Simeon: Listen, this child will make many in Israel rise and fall. He will be a
significant person whom many will oppose. 35 In the end, He will lay bare the
secret thoughts of many hearts. And a sword will pierce even your own soul,
Mary.
36 At that very moment, an elderly woman named Anna stepped forward. Anna
was a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She had been
married for seven years before her husband died 37 and a widow to her current
age of 84 years. She was deeply devoted to the Lord, constantly in the temple,
fasting and praying. 38 When she approached Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, she
began speaking out thanks to God, and she continued spreading the word about
Jesus to all those who shared her hope for the rescue of Jerusalem.
——

James 5

7 ...My brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the return of the Lord. Look!
The farmer knows how to wait patiently for the land to produce vegetables and
fruits. He cannot harvest a freshly planted seed. Instead, he waits for the early and
the late showers to nourish the soil. 8 You need this same kind of patience, so in
the meantime, strengthen your resolve because the Lord will be coming soon.
——

“Habits eat willpower for breakfast.”
― John Ortberg, Soul Keeping: Caring For the Most Important Part of You