“You Are Qualified”

Hi Mighty Warriors!
Don’t forget to join us from 12-4pm this Saturday, May 1, at The Rock for the Red Cross Training!  If we get called on, we will need your help.   https://therock.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/1995/responses/new

So often I hear people discount themselves or even disqualify themselves with statements like, “I could never do that.” Or “I wish I had the talent to do that.” Or “I never get a break.” Or “If you knew what I have been through, you would understand.”  In a sense, this is all true.  But here is the catch…when Jesus comes into our lives and we make Him Lord of our lives, we no longer live for ourselves, but we now live for Jesus who died for us and was raised again.  So then our life is now in Christ and we die to our old life and our own desires.  We are born of the Spirit and we become a NEW creation – in Jesus.  (2 Cor 5:15,17)  And through Christ, we now have the Holy Spirit living in us!  We are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16) and God has marked us with the promised Holy Spirit!  (Eph 1:13)

This is the same Spirit of God that parted the seas for Moses, empowered Joshua to defeat 31 kings and take the promise land; equipped and empowered Gideon to destroy an army of 135,000 with just 300 men; strengthened Samson to kill 1,000 men with a jawbone of a donkey; protected and promoted David into kingship; gave Solomon wisdom beyond the wise to rule the kingdom; shut the mouth of the lions for Daniel; appointed Jeremiah to uproot, tear down, destroy, overthrow, build and plant nations and kingdoms; gave Peter the ability to walk on water and preach on the day of Pentecost – bringing 3,000 into the kingdom; and anointed Jesus to preach the Good News, heal the sick, raise the dead, perform miracles, and cast out demons; and this is the same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead!   I could go on, but you get the point.  This is who lives in us!!  And just to clarify…our God is not a boring God and He is always creating and always revealing new things to His children!  (Is 48:6-7)  So I have a very important question for all of us to answer… If this is the God we serve and His Holy Spirit is inside us, and He wants to empower us to do great works…greater than the works Jesus performed.  Then why do we allow the world or people or our abilities to determine our Purpose and Destiny – limiting us to the natural when we were born of the Spirit for the Supernatural??!

The good thing is, we aren’t the first to question what God wants to do through us.  Moses reminded God that he did not have what it takes to go before Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  He also reminded the Lord that he had a stuttering problem and was not gifted with speaking.   The Lord responded, “Who gave man his mouth…Is it not I the Lord?  NOW GO! I will help you speak and teach you what to say.”  Gideon was one who was told by the Lord that he was a Mighty Warrior who was going to deliver Israel.  So Gideon felt it was important to inform God that He missed it on this one.   It was the excuse, “If you knew what I went through, then you would understand” type of response to God.  He advised the Lord that he was not the one to save Israel because his family was the weakest of all the clans and he was the weakest in his family.  How often in our lives have we felt a prompting to do something that was outside your own ability, and we quickly discounted or disqualified ourselves?  It may have been a simple nudge of the Holy Spirit to share Jesus with them or pray for healing, but we quickly came up with our reasons why it wasn’t a good time or we weren’t ready or we didn’t think they would respond well, or we thought that we might pray and not see them be healed.  It is amazing how FEAR quickly enters when we allow the world, others, or our abilities to Define and Determine our Destiny!  But perfect LOVE of God removes All Fear. (1 Jn 4:18)  And it is the Spirit that pours God’s love into our hearts.  So let this love in and let this LOVE BE THE MOTIVATION OF OUR LIVES. (1 Cor 16:14)  Welcome to your true DESTINY!

IMPORTANT SERVICE & WEEKLY INFORMATION:
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICE (4/28)   6:45pm  * 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 (4/28) – 7:00pm
Join us in the Student Auditorium!  We are excited to see each of you!  Contact Pastor Kristi at kristi@therock.org with any questions.

Thursday Evening (4/29) Hot Meals & Saturday Morning (5/1) Food Bank Distribution
https://www.therock.org/foodbank/
Email Lindy@therock.org if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.

SUNDAY MORNING (5/2) 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
Passcode: 1   (NOTE: The Passcode was added for security,
              but is not needed if you click on the ZOOM link above.)
              ZOOM Phone Option +12532158782,,85340164797#

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE (5/2) 9:45am  *In-Person & On-line*
Facebook Live:  https://www.facebook.com/rockchurchco
The Rock Online Livestream:  https://www.therock.org/live/

May the Lord strengthen you with Holy Spirit power according to His glorious might so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way!   (Col 1:10-11)
We love you!
Pastors Mike & Kristi and your Rock Staff family

OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE  If you would like to give to The Rock, here are some convenient ways you can partner with us as you practice generosity – our regular tithe/giving, COVID help, and our compassion/food bank.  Click on the following link or graphic.  www.therock.org/give


Need Prayer, Help, Feel Alone, or Disconnected?
Please email us at family@therock.org and put PRAYER, NEED HELP, or CONNECT ME at the top of your email.