This word is submitted by Laura Barnwell [laura_barnwell@yahoo.com]

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                             Low Expectations
   
Romans 5:1-5
  "Then being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord 
  Jesus Christ, through whom also we have had access by faith into this 
  grace in which we stand, and we glory on the hope of the glory of God. 
  And not only so, but we glory also in afflictions, knowing that 
  affliction works out patience, and patience works out proven character; 
  and proven character, hope.  And the hope does not put us to shame, 
  because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the 
  Holy Spirit given to us"
   
My children, many of you feel foolish for trusting Me for things that 
you have asked to Me in the past. You did not see a prayer answered the 
way that you had hoped for, so you have lowered your expectations of Me.  
You feel ashamed and abandoned, and this makes you fearful to trust Me 
in small things now, and causes you to be fearful to ask for the 'big 
ticket items'.
   
I did not stop My Son from going to the cross for you, and neither will 
I stop listening to your prayers or the cries of your heart. I have 
given you the gift of the Holy Spirit, and through Him I want to show 
your heart how much I love you. Let us begin today to rebuild your trust 
in Me, for I am trustworthy. Come before Me and let Me speak peace to 
your heart, let Me heal you of the disappointments of the past, and let 
Me show you how I have moved and answered the prayers you feel are left 
unanswered. 

I want to reveal more of Myself to you, and I want you to know that I 
have been there for you every step of the way. I want you to know that 
I heard your cries. I want to strip this shame and disappointment of 
'putting your trust in Me in the past' off of you, for it is a lie, and 
comes from the father of lies, your enemy.  
   
Come to Me and let me show you how the affliction of feeling let down 
has affected you. Allow Me to show you that I was there when you needed 
Me the most. Let Me prove My love to you by illustrating that I was there 
in the hardest times, and how I held you and answered your prayers. I 
know what you want before you even ask for it.  
   
Come to Me and let the power of My Holy Spirit shed My love into your 
heart, which will heal the disappointments of the past. Then you will 
know the hope for the future, and hope in Me will never fail you. I love 
you and look forward to showing you my enduring love in your past, in 
your present, and in your future.