The Rock Weekly – March 6, 2024

  • Tonight – Prayer & Worship Night! @ 7pm in the Chapel or via livestream.  Growing in the Word – 6pm in the Prayer Room or via Zoom. See links below. 
  • Starts Tomorrow Evening with John Bevere – CONVERGE 2024 Conference https://Converge2024Colorado.eventbrite.com
  • This Sunday – Special Guest Speaker: Pastor Jim Tarr.
  • Thursday, March 21 at 6:30pm – The Rock has been given a FREE Movie Screening at the AMC12 Theaters in Castle Rock for Unsung Hero (same producers as Jesus Revolution). TRAILER. Limited seating so reserve tickets by CLICKING HERE.  Password is HERO .

The Peculiar Timing of Storms

“When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.”
  Matthew 14:32 CSB

This verse is the often overlooked portion that immediately follows the story of Peter walking on the waves with Jesus. But this week, instead of hardly noticing it, this verse leapt off the page and stirred something in my spirit. 

The story, as many of you will recall, is that Jesus sends the disciples across the sea in a boat. They encounter a storm that stalls their progress some distance from the shores as they struggle to row across the sea all night. Early the next morning the disciples notice a figure walking on the water. They think it’s a ghost, but later realize it’s Jesus. Peter says, “Lord, if it’s you, command me to come to you on the water.” and Jesus says, “Come.”

Peter then steps out of the boat onto a frothy, wavy, storm-battered sea. Peter, a man who made a career of being on the water, was terrified of the strength of the wind and waves. He begins to sink, and cries out to Jesus who immediately reaches out, grabs hold of him, and saves him. 

They walk back to the boat together, and when they get into the boat, the storm abruptly stops.
(Matt 14:22-33)

Here’s what I was pondering:  Why didn’t Jesus calm the storm until after they got back into the boat? 

Why did Jesus walk on stormy waves? Why did he call Peter to come to him on a stormy sea instead of a calm one? If Jesus obviously has the power to calm storms (remember Matthew 8?) why does he wait? 

Why didn’t Jesus make it easier for Peter? Why did the disciples have to fight a storm at all when they were doing exactly what Jesus told them to do? 

I don’t know the answers, but like we discussed on Sunday, I want to be like the wise builder in Luke 6 that dug down deep to a solid foundation by obeying Jesus’ words. Even when we don’t understand, we can still apply what we see in the Word to our lives.

And if that’s true, I can certainly apply this lesson to better interpret difficult seasons of my life. 

  • Why am I hitting resistance when I’m doing what God said? I don’t know–but I know He’s on His way to help. 
  • Why does it feel so scary to follow Him outside the boat? I don’t know–but I know He’ll grab me if I start to sink.
  • Why do I have to struggle for so long making such little progress? I don’t know–but I know if He’s called me there, He’ll help get me there. 

Father God, we acknowledge that you have all power and authority over every circumstance and situation. We release the need to understand, and trust that every decision you make is for your glory and our good. We give you now the storm that’s raging in our life. We choose to find security in your hands–not our own. Where the world would tell us to, “batten down the hatches” and shelter in the stern, we choose to follow your command, “Come.” and to step overboard and walk with you on stormy waves; trusting that you’ll calm them when your time is right. 

 

Have a blessed week and hope to see you at Converge.
Andrew Nemeth and The 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://us02web.zoom.us/j/7709609677?omn=83428418208

 

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?

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