Dear Expectant Follower of Christ,

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, 
and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

What are you expecting today?  I am not asking what are you hoping for, but what are you expecting?  As I read the scriptures I see that when people have an expectation of God, they are satisfied.  When they have a hope they are encouraged, but hope must lead to expectation in order to be fulfilled!  You do not even have to be a person who is old in the faith to see results from your expectation, you just need to be a person that believes that God rewards those who diligently seek Him.

2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.” 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Luke 7:2-10 (NKJV)

In Luke chapter 7, we read a story of a Centurion soldier, who had a servant who was ill.  This man was not a Jew, and yet he believed that Jesus was the real deal.  So he went to Jesus with an expectation.   Jesus responded to the Centurion and said, “I will go with you to your house” The Centurion stated, no I am not even worthy of that honor, just speak the word and I know He will be healed.  For I am a man who understands authority, and if you say something, it is so.  Jesus, said in all of Israel (Jews, his own people, with whom He came) I have not seen such great faith.

Great faith is not a result of what you can muster up, it is a result of what you believe and have settled as the final authority in your life.  Is the Word of God final authority in your life, or just one of the standards you make your decisions by?  Is your faith in the integrity of God’s Word or is it in what you can reason and understand?  Your expectations are anchored on what you believe.  What you submit to affects your faith level.  The Centurion did not have years of biblical knowledge, he had years of understanding authority and how to respond to authority.

Are you a person who honors authority, understands the power behind one who has authority?  If you are then your hopes can move toward expectations and if your expectation is in Him, you will never be put to shame, because as the scripture says He watches over His Word to perform it.

Heavenly Father; Forgive me for not moving from hope to a place of expectation.  I believe that those who truly hope in you are never put to shame therefore they live with great expectations.   Forgive me for the times I have not been responsive to take you at your Word, when you have revealed your truth or desire toward me.  I choose this day to honor what you say above what I think or feel.   Forgive me when I have made you too small in my eyes.  Forgive me when I have exalted the impossible situations in my life instead of the God of the impossible!   Be it unto me this day according to your Word!  In Jesus Name Amen