Central Truth

How truly amazing is it to know that, "by believing you may have life in His name!" We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of G-d. As Believers we have the utmost understanding that He was sent, by the Father. We call upon Him: L-rd, Friend, Redeemer, Savior.

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Reflections

There have been so many times that I have witnessed a pastor hold up the Bible and refer to it as The Truth.  Whether I have seen this done while sitting in the pews on Sunday in church, or sitting on my couch watching a pastor on television, it is amazing how empowering it is to know that through the Word we don't have to go without answers.  He has answered the questions His children mights ponder.

I remember before I was saved, there were many places that I would turn to have my questions answered. I used to do a lot of escaping through music—mostly classic rock.  A love for music was a family tradition, since my parents were children of the sixties. We really enjoyed music performed by The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Marley, etc.  Many of my soul searches would be magnified through the "ministry of rock and roll."

I remember when my mother first came to the L-rd, I was really concerned.  I thought she was losing her mind.  But the more time we spent together and the more praying we did, the more I wondered about being saved.  When the L-rd came to me in a dream, there was no longer a question in my mind.  I knew that I was His, and with being called by Him, there weren't any questions left unanswered.  

While reading John 20, it is fantastic to recall that amazing image of an empty tomb.  Mary Magdalene, Peter, and Simon Peter were all looking in the tomb, searching for Jesus. They knew him and were searching for him.  How many of us didn't know to search for Him?  He watches us, waiting for us, patiently, lovingly, with tremendous protection.
I think of the "rock"...the music that kept me searching, spinning (sometime literally), and escaping.  Through the empty "rock," that empty tomb, I have new life.  My life, my salvation, my deliverance are all presents because of the presence of the Son.

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Discussion Questions

1. What was your "replacement rock" before you realized Jesus is your rock?

2. What does your "replacement rock" look like now? Is it still present in your life or was it something that needed to be left behind?

3. Since becoming a Believer, how has Jesus proved to be strong, bountiful, protecting and sheltering? Give examples! 

4. How would the immediate gratification of your "old rock" have let you down in these situations?  

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