* What Do You Expect?

But his joy is in those who reverence him, those who expect him to be loving and kind.
Psalm 147:11 LB

'Expect' is a verb; an action word. It is generally defined one of three ways: 

• To believe with confidence, or to think it most likely that an event will take place in the future, as in, 'That was expected to happen.'
• To wait for an anticipated thing, such as 'I expect a visit soon.'
• To anticipate something as right or duty, for instance, 'Parents expect their children to obey the rules.'

If a child thinks you expect him to fail, he will. If he thinks you expect him to behave badly, he will. By the same token, if you expect him to succeed, he will give it everything he's got. He'll do more than he would typically accomplish simply because you expect it of him. Husbands and wives do the same thing. And statistics prove that if an employee expects to be fired, he will invariably do something that will expedite that very action. People will rise and fall to what is expected of them. Yes, expect is very much an action word.

We are made in the image and likeness of God, according to His Word. We are His children. His love never changes, but His joy or anger with us can be kindled by our actions toward Him and what He expects of us, whether implicitly or explicitly defined. 1st John 3:2-3 tells us, Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.  [emphasis mine]

Having certain expectations is not wrong as long as they line up with God's Word. God's joy is in those of us who reverence Him, those who expect Him to be loving and kind. He expects us to accept Christ's sacrifice for our sin as the gift of mercy and grace that it is. God expects us to be pure as He is pure. These are reasonable expectations. What do you expect?

Prayer:

Father,
         Set our sight on things above and not things on earth. Help us to walk according to Your expectations of us. We want to walk with clean hands and pure hearts. Let us see You for who You are. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Pairing Up *

Note: I know I used this same passage of Scripture yesterday, but it's such a good one that it bears repeating. Also, in looking back through some history, I found this one from six years ago. I had just gotten back from having dinner with my brother, Joe, the one who died unexpectedly last June. He was a great one for motivating people to acts of love and good works! What a sweet time it was that night..It was definitely a divine appointment - one that brought us even closer. I miss him so much, but I know I will see him again. Reminisce with me...

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

It never ceases to amaze me how God deals with each of His children uniquely and yet, corporately, speaking strongly to our spirits. I just got back from having dinner with one of my brothers. Even though it's been a while since we've visited, once we're together and chatting for a few minutes, it's as though we've never been apart. Love is like that. And I believe this particular meeting was a divine appointment.

We went to Pappasito's on 610 - a very popular location. Every loud-voiced person in Houston was there this evening, but when we talked about the Lord, it was as though the noise level was just background noise, rather than being something you had to practically yell above to be heard. Our food and inside visit were good, but when we were ready to leave, we weren't done with our conversation, so we decided to stand outside for a few moments more. But then we got to testifying to each other about what the Lord was up to - how He is dealing with our lives - the things He is doing and drawing us to - it was an hour and a half later before we even knew it. The Spirit of the Lord was strong in that parking lot tonight. And the rain that had been off and on all day and forecast to pour down on us this evening - held off until I was in the car and on my way home.

I was amazed at the things God confirmed in us this night. Through giving thanks and acknowledging Him in all areas of our lives, it was as though God stripped the blinders from our eyes regarding the wiles of the enemy, to keep us divided. Scripture tells us in Matthew 18:19-20, Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Two can accomplish much more than one because we were never called to walk alone.

We have to be about our Father's business. Keep in mind, that we will get much more accomplished when we think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

I heard a story this morning about horses. They did a study about how much weight horses can pull on a load. After hooking up the first horse, it was determined that one horse could pull 250 lbs. Figuring that a pair of horses could pull twice as much, they were shocked to discover that a pair working together could actually pull 1,250 lbs.! Jesus said, Come my yoke is easy... Let's pair up with Him!

Prayer:

Father,
           Your Word tells us to be of one mind and one heart and one spirit. We want to yoke up with You so we can accomplish great things for You and in Your Name. Help us to fulfill our purpose in You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Motivated

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

A friend posted a phone video that she recorded in her church. It featured four generations of one family - the Ridenours - singing acapella praise of thanksgiving to God. I have watched that video dozens of times. You see, I know them. And I know they not only meant every word they were singing, but they have also lived and are still living it.

As I watched that video over and over, and saw the youngest generation - now young men - I thought about their boyhood and how their father was determined to raise Godly sons. I remember him telling me about reading "Raising a Modern-Day Knight" by Robert Lewis and how motivated he was to instill biblical principles in his boys. (I love to see it coming to fruition!!)

You see, 2004 through 2008, I served with two generations and worshiped with three generations of that family. Sweet people. Salt of the earth. Totally sold out to God. The kind of people who would think of ways to motivate one another and those around them to acts of love and good works. Just a joy to be around and the love remains. That's how God is. Amazing...

Think of the people in your life who motivate you to acts of love and good works. Thank God for them. They are just one more evidence of His unfailing love for us.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for the people You lovingly place in our lives in this journey toward You. Let us be motivated to acts of love and good works and help us to motivate others to do the same. Prod us to remember to make the time to get together and to encourage each other, especially now that the day of Your return is one day closer. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Open House

Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 The Message

Hebrews 4:12 tells us, For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. And as I read again the verse in Matthew 5, I am cut with these words - Be generous with your lives...

I know after working all week long and keeping up with all the other commitments, it's hard to find time to be generous with our lives!! And yet, we are called to do just that. 

I think we have to ask ourselves some hard questions and be truthful with the answers. 

You know, we work and we have family and church commitments, and extra-curricular schedules (lessons, sports practices, etc) - we are so busy!! I know some of the people I care about have schedules that are so over-committed that it's exhausting just hearing about them. They're not bad things; there are just too many of them.

Are we over-committed? Are those over-commitments now resulting in less sleep because we lie awake thinking about what we couldn't get done today, and so we'll get up earlier tomorrow to try to get them done? Is it a control thing - we don't want to ask for help? How much stress are we adding to our loved ones when we're in "Hurry up, we have to get to (wherever it is we must be)" mode? Have we taken time to pray about what we should perhaps let go of? Wait - do we even have time to pray about that?

God is interested in relationships. His Word says they'll know we are Christians by our love. We can't show them His love if we're rushing past them to get to the next thing. Today's promise tells it like it is - By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

How do we do that? Keep open house; be generous with your lives...

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for being caught up in the cares of this world. Show us how to prioritize what's important and modify our schedules accordingly. Give us the wisdom and the grace to know when and how to say no to those things that stop us from being generous with our lives. We want to live in such a way that others will open up with You. Help us, O God! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Hard Times +

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Matthew 6:34 The Message

Times are tough right now. There is a pervasive undercurrent of fear - not rippling -  it's ripping around the globe. The uncertainty is a breeding ground for fear. There is only one antidote for fear.

Faith. Faith in God. 

The Bible teaches us that He is our Source for everything (Ephesians 4:14-16 The Message). It also teaches us that He is the same - yesterday, today and forever. He does not change. God being God does not change with a pandemic, with the weather, or with the price of oil. If your trust is in God and His Word, it doesn't matter what the circumstances look like. He does not change and He will see you through "whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

Prayer:

Father,
         Help us to keep our eyes off our circumstances. In our search for You and Your ways, help us to rise above what may or may not happen tomorrow and see only Your Truth - that You care for us today and every day. And You are our Provider! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Make It Stop

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude
Psalm 61:1-4 NLT

An interlude is not exactly awe-inspiring in and of itself. Usually, it's a chance for the mind to wander a little, but there's that moment when an interlude can become the main focus - that which causes the before and after of something to be much more meaningful or intense. In the King James Version, it is translated Selah. Basically, it's a pause, a break, stoppage. A ceasing of what we were doing.

We must catch the significance of the placement of this interlude... which according to Google.com is also synonymous with "interval, intermission, break, recess, pause, respite, breathing space" and various others. Let's be real. When our hearts are overwhelmed, we NEED space to breathe. We need a break. Right?

However, you'll notice the Interlude is not placed after 'overwhelmed'; we're not to stop there and dwell on that. It's placed after David declares God is his safe refuge and his place of great safety with God as his covering and shelter. THAT's when David calls for an interlude. Stop - think about a safe refuge. Stop - enjoy a little respite. God's refuge will give us all the breathing room we need! When we get beneath the shelter of His wings and make God our refuge, HE will make it all stop!

Prayer:

Father,
             When our hearts are overwhelmed with life, help us to live only in YOU, O God, our strong tower, our refuge, our strength. Let us cease our struggling and rest in You alone. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Reprinted by Request - here you go!

It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
2nd Corinthians 1:21-22  NLT (New Living Translation)

Shopping in today's world is nothing like it used to be. Once upon a time, you could walk into a merchant’s facility and plop some money on the counter to buy an appliance or other high-dollar item for so much down and so much a month and expect to live happily ever after. Well, not forever, but you could expect the item to last 15 or 20 years. Nowadays, no matter where or what you purchase, or how you purchase - installment or no installment - you’re offered the opportunity to buy an extended warranty with each purchase. Of course, it’s only good for 2 years or 50,000 miles/hours whatever and whichever comes first. You may even be offered the opportunity to purchase an insurance policy on your installment payment and/or balance, in case something bad happens to you.

Despite what the salesperson has to say, I do not see how this is supposed to inspire any kind of confidence in the product or the workmanship that went into it. The only thing it seems to guarantee is that it WILL break down, or if it doesn’t, it probably will after the “free” annual maintenance check-up – you know, the “free” one that comes with your PAID warranty. Well, let me get to the good news.

Yes, there is always good news when it comes to God. In Scripture, we learn that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. And the guarantee to fix anything that may break along the way has already been paid for by the Maker on the original Black Friday at Calvary. Not only that, but there are no exceptions, nothing hidden, no black-out dates, no "gotcha" clauses.

Wait! There's more! It’s not a 90-day warranty or 5-year extended warranty – it’s a lifetime guarantee. All we have to do is say Yes to God's offer of salvation and eternal life with Him. That’s included, too. Already paid for by His Son, Jesus. Guaranteed. Same-day delivery. No standing in line. No waiting.

And don’t worry,  He has identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything He has promised us. It's a lifetime guarantee that extends to eternity.

Prayer:

Father,
          There is nothing offered here that even remotely compares to what You offer us on a daily basis - that Your Son already paid the price for us to have. Open our eyes to see You, Lord, and to recognize the magnitude of the provision You have made for us. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen