Friday, December 11, 2015

December 12, 2015

"Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” Luke 1:18-20

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month." Luke 1:34-36


Have you ever noticed how most people find it easier to believe bad news than to believe good news?


When Zachariah and Mary were presented with some of the best news ever shared, they questioned it. Understandable - but not acceptable.


However, it is encouraging to notice how Gabriel responded in each case. He gave them evidence! And I believe he did so because he understood that they wanted to believe but they weren't used to such good news! so, he helped them!


In Zachariah's case, he struck him dumb, so he could not speak. At first glance it looked like a judgment, but I believe it was evidence. I think it was for Zachariah's benefit. How better to believe a supernatural report than to see something supernatural happen?


For Mary, the angel gave her two proofs, a longer-term proof - pregnancy; and a shorter term proof - her formerly barren cousin, Elizabeth's pregnancy.


Here's the good news I get from both of these examples, God not only asks to have faith, He gives it to us! When He knows we really want to believe He will give us evidence to believe. I like that! I need that!


Now on my part, I need to work on my faith until I find it easier to believe good news from God, from His Word, and by His Spirit. I must condition my faith to expect good things from the Hand of God and to know that He will also turn the bad news into good in His time! That is my part! But I can even count on His grace to help me there! And I can condition my heart and mind and spirit by saturating them in the Word of God.


So this is the good news of Christmas - for those who believe and those who are wanting to believe more - there really is only good news! There is immediate good news and there is ultimate good news! 

That is the God we serve! Christmas is the evidence!

December 11, 2015

Has your “expecter” expired? Have you have been disappointed by God? Are you got tired of praying and believing without seeing an answer? Are you tired of expecting little – and getting it? Would you like to expect big things?


“Expecters” are powerful because expectations are powerful. Expectation and faith are “kissin’ cousins” and faith is powerful. Faith is expecting God to be Who He says He is and to do what He says He will do.

The challenge of faith is to keep your “expecter” expecting.


Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is an example of someone who had a good “expecter”. What if Mary would have had the same mindset that Leah and Lydia had? But she didn’t! She believed God!


Even though nothing had happened in Bethlehem it didn’t keep Mary from believing it could! Rather than believe what she had seen she chose to believe what God said, “Nothing is impossible with God!”

Here’s the story:


“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.” Luke 1:26-38

So, what can you do if your “expecter” is expired? How do you inspire your expired expector?


What you have to do is develop a “Mary mindset”. You need to have the same expectations of God that she had.

We have two very different mind-sets on display here! One mind-set says:


“NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE”

The other mind-set says:


“NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD”


Could it be possible that nothing ever happens here (where you are) is because nothing is happening here (in your head) or here (pointing to heart)?


Last week I talked about a “Joseph Heart” – being willing to do whatever God asks you to do, be willing to not do want you want to do and be willing to get no credit.


When you develop a “Joseph Heart” that is one of the things that must happen here (your heart). This morning I want to talk about what needs to happen here (point to head) and that is a “Mary mind-set”.

How do I inspire my “expired expecter”? How do I get a “Mary mind-set”? How can I get to where I believe that something CAN happen where you are?

LEARN FROM MARY:

1) MARY EXPECTED GOD TO BE BIG AND POWERFUL
2) MARY EXPECTED GO TO DO BIG AND POWERFUL THINGS
3) MARY EXPECTED GOD TO USE HER IN BIG AND POWERFUL WAYS
4) GOD EXPECTED MARY TO BE USABLE


BIG THINGS HAPPENED IN BETHLEHEM BECAUSE THINGS HAPPENED HERE (POINT TO HEART) AND HERE (POINT TO HEAD) FOR MARY AND JOSEPH.

WHEN YOU HAVE A JOSEPH HEART AND A MARY MIND-SET YOU WILL SEE SOME MIRACLE MOMENTS HAPPEN WHERE YOU ARE.

IS YOUR “EXPECTER EXPIRED”?

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN YOUR HEART?

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN YOUR MIND?