Blessed Beyond Measure

Exceedingly above. Running over. These are the words used to describe what our expectation of God's ability to bless us should look like in our lives. We should be examples of “blessed beyond measure.” What does that really mean? Does it mean we will not encounter any issues? Does it mean we won’t experience hardship? No. Actually, when I think of some of the most blessed individuals in the bible, they endured the most. Job lost everything. David lived on the run, his child died, and his house was a hot mess. Elijah was tormented by Jezebel. Why would we expect any less? Our blessings are directly tied to our ability to endure hardship. It sounds oxymoronic, but God’s word said he would use the foolish things to confound the wise. People with the greatest testimonies have endured the greatest tests. No matter what you are going through, count it all joy. You are blessed beyond measure.

Profess

I want to tell you a story about a tin can. My husband and I had a friend of ours make us two custom cans with the names of our future kids on them. At the time, we were just dating. We knew we wanted to get married and have kids, but we just weren’t there yet. This can sat along side 4 other tin cans with our names on them. We celebrated anniversaries and other milestones and still the cans sat. We moved and packed the cans away without a second thought. The cans sat for years. Three to be exact. Then, on resurrection Sunday we pulled out one of those cans and stuffed it into an egg for a gender reveal.

Sometimes, we pray. We decree. We declare. We profess and nothing materializes. Our hopes and dreams sit on a shelf. We pack them away without of a second thought, because they just haven’t come to pass. Well, I’m here to tell you that one day you will unpack that dream. You will pull your “hope” off the shelf, and it will be relevant in due season. Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s never going to happen. Just because you don’t feel it doesn’t mean that God didn’t hear you. Profess your heart’s desire. God is always listening.

Expectation

Yesterday, we announced that we are expecting a child this fall. The love and support has been nothing short of overwhelming. The word expectation is defined as a strong belief that something will happen. I’ve always wanted children. I’ve seen myself with children, but never knew the “when” or the “who.” The “who” came and we waited on the “when.” It was not when we were planning. It was when God said so. It was in due season. It was when God ordained it. Even now, I’m still waiting. I still have expectation. I know this child is coming. I have a due date, but its still out of my control. Truthfully, my “when” and the Dr.’s “when” may not be God’s “when.” Whatever you are trusting God for, know that it will come when God says so, and even then you’re gonna have to wait. Waiting is the prerequisite for expectation.

Get Up!

"You need to git up, git out and git something
Don't spend all your time trying to get high
You need git up, git out and git something
How will you make it if you never even try
You need to git up, git out and git something
'Cause you and I got to do for you and I."-Outkast
 

I think Monday mornings are the hardest. Sometimes, it's a struggle to find the motivation to leave my warm bed. I'm not a morning person and having kids has killed all chances of sleeping late. Music helps to motivate me. My "to-do" list helps to motivate me. The never ending laundry helps to motivate me. Expectation motivates me. I wake up expecting God to do something great because his mercies are new every morning. I expect good news. I expect a good report. I expect unmerited favor. I expect manifestation of what I have spoken, but I gotta get up! I have to be found working, seeking, doing, speaking. I have to do something. I have to get up!

Fervent

Fervor n.

1. intensity of feeling or expression

2. intense heat

The Bible talks about having a fervent mind, effectual fervent prayers, and possessing a fervent spirit. Our thoughts should be passionate and deliberate. Our prayers should be a profession of our faith. Our spirit should be expectant. I say should because some of us have lost our intensity. Our passionate flames are smoldering. We are still on fire, but our flames can be extinguished by disappointment. Fan the flames. Ignite your passion. Renew your strength. Change your mind. Raise your expectation. Pray effectual fervent prayers. Love fervently. 
 

Raised Expectation

It's a New Year filled with new hopes and dreams. Many people have made New Year's resolutions. It is a time filled with optimism and promise. People are buying self-help books. They are invoking the power of positive thinking, visualization, and attraction. These are all good things. However, if there is not a spirit of expectation and execution. They are all fruitless activities. Every year, we want to do things differently. We want to make physical, financial, and mental changes, but we don't want to do the work. Make a plan. Do the work. Raise your expectation. It all starts with raised expectation.