Highrock Church

Tragically, this passage has sometimes been read as a call to subjugate woman. As we look closely at the grammar, structure, and context, we instead see a beautiful picture of mutual submission that arises out of a reverence for Christ. Indeed, it was the call for husbands to submit to their wives that would have shocked the original audience, and perhaps today's hearers as well. Pastor Walt's message on "Marriage + Singleness":https://youtu.be/Gcfu3BHXGC4Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sermon #7 of Highrock's spring sermon series ("Deep: Moving Beyond Shallow Spirituality") from 1 Corinthians 7:1-10 NIV

When is it time to rest? God answers this question with a command, but one intended to compel us to remember who we are and why we matter. We matter more to God than our work, and we all should matter more to one another than the work that we do. These are essential truths that we might easily forget if we should forget to honor God's Sabbath.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

The people before the time of the Pharisees and Jesus had ignored the Sabbath in very harmful ways but the Pharisees made the opposite error of being too obsessive about the rules. In their zeal, they missed the point of the rules, which is to honor human beings and God. And what could be more true to the spirit of Sabbath than to satisfy your hunger both for food and for God as the disciples were doing with Jesus?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Do you feel overwhelmed? Are you caught up in a never-ending fight? God speaks into our fear and frustration, saying, "Be still, and know that I am God!" One simply way to pray this truth is the ancient tradition of the "breath prayer", which we will practice in response to God's instruction. Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

When God meets with Elijah, God is not present in all the big signs like the tornado-like wind or the earthquake. Instead, God speaks to Elijah in the silence. It is difficult to find silence today and the world is getting noisier all the time. If we were to withdraw to a quiet place like Elijah or Jesus, might we find God speaking to us as well?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Of all the Ten Commandments, honoring a day of rest seems the most unlikely to make God's "Top 10". Maybe that's why God devotes more time to that command than any other? When we struggle with the limits given to us by God, it can be helpful to stop, listen, and remember to trust that God is working for our good!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sermon #6 of Highrock's spring sermon series ("Deep: Moving Beyond Shallow Spirituality") from Mark 6:30-32 NIV

The writer of Hebrews tells us that one of the ways Jesus demonstrated his full humanity was in how he cried out to God in tears. Jesus calls us into the abundant life. Do we cut ourselves off from the fullness of life when we refuse to embrace similar passion?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

David composes a song of lament for the fallen king Saul and his son Jonathan. Just as importantly, David instucts that all the men of Israel should learn and sing this lament. We may think of our emotions as a private matter but what we do with our emotions also instructs others. Through such examples, God invites us into a deeper and more varied experience of life!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sometimes the loss we experience is not the result of wrongdoing, accident, or tragedy. Sometimes we are displaced because our purpose is complete and it is time to step back as others step up. John the Baptist was not threatened by Jesus' greater success. Instead, John celebrated that Jesus must become more as he became less.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

We are like fragile jars of clay that contain an invaluable treasure -- the very light of Christ! Our humble state can be a gift because when people experience the light within us, that light will point to God rather than us. What a blessing to know that God might use our troubles to transform not only us, but others as well!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Job loses in a day what most of us lose over a lifetime, which is everything. We lose everything. Job remains rooted in God because he trusts God and humbly recognizes that he knows only a small part of his own story. Job's friends are a great comfort to him during this time, until they open their mouths!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sermon #5 of Highrock's spring sermon series ("Deep: Moving Beyond Shallow Spirituality") from Psalm 23 (NIV)

Most of us expect the road of life to lead us to places of more freedom, more choices, and greater autonomy. Jesus paints a different life trajectory for Peter, and for us as well. Jesus' path was one of love, of laying down his life for others. When Jesus tells us to follow him, he intends for us to travel in the same direction.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Following the theme of Sunday's sermon, we turn to a passage that shows Job letting go of power and control. After hearing God's answer to his complaints, Job confesses that God is too big and too untameable for the limits of Job's understanding and desires. Might we also find peace in embracing our limits rather than grasping for control?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

The disciples were so startled to see Jesus that they first thought he was a ghost! Jesus demonstrated that he was not a ghost and that he had indeed overcome death. Jesus' new life not only assures us about our future, it is meant to transform how we live now. Together, we are entrusted to share God's universal offer of forgiveness and new life!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

After walking and talking and studying the scriptures for miles and hours, why is it only in the breaking of bread that Jesus' true identity is finally revealed? With no clear answer, believers have been left to wonder for centuries. Is there some way in which Jesus is especially present to us in that moment, especially when we celebrate communion together?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Jesus walks and talks with two distraught disciples who seem to have given up on the hope they had placed in Jesus. In our spiritual journeys, God can come to us in many ways that we do not recognize, at least initially. We also have the opportunity to walk with others during difficult times, perhaps even providing others the occasion to encounter Jesus afresh.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 spring sermon series ("Deep: Moving Beyond Shallow Spirituality") from Philippians 4:4-7, 11-13 (NIV)

When things don't go as planned, it's easy to assume that it's for the worse. But what if God has something better in mind? Faced with the women's testimony about the empty tomb, Peter is not ready to believe. Rather than run from what he doesn't understand, he runs to investigate and is left to wonder about the possibilities!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

As Jesus suffers on the cross, we see three different responses. The crowds depart in grief and confusion, the women friends of Jesus watch and wait, and the Roman officer is moved to worship. To a man who has seen so many suffer, there is something about the way that Jesus faces suffering that deeply moves the man. As we follow Jesus, how might God use our suffering to point others to God?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Even from the cross, Jesus extends love those around him. He mourns for the mourners and the fate they will face, he calls out for forgiveness of those nailing him to the cross, and he welcomes the crucified robber's confession, promising him that he will be welcome in Jesus' kingdom. God's love never ends, even at the cross, especially at the cross!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

On Palm Sunday, the crowds had greeted Jesus with chants of "Hosanna!" and "Blessed is he!", but now -- just a few days later -- they chant, "Crucify him!" What changed? Jesus didn't change. The fickly crowds had changed, just as our emotions so quickly change. God knows that we need a much firmer foundation.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 spring sermon series ("Deep: Moving Beyond Shallow Spirituality") from Genesis 44:12-34 (NLT)

Pilate the Roman governor and King Herod Antipas were political opponents who loved to undermine one another. In Jesus, they finally find common ground and put aside their differences! They are united by their desire to use Jesus to further their own goals, a tendency we probably share more than we might like to admit.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

A variety of cowardice and sin pushes Jesus to the cross. Peter's defnial left Jesus abandoned. Then there the guards whose "strength" allowed them to beat a helpless Jesus, followed by the council's pre-determined "justice". All of these people lacked the courage to face the truth, which is exactly why Jesus must be the one to face the truth of our sin, carrying it to the cross with him.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Entering into the garden, Jesus tells his disciples to pray for strength during the time of trial. Jesus does exactly this and is miraculously fortified while the disciples fall asleep and are not. Why is it so hard to pray? Will we pray for strength during the times of our trials?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

During the last supper, the disciples begin to bicker about which of them will be the greatest. What's more, Peter and the rest will soon betray or abandon Jesus. What Jesus knows but they do not yet understand is that God will use their failures to lead to even greater faithfulness, if they will simply repent and return to him!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 spring sermon series ("Deep: Moving Beyond Shallow Spirituality") from 1 Sam 17:12-40

Passover arrives, a time that Jesus eagerly desires to spend with his disciples -- including the one who will betray him. These disciples all had a closer walk with Jesus than any of us will have this side of eternity, yet they would all either betray or abandon him in a short while. It is a moment that invites us to examine ourselves with honesty and humility.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Sometimes it can be very difficult to stay alert, especially when it seems like nothing important is happening. We can easily become distracted or consumed with other thoughts. Jesus encourages to remain alert and watchful as we wait for the fulfillment of Jesus' promises for the future.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Jesus continues to teach about signs to come and while we may not know the day or the hour, we can recognize the season. Like the budding of leaves on the tree signals the coming summer, so the signs of our times signal the ways God is bringing the divine plan together. How might we be faithful in this season, shining light even in the darkest of times?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Even today, people see the signs that Jesus speaks about and they try to fan people's fears into flame. Jesus draws a very different lesson -- that we should ignore such doomsayers, that we should not be afraid, and that we may find in every crisis an opportunity to shine for the Lord!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Jesus exposes the motives of his religious opponents then watches rich people pour their money into a collection box, followed by a widow with only two small coins. In each of these cases, Jesus sees their handling of money as a visible test of what is hidden in their hearts. Once again, Jesus shows us that money is deeply spiritual and can be used to measure what is hidden in our own hearts as well!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Pastor Dave Swaim launches Highrock's spring sermon series ("Deep: Moving Beyond Shallow Spirituality") from 1 Sam 15:10-23.

A group of religious leaders pose a stumper of a question to Jesus about marriage and the resurrection. Jesus responds in a way that indicates that they fail to understand how different things will be in the age to come. But we don't have to wait for the age to come; Jesus is already transforming the way we live right now!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

We often say that image matters less than substance, all the while craving a better self-image and an elevated image in the eyes of others. In dealing with a trap from his opponents, Jesus turns our attention to the kind of image that truly matters. We bear the image of God and whatever else this truth might signify, it means that we belong to God.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

After the priests and religious leaders challenged Jesus' right to cleanse the Temple, Jesus told a parable about tenant farmers who acted like they owned the place. The point was clear -- these leaders had likewise forgotten their place, forgotten that they were managers, not owners. God was the owner. How often do we forget the same lesson, forgetting that all we have and all that we are belongs to God?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

After cleansing the Temple, those in charge of the Temple challenge Jesus -- by what authority does he act so boldly? Jesus responds with a question that they cannot answer because either answer becomes a challenge to their own authority! Of course, Jesus has authority to cleanse and reorder the Temple as it is his father's house; they are just caretakers. Whose "house" are we?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

If your life was a movie, what kind of plot line does it have? What kind are you living now? Pastor Dave shares a word from Luke 24:1-12 (NLT) as the finale of Highrock's "Kingdom" series

Pastor Walt Quick kicks off Easter weekend with a homily from Colossians 2:13-15

Have you ever known that someone was headed down a bad path but were unable to convince them to change direction? Jesus wept over the city for that very reason. He then cleanses the Temple of those who had turned it into a den of thieves. Jesus is passionate in sorrow and even in anger when it come to rescuing those he loves.See you when we resume on Tuesday!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

When Jesus enters into Jerusalem for the final time, he is greeted as the promised king! Even then, the crowds do not understand the kind of king that Jesus would be. Just days later, they would turn on him, crying, "Crucify him!" How and why is Jesus so different from all other kings?Palm Sunday sermon:https://youtu.be/yDKwL4YVfDILooking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Jesus teaches his followers a parable to make it clear that the fullness of his kingdom would require patient waiting. Just like the king in the story, Jesus would be leaving but would one day return. While we wait, what will we do with our gifts? Will we faithlessly use them just for ourselves? Or will we be found faithfully using them to bless others in the name of the king?Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Seeing Zacchaeus - a "notorious sinner" - in the tree, Jesus calls to him by name and invites himself to Zacchaeus' house. Zacchaeus is so overwhelmed by Jesus' grace that he repents and responds with incredible generosity! Unpacking this story, we will see the invitation to be like Jesus -- to have courage to be who we are, curiosity about who others are, and compassion for those who differ.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

As Jesus approaches Jericho, a blind beggar calls out to him in faith. The crowd tries to silence the man, but Jesus insists that the man be brought to him. "What do you want me to do for you?" The answer might seem obvious but Jesus asks anyway. Imagine that Jesus were to ask you, "What do you want me to do for you?" -- because he is! How will you answer? Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Pastor John Mury preaches on Luke 19:28-44 as part of our Luke: Kingdom Costs sermon series.

In another pair of teachings, Jesus raises up the value of being like little children -- to be fully dependent upon and trusting in the love and grace of God. The rich young ruler is perhaps cut off from this kind of love because he clings to the independence and control that comes with money. Jesus invites you to be like a little child!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Jesus shares back-to-back parables about prayer. One exhorts us to be persistent in prayer and the other commends an attitude of humility, a constant dependence on God's grace rather than our own supposed goodness. We may not fully understand why God wants us to pray or how prayer works, but we can be confident that God does meet us in prayer, and we are changed forever in the encounter!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/