new day

i slept in past my usual 6am this morning, and as i sat down to the computer, i started contemplating the day. i kept thinking to myself "it's a new day today" - which was a kind of weird thought to have, because i am not a huge obama fan, or as i stated previously, "into" politics. however, i do recognize the new "wave" of expectance coming over our country. there is just change in the air. i started to think about how i form my expectations in life. i guess i think they are a huge part of who we are, and who we become.

This is neat, huh? i do like the unity that obama seems to bring among races.

many times, i base my expectations on what i have done or experienced before. last night for example, i went to a prayer meeting about the Holy Spirit at our church. we have a similar conference every year in january. as i was getting ready to go, i realized i was NOT excited, because i have seen the speaker before. it was as if i was expecting what would happen based on the SPEAKER, not on the Lord.

as it turned out, it was a good evening for me. there was an alter call, and i was able to pray and release some burdens. i experienced the warmth of the Lord. my evening really had nothing to do with the speaker, and everything to do with Jesus. i realize that i had set my expectations incorrectly. if i had come to the meeting EXPECTING an encounter with the living God, perhaps i would have had an even stronger visitation?!

so, today is a new day. ready or not, President Obama has a new vision for our country, and will begin to craft his vision for us as best he can. we will either support or rebel against those ideals i guess, and a "new" america will take shape accordingly.

i am ready for new also, but not surprisingly, my devotional for today suggested i should aim my expectations in a different direction. may you experience a day unlike any other day today also, in expectation of the things of Heaven.

Jesus answered and said to him,
’Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God’ — John 3:3

Being born again by the Spirit is an unmistakable work of God, as mysterious as the wind, and as surprising as God Himself. We don’t know where it begins— it is hidden away in the depths of our soul. Being born again from above is an enduring, perpetual, and eternal beginning. It provides a freshness all the time in thinking, talking, and living— a continual surprise of the life of God. Staleness is an indication that something in our lives is out of step with God. We say to ourselves, "I have to do this thing or it will never get done." That is the first sign of staleness. Do we feel fresh this very moment or are we stale, frantically searching our minds for something to do? Freshness is not the result of obedience; it comes from the Holy Spirit. Obedience keeps us "in the light as He is in the light . . ." (1 John 1:7).