The Rock Church

Live Worthy of the Gospel

I have had many people (of other faiths) try to challenge my belief in Grace. They say things like, “Pastor Bill, it seems like many Christians claim they just pray a prayer, and even if they live like hell, they go to heaven. That doesn’t seem fair.”

It’s an honest question. And if Grace simply meant “say a few magic words and do whatever you want,” I’d agree. That definitely wouldn’t seem fair at all.

But that’s not the Gospel.

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Renewing Your Mind

Have you ever noticed how quick and easy it is to change your diet, clothes, or even your daily routine? But it’s pretty much impossible to change the way you think?? It doesn’t matter how hard you try to shut down certain thoughts. The same temptations and worries always sneak back in.

Well, that’s because the greatest struggle that you and I face each day isn’t around us. Instead, the battle is inside us. It’s in our minds.

Our culture today offers us all kinds of solutions. Download this app. Read this book. Think these thoughts. And some of those things may help for a moment. But, sooner or later, the same thoughts and worries absolutely return. No matter how disciplined or determined we are. We can never truly renew our hearts and our minds. Without a doubt, that work belongs to God alone.

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Is God Holding Out On Us?

“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” — Psalm 27:13-14

While studying the book of Joshua this last month, something caught my attention. When the Israelites conquered Jericho, God told them to destroy everything and keep no plunder. But Achan disobeyed the command. Joshua (Chapter 7) says he kept some of the plunder (which included a bar of gold). We don’t know how heavy the bar was, but if it was similar to modern bars, we’re talking about a million dollars of gold. In due time, God judged Achan and his family (and all of Israel) for that disobedience. 

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Humility

“Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” — Proverbs 18:12

“For Pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense.” -Timothy Keller

Christian, when we walk in humility, we are within the circle of God’s blessing. The world tells us we need more power, money, fame, position, and praise. It tells us we need more of…everything!

The Bible, however, calls a person like that a leech: the world is a leech!

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Listen to Him

“But all who listen to me will live in peace untroubled by fear of harm.” — Proverbs 1:33

There is a way to live that leads to harm, fear and restlessness, isn’t there? Most of the time, it’s the result of us listening to ourselves, to lies, or to negative influences. We need to ask ourselves, “Who am I listening to?” when we get a pit in our stomachs and a tinge of fear rattling our emotions.

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