The Rock Weekly – July 24, 2024

  • Wednesday – Prayer & Worship Night! @ 7pm in the Chapel or via Livestream.  
  • Wednesday – Growing in the Word – 6pm in the Prayer Room or via Zoom. 
  • Maranatha Prayer – Monday-Friday from 7am-9am – In the Tent (except Tues in the Chapel) All ages welcome. https://www.therock.org/maranatha/
  • Sunday Baptisms – August 11th – Email Family@therock.org

 

Pure Hearts…Eyes On Jesus!

“Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.”Psalm 90:12 CSB

Do you ever have a day go by where you get to the end of it, look back over your day, and think, “Well that day was a waste!”  I am sure we have all had those days, but I pray they are very few and far between.  You’ve probably heard me say… “Eyes on Jesus!”  I strongly believe that this is critically important to how we live our lives…how we “number our days carefully”.  But I don’t often clarify what I mean by “Eyes on Jesus”.  So let me quickly do so.  🙂  Obviously we can’t see Jesus with our physical eyes.  What I mean is that we are to set the ‘eyes’ of our heart and our mind upon His ways.  How?  Meditate on His nature and character.  Read His Word with intention for a change in our ways.  Sing praises to Him, especially in the difficult times.  Pray in the Spirit at all times.  Listen for Him to speak to us through the Spirit. And obey His ways and commands!  Jesus says, “If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much (kingdom) fruit, but apart from me you can do NOTHING.” (Jn 15:5)  “And if you love me, you will obey my commands.” (Jn 14:15) 

This past week the Lord has been highlighting the importance of a ‘clean heart’.   By the way, the Hebrew word for heart in Psalm 90 is ‘lebab’, which is defined as “inner man, mind, will, heart”.  When we “develop wisdom in our hearts”, this purifies our heart, mind, and will from all the worldly impurities, thoughts, and desires that can lead us towards death…eternal death.  And instead, Godly wisdom renews our mind (cleans our heart) and leads us toward life eternal!  Jesus tells us that “The pure in heart will see (experience & know) God!” (Matt 5:8)  There is nothing of greater importance than knowing God and being known by Him!

I want to add one more piece to this. We can’t do this alone!  We were created to live our lives together in unity, in oneness…in ‘Koinonia’!  The Word tells us that we (the Church) together are the body of Christ.  And so if we are to set our eyes on Jesus, this will include oneness with the body of Christ.  The enemy would love for us to believe that it can just be ‘me and Jesus’, but this is his way to isolate us from the body of Christ.  And when we are in that place…or out of place, we are much more susceptible to the “desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and pride of life.” (1 Jn 2:16)

Let me say that spending time with Jesus and other believers, devoting ourselves to God’s Word, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer…‘eyes on Jesus’… will develop the wisdom in our hearts and keep our hearts pure – shielded from the things of this world!   And from that place, we will see God!

Lord Jesus, Help us to guard our heart, above all else, through the wisdom of Christ developed in us as we live in koinonia with one another and abiding in Jesus. O God, would you search us and know our hearts and see if there is anything offensive within us.   Would you create in each of us a clean heart and renew your steadfast Spirit within us!   May we fix our eyes on you Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith.  (Prov 4; Ps 139; Ps 51; Heb 12)  Amen!

 

I love you all!
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/

 

GROWING IN THE WORD – 6:00pm Wednesdays
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/99757846764?pwd=Tm8zQ0JQWk1xeHFBcEU5anNFN1l4dz09

 

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

 

FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION – 1st & 3rd Saturday of each 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.