What did you expect?

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “The Great Adventure”

Our Bible verse for today: “For I know the plans I have for you – this is the Lord’s declaration – plans for your well-being, not for disaster; to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “What did you expect?”

So, what did you expect? Think about what you got, then think back to what you were expecting to get and compare the two. What were you expecting to get and what did you get? There’s a basic rule of human nature that says your life will move in the direction of your strongest thoughts. That being the case, we tend to get the outcomes we expect to get, be they good or bad. Another way of thinking about it is that in general, optimism tends to lead us to good outcomes and pessimism leads us to bad outcomes.

Now, let’s apply that thinking to the future. As you look forward, thinking about significant events you are anticipating in your life, are you expecting a good outcome or a bad outcome? Are you optimistic about it or pessimistic? Since your life will generally move in the direction of your strongest thoughts, be careful about the direction of your thoughts.

Jeremiah 29:11 is a Biblical promise that is quoted so often by so many people and applied to so many situations that it can often lose its power in our minds. We hear it so often we sort of gloss over it and don’t give it the consideration it deserves. But the reason we hear that promise so often is because it is so true. God is for you not against you. He does have a good plan He is working out in your life and you should therefore be optimistic not pessimistic. You should be looking towards the future with eagerness and with the expectation of good things to come.

Your adventure of living the Christian life is determined and guided by your thought life. Again, your life will always move in the direction of your strongest thoughts. Pastor Craig Groeschel recently wrote a great book about this very subject called, “Winning the War in Your Mind: Change your thinking, change your life.” I recommend it to you and in coming days, I will share a few thoughts from that book with you.

For now, please remember that your life will move in the direction of your strongest thoughts and because that is true, what you are expecting to happen will play a big role in what actually does happen. I want to ask you again to consider: what are you expecting?

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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