Expectations

As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Philippians 1:20

Good Morning, Girlfriends!

Did the sun rise on your day? I expect it did.

As a matter of fact, when I opened my eyes this morning, I expected the sun would be rising. I not only expected it because of the light filtering through my closed eyelids, but also because internally I just presume the sun will rise each morning that I wake.

Did you have your coffee or tea this morning? I expect you did.

As a matter of fact, when I went to the kitchen this morning, I expected the coffee maker would work and brew my drink. I not only expected it because I smelled my son-in-law’s cup of joe, but also because internally I just presume the Keurig will operate each time I need a pick-me-up.

Did you look at your computer today? I expect you did.

As a matter of fact, when I thought about writing a blog this morning, I expected my computer keyboard to light up. I not only expected it because I had barely put it away a few hours ago before bedtime, but also because internally I just presume my computer loves me and wants to function properly for me so I don’t yell at it.

Did you….did you…did you? I expect you did.

Why?

Because as a woman and human being, I…

Expect…

Assume…

Internally Presume…

Trust…

Believe.

But what if they computer crashed during the night?

What if they coffee make shorted out when turned on?

What if the sun did not rise and darkness prevailed?

Unmet Expectations.

False Assumptions.

External Reality Interfering with Internal Presumptions.

Uncertainty.

Doubt.

Disbelief.

The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

Proverbs 10:28

Girlfriends, the reality is we all carry expectations whether we are aware of them or not.  Sometimes our expectations are grounded in experience of the world. For example, the sun rises every morning, sets at night, and rises again the next morning. We don’t consciously think about it, but we do expect it.

We all carry assumptions, grounded in reality or not. Most of the time, we can assume the coffeemaker will work because for the past however many months we’ve used it, coffee has come out every time. We don’t overthink it, but we do know that one day we will press that button and voila….nothing happens. But we never expect that day to be today.

We all presume certain things will happen as a result of our experience, assumptions, and knowledge of how the world works around us. I presume my computer will work because (1) I went to Mac and have never looked back, (2) my husband is obsessed with technology, and (3) I have a child-like faith that everything will operate the way it is supposed all of the time, despite my immature fits of anger when it doesn’t.

So, my friends, I assume about now you are saying to yourselves, “Jackie, get to the point!” Whether that is true or not, doesn’t really matter. I am still assuming it. And therein lies my point.

Ladies, we constantly make assumptions and have expectations that are often subconscious and ruled by our past experience, present state of mind, and the unique worldview we possess. Sometimes those expectations are met on a consistent basis, and all the world is at peace. Yet at other times, our assumptions run up against the expectations of others around us, and all hell breaks loose before we even realize what happened.  No one intended to hurt another’s feelings, because everyone presumed to be on the same page.

In reality, nothing in this life is promised to go as we expect or assume it will. Truthfully, we are told we will face trouble. (John 16:33) Expectations will not be met. Assumptions will make an “ass” out of “u” and “me.” (Thanks to my high school volleyball coach for first pointing that out to me.) And presuming leads to let-down, which in turn leads to all-consuming attempts at controlling what, in reality, only God holds in His hands: the future and the people around us.

Girlfriends, my message to you and to myself today comes from that same verse that promises us trouble in life: John 16:33.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

TAKE HEART! Have PEACE. Jesus has overcome the world of expectations, assumptions, and presumptions with the only truth that we can truly and unequivocally trust and believe: He loves us, and He has final victory.

Victory over fear…

Over false or unmet expectations…

Over pain and suffering…

Over broken promises and shattered hearts….

Over death and dying….

Over every earthly concern you or I can imagine.

He experienced it. He fought the fight. He won the war.

And although the battle rages on inside our souls and between people on this earth,

you can raise your eyes to heaven in the morning, lift that cup of coffee to your lips, and confidently proclaim to the world (through your computer-aided social media) that JESUS REIGNS!

So consciously today make an effort to LET GO. Surrender. Lay it all at the feet of Jesus, the Lamb of God who came and conquered in a way the Jews never assumed would happen: SURRENDER! He did not build an Army and go to battle on earth against the Romans. No! He waved a white flag and laid down His life for you and me, and when God raised Him from the dead, He built the most powerful Army ever to fight the real battle…the spiritual one raging right now for our eternity.  Satan is using your expectations, your assumptions and your presumptions against you. Take back control with conscious prayer, proclaiming the Word of God you know to be holy and right. Do not live in a spirit of fear! Live in the Light of Christ….and have PEACE!

Girlfriends, today, His peace is with you….Expect it!  

No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 22:3-5

Viruses

"O Lord, you will keep us safe

and protect us from such people forever."

Psalm 12:7

 My Idea

Well, once again, I sat down to write to you, my friends, with a topic in my mind. And once again, God has stepped in and said, "No-No--not your idea, but Mine!"

Now, I am not going to reveal my original plan because I want to try again later this week, but what I will tell you is that in my research stage, I contracted a virus. "Contracted" may not be the correct word since I chose to download the program that introduced that little bugger to my laptop. Suddenly, ZoneAlarm sprung into action, scanning and isolating the virus, asking me to perform an operation to erase it. Whew! Safe and sound--this time. I have not been that fortunate in the past.

As I sit here typing, I cannot help wishing for a ZoneAlarm anti-virus program for my bodily systems as well as my computer. Apparently, I contracted a virus while on vacation in Florida, and this time I think "contracted" is the right word. Somehow, this annoying illness entered my body and began wreaking havoc. I feel pretty good if I do not move or breathe! I wish I had the capability to isolate and eradicate the germs in the quick and efficient manner that the technology age employs. Alas, I will likely suffer through a few more days of misery until the normal process runs its course.

 

Viruses

 

"Suffering" and "misery" are such unpleasant words often associated with viruses. To understand why, let's go to dictionary.com for the definition of virus: (Definition #1) "an ultramicroscopic... metabolically inert, infectious agent that replicates only within the cells of living hosts." So, a virus is an infection replicating within us--miserable. (Definition #2) "a segment of self-replicating code planted illegally in a computer program, often to damage or shut down a system or network." Now, a virus is also an infection replicating within our electronics--more misery. (Definition #3) "a corrupting influence on morals or the intellect; poison." Ah, a virus is ultimately poison attacking the center of our being--total misery. Is it any wonder we are suffering?

 

At first glance, viruses appear to be at the root of suffering, sneaking their way in and taking over the host; however, the truth is that viruses are just tools used by Satan to perpetuate His plan. Satan tries to pull us away from God through misery and suffering. Make no mistake, only evil lies behind viruses as they are employed in an attempt to weaken and destroy our love and trust in God. 

Consider the first virus implanted on earth, the one Satan ambushed Eve with in the Garden of Eden. He infected her mind with prideful thoughts and doubt which have been replicating themselves in man ever since that day:

 

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”Genesis 3:1

“You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman.“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

 

This virus, this sin stain for all mankind, came to us via choice by Eve and Adam, yet they did not create the infection. Just as I chose to click the mouse and download an enticing program, I allowed entry of the virus into my computer; however, someone else full of malice created the infection for the purpose of evil. So too Satan authored the virus that attacked our first parents, and He has been at it ever since. 

Virus Protection Plan 

The Good News is that God sent Christ to earth to live, teach, die, and raise to new life so that He could be our Savior, our Victor over sin, death, evil, and yes, viruses. Jesus is my personal "ZoneAlarm Anti-Virus Protection!" And guess what, the cost of His program is FREE! Yes, free, because He paid for it with His blood upon Calvary. Just as I can choose activity that allows viral access, I can also choose to block them with the presence of Christ and the Word in my life and my heart. 

 

Our victory over the suffering and misery caused by Satanic viruses is through Jesus Christ. When our Lord Himself was tempted by Satan, He used God's very Word to isolate the lie and destroy it:

 

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him" Matthew 4:1-11 NIV

 

Girlfriends, you and I need to model Christ. When you feel assaulted by evil, when the virus of Satan is infiltrating your system, activate your virus protection plan and delete evil with the Word of God. 

 

Name the poison, recite the remedy, and live it out daily: 

 

Impatience: 

A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

Anger:  

"Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9

Pride:

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Greed:

Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Psalm 119:36

Forgiveness: 

But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

Ladies, I pray today that you have accepted the Virus Protection Plan offered to you by Jesus Christ. He gives freely to everyone, while we are still sinners, and pardons. Ask His forgiveness and be made new. Live under His umbrella of security with full access to the weapons against evil.  Give misery and suffering the boot and replace them with joy and peace. Why wait? Do it now. Viruses are lurking everywhere but our God has victory! Amen!