Blog by Sandy Hopkins (Based on message by Pastor Sharon Kelly on Oct 3, 2018)
Have you ever noticed how hard we try to hide our mistakes & inadequacies? Yet God doesn’t try to hide any of it in His Word. I must say I’m pretty happy I’m not Eve – with my biggest mistake written in the best-selling book of all time for everyone to read about AND for every woman going through childbirth to complain about!!!
God doesn’t hide anyone’s humanity in the Bible – it is written there in black and white for everyone to read. It’s us who try to be perfect when we were never made to be that way.
Have you put yourself in Abraham and Sarah’s circumstances? Take a moment to read Genesis 18:1-16 in the Message version. They wanted so much to have a child but were very old. When you look at the odds of YOU being born, to the parents you have, in the country you were born – it’s quite astounding! Scientists are now saying there is a one in 400 trillion chance of us being here and having the parents we have (Check out the included source at the end of the blog).
Let that sink in for a moment (Selah).
You came into this world a winner! Just being conceived made you a winner! Look at the odds – how can we even contemplate that we don’t have God’s favor or purpose in life?! We are not a “cosmic coincidence”!! You and I have destiny, purpose and the favor of God weaved throughout every fiber of our being. The issue many of us have is that we are not yet convinced of that.
I, too, am on that journey and here are some things I’ve personally learned that have helped me to see and live the way I believe God wants us to live…
Live with expectancy
Have you ever woken up knowing it’s going to be a good day? Have you woken up brimming with excitement for the day ahead? If it’s been a long time since you did that – I suggest maybe it’s not a coincidence you’re reading this!
It happens so slowly and we don’t see it until we’re confronted by it – the negativity of the words coming out of our own mouths. Why have we let our level of expectancy drop – God hasn’t changed?
Working on lifting our expectations takes time – but gosh it’s so worth the time and effort! Here are some tips for doing that…
1. Pray and ask God to help you
2. Read the Bible every day (it’s OK to start with only 5 minutes – just start)
3. Ask God to show you when your words or self-talk are not life-giving (for you or others)
4. Replace the negative thoughts with a scripture (scripture is truth – so memorize it)
Extend your big beautiful heart
Our hearts are always in need of growth.
We serve a big God and He uses us – our hands, feet, smile, words, and influence to reach people. Are we creating space in our lives for God?
Psalms 37:3-7 TPT
“Keep trusting in the Lord and do what is right in his eyes. Fix your heart on the promises of God and you will be secure, feasting on his faithfulness. Make God the utmost delight and pleasure of your life, and he will provide for you what you desire the most. Give God the right to direct your life, and as you trust him along the way you’ll find he pulled it off perfectly! He will appear as your righteousness, as sure as the dawning of a new day. He will manifest as your justice, as sure and strong as the noonday sun. Quiet your heart in his presence and pray; keep hope alive as you long for God to come through for you. And don’t think for a moment that the wicked in their prosperity are better off than you.”
And notice in verse 8 of Genesis 18 that Abraham doesn’t sit at the meal – he stands to honor the men that have come.
Genesis 18:7-8 MSG
“Then Abraham ran to the cattle pen and picked out a nice plump calf and gave it to the servant who lost no time getting it ready. Then he got curds and milk, brought them with the calf that had been roasted, set the meal before the men, and stood there under the tree while they ate.”
Are you expecting God to come, or have you become disappointed? Increase always means stretching – and stretching is always for our benefit.
PRAYER
Jesus, please help me to fathom the depth of your love for me. You went to such lengths to set me free and make me an heir of God’s kingdom. Please use me, guide me and help me to live fully for you – I love you too! AMEN
Referenced Source:
Huffington Post: Are You a Miracle? On the Probability of Your Being Born