The Rock Weekly – November 23, 2022
- NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICE TONIGHT
- Reminder: Giving Tree gifts need to be returned by this Sunday.
- Thanksgiving Outreach & Meal on Thursday – Take-Out Outreach from 11-12pm. We need volunteers to help and pray. 12-1pm Thanksgiving meal in our Atrium. Come and join us for Thanksgiving and bring a side dish to share if you can. https://www.therock.org/thanksgiving/
FAITH IN JESUS CONQUERS FEAR
“When I am in fear, I will put my trust and faith in You. In God, whose Word I praise. In God I put my trust; I shall not fear.” (Psalm 56:3-4a)
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
Everyone of us will have fearful situations in life that we come face to face with, and it is often when we least expect it. It is hard to plan and position our heart for the unknown. We never want to live in fear or worry of things that may happen. For the Word says, “God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of Power, of Love, and of a Sound Mind!” (1 Tim 1:7) We need to prepare our hearts now to remain in faith and trust in the Lord, so that when opposition comes, we will respond well.
Today I want you to hear an amazing testimony from Olivia Luman who is part of our Rock staff. Here is Olivia’s testimony of God’s goodness:
This past Thursday, November 17th, we received some shocking news that our mom had a cancerous tumor in her colon. We had no idea what stage it was in or if it had affected other areas of her body. How do you respond to this kind of news? This was a new one for us as a family. The “what if’s” and “why us” and the cancer statistics began to overwhelm us. It would have been easy to crumble under the fear that cancer brings, but I am thankful for our foundation in Jesus.
My dad called all the family to the house immediately to pray over mom. We gathered that Thursday morning to worship, pray, and take communion as a family. We declared that Jesus is who He says he is and that He is Healer. We broke the spirit of fear and declared that regardless of what happens next, Jesus will be our strength. We stood in faith in Jesus. We chose to believe Jesus at His word. We have seen Him heal cancer before and knew that He could do it again.
On Friday morning, November 18th, more tests were done to confirm that the tumor was malignant and determine how far the cancer had spread. We chose to stand in faith that morning and declared healing over mom. We reached out to our community and asked that they would be praying with us. We chose faith, but we needed support. The best-case scenario from the doctors was for the cancer to be isolated in her colon so that surgery could remove the affected areas. So we prayed! The tests came back and the cancer was indeed isolated and the doctors confirmed that surgery could remove it. We praised Jesus, but continued to pray and believe Jesus for total healing for my mom.
Tuesday morning, November 22nd, mom went back to get final tests done prior to surgery. No one expected the results that came back…especially the doctors. The report came back that my mom is “CANCER FREE!”. The doctors have no explanation for this, but we know that Jesus healed my mom! We had a definite report last Thursday saying, “Malignant Cancerous Tumor Found” and then we received a report this Tuesday, just 6 days later, saying, “Cancer Free!”. Praise Jesus!
I am so proud of Olivia’s response and her family’s position of faith in the midst of a shaking. They conquered their fear and turned it into faith as they set the eyes of their heart on Jesus!
Prayers grounded in faith in Jesus position us for victory by removing fear and enacting the will of God on earth! May we never lose our wonder and awe of the Almighty God we serve and love! His best-case scenarios are immeasurably more than what we can imagine! (Eph 3:20)
May this testimony from Olivia be a light and hope to anyone struggling right now. For we serve a Mighty God who loves us and cares for us! Faith in Jesus conquers worldly fear and this is the heart-position we are called to live from!
Lord, help us in our unbelief and give us eyes to see you rightly Jesus…as the author and the perfecter of our faith! May we live lives of faith in Jesus.
“For the righteous will live by faith!” (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38; Hab 2:4)
Happy Thanksgiving! You are loved!
Pastor Mike and 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.