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MESSAGE
FROM THE PASTOR
April
2006
Pastor
Jeff Stanfill
Expectations
A
Local high school football team in Oklahoma had a
perfect record - all losses. Morale was low and the
heart was gone from everyone in the town. Out of frustration
following another Friday night football failure, the
local car dealer offered $1,000 to each member of
the team if they won the next week.
Monday,
the team arrived on the practice field with renewed
energy, fresh zeal, extra eagerness. Everyday the
boys drilled hard and extra long to be ready. Thursday
was a rest day from such a hard week of preparation
and the entire town turned out that evening for a
pep rally. Everyone was pumped up and waiting for
Friday night's game.
It
was great for the local town. The thought that someone
cared enough for the boys and the town to put that
much money on the line filled everyone with pride,
enthusiasm, and expectation.
Friday
night arrived and the hometown team stormed the field
at the opening of the game. Energy filled the stadium,
the fans were wild, expectations were high. The local
car deal brought his checkbook with him.
But
the hometown team lost again.
Moral
of the story? Well, actually, there are several, but
the moral I want to consider is that of empty expectations.
With
our God, expectations are never empty. He never disappoints.
He doesn't stir us up, whip up the crowd, get everyone
excited - and then lose the game. I want to encourage
you to come to church expectantly; come looking for
God to move; arrive eager for God's presence; come
believing for great things. Faith in a wonderful,
great God make the difference between empty expectations
that disapooint and receiving from God all that He
has promised.
Come
to church excited. Come ready to be wowed by God.
Come to be awestruck. Come with expectation. This
isn't about empty, hollow hype. It's about expectant,
holy faith.
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