Highrock Church

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/

The people around Jesus ask him two questions that people are still asking today, "When?" and "Where?" will we experience the fullness of God's kingdom revealed in Jesus? What will be the apocalyptic signs? Jesus responds that the kingdom is already in our midst, and the answer is "Here" and "Now" -- we are implored to respond fully to Jesus right here, right now!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Ten lepers approach Jesus and experience healing only after they take a step of faith, a step of obedience. One of the ten later returns to Jesus, giving thanks, and presenting us with a challenge and a lesson about finding even deeper blessings from God."Some Lines a Day" (the 5-year journal mentioned in the discussion)https://www.leuchtturm1917.us/some-lines-a-day-the-5-year-memory-book.htmlLooking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Jesus continues to teach his disciples that if we are to follow him, we must learn to be faithful in ways rooted in humility. We must take sin seriously (especially when we lead others into sin) and we must also take forgiveness seriously. In the end, we are servants of God and faithful obedience is its own reward, leading to abundant life!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Pastor Taylor Burgoyne preaches on Luke 16:1-15 as part of our Luke: Kingdom Costs sermon series.

Continuing his teachings on money, Jesus tells the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man lived his life in comfort while Lazarus suffered, but in death it is Lazarus who is comforted while the rich man suffers. The rich man begs for Lazarus to go back to the living in order to warn the rich man's family. Healing our addiction to money might take nothing less than a miracle, and even that might not be enough!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Continuing to speak about money, Jesus exhorts us to exert control over our money. If we can be faithful with our money, we will be entrusted with much greater things. If we are not faithful, if we let our money take control of us, it will even lead us to resent God. Money is spiritual and it can bear incredible spiritual dividends if handled faithfully.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Pastor Dave Swaim preaches on Luke 12:13-24 as part of our Luke: Kingdom Costs sermon series.

Jesus tells the story of a manager who is about to be fired. He quickly uses his remaining time to cooks the books for people who might help him after he loses his current position. Why would Jesus use such a dishonest person as an example to us? Jesus is not commending his dishonesty but his shrewdness. Even more than the manager, there is a way that we can use what we cannot keep in order to gain something we cannot lose!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

The prodigal son had much to repent. The older brother needed to repent as well -- not of his badness, but of his "goodness." It is his self-righteousness and entitlement that leaves him outside of his father's house and far from his father's heart. The father treats the elder son much like the younger one. He humbles himself and goes out to him, and us, in the loving hope that we will take our seat at his table.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

What is God like? How does God feel towards us, especially when we turn our backs on God? Jesus tells the story of a wayward child while highlighting the extravagant love of the father towards this prodigal son. The father in the story, who represents God, runs to his children who turn towards him, embracing them with lavish love and joy!Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

The religious leaders persistently attacked Jesus for associating with the "wrong" people. This time, Jesus answers their failure to understand God's hear with not one, not two, but three parables about God's heart. In these first two parables, Jesus makes it clear that you matter to God deeply, and that God delights in recovering that which was lost, including you.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

Turning to the crowds, Jesus warns them to "count the costs." Better to not begin the journey at all than to start something, only to turn away in shame later. Following Jesus means that everything else must take second-place to God. The journey is more that worth the cost but Jesus wants us to know the challenges ahead.Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/