Great Expectations

We are looking for a mighty move of God in in 2017.

Isaiah 43:18-19 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

As we move into a new year expect God to do a new thing. Expect Him to do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think. Join us each month as we explore what God has in store for us as we remain steadfast in faith and prayer.

What are you expecting in 2017?  What are you believing God for? I’ll bet you have a list that goes on and on. You may be believing God for health for yourself and loved ones, maybe a better or different job, a financial breakthrough or perhaps to discover your purpose. And don’t forget salvation for your lost loved ones. These are just a few of the things that most of us want. We want and expect God to come through for us, to be committed to us and rightly so, He says in Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

But what about our commitment to Him? Let’s face it. Oftentimes we start off the New Year with a renewed zeal. We are gung ho, whether our commitment is to a new eating plan, to exercise, to change an unhealthy lifestyle or to renew our commitment to Christ. We may even start the year with a fast, but what happens after the first month or two? Our enthusiasm and our commitment begin to wane. Why is that? We make plenty of excuses ranging from not enough time, which I believe is our biggest offender to I’m going to do it tomorrow, but tomorrow never comes.

Procrastination – did you know procrastination is a form of fear? Fear that you may not be able to whatever it is that you want to do, fear that you may not be as successful as you would like to be, so you put things off and sometimes don’t even attempt to do whatever it is. Sometimes our procrastination comes from fear of success. What if I’m successful? What happens next? Will I be able to keep it up? Will people find out I’m really a fraud. These are just the fiery darts the enemy uses to keep us from our destiny, from the exceedingly abundant life God has created for us. Have you ever closed your eyes and saw yourself doing everything you God has gifted you to do, or placed in your spirit that you can be? If you haven’t, I recommend that you do just that today.

Write the vision and make it plain. See yourself the way God sees you. He doesn’t see you as a failure. He doesn’t even see your sin. He sees you as the masterpiece He created you to be. Don’t allow the enemy within, your own thoughts, or the enemy without, the naysayers to sidetrack you from what God has for you. God wants you to have great expectations!

To listen to the message in its entirety click on the link below and select Great Expectations

http://www.gretahillman.com/#!audiovideo/cd8l

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Are You Doing All You Can Do?

Before you start complaining that you are not where you would like to be, things are not going the way you would like for them to go or you just can’t get a break, ask yourself this question. Are you doing all you can do?  We read in Ephesians 6:15…and having done all, to stand. Are you waiting for something to happen that will propel you forward into your destiny when you have not done all that you can do?

As I have mentioned previously I am a dreamer and a believer. I believe Gods Word in its entirety. I believe He has great plans for me just as He has great plans for you as stated in Jeremiah 29:11 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. Jeremiah 1: 5 before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.

What more do you need to be encouraged? What more do you need than the assurance that before you were even born God had plans for you that are greater than you can imagine. Isaiah 55:9 for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher that your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think according to the power that worketh in us. What is that power that worketh in us? It is the Holy Spirit that was sent to provide us with everything we need to succeed. It is the measure of faith that He has given each of us.

You were born with everything you need to succeed, but first you must recognize that you are unique and God does have a plan for you. You must believe and trust in God’s promises. You have to be confident in Him and His ability to fulfill His plan for your life. You have to “act like it’s so.” You must put forth an effort and be an active participant in God’s plan. You must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. The emphasis here is not on reward, but on diligence. Think of a time when you accomplished a goal. If you can’t think of anything let me help you. You probably don’t remember when this occurred in your own life, but you may have witnessed a child learning to walk. A child learning to walk will take small guarded steps. S/he may hold on to someone or something nearby. S/he will fall a few times but continues to put forth an effort and eventually succeeds. Is the child afraid while trying, of course, but does not give up. Without even realizing it the child is exercising faith. God tells us to have childlike faith. Childlike faith believes nothing is impossible.

What effort are you putting forth? Are you taking small guarded steps, or are you taking any steps at all? Are you taking an active role in God’s plan for your life? Activity includes but is not limited to prayer. Seek God’s direction and move towards it. You will be amazed at what will happen when you do all that you can do.

 

Today Is a New Day

As we begin a new day, a new month and a new year I encourage you to forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before.

Whether you fell short of your goals or exceled beyond your wildest dreams today is a new day.

What goals did you set in 2013 that you did not accomplish? What are the reasons that you did not accomplish your goals? Think about them, write them down, learn from them and move forward. Don’t dwell on what could have been.

What worked well for you in 2013? Think about it, write it down and try to improve upon it. What were you most pleased with? What brought you the most satisfaction?

I have found that when I am following God’s will for my life I have peace, enjoyment and my focus is on helping someone else. It’s amazing how great you feel when you put the needs of others before your own needs.

What is most important is that you put forth an effort to achieve what God has predestined for you to do. As we read in Romans 4:21 and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.  

Oftentimes when things do not go the way we want them to or the way we expect them to we become discouraged, but what we must realize is that every experience should be a lesson learned and if we share what we have learned we can help someone else.

Now is your chance. There is no time like the present. Set realistic goals but let your dreams surpass your imagination. The sky is the limit. Only you can stop you.

What will you accomplish in 2014? My prayer is that you exceed all of your expectations. Remember God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think.

 

Encouraging your physical, financial, emotional and spiritual wellbeing!

Greta