Harbor Rock Tabernacle

Amaziah was a king who was purposely unwilling to commit his heart and life to the Lord. Even after the Lord sends him clear warnings about his spiritual compromise, Amaziah puts greater value on what he wants than on obeying God. In this study from 2 Chronicles 25, we are challenged to evaluate what is important personally and spiritually.

Memories hold alot of power in our minds. What we choose to remember and how we view those memories can greatly impact our lives--positively and negatively. In the desert, the Lord told Israel to "remember Egypt", but their view of what happened there focused more on their selfishness than God's faithful deliverance. In this study we see how focus on the Lord's mercy and provision changes our perspective.

When Jesus began his ministry, suddenly John the Baptist's crowds thinned out. When we are replaced or overlooked, it's hard not to feel insecure or even resentful. But John's attitude and approach was always to deflect away from himself and to defer to Jesus. In this final study of our series, we see how essential it is for "Christ to increase and us to decrease". (Please note: Sound quality is less than usual due to technical issues.)

A conviction is a firm, fixed belief from which we cannot be dissuaded. So the convictions we hold determine how we think, and act. In this second study on John the Baptist, we see how the depth of his spiritual conviction made him passionate and outspoken for the Lord, and how we have the same calling as Christians.

Often we hold onto our worries, cares and stress instead of giving them to the Lord, Who is willing and able to bear them and help us. In this short study from Prayer Meeting, Pastor Rhoads explains this important spiritual principle from 1 Peter 5:7

Throughout the Old Testament, Israel had gatekeepers who monitored, secured and safeguarded them against attack. God's standard for this important physical role was to be holy, faithful and set apart. Our study from 1 Chronicles 9 and Nehemiah 10 shows how much more important it is that we take on the gatekeeper's responsibilities and standards spiritually, to guard every aspect of our lives.

It is an awesome truth that the Lord gives believers everything pertaining to life and Godliness, and wants to richly bless us. But we have to live inside of His ideal for us. Looking at the failure of Israel, we see how God fulfills His promises and abundantly blesses those who trust Him.

In times of personal frustration, we are not only vulnerable to spiritual attack, but are at risk of allowing ourselves to get frustrated with the Lord, instead of trusting Him. Looking at the decisions of three familiar Biblical figures, we learn important spiritual questions and applications.

To see your heart on a stress test ultrasound is fascinating and humbling. It also reminds us of our need to ask the Lord to closely examine our spiritual heart daily, to expose and eradicate sin. These intentional requests and subsequent repentance are vital to our spiritual health.