Harbor Rock Tabernacle

Knowing we need wisdom more than anything, we still have important needs in our life. In the case of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar in Jericho, it was to receive his sight. But his desperate cry to Jesus for mercy reveals that he recognized Jesus first as Messiah, and also that he was asking with bold, active faith. The fact that Jesus stopped and helped him stirs us to be confident in God's mercy, an...

Money, relationships, jobs, health--they all cause stress and worry. But the Bible tells us that the answer is not more resources or relief from these issues--it is wisdom...which is a full understanding of God's heart, commands and leading. That seems odd because wisdom isn't tangible, but the Lord promises it will bring security, confidence and peace. By studying Jesus, spending time in His pres...

We live in a time of pervasive and intrusive technology that "knows" everything about us. Rather than panic or give in to this, we need to be reminded that the Lord truly knows us--and especially His children--far more than a camera. He knows our thoughts and scrutinizes our lives to give us strength and encourage us to trust and take refuge in His loving and faithful provision.  Video of this ser...

After the fall of man, there was a group of people who "began to call on the Name of the Lord". This has always been the true heritage of God's people, and yet, especially the American Church in 2024 shows little interest or practice or prayer. We may think it makes no difference, or feel embarrassed, but a lack of prayer will only limit us from experiencing God's presence and power.  Video of thi...

When we go through very difficult times, it is easy to wonder why the Lord is allowing it, or to even question His faithfulness--even when there has been abundant evidence of His kindness and help before. When Israel was "trapped" between the Red Sea and Egyptian armies, the Lord called them to move ahead in faith. It's a reminder that He defends us, removes obstacles and lead us when we trust in...

As we walk intentionally in this new life in Christ, we must not only "walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way", but we also must be encouraging each other to do the same. Even while in jail, the apostle Paul had co-labourers who stepped up to faithfully serve in simple ways, with the mindset of a bondservant. This greatly encouraged Paul, and advanced the ministry of the Gospel in sign...

Two of our high school graduates who are called by the Lord powerfully share what the Lord has been teaching them. Matthew Rhoads shares from James 1 about trusting the Lord at all times, even in trials, and as the passage says, "taking control of your joy". Nicolas Lopez talks from Acts 4 about the need to disciple others in the fullness of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Video of this ser...

Often, we can become "frustrated" with the Lord when we face unhappiness or difficulty. We may see Him as unfair, simply because we don't understand or agree with His will. So the apostle Paul gives us 5 basic instructions at the start of Colossians 4, designed to keep us in the right mindset and also equip us for evangelism and discipling others. If we are wise, and speak with grace in every oppo...

As a new creation in Christ, living sacrificially under Christ's Lordship, our relationships can't be selfish anymore. Sin, pride, and indifference can hinder us from being humble selfless, which is critical for us to be like Christ. It also greatly improves the relationships of husbands and wives, parents and kids, and servants and masters. When we sacrifice with all we have, because we fear the...

As we weigh the amazing work Christ has done to redeem us, and the calling to live as a new creation in Christ, it's important to ask: "How does the Lord want me to live?" Love requires sacrifice, so if we love the Lord, how does that show in consistent and practical ways? In Colossians 3, the apostle Paul calls us to 10 specific actions that will be unmistakable evidence we've "put on" this new l...

Because Jesus has saved us from death to life, and is now our Lord and the Head of our lives, our old life has absolutely no place in anything we do as believers. So the Lord gives us the imperative direction to "put to death" and deprive sin of having any power. He says they can become idols to us. So we have to resist justifying impurity and volatile emotions like anger and malice and slander, b...

One of the dangers the young Colossian believers faced was the influence of Judaizers, who wanted to pull them into legalism. So Paul warns them, and us, that being proud and "puffed up" in our mind draws attention away from Jesus, Who is the Head of our lives and the Church. When we understand the characteristics and practical control of our physical head and brain, it gives us clarity as to why...

When all of our focus is on Jesus, confidence replaces doubt and we find strength in His work and assurances instead of fearing our circumstances. In the middle of Colossians 2, Paul makes a statement that calls us to be staggered by the transcendence of the Lord, Who still came here as one of us to save us. Through 10 astounding actions, Jesus makes those who trust & live for Him complete, an...

The battle for people's minds is pervasive--and increasingly, that involves a strong cultural opposition to Jesus and His Word, as well as those who believe in both. Throughout history, man has offered self-centered philosophies to address the spiritual need within, but they all fall short. But Colossians says that "in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge", and calls us to t...

After Paul reminds the Colossian believers of the awesome reality of Christ's work, he then calls them to boldly live as those who are no longer alienated from God and marked by sin. He establishes the need and expectation to continue on to maturity, "firmly established and steadfast, not moving away from the hope of the Gospel". Our effectiveness in this continuation will be driven by our love fo...

As believers, it can be all too easy to take for granted what Jesus has done for us, rather than being amazed every day. Paul was concerned that the Colossians might be prone to do that, so he focuses right at the start on the fact that Jesus has rescued us from the pit of sin, redeemed us by buying us and forgiving us, relocated us from the domain of the darkness to His Kingdom, and reconciled us...

In his most Christ-centered letter, the apostle Paul teaching young believers how to live because of what Jesus has done.  Because the message of the Gospel is most effective when given by people whose faith and love is open and obvious, Paul calls believers to assess how faithfully we are living for Christ.  We need to be filled with Him, pleasing Him in everything, bearing fruit and living by Hi...

Very few of us enjoy waiting and being patient, because we want our way and get frustrated when people and circumstances get in our way. But how do we respond when the Lord causes the delay? Multiple times after the Resurrection, Jesus told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. Those 50 days were valuable, as they learned to wait and pray, The humility and refocusing of priorities built stren...

 Mankind tends to view hope as wishing for something with some degree of uncertainty, but the Bible defines it as "joyful and confident expectation". That all centers on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But in the aftermath of the cross, Jesus' disciples lost hope, and were depressed...to the point that at first, they didn't believe the news that the tomb was empty. But slowly, they remembered Hi...

When he met Jesus, the Roman governor Pilate had a dilemma--he knew Jesus was innocent, but the crowds demanded punishment. Pilate ignored warnings and didn't seek truth even though it was right in front of him, and unsuccessfully tried to wash his hands of any guilt. It's a stark contrast to the humility and sacrifice Jesus had shown in washing the disciples' feet 12 hours earlier, and exemplifie...

Half of the verses in the 3 Gospel texts about Jesus' "Palm Sunday" entrance into Jerusalem focus on getting the donkey He rode, fulfilling prophecy. For each of the components of the scene--the 2 disciples, the owners, the 2 donkeys and the ropes--there are important spiritual principles about trust and obedience, yielding control, compliance and being free to be utilized by the Lord. So are we p...

As believers, Christ has secured us to experience eternal victory, but He has also provided for us to live in victory now. But like the Israelites in the Old Testament, sometimes we act with subtle insubordination, looking at the obstacles and opposition as excuses to partially obey. When Israel occupied the Promised Land, the tribe of Manasseh was hesitant...but the Lord called them to take full...

The aggressive promotion of self-focus, victimhood and not taking responsibility is a method the devil is using to corrupt the culture, but also to discourage Christians. But we have to fight this, always remembering and secure that with the Lord, there is always victory and no defeat. We have to make sure we're not walking in darkness and being overwhelmed by the spiritual attack, by constantly t...

The preparation, planning and passion that surfers model can teach and inspire us to greater faithfulness and effectiveness in our walk. This includes understanding how world events align with Scripture, enduring with fearless conviction and confidence in God's victory in times of temptation and attack, and being on the crest of what the Lord is doing. Even more than surfers, our dedication to the...

Giving is often an area of confusion and uncertainty for believers. Do we follow the Old Testament model of tithing plus offerings, or did the New Covenant free us from obligatory percentages? The fact that the average churchgoer gives under 3% indicates a problem. The goal is not numbers, but a willing and joyful heart, understanding that everything is the Lord's, and we have the opportunity to b...