Just Another Thought

I mentioned in the last blog that we often become discouraged and even disillusioned in our walk with Christ when we base how well, or not well, things are going based on our personal expectations. When our expectations aren't met we often think God is not working. We become frustrated and our decisions and thoughts can take a turn that God is not in.  God has never asked me if my expectations are being met - He has asked me to stay the course, follow Him and trust Him.

Here's something else about expectations.  Sometimes we try to live by the expectations others have for us. It's another dangerous place to be. When we do that we no longer ask God what He wants - instead we make decisions based on what others expect of us. We begin to live our life based on people, not God. We even begin to doubt ourselves thinking we can never live up to the expectations others place on us. We literally paralyze ourselves in accomplishing God's plan for us when we live by expectations. Again, I encourage you today quit living in your Expectations or the Expectations of others - begin living Expecting God to work in you first and then through you.

Peter is a great example. He expected to live true to Jesus no matter the cost. Jesus told Peter that before the day ended he [Peter] would deny Him. Peter said no way, I'l never do that . . . until after it happened and the words of Jesus rang out in his memory. Peter tried to live in his own power, and in his expectations. Jesus showed him how important it is to live 'In Christ' and not our expectations.

Team Hoyt is another expample, have you ever heard of them? It's a father/son duo running team. They have completed hundreds of marathons, 10K's, Ironman competitions and other running exploits. They have even run across the US. The kicker is only one of them can run. Dick the dad runs, while Rick the son is confined to a wheelchair.  Dick is the strength and Rick is the heart. Rick sustained life threatening injuries during childbirth and has never been able to run or walk. No one gave him hope to accomplish anything in life - but he decided he would not live up to Expectations, he's lived well beyond the Expectations people have had for him. He graduated from High School and college and Team Hoyt began running and they haven't stopped since. What an incredible illustration for us, if we will dream Expecting God to do great things and rely on His - Jesus - strength, no Expectation will stop us when God is in control.

Application

1. Are you living confined by Expectations - let them go and Expect God to do great things!

2. Do you feel discouraged or frustrated because things haven't gone like you expected? If so, God has brought you to this point to show you that you can't accomplish His plan - give God the helm of your life again.

3. List what you are Expecting God for and begin to pray for them. In the meantime, trust Him, enjoy the journey, make yourself completely available to Him and watch the favor of God at work in your life.

just a thought . . .

I've been thinking a lot lately about expectations.  Last week we talked about discouragement, and I've discovered in life that there is one sure way to bring discouragement to our life . . . to base our thoughts, and decision making, on our expectations.  Expectations are good, but we trek on risky ground when we make decisions based on our expectations. Often our expectations are full of self . . . looking out for what we want and not what God wants.  It takes faith for a person to look candidly at their expectations and say, "God, what are You up to  . . . what are You trying to teach me?"  

Here's the twist, if you are walking through life based on your expectations, I challenge you to begin asking to God to remove your Expectations and exchange it for an attitude of Expecting . . . we'll call it 'Expecting God.' When we do this it takes all the weight off of us and places it on Him which is what He tells us to do, "Cast all your care on me . . ." Expecting God means we are walking in faith that He is faithful regardless of what circumstances or situations tell us.  Expecting God causes us to come to Him with joy and peace because we realize we can't make things happen, it's all up to God. Expecting God helps us to hear God's Word and say Holy Spirit work Your Word in my life.  Expecting God brings hope to hopeless situations.  When we walk through life with our pre-conceived expectations, discouragement, frustration, disillusionment and disappointment set in . . . we make bad decisions based on selfish motives and keep God from showing us His power. When we walk through life Expecting then we can't wait to see what happens next, we realize our insufficiency and we witness God in all His grandeur.

Today, are you walking through life with expectations that never seem to be met -  or are you walking through life expecting God to do what you can never do, expecting Him to move in the most hopeless situations, expecting Him to be where He doesn't appear to be? Who thought God would be in a bush, yet He set it on fire and things were never the same. Elizabeth Barrett Browning says, "Earth's crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God. But only those who sees takes of his shoes, the rest just sit around and pick blueberries." I want to see God at work in the lives of people and it rarely looks like my expectations. God is calling you to a life of 'Expecting God' to work incredibly in our lives, in our church - what stops Him most of the time is when He doesn't meet our expectations.  Exchange your expectations for Expecting God and see what a difference it makes.  I'll follow up tomorrow with a cool story about letting go of our expectations and Expecting God to do awesome things.  Keep watching . . . until then:

- Make the exchange - let go of your expectations and exchange it for a faith of Expecting God.

- What are your expectations? Are they being met?

-Wouldn't it be nice to know that God doesn't always work through our expectations, we just need to Expect God!

Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all. - Helen Keller

this week at ConnexionChurch

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Keep Pedaling!

It's amazing how God works in life. The right words, at just the right time seems to me to be how God works most of the time.  I've been thinking a lot lately about surrender and how that is what God asks of His followers - a constant surrender to Jesus.  This morning I received this dvo from David Jeremiah, it spoke to me and I wanted to share it with you.  God bless and as you'll read below . . . keep pedaling!

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD.
Psalm 37:23

Recommended Reading Jonah 1-3

An unknown author once described his journey of giving God control of his life as a tandem bike ride with Christ in the front. He said, "When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long trails up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds; it was all I could do to hang on!! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" I was worried and anxious and asked, "Where are You taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I'm beginning to enjoy the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Christ. And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, He just smiles and says..."Pedal." 

Though we may fear and doubt where God is taking us, when we give Him control, our life will never be the same. We'll begin to find adventure in the midst of adversity, and peace during times of pain. All we have to do is let Him steer our life while we simply pedal.

Give your life to God; He can do more with it than you can!
Dwight L. Moody

What A Day . . .

I'm sure your familiar with the old saying, "God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!"  I don't hear that as much as I used to, but I know it's still true.  Another thing I know is, God is always in control and is always watching over us.  I've was looking in Psalms a few days ago and ran across Psalm 33.13-14, "The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From His throne He observes all who live on the earth."  In 34.17 it says, "The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help."  It's awesome to know that God is that close to us.  He knows our concerns, our struggles our worries.  He cares about our hurts, trials and discouragements.  I was talking to a friend today and he reminded me of James 1.2-4, "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles [insert your trouble here] come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed you will be perfect and complete needing nothing."  Often we want perfection and completion without the endurance, but that's not what the Bible says will happen.  Our completion [needing nothing] will come from endurance, and endurance can only be built in the trials, struggles and discouragements of life . . . the testing of our faith.

Today you may be going through a tough time . . . whether its at work, home, family, church, or wherever it may be.  Just know God is close and He's looking down on you.  He hears you when you call for help.  He's not far away.  He's concerned about your life.  He knows your concerns.  Just don't back-out, give up or quit before the He builds in you the endurance you need.  When you allow that struggle to fully work itself for God's glory, then, and only then, will you begin to be complete in your pursuit of Him.

- Are you going through a test of faith?

- Are you giving it to God or trying to work it out yourself?

- Are the lack of answers causing you to doubt God?

- Please share, I would like to hear from you.