The Harbor

What type of kingdom is God calling us to build? In this Sabbath Sunday Devotional, Justin Ruszkiewicz dives in to what it means when Jesus points to His heavenly kingdom.  ________________________________ Sabbath Sunday is an occasional day of rest that we build into our annual schedule as a church to remind all of us that resting in the presence of the Lord is beneficial to us as believers. On t...

Not only will the world tempt us to keep our faith quiet, it will also tempt us to abandon it altogether - to compromise. Culture will try to dictate your identity. Society may pressure you to conform. Even your circumstances will tempt you to believe that God isn’t present. However, scripture speaks a better word. Isaiah 43 tells us God stays with those in “deep waters” or in the “fires of oppres...

Fear focuses on what can't be done and what remains unknown. Daniel, as Pastor Ryan Akers points out, responds in this week's passage (Daniel 2) to an otherwise dangerous situation with wisdom and discretion. His confidence is anchored in the King of all kings, not dictated by his circumstances. Because he knows this, Daniel is all the more capable of pointing people to God, not himself....

Is your identity attached to what you do? Are your values dictated by the world? If your life is centered on God, it means you’re going to do things differently. We’re called to lead with a God-centered conviction, commitment, and courage. When we do that, we become a blessing to the world around us. If we don’t, we slowly become just like it. Pastor Justin Ruszkiewicz teaches this week’s message...

What did Jesus mean when He called His followers “the salt of the earth”? In this message, discover the powerful purpose behind that statement and how it still applies today. Just as salt preserves what would otherwise decay, enhances what is already there, and creates thirst for something more, God calls His people to make a lasting impact on the world around them. Watch and be encouraged to live...

Join us as we celebrate the wit, wisdom, and faithful service of Pastor David Miller on his final Sunday at The Harbor after 11 years as our Community Care Pastor and 45 years in ministry. In this special conversation, Senior Pastor Jeff Maness sits down with David to reflect on the journey God has led him on, the lives he has touched, and the lessons he has learned along the way. You'll laug...

In the last message of our series B(less)ed, the founder and executive director of Ananias House , John Samara shares powerful stories of hope and transformation from the persecuted church in the Middle East and North Africa. You will be challenged and encouraged by these moving stories of God's love changing hearts and lives in this Muslim area of the world where faith often comes at a great...

Many say they want peace. Few are willing to take the steps required to bring it about. Contrary to what it may seem, peacemakers do not avoid conflict. They move into it humbly by seeking understanding, asking God as David did in Psalm 139 to search their hearts, and a steady determination to remain unified in the church. As for those who are divided, they lose the war within themselves while cre...

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. In fact, they see him everywhere. Purity of heart allows us to see the Kingdom of God invading the earth. Praise God, it is NOT about living perfectly! Rather, the pure in heart are living with purpose. Pastor Jeff Maness teaches from Colossians 3:1-15, revealing from scripture just what that purpose is. Hint: it’s all about Christ. Do you want...

Mercy is more than a feeling. It is an action toward others fueled by love. Micah 6:8 tells us that God requires His people to love mercy among other things, and Matthew 5:7 says He blessed those who show mercy. So, to whom should I show mercy? The easy answer is everyone, but the Bible is more specific than that. In this week’s sermon, Pastor Jeff Maness gets real about what it means to be mercif...

Righteousness according to Jesus' words in Matthew 5:6 is a set apart, divine righteousness. Simply put, it refers to what is deemed right by the Lord. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for that righteousness, for justice, or, as Pastor Jeff Maness puts it, those who CRAVE it. In this weeks message from Isaiah 58:1-12, we are confronted by a challenge not to simply go through the motion...

Meekness is NOT weakness. On the contrary, meekness is strength surrendered to God as Pastor Jeff Maness points out in this week's message. Jesus tells us that God blesses the humble and that they will inherit the whole earth. So, what does that look like? How can I steward meekness in a world that celebrates the proud? In 1 Peter 5:5-11, we see God's heart towards humility revealed in a...

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. That is, at least, what Jesus says. These are challenging words to believe while in the midst of grief. Pastor Jeff Maness directs our attention to three truths revealed in Lamentations 3. Scripture allows for grief, but reminds us of the faithful presence of a compassionate God, while giving us great hope for future good. The same author wh...

Jesus is alive! Are you? In the opening message of B[less]ed, Pastor Jeff Maness teaches on the reality and availability of the Kingdom of God to us right now. Jesus begins His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 by addressing a crowd, many of whom had been excluded and reviled by the religious elite, and extended blessing - an invitation into His Kingdom - to those who are poor in spirit, to those w...

Can I get a witness? In this message from John 12:27-33, Jesus' words help to inform our perspective of evangelism. If our perspective on evangelism drives our practice with evangelism, we need to begin to understand Jesus' approach to it. In the final week of the "In His Steps" series, Pastor Jeff Maness teaches through the B.L.E.S.S. evangelism strategy, equipping the church...

How comfortable are you with silence? In this message, Pastor Justin Ruszkiewicz calls us into the silence - the place where God shapes the soul for life with Him. In Luke 5:15-16, we see Jesus withdrawing to an erēmos - a solitary, quiet place - to pray, as he often did, in times of temptation, pressure, and even miracles. The practice of silence and embracing solitude transforms us, and it is th...

When you think of the word "community" what comes to mind? You might think of the geographical area in which you reside, or maybe your immediate family, friends, or coworkers. Then there are common interest-based communities like those who follow certain sports teams, bands, or hobbies. When you consider these examples, you might notice that a pattern emerges. Every single community is c...

In our endeavor to practice the way of Jesus, we examine the way He served others and allow His way of life to challenge how we think about service, greatness, identity, and love. We hope you will see that if we want to walk In His Steps, the way up is always down. Message Notes & Resources - https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=rJIgkY7K-g Discussion Questions - https://storage1.snapp...

Generosity is an attitude of the heart toward God, not an amount in the hand to be given. When we understand that everything we have belongs to Him, giving stops being pressure and starts becoming worship. What does your generosity reveal about what’s at the center of your life? This message will challenge, inspire, and invite you to take your next step toward living with open hands. Message Notes...

What if prayer isn’t about impressive words or perfect faith, but about honest conversation with our loving Father? Through Scripture, real-life stories, and the example of Jesus, Himself, this sermon reminds us that prayer is not a place to perform—it’s a place to be known. Whether your faith feels strong, shaky, or somewhere in between, you’re invited to come just as you are, keep it real, and d...

The Bible isn’t just information—it’s transformation. God’s Word is alive, pointing us to Jesus, revealing truth in a confused world, and reshaping our hearts from the inside out. Discover why consistent engagement with Scripture can change your life. If you’ve ever felt intimidated, inconsistent, or just spiritually dry, this message is your invitation to begin Walking in the Word again. Message...

Explore the often-misunderstood practice of fasting and see how fasting without prayer will never reach its full potential. Essentially, fasting is abstaining from something, typically food, for a certain period of time for physical, mental, and spiritual benefit. Sounds simple, but to get the most benefit, what should I pray when I fast? This sermon reveals how fasting—when paired with prayer—res...

Following Jesus isn’t just about belief—it’s about living the life He designed. This message explores why doing what Jesus did isn’t a burden, but the pathway to freedom, formation, and life to the full. Discover how practicing the way of Jesus can transform everyday life and lead to a faith that’s grounded, freeing, and truly abundant. Message Notes: https://notes.subsplash.com/fill-in/view?page=...

What does it really mean to follow Jesus—not just believe in Him, but become like Him? In this message from our In His Steps series, we’re invited to stop treating Jesus like spiritual “rescue patrol” and start following Him as our guide, placing our feet in His footprints day by day. Through a powerful illustration and the words of 1 Peter 2, this sermon explores how true discipleship transforms...

What comes out of you when life puts the pressure on? In this message, we’re reminded that when we’re “squeezed” by stress, temptation, pain, or disappointment, what spills out is whatever we’ve been soaking in. Jesus tells us in John 15 that real fruit (love, faithfulness, joy, etc) doesn’t come from trying harder, but from abiding (soaking) in Him. This message invites you to slow down, refocus,...