Luke 1:13-17 Before his miraculous birth to the priestly couple Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist was set apart by God to be the forerunner to the Messiah.

• He was consecrated to be a testament to God’s grace.
• He was consecrated to usher in the joy of the Lord.
• He was consecrated to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
• He was consecrated to draw people to the Lord.

God has a plan and purpose for every person born into the world, including each of us.  Will we, like John the Baptist, accept God’s plan and consecrate ourselves to serve Him faithfully?

Every Christian will at times wrestle with doubt, but it is not the opposite nor the enemy of faith.  Dealing with doubts constructively can help our faith to grow stronger, and can also make us a shining light in a questioning world.

• Be honest about your doubts.
• Try to define what kind of doubts you’re having.
• Seek the Lord’s help working through your doubts.
• Learn to be content with not having all the answers.
• Be patient and understanding toward others who struggle with doubt.  “Be merciful to those who doubt.”  Jude 1:22

We may have trouble comprehending the persecution faced by early believers, and some in other parts of the world today.  While we can take positive steps to stop religious persecution, the New Testament emphasis is on glorifying God in the midst of suffering by letting our faith shine brightly. Your faith can shine if you keep a clean conscience.  2 Corinthians 4:1-2 & 1 Peter 2:19-20 Take comfort in the quality of the company you keep.  Matthew 5:12 Sharpen your spiritual sight by focusing on what God is doing.

• Focus on the inward rather than the outward. (2 Cor 4:16-18)
• Focus on the eternal rather than the temporary.  (Rom 8:18, Matt 5:10)
• Focus on the invisible rather than the visible.  (Heb 11:1)
• Focus on God’s good plan rather than people’s evil plans. (1 Pet 1:6-7)

Your faith will shine if you never stop praising God.  Hebrews 13:15 & 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Our new worship series focuses on the times in life when your faith can shine the brightest for God.  In the gospel story of the New Testament, Jesus points out how this is often in the most difficult and challenging of circumstances.  The world is watching us, and needs to see the difference our faith in Christ makes! Shining in Times of Illness - Mark 10:46-52 A blind man named Bartimaeus can teach us some valuable lessons about letting our faith shine even when dealing with great hardships and handicaps.

• View your hardships as opportunities for God’s intervention.  (vv. 46-47)
• Don’t give in to negativity. (v. 48)
• Count on the compassion of Christ. (v. 49-50)
• Articulate your heart’s desires to the Savior. (v. 51)
• Accept the blessings He has to offer. (v. 52a)
• Demonstrate your gratitude by following Jesus more closely. (v. 52b)

Like Haggai, Zechariah was a prophet among the Jews who returned to their homeland from the Babylonian exile.  His book has more apocalyptic visions and Messianic prophesies than any of the other minor prophets.  But another important focus was the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, which had been in ruins for over 70 years.  It was a monumental task, yet every small step would bring it closer to completion.  The same is true in our lives.  Empowered by God’s Spirit, faithfulness in small things brings about great accomplishments. “Who despises the day of small things?”  Zechariah 4:10a

• Don’t despise (neglect) small tasks.
• Don’t despise (overlook) small resources.
• Don’t despise (ignore) small accomplishments.