01. God 1st

This is one of my favorite stories from the book "Draw the Circle: 40 Day Prayer Challenge." It’s an impactful example that will cause you to measure your faith + expectancy right now. Expectancy is critical. A famous quote says, “People rarely get what they want; they almost always get what they expect.”

Analyze what you're expecting right now:

What am I truly expecting this month?

What am I expecting of myself?

What am I expecting from my team?

What am I expecting from God?

There is a difference between hoping and expecting.

Hope says, “That would be nice.” Expectancy says, “I’m preparing for it.”

Hope wishes. Expectancy prepares.

"When a drought threatened to destroy a season of crops, a rural church with many farmers in the congregation called for an emergency prayer meeting. Dozens of farmers showed up to pray. Most of them wore their traditional overalls, but one of them wore waders! He got a few funny looks, just like Noah did when he was building the ark, but isn't that faith at it's finest? If we genuinely believe God is going to answer our prayer for rain, isn't that exactly what we would wear? Why not dress for the miracle? I love the simple, childlike faith of that old, seasoned farmer. He said, "I don't want to walk home wet." And he didn't. But everyone else did.

I can't help but wonder if that act of faith is what sealed the miracle. I don't know for sure, but I do know this: God is honored when we act as if he is going to answer our prayers! After hitting our knees, we need to take a small step of faith. Those small steps of faith often turn into miracles. We actively and expectantly wait for God's answer(s)."

So let’s analyze this honestly:

- Are you dressing for the miracle?
- Are you structuring your calendar like growth is coming?
- Are you following up like breakthrough is inevitable?
- Are you praying like provision is already in motion?

Or are you subtly preparing for disappointment?

Expectancy grows when:

We rehearse truth & our vision more than fear.

We take small, visible steps of faith.

We align our actions with our prayers.

We speak about the future as if God is already working behind the scenes.

Faith is internal. Expectancy is faith in motion.

And in this season, leaders cannot afford passive belief.

We must choose expectancy intentionally. So today, ask yourself: What would I do differently this week if I truly expected God to move?

Mark 16:20 “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”

Prayer- Lord, increase my expectancy and strengthen my belief when I pray.

Show me the small, tangible steps I can take to act on what I’m asking You for. Teach me to move forward in faith before I see the evidence. Give me courage and boldness, even when it feels uncomfortable, unseen, or foolish. Remind me that I am never walking alone. Grow my faith. Align my heart with Yours. And guide the plans of my business in this next season. Amen.