Harmony with Rob

Easter 2021 Message from Harmony Community Church. When Jesus arose, it caused a crisis of belief for the world and His disciples. It does for us too.

It was the beginning of the greatest week in the history of mankind. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, it started a series of events that would lead to the greatest event in the history of mankind: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior. But the week began on a donkey ride. The lessons are there for us to explore, grow and change.

Who is God according to the Book of Exodus? And who are you? These are big questions that each of us need to answer.  When we do, we will start to appreciate the miracle that is the work of God in our lives. 

Making pivots in life is vital to growth. God called on the Hebrews in the desert to shift from being rescued to becoming worshippers. It was history making as they set about to build the first tabernacle dedicated to God. God calls on us to devote our lives to worship as well and it involves two big ideas: rest and generosity. Listen and see how these two ideas can bring your life the perspective...

Meeting God is transformational to us as individuals. Meeting and then living a life that shows we have met God is transformational to the world around us. Exodus 34 helps us understand this world changing experience.

What is it that we need the most in life? Is it fame? Wealth? Health? God teaches us a lesson through the story that is told in the Exodus about what matters the most.

We all need moments when we are on top of the mountain. Its a time to celebrate, renew and get closer to God. It also prepares us for the rest of life that is done mostly at the foot of the mountain. 

We often complain about laws in our world. We do the same about God's laws. But the laws that God gave the ancient people of Israel have a purpose: they reveal what God thinks about things. 

What does it mean to love others? Well, the Ten Commandments lays the foundation for a world that view others with kingdom of God eyes. This is how God intended mankind to think about others, their property, their marriages and lives. 

Why do you believe what you believe? What do you believe? Why do you behave the way you do? How we behave has to do with a moral code, or lack of one, that sets a beacon inside of us. God gave us His Ten Commandments in order to teach us what He thought was the right foundation for this inner beacon. 

God is a God of bridges. He takes us from our current place to new and better ones IF we are willing to walk across. This message focuses on bridge that all of us need to take.  

Is God even there at all? You may have asked that question when things just aren't working out as you hope. This message provides help from God's Word for when you struggle to believe in God's leadership. 

Hunger never is really satisfied for long. Its a quandary. We are always on the hunt for the next meal, or the next adventure or decision that will satisfy us. God has a plan that will satisfy  in a life changing way.

Life can lead us to dead ends. Everybody knows that dead ends present the most challenging moments of our lives. God wants you to know that dead ends may be moments when God is pushing you to work through a challenge and he will provide the power you need!

As a difficult year closes, another one opens that will also bring challenges. A new year brings an opportunity to set some new expectations. What expectations does God call us to ask for in our lives? God's word in Isaiah 54 has some insight. 

The Bible promises that Christ would bring peace, yet the world isn't any where near peaceful. How do we reconcile the promise of God in a world with impossible pain? Seems impossible. This message from a Harmony Christmas Candlelight service will bring hope about that lack of peace. 

The search for happiness can distract us from finding the real purpose of God's gift of Christmas: to give us joy! Here is what God would like us to know about finding joy that brings peace.  

Life is busy and getting our attention can be challenging. God knows how to do that. The Christmas story is a great example of God getting the attention of all the parts of the story that would be called the birth of the Son of God. We can learn from this and make our lives more available to God's interruptions. 

Making room for the Christ child in your heart means dealing with distractions. One distraction that pops up when it is time for family gatherings is dysfunction. Matthew 1 helps us understand that even Jesus had a family heritage that included weaknesses.  Matthew also leads us to accept that Jesus came to be king over all areas of our lives; even those areas that are secret and weak. 

When you follow God, the easiest route may not be the one that God chooses for you. When you follow you will find that God is faithful to make sure you discover the story He is specifically writing for your life, and that it is perfect.

God rescued the ancient Hebrews from slavery. But that was just the beginning of a change of mindset, purpose and spiritual challenge. God has something special in mind to embrace for those who have been made free  by His wonderful power.

Getting a pass in life when we deserve something else is a wonderful thing.  God has provided a pass for all of us when it comes to the subject of sin. The ancient Hebrews learned about it through an event called Passover and the lessons of this incredible event are still relevant today.  

God wants a relationship with every one of us.  That relationship becomes amazing when we become followers who walk in a lifestyle of obedience.  It "seems" simple to be obedient, but that isn't always the case, so it becomes a journey of vision, journey and a willingness to pour our hearts out to God.

God is ready to go to work in our lives, but incredibly, He waits for us to be willing.  Moses had a conversation with God that gives us help when it comes to how God wants to do that. 

Sometimes God has something to say that is specific to you.  Those kinds of moments are holy. It's a time to "remove your shoes" and sense the holiness.  When life gets to feeling impossible, maybe it is time to seek a burning bush and meet with God and discover one of those moments.