Do you go for church services with any expectation in your heart? Your expectation determines what comes to you. It says how prepared you are for a service. This article emphasizes the need to go for church services with expectations in our hearts.

So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off - Proverbs 24:14 (KJV, emphasis mine).

I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected. Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it" - Habakkuk 2:1-2 (NKJV).

Many people go to church without knowing why they go to church. Some people go to church as a routine, "there is service between this time and this time, and the pastor will expect us to be there." Most of the time, this is the case for many people. So, they go to church empty and return empty, no changes in their lives.

Church service is a time of fellowship with God and with the brethren. It is a time to speak to God and also hear what God has to say to you. It is a time to be serviced so that you will be in a top shape representing God wherever you may find yourself. However, the level to which you are serviced depends on the expectation you have in your heart for the service. The expectation of your heart determines your take away package in a church service?

The expectation you have determines how open and sensitive you are to receive from God. It determines the knowledge of wisdom that enters your soul and the rewards that come to you as a result of it. Your expectation shall not be cut off (Proverbs 24:14).

When you enter a service, you are to set yourself and watch to see what God will say to you. Surely, if you go expecting to hear from God you will hear from Him (Habakkuk 2:1-2). It may be during the praise session, prayer session, the word session or even the closing prayer. God can speak any time and through any means to you during a service, from the time you enter the church till you leave.

Therefore, come prepared having prayed for the service, to receive answers to your questions, solutions to challenges, or to receive one blessing, correction or another; like Jacob be determined that you will not leave any church service without a touch from the Lord. Surely, your expectation shall not be cut off.

Sometimes, you may be too noisy inside to hear God speaking to you, but in a church service the Father can speak through anybody and you will hear it with your physical ears if you are sensitive enough. If you go to church without expectations you may return home empty.

In conclusion, don't see church services as routine programs. Always prepare for each service because each service is unique on its own and you are going to meet the Almighty Father, Who will be waiting to commune with you. Truly, it is as you expect in church.

Ngozi Nwoke is a teacher, speaker, counselor and author of "Peace Money Can't Buy" and "The Man Jesus: What You Need to Know About Christ". She has a passion to teach people how to enjoy peace, God's love, and Christian living for a more fulfilling life. Want a more fulfilling life?