River Of Life - Cold Spring

As we step into a new season of dreaming for the future of River of Life Church, we invite you on the journey with us! This month, we will be hearing from the leadership of our church and what it means to them to finish the journey. Who's speaking today? Pastor Marissa Lund - Assistant River Kids Pastor Ashley Benoit - Media & Marketing Director Marissa Thomas - Connections Pastor McKenzie Patterson - River YTH Admin, Heartland Director 1.) What if I step out in faith? - Genesis 12 2.) What if I step out in obedience? 3.) What if I give? - "Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving." -2 Corinthians 8:7 (NLT) 4.) What if I trust God with the journey?

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." - 1 Timothy 6:17 - 19 (NIV) 1.) Let's Go Together. 2.) Let's Give Together. "Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—a

As we step into a new season of dreaming for the future of River of Life Church, we invite you on the journey with us! This month, we will be hearing from the leadership of our church and what it means to them to finish the journey. Who’s speaking today? Pastor Mark Eskew - River Kids Pastor Pastor Derrick Benoit - Worship Pastor Pastor Gabe Thomas - Connections Pastor Pastor Dillon Patterson - Junior High River YTH Pastor, Heartland Director

“When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from. Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they mak

“Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.” Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” - Joshua 3:1-5 (NIV) - Before He does something AMONG us, He needs to do something IN us. Consecrate yourselves today because God wants to do something TODAY so you can see him TOMORROW. “For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” - 2 Corinth

“Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.” Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” - Joshua 3:1-5 (NIV) - Before He does something AMONG us, He needs to do something IN us. Consecrate yourselves today because God wants to do something TODAY so you can see him TOMORROW. “For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” - 2 Corinth

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” - Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) “Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.” - Deuteronomy 31:7 (NIV) “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success[a] wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:6 - 7 (ESV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9 (NIV) What do we need to do to get strong? 1.) Leave the past behind! “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lor

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” - Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) “Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.” - Deuteronomy 31:7 (NIV) “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success[a] wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:6 - 7 (ESV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9 (NIV) What do we need to do to get strong? 1.) Leave the past behind! “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lor

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” - Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) “Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.” - Deuteronomy 31:7 (NIV) “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success[a] wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:6 - 7 (ESV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9 (NIV) What do we need to do to get strong? 1.) Leave the past behind! “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lor

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 (NIV) “Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!” - Ephesians 5:14-16 (MSG) In this week's message, we are reading from Luke 18. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector don’t have an action problem, they have an identity problem. The Pharisee represents legalism, while the Tax Collector represents Lawlessness. 1.) You need to know Jesus. “Though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else th

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." - 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV) “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1 (NIV) 1.) Praise until the prison doors open. Worship until the chains fall off. “Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you t

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” -Galatians 5:1 (NIV) Something powerful happens when we identify exactly what it is we want God to do in our life. As we begin to identify those things and take to God there is 3 things I want you to remember: 1.) Stand on the Promise! “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” - Psalm 119:9 -11 (NIV) 2.) Rely on His Power. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us," -Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV

Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” - Matthew 22:37 (NLT) “A second is equally as important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” - Matthew 22:29 (NLT) “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the ages.” - Matthew 28:19 - 20 (NLT) 1.) Missions starts with a heart for God. “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” - Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) 2.) Missions starts with a new heart. “The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live!” - Deuteronomy 30:6 (NLT) “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” - Psalm 51:10 (NLT) 3.) Missions starts when we love others.

"He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." -Matthew 5:45 (NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33 (NIV) The ultimate purpose in life is to make a difference. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" -2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) “Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt- seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. “Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand

Why should we care about the poor? Key Questions - 1. How many of you would like to have a relatively happy life? 2. How many of you would like your life to be an act of worship? 3. How many of you would like to keep a reasonably solid financial portfolio? 4. How many of you would be thankful if God listened to your cries for help? “If you want to be happy, be kind to the poor; it is a sin to despise anyone.” -Proverbs 14:21 (GNT) “If you oppress (or mistreat) poor people, you insult the God who made them; but kindness shown to the poor is an act of worship.” -Proverbs 14:31 (GNT) “Giving to the poor will keep you from poverty, but if you close your eyes to their needs, everyone will curse you.” -Proverbs 28:27 (CEV) "Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." -Psalm 82:4 (ESV) “Be generous, and you will be prosperous. Help others, and you will be helped.” -Proverbs 11:25 (GNT) **God is basically saying, if you take care of my children, I’ll take care of your chi

Thanks for joining us online for our Mid-Summer Celebration! This weekend, we had the privilege in seeing many people baptized and making a public declaration of their faith in Jesus.

Mark 5:21-42 (NIV) "When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who

"One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins

"Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." - Mark 10:27 Definition of Miracles: Definition: - “An extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.” - “It is a supernatural event that would be impossible for us to experience with our natural abilities or resources.” "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it." -Mark 16:17-18 A miracle is a sign that God uses to point to Himself! If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be gi

“Please speak to the LORD for us and ask him to help us. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is attacking Judah. Perhaps the LORD will be gracious and do a mighty miracle as he has done in the past. Perhaps he will force Nebuchadnezzar to withdraw his armies.” - Jeremiah 21:2 (NLT) "What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?" - Deuteronomy 4:6-7 (NIV) This week, we are beginning a new series about miracles. What is a miracle? Who are miracles for? Why do we have miracles? Do you believe that God still does miracles? "A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all." -Psalm 34:19 (NIV) 1.) What is a miracle? 1st definition: -a wonder; a marvel -a wonderful or surpassing example of some quality. “A miracle of modern science” -a miracle is often the willingness to see the common in an uncommon way. 2nd definition: “