God has much more faith in you than you have in Him!

But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. (1 Corinthians 7:7b)

What are your expectations for the remainder of 2007?
What are God’s expectations for you for the remainder of 2007?
How will you steward your time?

Today is graduation day for nearly 430 seniors at Culpeper High School. For each of these graduates, one chapter in the book of their life is closing and a new chapter is opening. This also applies to the parents of these graduates. For many this is a time of great expectations. For others, however, this is a time of despair and uncertainty about the future.

The top headline in today’s local newspaper reads “High Expectations – Gabe Werner follows in brother’s footsteps as valedictorian.” Because both of Gabe’s parents are physicians, I had the privilege to work with both of them at Culpeper Hospital for several years. And I know all four of their children.

“Being named valedictorian ‘serves as a nice recognition’ said Werner, who was also senior class president. ‘A lot of people don’t realize how hard you have to work in order to be this successful. To me, it’s a recognition of how much work I’ve put into school.'”

Achieving anything worthwhile takes hard work. It requires a commitment and then discipline to carry out that commitment. Consistency and perseverance are essential. The prizes of life are at the end of each journey, not near the beginning. We don’t know how many steps are required to reach our goals. We may encounter failure at the thousandth step, yet success may be hiding behind the next bend in the road.

Pastor Mark Jarvis, my good friend, has reminded me on several occasions: “The greater the assignment, the greater the adversity.”

Perhaps you feel like giving up. Perhaps you feel like you’re not making much of a difference. Perhaps you feel like your circumstances will never change. But we serve a God of hope, a God of victory. Know that God is on your side. And God plus one equals a majority. Spend time getting to know God better by reading the Bible and praying. He will reveal scriptures to encourage you.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, it’s so much easier to take on big challenges when we know You’re on our side. It’s so much easier to work when we’re doing our work as unto to the LORD. I pray a special blessing on each of our graduating seniors and their families. Bless them with joy and laughter and love that won’t let go. Bless them with Your peace that passes all understanding. And for those who are reading this message and feel depressed, I pray You will encourage them. May they sense Your presence and Your love. Thank You Jesus. I love You dearly. Amen.

Link of the Day
Messiah College 2004 Baccalaureate Speech – a great You Tube video about legacy
[www.youtube.com/watch?v=fARcOFAWj84]
Blessings to live your life with high expectations for the glory of Jesus Christ!