Belief For Right Now (Jn. 11:21-27)

Read John 11:21-27.

This is an invitation to keep promises and hope in the present.  Jesus is not just "The I Will Be" but He is "The I AM."  Allow what you believe about someday to impact you in this day.  Martha allowed that Jesus could've done something four days ago.  She allowed something would happen "on the last day."  She seemed to allow that Jesus could do something now (11:22).  That present hope fell apart when Jesus made one statement (11:23).  Martha heard the word "will" and interpreted it as "future" (11:24).

When Jesus shows up on the scene, there should be a "right now" expectation.  "Some day" is wonderful.  "Eventually" is inspiring.  Why live with low expectation in the now?  Consider your need, your situation.  What is it, exactly, that you believe about Jesus? (11:27).  Articulate it.  You need to hear yourself speak it.  (Do you believe what you just said or do you merely think, "That is sound theology"?)

My Thoughts Inexactly (03/12/16)

NOTES:

1. Today's subject is "expectations."
2. Each person to whom you minister has expectations of you.  It can be crushing sometimes, working beneath all those expectations.  (Of course, there are a lot of "perks" too.)
3. You can't allow the opinions of everyone else to determine how and why you "do" ministry.
4. Be as accommodating as you can, but don't live under the pressure of trying to fulfill every expectation.
5. There is no way, no matter how gifted you are, that you can possibly live up to every expectation of every person.
6. Instead of being liked, it is better that you are respected.

RESOURCES:

• Ten Things Members Desire In A Pastor
• Expectations For A Pastor
• What Do Lay People Want In Pastors?
• Healthy Churches, Faithful Pastors by David Keck.  Get the book here.

My Prayer (11/4/15)

Read Mark 6:1-6.

Lord Jesus, how easily this can happen to me -- that I would allow what I know about You to become my ceiling of experience or expectation.  Keep me full of wonder!  There is so much more You want to do in me, so much more You want to reveal.  To me You aren't just the carpenter's son but God's Son, the Christ.  Work in me that You would diminish my ignorance and not be offended by unbelief. Wherever unbelief lodges in me, it has to go.  I don't want to grieve You.  Amen.

Reflection

• Finish this thought:  "To me, Jesus is __________."
• Where does unbelief commonly manifest in my life?
• Am I content with my knowledge of and experience with Jesus?  Why?

Expectation Affects Experience

Yesterday Ashley and I walked at Roaring Run Trail.  Our purpose was to photograph birds.

Those that didn't fly south have a New Yorker attitude (It's a good thing.  If you live there you know what I'm talking about.), so they prosper through adversity.

Near the end of the walk, I aimed toward the brush at river's edge.  There was my shot!  I expected to photograph a bird.  My expectation affected my experience.

If you expect 2013 to be lousy, don't complain when you have lousy experiences.  Instead set yourself toward success.  Have great expectation for the new year.  Expectation affects experience.

Four Habits of Highly Expectant Believers (2 Kin. 2:1-12)

God's people should have big expectation from Him (Psa. 62:5).  Each time believers gather they should expect to transcend the ho-hum.  Certainly God has more for us than to occupy a seat, take a snooze and leave church unchanged.
In today's verses Elisha shows us four habits of highly expectant believers.

1. Highly expectant believers follow the Master wherever He goes (2 Kin. 2:2,4,6,8).  Had Elisha stopped prematurely, he wouldn't have been positioned to receive the promise in verse 10.  Is there any place you're unwilling to follow Jesus?  Are you prepared for what you might miss if you don't follow Him there?
2. Highly expectant believers won't settle for the status quo (2 Kin. 2:3,5,7).  Elijah, Elisha and the sons of the prophets knew the same thing.  By the end of the day, Elijah wouldn't be with them.  Why did Elisha tell the sons of the prophets to be silent?  He believed this wouldn't be just about Elijah's leaving.  Elisha believed beyond what he could see, beyond what he could prove, beyond what he could experience. Does your thinking operate beyond the ordinary?  How easily are you satisfied?
3. Highly expectant believers ask God to do hard things (2 Kin. 2:9-10).  While Elisha's request was too hard for Elijah, it wasn't too hard for God (Jer. 32:17, 27; Lu. 1:37).  Highly expectant believers are confident.  They ask God to defy default outcomes.  Are your prayers too safe?
4. Highly expectant believers acknowledge the source of true might (2 Kin. 2:11-12).  Just as the chariot was the mightiest military weapon of its day, God's prophet (who received the word of the Lord and counseled rulers in it) was the mightiest spiritual weapon.  Israel's strength and victory was in the name and word of God (Psa. 20:7).  Are you operating in your own power or by God's Spirit? (Zech. 4:6)

Expectation (Psa. 62:5)

Tomorrow is Sunday.  I'm nervously full of anticipation.  I can't wait to see what God's going to do in church tomorrow!  With every fibre of my being, I know He's going to show up!

If I go to church expecting something, then the worst that can happen is that I leave disappointed.  Disappointed but not devastated.  My experience didn't quite measure up to my expectation.  If I go to church expecting little to nothing, then the worst that can happen is that I leave strangely fulfilled in my cynicism, negativity and emptiness.  How's that going to help me? 

Are you going to chuch tomorrow?  If not, why not?  If so, what mindset will you bring with you?  Come with great expectation!  From a logical standpoint, you have less to lose.  From a spiritual standpoint, God wants you to be expectant.