Daily life with Jesus by Grahame Howard: Atmosphere of Expectation

Sunday, 1 March 2020

Atmosphere of Expectation

"Look at us." So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them." Acts 3:4-5 NKJV

The lame man that Peter and John enountered as they went to the Hour of Prayer at the Temple, had an expectation as he saw them approach. When Peter looked at him, he thought he was going to receive some money. But he received more than he had bargained for - his healing. He would never be the same again.

When you have an expectation, you can have that feeling that something might happen. When you have a Godly expectation, you can be sure that something is going to happen. God actually wants us to live in an atmosphere of expectation. We only have to study Mark 11:22-24 to realise this:

'Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.'

There is no magic formula. We live and walk in the Spirit of God and should always act as such. This is not a game, it is fact and God takes this seriously. Each and every day, we come against mountains and we need to be prepared. Mountains are not easy to negotiate; they take planning and exercise to do this. We take great risks as we attempt to take them on.

In our daily lives, we come up against 'Mountains,' from time to time. These are the obstacles in our Christian life that cause us unrest. They may be health issues, financial problems, family, jobs or church life niggles, just to name a few.

There are no quick fit solutions to these 'Mountains,' we have to face them head on. But hey, we're people of God and that means that we are accomplished mountaineers. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13).

We'll always have 'Mountains' in our lives so we need to adopt an atmosphere of expectation - an expectation that whatever comes our way, we can overcome it. Often, we will be surprised, rather like the lame man who was expecting money but received healing. But God is full of surprises and wants us also to catch the excitement that comes with carrying an atmosphere of expectation.

When you wake up and until we go back to sleep, ensure that you carry this expectation. It is that great feeling that something wonderful is going to happen. It can also help you to be alert to what may be trying to attack you.

If you want to be ready; if you want to carry excitement wherever you go; if you want that expectation that, no matter what 'Mountain' may come your way, you will overcome it; then start living in an atmosphere of expectation - today!

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard