The Rock Church

Justice

God does not turn a blind eye to injustice. To my shame, I can wrongly assume that if justice isn’t served immediately, justice won’t be served at all. As a result, I mistake God’s grace or patience as “looking the other way” when a sin is committed against Him or His creation. I am wrong. God does not “look the other way” when we sin or are sinned against. He doesn’t let anything slip through the cracks. Surely, there is no statute of limitations with God. 

Next time you question His goodness (or His seemingly slow timing) remember this. God is our judge; we are not His. Indeed, it is sinful for us to judge Him. He is slow to anger, but this does not mean He will let sin and evil prevail.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Secure in Christ!

Being secure (or trying to find a sense of security) can sometimes seem impossible. This is true, even for our church. Over the years, we’ve had numerous trailers and items stolen from our property. If you can believe it, we’ve even had the church truck itself (and the catalytic converter) taken twice!

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Thirst Quencher

Recently, I read a prayer in an old Puritan book that encouraged and challenged me. The Puritan prayer was this: “As the sun is full of light, the ocean full of water, heaven full of glory, so may my heart be full of Thee.”

The Bible is filled with verses that speak of the deep desire for more of God’s presence in our lives.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Impeccable Manners

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life” — Philippians 2:14

A few weeks ago, my wife had a great idea. As an end of the year “thank you” gift, she baked a plate of cookies for our older son’s school bus driver. She sent the cookies with Kael and Aiden in the morning. Later that afternoon, they came home with a note from their bus driver:

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

True Identity

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

I recently gave a message called “Living for God”. As I prepared for it, I was reminded again of how critically important a proper understanding of our identity in Christ is. (Pastor Bryan recently wrote about our identity, also. Seems like God has something He wants us to be thinking about.)

Posted in A Word from the Pastor, Uncategorized by admin

Freedom

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” — Galatians 5:1

Wow! That is an amazing truth for you and me — ones who walk in faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation. You are free, so live like it. We are sons and daughters of a Holy God, not slaves who have to work for the favor of our Master. Indeed, we stand firmly free before a God who looks at us and is pleased — because of what Jesus has done.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

A New Creation

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

As a Christian, you and I are no longer who we used to be. Because of Jesus Christ, all of our past sins and failures do not determine who we are. As a result, we’re no longer bound to any kind of pressures from our culture/society about who we NEED to be. As sons and daughters of Jesus, our identity is not determined by what others think or say about us. It is not determined by what we think of ourselves. In other words, our identity has been determined by God Himself. Unfortunately, there are times we can get so lost in our thoughts and expectations from the world, we can FORGET who we are! We need to be reminded of Truth in order to change the way we think of ourselves.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

“You’re already dead.”

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” — John 12:24-26

Recently, I watched a World War II movie which had the following dialogue between two characters:

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

God’s Judgment

When we think of Noah and the Ark, we imagine a coloring book page of a boat (with a happy Noah and happy animals), lots of primary colors and blue skies. However, this is not at all how it would have been. Everything about this event would have been surprising, terrifying and devastating. Most theologians believe this was the first-time rain had ever fallen on the earth. The experience of water coming from the heavens (and bursting forth from the ground) would have been a surprise, to say the least. People never had to seek shelter from rain before that day.

Imagine yourself living during that time. Unstoppable water rushed everywhere. It was terrifying as it consumed everything in its path. Heavy debris and trees crushed and pinned anything and anyone. People screamed for their loved ones as homes and other structures broke apart. As a result, there was no escape, no safe place to go — except the Ark. The giant boat the “crazy” preacher had been building for 120 years. Noah had said it was going to happen. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin

Don’t Be Selfish

Unintentionally, I think that COVID quarantining has produced an unwanted side effect. Increased selfishness. Now, hear me out. I realize that many positives and saved lives came from this necessary, safeguarding step. However, I have to admit that in this “almost” post-COVID period, it seems all too easy for me to be selfish.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin