All That Is Yours

Today’s Bible readings are 2 Samuel 23:24-24:25, Acts 3:1-26, Psalm 123:1-4, & Proverbs 16:21-23

Acts 3:4-8

⁴ Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵ The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. ⁶ But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

⁷ Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. ⁸ He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

Expectation is a huge factor in what we receive in this life. When our expectation level is high, we can receive great miracles from the Lord. When our expectations are low, we will receive little miracles from the Lord.

This particular day there was a high level of expectation but it was not on the part of the beggar. The high level of expectation came from Peter & John. They came walking with intent. They were convinced that they were walking in the power of Christ. They fully expected that when they saw sick people that the sick would be healed. They understood their job description. They understood by what authority & power they would be doing these things. They expected it to happen.

It is awesome how their level of expectation became contagious to the beggar. That is the thing about expectation. When we have high expectations it can spur someone else to believe for more. I have seen this happen in my own life. I have seen people who have lost hope. By sharing the Word with them, testimonies about what God has done in other people’s lives, & then telling them what God wants to do in their life; I have seen hope & expectation grow.

This is our mission as believers. We are to inspire others to believe for the impossible. Sometimes the other people that we inspire are unchurched people. Other times they might be the person beside us in the pew. I know this to be a fact—EVERYBODY CAN STAND TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE HOPE.

When we run into people who have low expectation we can add our faith to their faith. That is what praying in agreement is all about. It is what Jesus talked about.

Matthew 18:19-20

¹⁹ “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. ²⁰ For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

We need to do a better job at identifying who is struggling in the area of expectation. Then, we need to learn to go to them & encourage them to expect more. As expectation rises, things will start to change. They will start to believe for more so faith will produce more.

This is why it is so important for us to know what God’s Word says. When people are confused & don’t know what to believe, we speak the Word to them. This tells us what we should be expecting. Once we have realized what we should be expecting, then we can start expecting that. As we transform our expectations we will see a greater measure of the blessing of God in our lives.

What are you expecting to come to pass in your life? Is it the same that God has promised will come to pass? If not, change your mind about what you are expecting & hoping for. Get your mind in agreement with the Word of God so you can have all that is yours!

Pastor Richard Schlotter