GateWay City Church
5883 Eden Park Place
San Jose, CA 95138
P: 408.281.7900
F: 408.281.7912


 

Sunday
Worship - 10:00am
Sold Out Jr. High - 10:45am

Tuesday
GateWay Kicks - 6:00pm
IMPACT! - 6:30pm

Wednesday
Morning Prayer - 6:00am
J.O.Y. Groups - 7:00pm
Youth Ministries - 7:00pm

Thursday
Worship Practice - 7:00pm

Saturday
Morning Prayer - 6:00am

Pastor David Writing in Charisma Magazine

<< Home

Continued...

“FEAR NOT”

Just as Herod sought to remove the Christ child, the enemy seeks to preempt your miracle. Delays come. The unexpected arises. The enemy tells us we are being misled by God. Amid the attack, we may lose sight of His faithfulness, and our hearts may shrink. Fear, doubt and unbelief rip at the seams of our confidence, betting we will retreat in discouragement and relinquish our reward.

God’s response is consistent and reassuring. It rises again and again in the melody of the Christmas story, reminding us to trust Him:

• The angel said “Fear Not” to Mary: “Fear not, Mary, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:30, 35, 37). Her astonishment at being chosen by God for such an unimaginable role was understandable. We often struggle with accepting the promises and plans God has for us. His “fear not” reassures us that His power is more than enough.
   

• The angel said “Fear Not” to the Shepherds: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings...which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10, 11). The shepherds struggled to make sense of their circumstances, as we often do. They were reminded that miracles are often born in the least expected times and places.
   

• The angel said “Fear Not” to Joseph: “Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary as your wife…” (Matthew 1:20, 24). Faith sometimes means loving someone enough to believe God is at work in their lives, even when it might be easier to judge them or cast them away in shame. Joseph’s ice-cold anxiety about how things would appear melted under the warm light of God’s promise: I am at work in your relationship. Stay faithful.

MOVE INTO YOUR SEASON OF MIRACLES

When God initiates signs, wonders and miracles in the supernatural seasons of our lives, His promises usually appear incredible and impossible. Be on guard against the unbelief, cynicism and double-mindedness that many have toward supernatural things. The angel scolded Zechariah because he “did not believe that my words would be fulfilled in their own time.” (Luke 1:20) Though his faith was slow, the time came when he held the miracle he had been waiting for in his own two hands, and offered a song of praise to the God of the impossible (Luke 1:57-80).

Mary’s faith-response was more timely: “Be it unto me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) She gave the Spirit of God permission to operate supernaturally in her life. She is a perfect example of the kind of God-confidence that will move you into a miracle. If we’ll respond to His promises as Mary did, we will enter into the same dimension of God’s unusual power. Who knows where that kind of faith might take us?

Too many of us lose our focus during the holidays. Our misguided materialism drives us into a frenzied pace that leaves our spiritual lives in the dust. The wonder of Christmas soon turns into the weariness of excessive busy-ness. Our living connection with Jesus is crimped; our God-perspective fades to black.

Don’t miss the revolutionary message of Christmas: The birth of Christ reveals God as a living, supernatural force in the lives of His people. His plan is steadily unfolding, and will be fulfilled with perfect timing. Delays may arise, and questions will come, but if the eyes of our hearts are open, we’ll see signs, wonders and miracles along the way.

This Christmas, expect the unusual to touch your life. Signs may appear. Angels may come to your aid, and prophetic dreams may give you direction. Receive His timing into your spirit, and allow an outpouring of the power of God to carry you into your next supernatural season.

<< Page 1

Cannistraci, David "A Supernatural Season" Charisma Magazine December 2005: .