The Rock Church

Guess What? I Love You!

I think it was about a year or so ago, I playfully asked my three-year-old granddaughter, “Guess what?” And she wholeheartedly said, “What?” Then I laid it on her, “I love you!” It was a fun grandpa moment.

Next, I added this part. “Guess what?” To which she excitedly responded, “What?” And I gleefully said, “Jesus loves you, too!” I didn’t realize at the time how endearing these little exchanges would become. However, I began to hear her play the “Guess What?“ game with others. First, I heard her asking her Dad. Then came her Mom and her little sister. On top of that came her cousins and even aunts and uncles. Who knows, maybe even the kids in the Toddlers’ Room at church? 

Life Is Hard

Like many of you, I have had my share of challenges. I can sometimes feel isolated and alone, even in a crowded room filled with people I love. Genesis reveals that humans would truly struggle. The Bible certainly shows us examples of this time and time again.

Fast forward to the present. Sometimes, we can feel like the main characters in a tragic play that has no ending. That alone is tragic! Over the years, I have heard of countless difficulties that people have faced. These stories made my life seem like a fairy tale. Some of you and your loved ones are in it right now. It’s undoubtedly excruciating, and maybe even blinding. You’re facing health issues, loss of loved ones, debt, difficult marriages, job challenges, and on and on. This also makes us vulnerable to the devil. He loves to kick us when we feel down. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us that the enemy is looking for someone to devour. I think he fiendishly attacks our minds. It makes us feel helpless and as if we cannot escape. I often talk with people who are struggling. Life is indeed hard.

Tell People You Love Them

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” — John 13:34 (NLT)

Tell people you love them — it’s such a simple gesture. I’ve noticed this in our church. I often hear people saying “I love you” to each other. It’s wonderful. And of course, we bless our family and friends when we share this sentiment.

When was the last time you told your spouse you loved them? Say it to them when you’re alone together. Also, say it in front of your kids all the time. Equally important, tell your kids you love them all the time. Even in the most frustrating of times, expressing this can diffuse conflict. It also helps grow you closer. I very rarely, if ever, heard my father tell me he loved me. There were so many lost opportunities. Don’t miss yours. Tell people you love them today.

Guess What? Jesus Loves You!

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

Tell people Jesus loves them! Jesus told us this and then demonstrated His love fully on the Cross as He submitted Himself to die for us. People absolutely need to hear Jesus loves them over and over again. I know I do! Like a refreshing drink on a hot summer day. Or, better yet, it’s like a dive into a sparkling pool of water at just the right temperature. Perhaps it’s like Jesus throwing us a lifebuoy when we’re desperate for Him.

Sometimes, turning to my Bible and hearing from Jesus feels as if He is right there. Always holding me close while I weep, tremble, and doubt. He is with me. And that’s all I really need. Along with that, He has also promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Did you hear that? NEVER! (Deuteronomy 31:6) And NO ONE can snatch us from His hand! (John 10:28) Oh, please, Lord, tell me again. Because I really need to hear that right now. How about you?

“Guess what?” Jesus and I love you!

Mac

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The Olivet Discourse — Holy Tuesday

The Olivet Discourse is one of the most important prophetic teachings Jesus ever gave. It’s recorded in the Gospel of Matthew 24–25, the Gospel of Mark 13, and the Gospel of Luke 21. We call it the Olivet Discourse because Jesus delivered it on the Mount of Olives, just east of Jerusalem, shortly before His crucifixion.

The setting matters. In the Gospel of Matthew 24, the disciples point out the grandeur of the temple. Jesus responds with a shocking prophecy: not one stone would be left upon another. That prompts two questions from the disciples: “When will these things be?” and “What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”

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Promises

I’ve been convicted about God’s promises in the Bible. While there is no “official” count of the number of His promises to mankind, the most widely cited figure is 7,487. This comes from a meticulous study by a Canadian schoolteacher, Everett R. Storms. He spent one and a half years tallying them. This happened during his 27th reading of the Bible. Without a doubt, that’s a lot of promises. 

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The Gospel

I am so very thankful for the Gospel. Without a doubt, it has entirely changed the course of my life. And even more incredible is to know that in faith, I believe the Gospel has changed the course of my eternal life. 

Separation

Before I came to know Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior, I was just like every person (who also inherited sin) since the fall of Adam and Eve. A life separated from God for all eternity. I can’t begin to express the enormity of that truth in this life. Or, let’s take it further into the almost incomprehensible eternal life. Forever! Early in my walk with God, the verse below absolutely wrecked me. And even now, when I read it, I almost gasp out loud. Like the sound you might make when you witness someone getting horribly injured.

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Run the Race!

I think God has placed an innate sense of competition in our DNA (somewhere). This also includes a desire to run the race. Obviously, there’s more competition and desire in some people than others. Along with that, the race can mean a plethora of things to each of us. But one thing is certainly true. We undoubtedly all want to win. Nobody hopes to use their thumb and index finger to place an L on their forehead. 

While a young boy, I believed I was very fast. As a young man, I was definitely full of myself. Consequently, I would sometimes challenge other men to a foot race. This typically happened at parties and get-togethers. I’d even challenge the occasional woman. In fact, my wife was one of them; we were both very competitive. I beat her handily, by the way. Alas, as age takes its cruel toll on us, we all slow down. Even the next generation eventually replaces professional athletes.

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Lord, Have Mercy

At times, our world can certainly seem like an unending cloudy day. We long to catch a glimpse of the sun, or at the very least, a silver lining in the clouds. Evil lurks everywhere, and the news of it is like unwelcome rain. The world leaves us outside with no shelter in sight. Then comes the thunder and lightning, maybe even hail. Typically, we react in one of two ways to the evil around us. I think a couple of biblical examples will help me explain.

The first is found in the Old Testament book of Habakkuk. The prophet Habakkuk sees confusion and suffering. Specifically, the problem of evil in the world around him. He grapples with why wicked people prosper while the righteous suffer. “Been there, done that” in my own walk of faith. So I appreciate how honest Habakkuk is with God.

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In the Midst

In the midst of day-to-day life, it’s so easy to get caught up in our complaining and disputing world. At least for me, anyway. I’m as guilty as anyone. On the side, I prowl the headlines in an effort to get the scoop. As a pastor, I feel as though I ought to know (at least a little) of what’s going on. Then perhaps I won’t be caught off guard.

But, I can too easily enter the wormholes of bad information. And it influences my soul. Of course, this has probably never happened to any of you. However, on occasion, I’ve looked up from my phone, gasping for clarity. Then I ask myself, “Why am I even reading this?”

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D.A.W.G.

I acquired a habit in my earlier days as a Christ follower. I made time in my busy schedule for what we lovingly called a D.A.W.G. (Day Alone With God). We can all agree that life can sometimes be overwhelming. Not only do we want to do it all, but we also want our families to do even more than we ever did. Our phones throw data at us like ants marching toward spilled pie and ice cream on a hot summer sidewalk.

As I look back on my early days as a young Christian, I see a wife, three kids, and working overtime as an electrician. In hindsight, I was just learning to zealously serve the Lord. Along with trying to figure out the concept of a balanced life. Much like a skateboarder learning complicated tricks, it was a roadrashy time in my walk with the Lord. I specifically remember one of the many conferences my wife Jeanne and I used to frequent. The speaker introduced me to the idea of a Day Alone With God.  

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Fully Devoted Disciple

The goal of this year’s teachings (both on the weekends and at The Rock Men and Ladies’ Nights) is to help each other become “Fully Devoted Disciples” of Jesus. I think perhaps most of us (including me) would say I want to be a fully devoted disciple of Jesus. As Christians, you’d think this would be a given. I’ve certainly heard our pastors preach solid theological truth week in and week out. Doesn’t that automatically put me on the roller coaster of being a disciple? Whelp, yes and no.

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Live By Faith

We get to live by faith not only from our past experiences but also those in the present and in the future. It’s New Year’s Eve (Happy New Year), and we’ll usher in a new year at midnight. 2024 and the faith we walked in (and hopefully learned from) will be in the rearview mirror. The year ahead will certainly offer new opportunities to live by faith.

Faith From The Past

We can undoubtedly learn from not just this past year, but all prior years. Many of you will no doubt remember 2024 as a decadent chocolate dessert as it slowly melts in your mouth. Perhaps you’re healed from a difficult medical challenge, promoted at work, graduated from school, fell in love, got married, had your first baby, or your fifth? You have memories of incredibly joyful events. Maybe even more amazing, you were “born again” and became a follower of Jesus? All glory to God! Yes, many of you are currently thrilled to walk by faith in the goodness of God.

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