16 Day Prayer Journey To Passion 2010 – Day 4
Day 4. Expectant.
This year we have been carrying the idea that “expectation creates the atmosphere for the miraculous.” Once again, we are not trying to push a catchy slogan, rather to appreciate the fact that in scripture Jesus always rewarded those who came to Him expecting something supernatural…and that is the case today.
So many of us cruise through life simply existing from day to day. Yet to call ourselves by His name should cause us to face every circumstance with the expectation that everything is an option because He is God. It’s not that we are creating a formula that forces God’s hand, but that we are seeking to live with a growing awareness of His presence and power in all things. We are fighting against the tide of “whatever,” and wanting to please Him with faith that matches all of who He is.
Just days from Christmas, as Advent is upon us, the spirit of expectation is what this season is about. Charles Wesley nailed it in his classic hymn, Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus:
Come thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a Child and yet a King.
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
As we celebrate His birth, let it be a reminder that He is always on time and always delivers. He may not come on our schedule, in the way that we would have planned. But He always comes in glorious power and always keeps His word.
So, together we pray…
Father, fill our hearts with the hope of all You are. Help us raise our expectation for this day and the days of Passion 2010. We want to be the kind of kids that make You happy…the kind who live with confidence in You…not being surprised when You do the miraculous, but expectantly grateful…believing all along that You were going to come through. You are God. You can do what You say. You will be all that You are. Nothing is impossible. Everything is an option. Come, thou long expected Jesus. We are waiting on You. You’re the joy of our longing hearts. Amen
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
December 21st, 2009 at 2:23 AM
We sang that in worship today!
Asking for His presence and not presents…
Good news requires us to react, whereas advice has us chose. It’s already been done when He became that baby and died on the cross.
For His Renown!
December 21st, 2009 at 4:29 AM
Wow. That line, “expectation creates the atmosphere for the miraculous” is so powerful and so true.
I want to expect more from God because He can do more. Expecting greater things … can’t wait! :D
December 21st, 2009 at 10:46 AM
My husband and I were supposed to host a young woman from Russia during the Passion conference. Unfortunately Russia will not grant her a visa because they are afraid she will not return. We found out this morning and were heartbroken for her. We have both been to several Passion conferences and have been so touched and moved by them. (Our only reason for not going this year is finances and work, otherwise we would never miss it) She wanted more than anything to be able to come and experience worshiping with thousands of believers and to see what God might have in store for her next. She is a believer in a midst of unbelievers and she dearly wanted to be able to experience Passion and to hopefully feel a direction as to where she should be. Please pray for her that God would speak to her right where she is and that He would provide a way for her to go where He leads. Her name is Olga.
I wish so much that I could bring the conference to her or just a part of it. Any suggestions on how she can experience it from St. Petersburg?
December 21st, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Together. Glory. Yes. Expectant. It’s like you’re reading my thoughts and hearing my prayers. Those powerful words are all things I have been praying for weeks now. Encouraging to know that we are on the same page and praying expectantly for the miraculous. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective! I so want to see that!! To be that.
Praying for the miraculous with expectant wonder and thanks.
December 21st, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio
The 2 of you are a poweful combination. I haveeveryoneof Cris CD.I had to finally download them onto my computer I’M WEARING THEM OUT It is the only music playing in my home,and my vanhahaha,and Louis cermons,and Matt Carters.
Please read this.it really is important for me to have you know.
I know you must get millions of e-mails, and most you can’t get to. Well get to this one ,please, hope you read it and answer it.
Read it all the way please.It’s not a fan letter.at least i don’t mean for it to be.I am too old to be a fan, but i guess i am of all of you. lol.
Chris. i just love your music your passion and the Love you have from your heart all the way to the core of your being for Christ. But why are you only catering to youth,i don’t understand.I know you want young people to come to the Lord.Cool, really awesome
But what about us old people?
You think just because we have lived most of our lives already ,we all are closer to the Lord then the young people??
Wrong. I started out very closed to the Lord at a very early age, i love the Lord with everything i got., then somehow i lost my way. I forgot i could and should call on him in my darkest hours, (had, and still have lots of them.) and he be there. And he always was i just didn’t hear him. Thanks to you, things are getting brighter each day.
Now, believe it or not, because of you and your openly displayed love for the Lord,Louie and Matt,and their awesome sermons,here i am closer to him then ever.The Lord has given you some special kind of compassion and a gentleness that shines tru everything you do, and that is what is your charisma, It makes all of us that follow you ,learn either new ,or all over again,to love the lord, and love you .For me,i just love the three of you.
And the youth, thanks to the Lord and you, responds to that, But hey,don’t forget us old Geezers,we too need you. How about some type of passion worship for us? or for me an e-mail to let me know you actually care and heard me? Or is that not appealing to anyone? :~(
And yes, I’m griping you all out ,the whole band ,and Louie,but u rock.so it’s ok. But I guess what I’m trying to say is this. when you where playing in Church at a very young age, in Saline TX. You said ….. THESE ARE YOUR WORDS.Chris.
All the grandmas are like, “Oh, he’s great!” So you don’t know if you’re any good.
LET ME TELL YOU, GRANDMA OR NOT. YOU ARE NOT ONLY GOOD KID, YOU ARE AWESOME. UNBELIEVABLE
But if having a get together for the older and really old crowd is not something feasible, it’s OK , i for one just keep listening to your Songs,and Louie’s Sermons. I did see you in Flagstaff this year, My daughter took me.It was my very 1st concert ever ( i am 65) and to have her take me to see you, was out of this world. I came away from that a different person. I mean to tell you , you made me remember a promise I MADE TO MY LORD WHEN I WAS ABOUT 10 AND FORGOT TO KEEP I’M PICKING IT UP NOW AND THIS TIME I WILL KEEP IT . I am shlepping it all over the place, no complayning. I will be set free. I am now sure in the knowledge that i will see my lord. You did that for me, you have no idea what you have given me.
If i was to reach the end of my trail right now, i know that i will be in the presence of my Lord, when i awake again .I will awake at the feet of Jesus,. And i cant wait for that that moment, for i now feel him beside me all the time. And there shall be no more dark times for me now,for like the scripture tells us,he is the light.I have his light shining on my path from now on.No doubt.
So as my grandchildren would say you and the band and Christy, and Louie are the bomb. :~) lol
I will always love you Chris, and Louie,and you and the band are always in my prayers. All of you have a special place in my heart always.
OK,OK, I’M GONE Hope you get this…………..Thanks………………………Elvira
PS. sorry for the use of your 1st name, its easier.:~))
AND SORRY FOR MISSPELLED WORDS I WRITE IN GERMAN AS WELL SO SOME THINGS COME OUT WRONG
December 21st, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Really, I cant blieve what Im reading…
Really,, I promise…
EVERYDAY THAT GOD TALKS TO MNE, I ENTER IN THIS BLOG AND IS THE SAME THING, EVERYTHING, EVERY DETAIL…….