God Shows Up!
Fear Not, God shows up!
Question: What are your fears? What do you worry about?
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. Luke 1:13
And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.” Luke 1:15-17
Look, I am going to send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers…” Malachi 4:5–6.
“How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” Luke 13:18
Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.” Luke 1:13–20
Faith and trust are tied together.
Faith is grown as we remember God in action.
We might think that either God doesn’t care or God isn’t there.
God is present and He cares for you. Look for God!
Faith gives us strength to act in spite of fear.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Psalm 23:4
Fear Not! For God shows up!
Question: What would you do if an angel came to you?
Growing our faith
Remember God
Faith is cultivated in remembering God.
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:3–4.
Seek God in prayer
Faith is strengthened in prayer.
This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14
Learn to wait for God.
Actively seek Him,
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25.
Be Obedient to God
Keep doing what God wants you to do
God’s timing is perfect, while our timing is limited to… us.
13 I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13–14.
The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9, CSB)
Hope casts the vision of what will come. Faith walks the journey
Faith prepares us for God to break into our lives. God breaks into our world as we live out our faith.
Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God…. All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him. Lk 1:64,66.
Fear Not, God shows up!
Reflection
Where do you need to see God show up in your life?
Ask God to be evident, as He always shows up!