The Rock Weekly – October 2, 2024

  • This Saturday (10/5) – Volunteers: Food Bank Distribution from 9-11 am.
  • Family Sunday with BREAKFAST – Join us this Sunday for Breakfast in the Foyer at 9am followed by our Family service where we foster group discussions & discipleship.
  • Our Monthly Prayer & Fasting – THIS Monday (10/7) – Wednesday (10/9). Join us in the Chapel for prayer 9-11am on Monday (10/7), for  prayer & worship 7-8am on Tuesday (10/8), and for prayer and worship on Wednesday (10/9) 10am-12pm & 7-8:30pm.
  • Prayer Paddle at Chatfield Reservoir –  Saturday (10/12) with Chad Dedmon & also a Night of Worship/Prayer – 7pm Friday (10/11) in the Gym with Chad Dedmon & a Bethel crew.

 

What Are We Building On The Earth?

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?” Isaiah 66:1 

 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.”  Rev 21:3

The older I get, the more I realize how quickly our life on this earth goes by.  I remember reading Scriptures as a kid like, “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” And thinking, ‘No way!  My life is going to last forever.’  And it felt like that.  Every day seemed like a lifetime.  I wasn’t worried about what I did or whether my days were of any value.  I could play video games or watch tv for hours and it didn’t seem to be of any consequence…and this was before smartphones, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, ‘gaming’, and whatever else we now have to waste our time.  What I didn’t realize is that we were created for a Divine purpose and that this purpose was ultimately to become a dwelling place for the Lord.

From the beginning of the Bible (Gen 3:8) to the end (Rev 21:3)…and all throughout (Lev 26:11-12; Jer 31:33; Ezek 37:27; Zech 8:8; John 14:23; Romans 8:9; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Cor 6:19; 2 Cor 6:16; Heb 8:10; 2 John 1:2; and many other places) we see the purpose of mankind is to dwell with God and God with mankind.   One of my favorite verses on this subject is John 14:23 when Jesus says, ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”  It has helped me to understand that one of the ways we build the temple…the dwelling habitation…for our God is in obedience to His teachings…which is ultimately being in alignment with His will.  When Moses was commissioned to build the tabernacle (dwelling place) of the Lord, he was given strict instructions “teachings” to build this tabernacle and it became the place where God would meet with Moses face to face! (Ex 33:11; Deut 34:10)  This is actually quite amazing to fathom that our God made each one of us so that he could make His home, His dwelling place, with us!  If you just pause for a minute to think about this, it should absolutely blow your mind that we serve the God who created ALL THINGS that ever were and that ever will be, and that this God desires to live with us and in us!   Selah! Ok…stop thinking about it!  I don’t want any blown minds.  We have lots of work to do. 🙂

There is so much more to say on this, but I will leave you with this for now.  Our time on this earth, as I now realize much more clearly in what I see as my later years, is much shorter than I once thought!  It truly is as a mist that appears for just a short time.

Lord, I pray that we take and live each day as a gift from you Lord.  May we be very careful, then how we live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…not being foolish, but understanding what the Lord’s will is. (Eph 5:16-17)  We want to use our lives to build a dwelling place for you as the wise builder…not the foolish builder! May we give careful thought to our ways and put our time and effort into building a home for you…a dwelling place where you would abide in us and us in you!  For only together will we accomplish anything of value on this earth.  May our life be in You as your Spirit moves us and guides us. For it is in you that we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)  Amen!

May we build a home for the Lord together.  I love you all and I am praying for you!
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/

 

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.