The Rock Church

Recall Who He Is and What He Has Done

I don’t know about you, but I need reminding often. I forget things so quickly. They go in one ear and out the other. Do you struggle with that? I think we certainly all do in our human nature. And I believe the writers of the New Testament knew that as well. Paul and Peter both wrote to tell the early Church to recall God’s truths. (2 Peter 1:12-13, Romans 15:15)

The disciples also knew they needed reminding. They spent three years physically walking with Jesus, and it’s clear they always required a lot of reminders from our Lord. They knew what Jesus had taught them; they could indeed repeat it. However, many times throughout their days, He reminded them. It’s almost like they needed a good shake to recall His teachings.

Pastor Bill has shared this quote from Samuel Johnson several times, and I think it applies. “People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.”

Amen to that. If you have kids, you know this is true.

Many things during our days (especially our smartphones) distract us from the truth, and we naturally think about other things.

Reminders in Life

Peter and Paul encouraged their readers that we all need reminders.

Reminders of God’s goodness are critical when life is hard. We also need reminders of God’s grace and forgiveness when we stumble. Equally important, we need reminders of His holiness when we are sinful idiots.

We certainly need reminders of God’s provision when finances are tight. Without a doubt, we need a reminder of God’s faithfulness when we are sinned against. And surely, we need a reminder of His peace when anxious. 

We absolutely need reminders of God’s closeness when we are lonely. At the same time, we need reminders of God’s care when we grieve and God’s promises when we doubt. 

Ways to Recall His Goodness

Simply put, we must recall who God is and what He has done.

So, how do we do that? How do we remind ourselves? This isn’t an exhaustive list, but these are some ways to recall God’s truth.

Read God’s Word (Psalm 143:8; Deuteronomy 6:8-9)

Let’s dig into God’s Word and decrees. As Deuteronomy 6 says, we should also plaster them around our houses and lives. They’ll remind us daily. 

Pray (Hebrews 4:16; Psalm 3:4)

We can pray, cry out, and commune with the Holy Spirit. As a result, it reminds us that we can (and should) “approach the Throne of Grace with confidence” (as Hebrews 4 says).

Meditate  (Psalm 63:5-8; Psalm 1:1-2)

We should meditate on God, His Word, and His faithfulness in our lives. In the morning, in the day, in the night. It helps us to recall His truth.

Be in Fellowship  (Hebrews 10:25; Colossians 3:16)

Fellowship with Believers should be a priority in our lives. Being with the Body of Christ allows us to be reminded of and spurred on by truth.

Serve Others (Acts 20:35; Proverbs 11:25) 

Taking our eyes off ourselves reminds us of Jesus’ example. Serving others turns our attention from ourselves to God’s ways. 

May we remember, like Asaph, to recall all that the Lord has done. (Psalm 77:11-15)

Grace and peace, 

Caleb

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Don’t Be Troubled

John 14:1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

In John Chapter 13, Jesus gave His disciples shocking news. He informed them that He would be betrayed by one of their closest friends. Additionally, He would soon leave them and go where they couldn’t follow. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Jesus Meets Us in the Middle of the Storm

How does Jesus respond to our difficulties? Does He even see what we are going through? Does He know we are in the middle of a storm? What is His message for us?

I want to encourage you, Christian, that Jesus sees us, even when we are struggling most. His desire is to come to us in our time of need and help us take courage.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

The Golden Calf

As I read through Exodus this year, I was struck by something new (in an otherwise very familiar story). I’ve heard and read about the events found in Exodus 32 many times in my life. It’s the story of Aaron making an idol of the golden calf for the Israelites to worship; this happened when Moses took too long returning from Mount Sinai. However, the Lord brought a new wrinkle of the story to me when I read it this time. 

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Beautiful Compassion

“Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet… He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.”- John 13:5-10a

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Dealing With Disappointment

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.” — Romans 5:3-5a NLT

A great many things in this life can leave us feeling hopeless and disappointed. People, institutions, and other life circumstances can easily seem to betray our hope. We can even have the thought, “It wasn’t supposed to be like this.” What a disappointing thought to have. Whether these offenses are intentional or unintentional, they can send us reeling. What are we to do with this disappointment?

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Prince of Peace

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Christmas is upon us! What a wonderful time of year. I love getting to spend extra time with my family — laughing, eating and enjoying all the festivities. But, most of all, the Christmas season is a wonderful opportunity to think of Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth as a baby.

Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Imperishable

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1: 3-5

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Our Father

“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8

As we approach Father’s Day, I was reminded of how much I love being a Dad. It has also made me think of what an amazing Father we have in our God.

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton

Community

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. It is like the precious oil on the head, running on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3

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Posted in A Word from the Pastor by Caleb Yetton