The Expected One

In the 7th chapter of Luke, John the Baptist sends 2 of his disciples to ask Christ if He was the Expected One. The Expected One, Jesus should be Who we expect. A few weeks ago I was with my daughter who is pregnant and her husband at their monthly ultrasound. One of the things that they are watching has to do with a space at the back of the brain. After the ultrasound the doctor stated that he expected to see no change at all before the baby is born. All I can think about is the name of God: The Expected One. Unlike that doctor, I do expect something. I expect God to show up. God says that He will never leave us or forsake us so I know that He is right there with my daughter and son-in-law. I am waiting expectantly for God to show Himself to us. I don’t know what His will is but I know He loves my grandbaby more than I can imagine. I am not willing to say that I expect nothing to change because my God, the God of my grandchild is able. I am not at all saying anything like a “name it and claim it”. What I am saying is that I am leaving the door wide open for God to bring Himself glory. I am waiting expectantly to see God as I petition Him to perfect my grandchild’s brain. I don’t ever want to walk in a situation and say I expect no change. Through this situation God may bring someone in that doctor’s office to the saving knowledge of who Christ is and that is a miraculous change. I don’t know what God is going to do but when the Expected One brings Himself glory there is an abundance of change. Don’t ever look at a situation and think it is hopeless and expect nothing to change. Look for God. Expect to find Him at work…expect the Expected One!

Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.(NASB)
A few years ago during my quiet time I was reading this verse. I remember clearly God telling me to read this verse in the King James Version. There is what seems to be a small difference but it had a huge impact on me. The King James Version says: “…and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by THE faith of the Son of God…” I really wanted to live right. I was really trying yet really failing. God said to look hard at that difference. I believe both are true. I do live by faith in Christ but I also live by THE faith of Christ! How can this be that I live with the very faith of Christ? I am indwelt with Christ’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit. The faith of Christ is in me by His Spirit. My choice is whether or not I am filled (controlled) with the Holy Spirit. I pray this verse regularly to God and simply ask Him to make it happen…that I live each day by THE faith of Christ. Before I read this version I was trying to live my life through my strength and with some faith I could come up with. God simply said for me to stop trying and let THE faith of Christ do it through me. I don’t understand how this works at all but it does. Jim and I have a car that we can now start while sitting inside our house! We don’t even quite know the second it starts but when we walk outside the car is running. I sure don’t know how this works but I still push the button to remote start! I had been trying to live right and falling short. It was time to stop trying and let Christ Himself through His faith live! I wished I could say that I now live a sinless life and before all my family and friends comment to the contrary let me say I still fall short on many occasions but it’s because I am living by my flesh and not by THE faith of Christ. Live your life by faith in Christ and by THE faith of Christ. Simply ask Him to do it. He never falls short!

My Story

Sifted…this is my Christian story. I argued with God for many months about writing a blog. There are so many great ones out there and anyone who knows me knows I have always done everything possible to get out of writing. I am a math major through and through! I told God (that will probably be a whole blog itself…me telling God what to do!) that I would write a blog just as soon as He gave me a name for it. Of course, He answered this prayer immediately during my quiet time. He gave me the verses out of Luke (22:31-32) and the word SIFTED. This is my story. I became a Christian at a very early age. I honestly don’t remember not knowing Christ as my Savior but my life needed sifted. As I matured as a person I needed to mature as a Christian…much like Peter. God had to show me what needed to be sifted out and allow me to go through the process. This was a painful process initiated by my wrong choices then the sifting like wheat. Peter was already a follower of Christ. Christ told Peter and the other disciples that just as His Father had granted Him a kingdom, Christ granted them that they may eat and drink at His table in His kingdom, and they would sit on the twelve thrones. Peter’s eternal life was assured but his earthly walk needed sifted. Christ said to Peter: “…but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” I heard Christ say the same words to me. Sifting is not the path all Christians take but it is my story. So now I am writing a blog…go figure God’s sense of humor! My greatest desire is to bring God glory and my prayer is that this blog truly strengthens and encourages my brothers who read it.