The Rock Weekly – February 12, 2025
- THIS Friday – Youth (6th-12th grade) Special Valentine’s Dinner Event. 5:30pm in the Gym
- Monday, February 24th – Men’s Movie Night in the Chapel at 6pm
- Sunday, March 9th – Baptisms. Email Family@therock.org
Remain Weak… Not Strong!
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29
Did I catch your attention with this title? This past week the Lord has been messing with my understanding of strength and courage and comforts. He has cautioned me not to pray that I would get to a place in my life where I don’t need to rely on Him. Have you ever thought about your prayers and how often we are asking God to provide us with things so that we don’t need to rely on God any longer or relieve us from burdens so that we don’t need to yoke with the Lord to lighten the burdens?
When Jesus said “Seek first the Kingdom”, I believe He was including our prayer life. And although I am not doing this very well, I am now trying to “pre-screen” my prayers to make sure that the asks are correlated to the Kingdom and not focused on me and bringing me comfort or helping me in my struggles. It may be that the Lord has a reason for me being in my struggles. I think of Paul in 2 Cor 1:8-9, when he tells us about his extreme suffering in Asia – a pressure beyond the ability to endure, to the point of feeling the sentence of death. And instead of complaining about their condition, Paul says, “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead.” (2 Cor 1:9) We need to realize that God has the very best plan for us, and this gives us the grace to not focus on our struggles, but on God’s tasks for us.
Why is it, even in the Church, that we are so concerned with our wellbeing? (And I am including myself in this “we”.) As I dig into the Word on this topic, it does not seem that God is as concerned as we are with our wellbeing, but more concerned with the strengthening of our faith and our obedience. And it just may be that only in our weakness, will we have the faith…the reliance on God…to accomplish what He has marked out for us in our short time on earth – so that we run with persevering faith the race marked out for us! (Heb 12:1b)
This makes me think of Paul’s writing in Acts 20:22-24, where the Spirit is actually leading Paul into the darkest places and the Spirit is even telling him that as he follows the Spirit, he will face prison and hardships. I know this can be hard to grasp, being that we often hear how “good” God’s plan is for us. And though God’s plans are always “good”, they may not coincide with our plans. So back to Acts 20, instead of Paul praying to be relieved from prison and hardships, he responds with, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Yikes! My heart tells me that I am not even close to that level of faith! But as we face trials of many kinds, the Lord will use our weariness and weakness to test our faith so that we become perfected in Christ with enduring power and strength! (James 1:2)
One last thought on this. Remember in 2 Corinthians 12 when the apostle Paul was given a “thorn in the flesh”, a messenger of Satan, to torment him? Paul prayed fervently three times for the Lord to remove this ‘thorn’, but did not get the answer he wanted. Here is how the Lord responded, but then see how Paul responded to the Lord’s response!
“But He (the LORD) said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I (Paul) will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.” 2 Cor 12:9 NET
Remember in Ephesians 6, that we are told to put on the full armor of God…not the armor of self! It isn’t our strength, courage, or wisdom that will make us overcomers. It is our complete dependence on God…putting on His armor, His courage, His wisdom, His strength that will position us to be overcomers!
Lord Jesus, May we never boast in our own strength, but may our boast be in You alone! Amen.
I love you!
Pastor Mike and your Rock Staff
- Exodus 15:2 “The LORD is my strength and my defense…”
- Nehemiah 8:10 “The joy of the LORD is my strength.”
- Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength…”
- Psalm 59:16 “I will sing of your strength…for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”
- Ephesians 6:10 “From now on, be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power.”
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/
FOUNDATIONS CLASS – 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.