The Rock Church

His Mercies Are New Every Morning (and Every Year)

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:21-23

It’s almost hard to believe that another year has come and gone. Every year, I seem more surprised by how quickly the calendar year moves. The new year always feels like a mixed bag of emotions. While January 1 can seem to give the appearance of a clean slate for goals, resolutions, and moving forward, it’s really no different from December 31.  

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Waiting on the Lord

I often find myself reflecting on the idea of waiting on the Lord. Waiting can seem frustrating in our fast-paced world, where immediate results and quick fixes are highly prized. My personality is to get in and fix things as soon as possible. So, it’s not easy when I have to wait days, weeks, or months for something. I can start to get anxious very quickly.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Tony D'Amico

Patience and Seeking in Faith

“Don’t care how I want it now.” Veruca Salt sings these words while dancing in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. She also insists that she gets what she wants when she wants it. It’s easy to cringe at her horrible attitude. We tell ourselves we are certainly not like that. But on the whole, in our fast-paced world, patience is not something most of us have enough of.

Get Rich Quick! Lose Weight Fast! Get Instant Access! We all see a good deal of these types of headlines while scrolling on our phones. It’s everywhere — instant gratification in everything from communication to consuming movies to getting meals.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Tony D'Amico

“My” Gospel??

In Romans 2:16, rather than say “God’s gospel” or “the Gospel of Jesus,” the Apostle Paul said, “my gospel.” This has naturally confused some people as they first read it.

Throughout Paul’s many epistles, he writes the phrase “my gospel.” Additionally, he also notes “the Gospel of God” numerous times — including in Romans 1:1. In that verse, Paul said He was an Apostle of the Gospel of God.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Right Here, Right Now

Do you realize that God could have chosen any time in history for you to live? Not only that, but He could have placed you in any geographical location to live your days. However, in His perfect sovereignty, He chose to put you right here, right now, for a specific reason.

In Acts 17:26 (ESV), Paul tells the deep-thinking Greeks that God “made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.”

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Be Ready

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” — Matthew 25:13

We recently spoke at church about the inevitable return of Jesus Christ. We emphasized the importance of being ready for that day. Jesus certainly talked about His return many times in the gospels, especially in Matthew 24 and 25 (the Olivet Discourse). First, He shared signs of the end of the age. Then, He concluded with parables (to teach the importance of being ready).

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Be Refreshed by God’s People

Last week, the pastors and deacons of The Rock Church got away together. We went to Eden to spend some uninterrupted time together. For three days, we ate, sang, laughed, and prayed. We shared what the Lord was doing in our lives. There was even time for some brothers to golf and hike together. (It may not surprise you that I stayed back at the house to spend the afternoon with a cat who lived nearby.) 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

For Such a Time as This

Every once in a while, I find myself in just the right place at just the right time. When I do, this verse comes to my mind,

“Who knows if perhaps you were created for such a time as this.“ — Esther 4:14b

I learned this verse from the Old Testament — in the story of Esther and her Uncle Mordecai. I encourage you to read the book of Esther. It’s a treasure of truth, highlighting God’s sovereignty and ability to turn the tables for His glory. Undeniably, God has good plans for us to walk in.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Selah

Selah is a Hebrew word of unknown meaning — you’ll see it at the end of verses in the Psalms. While perhaps a musical direction, it’s traditionally interpreted as a blessing meaning “forever”. Whenever I encounter the word Selah in the Bible, I can’t help but think it has been carefully (and intentionally) placed there to catch my eye. Like the conductor of a great symphony, the Lord looks at me intently. He directs my very soul with His baton. 

“Put them in fear, O Lord! Let the nations know that they are but men!” Selah — Psalm 9:20

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Time

This week God’s word will be shared with possibly more living people than at any other time in history. In cooperation with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the people of churches across the United States and Canada will be given the tools and opportunity to view and listen to a gospel presentation by Billy Graham himself.
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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin