EXPECT MORE
A 5-Day Devotional on Faith, Expectation & the Power of God
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” — Ephesians 3:20
DAY 1 — EXPECT MORE BECAUSE YOU HAVE HISTORY WITH GOD
Scripture: Numbers 13; Hebrews 11:13
Faith is more than believing that God exists. Biblical faith is a steadfast willingness to trust God even when we are confronted by fear.
The Israelites had seen God do incredible things. They had watched Him deliver them from Egypt. They had seen miracles, provision, and His presence. Yet when they stood before the Promised Land, they allowed fear to become greater than their history with God.
They forgot what God had already done, and sometimes we do the same thing.
We find ourselves facing something unfamiliar, difficult, or intimidating, and suddenly we forget every time God has been faithful before. We allow today’s circumstances to rewrite yesterday’s testimony.
But your history with God matters. If you have trusted Jesus, you have a history with Him. You’ve seen His faithfulness. You’ve experienced His grace. You’ve survived things you weren’t sure you would survive. You’ve witnessed prayers answered and doors opened that you couldn’t have opened yourself.
Faith looks backward so that it can look forward.
You may not know what God is going to do next, but you can trust Him because you know who He has been.
Reflection
Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life?
What situation are you currently facing where fear is tempting you to forget what God has already done?
Take a few moments today to remember your history with God. Write down three moments when He was faithful to you.
Prayer
God, help me remember Your faithfulness. When fear causes me to forget what You have already done, remind me of Your goodness. Give me steadfast faith that trusts You even when I cannot see what comes next. I choose to believe that my future is in the hands of a faithful God. Help me expect more—not because I know what will happen, but because I know who You are. Amen.
Action Step
Write down three ways God has been faithful to you. Then thank Him specifically for each one. When fear comes this week, return to that list.
DAY 2 — EXPECT MORE FROM YOUR FAITH
Scripture: Mark 5:25–34
Faith is never merely an idea. Throughout Scripture, faith moves.
In Mark 5, we meet a woman who had suffered for years. She had every reason to stay where she was. She had experienced disappointment, pain, and obstacles. Yet when she heard that Jesus was nearby, she said, “If I just touch the hem of His garments, I will be made well.”
She didn’t simply believe Jesus could help. She moved toward Him, and that is what faith does. Faith doesn’t mean we always know what will happen. Faith means we trust God enough to take the next step.
Maybe your next step is a difficult conversation. Maybe it’s forgiving someone. Maybe it’s serving. Maybe it’s beginning something God has been putting on your heart. Maybe it’s simply getting back up after disappointment.
You don’t need to know the entire path.
You just need enough faith to take the next step.
Sometimes we pray for God to move while God is waiting for us to move in obedience. Expecting more means refusing to remain passive when God is inviting you forward.
Reflection
What do you sense God inviting you to do right now?
What obstacle, fear, or uncertainty has been keeping you from taking that step?
What would it look like to trust God enough to move?
Prayer
Jesus, give me courageous faith. Help me move when You call me to move and trust You when I cannot see the outcome. Don’t let fear keep me stuck. Give me the courage to reach toward You and take the next step You are asking me to take. Amen.
Action Step
Identify one thing you believe God is asking you to do. Take one concrete step toward it today. Don’t wait until you feel completely ready.
DAY 3 — EXPECT MORE FROM COMMUNITY
Scripture: Philippians 2:1–4
Paul gives the church a radically different picture of community. He tells believers to be united, humble, compassionate, and intentional about putting others before themselves.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
Imagine what would happen if Christians actually lived this way. Imagine relationships where we weren’t constantly trying to prove ourselves. Imagine conversations where we were more interested in understanding than in winning. Imagine a church where people came to the table with humility, asking, “What can I learn from you?” instead of, “How can I convince you that I’m right?”
This requires faith.
We have to trust that humility won’t make us insignificant, that choosing others doesn’t mean God will overlook us, and that loving people, even when relationships are difficult, is worth it. The power of Christian community isn’t found in everyone being identical; it’s found in people who are different choosing to love one another because of Jesus. We cannot have genuine mission without genuine community, and we cannot have genuine community without putting the way of Jesus into practice.
Reflection
How are you doing at putting others before yourself?
Is there someone you need to listen to rather than convince?
Where might God be asking you to approach a relationship with greater humility?
Prayer
Jesus, give me Your mindset. Teach me to listen before speaking, to understand before judging, and to serve before demanding to be served. Help me value the people You have placed around me. Make me the kind of person who brings humility, compassion, and grace into every relationship. Amen.
Action Step
Have one intentional conversation today where your goal is not to prove your point but to learn. Ask questions. Listen carefully. Resist the urge to immediately respond.
DAY 4 — EXPECT MORE BECAUSE GOD’S POWER IS AT WORK IN YOU
Scripture: Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 3:20
Remember the story about a group of ducks who went to church that Pastor Titus shared?
The duck preacher passionately reminded them that God had given them wings. He preached about how those wings meant they could fly anywhere and accomplish incredible things.
The ducks shouted, “Amen!”
They loved the sermon.
Then they waddled home.
Sometimes we can be like those ducks.
We can hear incredible truth, sing powerful songs, get inspired, encouraged, and talk about what God can do, and then walk away trying to accomplish everything in our own strength.
But Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:13: “For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.”
The Christian life was never meant to be lived through human strength alone. That means you don’t have to live according to your own strength, ability, perfection, or expectations.
You can rely on God.
Maybe you’re exhausted because you’re trying to fly without depending on the One who gave you wings. Maybe you’re frustrated because you feel like you’re only waddling. If that’s you, keep going.
Waddle baby, waddle.
God is still with you.
You may not be where you want to be yet, but you don’t have to give up. God’s power is still at work within you. You can expect more because God is able to do more than you could accomplish on your own.
Reflection
Where are you trying to accomplish something through your own strength?
What would it look like to actually rely on God’s power today?
Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to empower you, or are you simply trying harder?
Prayer
God, I confess that I often try to do in my own strength what You have called me to do through Your power. Teach me to depend on You. Holy Spirit, empower me to live, love, serve, and persevere. When I feel like I am only waddling, give me strength to keep moving forward. I trust that You are still working in me. Amen.
Action Step
Before beginning something important today, stop and pray for God’s power instead of immediately relying on your own ability. Throughout the day, repeat: “God, I need Your power.”
DAY 5 — EXPECT MORE BECAUSE GOD IS ABLE
Scripture: Ephesians 3:20–21
Paul ends with a declaration that should reshape the way we see our lives: God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Notice where the power comes from. Not us. God. We don’t expect more because we are impressive enough to make more happen. We don’t expect more because everything will always work out the way we want. We expect more because we serve a powerful and faithful God.
Jesus expected more from His disciples. He called fishermen to become fishers of people. He called ordinary people to participate in an extraordinary mission. He sent His followers into the world empowered by the Holy Spirit. And Jesus Himself endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. There was something more on the other side of obedience. There is something more God wants to form in you—more trust, more love, more courage, more holiness, more dependence on the Holy Spirit, more compassion for your neighbor, more willingness to serve, and more faith to believe that God can use your life.
Expecting more isn’t about demanding that God give us everything we want. It is about having the courage to believe that God is not finished. So don’t settle for spiritual mediocrity. Don’t settle for complacency. Don’t allow disappointment to convince you that God has stopped working. And don’t confuse waiting with God doing nothing. Keep trusting. Keep praying. Keep walking. Keep loving. Keep serving. Keep believing. Keep expecting.
Because the God who has been faithful before is still faithful now. And He is able to do immeasurably more.
Reflection
Where have you become comfortable settling for less spiritually?
What would “more” look like in your relationship with God?
What are you asking God to do in you—not simply for you?
What is one area where you need to begin expecting more by faith?
Prayer
God, I believe You are able to do more than I can ask or imagine. Give me the courage to expect more from my relationship with You. Help me expect the Holy Spirit to empower me, expect deeper relationships with others, expect greater opportunities to love my neighbor, and expect You to continue transforming me.
I don’t want to settle for mediocrity when You have called me to faithfulness. Help me trust You when I am flying and trust You when I am waddling. Help me remember that the power is not ultimately in me—it is at work within me because of You.
I surrender my expectations to You, and I choose to live with faith, courage, and hope. Do immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine, and let everything You do bring glory to Jesus.
Amen.
Action Step
Write down one bold prayer for the next season of your life.
Don’t make it about getting more things.
Ask God for more of Him.
Then pray that prayer every day for the next seven days, trusting that God is able to do more than you can ask or imagine.
EXPECT MORE
Faith remembers.
Faith moves.
Faith listens.
Faith depends on God.
Faith expects because God is able.
“To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” — Ephesians 3:21
