We brought in the new year in one of our favorite places… Destin, Fla.! We enjoyed spending quality family time together laughing about things that happened in 2008, and sharing hopes and dreams for 2009. I had time to write on my new book, (that I feel in my heart is a tremendous revelation – at least for me), and also preparing for our Vision for this new year. It’s so awesome to experience God’s grace and encouragement especially when you turn on the news and find nothing to be excited about. I believe with all my heart that if we’ll obey Christ in this new year, and focus on His Wisdom for our lives, then we are going to reflect more of His Glory than we’ve ever imagined possible! Jodi and I with our wonderful children are filled with anticipation and expectation for Christ to show himself strong on our behalf! We hope you are sensing what we are because we believe with you that “THE BEST IS YET TO COME.” And it has nothing to do with the political changes, or any other reason except that Jesus is moving in His Church!
God’s richest blessing,
RB
Last Updated: January 5th, 2009 |
2008 is history, 2009 has come to us in a grand entry. Extreme is how man will make a name for himself, just like the two stuntmen who brought the new year in with extremes by jumping a motorcycle 100 feet into the air, and doing a “backflip” in a truck! (Never been done before!) Unless you live in the realm of extreme the world isn’t watching and its because they aren’t fulfilled unless it’s on the edge of death defiance. Man is quickly running out of extreme ideas so what’s next? We already have modern “gladiators” in the octagon of Ultimate Fighting. Sports arena’s are the future so it seems. There is a distinct line of separation between the rich and poor. Whatever can be done to make a fortune is being layed on the line no matter what the cost to human existance.
So what’s in store for those who cannot “compete” with the entertainment and extreme competition of our culture? I want to inject right now that I an not cynical, nor am I skeptical, but just seeking something that can be fulfilling for all who want to live the fulfilled life. I know that when men strive to compete in the extreme world, the margin for error grows increasingly smaller by the event! If its not life threatening its almost not worth watching. It didn’t take much to send the nation of America into a financial crisis because of the extreme mentality to stand out in the world as a “superpower.’
Now more than ever we need revival in this country. We need uncompromised truth as a line of distinction that manifests the covenant relationship with God in Christ. I believe our best is truly yet to come, because when man runs out of idea’s and runs head on into the impossible it is then that he will look for what’s really necessary to satisfy and be fulfilled in life, or he’ll self-destruct in the process. As we press into 2009 lets do so with understanding of our times, and a willingness to yeild to a move of God. The uncertainty felt in the world is the platform for the extreme believer to be thrust into the “viewfinder” of what man is longing for. It could begin to empty out hospitals, and bring about the financial deliverance that can bring the stability back to our nation. Marriages could become beacon’s of light to the world as God’s plan for man. Our homes can be the peace that appeals to the longing soul of man.
I believe 2009 is going to bring that “turning point” we’ve been longing for as Christians. People are going to look for answers and I believe we know the answer! There’s an outpouring waiting to happen in our generation, a rebuilding the old waste places, and a raising up the foundations of generations who ushered in God’s Presence for their time. The flag is no longer a respected symbol of freedom, the ten commandments are banished from public places, homosexuals are being given rights, prayer is long gone from school, the line of right and wrong is slowly being erased and overshadowed by what appeals to the satifying of the flesh. Literally a generation is shaking its fists in the face of God and declaring “we don’t need you.” That could very well change in 2009 so get ready…
You can start expecting 2009 to bring great things for God’s people,
RB
Last Updated: January 1st, 2009 |
Another year has come and gone and we move into the future with great expectations. I believe the Spirit is speaking to His Church and the Vision is “IT’S TIME TO DRAW THE LINE IN 2009.” The LORD spoke to Amos and showed him a vision of a “plumbline.” The plumbline was to represent a “reference point” from that point forward to all generations. A plumbline has several functions, to assure accuracy, to use as a guide for a level and straight structure, to use as a “standard,” etc… It is always “true” and accurate! As Israel would “drift off” from God’s plan and find themselves in limbo or no-mans-land so to speak, God would use His prophets to guide them back with His Word. About 700 years before Jesus was to be born God spoke to Amos and declares, “I will not pass by them anymore” or that the plumbline will always prove to be true and accurate to reveal God’s works! (If God is working in them it would be evident!) Man could work “with” God, if man was willing to, so that God could express His glorious works through His works in man!
Of course Jesus is the “plumbline” that would forever be a reference to guide God’s people in the right direction. The plumbline for us today would be a reference for so many areas of our lives. For instance for our walk of faith, for raising our families, for marriage, for ethics, and so much more. If we want to know how our lives measure up according to God’s plan we can always refer to the plumbline of Christ and His Word! The plumbline is for three main purposes then and now. These 3 purposes are:
- For God to establish His “Covenant Standard”
- For God to establish His “Covenant Word”
- For God to establish His “Covenant People”
So for us today God is calling us back to the plumbline so we can express His purpose in the earth. Christ is the Standard of an Abundant life, the Word made flesh, and the expression of a Father and Son Covenant relationship. So now I have a standard to compare my walk of faith with, and His Word to give me Wisdom and Truth, and allows me to be one of His people. When I think about it I get excited about the possibilities for restorations, healings, provisions, protection, and victory! I’m drawing the line in 2009, and I’m leaving all of 2008 behind. Anything that didn’t express His goodness and blessing is staying on the other side of the line and I’m looking to the standard to straighten me out, and His Word to be made flesh in me, and His Witness to show the world He Lives!
Blessings,
RB
Last Updated: December 30th, 2008 |
Today as a nation we have an influence that is a “silent” attack on our faith and values. The attack is in the form of a “paradigm” which defines the way we view our world. It is called “negativism” and it is not going away. Negativism has crept into the media, the home, the workforce, and yes even into the church! A careful study of negativism will reveal the objective of such a mindset beginning with the definition itself. Negativism is simply, “to neutralize and make ineffective; to make inoperative by means of an opposing force.” This paradigm if not recognized will affect everything in its path including the Christian faith. Negativism will take man on a journey that leads to an end that is not where we want to end up and the journey is a progressive path that follows these built-in influences: (Negativism is a philosophy that no knowledge is secure, and that we therefore no nothing!)
- Negativism leads to Skepticism, which is defined as “an attitude of doubt, that true knowledge is uncertain therefore suspending judgment.” Skepticism will keep a person from making a decision because all of the choices seem to be negative. (Just look at politics and elections.) The Truth is always “positive” and freeing in nature but remember negative influences “neutralize” what is truth.
- Skepticism leads to Pragmatism, which is “opinions relating to “matter of fact” – or practical affairs leading to exclusion of truth.” Pragmatic thinking will simply close off any kind of faith and relate everything to what can be seen, or experienced by natural senses. In other words, if I can’t see it or touch it then it’s not real. Can you see the influence this could have on faith?
- Pragmatism will lead to Individualism, which adheres to a “doctrine that the will of an individual makes one ‘ethically paramount’ to all others.” This is better known as Ethical Independence or the phrase, “well it’s right for me.” When man begins to isolate himself from the influence of community and feels as though he must “find his own way” to survive then he is headed for a rude and crude awakening. The Christian will begin to use God as a leverage by saying things like, “God told me…” even though the action they choose is contradiction the Word itself!
- Individualism leads to Anarchism, which is “a political theory holding that any and all forms of governmental authority to be unnecessary and undesirable by promoting a society based upon voluntary cooperation and free association of individual’s and ‘groups’.” The meaning is clear that this final offspring of negativism leads man to determine his existance as “I will submit to nothing outside of myself.” Man will reject even the government of God and find his faith challenged with the same thing that was found in the Judges of the old testament, which was a statement made several times by the Holy Spirit, “and every man did what was right in his own eyes.” This cause a whole nation to go astray because they began to follow a distorted path of negativism.
The end result is where this journey ends, and the story is told in generations to come which is “SELF-DESTRUCTION.” Be careful in the days ahead, stay focussed on the truth of God’s Word, and keep trusting in God’s Plan. Negativism will separate man from his faith and trust in God, and cause one to think that “he” alone has the answers to lifes problems. As Christian’s we must follow “the way, the truth, and the life” that is only found in one place… Jesus Christ! Jesus is still our great Salavation, and the Head of His Church. He still builds upon His Wisdom and understanding according to His Government which Isaiah spoke of as, “and the government shall be upon his shoulders.”
Stay the course of Colossians 3:1-4,
RB
Last Updated: November 20th, 2008 |
Life at The Rock is and has been awesome, but quickly moving into absolutely amazing! Some of the recent testimonies are truly fantastic! We’ve experienced physical healings, people walking out of depression, restored marriages that were nothing short of miraculous, breakthroughs in financial needs, businesses prospering like never before, reports of answered prayers like never before!
Jodi and I are so excited about what’s happening, however we believe that we’re really just getting back to “normal” church and haven’t even began to experience the “greater works” that Christ promised. We are expecting more testimonies to come and can’t wait to give all the Glory to Jesus Christ who is “The Rock!” I can’t help but say, “The Best is Yet to Come!!!”
See ya at our next service!
RB
Last Updated: October 20th, 2008 |
We just got home from Los Angeles, Ca. Jodi and I had a great trip while we also got a lot accomplished. We didn’t have a lot of meetings like we usually do, so we went downtown to do some shopping for The Rock Church “Girlfriends” ministry. The ladies will really enjoy browsing through the items that Jodi shipped back. With Christmas coming soon, this will give our ladies some options for gifts, and or for some new looks for the fall/winter wear.
RB
Last Updated: October 20th, 2008 |
The Pastor’s and Leaders conference at Word of Life Church, Pastor Brian Zahnd, was awesome and inspirational! When we arrived on Thursday we went straight to the Church and this began the conference for us. We learned so much and absorbed lots of helpful information about reaching our generation. Then to top it all off, Pastor Zahnd preached with a prophetic unction on Friday evening during their regular Friday Night Service. As always we thank Pastor Zahnd for his willingness and obedience to share the “fresh” word with us!
Blessings,
RB
Last Updated: October 7th, 2008 |
We all have “core values” that determine the way we think, and make decisions in our life. These are the beliefs that we live by and especially refuse to compromise on. When we look at our life of faith, we must have core values just the same as our values in our natural life. Colossians 3:16 says to us as believers, “let the word of Christ dwell in you ‘richly’ in all wisdom…” This implies that the word must be anointed to be effective in life, and that we will need His wisdom to know how, and when to apply that living word! The word “richly” is simple yet very intense for the believer, and it means “abundantly in supply, or more than enough for necessity.”
The core values of faith must be maintained in four area’s of our lives as believers. What I’m saying is this, you must have an abundant supply of the word in these four areas to maximize faith for the times we live in. There will come a time when I believe that the word of God will be so “valuable” that it will surpass the value of oil, gas, cars, houses, etc… and our hope is that Christians will recognize this and make the investment of their time and energy to have the word of Christ in them richly! The four areas I mentioned previously for faith to be maintained by our core values are as follows:
- Faith must be “rich in your head.” For the word to be in you richly, you’ll have to “put” faith in your head. This means to fill your thoughts up with the word, to submit your emotions to the word, and to “think” in line with Philippian’s 4:8. I know that faith is found in the “heart” but you have to renew your thoughts with the word and that’s why I say that faith must be “put into your “head.”
- Faith must be “rich in your heart.” The word dwelling in you “richly” would be to have your heart filled up to overflowing with the truth of the scripture. The overflow is how you maintain the connection with the next and previous areas.
- Faith must be “rich in your mouth.” Mark 11:22-24 declares that YOU must SAY to the mountains [problems] a faith command to be removed from your heart, and mind! This implies that the mountain is no longer a factor, nor a hinderance to your progress through life!
- Faith must be “rich in your hand.” The action of faith is carried out by an action following the words you speak out of your mouth.
I like to use the illustration of David and Goliath for this application. The word was richly found in David’s core values when he faced the giant. He “saw and heard” everything that was being said and done against the army of God. But the difference is that David had the word in his head, heart, mouth and hand! David’s mind was made up, and he faced this opposition with an edge not found in anyone else involved. David responed from his mouth what was thought out, believed and uncompromised in his heart, which is the Covenant of Israel with God! Then David took in “hand” a sling and a stone and defeated the adversary with one swift release of his faith.
There is no way a believer can have this kind of faith without a solid set of “core values” to base their decision to face an adversary. There are many enemies to faith, none of which are flesh and blood. The origin of all destruction is a well orchestrated plan of pricipalities, powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world working with the wicked spirits of the earth to carry out the purpose of satan himself. To face any one of their destructive devices you will have to develope some core values in your faith and let those values flow into every area of your being! I will share my personal “core values” in my next blog.
Keeping the faith,
RB
Last Updated: September 8th, 2008 |
We had a great trip to the West Coast last week to attend “The Conduct and The Call” Conference at In His Presence Church pastored by our friends Mel and Desire Aires. Mel preached a dynamic life changing message about “Holiness.” We had the opportunity to meet with a couple of our pastor friends in Rancho Cucamonga which is about an hour East of Los Angeles, Steve and Dodie DeYoung, who were having a special guest in at Mountain View Church that same weekend. Overall we were excited to hear and be a part of the conference and catch up with our friends to have a little “hang time” with them during our trip.
RB
Last Updated: August 5th, 2008 |
Beginning on Wednesday July 16 we had our Pastor, Dr. Richard Ledford, come to The Rock Church to preach a message entitled “The Final Generation.” He preached Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights under a tremendous anointing. We witnessed 100′s of salvations, countless altar responses for various needs, and so many awesome testimonies have been reported from these meetings. On Friday night Dr. Ledford and Pastor Andrea laid hands on several hundred men and women who responded to the altar call!
Our mission team came in from Mexico about 10:00 pm as we were just finishing the service, but Dr. Ledford laid hands on the 16 people who asked for prayer. It was an unforgettable week of services at The Rock but we believe the best is yet to come!
Christ Jesus is coming soon!
RB
Last Updated: July 21st, 2008 |
