https://vimeo.com/522835560

One Thing I Ask…One Thing I Do!
Yesterday I woke up with the words “One Thing I Do” strongly on my heart.  Philippians 3:13 reads, “…One thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”   I believe the Lord is speaking to the Church in this season that we are to move out!  The season of waiting is over, and it is now time to take territory.  But how this happens is very important.  When someone is called up from the Reserves into battle, they don’t have time to look back and get things in order.  That should already be done.  The activities they were doing quickly come to an end and the gears change – completely!  They shift their mindset from civilian to military…‘Forgetting what is behind and pressing on toward the goal!’  In simple terms I believe the Lord is saying, get your mind and heart off of the worldly things that weigh us down (job, money, retirement, car, house, clothes, other material things, offenses, hurts, disappointments etc..) and now begin to set your mind and heart on the things that have eternal value (His love, our nature and character of becoming more like Jesus, the Kingdom, the family of God, those who don’t know Jesus, the things that matter to God).

In Exodus 14, Moses and the million plus Israelites are stuck between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army which is closing in on them.  Moses tells them not to be afraid and to stand firm in the Lord, yet the Israelites are in fear and were looking back, even to the point that they wished they had never left slavery in Egypt.  Then we see the Lord respond to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me?  Tell the Israelites to MOVE OUT!  Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry land.  I see a similarity in our own lives.  When we step out to do something we believe the Lord is calling us into and then we get stuck “between a rock and a hard place”, we question the Lord’s leading and begin to operate in fear instead of trust.  Then we often try to “abort the mission” because it didn’t go as we thought it would.  Fear overrides Faith!  Fact about the nature of God:  When God calls us into battle…out from the shore into the deep…He almost always puts us in positions where we will fail using only our own abilities and strength.  Why?  Because God doesn’t want us to rely on our own power and strength, but on Him!  He is desiring for us to ‘walk by faith’, ‘trust in Him’, ‘walk in humility (complete dependence on God)’.   He is more concerned with our character than our accomplishments!  And it is Spirit-led character that demonstrates divine accomplishments.  God is looking for those who will set their heart on Him – listen to His voice and then obey…those who will be led by the Spirit.  This is where the first part of the email title comes in…”One Thing I Ask”.  These are the words of King David in Psalm 27 and he was a man after God’s heart!  David knew that he could not successfully manage a kingdom on his own.  His strength, power, confidence, and success came out of an intimate relationship (a dwelling) with the Lord – with the Spirit!

Back to Paul’s statement, “One Thing I Do…”.  Just before these strong words, Paul sets the stage with beautiful language very similar to David’s “One Thing I Ask” statement.  In Phil 3:13, Paul says, “…We worship by the Spirit of God, glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh!” (Phil 3:3).  My prayer for us in this season of divine opportunities is that we would dwell with the Spirit of God, keep our eyes on Jesus, let the things of our past go, and ‘move out’ with our eyes on Jesus…on the prize!  We have much to accomplish and territory to take, but we will only move successfully as the Spirit leads!  May we never allow fear to draw us to our past and back into the bondage that once kept us in darkness.  But may we go out into the world with the joy of the Lord as our strength and in the peace given to us through Jesus Christ.

‘It is not by our might, nor by our power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty!  (Zech 4:6)

IMPORTANT SERVICE & WEEKLY INFORMATION:
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICE (4/7)   6:45pm  * In-Person & On-Line  
Facebook Live:  https://www.facebook.com/rockchurchco
The Rock Online Livestream:  https://www.therock.org/live/

YOUTH ~BASE CAMP (6^th – 12^th Grade) – WEDNESDAY NIGHT (4/7) – 7:00pm
Join us in the Student Auditorium!  We are excited to see each of you!  Contact Pastor Kristi at kristi@therock.org with any questions.

Thursday Evening (4/8) Hot Meals & Saturday Morning (4/10) Food Bank Distribution
https://www.therock.org/foodbank/
Email Lindy@therock.org if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.

SUNDAY MORNING (4/11) 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
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 (4/11) 9:45am  *In-Person & On-line*
Facebook Live:  https://www.facebook.com/rockchurchco
The Rock Online Livestream:  https://www.therock.org/live/

May the Lord work in and through you to will and to act according to His good purpose.  (Phil 2:13)
We love you!
Pastors Mike & Kristi 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.