Harbor Rock Tabernacle

To live in God's blessing, there is a way to learn how to walk in righteousness. Psalm 1:2 says we are to "delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night". God's Word brings life, so we have to see it as our tutor, inclining ourselves toward it, thoughtfully spending focused time studying it and receiving it's counsel. When it permeates our heart and mind, it becomes a tremendous s...

Psalm 1 details a chasm between someone who is blessed by God because of a redeemed relationship and someone who lives for themselves and rejects His salvation. In verse 1, being blessed is attached to three actions which believers are to zealously avoid, because each one is designed to progressively ingrain acceptance and practice of a lifestyle that pushes us farther away from the Lord. So the L...

Surveys show that man's definition of success is largely characterized by self-fulfillment: More prosperity, more comfort and less responsibility. But God defines it differently in Psalm 1: He says we can be "blessed" by Him. We can experience this by being in the right position spiritually--saved and declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. Then, we have a responsibility to put that posi...

One of the latest trends is the rise of "social media influencers", everyday marketers who promote places and products. Their success is due to social identity theory, in which people see value and connection based on the opinion of peers. When that message is true and the persuader is authentic, people are happy to be convinced. As Christians, the message of the Gospel is the ultimate Truth, so w...

It's easy for Christians to feel insecure and inadequate about our commission to have a spiritual influence on those around us. But when two spiritual characteristics are present in our lives, we will be effective in fulfilling that calling. In Acts 11, there were a group of Jewish men who boldly took the Gospel to the Gentiles, at a time when many Jews weren't willing to do so. The Lord blessed t...

Everything we are and do as believers should communicate to the world that salvation through Jesus Christ is real and life changing. Knowing and serving such a great God means that we have a great calling to have a powerful impact. This is what Solomon realized when he built the temple. He had a strong purpose to glorify and worship the Lord, and to sacrifice to Him. As disciples, we are declared...

It is somewhat normal to gravitate toward what doesn't challenge us or push us beyond what is reasonably comfortable. But when the Lord is the one calling us out of our "comfort zone", do we defend it or follow His leading? Because being a Christian is not about us but about Christ being pre-eminent, our thinking and priorities need to change. The account of Barak and Deborah in Judges 4 details h...

Fall is a time of change--kids go to school, the weather changes, and schedules go back to normal. But when the changes are more significant--a job transition, health problem or spiritual trial--how do we deal with it? The Bible is full of example of people experiencing change, including the disciples, whose convictions, perspective and responsibilities were all radically transformed in just 53 da...

A recent hiking trip in the mountains of North Carolina reinforced some vital truths that serve as spiritual metaphors. The difficult process of going up the trail to the summit parallels the essence of our lives as believers. These truths call us to important decisions about whether we will just walk where things are easier and comfortable, or whether we will progress by faith, in the power of th...

The Bible tells us that our spirit and our flesh are in constant opposition to each other. Sin wages a constant assault on us, so it is essential that we are walking by the Spirit. Adam Lopez teaches that rejecting sin not only gives us victory in that battle, but empowers us in our calling to share about the grace of God with others. (Note: Due to copyright restrictions, we cannot post the audio...

Jesus said that He came that we might have life. After salvation, He gives us His Spirit. But are Christians and the Church really relying on Him? In this study, Jamie Cannalte explains that the Spirit is the distinguishing mark of believers, and breathes life into the Church. Then, he challenges us to examine whether we are filled with the Spirit and aligned with the God's plan.

There is a prevailing mindset of blame in politics and culture. This involves lying about how things really are, not taking responsibility for your life and rationalizing that this allows you to act however you want. It isn’t new–Aaron did the same thing in Exodus 32 to justify building the golden calf. This study explores the lies in 3 statements we make to defend our failures, and presents 3 dif...

When we are frustrated by uncertainty, there are two different voices we will hear: The calm, loving voice of the Holy Spirit, and the tense, calloused voice of the enemy, who disguises his temptation with fake sincerity and care. As David found out when he was running from Saul, this creates pressure points which can derail us spiritually. In Psalm 142, David details these emotional threats, and...

Often, we feel like we need a "sign" from the Lord--some tangible evidence that will help us to trust Him about something uncertain. But He tells us that true, deep faith is believing even when we can't see. The Jews faced this when they were returning from exile in Babylon, carrying $1 million in precious metals to offer in Jerusalem, but having no protection from an army for the long trip. Ezra...

Almost 400 times in the Bible, someone asks "Why?" Whether they need direction, or are speaking out of profound anguish, or expressing defiance and challenging the Lord, the question is based on at least one of six different motivations. In Numbers 20, Israel was disappointed with their situation, and their proud and rebellious reaction revealed their true spiritual condition. Crisis and change do...

Jesus said He came that we might have life. That means far more than "religion" or even just a decision that doesn't produced any life change. We are all spiritually dead without Jesus, and life is only found in Him. Jamie Cannalte calls us to examine whether we really are alive in Christ, and then to evaluate how that is being shown in every aspect of our life.

Recent events highlighted the willingness some make to sacrifice themselves for a strong conviction. That raises a question: How deep is our spiritual conviction, and how far will we go to trust and sacrifice for the Lord? Peter was confronted with that decision when Jesus asked for his boat, and then to let down nets for a catch after a night of futility. There were so many minor objections that...

Concepts like faithfulness, consistency and steadiness aren't thrilling or trendy, so they tend to be devalued. But the Lord places a high value on them, and promises to bless those who are faithful in keeping His ways. This study identifies the importance of personal consecration as the foundation for faithfulness, while also showing that our character is forged in the everyday, rather than the e...

Jesus said that everything He commands is summed up in one word: Love. There is nothing greater we can do than to love the Lord and love others than ourselves. The devil attempts to redefine this truth by twisting it into a philosophy that love is whatever makes you happy and that God condones whatever we want to do. But the Bible teaches that love is self-sacrificial...and when Christians love th...

Over 6000 times in the Bible, God is referred to as "Lord". For us, the concept of living under His Lordship is not easy, because we tend to want control, and the enemy wants us to believe that Christ's Lordship is too high a cost. But a spiritual insight gained while in a prominent store shows that we already surrender so much for something of far less value. This study reveals three principles a...

Studies show that people are less committed to engaging in spiritual growth and even just attending church. So when it comes to Jesus' definitions of discipleship, and the call to "move on to maturity", Christians must fight those trends and be intentional about spiritual growth. This starts by evaluating what our level of maturity by looking at our "diet", and whether we are living as "priests".

When you own something, versus renting or borrowing, there is a sense of permanence, and you treat it with greater love, respect and responsibility. Ownership is a state of the heart..and when it comes to our faith, our commitment to it needs to be complete and active. We have to guard against "looking" like a person of faith, rather than being someone who is all in with the Lord. This study gives...

Research shows that even in the womb, babies hear the sound of their mother's voice and it aids in their development. Even more so, the words we use every day have tremendous power to give life or to defeat and discourage. Sanctified, spiritually constructive words will have a greater impact than negative words. Proverbs 13 teaches that we have to guard our mouths, so that our words shows wisdom a...

In the United States, we have so much wealth and religious freedom, and yet, people are increasingly discontented personally and spiritually. How do we not only counteract that trend, but actually thrive in joy, contentment and victory? This practical study establishes 5 simple but important actions we need to take to move away from what is detrimental and steals our peace and joy.

Right after Israel had failed at Sinai, the Lord established the "Tent Of Meeting", where Moses would go in and meet with the Lord. Moses knew the privilege and the importance of this, as he needed wisdom to lead the people forward. His three requests of the Lord communicate valuable spiritual principles that should be at the center of our prayer whenever we go into the presence of the Lord.