The Rock Church

Where Is Your Hope?

“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.”-1 Corinthians 15:19 (NIV84)

This week, one of my dear friend’s son died suddenly and unexpectantly. He was only 24 years old. It is going to be a really rough week for many dear saints. I feel a bit shaken and found myself trying to get my head around the fact that this young child of God is now… gone. I am praying for God to supernaturally comfort the families involved.

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You Give Them Something

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. – Matthew 14:15-21 (NIV84)

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Jesus Is Savior

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)

With Christmas less than a week away, I’ve been contemplating eternal matters. I’d like to share two different stories with you. They’re both true. They are similar stories, but have different endings. Both accounts involve funerals. One involved someone I’ve never met, the other one was a dear friend.

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Jesus Is Born

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)

Christmas is just days away. It’s supposed to be a time of celebration and joy — a time of peace. In the world we live in, however, the joy of Christmas can be hard to imagine. We live in the midst of church shootings, mass murders, suicide bombers, social unrest, and threats of nuclear war.

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What Have You Made Today?

“But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” — Hebrews 1:2 (NIV84)

The universe is HUGE. It’s way bigger than we can visualize. To even try and imagine how big it is, place a penny in front of you. If our sun was the size of that penny, the nearest star, Alpha Centauri, would be 350 miles away. For us in Salt Lake City, that would take us all the way to Las Vegas (as the crow flies)!

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Sheep Herding

“Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” — Acts 16:6-10 (NIV84)

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God’s Purpose

“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me…” — Psalm 138:8 (NIV84)

“For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep.” — Acts 13:36 (NIV84)

Sometimes life can get confusing. Even for me (as a Christian leader for over 35 years), I occasionally wonder, “God, what are you doing?” or “God, what do you want ME to do?” As a planner, I like to know the answers to both of these questions (especially as it relates to the direction our church is going). It can be somewhat unnerving to feel a bit “directionless” at times.

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No Counterfeits

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is no gospel at all.” Galatians 1:6 (NIV84)

My older sister has an innate ability to discern distress in my voice. Many years ago, our first-born son, Joseph, was admitted to the hospital for an unknown virus; he was only 10 weeks old! I called my sister to let her know. “What’s wrong?” came her instant and concerned response to my weak greeting. She had me. I burst into tears as the stress and torment of the last few hours overwhelmed me. My sister knew me too well — I couldn’t put up a front. Something was wrong and she discerned it immediately.

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Better Than Peeps

I don’t know about you, but in the midst of marshmallow peeps, chocolate marshmallows, jellybeans, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs, Easter 2017 was a blessing to my life! God really reminded me of why Jesus had to die and why I can have tremendous hope because of the Resurrection. Between our six services this past weekend, we had over 1,300 people come through our doors! There were at least 18 people who indicated that they prayed to receive Jesus for their salvation! God was so kind to bring us dozens of new visitors and people who got to worship Jesus and hear a clear presentation of the Gospel. They were also blessed to be loved on by all of the wonderful saints at The Rock.

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Stirred Up

“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.

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