Baptism

May 27th, 2012
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I was recently having a conversation with someone and at one point they casually pulled out the classic saying, “expect the worst and hope for the best.” I know the heart behind this phrase. I know it means that we should prepare contingencies in case our plans fail.

But still, what a horrible saying.

The problem with it is that it misunderstands the very nature of expectation. Expectation is a form of faith. It’s the belief that what you’re hoping for is actually going to happen. Not your backup plan to take care of yourself in case it doesn’t.

You can’t hope for the best if you’re having faith for the worst.

You can’t hope to get the job you desperately need if you’re expecting to get turned down.
You can’t hope that your kids are going to become world-changers if you’re expecting them to fail.
You can’t hope that God is going to restore your marriage if you’re expecting it to be done forever.

This isn’t just a new spin on the power of positive thinking. Expectation springing from faith can be found throughout the Bible.

David expected God to enable him to defeat Goliath. He did.
Elijah expected God to give him victory over the prophets of Baal. He did.
Daniel expected God to see him through the pit of lions. He did.

Expectation Is The Breeding Ground For the Supernatural!

Obviously our expectations shouldn’t be built merely on wishful feelings or selfish desires. But on the steadfast promises and proven character of God. We have expectations for the future because of what God has said and done in the past.

Proverbs 13:12 (New King James Version)

¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
      But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

Hope Revealed makes the heart glad!

We expect God to fight for us because He did it for His people repeatedly in the Old Testament. We expect God to provide for us if we give generously and sacrificially because He has promised to do it.

So expect the best. Hope for the best. And don’t be surprised when you get the best.

Address: Ephesians 1:20

Phone: Romans 10:13

Website: The Bible. Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus

 Objective

 My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord! I’ve sent you my resume because I’m seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.

Qualifications

• I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)
• I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)
• I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)
• I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)
• The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)

Occupational Background

• I’ve only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49).
• I’ve never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.
• My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15 -17)

Skills Work Experiences

• Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).
• I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33).
• Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to erase/wipe away all of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)

 Educational Background

• I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).
• In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).
• My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).
• I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).

Major Accomplishments 

• I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26).
• I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15).
• I defeated the arch enemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15).
• I’ve miraculously fed small cities with a picnic/sized lunch more than once because that’s what I do, I’ve healed the sick for thousands of years and specialize in raising the dead!
• There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www.THEBIBLE.GOD / you don’t need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.

References

• Believers and followers worldwide (2,000,0000,000+) will testify to my divine healing, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance.

In Summation

Now that you’ve read my resume, I’m confident that I’m the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6) and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15).

Who have you invited?  (Acts 1:8)

Who are you bringing with you? (John 1:40-42)

Have you told God, “I am available!” (Isaiah 6:8)

We’re praying for HUGE things on Sunday… (Acts 4:29-31)

Eternal destinations will be altered… (John 5:24)

Life Change WILL HAPPEN…  (II Corinthians 5:17)

So…what are you waiting on? (II Corinthians 6:1-2)

Let’s have that uncomfortable conversation…  (Acts 1:8)

HE REIGNS…  (Revelation 4)

He CAN save anyone…  (Acts 9:1-18)

See you on Sunday!  (Matthew 16:18)

THE CHURCHES BEST DAYS ARE YET TO COME!

And it FIRES ME UP!

• Churches are being planted at a faster rate than ever before…by people who have a fire for Jesus and HIS Kingdom…and not the advance of a denomination!
• Pastors are preaching the GOSPEL…and not a social agenda with a few Bible verses sprinkeled in for good luck.
• People are being called to commit their lives to Christ instead of being told that they are ok as long as they leave a tip in the offering plate.
• People are actually reading their Bible’s and discovering that they can have an active & vibrant relationship with Jesus rather than trying to use some type of human mediator.
• People are understanding that a church is not effective when the pastor ministers to the people…but rather when the body ministers to the body, thus embracing the fact that God has gifted, equipped and empowered them to serve Him by serving others through His church.
• People are becoming less about consumption and more about contribution.
• Leaders are learning from each other–despite minor theological and denominational differences.
• Technology is being leveraged for more than viewing porn!  The church has actually discovered that it is a tool for reaching the world with the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ.

I could go on and on…but the fact is that I believe that God is doing something HUGE right now…

AND YOU ARE A PART OF IT!!!

It doesn’t matter if you had 70 in your church yesterday or 7,000…it was CHURCH…HIS CHURCH…and He loves churches of 50 just as much as churches of 50,000!

If one person received Christ in your church yesterday…the angels rejoiced just as much over that person than they did the church where hundreds did the same thing.

God has a plan for your church…it’s huge…it’s breathtaking…it’s massive…and when it is fully played out the communities in which our churches are planted will be IMPACTED and INFLUENCED in a way the world has never seen.

Your best days are ahead of you…not behind you!

Keep your eyes on JESUS…listen to Him and do what He says…and let’s keep making sure that HELL is LESS POPULATED because our churches refused to allow people to go there!!!

 Serve God Enthusiastically- Joshua 22:5; 24:14-15;1Chron 28:9;Psa 100:2;Lk 16:13;Col 3:24

Resist the Devil- Jam 4:7;Eph 6:10-17;4:27; 2Tim2:26; Heb 2:14

Obey God- Gen 22:18;26:4-5; 1Sam 15:22;Rom 6:16-17;Eph 6:1;Heb 13:17