ROCK WEEKLY UPDATE – June 16, 2021
From Barrenness to Prayer to Breakthrough
Good afternoon, family! Pastor Marcus here. Mike and Kristi had the opportunity to get away with the family for a few days to rest and spend time with each other and the Lord, so you will be hearing from me today.
Last Sunday was a powerful time of repentance and strengthening from the Spirit for our church family with Corey Russell and Jake Hamilton. If I were to reflect on the whole morning, this email would turn into a short book, so I am just going to highlight a few things, but I would encourage you to go watch the service if you were not able to be there this weekend. I guarantee you will be greatly encouraged!
I wrote this phrase in my journal on Monday as I was reflecting on Corey’s personal testimony and revelation concerning Hannah. “God allows barrenness that produces a spirit of prayer that leads to spiritual breakthrough.” We see Hannah in the book of 1 Samuel experiencing natural barrenness. She couldn’t have children.
It says, “[1 Sam 1:5-6 ESV] 5 … the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb.”
But Hannah turns to the Lord in her barrenness with fasting and prayer. She asks for a son that she can give to the Lord. She turns to the Lord in her affliction (vs 11), trouble of spirit (vs 15), great anxiety (vs 16) and vexation (vs 16), and in her barrenness she steps into a spirit of prayer that produces great breakthrough. God hears Hannah and gives her Samuel. The name Samuel sounds like Hebrew for “heard of God”. Through Samuel, God restores and purifies the priesthood, restores the prophetic voice in the land, and establishes David–a man after God’s own heart–to be king. One woman turned to God in prayer and changed the course of a nation and redemptive history when God answered her prayer.
In light of 1 Samuel 1 and Corey’s personal testimony, I think the question to us is this: Will we remain faithful in prayer through seasons of barrenness? Will we continue to strengthen ourselves in the Lord, believing for the breakthrough that God has promised? My answer to these questions is, “Yes! But Lord, I need your strength in my inner man through the power of your Holy Spirit for this endurance.” (Eph. 3:16-19)
Throughout Sunday morning, I was being reminded of Jesus’ promise to those who are faithful in prayer from Luke 18. [Lk 18:7-8 NKJV] 7 “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 “I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” There is a “bearing long”; a delay to the answer of our prayers that God sometimes allows. This might be in your family, vocation, ministry assignment, etc. But when he gives the breakthrough, it comes speedily. Jesus is looking for this type of faith as his return draws nearer and will reward it when we stand before him.
If this faith is lacking in your life, ask for God to refresh you, and if it is present, thank Him and ask Him to continue to pour out His strength in your inner man for endurance!
IMPORTANT SERVICE & WEEKLY INFORMATION:
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICE (6/16) 6:45pm * In-Person & On-Line
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/
The Rock Online Livestream: https://www.therock.org/live/
YOUTH ~BASE CAMP (6th – 12th Grade) – WEDNESDAY NIGHT (6/16) – 7:00pm
Join us outside the Student Auditorium for an outdoor service! Also, Summer Camp is July 22-24 and is open for registration! CLICK HERE. Contact Pastor Kristi at kristi@therock.org with any questions.
1st Thursday of the Month (7/1) Hot Meals & Saturday Morning (6/19) Food Bank Distribution
https://www.therock.org/
Email Lindy@therock.org if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.
SUNDAY MORNING (6/20) PRE-SERVICE PRAYER 8:15-9:15am – *In-Person & On-line* ZOOM Direct Video Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
ZOOM Meeting ID: 853 4016 4797
Passcode: 1 (NOTE: The Passcode was added for security,
but is not needed if you click on the ZOOM link above.)
ZOOM Phone Option +12532158782,,85340164797#
SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE (6/20) 9:45am
*In-Person & On-line* Please join us for Father’s Day!
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/
The Rock Online Livestream: https://www.therock.org/live/
May we remain steadfast in prayer through difficult seasons as we grow in godliness and await breakthrough from heaven!
We love you!
Pastor Marcus and your Rock Staff family
OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE
If you would like to give to The Rock, here are some convenient ways you can partner with us as you practice generosity – our regular tithe/giving, COVID help, and our compassion/food bank. Click on the following link or graphic. www.therock.org/give
Need Prayer, Help, Feel Alone, or Disconnected?
Please email us at family@therock.org and put PRAYER, NEED HELP, or CONNECT ME at the top of your email.