Hosanna Restoration Church

God is good! He is the ultimate definition of the word, so it would not be wrong to substitute God for good in this verse. If God be for you, who can be against you?

We all have different things that we are enthusiastic about. The level of our enthusiasm leads to different experiences. Some enthusiasm can result in pain and shame and have negative results, other enthusiasm leads to good results.

This caused me to consider my enthusiasm level for God. I know what it is like to have no enthusiasm when it comes to God. I am so glad those days are long gone. I also know how things can get in the way and bog down our enthusiasm. We need to be aware that the thief hangs around looking for those he can destroy. The Lower our enthusiasm for God is, the easier target we are.

Enthusiasm and experience work in the race drafting off of each other. When we experience God our enthusiasm gets a boost and when we are enthusiastic we experience more with God. Conversely, when our enthusiasm sinks, our awareness sinks as well and we are less aware of God’s presence. Remember, He is the same; we just lose sight of Him.

I know that some just do not see what all the excitement is about. Enthusiasm for God actually makes many people uncomfortable. That is why it is so important that people have a personal relational experience with God. And don’t forget to stir!

 As I woke this morning, the Lord added expectation and anticipation to the list. What do we expect when we think of God? What do we anticipate when we pray, praise, and worship the Lord.

The ultimate picture I got was all of these things swirling in a barrel and at the base or the foundation of it all was enthusiastic faith. Then an old song came to my mind, “Roll out the Barrel.” That reminded me how different songs, or scents, or words, or any of a number of things can trigger our emotions. Remember the Rocky movies, or the Titan’s. The theme songs have an effect on you if you do!

What does the name, “Jesus” trigger in you? For me, it can make me want to shout or just make me pause and smile. There is just something about that name. It reminds us of experiences and it reminds of our level of enthusiasm. At least I hope it will after today.

Wake up anticipating God’s presence. Expect to experience His goodness. When you are enthusiastic for God life is as Jesus came to make it. He came to make our joy complete.