River of Life: Recent Episodes
River of Life
As humanity begins to fill the earth once again, they continue their rebellion, and so God comes and scatters all the people by confusing their language.
By slowing the spread of wickedness, God reveals Himself as both a holy judge and a gracious redeemer.
As Adam and Eve carry out God’s mandate for the earth, Satan enters the story to entice the couple to forfeit their identity.
There is one true God and He is the author of all creation. God brings order, function, and beauty out of the dark, watery chaos by creating a magnificent world and a image bearing humanity.
Through the discipline of Sabbath, we learn how to take a true rest and allow our souls to catch up with our schedules.
It might be time for you to discover (or rediscover) what quiet time is really all about.
In this fast paced world, it is important to slow down long enough to discover what we are giving our attention to. Because what you give your attention to is the person you become.
God stayed true to His promises by sending Jesus at Christmas. Let the light of Jesus shine in you and through you.
Just like He did for Mary, God wants to do something new within your life because of His great love for you.
God so loved the world that He prepared the way for Jesus and fulfilled the promise through John and through you.
We can experience peace right in the middle of the struggles of life because of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection.
True joy and praise stem from a heart of thankfulness and sometimes praise requires a sacrifice.
The Apostle Paul admonishes us to give thanks in all things. While giving thanks for everything isn’t always pleasant, it’s God’s will.
As we gather for the Lord's Supper, let's put aside the feuds that divide us and remember the sacrifice that unites us.
When Jesus gathered this disciples for the Last Supper, it was a night different from all other nights.
When life gets tough, it is easy to doubt that things can get better. We need to have eyes to see that Jesus is active in our lives today. The Church must become a place that is safe for those who have doubts. The evidence for God is best revealed when it is lived out authentically in community.
There is no enemy you can face in this life that God cannot give you the victory over. But you must trust in Him. When the Church comes together in great faith, there is nothing it cannot do.
There is no worse feeling than when our mistakes are made public. Being exposed can leave us feeling broken and ashamed. Oftentimes, this can be rock bottom for us If you feel broken today, hope is here. Jesus is offering forgiveness and a fresh start. On the other side, how we interact with people around us who have made mistakes says a lot about our relationship with Jesus. The Church should be the place where grace is found easily and forgiveness is extended quickly.
Jesus offers us a gift in saying that he has come to give us rest. This rest is found in a grace that does not demand that we jump through all the hoops or get everything right. The rest that Jesus offers is an unmerited favor for anyone who comes to Him.
God never intended for us to walk alone. Authentic community in which we deeply know others and are known by others is necessary for a victorious faith life.
The Bible is God’s authoritative Word, showing us clearly who God has been in the history of humanity and what he desires for us individually.
Willingness to sacrifice is one of our highest ideals. But what we are willing to sacrifice for makes all the difference.
Because Christians have received hospitality and welcome in Christ, hospitality has now become central to our identity and to how we make kingdom disciples.
Hospitality is a biblical command meant to bring the love of God into the reality of our day-to-day lives; it is especially meant for those who are far from God and the most vulnerable.
Hospitality starts with God; in making a home for humanity, God shows his care and that he himself is our home.
Mary is unexpectedly given the great responsibility of bringing a human life into the world. This baby is not just any child, but the Savior of the world. How will Mary rise to such a challenge?
Jesus often found himself clashing with the religious leaders of his day. We must be careful not to love religion, otherwise we will forget to love people in the process.
During the time of Jesus, the Jewish people were caught between the Roman government and the Jewish religious establishment. When we see Jesus in every situation, we find unlikely friendships and relationships that supersede the political rift.
Jesus is asked a question about what it means to follow the law of God. The law says to love God and to love your neighbor. But who is our neighbor?
We don’t have to play a guessing game when it comes to our salvation. God grants us the understanding necessary to grasp our relationship with Him and the world.
We must love others by being willing to lay down our comforts, our security, and even our own lives for them—just like Jesus.
While there are many philosophies that teach otherwise, it’s important to stand firm on the belief that Jesus is the only way to salvation.
When we walk with God, we will be moved to confess our sin, seek forgiveness, and turn away from a sinful life.
A strong Christian life must find its foundation in the knowledge that Jesus is real, that He lives, and that we can have a relationship with Him. If we believe these principles, no sacrifice for Christ is too great.