Owner: An Encouraging Word URL:http://theriverchurch.wordpress.com Join Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 07:08:19 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: A weekly devotional for Christians and people who would like to know more about who God is and how He operates. Site statistics:Click here
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:Warfare
, Weapon
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:Change
, Sounds
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
The God Who Satisfies 2008-05-19 06:48:57 The River Church
“…And my people shall be satisfied with my goodness,” says the Lord. - Jeremiah 31:14
“Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” - Psalm 103:5
“For he satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” - Psalm 107:9
Many Christians live in frustration, feeling [
The God Who Satisfies (Part 2) 2008-05-26 06:19:44 The River Church
“…And my people shall be satisfied with my goodness,” says the Lord. - Jeremiah 31:14
Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. - Psalm 103:5
For he satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. - Psalm 107:9
Recently, a profound statement was made [...]
The Abishag Ministry of Worship 2008-06-02 07:13:43 The River Church
Some of us may feel like we don’t have a very important place in the Body of Christ. We look around at others who seem to have great purpose, and we wonder, “God, why can’t I do great things for you?”
Abishag might have felt like that. Her story is recorded in 1 Kings [...] Read more:Ministry
Combating the Enemy’s Plans 2008-06-09 07:03:29 The River Church
After reading several recent, tragic newspaper stories, I asked the Lord, “Evil spirits are stirring up public suspicion of the supernatural, aren’t they?”
“Yes,” He said, “primarily in two ways. They want people to doubt that anyone can hear Me speak, and they want to quell any talk of raising the dead.”
The first thing [...] Read more:Enemy
The Secret Place 2008-06-16 06:35:02 The River Church
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. - Psalm 91:1
What a promise! What a faith statement! What a song! You might be asking, “Where is the secret place? How do I get there?”
The secret place is a place of rest in [...] Read more:Place
Mighty Men of Valor 2008-06-23 05:49:03 The River Church
1 Chronicles 11:12-14 — Eleazar … was one of the three mighty men. … The Philistines were gathered for battle where there was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled before the Philistines. They set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and killed the Philistines; [...] Read more:Mighty
, Valor
Need Your Tank Filled? 2008-07-07 07:18:15 The River Church
“Pull over and let Me fill your tank.” Those were the words I heard while asking God what to write for this devotional.
It’s hard for us to come to a full stop and rest in the Lord’s Presence. We know we should, but the urgencies around us scream, “No! Wait! You’ve got to [...]
Faithfulness 2008-06-30 06:46:01 The River Church
There is so much to love about God! It would be hard to choose which facet of His character is the most fascinating. I love His truth, His gentleness, His mercy, His utter holiness. Yet, for me, His faithfulness is probably the most engaging aspect of who He is.
He is faithful to always, [...]
New Clothes 2008-07-21 06:21:24 The River Church
Revelation 19:8 - And to her [the Bride of Christ] was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Zechariah 3:1-4 - And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at [...] Read more:Clothes
Worship Decrees God’s Kingdom in the Earth 2008-07-14 08:33:49 The River Church
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven saying, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever. — Revelation 11:15
You shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto you: and the [...] Read more:Earth
, Kingdom
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