Rocky Creek

Since we could not make it to God, God came for us. Jesus was more than a godly man, but the God-Man who provided redemption.

In a world full of conflicting advice, Jesus eagerly points us in wise directions. Not only are we blessed by hearing His guidance but by obeying His counsel.

When God arrives, everything changes in a moment. For the people of the world, His coming promises judgment, but for the people of the Word, His coming guarantees joy.

When we aren’t rewarded for our religious efforts, we tend to think our devotion is in vain. Our obedience should not be used as a bargaining tactic to get what we want.

When we interpret God’s blessings as our accomplishments, we are prone to stinginess over generosity. The people of God are given the blessings of God to use for the purposes of God.

Overlooking Personal Disobedience [Mal. 2:17-3:5] - The people of God wanted God to confront rebellious sinners, and they didn’t realize that effort would include them. It is easy to be disgusted with others’ sins while justifying our own.

As people who have been loved by a covenant-keeping God, we ought to keep our covenants to one another in marriage. God hates divorce because of what it does and what it will continue to do.

What happens when those who are leading in worship actually lead others astray? If the religious leaders are careless, the followers will rarely surpass their example.

We tend to give our best to individuals and institutions while unfortunately offering God our leftovers. God is too glorious to present meager offerings before Him.

We can often look at our unfortunate circumstances and question God’s love for us. The sheer fact that God chose to love us in the first place should alleviate any lingering doubts.

If there is a true profession of faith, there should be a true progression of faith. While you have not arrived at complete spiritual maturity yet, you should be making progress. 2 Peter 1:1-9

In our discipleship efforts, we never reach the point where we can depend upon our own strength. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. John 15:1-11

Every dedicated disciple must employ spiritual disciplines in order to grow for the long haul. Through these disciplines, you train the habits necessary for your soul.

God has created us for and called us to unique tasks. As particularly gifted and positioned disciples, we each should pursue the needed maturity to do what God has called us to accomplish.

While we all know some degree of biblical knowledge, we each should probably know a little bit more by now. Committed disciples need to strengthen any uncertain beliefs by targeted study.

While we all struggle with sin, we are each prone to wander in different ways. For those confronting disobedience in their own lives, God provides a path of escape through every temptation.

If unhealthy expectations fuel our reasoning for spiritual growth, we will eventually stall out. Our growth must be motivated by delight rather than obligation. Matthew 13:44

If you feel like you are stuck in your Christian walk, then it is time to start moving again. The solution for spiritual stagnation is distinctive discipleship.

David desired to see holiness restored among God’s people, and so he decided to start it by focusing on himself. If we long to see revival, we must pursue our own personal integrity first.

David had experienced God’s deliverance repeatedly during his life, and so have we. Such a constant help deserves more than an occasional offering.

While we honestly hope that others receive what they deserve, do we really want that for ourselves? David cried out to God because he was fully aware of his own need for mercy.

As we rejoice in who God is and remember what He has done, it should often call us to repent of the sins we have committed. Many of our personal struggles could be avoided if we would just listen to God.

David dismayed the effects that atheism has on a person and on a society. People often deny the reality of God so that they can redefine the commandments of God.

David warned worshipers not to envy evildoers when their lives seemed prosperous. We must learn to trust God for His provision and forsake any unrighteous shortcuts during challenging times.

When David experienced the discipline of God due to his sin, God graciously restored his life. Even through these times, God showed that his justified discipline in our lives is always good and gracious.