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Advent Devotional 2021
The Gospel of Luke

Day 5
Thursday, December 2nd
Read Luke 2:25-52

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At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was early waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him . . .” Luke 2:25 (NLT)

Expectations can be dangerous. Most are familiar with the experience of “getting our hopes up” only to then feel the pain of unmet expectations. Expectations about what God will or will not do can be the most damaging to our souls. It’s vital to surrender our expectations to our Lord, and filter our expectations through our faith.

Simeon had been living in expectation for years. God had made a promise to him, and He had been eagerly awaiting the rescuer of Israel. He would awaken each day with the awareness that God could keep His promise before sunset.
​

Then one day, the Spirit led Simeon to an ordinary young couple with their newborn. They had come out of obedience to the Law, and had brought the sacrifices commanded for those who had little money.
But the Holy Spirit had told Simeon a secret that few knew. As he took the baby into his arms, he burst forth with joyful praise of God’s love and mercy. He exclaimed that this baby was the “salvation,” “a light to reveal God to the nations,” and “the glory of your people Israel.” Strong words spoken by a stranger about an infant. How could this be the expected rescuer?

Simeon was fully surrendered to God, and had trusted God daily to keep his expectations in line.  He was so in step with the Holy Spirit, that he was open to whatever God would do.  His expectations were filtered through his faith.  

Likewise, Anna the prophet had expectations that had been filtered through her faith. She had worshipped God at the temple for decades, and knew that He could be trusted. Anna joyfully proclaimed the faithfulness of God, and that Holy expectations would be met by God’s provision of this seemingly ordinary baby boy.  

But the parents of Jesus had the more human expectations, despite all that they had experienced. They expected that the twelve-year old Jesus would behave like a “normal” boy.  But Jesus needed to be in His Father’s house, desired to learn and discuss His Father’s business, and had His priorities in line.  Jesus was surprise that they hadn’t known where He had been, as if “where else would you expect me to be?”
Application: Are our expectations filtered through our faith?  How can we align our expectations with God’s intentions?
​

Brian Ralston


Prayer Focus: Filtering our expectations through our faith
Community Prayer Focus: Essential workers at Casa De Modesto  



Picture
Centenary Church
1911 Toyon Ave.
Corner of McHenry/Tokay
​Modesto, CA 95350
Church Office: (209) 527-5441
Fax: (209) 527-3230
Email: ​centenary@centenarychurch.net
Picture
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    • MIssions: Guatemala
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    • Devotionals >
      • Lent Devotional 2023: The Gospel of Matthew >
        • Day 46 - Go and Tell
        • Day 45 - He is Risen
        • Day 44 - Jesus is God
        • Day 43 - Remember
        • Day 42 - Sting
        • Day 41 - Betrayed
        • Day 40 - Our Actions
        • Day 39 - Sheep and Goats
        • Day 38 - Only the Father Knows
        • Day 37 - Trust
        • Day 36 - Serving Others
        • Day 35 - Love Others
        • Day 34 - Parables
        • Day 33 - Triumphant Entry
        • Day 32 - Go Forth & Serve
        • Day 31 - Do We Deserve More?
        • Day 30 - Heaven
        • Day 29 - Children of God
        • Day 28 - Deeper Faith
        • Day 27 - Promise Keeper
        • Day 26 - Who Am I
        • Day 25 - The Messiah
        • Day 24 - New Thing
        • Day 23 - Abundant Life
        • Day 22 - Have Faith
        • Day 21 - Miracle
        • Day 20 - Courage
        • Day 19 - Share the Love
        • Day 18 - Kingdom of God
        • Day 17 - Choose Him
        • Day 16 - Why Use Parables?
        • Day 15 - Growing
        • Day 14 - Unity
        • Day 13 - Criticism
        • Day 12 Life Change
        • Day 11 A Cup of Cold Water
        • Day 10 Jesus is God
        • Day 9 Good & Faithful
        • Day 8 Good & Faithful
        • Day 7 Lord's Prayer
        • Day 6 Lists
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        • Day 4 Temptation
        • Day 3 Prepare the Way
        • Day 2 Follow the Star
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        • Introduction to Matthew
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      • Lent Daily Devotional >
        • Day 2: Pointing the Way
        • Day 3: Follow Me
        • Day 4: Transform the Ordinary
        • Day 5: Who has Authority?
        • Day 6: God So Loved the World
        • Day 7: Worthy of Worship
        • Day 8: Everyone
        • Day 9: Signs & Wonders
        • Day 10: Rejected & Despised
        • Day 11: Do Nothing On Your Own
        • Day 12: Don't Let Go
        • Day 13: "I Am the Bread of Life"
        • Day 14: Adjusting my Expectations
        • Day 15: Learn by Doing
        • Day 16: God's Anointed Messiah
        • Day 17: We Are All Sinners
        • Day 18: I am the Light of the World
        • Day 19: Jesus is God
        • Day 20: The Work of God
        • Day 21: Hard Hearts
        • Day 22: Abundant Life
        • Day 23: Eternity With Him
        • Day 24: An Ultimate Purpose
        • Day 25: A Purpose Fulfilled
        • Day 26: A Choice to Make
        • Day 27: For This Very Reason
        • Day 28: He Proved His Love For Us
        • Day 29: Secure and One with the Father
        • Day 30: Love One Another
        • Day 31: The Way, the Truth, & the Life
        • Day 32: Order to Our Chaos
        • Day 33: Remaining
        • Day 34: You Are Never Alone
        • Day 35: Never Alone
        • Day 36: In His Will
        • Day 37: What did Jesus Pray For?
        • Day 38: Jesus Prays
        • Day 39: Complete Unity
        • Day 40: Peter's Worst Day
        • Day 41: My Kingdom is Not of this World
        • Day 42: For the Joy Set Before Him
        • Day 43: It is Finished
        • Day 44: You are Loved and Accepted
        • Day 45: Doubting Thomas
        • Day 46: Gone Fishing
        • Day 47: Follow Me
      • Advent Devotional 2021 >
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