Practical ways to prepare for the coming of Jesus: Eagerly study, cheerfully receive, and intensely believe the Word Pray Prepare for Sunday service

Pursuing a life guided by the Living Hope we have in Jesus, enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit will have a huge impact on how much joy we get from Christmas and every day of our post salvation life.

God's love flows deeply into His children and redefines who we are at the very core of our being.

Be bold and unashamed of the truth of Jesus!

Intentional recalibration is necessary to ensure we follow the will the Father and do not drift toward the world's values.

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…

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

Are You Recognizing "False Gospels"?

Is there anything in your life that is prompting you to boast in the Lord?

Disappointed?

Being a generous person is a mark of genuine love in the likeness of Jesus

Paul's point is that we must keep the bottom of our giving funnel open, and God will keep pouring into the top.

Is it well with your soul?

God's New Covenant Economy: "Stewardship is an act of worship that proceeds from a changed heart-not a command or law. The Bible gives us freedom, which compels us to rely on the Holy Spirit to provide discernment and wisdom. But we have to hear and pay attention, remembering that riches, pleasures, and comforts choke out God's voice."…

We are generous because Jesus has been so generous to us! "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9

Head - Advance Commitment Night: This Saturday at 6:00p Heart - God placed Growing Grace on the hearts of our leaders, and now we want to show you the genuineness of our love Hands - Attend Advanced Commitment Night

Hands - Evaluate your life. Time. Thoughts, Spending. Leisure. • Be honest about how your behavior reflects your priorities Head - Life is about God and His purposes Heart - Cultivate the habit of gazing upon Jesus and His love and you'll be filled with the Spirit.

Head - God's grace not only frees us from our sins, but it frees us from our selfishness. Heart - Through Jesus, God continues to give us "grace upon grace" (John 1:16) Hands - Look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)

Head: Genuine repentance leads to change and joy for everyone involved Heart: A confession/apology seeks to come up with a plan to keep the bad behavior from recurring Hands: Is there anything for which you need to apologize? Why not do it today?

Head: Want more from your salvation? Heart: Is your sorrow Godly or worldly? Hands: Who are you in this?

Trust in Jesus & Yoke with other believers!

Head - Jesus lived His life wide open so we can live with our hearts wide open Heart - Why am I restricted in my affections toward Jesus? Hands - Serve others in the name of Jesus with your heart wide open

Head - God has embraced you and made you an agent of reconciliation. Heart - Name the fears that stop you from being a courageous ambassador for Jesus. Hands - Pray now for someone who needs to be reconciled to God.

Head: What is God doing around you? Heart: Do you care? Hands: What are you waiting for?

Head: Obedience matters! Heart: Live by faith and persevere! Hands: Invest in people for God's glory!

Live with courage because you have the Spirit now and an eternal home when God is ready. Where is your focus? Remind ourselves and remind one another!

Head - Ministry Matters for Eternity Heart - Where do I need God to supply me with strength to minister for His glory? Hands - The Lord's Supper

You are an ordinary influencer because the amazing power of GOd exists within you! When going through difficult times, trust that there is more to the situation than meets the eye. Sign up for the Fasting Fifteen!

God has given you the task of sharing His good news. But the answer is not you. "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35

Transformation is a lifetime journey The Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ (are being transformed…) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16…

God's grace motivates obedience and discipline.