Harbor Rock Tabernacle

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 be generous and share in what He is doing.

It is amazing what Jesus has done to save us and give us new life. He has secured victory over sin and death, and promises that true believers have overcome the world. So it is shocking that there is an epidemic of spiritual, emotional, mental and relational paralysis among believers!  We don't have to be overwhelmed and weakened by the world and difficulty, because the Lord enables us to prevail as "more than conquerors". So consistent victory in our lives is determined by the depth of our faith and how we define "overcome". 

As change takes place in society, sometimes we aren't given the option to accept what has changed. While the advancements are more convenient and requires less of us, they can also gradually condition us to new thoughts and behaviors.  As believers, we have to guard against this concept in terms of the enemy's attempts to acclimate our heart and mind to doubt the Lord and compromise our convictions for what is expedient and fulfills us.  Solomon's life stands as our warning, as he went from a wise, blessed king to someone who turned his back on the Lord.

Hezekiah had a great start as the King of Judah--rejecting his dad's evil example, tearing down what offended the Lord and restoring the temple. The foundation for this was his strong trust in the Lord, to Whom Hezekiah "clung". This concept of adhering to and obeying evokes a young child or a rock climber. The latter has to be intentional in which rocks they grab and which path they take to move higher, without wasting energy. Showing our trust and commitment to the Lord in this way gives us confidence, courage and clarity.  (Video of this service is also available on our YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq3ogBG9-_g)

The Lord calls us to more than just knowing Truth and understanding what is expected of us--He calls believers to action. He has taught us how to do what is right, and instead of being a burden it is a source of joy and strength. Hezekiah was one of the few good kings of Judah, and ignoring his father's evil example, he chose to reform the nation spiritually and practically, by courageously aligning himself with what pleased the Lord. For us to do this requires us to be strong in our conviction and bold in speaking truth with love. 

As we seek discernment and the Lord's leading, there is often a need to wait on Him. But many of us struggle with impatience, which can be a result of the need for control and even a lack of wisdom. The Lord promises His goodness, kindness and faithfulness to those who fear Him, so He calls us to trust Him, and to wait for Him with all our soul. We can confidently do this because we know Who He is, and how He has worked in the past. But first, we have to yield our overconfidence in self, rejoicing in His help and protection. 

When the wise men told Herod that the Messiah had been born, he and the people of Israel should have been thrilled. But Herod felt that his power was threatened, and lied to the wise men that he also wanted to worship Jesus. When our heart is proud and not yielded to the Lord, it shows up in deception, irrational overreaction and lack of sensitivity toward others. So it is vital that we ask the Lord to help us walk in truth and stand firm for our faith. 

As believers, it is vital that we have discernment from the Lord. This means the ability to hear from the Lord, so we can distinguish was it wise and right, so we can faithfully obey Him. After he asked for and received wisdom from the Lord, Solomon wrote "proverbs" to those who love Him. He exhorted us to seek for and cry for wisdom, treating it like a great treasure that is sometimes only found in the depths of faith. When we do, the Lord has wisdom stored up that He wants to give to us, acting to protect us from harm. 

After the shepherds heard about Jesus' birth, they were excited to go see Him and have their angel's message of salvation verified. But what would people think when they started talking about the message and the experience? Would they been seen as crazy, and rejected in society? Especially in an increasingly hostile and punitive culture, Christians may feel hesitant to share their faith. But everyone needs the Good News, and whether they receive it or not, we are still called to tell them about Jesus. 

One of the great fears in life is the fear of change. As a believer, we often wonder, "what if the Lord calls me to something different or difficult?" When Mary received the news from the angel, her natural instinct would have been fear and many questions. But because the Lord's hand was on her life, and because she feared the Lord more than her circumstances, she was willing to live as a bondservant. She gives us a powerful example of confident trust and surrender to the Lord's will.