The Rock Weekly – March 18, 2026

  • ROUND 3. Pray for Israel – LIVE w/ the Lighthouse Network Prayer Room in Jerusalem.  Lighthouse Prayer Room, 9-10:30am, Saturday, March 28th.
  • Good Friday (prayer, worship, and communion) – April 3rd 6pm-8pm.
  • EASTER – The Goodness of God – Sunday, April 5th.  Invite friends and enemies.

Go to www.therock.org/events for more information and other events

 

A Heart of Joy and Lips of Praise

“The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart…”  Psalm 19:8

“My lips will pour fourth praise, for you teach me your statutes.”  Psalm 119:171

What these two verses allude to is that when we follow the Lord’s ways and stay within His truths or boundaries, there will be such joy in our heart that it will pour forth in praises to our God!

So now let me back up…when we read “precepts of the Lord”, it is like saying the steps or the practical ways of how the Lord directs us to live.  There are scriptures in the Bible that talk about ‘walking in the light’ or ‘walking by faith’.  Well, that ‘walk’ is the step-by-step guidance that the Lord gives us in His Word and by His Spirit…the Precepts.  What is amazing is that we have a Shepherd who is the Word and has given us His written Word to guide our steps and show us the practical ways to live.  He also gave us the promised gift of our Heavenly Father – the Holy Spirit – who is for us the Spirit of Truth, Spirit of Life, Counselor, Advocate…and more…who speaks directly to our spirit so as to lead us in the Father’s ways…in His ‘precepts’.

And when we read “statutes” of the Lord, this is like saying the decrees or the prescribed boundaries.  They don’t move based on time or culture or opinion, but are ‘set in stone’ per say…they are established truths for all time!  Like guardrails that are put in place on a mountain pass, they are not removed because you reduce your speed, but remain in the same place to protect you from going over the cliff.

Sadly, there are many who would say, “I don’t know how to walk in this light and truth or how to stay within God’s guardrails for my life.”  And if that is the case, it is likely that the worries of this life (fear/anxiety) or the deceitfulness of wealth (love of money) will ultimately direct your steps and choke out eternal fruit in your life according to Matthew 13:22.  Whether that is you or someone you know, all hope is not lost! 

Psalm 119:105 says that God’s Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.  Today should be the day we make changes in our daily walk.  We can do this by taking hold of God’s Word so as to give godly direction to our every step…not just the ‘big’ steps.  My encouragement is to increase in our meditation on God’s word, to increase in our times of prayer, and to increase our times of fasting while simultaneously increasing our times of feasting on Jesus.  In this way we will eat of the Lord’s bread daily and drink of the water of life as we come to Jesus, yoke with Him (statutes), and learn from Him (precepts)!  (Matt 11:28-29)

As we live out our lives – humbling ourselves before the Lord, praying to the Lord, and seek the Lord’s face by walking in His statutes and precepts, THEN the Lord promises to come with healing, forgiveness, and a response to the desires of our heart…bringing joy to our heart that will result in praises on our lips to the Lord! 

Lord Jesus, May your practical ways (precepts) and your guardrails (statutes) guide our daily lives and may the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart be pleasing in your sight! (Ps 19:14)  Fill our hearts with joy that shouts of praise would go forth from our lips. For shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous! (Ps 118:15)  Amen. 

This Sunday Pastor Dan Yeackley has a powerful word for The Rock!  I hope to see you there.

Love you all,
Pastor Mike and your Rock staff



 

IMPORTANT SERVICE & WEEKLY INFORMATION:

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WORSHIP & PRAYER SERVICE  7:00pm *Children’s Ministry available*
Facebook Live:  https://www.facebook.com/rockchurchco
The Rock Online Livestream:  https://www.therock.org/live/

 

FOUNDATIONS CLASS – 6:00pm Wednesdays
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/99757846764?pwd=Tm8zQ0JQWk1xeHFBcEU5anNFN1l4dz09

 

YOUTH ~ ABIDE YOUTH (6th – 12th Grade) – WEDNESDAY NIGHT – 7:00pm
Invite a friend and come have a great time. If you have any questions, email jaden@therock.org

 

FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION – 1st & 3rd Saturday of each Month
https://www.therock.org/foodbank/
Email Lindy@therock.org if you would like to volunteer or have questions.

 

SUNDAY MORNING PRE-SERVICE PRAYER  8:15-9:15am –
ZOOM Direct Video Link:
           https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85340164797?pwd=V0lmWFRRL0R6Tm56QTdRUHNoMWI3QT09
ZOOM Meeting ID: 853 4016 4797
          ZOOM Phone Option +12532158782,,85340164797#

 

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE 9:45am  *In-Person & On-line*
           Facebook Live:  https://www.facebook.com/rockchurchco
The Rock Online Livestream:  https://www.therock.org/live/

 

OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE  Here are some ways you can partner with The Rock as you practice generosity – our regular tithe/giving, compassion help, missions, and our food bank.  Click on the following link or graphic.  www.therock.org/give

 

Have a Question, Need Prayer, Help, Feel Alone, or Disconnected?

Please email us at family@therock.org and put QUESTION, PRAYER, NEED HELP, or CONNECT ME at the top of your email.