What Is God Up To?
Lessons From Habakkuk - May & June 2020
Lost & Found
June 28, 2020 • Robin Stuber • Luke 15:8–10
This week we look at a very short “treasure” buried in the parables of the lost. Jesus is renewing the mind through a “parable.” This is a real-life example of a common practice in that day that spoke to them and still speaks to us! Jesus is so smart!!
A Certain Joy In Uncertain Times
June 21, 2020 • Bill Williamson • Habakkuk 3:17–19
Father's Day - a time of celebration for many, but also a time of sadness for some. It is meant to be a joyful day, but for many it has every other emotion except for joy. Today, as you worship, no matter what your situation is like with your dad or your child, look to the one who is your Heavenly Father. No parent on earth is perfect. No parent on earth can give us all that we need. Only God, Abba, can fully be for us and give to us what we need. He knows our pains and our joys. As we finish looking at and listening to Habakkuk, it is a time for rejoicing. Life may not always be fair. Life may not be as you had imagined. Life may not always be filled with laughter. Yet, may we choose to rejoice in God, the Lord of our Salvation.
A Revival of Mercy
June 14, 2020 • Bill Williamson • Habakkuk 3:1–16
As we continue with Habakkuk this morning, we listen in on the prayer of Habakkuk. Habakkuk knows that God's wrath is coming - the Chaldeans/Babylonians are going to invade Judah and destroy their land and take the Israelites captive. Yet, Habakkuk does not give up on the God of Redemption. Habakkuk prays for mercy in the midst of God's wrath. As God was merciful in the past, so Habakkuk asks God to merciful once again. Habakkuk recalls many ways God worked in the past - and he knows that the God of yesterday is the same today and tomorrow. As you listen to the prayer of Habakkuk, allow God to remind you of the ways He has been merciful to you and to our church. As we watch all that happening in our world, and particularly in the cities and streets of our country, ask God to be merciful once again. Ask God to bring about a Revival of Mercy in us, in our church, in our city, country and world.
Forever Eyes - Communion Sunday
June 7, 2020 • Dennis Whitcher • 2 Corinthians 4:16–18
This is Communion Sunday - Please gather some bread and juice before you begin the worship service. Set up a Facebook Watch party and invite some friends & family to join you - just click the link anytime after 8:55 Sunday morning. Have you ever wondered what a different world we would live in if everyone had the view of others that Jesus has? Most of us accept that there is far more going on in the world than what we see. The world, the hatred, the confusion, the lies, the pain and suffering can keep us from seeing things the way they really are. Oh, to have the eyes of Jesus, to see what God sees, to believe that what really counts is not what we see, but what we don’t see. If we see things through the eyes of Jesus, then we will see others with the grace that Christ views us and what a different view of the world we will have. I think the Apostle Paul was trying to tell us that if we fix our eyes on Jesus we will view things differently and that is the key to having peace in life. In Christ, Dennis Whitcher
Our God Reigns
May 31, 2020 • Bill Williamson • Habakkuk 2:4–20
As we continue to work our way through Habakkuk, this Sunday we will be reminded that in the midst of all that is going on "Our God Reigns". In Habakkuk 2 are some of the most familiar verses in the Bible: "The righteous shall live by his faith" (v. 4), "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (v. 14), But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.” (v. 20) We are able to live faithfully following God, because we trust that He is sovereign, wise, and just. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Though the world is constantly changing, God never changes. He is our constant Presence. He is the Anchor of our Soul. He is our Light in times of darkness. Our God Reigns!
Let Us Remember
May 24, 2020 • Bill Williamson • Habakkuk 2:1–4
Dear Grace of Christ Family, This weekend you may not do your usual Memorial Day celebration - no bbq in the park, no baseball game to attend, no visiting with family. However, nothing can prevent us from remembering and honoring those who sacrificed their lives for our country. We may feel as though we do not have control of life, even church, but that is not true. Life goes on. Church never ceases to exist. We can worship God, and we can give honor to the fallen as we even honor the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is through His sacrifice that we have ultimate freedom. Let us Remember is the title for this weekend's message. Let us remember those who died for our country. Let us remember the One who died for our salvation. Join us for our online worship this weekend, as we continue to look at Habakkuk. As we look at chapter 2.1-4, God tells the prophet to write down everything, in order that he can run with it and share it with others. As you pay attention to what is going on these days, as you hear the voice of God, as you notice your inner struggles, as you begin to dream about the future - WRITE IT DOWN. Literally - WRITE IT DOWN. If you don't have a journal, get one. God is at work, and He wants us to remember what He is doing. In the name of Christ, and because of His Grace, Pastor Bill
Seriously?
May 17, 2020 • Bill Williamson • Habakkuk 1:5—2:1
As we continue looking at Habakkuk, we will see God begin to reveal to Habakkuk what He is going to do in response to Habakkuk's prayers. As we saw last week, from verse 5, God is doing something, He is at work, even if we don't see what He is doing. And, what God is doing may not be anything we could have imagined or believed. As we continue on in verse 6, God shares more of how God is preparing to answer Habakkuk's prayers. The answer is nowhere near what Habakkuk was thinking it would be. In fact, as he continues to wrestle with God, I can hear him saying, "Are you kidding me?" But, once again, we will see that Habakkuk resolves to keep asking, seeking and knocking, even as he waits, watches and listens.
Wait, Watch & Listen
May 10, 2020 • Bill Williamson • Habakkuk 1:1–5
I know that this is not how many people want to celebrate Mother's Day. Yet, this is exactly how some want to celebrate Mother's Day. Whatever your family situation may be today, we want you to know that as a church, we want to be here for you, to celebrate with you, to grieve with you, to pray with you. You do not need to be alone during this time. If you need a listening ear, or a prayer, or just some encouragement, please do not hesitate to call the church. Phones and voicemails are being transferred to our homes, and we will do our best to get in touch with you. Whatever today might bring, we invite you to join us as we worship together online. We are beginning a new series: What Is God Up To? We will begin looking at Habakkuk by exploring chapter 1.1-5. May the time of worship together bring you comfort, hope, laughter, joy and a sense of peace today and in the week ahead. Because of Christ, and in His Grace, Pastor Bill