Today’s 333 Devotional: “Expect Great Things”

When we come to church we’re coming out of the ordinary and into the presence of God.

Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

When we enter church, we are on holy ground, that is, ground that has been set apart by God to minister His love and compassion, but also, we’ve come to receive His word and His calling upon our lives. Our prayer, therefore, should be that when we leave, we will not be the same as when we entered, and that we will be changed more into the image of Christ.

So, it all boils down to having a spirit of expectation.

Craig Randall drove a garbage truck in Peabody, Massachusetts. One day he saw a Wendy’s soft drink cup with a contest sticker on the outside. Having won a chicken sandwich the week before, he was hoping for some french fries or a soft drink. Instead, he found a sticker worth $200,000 towards the construction of a new home.
What we get out of church depends on what we’re looking for. What are we are expecting, more trash or a treasure?

How do we approach church? Do we approach expecting to meet with God, or do we approach as another curiosity to be explored? Is our time at church just an ordinary occurrence, or are we going to meet God?

There are those who approach the Lord during these times as something to be investigated rather than experienced. They like Christianity, as far as that goes. They like investigating its claims and debate its qualities.

They are like those the Apostle Paul talked about saying they are “always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth,” and while they have the form of godliness, they deny its power over their lives. (2 Timothy 3:5,7)

They are seekers who never seem to find what they are seeking.