The God Who Prevails
2008-03-03 06:59:59
The River Church
Those of us who are serious prayer warriors often talk about “prevailing” in prayer. To prevail means to win the battle, to overcome, to conquer. We focus hard on obtaining our answer, we stretch ourselves strenuously, and we take hold of heaven’s throne with all our might. We tend to think it is [...]
Keeping Company with the King
2008-02-24 23:56:42
The River Church
We’ve all heard the old proverb, “A man is known by the company he keeps.” When we were young, our moms pounded into our heads, “If you hang around with the wrong crowd, everybody will think you are like them.”
I’d very much like to be known by the company I keep - because [...]
A Nail in a Sure Place
2008-02-18 08:20:30
The River Church
Some of the names of Jesus in the Bible are easily seen, while some are hidden so that we have to read carefully to find them. A Nail in a Sure Place
is one of the hidden names.
Isaiah 22:23 - And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and [...]
God of My Praise
2008-02-11 07:51:12
The River Church
A few years ago, I fell in love with the names of God. As I read my Bible, I began to notice the wide variety of names and titles by which God reveals Himself to us. Not only do His names speak of His glory and power; they also are a means by [...]
Read more: Praise
The Redeeming Power of Forgiveness
2008-02-04 07:39:17
The River Church
When we forgive people, we supernaturally release freedom into their lives, so that they can come into their God-given destinies. Even if they are not sorry for what they have done, by forgiving them we prepare the way in the spirit realm for them to hear God speak to them about repentance. This [...]
Read more: Forgiveness
Forgiving in His Likeness
2008-01-28 08:35:42
The River Church
In a previous issue of An Encouraging Word, we said that God not only covered our sin with Jesus’ blood, but He washed it away. This is how He wants us to look at other people’s sin against us, too. Just as when God forgives us, He chooses to forget our sin, He [...]
Offenses
2008-01-21 07:33:43
The River Church
“I will never forgive that person!” Have you ever heard this said? I have, more than once - by Christian people.
Jesus said to His disciples, “It is impossible but that offenses will come ….” (Luke 17:1) Offenses are a reality for all of us. Sometimes we are on the receiving end, but it’s [...]
Having It All
2008-01-14 07:21:14
The River Church
For several decades now, our society has pursued “having it all.” Careers, homes, family, travel, money, leisure, retirement, spirituality, fitness, “me” time - even if some of these prove elusive, many consider them essentials, even rights.
What does God say about having it all? He’s for it! But He has something to say about [...]
Read more: Having
Abiding in the Lord
2008-01-07 07:09:57
The River Church
Abiding. It means ceaseless, continual, constant, unmoving, bent, bound, consistent. To abide is to wait patiently for, to remain in place, to continue to be firm or sure.
Did you ever have someone stand so near to you that you could feel his breath when he spoke? Although this makes us uncomfortable with other [...]
Lay It Down
2007-12-31 07:13:32
The River Church
For most of us, coming into a new year brings reflections on the year that has passed, and anticipation of what lies ahead. Some of us make resolutions to be better people than we were the year before. It is a time to begin again.
God likes new beginnings! He offers hope to each [...]
Waiting
2008-03-10 07:21:43
The River Church
Isaiah 40:31 - They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength.
We are familiar with the idea of waiting upon the Lord. The Bible often encourages us to wait upon Him, or for Him. Psalm 40:1 says, “I waited patiently for the LORD, and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”
But [...]
Read more: Waiting
Carrying God’s Power
2008-03-17 07:32:55
The River Church
As a new Christian, I was fortunate to join a church body that walked closely with God and believed in the supernatural. At a Bible study, a mature Christian told of a vision she’d seen. I asked, “What does it mean to have a vision?” The leader gently steered away from the question, [...]
There’s a Ram in the Thicket
2008-03-24 07:23:30
The River Church
Genesis 22: 1-18 tells the story of God testing Abraham by telling him to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham was immediately and completely obedient to the Lord’s instructions, and at the very last moment, God sent an angel to intervene. Verses 13 and 14 tell us, “Abraham looked up, and [...]
God Will Keep You Safe
2008-03-31 07:24:23
The River Church
Fear. It runs epidemic throughout the world today, and unfortunately, the Church seems to succumb as much as those who do not have Jesus. We know that fear is not of God, and yet we give in to the temptation to indulge it. Why? The answer is fairly simple: because we do not [...]
Face to Face
2008-04-07 07:01:34
The River Church
My dear friends, we are now God’s children, but it is not yet clear what we shall become. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is – 1 John 3:2.
It will be the most awe-inspiring, wonderful moment in history - [...]
Worship — Weapon of Warfare
2008-04-14 07:16:13
The River Church
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds - 2 Corinthians 10:4.
God has given us many weapons with which to overcome the enemy of our souls - the Word of God, the blood and the name of Jesus, our faith, [...]
Read more: Weapon
, Warfare
Wake Up Church — Jesus is Calling!
2008-04-21 06:26:48
The River Church
This devotional is called An Encouraging Word. It’s supposed to lift our spirits and make us feel good, right? I wonder, though, how good Jesus
feels as we diddle our way through life, carrying on with our personal pursuits, while zillions of folks are dying unsaved. But hang on, I am not going [...]
Read more: Calling
Sounds Change the Atmosphere
2008-04-28 07:23:17
The River Church
God has been speaking to me about sounds - those that reproduce the sound of Heaven, call armies to battle, announce shifts in God’s work, worship His name, send demons fleeing, cause walls to crumble, and change the atmosphere.
Exodus 28 describes the priestly robe Aaron wore. Bells adorned its hem, and verse 35 [...]
Read more: Sounds
, Change
Contending for Our Promises
2008-05-05 06:57:45
The River Church
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. - Hebrews 6:15
Abraham endured, and finally received his promised son Isaac. Enduring is more than passively waiting. Marathon runners know that to finish they must endure. To win takes yet greater endurance: they must give their all.
When God makes a promise, He is [...]
Read more: Promises
Abdicating the Throne of Self
2008-05-12 06:59:54
The River Church
… Behold, the kingdom of God is within you. - Luke 17:21
The goal is for the kingdom of God to be inside of us, but also that it will spill out to the spiritually dying world around us. The good news of the gospel is not only “fire insurance” salvation, but a reestablishment [...]
Read more: Throne
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