Harbor Rock Tabernacle

We all face the pressures of everyday responsibilities, and when those are compounded with unexpected problems, our stress can wear us down. But because our Lord is powerful and all sufficient, as believers we should be able to have victory over stress. This study identifies its four causes, in which the Holy Spirit gives us a hidden insight into the real problem. Psalm 46:10 offers the only solut...

When Jesus returned to heaven, He left us a clear example to follow, and the Holy Spirit to give us the power and ability to live like Him. The true test of whether we are living as His disciples is how fully we mirror His life. In this study from three passages in the Gospels, we examine six distinctive attributes of Jesus which should characterize every believer's life. There will be temptations...

When Israel left captivity in Egypt to go toward the Promised Land, the timing and the way they did it were spiritually significant. It was the day after Passover, and they walked out in the sight of the Egyptians as they were burying their dead. Those facts kept them humble that the Lord had been the One to deliver them and give them victory. But that didn't last, because the Jews really never le...

In an effort to "appeal" to what people want or reach a certain audience, churches often program a style of ministry for that intent. But this is not anywhere in the Bible--instead, we see believers praying and led by the Spirit, often unaware of what to say or do, but being used in profound ways. The apostle Paul wrote to Corinth, warning them against self-orientation and cleverness, showing them...

The greatest truth the world has ever heard is that Jesus Christ defeated sin and death by rising from the grave. Every person has to make a decision whether they should believe that or not. Those surrounding the cross show the different reactions people have to what Jesus has done. His cross is empty, which means that His work of redemption is done. His grave is empty, which means that He has won...

When Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples right before His crucifixion, they should have been aware of what was happening, and serve Him. But instead, they were distracted by their self-centeredness. Jesus then showed why He had come, and quietly took on the posture of a servant by washing the disciples feet. Peter's objection and the silence of the others stands as the attitudes...

When Jesus came to Jerusalem to offer Himself as the Sacrifice for our sins, He didn't do so in a bold, self-promoting way. Instead, He rode a young donkey, weeping over the town as He viewed it from the Mt. of Olives. Every aspect of that was significant: The fulfillment of prophecy, His humility and identification with the people, and the work that He was doing to restore relationship and peace...

In cultural and in art, Jesus is often depicted as soft and tolerant of sin. But in Mark 10, we see Jesus as resolved and determined to fulfill His purpose, even knowing that the religious and political leaders of Israel had decided to put Him to death. So He leads the way to Jerusalem, shocking and scaring the disciples, who finally understood that He was going to the cross to redeem man from sin...

When Israel was taken into captivity by Assyria, because they had stiffened their necks against the Lord, the Assyrians brought in exiles from other nations to occupy Samaria. The Lord didn't forget Israel, but He also expected that these foreigners in their land would respect and fear Him. They initially acted like they did, but continued to worship their own gods. The Lord warns us against this...

In this last study in our "Theology Of Giving" series, the focus is on what we can ask the Lord to give to us. Even though He has already done so much to save, transform and empower us, He is still willing to "give the increase" in certain areas of our lives. The Bible details four specific requests we should pray every day, which will bring the Lord glory and allow us to give back to others.

Michelle shares how the Lord brought her out of personal heartache to a fresh understanding of what it means to trust the Lord, and how He graciously blesses our full dependence.

Wars in the Bible can serve as a metaphor for the problems and trials in our lives. Whether they are a spiritual attack or a proving of our faith, we need to respond with unwavering faith. In 2 Chronicles 14, Judah faced the Ethiopians, and they were outnumbered and under equipped. But King Asa called on the Lord. The perspective of his prayer, and what he asked, showed that he knew the Lord would...

Everything we understand about giving starts with the pre-emptive generosity of God. His sacrifice for all people is our awesome example. So beyond money, we also need to be sacrificial in how we give of our time and our spiritual gifts. Our time is a limited, irretrievable resource, so we must be wise in spending it well. And when we align our money with our gifts, we can have a powerful, generat...

Five believers share how Jesus has changed their lives as they identify with Him in baptism.

Some of Harbor Rock's youth leaders and students share how the Lord powerfully worked in their lives on the recent Winter Retreat at Village Creek Bible Camp in Iowa.

Penny talks about how the Lord brought her out of shame in her past, to experience new life and victory through Jesus Christ.

There is one time in the Bible when the Lord challenges us to prove that He will keep His promises. In Malachi 3, He does this even though Israel is defiant and disobedient, mocking His call to trust and follow Him. So if He promised to bless them if they would turn from their sin, how much more will He bless His faithful children who trust and live wholeheartedly for Him? Here, He establishes thr...

The Lord established the "tithe" within the Old Testament Law...so does that apply to the Church in 2018? If not, what are we called to give? This study explores four Biblical passages which show that our giving should be a voluntary, grateful consecrated act of worship. So the principle of giving 10% should be our foundation, as we sacrifice proportionally, in view of God's provision and blessing...

During the time when Israel was between Egypt and the Promised Land, the Lord established 7 Festivals--sacred assemblies designed to remind them of His faithful provision, and keep their hearts dependent and consecrated to Him. One of those was the Feast of First Fruits, in which they were to bring the first part of the harvest to the Lord as an offering. The spiritual principle behind First Fruit...

The Bible speaks about giving over 1000 times, so even though it can be a sensitive subject, it is important that we develop a correct and healthy theology about it. Giving is not a priority in the American church, but that isn't solved by emphasizing requirements or guilt. Instead, we need to examine our heart, and whether we are giving all of ourselves to the Lord first. Paul's words to the Cori...

Paula talks about God's faithful provision and teaching during a time of loss, change and health problems.

When 5 men came to see Jesus, because one was paralyzed, they were confronted with an obstacle that hindered them. There were a variety of reactions they could have had, but their hunger to be in the presence of Jesus spurred them to find an unusual way forward. In this study from Mark 2, we see 3 important truths that encourage us not to give up, but to see Jesus as the Only Answer, and to not le...

In times of crisis and spiritual warfare, we often get distracted, overwhelmed by the emotional and mental challenges of the problem. In Psalm 3, David faced a painful personal situation, but instead of becoming angry and bitter, he put his confidence in the Lord's strength. Quoting 14 truths about God's defence, he experiences fearless certainty that the Lord will give victory.

The Isons give a powerful account of how the Lord brought them through dark, difficult times and showed His power in their lives.

Our gracious God is looking to bless and use His people in extraordinary ways, and it is important to believe that personally. So during another time of spiritual decline in Israel, an angel appeared to Manoah's wife, and revealed God's plan to give her and her husband the son they hadn't been able to have. He would become Samson, a judge of Israel and someone for whom the Lord had a specific plan...