The Rock Weekly – November 15, 2023
- Tonight – Prayer & Worship – 7pm in the Chapel. Growing in the Word – 6pm in the Prayer Room.
- Need Turkeys and Help!…for our Community Thanksgiving Meal – Join us Thursday 11/23; carry-out, dine-in, or volunteer. More info here. Bring turkey donations this Sunday.
- Giving Tree: Tags chosen for Douglas County’s Kinship placements are due back no later than Sunday, 11/26.
- Giving Tuesday is next week! Please consider donating to The Rock’s food bank, compassion, or missions funds during this giving season. Click here to donate.
- Youth Winter Retreat is Jan 4-6. More information here.
Don’t Let Finances Limit Our Obedience
2 Chronicles 25:6-9 NLT
”He [the king of Jerusalem] also paid about 7,500 pounds of silver to hire 100,000 experienced fighting men from Israel. But a man of God came to him and said, “Your Majesty, do not hire troops from Israel, for the Lord is not with Israel. He will not help those people of Ephraim! If you let them go with your troops into battle, you will be defeated by the enemy no matter how well you fight. God will overthrow you, for He has the power to help you or to trip you up.”
Amaziah asked the man of God, “But what about all that silver I paid to hire the army of Israel?” [about $2.5M] The man of God replied, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this!”
King Amaziah spent roughly $2.5 Million to hire 100,000 mercenaries to go to war against the kingdom of Edom. When a man of God tells him not to do that, the king’s response is, “But what about the money?” Although very few of us have hired mercenaries, we have all had interactions with God where we have responded, “Lord, what about the money?” Although we have faith that God is good and that His ways are best, it seems as though our faith has a tendency to waiver when it comes to finances…mine included. And instead of trusting in what we are hearing God say, we counter back, holding back from obedience until finances are in place. We want to encourage us to never let finances limit our obedience when we hear the Lord speak. We serve the God who “owns the cattle on a thousand hills!” (Ps 50:10)
We believe we are in an Isaiah 60 moment where the Lord is calling His people to “Arise and Shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord is now rising upon you! …Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.” (Is 60:1,5) For in the last days, God is pouring out His Spirit, His glory and light, for the harvest that is at hand and He is going to provide all the resources needed to do so! God isn’t looking for those who have money and ability, He is looking for those with availability to the Spirit and obedience to His voice…the faithful ones to His Word! It is the “good and faithful servants” who will receive the wealth of the nations! The ones who are faithful with a few things and God will put them in charge of many things! (Matt 25:23)
If we have any earthly tie to our finances, it can prevent our obedience, which can limit us from heavenly inheritance.
Another way this happens is when God asks us to do something, but the financial cost seems too great. If the Lord prompts you to give away a car, a bonus, or to help someone with their bills and you ask, “But what about the money?”, We want to encourage us with 2 Chronicles 25:9, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this!”. Let’s not limit God by allowing money to be a limiting factor for our obedience. This week, let us stir up our faith in God to believe these two things:
1) That our obedience to Him is not based on the size of our wallet.
2) That He is able to provide much more than anything we sacrifice out of obedience.
Father God, help us where our hearts are cautioned by our wallets that the cost is too great to be obedient. Lord, increase our faith to trust that you will provide above and beyond anything that obedience costs us. Give us boldness to stand firm in our convictions and not to waiver or justify because of any financial cost. We want to be a people that honor You high above our bank accounts. Your Word tells us that we can’t serve both God and money. God, we will serve you alone! Amen.
We love you all and look forward to seeing you soon,
Pastor Mike, Andrew, & your Rock Staff.
IMPORTANT SERVICE & WEEKLY INFORMATION:
WEDNESDAY NIGHT WORSHIP & PRAYER SERVICE 7:00pm * In-Person & On-Line *
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/rockchurchco
The Rock Online Livestream: https://www.therock.org/live/
YOUTH ~ BASE CAMP (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
EMBER – Young Adults (Ages 18-29) – Friday Nights at 6:30pm
https://www.therock.org/ember/
Meet in the Chapel for a time of worship, prayer, teaching, and connection.
FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION – 1st & 3rd Saturday of the 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 – *In-Person & On-line*
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.