Grace Church Of Bainbridge

People and churches dry up and die in darkness but flourish and grow in the Light.

Those who abide in Jesus walk like Jesus and love others. Those who abandoned Jesus are liars and not abiders.

"I know of no other way to triumph over sin long-term than to gain a distaste for it because of a superior satisfaction in Christ." -John Piper

Those who left the church attempted to deny their sins. They are liars. Those who stayed were confessors who acknowledged and admitted their sin. They are forgiven.

These first four verses show us that faith in the historical Jesus brings fellowship with God and others, and lasting joy.

Habakkuk closes his prophecy, reminding us to boldly stand resolute in our faith. Not in ourselves, in God. Trusting Him for the strength needed to face whatever may happen around us.

Habakkuk remembers God's acts of power and prays for their return with mercy

Head: So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Hebrews 10.35 (NLT) Heart: "I... love Hebrews because it is a letter to weary Christians, some of whom are standing right on the cliffs edge, tempted to "throw away [their] confidence, which has a great reward. I've been there: weary, disillusioned, full of doubts about the reality of it all, seriously wondering if being a Christian was worth the fight. I too have wondered if it's all just a house of cards, if life on Earth really is just an anomalous, absurd blip of desperate turmoil in a purposeless universe destined to burn out. And gazing at the cliffs edge, God used this precious book to keep me from tossing over my confidence in him, the Great Reward." -Jon Bloom, Co-Founder of Desiring God Hands: for though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. Hebrews 5:12

Head - God is working His plan and wants to mature your faith in the process. Heart - God is not threatened by your questions. He wants you to ask Him and find answers. Hands - Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

When we turn our eyes away from Jesus, we live as if God isn't real.

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25

Paul’s is concerned that those he thought were saved by his ministry might not be saved. Those concerns turn to warnings in Chapter 13. The consequences were going to be severe. Were they real believers, or phonies?

1. Do I believe the gospel? 2. Am I allowing the gospel to transform my mind? 3. Do I see the Church as my identity? 4. Am I allowing the church to impact and shape my spiritual life?

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind...

God is relational. God created us to need others. Sin wants us alone.

Head - Jesus enables people like us to love like him Heart - If we love God most, we will love others best Hands - Do you need to choose to forgive someone?

Head - Encountering Jesus and living with thorns are both gifts from God. Heart - Am I living for His story? Hands - God invites you to encounter Jesus in His Word and boast in your weaknesses.

Head - The foolishness of godly weakness overpowers the appeal of human strength. Heart - "The danger of pride is greater and nearer than we think, and the grace for humility too." - Andrew Murray Hands - How can you apply what you have learned from your trials and suffering to connect with others and help them grow in Christlikeness?

Head - We follow Jesus- He was humble and did not promote Himself. Heart - Union with Christ will protect your heart from foolishness. Hands - Humbly admit to your foolishness and susceptibility. But more than that, celebrate the new wisdom that is yours in Christ.

Head - Lord, I know that my works can mask my motives Heart - Help me be truly motivated out of love for you Hands - Help me to live differently being transformed through your word