EXPECTING THE BEST
50 Days of Faith - Part 1 of 8 – Sept. 7th, 2008
We’re beginning a new series today called 50 Days of Faith. Have you ever thought ‘how do I get God’s approval?’
Is it by being more good than bad? No. By keeping the Ten Commandments? No. By being religious and going to church? No. The Bible says there’s only one way to get God’s approval. There’s only one way to get God’s smile on your life. In Hebrews 11 it says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” The only way you can get God’s approval is by faith in Jesus Christ, His Son.
Like you, I know some people who do some wonderful things. But the Bible says without faith it’s impossible to please God.
In this series were going on a significant faith journey. I want our church, everyone to be in prayer. Like this, ‘Jesus I am praying in faith for ____________.’ We want to hear your stories, what are you praying for in faith. What do you believe God for? How is God answering your prayers? Each week were going to memorize one verse as a faith community and have sharing and testimonies.
Would you say that faith is an important issue? Yes, it is. It is vital that we learn how to live by faith, both personally and as a church, and to teach the next generation.
So for the next eight weeks, we’re entering into a series called “Fifty Days of Faith.”
Here is my prayer – that the Holy Spirit will stretch my faith, your faith and our faith in this church. That we will see all kinds of amazing things happen in our lives as our faith grows.
How do I get more faith? How do I measure it? The Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing the word of God. The Bible is God’s faith food. The more we get into God’s word, the Bible – the more our faith will develop.
Jesus said “According to your faith it will be done to you Matthew 9:29.” Jesus says faith is a choice. You get to choose how much God blesses your life. “According to your faith it will be done to you.”
If we refuse to believe that God will do something amazing in our lives and our faith community then guess what we will get – nothing.
Our vision is to grow a large area wide church reaching hundreds for Jesus. I believe the Holy Spirit will lead us through our youth and children. Now you know what I am asking God for in faith. Will you pray and watch with me what the Holy Spirit is doing in those areas? What are you trusting God for in faith?
Our faith and obedience will determine how much God uses us in His plan to reach the lost in this area. How? “According to your faith it will be done to you.” God says, “If we have a lot of faith, we’ll get a lot done in our lives and faith community. If we have little faith we will get little done. ‘According to your faith it will be done.’”
So my faith prayer is that the Holy Spirit will reveal to Calvary how he wants to guide us to reach the lost in this area. Faith sees where the Holy Spirit is working and moves over and joins Him in His work.
Faith is the key that unlocks the door to heaven. Faith is the key that breaks down strongholds in our lives. It is critical that we grow, develop, and strengthen our faith.
The next verse, Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith assures us of things we expect.” Circle “things we expect”. If I had to summarize faith: faith believes that God will show us what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.
God is at work here. He is looking for people of faith. He is looking for you. He is calling you. He says ‘I want to reveal my purpose for your life.’ I want to use you to reach this area for Christ. He talks to you. Are you listening?
But here is what happens. Were self-centred and respond ‘I don’t think I am trained. Were not able to do that. We don’t have the resources.’ Do you see what is happening? The focus is on self.
What did Moses say when God called him? ‘Send someone else.’ I have a speech impediment. O Calvary, God already knows that in ourselves we cannot accomplish His vision for this church. But He wants to do it through you (Blackaby).
So expect the best because we serve an amazing God.
Some of you might say, “That’s just being optimistic.” No, it is not. Faith is not positive thinking. Positive thinking is good. I like to be around positive thinking people. What’s the alternative? Negative thinking people.
Who do you like to spend time with? Positive or negative thinking people? Positive thinking is good but it is very limited. It certainly isn’t faith.
When I went out on the snowmobiles at minus 25 with a friend in Manitoba he gave me a proper snowsuit. I could have gone with positive thinking and a spring jacket. You know what that positive thinking would have got me – frostbite. All the positive thinking in the world couldn’t keep me warm.
So positive thinking is a good thing but in the spiritual realm we need to hear and obey the Holy Spirit’s voice. When I’m talking about revival and renewal, for me it is never wishful thinking. Wishful thinking is “I hope we experience renewal.’ Expecting the best is not saying, “I hope everything goes just the way I planned it.” Because let me tell you almost nothing goes the way we plan it in life.
So what do I mean when I say faith is expecting the best? Expecting the best is the confident assurance that God is in control of our future. It is Joseph who said ‘you planned evil against me but God used it for good.’ He knew that God planned what is best for his life because of His unfailing love.
That definition is based on the next verse, Psalm 32:8 “I will guide you along the best pathways for your life. I’ll advise you and I’ll watch over you.” Circle “your life”. This promise is for you. It’s talking about your life. The pathway for your life is tailor-made. The best pathway for this church is tailor-made. It’s personalized.
We all have different pathways that God has designed and allowed. They are customized, tailor made plans for our lives. God says if you’ll trust Me, if you’ll get to know Me then you can expect the best because I will guide you in the path that is best for you.” It’s the best for you based on who you are, who God made you to be and who God wants you to become.
Why should I expect the best in life when so many heartaches and disappointments have happened to me already?
Let’s think about the story of David and Goliath. The armies of Israel were fighting the Philistines. The Philistines had a King Kong leader. He was nine feet tall, had bulging biceps, and thought he was he was invincible. What are you going to do? Get an eight foot ladder and clonk Goliath on the head.
He stood at the front of the army and screamed “I’ll take any of you on; your toast. Everybody was cowering, everybody was intimidated.
But not David. You know where He got his courage from? It came from a life of worship. Let’s put it into today’s context. David was not a young guy who lived one way during the week and another way on Sundays.
David was a young man – 17 or so – who poured out his heart in worship and prayer to God in the fields where he tended his father’s sheep.
David relied completely on God for victory. David’s heart was not one that changed according to circumstances. He had integrity of heart.
Goliath terrorized the Israeli army but not faithful David. David says, “I’ll fight him! I’ll take him on!” Everybody else has fear, thinking he’s too big to fight. But David has his little stones and says, “He’s too big to miss! He’s a big target. Besides, God’s on our side and one plus God equals the majority and we can take him on.”
Now Calvary your faith may say ‘this area cannot be won for Christ.’ Remember this one plus God equals the majority. You have God on your side. Your faith may say my situation cannot change. Remember one plus God equals the majority.
From that story of David fighting Goliath we learn three things about how David expected the best and what it does to us.
1. When you expect the best it honors God.
What do you really believe about God? When you expect God to kill the giant in your life you are honoring God. That is faith. That’s trusting God. Listen to what David’s attitude was in 1 Samuel 17 “This day the Lord will hand you over to me and I’ll strike you down and the whole world will know that there is a God.” Dads, if you overhear one of your kids saying, “My dad can do anything!” how does that make you feel? We have a God who can do anything. When we expect Him to do those things in our lives and faith community it is an incredible honor to Him.
William Carey, a missionary, who changed the world in his days because of his faith, had a phrase that governed his life. He used to say, “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” That’s what our faith can do for us.
2. When I have faith and expect God for the best, it increases my ability in life.
It increases my strength and ability as it did for David. David had the strength to hurl a stone from his sling, hit the Philistine in the head. Goliath thudded to the ground. God gave David that ability because of his faith. I have seen many places where faith and attitudes make all the difference.
One Olympic athlete said she was pregnant four years ago. The pressure on her to get an abortion was immense. She refused based on the Bibles truths. She had her son and recently won a bronze medal.
Faith has the power to change your attitude about life, our church, and this area like nothing else. It strengthens our ability in life.
David took five smooth stones from the ground, that little tiny sling and he went out and defeated Goliath. You might be thinking, “What kind of faith was it to take five stones? Didn’t he think God would give him the strength to make it the first time?” No, the Bible is very clear. Goliath had four brothers. So as David went out to this battle he was thinking, “If I defeat one giant, God will give me the strength to defeat four others if I have to.” They are all coming down.
Like David, don’t forget all the good things God has done for you. When you’re faced with giants, remember God can change the situation.
David believed God would give him the victory because of his faith. Do you need additional strength in your life? When you act in faith, you receive the additional strength to face your life challenges.
3. When you have faith it encourages others.
The Bible tells us that when Goliath was defeated the Israelites gave a great shout of triumph. They rushed after the Philistines and chased them as far as Gath. The entire army and nation was victorious. An entire nation was energized, encouraged by the faith of David.
Do you believe that this entire area can be energized and encouraged by your faith? That’s the power faith has. Everyone gets excited. Optimism is contagious. And faith has incredible power to make us optimistic.
George Gallup did a survey “Pollster Finds Faith Brings Optimism”. When you have faith it makes you more optimistic about life.
I found my mentor and friend Lawrence McAllister to be a great man of faith. While in Steinbach we went to the hospital to visit him. He has many life threatening health complications. We sat there and waited until he awoke. When he saw us he cried. Then he reached out our hands and led us in a prayer of faith. I found that he has great faith and is happy despite his circumstances. His faith and optimism is contagious.
I like to be around optimistic people. Faith has the power to make us optimistic. Do you want to be an encouragement to others? Then trust in God by faith for the things in your life. Faith in God will give you the strength to face the difficulties you have to face in life. That is God honoring faith.
Some of you are saying, “How can I expect the best? You don’t know the problems I’m going through!” Your problems are real.
I have talked with many of you. Some of you are facing giants in your life. You’ve got a financial Goliath. You’ve got a medical Goliath You have a relational Goliath. You have a marital Goliath. You’re facing some big issues in your life and thinking, “How can I expect the best when everything seems to be going wrong right now?”
I do know this. We can do the same four things David did to give him the confidence to face his giants. If we do those four things we will find ourselves having a positive, expect-the-best attitude even in the worst of situations.
This morning we’re going to look at the four things David did. This will strengthen us to confidently face the giants in our lives. How many of you would like to be a more optimistic person? Here is how you can become more optimistic:
1. Tune in to God every morning.
First thing. Start your day with God. That will make you more positive, more optimistic. That will increase your faith in God. This is David’s first secret of optimism, Psalm 5:3. “In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice. In the morning I lay my request before You and wait in expectation.” Where does he get his spirit of expectation?
Let me tell you of a normal morning for us. My wife and I were up early. She had her Bible open, I had mine. The night before we prayed by name for everyone in the church. We want to be like David. Why? He spent time with God in the morning. He starts his day with God. Before he talks with anybody else he talks to God.
Some of you come from pessimistic homes. You look at life as a half empty cup – not a half full one. You identify with that great theologian Eyeore the Donkey in Winnie the Pooh, a pretty pessimistic specimen:
“He stood beside the stream and he looked at himself in the water. ‘Pathetic,’ he said. ‘That’s what it is – pathetic.’ He turned and slowly walked down the stream for twenty yards, splashed across it and walked slowly back on the other side. Then he looked at himself in the water again. ‘As I thought,’ he said. ‘No better from this side. But nobody minds. Nobody cares. Pathetic. That’s what it is.’ There’s a cracking noise in the bracket behind him and out came Winnie the Pooh. ‘Good morning, Eoroye,’ said Winnie the Pooh. ‘Good morning, Pooh Bear,’ said Eor glumly. ‘If it is a good morning,’ he said. ‘Which I doubt,’ he said.”
Do you ever feel like Eor in the morning? How many of you wake up grouchy in the morning? There are really only two kinds of people in life. Negative or positive people; that’s it. Amazing how many marriages have one of each. It’s God’s great humor. Amazing!
Some of you are feeling sluggish, negative, and a little critical in the morning. You’re not expecting the best when you first get up. You’re not expecting the best for your home, future and our faith community. You’re not jumping up with great faith. You’re a little cranky, negative, and a little cynical about the world. I have some suggestions for you.
1. Go to bed earlier! That’s a no brainer. You’re not getting enough sleep. Recently I was with some young people who went to bed at 3:30 AM. They were cranky all day. They burned the candle at both ends. Their bodies did not get enough sleep. It’s hard to be optimistic with sleep deficit disorder. It’s no wonder you’re negative. No wonder you feel bad. You’re waking up groggy every day. That’s a no-brainer; get some sleep.
2. Don’t turn on the morning news. It’s no wonder were negative. We get up and flip on Bad Morning and Canada and watch the news. Or you watch Bad News Oprah or Dr. Phil. You know what the local news is – crime. They say, “Last night while you were sleeping there were three more murders, two more rapes and a house burned down in Winnipeg.” Suicide bombers killed 68 in Pakistan today. That makes my day! Do you really need to hear all the bad news?
Then you hang around with negative people from work. In five years this area will be a ghost town. Gee thanks for the encouragement. It’s no wonder you’re cranky.
We need to start our day with good news, not bad news. Don’t turn all that stuff on. Don’t listen to the Eyeore of the world, the workplace, the church. Start out your morning with God’s word as you form your mood for the day.
3. Start your day with worship. Tune into God before you talk to anybody else, talk to God first. Recently I was in a used store and picked up a praise CD by Crystal Lewis called ‘Beauty for Ashes.’ I listened to it six times. So listen to good positive music. Read God’s word. Read some promises of God. Talk to God and let God talk to you. Five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen, twenty – just start your day with worship.
Study after study has shown that your mood for each day is determined by the first ten minutes of your day (Joshua 1:8). Start your day intentionally with worship. Focus in on God and verbally affirm “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” It’s a choice. Optimism releases endorphins in your brain. You’ll feel better if you start the day by tuning into God.
If you want to expect the best...
2. Think on God’s promises throughout the day.
You start the day by tuning into Him. Then you think on His promises. This is David’s second secret on optimism.
David wrote “Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me I will quietly keep my mind upon Your promises Psalm 119:95.” Talk about a bad hair day, David was facing the constant threat of assassination. The Bible says that when David stood completely alone ‘He strengthened himself in the Lord.’ It was God’s promises that sustained him in front of the giants in his life.
David wrote in Psalm 119:11 “I have hid your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” What were going to do as a church is memorize scripture so we can call upon it. Nothing will improve our attitudes more than having those thoughts from God that we can rely on during the day. When you’re at work and someone challenges you; well you won’t have a hard copy of the Bible with you. Those are the moments when you need to be able to draw on what’s already in your heart.
There are over 7,000 promises in this Bible written for us to give us confidence and assurance to make it through life. The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8 how to think when it says, “You’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious, the best not the worst, the beautiful not the ugly.”
If you focus on the fall TV lineup you will focus on the ugly. Some of us are filling our minds with the world’s values.
Let me suggest this: Listen to something different. If you’re going to change your heart, reduce anxiety, defeat pessimism, become more hopeful, expecting the best for our lives and faith community, then we need start to listen to something different. Listen to God’s promises. They have the power to bring faith and optimism into our lives.
The Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:23 “Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps His word.”
This fall Calvary is going to give you tools to defeat the giants. Do you recall me sharing the ‘Holy Spirit gave me a verse ‘we have divine power to bring down strongholds – 2nd Co. 10:4.’ There are strongholds in our lives and faith community. Were blind if we do not see it. Were giving you fantastic opportunities. There are believers in the world who risk their lives to come to meet together:
1. The Bait of Satan by John Bevere. This is being studied by churches all over the world. It is time to escape the enemy’s deadly trap! The Bait of Satan exposes one of the most deceptive snares Satan uses to get believers out of the will of God-offense.
Most people who are ensnared by the bait of Satan don’t even realize it. Don’t be fooled! You will encounter offense, and it’s up to you how it will affect your relationship with God and others. Your response will either hurt yourself and others including the testimony of Jesus or bring healing. If offense is handled correctly, you will become stronger rather than bitter. Were going to study scripture and hear testimonials of transformed people; were going to discuss it and ask the Holy Spirit to heal us. You should clear your calendars – there is nothing more important. Starts 17 Sept. Wednesdays at 7:00 PM right here.
2. Ladies study – Breaking Free by Beth Moore. Do you want to know God and really believe Him? Do you want to find satisfaction in God, experience His peace, and enjoy His presence? Do you want to make the freedom Christ promised a reality in your daily life? In Breaking Free, best-selling author and popular Bible teacher Beth Moore takes you on a journey to discover true spiritual freedom - the abundant life God intends for every believer - by identifying spiritual strongholds and removing all obstacles that hinder you from enjoying the benefits of a relationship with God. Learn to make your freedom in Christ a daily reality through the truth of God’s Word - truth that will set you free. Starts Thursday Sept. 11th at 6:30 PM.
3. The third thing is our Faith series over the next eight weeks. In your bulletin will be a verse - our “Faith weekly memory verse.” Each week during the next eight weeks we’re going to put one verse on the bulletin. You can cut it out and put it somewhere so that this week you can memorize it; put it in your heart where it can make a difference. This week it’s Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that He is real and that He rewards those who truly want to find Him.”
There are many times I have been preaching or talking to someone in the community when the Holy Spirit brought a verse right to my mind. Or to have hope for our church when I wouldn’t have had hope. Or to help me persevere when I wanted to give up.
I memorized many verses years ago. It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit brings them back to me when I am facing challenges. The third secret of expecting the best is...
3. Trust in God’s love even when things look bad.
Trust in God’s love even when circumstances look bleak or depressing. This was David’s third secret of optimism. It’s where he found his confidence.
The Bible tells us in Psalm 42 David said, “O my soul, don’t be discouraged! Don’t be upset! Expect God to act. For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise Him for all that He will do.”
When David was down he looked back to the past to remember God’s victories. Then he looked ahead to the future with positive expectations.
Don’t let dark circumstances knock you out of your faith. My example is I read a book called ‘Leading Turnaround Churches.’ In that book it says when you change the direction of the church it takes 7 years to see the fruit. Were now entering the third year. By faith I believe God is going to yet do an amazing work in our faith community. God has done it in the past in my life and – He’ll help me out.
Some of you are going through some pretty dark times right now. What do you do? One, remember how God has helped you in the past. How quickly we forget. It is God who helped you many times out of those struggles. He was the one who was doing it. Then two, expect Him to do it again. That’s expecting the best. You’re trusting in God’s love when things look bad.
I talk to many of you who say ‘where are you God?’ We rarely understand why God allows things in our lives when they happen. God does not always reveal to us the reasons for our struggles.
So what do you do when you’re in a difficult situation and it doesn’t make sense? You trust in the love of God. You say, “God I know that you love me. God I know that you’re in control. God you see everything in my life that’s going on right now. God you know what is best for me. Regardless of the outcome I will trust you God. God you are in control. God you are good. God you love me. I choose to trust you.
That is a deep, deep level of faith that God wants us to grow in.
Notice Hebrews 12:10 “While we were children our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us training us to live God’s holy best.” Here’s the key.
If you want to handle the dark situations of life you’ve got to look at them from God’s perspective not your own. That shrinks our troubles from mountains to pebbles. If you look at it from God’s viewpoint the problem shrinks in size.
The entire Israeli army looked at Goliath and said, “This guy is impossible to handle. He’s in our way. We’re never going to take him down.” King Saul said David you cannot take him on. You’re just a youth. He is a seasoned veteran. You cannot do it. Saul and others looked at the obstacles; David looked to God.
Got a bad relationship with someone? You’re looking at this and saying ‘it cannot change.’ You’re looking to the circumstances; look to God because He can change the situation.’
David looks at him from God’s viewpoint and says, “He’s just a foul man who is defiling and defaming God. God is on our side and He will help us out. I will take him out.” It’s all in the way you look at your situation.
There’s another promise you might want to memorize this week. Psalm 91:14. Notice what God says, “I’ll get you out of any trouble [circle “any”]. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust Me.”
Somebody who had to go through many tough experiences until God got his attention was Jim. I want you to hear his story.
Like Jim you may have gone through lots of heartache in life. If you feel pessimistic about your future because you’ve been hurt in the past I urge you to give it all to Jesus. I know without a doubt that God is close to the brokenhearted. My heart has been broken in a million places over this church; as Paul wrote ‘we have the daily burden of the church.’ But Jesus can take all the negative hurtful experiences in our lives and use them for good if we will trust Him. You can expect Him to keep His promises.
Jim has found encouragement in the church as he has gone through dark times. That is the fourth secret of optimism. You’re not meant to go through life alone. David tells us the fourth secret.
4. Talk with other believers.
David hung out with positive people. He wasn’t just facing this giant on his own. He had emotional and spiritual support (Psalm 27:4). You need to associate with and cling to people of positive faith. Who do you hang out with? If you hang out with cynical, sarcastic, critical and negative people they will bring you down.
If you want to be a person of great faith, great expectations, then find people who build into your life additional faith, who help you grow. There’s a verse in the Bible that says, “Bad Company corrupts good character.” Young people do not be deceived. If you confide in and hang around with immoral people you will fall fast.
It’s like that old cliché, “If you want to sore with the eagles you can’t run with the turkeys.” David said in Psalm 1 “Blessed is the man who doesn’t stand in the seat of the scornful or sit in the seat of the wicked or scoffers.”
That was Psalm one. When my kids were ten and six I made them memorize it; then we celebrated with an ice cream cone.
In this Psalm David says don’t hang around with cynical people. You need to talk with other believers, people of faith, on a regular basis.
I’m not saying you need to go out and drop all your negative friends. We need to be a witness to others. But I do not have a whole lot of them because they pull me down. I look for VIP people in my life. VIPs are Very Inspirational People who build up my faith.
Sometimes we have too many VDP people in our life. They are Very Draining People who take it out of you; they drain your batteries. There’s no way you’re going to expect the best, be optimistic, faith oriented. Why, because you will be drained all the time. You’ve got to get some VIPs – Very Inspirational People – in your life.
The most logical place to do that is one of these two study groups – the Bait of Satan or Breaking Free. Were moving our Wednesday HOME group to the Bait of Satan study so we can be encouraged, experience healing and grow together. It will be a positive experience.
I will not stop believing in the church. The Bible says, “Let us not give up the habit of meeting together. Instead, let us encourage one another.” If you’re not in a class or group where are you getting your encouragement on a weekly basis?
These four secrets that David did are so important we have built the entire next fifty days around these four things. Faith comes from the word of God and we’re going to get the word of God into our lives in very specific ways.
We want to hear your faith stories – were going to have more testimonies and sharing – what is it your asking God for in faith.
I am asking the entire church to go through the 50 days of faith together. Don’t miss a week.
Our faith needs to be stretched. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and says ‘Randy you want a strong witnessing and growing church. Then strengthen them in the Word of God. Were going to grow as we get in contact with the word of God. Will you take part, because were moving on?
I don’t want you to get cheated. I am going to put a lot of work into this. It will help us grow and we will not be the same again.
The average Canadian will live 25,550 days. Of that do you think you could set aside fifty and give them to God to grow in faith? I think you can. Do you think out of those 25,550 days of your life you could find ten of them that you could come to a night study on Wednesday or Thursday evenings to help you grow in your faith? I’m not asking you for the rest of your life. I’m asking you for up to ten weeks to grow in your faith. Now I am asking every person here to grab a white card.
On the Response card write two things. Put your name on it obviously. And then if you’ll say “Randy, you can count me in on this. I want to grow in faith and I’ll be there for the messages and I’ll memorize the weekly verse and I’ll attend one of the two weekly group, then write the number “50” on the back. That means “I want to grow in my faith in the next fifty days. Count me in on the Fifty Days of Faith emphasis. Now choose which study night your will come during this ten week study of faith and you need to write that down. Now I want to pray for you.
Prayer:
Father, I don’t know if I’ve ever been more excited about a plan to help these wonderful people develop and strengthen their faith. I can hardly wait to see the miracles and changes You’re going to do in our lives, careers, relationships and faith community. I’m expecting the best this fall. I know there are people here who don’t think they have time to be involved. Help them to put first things first. And to realize that without faith it’s impossible to please God. Lord, this is an important subject we’re going to deal with.
Now I want you to pray. I want you to ask God one question and wait for an answer. In your mind I want you to say, “God, do You want me to grow in my faith through this emphasis?” Then, just wait. If the answer or the impression in your heart or mind was “Yes” then I want you to pray this prayer. Say, “Thank You God, in advance for all You’re going to do in my life during the next fifty days. I’m expecting in faith.” Say, “Jesus Christ, I want to put my trust in You and expect the best. In Your name I pray. Amen.”
