Harbor Rock Tabernacle

Rather than increasing community and feelings of acceptance, the rise in technology has ironically done just the opposite--divide and discourage. When we feel insecure in this way, we respond in different ways--from isolating to having a victim mentality to proving people wrong. But the best response is to humble ourselves and ask the Lord to change and renew us. A Roman centurion who came to Jesu...

If someone was to describe your spiritual life, what characteristics would be unmistakable? For the believer in Jesus Christ, the presence and power of His Holy Spirit is the main distinctions. It is the Spirit Who points us to Christ and calls us to love Christ. But we can become focused on being filled with knowledge--which is needed...unless the desire of our heart is lacking. In this study fro...

The apostle Paul had experienced a radical spiritual transformation in his life. It didn't come from the abundance of good works or his own strength, because he realized he had been spiritually dead because of his own sin. But God didn't want him--or us--to stay that way. Once Paul met and trusted Jesus Christ, he looked at his former life and knew his life was far different. He was now alive in C...

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus' disciples are instructed to fight against spiritual attack, through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is essential, because even the most convicted, committed, called servant of God can struggle with insecurity and doubts. John the Baptist, who had 12 unique confirmations from the Lord, and who fulfilled his role as Jesus' forerunner, briefly wrested with this...

While most of our insecurity is a result of internal uncertainty or external obstacles, there is a dangerous form that comes from entitled self-focus. It is subtle, so we often don't realize we're doing it, but the parable of the Prodigal Son draws attention to it by taking just as many verses to detail the angry hostility of the older brother. His frustration with the mercy shown to his sinning b...

Jeremiah was called "the weeping prophet" because he was so grieved by the coming discipline of Judah for their sin, and because he faced tremendous opposition for serving the Lord. Alone in his ministry, he was scorned, rejected, beaten, thrown in a cistern and eventually stoned. But he remained faithful to his calling, because he knew the Lord empowers and defends us when we do. So he was willin...

Hidden beneath Samson's muscles and arrogant persona was an insecure need to be liked and approved. Marked by unique points of distinction from the Lord, Samson nevertheless was driven by what looked good to him and pleased him. This caused him to pursue what was impure and dangerous, as well as contradictory to his direct calling. When he became careless with his character and his assignment, rat...

Just as sports teams are notorious for creating subtle strategic advantages, the devil works to keep us unstable & emotionally discouraged by trying to undermine our faith. The account of Gideon in Judges shows how thoroughly insecurity and fear can infiltrate our thinking, but also how the Lord convincingly shows His sufficiency. Gideon seemed an unlikely leader, full of feelings of inadequac...

Just as sports teams are notorious for creating subtle strategic advantages, the devil works to keep us unstable & emotionally discouraged by trying to undermine our faith. The account of Gideon in Judges shows how thoroughly insecurity and fear can infiltrate our thinking, but also how the Lord convincingly shows His sufficiency. Gideon seemed an unlikely leader, full of feelings of inadequac...

Feelings of inadequacy, sadness and hopelessness are pervasive in every culture and society, even among believers. But the Lord equips us with a different mindset--one of victory and purpose. When Moses was called by the Lord to lead God's people out of Egypt, he responded with 5 objections, all self-focused...even though the Lord had given His promises that He would be with him and provide in eve...

Joseph is an interesting case study because we can relate to what he went through. He didn't do miracles, but he did experience alot of resentment and rejection. His brothers hated him, his overseer's wife falsely accused him, and he was forgotten in jail. But Joseph's life shows us that experiencing rejection provides opportunities to get insight into what Christ went through and love God's grace...

Every person struggles with insecurity, whether it's physical, emotional, vocational, relational or spiritual. This can lead a chronic attitude of defeat, or humble us about our need for the Lord. In Genesis, Jacob was someone who "wrestled" with this in every aspect of his life. In his discontentment and jealousy, he worked the angles to try to gain advantage. How we respond to disappointment--wh...

The Lord gives every believer talents, gifts and opportunities to influence, and whether it seems minor or profound, we are just called to be faithful to what He's given us. In the church in the ancient city of Colosse, there was a man named Archippus, who was called out by the apostle Paul and told to finish his work of ministry. Apparently, in a year he had gone from a committed, battle-tested w...

The church in Corinth was full of pride, worldliness and lack of love for the Lord and others. But at the end of his first letter of correction and admonition to them, the apostle Paul draws attention to a family who exemplified living for Christ. “The house of Stephanas” was the first family Paul had led to faith in Greece, and as they matured as disciples, they embodied 4 simple characteristics...

The church in Corinth was full of pride, worldliness and lack of love for the Lord and others. But at the end of his first letter of correction and admonition to them, the apostle Paul draws attention to a family who exemplified living for Christ. "The house of Stephanas" was the first family Paul had led to faith in Greece, and as they matured as disciples, they embodied 4 simple characteristics...

Sometimes as believers, especially when we are struggling, we talk about the need to "make Jesus a priority"...but that gives the connotation that He's just an important item on the "to do" list. A man who met Jesus seemed to view it that way--he had lived in great obedience to the Law, but he wasn't willing to trust Jesus fully by giving up his many possessions in order to follow Him. Many people...

Sometimes as believers, especially when we are struggling, we talk about the need to "make Jesus a priority"...but that gives the connotation that He's just an important item on the "to do" list. A man who met Jesus seemed to view it that way--he had lived in great obedience to the Law, but he wasn't willing to trust Jesus fully by giving up his many possessions in order to follow Him. Many people...

In Revelation 2, the apostle John writes to the Ephesian church with a word from the Lord. he commends them for their perseverance in the midst of a spiritually depraved city, but challenges them on the fact that they have drifted in their love for Christ. This can easily happen even to a believer who has been redeemed by the mercy of God, when we get distracted by other loves, staying only on the...

In the last section of his letter, James summarizes the need for consistent integrity into 3 themes: Be Careful With Your Words, Be Calm In Your Faith, and Be Confident In Your Anticipation. Keeping our promises and speaking with purity shows our love of Truth, which is a love for the Lord. The ability to be calm no matter what our circumstances reveals a deep and abiding faith. And living with an...

With the stage fully set for Jesus to return for His faithful disciples, the temptation will be to become apathetic and presumptuous, when we are called to endure and bear spiritual fruit. Our convictions about the future determine how we live and prioritize, and especially as Americans, whether we become focused on our material wealth instead of what has eternal value. Many times, Jesus told His...

Throughout his letter, James emphasizes the importance of humility: That it is forged out of trials, developed out of faith and submission, and proven through self-discipline, Humility is necessary to model Jesus' example, which is why James stresses "bringing ourselves low" as His disciples. When we see life from a humble angle, it elevates our view of God and gives us a proper perspective in our...

Having just celebrated the awesome and gracious sacrifice of Jesus Christ, it would be uncharacteristic for any true believer to balk at the comparably small sacrifice He calls us to live out. In 2 verses in James 4, the Lord gives us 4 simple commands that can become victorious benefits.. When we subordinate ourselves to the Lord, actively resist the enemy, and utilise the privilege of close prox...

When the news spread that Jesus’ tomb was empty on the 3rd day–just as He had foretold–several theories started to be purported: That He was still dead and HIs Body had been stolen, or that He didn’t actually die on the cross and recovered elsewhere, or that the Jews had destroyed His Body so the disciples could never find Him. But those theories had significant, logical problems…not to mention th...

When the news spread that Jesus' tomb was empty on the 3rd day--just as He had foretold--several theories started to be purported: That He was still dead and HIs Body had been stolen, or that He didn't actually die on the cross and recovered elsewhere, or that the Jews had destroyed His Body so the disciples could never find Him. But those theories had significant, logical problems...not to mentio...

When we remember times when we were personally hurt by physical or emotional abuse, relational abandonment or betrayal, or deep injustice, it feels overwhelming. In the span of 24 hours, Jesus Christ endured a devastating level of torture, abuse and rejection that no one has ever experienced in a lifetime, let alone a day. In every aspect, He suffered beyond our understanding. ..and didn't deserve...