The Rock Church

Shield

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” Psalm 18:2

Just a few days ago, these verses came alive to me in a whole new way. As I write this, I am enjoying some time away with my family near Seattle, Washington. The house where my wife grew up has become somewhat of a second home to us; a place where we can watch movies, go boating on the lake and go on extended runs in the surrounding wilderness.

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Doubts and Disciples

“A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:26-29

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Next Right Thing

“Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:1-4

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Go Low

Recently, I spent some time working through and teaching on the amazing verses found in John 13:1-20.

10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. 20 I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”

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Miracles

“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” (Acts 19:11-12)

Just before Jesus returns to heaven to take his place at the right hand of God, He gives the disciples these words that echo throughout the entire book of Acts: He said in Acts 1:8 “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”
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Resolved

“When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.” (Acts 17:1-4)
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Thirsty

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.

Here is how the Psalmist phrased it in Psalm 42:1: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.”

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Prey

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Have you ever watched a lion hunt? He silently stalks, keeping his eyes on his prey, pacing and waiting until the perfect moment to POUNCE! His prey are typically unsuspecting, distracted and unaware that they are about to be killed. And this is the exact picture the Bible paints of the devil.

We’re in the middle of a battle, facing three distinct enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil. The world is our enemy because it constantly communicates that personal glory and fulfillment can be attained apart from the eternal Christ, in temporal things such as fame, sexual immorality, money, and power.

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