Harbor Rock Tabernacle

In Exodus 33, Moses had experienced great frustration but also the power of standing in the literal presence of the Lord. Because of that, he wanted to know the Lord more fully and only where the Lord led. Even with all the amazing experiences he'd had, Moses desired a greater expression of God's glory. It would seem obvious that we would ask for that, but there are two hindrances which prevent that from being our foremost desire. So as the new year begins, this study is a definitive call to move forward in deeper faith, and ask for fresh work of the Lord.

Throughout the Bible, and in our own experiences, there is unmistakable evidence that God answers prayer. When we cry out to Him, like the believers did when Peter was put in jail in Acts 12, the Lord breaks chains and releases us into freedom. In this study, Adam Lopez calls us to prayer, and to praise God for all the ways He answers.

The angels' message that night in Bethlehem was "peace on earth"--but how can they possibly make the claim, when all the evidence in the world argues to the contrary? The answer lies in the fact that Jesus came to "accomplish redemption". He had to make us aware of our sin and our need for a Saviour, because that is not possible by relying on our own "good works". His coming showed that God has tender mercy toward mankind, and is willing to forgive us and give us new life when we trust in Jesus.

Ten minutes before the angels appeared to the shepherds, they were putting in ordinary, mundane lives, with little expectation of anything extraordinary happening. That parallels how we live most of the time. So if Jesus hadn't been born that night, they would have just gotten through life, without any spiritual purpose, hope or joy. But because He came to earth, everything changed. We can now move from the fear of the unknown to the certainty of God's love and mercy

When Joseph and Mary made the 80 mile trip for an unusual worldwide census, it challenged their comfort at seemingly the worst possible time. And yet, there wasn't a moment of hesitation in going, because they trusted the Lord. Their humility and obedience sets a standard for how we are to respond to God's plans. By being willing to have our faith stretched, and our plans changed, the Lord will move us to greater places of blessing and influence.

What do you do when you're feeling afraid and overwhelmed, either by spiritual opposition or difficult personal situations? David experienced the full range of emotions in his life, and within Psalm 56, two different responses which provide very divergent perspectives. In this Prayer Meeting study, his example and counsel teaches us to change our focus--away from self and toward the Lord.

It is essential that we praise and worship the Lord with our whole heart, like Mary in Mark 14. As Jesus prepared to become the Passover Lamb, eating at the home of Simon the leper, she broke open a bottle of expensive perfume and anointed His head and feet with it. Her act of bold, unrestrained, unashamed praise causes us to examine what we are communicating when we worship the Lord. Are we showing our love for Jesus, and would we be willing to sacrifice what is precious to honor Him?

When Zechariah and the people of Judah returned from captivity in Babylon, they were called to rebuild the temple. But the Lord was specific that it must be accomplished not by their might or power, but by His Spirit. God's amazing grace showed in His help and provision, even to this unfaithful nation. So, how much more will He do when we are faithful and obedient? ON this day when the Lord is moving Harbor Rock in a fresh direction, we see the absolute need to only move forward under His leading and power, knowing that He is ready to do great things for and through His people.

The concept of leaven is used throughout the Bible to represent pride and sin, as the enemy tries to corrupt what is pure. This attack is against both our lives and the Church of Jesus Christ. But there are three specific actions we can take to guard and protect against the spread of leaven. In doing so, we live in Christ's victory, and have a more effective impact on those around us.

After a shocking incident where Israel showed lack of fear of the Lord by treating the Ark of the Covenant carelessly and with disrespect, David didn't feel peace about moving forward. So he went to the house of a faithful man named Obed-Edom, who took the Ark into his home for three months. This huge responsibility to guard the manifest presence of the Lord put Obed-Edom in the challenging position of openly standing for the Lord amid increased spiritual opposition and pressure to be fully surrendered to the Lord. But the Lord blessed him and his household, reminding us that strong conviction and complete commitment identify us as faithful servants of God.