The Rock Weekly – August 2, 2023

  • Tonight – Prayer & Worship – 7pm in the Chapel.  Growing in the Word – 6pm in the Prayer Room.
  • Corporate 3 Day Fast – Aug 7-9 – Mon. 9am-11am, Wed. 9am-11am. – These meetings will be in the tent. Everyone is invited. 
  • Saturday, Sept 2 – Castle Rock Day of Prayer – Mark your calendars! 9-11am at Festival Park.

Overcomers – The Wholeheartedly Devoted Ones

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

When the WORLD puts their ‘overcomers’ on display, they are the strong ones, prideful in their ways, those elevated and looking down on others, those rich with worldly wealth, smart, popular, idolized and successful.

But the successful ones in God’s eyes are much different.  They are the humble stutterers like Moses. They are the young shepherds and outcasts to the family like David. They are the scared and weak who had no respect in his family like Gideon. And they are the young people who were unschooled, ordinary fishermen like Peter and John.

What set these men apart to be used by God as overcomers of this world was not their inadequacy or their adequacy from the world’s eyes…it was the position of their HEART towards the Lord.  “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b) 

I want to encourage us as a church body to set some time aside in your day this week to ask the Lord to begin to reposition our hearts into full alignment with the heart of Jesus by wisdom and revelation of the Holy Spirit revealed to us.  This movement, or repositioning, of our hearts may (and will likely) require some stripping and removing of worldly things, weights, and potentially sins that have been affecting our heart and weighing down our mind.  If we humbly respond and submit to the Spirit, repent, pray, turn from our current ways, and set our hearts fully on the Lord, there is a strength, refreshing, and healing that will come from Him. (Acts 3:19 & 2 Chron 16:9 & 2 Chron 7:14)

It is not only a stripping of worldly things, but also the action of engaging in heavenly kingdom ways…like the actions described in Isaiah 58:6-7.   So that our light will break forth like the dawn and our healing will appear quickly…and when we call on the Lord and cry for help, He will respond!  (Isaiah 58:8-9)   

Let’s cry out for more of Jesus.  Let’s press in for more of the Holy Spirit.  May we not be satisfied with the status quo…with how the ‘average’ Christian lives.  I pray that we would live our lives consecrated and set apart before our God!  

Jesus says, “In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33 AMP)

If we want to be Overcomers of this world, like Jesus, I would venture to say that being consecrated and set apart from the things of this world is not just a good idea, it is the ONLY OPTION…the only way!  Here are a few Scriptures to back this up…  

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” (Matt 6:24)

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Col 3:2-3)

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them.” (1 John 2:15)

“…Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world, becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

We can’t overcome what we are holding onto.  We can only overcome what we let go of.

In each of the seven letters to the churches in Revelation, there is a statement about the ones who overcome.  My prayer is that we become these OVERCOMERS! 

Lord, May we be those who are set apart from the worldly lusts, cares, worries, fears, desires, and distractions…and may we set their minds and hearts on Jesus and dedicate our lives fully to Him, that we may walk in obedience to His voice, His ways, and His commands, and be motivated with the Love of God in our hearts.

I love you and am praying for you!
Pastor Mike and your Rock staff

 

P.S.  Here is what the Overcomers of this world receive according to Revelation 2 and 3:

– They will have the right to eat from the tree of life.

– They will not be hurt at all by the second death.

– They will be given some of the hidden manna and will be given a white stone with a new name written on it.   

– They will be given authority over the nations and will also be given the morning star. 

– They will be dressed in white and their names will never be removed from the book of life and Jesus will acknowledge their name before God and His angels.  

– They will be made a pillar in the temple of God and Jesus will write the name of His God on them and the name of the city of His God and will also write His own new name on them.

– They will have the right to sit with Jesus on His throne.



 

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.