God's Involvement | The Wolfe Notes

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the EasyEnglish Bible translation.

Notes on God's Promises

(from verses throughout Luke 1 and 67-75)

Annotation Notes, Summary, N/W/L Statements, Key Verse, God's Character, Prayer, Action 

Winter Hope by jplenio at Pixabay

1. Annotation Notes

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, x a cross reference, ! a connection, and italics a referenced source.

1. ? What does Yahweh mean?
1. Yahweh means "I am who I am". Exodus 3:14
2. God has many names, but this one is the name He gives Himself when Moses asks for it. In your Bible, you'll often see it as LORD in all capitals. It reminds us He is always present, accessible, ready to save, forgive, and guide. ("What are the different names of God, and what do they mean?" at GotQuestions.org)
2. *God sees our righteousness. Though we sometimes might question whether following God is worth the cost, if choosing His way is worth sacrificing our own, know the I AM sees. He must love watching us choose. How it must warm His heart when He sees us choose His way, even when it's hard, because we know His way is right, even when it doesn't feel like it. (Luke 1:6)
3. *God hears our prayers! (Luke 1:13)
4. ? Did the Holy Spirit indwell in other people before birth? Does He now? (Luke 1:15)
5. ? Why was John not allowed to drink alcohol? Does it dull the human response to the Holy Spirit? (Luke 1:15)
6. ? Was anyone before John, other than Elijah (I Kings 17), led by the Holy Spirit? (Luke 1:17)
1. x The LORD's Spirit gave Samson great strength. He tore the lion into pieces with his hands. He made it seem very easy, as if he was killing a goat. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. (Judges 14:6) (See also Judges 13:25, Judges 14:19, and Judges 15:14)
7. ! God sends angels and people as messengers, people more often. (Luke 1:19, 26)
1. x  Then I heard the voice of the Lord God. He said, "Is there anyone that I can send with my message? Who will go on our behalf?" I said, "I am here. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8 
2. x The LORD spoke a message to Jonah, Amittai's son. He said, "Go now to the great city of Nineveh. Tell the people in the city that I know how wicked they are. Tell them that I will punish them because of their sins."  Jonah 1:1-2
3. x Then Jesus said to [the 11 apostles], "Go to all people everywhere in the world. Tell God's good news to everyone. Mark 16:15
8. ? Do I recognize and rejoice that God is also kind to me? Do I believe in the promises He has for me? (Luke 1:25, 28, 30, 42, 45)
9. ! God determines who is in authority. (Luke 1:32)
1. x Everyone must obey the government officers. It is God who gives the authority to rule. The people who rule have received their authority from God. Romans 13:1
2. x He makes things happen at the right time. He gives to some kings authority to rule. And he takes that authority away from other kings. He causes some people to become wise. He helps people to understand the things that they learn.  Daniel 2:21
10. *Consider comparing Mary's song (Luke 1:46-55) to Zechariah's song (Luke 1:67-75)
11. *It seems like God is saying He keeps us safe so we will choose righteousness. When we do not feel safe, we are tempted to act foolishly. Do I choose righteousness when all is going well? Do I acknowledge God is keeping me safe so that I will choose righteousness? Do I remember that righteousness means choosing His way over my own way? (Luke 1:74-75)

2. Summary

Woven through every story is God's hand moving, then as it is now. 

God saw Zechariah and Elizabeth's obedience and answered their prayer by giving them John. John, who was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth and was very important to God. John, who led by the Holy Spirit, prepared the way for the Lord to come to the the people. John, who was the subject of God's message, delivered by Gabriel (the angel who stands in front of God, alert and ready to work) who was sent by God to Zechariah. John, who was a physical embodiment of God's compassion to Elizabeth through pregnancy. 

God also sent Gabriel to Mary of Nazareth to tell her that God loves her dearly, is near to her, and is kind to her. That the Lord God will make her Son a King who will rule as King David ruled. That the Holy Spirit will create the child within her, covering her like a shadow (Psalm 139:12-18). That this Child will be holy and known as the Son of God. Even before birth, the Holy Spirit communicated this Child's holiness to Elizabeth when Mary came to visit. Then, Elizabeth recounted to Mary the many ways God blessed her because she believed in His promises. 

After Zechariah regains his voice, the Holy Spirit fills him and he proclaims God's character. God who is worthy of praise. Whose purpose has always been, is still, and always will be to save His people. He sent a strong person from the line of David to do it as was foretold by the prophets. He keeps His promises and He will keep us safe. Serve Him, and do not fear. Live in a way that is good and right.

3. N/W/L Statements

1. I NOTICED that God is physically, spiritually, and authoritatively present throughout these people's stories, as He is in mine, too.
2. I WONDER how it feels to know the Holy Spirit is speaking through you. These people were told by an angel; we're told through faith and tradition. Is it different? How do you know an action or words are Holy Spirit led. *If they point to Jesus. If they bear fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control.
3. I think God wants us to LEARN that:
1. God partners with His people. He could do it alone, but chooses not to.
2. Fear inhibits, but God protects us. If we believe it, we have no reason for fear.

4. Key Verse

That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. Luke 1:74-75 KJV

This verse reminds me that God keeps His promises. He protects me so that I can boldly serve Him. I serve Him by choosing His ways instead of mine, which will set me apart from others. Yet, He is with me, always, and gives me the strength, provision, and protection to carry on.

5. God's Character

1. God partners with us.
1. The LORD God took the man and he put him in the Garden of Eden. God wanted the man to work in the garden and to take care of it. Genesis 2:15
2. Jesus then said, 'You should be like a wise servant. Be someone that the master can trust. The master will choose a man like that. He will say to him, "Rule over my house and all my other servants. Give everyone their food to eat at the right time. That servant will be very happy when his master comes home. His master will see that he has done everything well. Yes, I tell you this: The master will give that servant authority to rule over everything in his house. Matthew 24:45-47
3. We are gardeners and field workers laboring with God. You are the vineyard, the garden, the house where God dwells. Like a skilled architect and master builder, I laid a foundation based upon God's grace given to me. Now others will come along to build on the foundation. Each serves in a different way and is to build upon it with great care. There is, in fact, only one foundation, and no one can lay any foundation other than Jesus the Anointed. I Corinthians 3:9-11 The Voice
2. God is faithful; He fulfills His promises.
1. Remember that the LORD your God is the only true God. So love him and obey his commands. Then you can trust him to be faithful to his covenant. He made that covenant with you, his people, and with your descendants for ever. Deuteronomy 7:9
2. "I am the LORD and I do not change. Because of my promises to my people, I have not destroyed you, descendants of Jacob." Malachi 3:6 
3. God chose us to be in a relationship with Him even before He laid out plans for this world; He wanted us to live holy lives characterized by love, free from sin, and blameless before Him. He destined us to be adopted as His children through the covenant Jesus the Anointed inaugurated in His sacrificial life. This was His pleasure and His will for us. Ephesians 1:4-5 The Voice
3. God protects us and does not want us to fear.
1. The LORD is the one who takes care of you in all danger. He keeps your life safe. Whatever you do and wherever you go, the LORD will always keep you safe, now and for ever. Psalm 121:7-8 
2. I am with you, so do not be afraid. I am your God, so do not be upset. I will make you strong and I will help you. My powerful right hand will keep you safe. Isaiah 41:10
3. Nobody who has become a child of God continues to do wrong things. Instead, the Son of God keeps him safe. Satan cannot do anything against a child of God. I John 5:18

6. Pray

Father God, I'm pausing to think about what those words really mean today. You know what it is to be a Father, both through Your only begotten Son as well as through each one of us. Thank You for Your planning, protection, and partnership. Help us learn to see it and trust it so we can boldly grow and serve according to Your good and perfect will.

7. Act

1. Observe the way God is partnering with me and with others in my life. Bear witness to it.
2. Record evidence of God keeping His promises.
3. Serve my good Father without fear because I know that He is for me.

Sample these related posts:

• To learn more about God's vineyard.
• To remain faithful in response to God's faithfulness.
• To replace vain fear with a fear of God.
• To train with the good Father.
• To shine your light and tell your story.

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