I was a teenager the first time I played a game of Pool. I think my dad purchased an old Pool table and put it upstairs in our attic. The details are hazy. But I do vividly remember learning to play. I was overwhelmed by all the rules.

You couldn’t knock the 8-ball off the table or into any pocket other than the one it was intended to go into. You had to actually announce which of the six pockets you were aiming for and you had better hit the 8-ball into that specific pocket—or lose!

It was a nerve-racking but fun sport. Once I learned how to master the game, I was pretty good at it. I got a reputation for beating family members.

What I loved most about the game was that it forced you to exercise your faith. You had to believe you could hit the ball into a certain pocket, announce what you were expecting to happen, and then act on it.  

Of course there were times during the game when things didn’t go according to plan. But when they did, it felt amazing. No matter how many times you may have failed to get the ball into the intended pocket, every time your turn came back around to play, you had to exercise fresh faith.

Believe, declare, act and repeat.

Come to think of it, that faith cycle is necessary for far more than a game of Pool. In life, as you walk with the Lord, you have to believe, declare and then act on what you believe. In this season, God is going to do some great things for you. But He wants you to change your expectation and your action, and you will see transformation happen for you.

I know you’ve been through some stuff. But don’t let that shape your mentality. Let nothing kill off your expectation of greater things to come!

In 2 Kings 4:1-7, we meet a prophet’s widow who had been left with debt and no means to pay it. She was in dire straits and creditors were going to force her sons into slavery to work off that debt.

When she cried out to the prophet Elisha, she had a negative expectation. She had horrible visions of her children being snatched away due to circumstances beyond her control. And at the time when the crisis came, all she had was a small jar of olive oil. Though olive oil could be sold, she didn’t have enough of it and wasn’t in any position to make lucrative business deals.

But the man of God challenged the woman to stop focusing on what she didn’t have. He said go borrow a bunch of empty jars from your neighbors and fill them up with olive oil.

I know that, in the natural, it didn’t make any sense for a woman in deep debt to borrow anything. Furthermore, how was she going to fill up multiple jars with oil when all she had was a single jar with a tiny bit of oil in that?

This plan looked crazy from the outside. But she didn’t concentrate on her limited resources. She believed the man of God and took action. She moved in faith. She borrowed jars. And when she did it, the word of the Lord says she filled up all the vessels, and the oil did not stop pouring until there were no more jars to fill.

Elisha then told her in verse 7, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

As you clearly see, God worked a miracle for her because she had an expectation and a corresponding action. Friend, you may be in a season right now where your need is greater than your supply. Your situation is too hard for you. The problem is too complicated for you to work out on your own. I believe God sent me to remind you of what He is able to do. There is no failure in Him. The circumstances aren’t too complex for the Lord.

So get your expectation up. As I said in today’s podcast, Expect God to move. Expect Him to work it out. Expect Him to turn it around. Anticipate breakthrough. See yourself walking through that door. Apply prayer pressure to whatever obstacle is standing in your way and be assured that God will answer.

Then act on what you believe.

As you push forward in faith, declare that the way is made and the need is met. Forget the former things. Don’t be bound by past failures and disappointments. Put your confidence in God.

For every problem you have, He offers an answer. He has an endless supply. Expect Him to release your breakthrough.

To assist you in shifting your mentality, I’m stirring Hebrews 11:1 GNT into your cup of inspiration, which says, “To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, let nothing kill off your expectation. Get your faith up. The circumstances might not look good, but don’t fret. Rather, remind yourself that there is no failure in the One who has power over those circumstances.

Expect God to do incredible things.

Now let’s pray.

God, things don’t look great, but I know that You are greater than whatever has come against me. So today, I choose to stand on Your word and believe for blessings, favor, increase and breakthrough. I speak Your word over my circumstances as I wait in great expectation of manifestation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!

If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with You. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.