[Habakkuk 1:5] The LORD replied, "Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it.

My PERSPECTIVE is limited, but God's VISION isn't.

[Isaiah 55:8-9] "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. [9] For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

A God whose wisdom isn't GREATER than MINE isn't much of a God.

[Habakkuk 1:6] I am raising up the Babylonians, a cruel and violent people. They will march across the world and conquer other lands.

Sometimes the hardest part of faith isn't God's SILENCE, it's God's METHODS.

[Habakkuk 1:7-11] They are notorious for their cruelty and do whatever they like. [8] Their horses are swifter than cheetahs and fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their charioteers charge from far away. Like eagles, they swoop down to devour their prey. [9] "On they come, all bent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind, sweeping captives ahead of them like sand. [10] They scoff at kings and princes and scorn all their fortresses. They simply pile ramps of earth against their walls and capture them! [11] They sweep past like the wind and are gone. But they are deeply guilty, for their own strength is their god."

God's POWER over evil doesn't mean His APPROVAL of evil.

[Habakkuk 1:12-13] O LORD my God, my Holy One, you who are eternal--surely you do not plan to wipe us out? O LORD, our Rock, you have sent these Babylonians to correct us, to punish us for our many sins. [13] But you are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil. Will you wink at their treachery? Should you be silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they?

Don't let what you don't UNDERSTAND erase what you do KNOW about God.

[Proverbs 3:5-6] Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Trust has to come BEFORE understanding.

[Habakkuk 1:17] Will you let them get away with this forever? Will they succeed forever in their heartless conquests?

[Habakkuk 2:1] I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint.

Faith doesn't require all the ANSWERS; it chooses to keep LISTENING.

[Matthew 26:39] He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."

Waiting on God isn't doing NOTHING, It's remaining FAITHFUL in the meantime.

[Genesis 16:7-13] The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. [8] The angel said to her, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,” she replied. [9] The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.” [10] Then he added, “I will give you more descendants than you can count.” [11] And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress. [12] This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live in open hostility against all his relatives.” [13] Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” We run away because we don't have the faith to see ___________ ________________. Instead of running ________________ from something, God wants you to run _______________ Him. [Proverbs 3.12] For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. God ______________ us because he _____________ us. God ______________ you and _____________ you. God sees you and offers a ________________ to the problem. [Genesis 21.15-19] When the water was gone, she put the boy in the shade of a bush. [16] Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards away. “I don’t want to watch the boy die,” she said, as she burst into tears. [17] But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. [18] Go to him and comfort him, for I will make a great nation from his descendants.” [19] Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink. God is always __________________ to our needs. God not only sees but He __________________.

[Habakkuk 1:1-2] This is the message that the prophet Habakkuk received in a vision. [2] How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! "Violence is everywhere!" I cry, but you do not come to save.

Faith isn't just believing God CAN, it's waiting when He HASN'T yet.

[Habakkuk 1:3-4] Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. [4] The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.

God would rather hear your HONEST questions than your PRETEND prayers.

[Psalm 13:1-2] For the choir director: A psalm of David. O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? [2] How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

Habakkuk doesn't complain ABOUT God, he complains TO God.

Silence from God is not the same as ABSENCE of God.

[Matthew 27:46] At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, ["Eli, Eli,] [lema sabachthani?"] which means "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

Jesus went into the SILENCE so you'd never go through it ALONE.

Bring your questions TO God, not AWAY from God.

Faith is trusting God in the middle of UNANSWERED questions.

[Deuteronomy 28:1-8] ““Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. [2] And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God [3] “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. [4] “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. [5] “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. [6] “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. [7] “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. [8] “The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. [1 Kings 19.11-13] “Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; [12] and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. [13] So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” How to know that you are hearing the Voice of the Holy Spirit: 1. The _______________ of God [2 Timothy 3.16] All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 2. The Voice that you _______________ [John 10:1-5] “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber [2] But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. [3] To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. [4] And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. [5] Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. [James 1:5-8] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. [6] But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. [7] For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; [8] he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 3. _______________ Counsel. [Proverbs 11.14] Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. 4. The _______________ of God [Colossians 3.15] And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

[1 Timothy 6.12] Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. God doesn't choose the _______________ people. [Genesis 37:5-10] One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. [6] “Listen to this dream,” he said. [7] “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” [8] His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. [9] Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” [10] This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” God gives _______________ to the person who does not gives up. [Genesis 39:2] The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Don't allow disappointment to _____________ disobedience. [Genesis 39:20-21] So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. [21] But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. God may not move you to a _________________________, but He will be with you in the ________________________. The _______________ brought the _______________. [Genesis 50:20] You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. What the devil sent to _______________ you God sent to _______________ you. When life gives you _______________, plant something! [2 Corinthians 4.16-17] That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. [17] For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

[Acts 13:1-2, 4-5] Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called "the black man"), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. [2] One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them." [4] So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. [5] There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant.

[Acts 13:13] Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem.

Sometimes a STRUGGLE reveals where you still need to GROW.

[Acts 15:36-38] After some time Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing." [37] Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. [38] But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.

FORGIVENESS doesn't automatically eliminate CONSEQUENCES.

[Romans 8:1] So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Don't mistake PROCESS for PUNISHMENT.

[Acts 15:39-40] Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. [40] Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord's gracious care.

Pic

Don't let your PAST become your IDENTITY for your future.

[1 Corinthians 4:5] So don't make judgments about anyone ahead of time--before the Lord returns.

You're still BECOMING who God wants you to be.

[Acts 4:36] For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means "Son of Encouragement"). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus.

[Acts 9:26-27] When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! [27] Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.

Don't mistake a QUIET season for an INACTIVE God.

[Colossians 4:10] Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas's cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way.

[Philemon 1:23-24] Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. [24] So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.

What somebody CALLED you in one season doesn't determine what God can make you in the NEXT.

[2 Timothy 4:9-11] Timothy, please come as soon as you can. [10] Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. [11] Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.

God can REDEEM the very thing you thought DISQUALIFIED you.

[Philippians 1:6] And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Before you have a comeback you have to have a _________________. Our setback becomes the _________________ for our comeback. [John 16.33 NIV] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” You can't have _________________ without a battle. [Luke 24:1-7] But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. [2] They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. [3] So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. [5] The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? [6] He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, [7] that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” Jesus _________________ the greatest comeback story in history. Our greatest setback is not our circumstances, it is our _________________. [Romans 3.23-25a] For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. [24] Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. [25] For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. Jesus _________________ you a comeback story. [Romans 10.13] For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Your comeback starts with the _______________________. [1 Corinthians 6.14] God raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Jesus overcame the _________________, so I can overcome my _________________.

Just because you've stopped EXPECTING doesn't mean God's stopped WORKING.

[Luke 15:1-2] Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. [2] This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people--even eating with them!

[Luke 15:10 NLT] In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents."

God doesn't confuse someone's LOCATION with their VALUE.

[Luke 15:11-13] To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: "A man had two sons. [12] The younger son told his father, 'I want my share of your estate now before you die.' So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. [13] "A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.

[Luke 15:17-20] "When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, 'At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! [18] I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, [19] and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant."' [20] "So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

Grace is God making a way HOME.

[Luke 15:21-24] His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' [22] "But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. [23] And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, [24] for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began.

All of Heaven CELEBRATES when we are FOUND.

[Luke 19:10] For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."

Lost things MATTER to God.

[2 Peter 3:9] The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

My job is to LOVE them; God's job is to CHANGE them.

[Luke 15:28-32] "The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in. His father came out and begged him, [29] but he replied, 'All these years I've slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. [30] Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!' [31] "His father said to him, 'Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. [32] We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'"

If God's GRACE hadn't found us, we'd all be LOST.

[Romans 5:8] But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.