Expecting to Receive: Faith and Miracles in Action

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Expectation

When we come to church, we should do so with a heart full of expectation. Just as the lame man at the temple gate expected to receive something from Peter and John, we too should come with faith and anticipation. This expectation sets the stage for the miraculous. When we believe that God can and will meet our needs, we open ourselves up to His divine intervention. Whether it's healing, forgiveness, or encouragement, our faith plays a crucial role in what we receive from God. [48:51]

Acts 3:5-6 (ESV): "And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, 'I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.'"

Reflection: What are you expecting from God today? How can you elevate your level of faith and anticipation as you approach Him in prayer and worship?

Day 2: God Requires Our Involvement

While God is omnipotent and knows our needs, He often requires our involvement. Our prayers, faith, and actions play a significant role in the fulfillment of His promises. The story of the Shunammite woman illustrates that our acts of faith, no matter how small, can lead to great miracles. She built a room for the prophet Elisha, and her act of faith led to the miraculous birth of her son and his subsequent resurrection. This shows that God honors our faith and involvement in His plans. [51:57]

2 Kings 4:10-11 (ESV): "Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there. One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there."

Reflection: What small act of faith can you take today to show your involvement in God's plans? How can you actively participate in the fulfillment of His promises in your life?

Day 3: Elevate Your Expectation

Sometimes, before things get better, we need to raise our level of expectation. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and our words and beliefs can shape our reality. By expecting great things from God, we create a platform for the miraculous. When we speak words of faith and hope, we align ourselves with God's promises and open the door for His blessings. [52:43]

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV): "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

Reflection: What words are you speaking over your life and circumstances? How can you elevate your expectations and speak words of faith and hope today?

Day 4: God's Thoughts Towards Us

God has good thoughts towards us, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give us a hopeful future. Despite our past mistakes or current struggles, God desires to bless us and lead us into a future filled with hope and purpose. His plans for us are always for our good, and He is constantly working to bring about His perfect will in our lives. [23:58]

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Reflection: How does knowing God's thoughts towards you change your perspective on your current situation? What steps can you take to align yourself with His plans for your life?

Day 5: Persistence in Prayer

Just as Elijah persisted in prayer for rain, we too must persist in our prayers and expectations. Even when we don't see immediate results, we should continue to believe and expect that God will answer in His perfect timing. Persistence in prayer demonstrates our faith and trust in God's promises. It shows that we are willing to wait on Him and believe that He will come through for us. [01:26:58]

1 Kings 18:42-44 (ESV): "So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, 'Go up now, look toward the sea.' And he went up and looked and said, 'There is nothing.' And he said, 'Go again,' seven times. And at the seventh time he said, 'Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea.'"

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to persist in prayer? How can you demonstrate your faith and trust in God's timing today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Praise the Lord! It's a joy to gather in the house of the Lord on this beautiful Sunday morning. We began with a heartfelt prayer, asking Jesus to move powerfully in our service, to forgive sins, heal sicknesses, and bring encouragement. We declared the greatness of His name and the joy that only He can provide. We were reminded that God is willing and able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think, and that the joy of the Lord is our strength.

We acknowledged the presence of Jesus in our midst, affirming that He is everything we need—our lawyer, counselor, doctor, and deliverer. We prayed for various needs within our congregation, believing that God is able to meet each one. We were encouraged to cast our cares upon Him, knowing that He cares for us.

The core of our message today was centered on the theme of "Expecting to Receive." We explored the story from Acts 3, where Peter and John encountered a lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful. This man, who had been lame from birth, looked at them expecting to receive something. Peter, though he had no silver or gold, offered him something far greater: healing in the name of Jesus Christ. The man was healed, leaping and praising God.

We emphasized the importance of coming to church with an expectation to receive from God. Whether it's healing, forgiveness, or encouragement, we should always come with a heart full of faith and anticipation. We were reminded that God often requires our involvement and that our faith and expectation can set the stage for the miraculous.

We also reflected on the story of the Shunammite woman who built a room for the prophet Elisha. Her act of faith and expectation led to the miraculous birth of her son and his subsequent resurrection. This story illustrates that our acts of faith, no matter how small, can lead to great miracles.

In conclusion, we were encouraged to elevate our level of expectation, to believe that God can and will meet our needs. We were reminded that God has good thoughts towards us, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give us a hopeful future. Let us continue to pray, believe, and expect great things from our mighty God.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Expectation: Coming to church with an expectation to receive from God is crucial. Whether it's healing, forgiveness, or encouragement, our faith and anticipation set the stage for the miraculous. Just as the lame man at the temple gate expected to receive something from Peter and John, we too should come with a heart full of faith. [48:51]
2. God Requires Our Involvement: While God is omnipotent and knows our needs, He often requires our involvement. Our prayers, faith, and actions play a significant role in the fulfillment of His promises. The story of the Shunammite woman illustrates that our acts of faith, no matter how small, can lead to great miracles. [51:57]
3. Elevate Your Expectation: Sometimes, before things get better, we need to raise our level of expectation. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and our words and beliefs can shape our reality. By expecting great things from God, we create a platform for the miraculous. [52:43]
4. God's Thoughts Towards Us: God has good thoughts towards us, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give us a hopeful future. Despite our past mistakes or current struggles, God desires to bless us and lead us into a future filled with hope and purpose. [23:58]
5. Persistence in Prayer: Just as Elijah persisted in prayer for rain, we too must persist in our prayers and expectations. Even when we don't see immediate results, we should continue to believe and expect that God will answer in His perfect timing. [01:26:58]
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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:07] - Opening Prayer
[18:47] - Believe God for Greater Things
[19:23] - God is Able
[20:07] - The Joy of the Lord
[20:36] - Jesus is in the House
[20:58] - Attributes of Jesus
[21:15] - Prayer Requests
[21:59] - Praying for Healing
[22:26] - Specific Prayer Needs
[23:20] - Praying for the Congregation
[24:19] - Casting Our Cares on Jesus
[26:24] - Prayer of Faith
[41:42] - God is a Miracle Worker
[42:27] - Praise and Worship
[43:03] - Expecting to Receive
[46:19] - Acts 3:1-8
[48:51] - Expecting to Receive
[51:57] - God Requires Our Involvement
[52:43] - Elevate Your Expectation
[23:58] - God's Thoughts Towards Us
[86:58] - Persistence in Prayer
[89:10] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 3:1-8 (KJV) — > Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

2. Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)
> For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

3. Proverbs 23:17-18 (KJV)
> Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

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Observation Questions

What did the lame man at the temple gate expect to receive from Peter and John? ([46:59])
How did Peter respond to the lame man's expectation, and what was the result? ([46:59])
What does Jeremiah 29:11 say about God's thoughts towards us?
According to Proverbs 23:17-18, what should our attitude be towards sinners, and what promise is given to those who fear the Lord?

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important to come to church with an expectation to receive from God, as illustrated by the lame man at the temple gate? ([48:51])
How does the story of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4:8-37 illustrate the power of expectation and faith? ([57:23])
What does it mean to elevate our level of expectation, and how can this impact our faith and actions? ([52:43])
How can understanding God's thoughts towards us, as described in Jeremiah 29:11, change our perspective on our current struggles? ([23:58])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you came to church with a specific expectation. How did that expectation influence your experience? How can you cultivate a heart of expectation for future services? ([48:51])
The sermon emphasized that God often requires our involvement. What are some practical ways you can actively participate in God's work in your life and community? ([51:57])
Think about an area in your life where you need to elevate your level of expectation. What steps can you take to increase your faith and anticipation in that area? ([52:43])
How can you remind yourself daily of God's good thoughts towards you, especially during challenging times? What specific actions can you take to align your thoughts with God's promises? ([23:58])
Persistence in prayer was highlighted as crucial. Identify a prayer request you have been waiting on. How can you remain persistent and hopeful, even when you don't see immediate results? ([01:26:58])
The sermon mentioned the importance of speaking life and faith into our situations. What are some negative words or thoughts you need to replace with positive, faith-filled declarations? ([52:43])
Consider the story of the Shunammite woman. What small acts of faith can you take this week that might lead to significant outcomes in your life or the lives of others? ([57:23])

Sermon Clips

1. "If you are sick today, I hope you came expecting to be healed. If you have said something or did something the last few days you shouldn't have said or shouldn't have done, I hope you came expecting to be forgiven today. Amen. Come on, this is a spiritual ER right here. Can I digress and preach right? This is a spiritual emergency room. Amen. This is where the wounded can come and be helped. This is where the outcast can walk in and find fresh hope. Amen. The sick come to be healed. The sinner comes to be forgiven." [49:24] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Sometimes I just wonder that maybe in order to receive something, we first might need to expect, to receive something. I know that God is God and He's awesome and He can blow our minds and He can exceed our expectations, but I believe sometimes it kind of falls back into our proverbial lap that, you know, you have not because you ask not. Amen. Jesus said ask. He said seek. He said knock. Now, obviously, He's omnipotent. He's omnipresent. He's omniscient. He knows everything we have need of before we ever ask, but He wants us involved." [50:02] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You can't change where you've been. But you can change where you're going. Amen. And he is a very present help. Oh, praise God. If you've got pain, he's there with you. If you've got questions, he's there with us. Amen. Very present. Praise God." [45:48] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I want to believe and I hope we can put it in action. If you are sick today, I hope you came expecting to be healed. If you have said something or did something the last few days you shouldn't have said or shouldn't have done, I hope you came expecting to be forgiven today. Amen. Come on, this is a spiritual ER right here. Can I digress and preach right? This is a spiritual emergency room. Amen. This is where the wounded can come and be helped. This is where the outcast can walk in and find fresh hope. Amen. The sick come to be healed. The sinner comes to be forgiven." [49:24] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord. Read it with me. Thoughts of peace and not evil. He don't want to do evil to your life. He don't want you to do evil to your own life. Now notice this. The Lord wants to give you an expected end. Now stay with me. This is translated a hopeful future. Turn to your neighbor and say, you've got a hopeful future. Let's have great expectation that God can. Say it with me. God can and God will." [01:25:06] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "I may have walked in down today, but I'm expecting to walk out lifted up. I may have walked in with pain in my body, but I'm expecting the healer to do something about it today. I may have walked in with condemnation. I'm expecting God to help me. Come on, somebody clap your hands and shout hallelujah. Anybody got some expectation this morning? Come on, you got dressed, you drove to church, you're expecting the Lord to move and work for you." [53:30] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "It may be late, but it's not too late. Work it out, Lord. Work it out. Heal what we can't heal. Fix what we can't fix in the name of Jesus. If you want him to do that, clap your hands with faith. If you want him to move and work. He's still a miracle worker. Everybody say, my God is still a miracle worker. Amen. Amen. Yes, he is. Yes, he is. Praise God." [42:27] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Expectation usually shows when a person has it. It'll show in their attitude. It'll show in their praise and worship. Come on, somebody. It'll show in their talk in the wall. It'll show in how they live for God. I have expectation that God hears me, that God sees me. Come on. That what I'm praying about will become a reality one of these days. They'll be believing and hoping and praying. And everybody say expecting." [01:11:04] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "I don't know what all you're praying about this morning, but make sure you have some expectation mixed in there with it. I'm expected to receive. Turn to your neighbor and say, You got expected. Norman Vincent Peale said this, We tend to get what we expect. He's a pretty smart fellow. He said, We tend to get what we expect." [01:17:13] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I don't know when he's going to do it, but the preacher has preached to me today. I'm going to hang on a little bit longer. I'm going to believe again. My expectation level is rising. There's an elevation of expectation today. Now I want you to do something about it. I want you to take a step of faith. We did this. This last week, I want you to step out. Come on. If you want God to do something, take a step of faith. You ain't got to come all the way to the front, but take a step of faith. Step sideways. Step out the aisle. Do something." [01:30:05] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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