Did you realize that this is a direct command from the Bible? Above all else! In other words, there is nothing more important than Guarding Your Heart. Period. What we allow in our hearts affects everything else in our lives.
Posted in Events by Tony D'Amico
Tags: conference, leadership, revive
“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” — Luke 6:43
This parable caught my eye the other day. Jesus shares an illustration from the plant world. Imagine a golden delicious apple tree producing crabapples or a crabapple tree producing golden delicious apples? It is difficult to imagine because the fruit always matches the tree!
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful…” — 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV84)
Like many of you, I read through the One Year Bible for my devotions each morning. I’ve done this for over 20 years. Sometimes, as I’m slogging through Leviticus, it is difficult to find a “meaningful” verse that applies to my every day life. Let’s face it, there are just so many ways you can apply verses dealing with offerings, skin infections, sacrifices, and atonement! Some days, I feel like I’m just going through the motions.
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: Bill, Stirred Up, Young
There is power in the name of Jesus. There is power in the Gospel when we proclaim it with our mouths. We, as Christians, have been given a supernatural power and it is on the tip of all of our tongues. In the message of the Cross is the power of God to change people’s hearts. This is a profound truth about the influence and value that we (as Christians) have in this world. It’s for this very reason God has us in this world. He wants to pour out His love to others and bring more people to His Son. In order to do this, we need to use our words.
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: Bryan, Edwards, Use Your Words
“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” – Ephesians 4:1-4
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Tony D'Amico
Tags: D'Amico, Tony, United
When closing an email or letter to a brother or sister in the Lord, I will oftentimes use the statement, “United in Christ, Mac”. Sometimes, when I am in a hurry, I will simply put, “United, Mac”. This statement has a significant and deep meaning to me that reaches far beyond any other closing I can think of.
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: Mac, Steve McInroy, United, unity
“Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.” — Hosea 6:3
There are so many things we can devote our time to — so many things we can give our lives for. Many people around us have decided to give their full allegiance to work, or money, or family, or success. Many more have bought into the foolish idea — “You only live once so, live it up!”
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: devotion, encourage, new beginnings, press on, spring, Steele Croswhite
Have you heard of crowdfunding or crowdsourcing? Companies like GoFundMe or KickStarter are raising hundreds of millions of dollars annually for personal needs and creative projects. A wide variety of needs are met with tools like these. Costs associated with mission trips, medical bills, or family emergencies have been met repeatedly through generous donations from people.
Our Christian duty is to care for the poor and needy. The Old and New Testament is full of instruction. For example, Jesus told us, “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.” — Luke 12:33
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: crowdfunding, Giving, Josh Whitney
Have you ever wanted to share your faith in Jesus with others but didn’t know how? Do you need answers for basic spiritual questions you get asked by friends and family? If you’d like to know how to systematically and effectively share your faith in Christ, the upcoming Outreach Class is for you! Starting Sunday, January 29 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., at the Draper Church, the Outreach Class will run for 15 weeks. You will gain the necessary tools through teachings, verses memorization and practice, to confidently share the Gospel. Sign up on-line at the link below. The cost is $15 to cover all materials. Contact Jim McFall with any questions.
Posted in Classes by The Rock Church
Tags: Classes, Draper, Outreach, Salt Lake City
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” — Acts 2:44-47
I’m amazed at the effect the Apostle Paul’s young protégé (Timothy) has had on the world. What’s even more interesting is that we know almost nothing about him. We do know that Timothy was saved as a direct result of Paul’s ministry during his first missionary journey. On Paul’s second journey, he decided to take Timothy with him. And the world has never been the same!
Posted in A Word from the Pastor by admin
Tags: Bill Young, small group