Harbor Rock Tabernacle

As we close the past year and enter a new one, it's essential to move past the hopeful desire to change, and to live by an intentional, daily commitment that is non-negotiable. In Philippians 3, the apostle Paul discusses the past, present and future, laying out the calling from heaven to let go of our old life and lingering pain, and to move forward in the victory Jesus Christ provides. There are...

When fear courses through our mind, it creates a profound restlessness that can’t be satiated by all the methods man chooses. Vices, promiscuity, social media and materialism all fall short in solving the spiritual emptiness people feel, and peace certainly isn't found within ourselves. Only Jesus Christ can solve our need, and this study shows how He addresses the four primary sources of our "mis...

Within our culture, there is an Attitude Of Pervasive Fear. Throughout history, mankind has tried to overcome this fear by reaching for anything which might be able to bring control and satisfaction, but all those options have failed. So when Jesus comes to earth, the message from heaven is clear: "Do Not Be Afraid". This study highlights the four kinds of fear present in those who were there that...

The recent news that the United States is recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has far more Biblical significance than political. This tiny city stands at the center of most of the world's conflict, tracing from Abraham throughout the Bible to today. This piece of real estate was specifically set aside by the Lord for Israel, and even though many nations want Israel off the map altogethe...

How should we react when we see someone doing what is Biblically wrong? As Christians we are often labeled as judgmental and intolerant, but we are commissioned by Jesus to be broken by sin and to reach out to people in love, to tell them about God's redeeming grace. Within the Body of believers, there is an essential need for accountability, based on the Word of God. In this final message from th...

On the 7th Anniversary of Harbor Rock's founding, this study looks at the final words that Joshua spoke to Israel. During a time of rest from war, he reminds them of what they have seen the Lord do, and details the simple directives which will keep them in the center of God's will. Joshua ultimately lays out the choice we all face: To fear and serve the Lord, or follow after false gods.

Of the two men who made it all the way from Egypt to the Promised Land, Caleb was more in the background than Joshua. And yet, he had been given a promise from the Lord for a specific portion of the land, because he had a "different spirit", and "followed the Lord fully". This study is a call to faithfulness, starting with a self-analysis, and having a long-term view about our lives.

One of the characteristics that is lacking among Christians is supernatural power--like the Church evidenced in Acts. Do we beleive and pray with the expectation of the Lord doing miraculous works, especially when we're in the middle of trials and spiritual warfare? This study from Joshua 10 shows the Lord's faithfulness to unilaterally help us, and also the power of bold faith that is confident t...

After the failure and then victory at Ai, Israel heard the Law read again, including God's warning to fully conquer the land and not make any covenants with the Canaanites. But when the Gibeonites developed a plan to deceive them, Israel didn't recognize the deception, and failed to honor the Lord's instruction. This study details the methods of deception the enemy uses against us, and shows that...

Christianity is unique in many ways, but one of the most significant is that God makes personal provisions for us through prayer. Because Jesus is our High Priest, and has opened up direct access to His throne of grace, we can be confident in going boldly to Him. This short Prayer Meeting study from Hebrews 4 reminds us of the power of prayer.

Everything had gone well for Israel up until the events of Joshua 7. Despite the Lord's specific instructions, Achan took spoils from Jericho and hid them. This led to a humiliating defeat at Ai, where Israel had also made 4 key mistakes--assuming victory instead of asking and being assured of God's leading. When we do this, it adversely affects our thinking and prompts us to ask misguided questio...

Before Israel could begin to occupy the Promised Land, the Lord wanted some final acts of disciplined obedience to prove their trust in Him. So He established an unorthdox method for conquering Jericho--one that required every person to be involved and fully invested. By keeping the Lord in the center of all they were doing, and staying focused in their commitment, Israel would experience the spec...

As Israel advanced into the Promised Land, the Lord wanted to ensure that their hearts were fully invested into trusting and obeying Him...unlike their forefathers. So He reinstituted the act of circumcision, which indicated that they were set apart to Him. Circumcision required personal sacrifice and pain, because that is what true investment requires. For disciples of Jesus Christ, there needs t...

As Israel miraculously started to take possession of the Promised Land, the Lord wanted to make sure they recognized and remembered His mercy and provision. So He tells them to set up two memorials, made of stones taken out of the Jordan River. This study from Joshua 4 reminds us to move forward in the victory that the Lord secures, fully content in Him. And it calls us to establish our own writte...

In Joshua 3, Israel is on the banks of the Jordan River, about to take that first step in the Promised Land. But the Lord has some prerequisites for them that are necessary to get their hearts and minds in the correct place. Those spiritual principles of consecration, confirmation and confident faith apply directly to us, as we walk with the Lord and focus on fulfilling the Great Commission every...

Apprehensive as they prepared to go into the Promised Land, Israel sent two spies in to scope it out, using unconventional means to hide. But the Lord showed them that this was a time to see how He would work in powerful ways. And it was the word of one of their enemies that actually built their confidence and expectation, because she knew that God had already secured victory for HIs people. When...

Any time the Lord brings us into a new situation--a "reset"--we need confidence, courage and His commission on our lives. In this new series in Joshua called "Taking New Ground", we are drawing parallels between Israel's calling to occupy and gain victory, and our calling as believers to advance into the world and reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To be effective in this, we need to be...

Why was the early church so powerful and effective? At the start, they had no resources, no confidence and no fallback. And yet, people were saved by the thousands, and there were baptisms, miracles, and advancement, all with the undeniable presence and power and leading of the Holy Spirit, In this study from Prayer Meeting, we see that it is only when we are fully yielded the Holy Spirit and aski...

A week of hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires and nuclear threats reminds us that Jesus said these are the "birth pangs" signalling His return. Though "no man knows the day or hour", His parable of the 10 bridesmaids in Matthew 25 shows that there are 3 responses to warnings of danger. This study challenges us to examine how we are responding and preparing for His return.

Tragedies like a devastating hurricane and a serious accident of a friend can cause us to wonder why the Lord allows such difficulties instead of preventing them, especially in the lives of those who trust Him. In 1 Kings 17, there was a woman who experienced both circumstantial and personal tragedy, and asked why God didn't seem to care. But through the prophet Elijah, the Lord shows her (and us)...

As technology has increased, the family has broken down and church attendance has decreased, studies show that people are more isolated and disconnected than ever. So when we live out the calling to "bear one another's burdens" from Galatians 6, we can not only increase care and community, but can impact people for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In this study, we see the three practical ways that we...

There are two resources and responsibilities that are unique for the disciple of Jesus Christ: Direct access to the living God through prayer, and proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In this study, Tony Yocco stresses the vital importance of proclamation--speaking about God's grace and how He has changed us, through our lives and especially through our words.

The words we say can either strengthen and encourage, or bring about discouragement, damage and division. In Ephesians 4, the Lord gives very simple instructions: Be kind, be tender hearted and forgive others as Christ forgave you. When put into use, these actions can literally alter the nature of our relationships. The only challenge is whether we are willing to implement them.

When the nation of Israel divided in two, many kings failed to follow David's righteous example, and led the nation away from the Lord. Two of those kings--Jeroboam of Israel and Abijah of Judah--faced a civil war in 1 Chronicles 13, but only one of them chose to reject rebellion and take God's side in the battle. In this study we learn how taking a stand for the Lord not only guides us through sp...

One of the great truths of the Bible is that Jesus Christ has won complete victory over sin. As His children, we live in the power of His victory. But one line of spiritual attack is to dispute this in our minds, which can render us weak and stuck in spiritual mediocrity if we believe it. The Spirit addresses this in Hebrews 6, warning the Jews and us to not fall back in hardheartedness, and point...