Are You Expectant?

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.  [1 John 5: 14-15]

If you have ever been pregnant before, you can relate to the wonderful joy and the thrill that you possess as you are awaiting the arrival of your precious baby during that 9 month period.  If you are anything like me, as you draw closer to the day of his or her arrival within that third trimester, you become somewhat obsessed with making preparations for the bundle of joy.  Did I buy her enough newborn clothing?  Do I have all of the baby toiletries that I will need: lotions, cotton swabs, Vaseline, soothing baby wash, calming baby wash, etc...?  Is my overnight bag packed with everything I will need for the hospital?  And not only will you hustle and bustle from this baby store to that, making sure that you have every possible item you need for the new baby's arrival, you will also labor over making lists and a "game plan" for that day.  Do I have all family and and friends' phone numbers that I need to call when I deliver?  What will be the plan for the childcare my other kids when I go into labor?  And I could go on and on with the ways that we prepare...

But the point is, 8-9 months earlier, the doctor (or a pregnancy test) told us that we were pregnant, and for the rest of those months to come before that birth date,  we are EXPECTANT about our promised child.  During our time of expectancy, we are actively preparing and planning for the date of his or her arrival.  Though the date may be some months off, we are assured that the date will come, and we want nothing less than to be READY.

Unfortunately, many of us do not exude that same level of EXPECTANCY and fervor when we have prayed and are waiting on our promise from God to arrive.  When our hearts are pure and in right standing with God, He places desires in our hearts.  These desires are the things we hope for and truly want for our lives.

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart." [Psalm 37:4 AMP]

These can be desires concerning restored health, restored friendships or relationships, restored marriages, a new job, having a baby, getting out of debt, restoration of finances, deliverance from addictions, a husband to marry, inner peace and happiness...all things that we can be assured that God even desires for our lives and has already made provisions for. 

Once we know that our desires and prayers are lined up with God's will, and not out of selfish ambition and gain (James 4:3),  then it's time to pray our prayers with solid FAITH and great EXPECTANCY!  When we have come before God's throne in prayer and laid out our petitions, then it is time to act like we've got a bundle coming, sooner than late,r and we've got to get ready for it.  When you are pregnant, do you wait until the day of the baby's arrival to be expectant and prepared? HECK No!  So why should we sit around and wait for the day of our promise's arrival from God?  Get UP!!!  We've got preparations to make!  And according to God's word, if we do not start standing in a position of FAITH and EXPECTANCY, we might as well, NOT EXPECT our promise's date of arrival!

"For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it]." [Mark 11:24]

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?"" [Luke 11: 9-11]

"But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord." [James 1:6-7].

"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith" [Matthew 21:22]

"“I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."' [Mark 11:23-25]

So what are you EXPECTING in your belly?  What are you somewhat obsessed in making preparations for?  If it's getting out of debt, do you even know how much debt you have and who you own it to?  GET PREPARED!  If it's the hopes of getting pregnant, are you getting your body in shape with the exercise and the best vitamins, nutrients, and foods conducive for conception?  GET READY!  If it's getting a new job, is your resume current and polished?  GET PREPARED!  If you are burning with a passion to start you own business, have you even started to draft a business plan??? 

LADIES, WHAT ARE WE WAITING ON...Let's GET EXPECTANT!

God has placed a desire and promise in our hearts, it will be birthed before we know it...But in the meantime, we are EXPECTANT!  Let's stand in faith, get ready for it, talk about it, make preparations for it, make a plan for it...and BE EXPECTANT!

Mad Luv~Teri

As always, this devotional was penned by the grace of God...but it seems like even more so this morning than any other (God, you knew my struggles this morning)!  I love you and give you major praise, Lord!!!