Twenty years ago, the members of Lewis Center UM Church literally walked across the tracks from the old building to the new building to mark a new millennium and a new vision for our church. New visions begin with past convictions. Who we are today has been shaped and gifted by who we were back then. We look back so we may look forward more clearly.
PRAYER: Lord, you have engaged with us since the beginning. You have called us to a new covenant, a new vision of life and love. Come, Lord, into my world today so in this new year of 2020 I may see you more clearly, follow you more nearly, and love you more dearly. Amen.
Monday – Matthew 1:18-25
In retelling the Christmas story, Matthew couldn’t help but link Jesus’ birth with the promise of the Prophet Isaiah to King Ahaz. The birth of this child will be a sign of hope and salvation (Isaiah 7:14-16). As Matthew looked back to Isaiah, we look back to Matthew to see the birth of this child at Christmas is a sign of hope and salvation for us today. Where will you see signs of hope and salvation in your day?
Tuesday – Luke 4:16-21
Jesus was preaching his first sermon in his home town. He chose this passage from Isaiah – written to identify the vision of the Messiah. Jesus claimed this promise was being fulfilled in his own coming. He invited his neighbors to look back in order to recognize what he was about to do in the future. They tried to kill him. Clearly seeing God at work is risky. How can you see God at work in your world today?
Wednesday – Romans 4:13-25
Paul knew the story of Abraham and Sarah. In looking back at their story, he saw and recognized an example of faith in the face of impossible circumstances. But because Abraham and Sarah trusted in God – no matter the outward circumstances – they experienced the fullness of God’s promise. For what is God inviting you to trust?
Thursday – Hebrews 11:1-12:2
Yes, long passage, but an inspiring one, too. These are examples of faith and faithfulness from the past. They faced enormous obstacles and tremendous dangers, yet did not waver in their faith. And some never received the promise (vss 39-40) because it pleased God to fulfill that promise in future generations (like us). So in 12:1-2, what does the writer encourage us to do? How can you do this in your world in 2020?
Friday – 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 & 51-58
This was a problem. They expected Jesus to return immediately, but he delayed. And some of the saints had passed away. What does all this mean? Paul looks back to the resurrection of Jesus to point forward to the hope of resurrection for all of us. We may not fully understand all the dynamics, but we can trust in the power of God’s love to give new life in this world and the next. What does this resurrection faith do for you? (See vs. 58.)
Saturday – Psalm 77
This is an excellent example of looking back in order to look forward. In the first ten verses the psalm writer is pondering some horrible disaster that has been experienced. But half way through – verses 11 & 12 – the writer turns a corner. The writer decides to look back to remember the faithfulness of God in the past in order to look forward and recognize the faithfulness of God yet to come. How has God been faithful to you in the past? How will God deliver you in the future?