As we leave 2008 behind and look forward to 2009, what are you expecting?  A new year brings about hope and new possibilities, sometimes starting over where we messed up, etc. 

Expectation has an amazing way of defining our existence, have you noticed?  If you expect very little, many times you don’t see much.  If you expect great things, you see amazing things! 

Is this simply the power of positive thinking, or something more? 

2 Chronicles 1:7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
Matthew 20:32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

These two people got what they asked for, because they expected that the One before them wanted to give it.  And of course there are the oft quoted verses,

Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 
Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
James 4:2 You do not have, because you do not ask God.

Now, let’s not debate about “well, you have to ask according God’s will, etc.”  Of course if what you’re expecting or asking  is not the will of God, you probably won’t get it (but, you actually might — that’s another matter). 

So, it’s good to expect something, and then to ask God.

What are you expecting and asking God for 2009?