Change your mindset

“According to your faith will it be done to you.”
– Matthew 9:29

You get to choose how much God blesses you.  You get to choose how much you experience in life.  You get to choose what limits you set on yourself.  God says “According to your faith it will be done unto you.” 

There are two basic philosophies of life.  You can live by fear. You can live by faith.  You can live by optimism.  You can live by pessimism.  Job was a pessimist and he set himself up.  He said, “That which I have feared in my life has come upon me.”  He said, “I feared it and that’s what happened.”  The problem with Job in the Bible is that he focused on what he didn’t want instead of what he wanted.  

A lot of you are doing that.  You focus on what you don’t want — “I don’t want to have a divorce…. I don’t want to get sick… I don’t want to go bankrupt… I don’t want to lose this sale.” You’re focusing on what you don’t want instead of what you do want.  Paul said, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”  He said, “I am confident that what I expect will happen!”

I have been on the sidelines for Cobb County football teams since 1999 and one thing I have learned.  There is a big difference in teams that hope to win and expect to win.  There is a big difference when a team hopes that everything goes just right and those who expect to make the plays.

I was talking to Jacob my son about this very same thing.  He had his 1st wrestling match last night and he was nervous because of North Cobb’s success in the playoffs he has not been able to practice with the wrestling team.  He said “Dad I’m not in wrestling shape and I don’t want to embarrass myself.”   He already had doubts in his head.  I just shared with him that he needed to expect to win.  That he would find a way to win.  

I told him it is a mindset.  I shared with him about next week’s weather for Christmas At Piedmont.  I showed him the 10 day forecast where it showed the weather was perfect for next weekend’s event.

I said I expect God to give me the weather that we need for the event.  Christmas at Piedmont is an event worth blessing and God knows my heart and knows what the event stands for and means to our church.  

I thanked God afterwards for letting me have that teachable moment with my son.  You will be happy to know that Jacob did wrestle last night and he started off good but eventually lost.  On the way home he shared with me that I was right.  He needed to change his mindset.

Expecting the best honors God

Nothing pleases God more than your great expectations.  It pleases God when you expect a lot from Him.  When my children come to me expecting, it raises my responsibility but it also raises my pride. 

When you say, “My God can do anything!” that is pleasing, honoring to God.  The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” 

Expecting the best increases our ability.

When we act in faith, we receive additional strength.  There is supernatural power made available. 

“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly to the battle line to meet him.  Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone he slung it in his slingshot and struck the Philistine on the forehead.” 

That was the only part of his body that was uncovered by metal.  David’s ability was tremendous.  He had the expectation — I expect this guy to be killed.  He was setting himself up and his faith in God said, “God will provide.”  

Didn’t David have five stones and doesn’t that show a lack of faith?  Maybe he thought he’d miss the first four times.  1 Samuel 21 tells us that Goliath had four brothers.  David is super confident.  I’m not just going to knock one sucker off I’m going to get the whole family.  One stone for each brother.”  He was super confident and expecting the best increases your ability. 

What does this teach us?  Don’t ever use a lack of ability as an excuse.  “I can’t do it.  I’m too old/young.  I don’t have the ability/education.”  God can compensate for that if you have the level of expectation.  Never let an impossible situation intimidate you.  Let it motivate you.  Today’s impossibilities are tomorrow’s miracles.  If you ever use the word “impossible” again, listen for a laugh from heaven.  That word is not in God’s vocabulary.  God increases our ability when we expect Him to work in our lives. 

Expecting the best encourages others.

Optimism and enthusiasm and faith are contagious.

This year at Christmas at Piedmont we are expecting close to 12k in attendance.  We have over 30 schools coming with 4 dance troops coming to perform.  We actually have to turn down schools who want to come and perform.  That problem will be fixed next year.  

I’m expecting God to do great things and to honor our faith for putting on such a great event.

I still need some volunteers to help with Christmas At Piedmont and Secret Santa on Dec. 17th.  Here are the links for you to click on and volunteer.

• Bag Stuffing Party | 12/7 @ 10am
• Christmas at Piedmont | 12/9-10
• MUST Secret Santa Workshop 12/17

I’m expecting a big response for help.  Thank you so much for your support of Love Does and all that Piedmont does in the community.

I love serving with all of you!

– Marlon