The Rock Church

2020 Connection

Last month, Pastor Tony encouraged us to set goals in areas where we want to grow. My simple follow up question for you today – almost a month into our new year is – how are your goals going? Have you gotten a plan to read the Bible to connect with God, and are you working the plan? If not, let me give you some suggestions as we steam ahead into a new decade.

At The Rock, we use phrases like “daily devotions” or “quiet times” to describe the discipline of Bible reading and prayer. This is a great way to start your day! Your Bible reading can be what you want to make it — maybe a structured study using a devotional? possibly reading through certain passages? perhaps reading through the Bible in a year (One Year Plan)? You might even consider journaling some of the thoughts God gives you (Teaching on devotionals).

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Strength in Weakness

“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” — 2 Corinthians 12:10b

In Mark (Chapter 9), we see that Jesus took Peter, James and John to a mountain top. During their retreat, the nine remaining Disciples (who had been left on their own) were having a big problem! The father of a demon-possessed boy had come looking for Jesus and the Disciples were trying to help. But, they were failing miserably. To make things worse, the teachers of the Law were laughing and arguing with them.

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Time To Celebrate

“But we had to celebrate and be glad….” — Luke 15:32a

This past weekend, we celebrated our twenty-year anniversary! We sang songs, honored people, heard stories, looked back, laughed, cried, ate good food, listened to jazz, bounced, climbed, rejoiced and thanked God for His amazing goodness. It was a fantastic weekend — God was honored!

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The Purpose of Marriage

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” — Genesis 1:27

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Submit and Resist

The supernatural world is very real. In Mark (5:1-20) we get to witness the power and love of Jesus on full display; He seeks out and completely delivers a man bound by a “legion” of demons. We learn from our Lord how to deal with demons and spiritual forces that would seek to destroy us (John 10:10).

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He Created

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

I was recently driving with my family and we saw the most vibrant and amazing rainbow we’ve ever seen. Actually, it was a double rainbow, cascading against the mountains with colors so brilliant and majestic that it was literally breathtaking. In awe, we lingered at the stop light, trying to take pictures.

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Easter Beans

I don’t know about you, but in the midst of marshmallow Peeps, chocolate bunnies, jellybeans and Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs, Easter 2019 was a blessing to my life! More than the delicious Easter candy, however, it was through our two-week Death to Life series, that God reminded me of why Jesus had to die and why the Resurrection gives us tremendous hope. 

I was also truly amazed that we had over 1,670 people attend our services this past weekend (including the Sonrise Service). This is the highest weekend attendance in The Rock’s history (as far as I can tell). Wow! Over the past two weeks, we’ve had at least 25 people repent and pray to receive Jesus and 31 dear saints got baptized. God was so kind to bring us so many new visitors; people got to worship Jesus, hear a clear presentation of the Gospel and see many expressions of faith through baptisms. Everyone who came through our doors was loved on by the wonderful saints at The Rock Church.

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Celebrate

“But we had to celebrate and be glad….” — Luke 15:32a

I’ve recently been reading the Old Testament and it made me realize the importance of throwing a party. Really! Listen to these verses: 

“Celebrate this as a festival to the Lord for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come; celebrate it in the seventh month.” — Leviticus 23:41

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More for Christmas

A few years ago, during the weeks leading up to Christmas, the presents under our tree were beginning to stack up. As a rule, we never put ALL the presents out early — we always hold back some for the special reveal on Christmas morning. After one of my wife’s gift-wrapping marathons, our youngest boy hugged her and said, “Thanks for not putting all the presents under the tree, Mom.” You see, he wanted to be surprised on Christmas morning! 

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Ultimate Reality

“The reality however, is found in Christ.” — Colossians 2:17b

According to Webster’s Dictionary the definition of reality is, “The world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to that which is merely imaginary.”

I’ve been meditating on three realities about how awesome Jesus is; they have motivated me to want to share them with others.

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