Community News 2/12/2025
COMMUNITY
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain and stay there…” (Ex. 24:12). The word translated “stay there” simply means “to be” – but that doesn’t sound right in English: “Come up to me on the mountain and be.”
“Moses, come be with me.” Be present in my presence.
Maybe it feels like that goes without saying; if Moses goes to the Lord, clearly Moses is present with Him. Although it feels obvious, if you’ve ever been around another human, you know that it isn’t all that common. I’m often with my kids, but not truly present (dad… dad… dad… dad… dad…). I can be with you, but my mind is thinking about lunch (sorry!). We can all be absent, even in our presence.
God knows that we can often “meet with Him” but all the while, making our to-do list for the afternoon, thinking about the friend that we need to text, watching the person next to us, or deliberating over our lunch plans.
God wants Moses – and each of us – to be present in His presence.
God wants to meet with us. When we gather, we aren’t just going through the motions. We are stepping into sacred space, where heaven touches earth (God’s Spirit-filled church is intended to be a living preview of that coming reality). The Bible reminds us that “where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them” (Mat. 18:20). That means every time we gather, we have the chance to experience God’s presence, grace, and power. But this requires us to come with expectant hearts, believing that God is ready to move in our lives.
Are we present, attentive, sensitive to His presence? Do we expect His presence – and the opportunity to respond? (Even a simple, “yes, Lord, more of You in my life.”)
Expectations create room for God to work. Just as Jesus performed miracles for those who had faith, He still responds to our hearts today. Whether you’re coming with burdens, joy, or even uncertainty, bring your whole self and trust that God will meet you where you are. Be open to His presence, His voice, and His leading. Let’s anticipate His Spirit moving in ways that invite us to respond.
I want to invite you to come this weekend ready—ready to hear from God, ready to receive the blessing of His presence, ready to be a part of what He is doing in our church and city.
“My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with me.’
And my heart responds, ‘LORD, I am coming.’”
Psalm 27:8 (NLT)
Expectant,
Pastor Brett
