Highrock Church

We have a choice to make, a choice between two paths. One leads to doom and the other to life. Each path is defined by its destination but there is another difference. On one path, we get what we deserve and on the other, we receive not what we deserve but what God graciously offers as a gift. The choice is real and it is ours to make!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Much of life is often very complex but some decisions are simple, even if they are not easy. One of the simplest decisions, according to Paul, is to decide whom we will serve. We can serve sin, that is, anything that we place above God, or we can choose to serve God. We will serve; that reality is inevitable. But whom we serve will make all the difference in the world!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/Election Day Liturgy /Prayer from "Every Moment Holy"https://www.instagram.com/p/DB-QsxOvNG7/?img_index=1

Continuing his discussion of our relation to sin and grace, Paul urges us to no longer offer ourselves as tools for sin. Rather, let us offer ourselves to be used as instruments of God. Even a modest instrument in the hands of a master can be used to create great wonder and beauty!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/For the Spotify playlist mentioned:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2siCSXIIyeDRbdzMvsqMhR?si=sejX4iK9SsO7C3g0xq9lYw&pt=c77b9bc7a87d8ff614172ba32f3e00fd

Imagine if you woke up and amnesia had wiped out your memory of important events of the recent past. So much would be lost! Your life would be mired in confusion! According to Paul, continuing to sin is like spiritual amnesia. We have forgotten not only who we are but whose we are, and all that Christ has done for us! What do you need to remember about who you are today?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

If our sin highlights just how gracious God is, then wouldn't sinning more just highlight God's grace even more? Paul answers this objection with a reminder that we have died to the world in order to experience new life in Christ, but what does that mean, exactly? And if new life in Christ comes only through dying to self, are there ways that God might be inviting us to die a little bit more today?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sermon #4 of Highrock's fall series, "Behind the Curtain: Secrets of the Seven Churches of Revelation" by Pastor Dave Swaim from Revelation 3:1-6 (NIV)

Just as Adam's sin changed everything for everyone, Jesus' righteousness and grace now also changes everything for everyone -- but how, exactly? In addition to ultimate questions about our connection with God, grace is now supposed to rule how we relate even to one another. How might God be inviting you to relate to others more through grace today?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

All human beings share a deep and mysterious connection -- what happens to one affects us all. This connection is especially pronounced in the case of our inheritance from Adam (the first human) and Jesus (the ultimate human). Paul shows us that our connection to these two people illuminates not only our origins but our ultimate destiny!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

When times are tough, or when we have been less than faithful, it might be tempting to doubt that God is for us. But because our relationship with God is based on God's faithfulness rather than ours, we can have great confidence that God is for us. More than that, we are called "friends of God". Family is a given but you choose your friends. God chooses us!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Through Abraham, God revealed that we can be right with God solely by putting our trust in God. We call this trust, "faith". This face, Pauls says, leads to a peace with God that transforms our lives, empowers us to find joy even in times of suffering, and strengthens our hope for the future!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sermon #3 of Highrock's fall series, "Behind the Curtain: Secrets of the Seven Churches of Revelation" by Pastor John Mury from Revelation 2:8-11

With Abraham as a model, Paul exhorts us to have a faith that never wavers. It seems like an almost impossible example to follow until we remember that Abraham's journey took several detours and that Abraham once even laughed at the idea of God's promise! So what exactly is our faith supposed to look like?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

It is clear from Paul's example of Abraham that God grants life forever based on our willingness to trust God's promises, not on the basis of our obedience to God's Law. Then what is the purpose of God's Law? Could it be that life forever is granted solely on the basis of faith but obedience to God's instructions enables us to live life to the full, even now?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Daily Devo | The Father of All Who Believe (Romans 4:9-12)Abraham was right with God through faith for 13 or more years before any signs of obeying the later law of Moses. He is thus the forebear of all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile. Abraham knew little but what little he did know about God led him to put his trust in God. But does that idea open the door for faith to show up in other places as well? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

In demonstrating the truth of what he says, Paul appeals to Abraham as the father of the Jewish nation -- but Abraham also started out as a Gentile! There was no nation of Israel and God would not give them the Law for over 400 years. Since Abraham's relationship with God was based on faith (Gen 15:6), he serves as a demonstration that we all come to God through faith rather than obedience to the Law.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Apart from faith, Paul spoke of the Law as having such limited power that it can only make us aware of our own guilt. But through faith in Christ, the Law can be fulfilled and we can be cleansed of all guilt. But how? There are many ways to unpack the answer to thist question, but they all start with Christ's goodness. Through faith, the Law can finally produce goodness in us by driving us to Christ, the source of all goodness. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Having established the bad news, Paul finally begins to lay out the good news. No one comes to God through perfect obedience to the divine law, rather, we all come to God through God's mercy and grace! Not only is this truth fully revealed in Jesus but the clues were always there, even in the earliest writings of Moses. We all come to God as equals -- equally in need of God's grace!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sermon #2 of Highrock's fall series, "Behind the Curtain: Secrets of the Seven Churches of Revelation" by Pastor Meghan DeJong from Revelation 2:12-17

Paul concludes that God's Law is good. However, the Law's goodness does not have the power to transform us and give us life. Rather, its goodness shows us how far we have to go and how powerless we are to make that journey on our own power. We are helpless -- that is the bad news -- but the good news is coming!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

As Paul begins to wrap-up his discussion of the bad news, he begins to address some final objections and potential loopholes. For instance, if knowing all about God and being part of a community of such people does not make us good enough, then why bother? Paul is clear -- such things have great value! But they are a trust given to us to share with others, not something that makes us better than anyone else.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Have you ever received a package in which the contents do not match the outer packaging or labeling? That outer label is unhelpful and might even be dangerous. Similarly, Paul tells his fellow Jews that their outward religious acts are valuable only if they come from the heart. Such integrity might be impossible without a God who grants us new hearts through the Spirit!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

As Paul continues to explain the universal brokenness of all humanity, he anticipates and defuses potential excuses. In the previous passage, we saw how a lack of knowledge is not an excuse. In today's passage, we see the flip side -- that knowledge of God's instructions and even knowledge of God does not make us right if we are not faithful to what we know. Hypocritical religion hurts everyone and turns people away from God.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For this holiday, here's a replay in which Pastor Kim shares that people often say that they feel distant from God because of a self-critical spirit or an image of God that is harsh and condemning. In this Psalm, we see God as slow to anger and abounding in love, a parent who is compassionate and gentle. What experiences and assumptions do we carry with us that warp our sense of who God is?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sermon #1 of Highrock's fall series, "Behind the Curtain: Secrets of the Seven Churches of Revelation" by Pastor Dave Swaim from Revelation 2:1-7

Continuing to address a congregation divided by spiritual pedigree and ethnicity, Paul emphasizes that they all had a connection to God's law. Jews had the Scriptures and were educated to know the Lord from a young age. Gentiles, even without the written Law, have a sense of God's law written into their consciences. We thus all share a connection to God's law and we all share the experience of breaking that law. We therefore have no excuse to judge others! Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

How can we help one another to become better versions of ourselves? Not by judgment, though that is often where we turn. Instead, God demonstrates that it is grace and kindness that leads to life change. Sin is real and harmful, but the path forward is the Good News of Jesus, not laying the bad news on other people's shoulders.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Paul has introduced himself as a chosen messenger of the Good News of Jesus. That Good News is an answer to some rather bad news, which he begins to lay out in today's passage. This bad news all starts when we are too proud to honor God and too entitled to be grateful for all that God has given us.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Paul's eagerness to visit the church in Rome will eventually end with his execution! Still, he is undeterred because he is unashamed of the good news of Jesus, for it is the power of God at work to save all. Are we similarly unashamed, or do we need to experience more of its power for ourselves?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

In his opening greeting, Paul declares that he is a bond-servant of Jesus, chosen to bring the Good News of Jesus to all people. This simple greeting hides a subversive message, that the love of Jesus challenges all other allegiances -- including loyalty to the emperor! What loyalties might the Good News challenge and transform in us?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sermon #5 (and final) of Highrock's fall series, "Imago: Relationships that Reflect Our Maker" by a guest preacher, Prashan de Visser, from Matthew 5:9. Prashan is the founder and president of Global Unites, an organization that facilitates peacemaking environments and conversations among conflict-ridden groups in often war-torn nations.

Paul asks us to join him in praying for everyone, everywhere. For himself, he asks for boldness and faithfulness in his present circumstances rather than ask for escape from those circumstances. May we pray for the boldness to make the most of every opportunity rather than escape from the challenges that God uses to create those very opportunities to glorify God!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Paul tells us that we will need the full armor of God in order to resist the strategies of the Enemy. Just as God seeks to unite all things in Christ (Eph 1:10), the Devil's strategy is to sow division, distrust, and discouragement. To fight against such schemes is true spiritual warfare!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

We are to submit to one another not only in our marriages but in all relationships, and always out of reverence for Christ. Like with wives and husbands, Paul addresses two other pairings -- children and parents, slaves and masters. Rather than support any inequalities, Paul continues to counsel mutual love and respect. As valuable as political freedom might be, spiritual freedom and personal dignity matter even more!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Yes, wives are encouraged to submit to their husbands. However, that simplistic understanding misses the shocking truth that this passage also calls husbands to submit to their wives! While that might not seem shocking today, it was nothing sort of revolutionary 2,000 years ago! And it's not just husbands and wives -- we are all called to submit to one another, to serve one another, out of reverence for Christ. Who is God inviting you to serve today out of reverence for Christ?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

The Bible continually contrasts the path of wisdom with the path of foolishness. Ultimately, to be wise is to live in a way that makes sense given what is real and true. Paul thus encourages us to make the most of every opportunity, shining God's light into the darkness around us. God is our ultimate reality, and worship is one of the most powerful ways we are reminded of this truth!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sermon #4 of Highrock's fall series, "Imago: Relationships that Reflect Our Maker" from Matthew 18:15-20

We often begin any pursuit by asking, "What would be pleasing to me?" When we start from such a place, it is hard to believe in limits to our lusts and greed. Instead, Paul reminds us that we are children of light and real life and joy is found in seeking what pleases God. Let us ask and explore what pleases God rather than just what pleases ourselves!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

There are so many ways that we tear one another down through our words and actions. "Instead, be kind..." says Paul (v32). This exhortation is not just simplistic advice. Instead, Paul is reminding us to be like children who imitate our heavenly parent -- a God who has been incredibly kind and forgiving to us!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

What we wear (like a uniform, business casual, or a wedding ring) can powerfully shape our actions and attitudes, and even how we view ourselves. Paul uses this image of clothing to describe our new identity in Christ. We are called to take off the old clothing -- our old ways of thinking and living -- and to put on Christ, our new identity.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Paul highlights what are sometimes called the A.P.E.S.T. gifts -- Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers. People sometimes mistakenly think that these people are supposed to do ministry while the rest of us support and cheer them on. Not at all! Instead, the role of these five gifts is to help ALL of us identify and activate our own gifts so that we all find our place in Christ's body.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Paul reminds us that we are called to unity by reminding us of seven "ones" that unite us: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. We are one but not the same. God gives us each different gifts so we might all have an essential place in Christ's body!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sermon #3 of Highrock's fall series, "Imago: Relationships that Reflect Our Maker" from Acts 2:1-8, 12 (CEB)

Paul finally concludes the prayer he began in 1:15 and briefly resumed in 3:1. With all those thoughts in mind, Paul's desire is that we would have the power to understand and embrace God's love. We need power to even receive God's love, a love that will, in turn, give us even more spiritual power to live and love like Jesus.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Many would like to dismiss the Church as an institution that serves little purpose in the world. One of history's greatest critics of the Church would disagree -- that is the Apostle Paul himself. Paul hunted down Christians before becoming one himself! Here he shares some of the reasons for that 180-degree turnabout.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Have you ever watched a story unfold in one direction, only to see it take a dramatic twist? In the best stories, that twist is shocking when revealed yet, looking back, the signs were all there. So it is with God's story. Paul reveals to us the mystery, hidden throughout the ages, that is now revealed in the Gospel!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

The old temple was made of large stones that held together through great tension. God is likewise binding us all together into a new temple where God might take up residence! How might God be inviting you to lean into others so that we together would be built together as a fitting home for God's Spirit?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Building on the previous verses, Paul builds an even greater case for our common humanity. Not only do we start from a place where none of us can claim a place of pride over others, but Jesus himself destroyed the wall of hostility that separates us. What is this wall? And how do we stop from rebuilding it?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sermon #2 of Highrock's fall series, "Imago: Relationships that Reflect Our Maker" from Mark 3:20-35 NIV

You're not better than anyone because of how you behave, and not even because of how you are made. Your significance comes from being carefully chosen and formed by God, just as every word in a poem is necessary and no word stands alone. We are, all together, God's "poema" (v10) -- God's poem, God's masterpiece to express and embody God's goodness!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

As Paul writes to the Ephesians about our unity in Christ, he starts with one thing we all have in common -- that is, we were all spiritually dead before Christ entered our lives. We were all helpless. We were all going the wrong way! None of us has any reason for pride or looking down on others. Instead, we have reasons only for gratitude!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/