Joyful Expectation | Week 2 | Reset Series
Return to the stronghold, you prisoners who have the hope; This very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you.
Zechariah 9:12
Happiness vs Joy
- Happiness fluctuates based upon situational benefit.
- Joy intensifies based upon the Holy Spirit’s faithfulness.
When you believe a lie you empower the liar.
Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7
When you destroy thoughts that oppose God’s Word and His nature you empower His presence in your life.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but [a]divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
The Realm of Hope-
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all [a]the inhabited earth. 2 [b]This was the first census taken while [c]Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Now Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was [d]betrothed to him, and was pregnant.
Luke 2:1-5
And not only this, but [a]we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:3-5
It is in the times of pressing that we have to reset our focus to joyful expectation. God has something for you and it’s good.
The Resigning to Hope-
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:6-7
For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Romans 8:24-25
Real faith does not deny the existence of a problem, it denies the problem a place of influence.
The Revelation of Hope
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is [a]Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a [b]manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly [c]army of angels praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among people [d]with whom He is pleased.”
Luke 2:8-14
Hope causes my response to be determined by the potential of my God, not the potential of my problem.
The Response to Hope
15 When the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the [a]manger. 17 When they had seen Him, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it were amazed about the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
Luke 2:15-20
Hope requires an immediate response to the goodness of God.
Words of Knowledge
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who is having severe throat pain.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been dealing with significant weight loss and the doctors have not been able to determine the cause. The Lord wants to completely heal you.
- We believe the Lord wants to heal someone with blurred vision.