Riverside Community Church Blog https://www.riversideconnect.com Tue, 19 Mar 2024 03:36:37 -0400 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Obedience https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/obedience https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/obedience#comments Mon, 16 Oct 2023 14:28:52 -0400 https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/obedience In our current study in Deuteronomy, the theme of obedience to the Lord is front and center. In this book of the Bible we see the Israelites who have been wandering in the desert for forty years. They have yet to enter the Promised Land due to their disobedience to the Lord.

It’s so easy to read Deuteronomy and think to ourselves, “Why don’t they get it? If I were an Israelite, I would have surely done things differently.” Is this actually true? The reality is that we are human just as the Israelites were human. Our bend is to desire to go our own way, to do our own thing. Even as Christians, knowing that God has the ultimate best plans for our lives, we find ourselves wandering down a path of self-indulgence and destruction.  If you’re anything like me, this is one of the things about myself that frustrates me so much! So my question is, what can we do about it? First of all, learning to walk so closely with the Lord and see where He is leading is key. Digging into the Word and getting to know the Lord, his heart for us, and his promises is so important as well. Not just hearing the Lord but hearing and obeying, even when the steps ahead look uncertain and scary. That is tough for me-to hear and OBEY, especially when things look impossible or too big for my brain to figure out on my own.

I love reading books from author Corrie Ten Boom. She was a prisoner in a concentration camp and was miraculously released. She then used her story to share Jesus with so many people around the world. She’s quoted as saying, “Obedience is easy when you know you are being guided by a God who never makes mistakes.” My prayer for us is that we choose obedience because we know the God that we serve. We understand his perfect, unchanging nature-therefore we say “YES LORD I HEAR YOU AND I WILL DO WHAT YOU ARE CALLING ME TO DO.” Sometimes that means taking just the first step. He can and will use our obedience in so many incredible ways.

Do you know the Father’s love for you? Do you know that He sacrificed His only Son Jesus so that you and I would be saved, forgiven and freed from death? Do you know that He has a perfect plan for your life? I encourage you to spend time in the Bible, pray for God to reveal Himself to you, for an obedient heart, and the desire to do God’s will in your life.

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In our current study in Deuteronomy, the theme of obedience to the Lord is front and center. In this book of the Bible we see the Israelites who have been wandering in the desert for forty years. They have yet to enter the Promised Land due to their disobedience to the Lord.

It’s so easy to read Deuteronomy and think to ourselves, “Why don’t they get it? If I were an Israelite, I would have surely done things differently.” Is this actually true? The reality is that we are human just as the Israelites were human. Our bend is to desire to go our own way, to do our own thing. Even as Christians, knowing that God has the ultimate best plans for our lives, we find ourselves wandering down a path of self-indulgence and destruction.  If you’re anything like me, this is one of the things about myself that frustrates me so much! So my question is, what can we do about it? First of all, learning to walk so closely with the Lord and see where He is leading is key. Digging into the Word and getting to know the Lord, his heart for us, and his promises is so important as well. Not just hearing the Lord but hearing and obeying, even when the steps ahead look uncertain and scary. That is tough for me-to hear and OBEY, especially when things look impossible or too big for my brain to figure out on my own.

I love reading books from author Corrie Ten Boom. She was a prisoner in a concentration camp and was miraculously released. She then used her story to share Jesus with so many people around the world. She’s quoted as saying, “Obedience is easy when you know you are being guided by a God who never makes mistakes.” My prayer for us is that we choose obedience because we know the God that we serve. We understand his perfect, unchanging nature-therefore we say “YES LORD I HEAR YOU AND I WILL DO WHAT YOU ARE CALLING ME TO DO.” Sometimes that means taking just the first step. He can and will use our obedience in so many incredible ways.

Do you know the Father’s love for you? Do you know that He sacrificed His only Son Jesus so that you and I would be saved, forgiven and freed from death? Do you know that He has a perfect plan for your life? I encourage you to spend time in the Bible, pray for God to reveal Himself to you, for an obedient heart, and the desire to do God’s will in your life.

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Comfort https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/comfort https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/comfort#comments Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:57:41 -0400 https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/comfort God of All Comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Comfort, comfort, comfort. This word is emphasized for a reason. I am always striving for comfortability. I want to be financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually comfortable. I don’t want to be stressed or disturbed or worried about anything. How about you? This is the way that I think. I was lovingly reminded today by the word of God that comfort does not come from balance in my life. He is the God of all comfort. Paul repeatedly used this word and although is sounds silly to say so many times in one sentence, I believe he is emphasizing this word for a reason. We can’t comfort others if we ourselves are not comforted, but in order to feel comforted, we need to look to the Father. He provides us with the tools that are needed in order for us to successfully serve others. How do we receive this?

2 Corinthians 1: 5-6 "For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer."

To simplify, we receive comfort through suffering. Ew. Sounds uncomfortable right? That was my immediate reaction. But when I prayed for clarity and understanding of this message, it became beautiful to me. We share in Christ’s sufferings. He ultimately took the beating and died a death that we deserve which we cannot truly feel. Praise God. However, sometimes life can really beat us up. I am not sure what it is specifically that you are going through, but I know it hurts. And Jesus knows too. When we are patient through the trials we face, He will comfort us.

2 Corinthians 1:7 "Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort."

Here is his word. We will suffer, but we will be comforted. There are two words that stood out to me in this last verse.
1. Share. You are not alone. Please remember that.
2. Unshaken. How strong and beautiful is this word and the way that Paul uses it here. “Our hope for you is unshaken.” He is confident because he knows that God will always show up and never fail.

I hope you feel as encouraged as I do today by the word of God. When we get into His word, we are always reminded of His love for us. He provides us with family. We pray for each other, love each other and comfort each other because He is our ultimate source of all things.

Thank you Jesus.

 

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God of All Comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Comfort, comfort, comfort. This word is emphasized for a reason. I am always striving for comfortability. I want to be financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually comfortable. I don’t want to be stressed or disturbed or worried about anything. How about you? This is the way that I think. I was lovingly reminded today by the word of God that comfort does not come from balance in my life. He is the God of all comfort. Paul repeatedly used this word and although is sounds silly to say so many times in one sentence, I believe he is emphasizing this word for a reason. We can’t comfort others if we ourselves are not comforted, but in order to feel comforted, we need to look to the Father. He provides us with the tools that are needed in order for us to successfully serve others. How do we receive this?

2 Corinthians 1: 5-6 "For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer."

To simplify, we receive comfort through suffering. Ew. Sounds uncomfortable right? That was my immediate reaction. But when I prayed for clarity and understanding of this message, it became beautiful to me. We share in Christ’s sufferings. He ultimately took the beating and died a death that we deserve which we cannot truly feel. Praise God. However, sometimes life can really beat us up. I am not sure what it is specifically that you are going through, but I know it hurts. And Jesus knows too. When we are patient through the trials we face, He will comfort us.

2 Corinthians 1:7 "Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort."

Here is his word. We will suffer, but we will be comforted. There are two words that stood out to me in this last verse.
1. Share. You are not alone. Please remember that.
2. Unshaken. How strong and beautiful is this word and the way that Paul uses it here. “Our hope for you is unshaken.” He is confident because he knows that God will always show up and never fail.

I hope you feel as encouraged as I do today by the word of God. When we get into His word, we are always reminded of His love for us. He provides us with family. We pray for each other, love each other and comfort each other because He is our ultimate source of all things.

Thank you Jesus.

 

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God of the Valleys https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/god-of-the-valleys https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/god-of-the-valleys#comments Fri, 11 Aug 2023 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/god-of-the-valleys 2 Chronicles 16: 9 says that as we look to find and follow the Lord, He is already vigilant to respond and to save and strengthen us. I know that He did that for me, in a lonely and desert place in my soul.

Psalm 84 is about my recovery (Christians call that sanctification) throughout my life, especially verses 5 thru 7: (NAS): "Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through The Valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools (blessings). They go from strength to strength till each appears before God in Zion."
The walk of the Way with Our God has many ups and downs and turns, as the men and women of God had in their lives, as written in the Bible. But Lord Jesus says "I will NEVER leave you or forsake you" and "though we are faithless, yet He is faithful, for He cannot deny himself". When we do not feel His Presence, as Job, David and Jesus went through, we can cling to His character and still believe, even in the dark in our soul.

We grow as we pass through those valleys of weeping (Baca). Sunlight and grassy hillsides and even mountaintops return, and peaceful plateaus, but as we journey, new valleys arise. We learn things about God, ourselves, and the nature of spirit as we steadily walk through those valleys. Do not fear them, but hold on to God and ask Him to carry you when needed. He is the God of the valleys, too.

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2 Chronicles 16: 9 says that as we look to find and follow the Lord, He is already vigilant to respond and to save and strengthen us. I know that He did that for me, in a lonely and desert place in my soul.

Psalm 84 is about my recovery (Christians call that sanctification) throughout my life, especially verses 5 thru 7: (NAS): "Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through The Valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools (blessings). They go from strength to strength till each appears before God in Zion."
The walk of the Way with Our God has many ups and downs and turns, as the men and women of God had in their lives, as written in the Bible. But Lord Jesus says "I will NEVER leave you or forsake you" and "though we are faithless, yet He is faithful, for He cannot deny himself". When we do not feel His Presence, as Job, David and Jesus went through, we can cling to His character and still believe, even in the dark in our soul.

We grow as we pass through those valleys of weeping (Baca). Sunlight and grassy hillsides and even mountaintops return, and peaceful plateaus, but as we journey, new valleys arise. We learn things about God, ourselves, and the nature of spirit as we steadily walk through those valleys. Do not fear them, but hold on to God and ask Him to carry you when needed. He is the God of the valleys, too.

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Entertainment for the Enemy? https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/entertainment-for-the-enemy https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/entertainment-for-the-enemy#comments Wed, 09 Aug 2023 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/entertainment-for-the-enemy If your life were a movie, would it be one of delight for the Heavenly Father or enjoyment for Satan? As a Christian perhaps yours is a drama filled with both, like mine.

Our lives are continually unfolding and being written one hour at a time. The Author and Perfector of our faith is at work and we are given responsibilities and choices within the script. As children of God our movie shows God reaching down from on high and rescuing us from our enemy who is too strong for us. God wins and salvation is provided! God then fills us with the His Holy Spirit as He brings us from the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light! God doesn’t stop writing our stories at salvation. He continues to give us new lands to conquer and enjoy. That sounds like a movie worth watching!

In Deuteronomy 9:1-9 We can identify with God’s children, the Israelites as they are told to be confident of His presence and movement in their lives. We learn that God goes across the land and before His children. He rolls in like a consuming fire and destroys enemies that are too strong for us. Then it is up to His children to possess and occupy the land that He has given. It is also our not God’s responsibility to destroy any leftover enemies.

“But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly as the Lord has promised you.” What are some of your leftover enemies? That question caused me to slow down and try to identify my own enemies. As a child of God I wonder if the opposite of the fruit of the spirit is a good place to begin? Love/hatred, joy/despair, peace/turmoil, patience/frustration, kindness/cruelty, goodness/dishonesty, faithfulness, /disloyalty, gentleness/harshness, self-control/thoughtless.

These leftover enemies seemingly pop out of nowhere and ambush me. They feel like little rodents that hid in the rocks when God’s consuming fire rolled in at the time of salvation. Are your leftover enemies ravaging the land of marriage, singleness, family, employment, retirement, ministry or finances? Annihilate means: to cause to cease to exist, to destroy, to defeat, to nullify. How successful are you at defeating hatred, despair, turmoil, frustration, cruelty, dishonesty, disloyalty, harshness and thoughtless
choices in the land you find yourself?

My leftover enemies typically ambush me at night and can linger for days. Recently, it has been despair, turmoil and frustration toward situations for those I love. Actually, I should be charged with treason! I not only let them linger but I feed and aid these enemies with worry and fear. If we do not deal with our leftover enemies, I’m convinced we are providing entertainment for the enemy, Satan himself. It is as if he finds an easy chair and breaks out the popcorn as he anticipates our next response in life. It is my job to deal with my leftover enemies. Focusing on the truth of scripture strengthens me and helps to expose and weaken their attacks. My goal is to identify them quicker than I did the last time they appeared and truly annihilate them.

God’s word is the sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:17) I am using these verses in battle against my leftover enemies of despair, turmoil and frustration. Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as I trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Psalm 57:1,2 “…..I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to our God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me.” (and my loved ones) So pickup your sword and battle well my friends! Refuse to be entertainment for the enemy. Kick that popcorn right out of his hands! “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

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If your life were a movie, would it be one of delight for the Heavenly Father or enjoyment for Satan? As a Christian perhaps yours is a drama filled with both, like mine.

Our lives are continually unfolding and being written one hour at a time. The Author and Perfector of our faith is at work and we are given responsibilities and choices within the script. As children of God our movie shows God reaching down from on high and rescuing us from our enemy who is too strong for us. God wins and salvation is provided! God then fills us with the His Holy Spirit as He brings us from the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light! God doesn’t stop writing our stories at salvation. He continues to give us new lands to conquer and enjoy. That sounds like a movie worth watching!

In Deuteronomy 9:1-9 We can identify with God’s children, the Israelites as they are told to be confident of His presence and movement in their lives. We learn that God goes across the land and before His children. He rolls in like a consuming fire and destroys enemies that are too strong for us. Then it is up to His children to possess and occupy the land that He has given. It is also our not God’s responsibility to destroy any leftover enemies.

“But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly as the Lord has promised you.” What are some of your leftover enemies? That question caused me to slow down and try to identify my own enemies. As a child of God I wonder if the opposite of the fruit of the spirit is a good place to begin? Love/hatred, joy/despair, peace/turmoil, patience/frustration, kindness/cruelty, goodness/dishonesty, faithfulness, /disloyalty, gentleness/harshness, self-control/thoughtless.

These leftover enemies seemingly pop out of nowhere and ambush me. They feel like little rodents that hid in the rocks when God’s consuming fire rolled in at the time of salvation. Are your leftover enemies ravaging the land of marriage, singleness, family, employment, retirement, ministry or finances? Annihilate means: to cause to cease to exist, to destroy, to defeat, to nullify. How successful are you at defeating hatred, despair, turmoil, frustration, cruelty, dishonesty, disloyalty, harshness and thoughtless
choices in the land you find yourself?

My leftover enemies typically ambush me at night and can linger for days. Recently, it has been despair, turmoil and frustration toward situations for those I love. Actually, I should be charged with treason! I not only let them linger but I feed and aid these enemies with worry and fear. If we do not deal with our leftover enemies, I’m convinced we are providing entertainment for the enemy, Satan himself. It is as if he finds an easy chair and breaks out the popcorn as he anticipates our next response in life. It is my job to deal with my leftover enemies. Focusing on the truth of scripture strengthens me and helps to expose and weaken their attacks. My goal is to identify them quicker than I did the last time they appeared and truly annihilate them.

God’s word is the sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:17) I am using these verses in battle against my leftover enemies of despair, turmoil and frustration. Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as I trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Psalm 57:1,2 “…..I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to our God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me.” (and my loved ones) So pickup your sword and battle well my friends! Refuse to be entertainment for the enemy. Kick that popcorn right out of his hands! “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

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"I Can't..." https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/i-cant- https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/i-cant-#comments Thu, 15 Jun 2023 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/i-cant- I can’t…!

Say it out loud for me, “I can’t…..!”

What is the first thing that comes to mind?

I can’t change jobs! I can’t talk to my neighbor! I can’t move! I can’t exercise! I can’t read the Bible! I can’t talk to my husband! I can’t join a small group! I can’t stop screaming at my children! I can’t have a quiet time! I can’t go back to school! I can’t keep my mouth shut! I can’t teach a Bible study! I can’t stay here! I can’t write a blog!

I’ve been reading the account of Moses when he is pleading with God to have mercy on the righteous in Sodom and Gomora. Destruction is coming because the outcry against the wickedness in those cities has become so great.

In response to Moses’ prayer, God sends two Angels to rescue the righteous. They go to Lot’s home to warn him. They urged Lot to hurry and leave with his wife and daughters. Lot hesitated, so they grasp his hands, as well as those of the women and led them to safety. And then the angels told Lot to flee, flee to the mountains!

Lot’s response, “I can’t…!”

“I can’t flee to the mountains. This disaster will overtake me and I will die. Look this town is near enough and it is small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared. “Genesis 19:19, 20

What mountain is God pulling you toward? Are you hesitating even though you feel His loving grasp leading the way? What compromise is near enough not to go? What is good enough in comparison to the mountain? What is small enough that you can do it in your own strength, so you don’t feel so threatened?

Those questions are heart surgery for me.

I rest so much in God’s beautiful grace and love, that I often do not push myself to the mountains. The terrain seems too rough. I too hesitate and resist His grasp, His leading.

As I was asking those questions, I just so happened to be reading Psalm 51 in conjunction with Genesis 19. Again, God’s word brought me to my knees. The motives of my heart were exposed. I’m first, not God. My fear is outweighing my trust. Protection of self is more important than obeying God. I have resigned to statuesque Christianity.

”Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. “ Psalm 51:12

CREATE: to bring into being: cause to exist

PURE: free from mixture with anything of a different, inferior or contaminating kind

RESTORE: bring back into existence, reestablish

SUSTAIN: to hold or bear up; to keep from giving way

A pure heart is motivated by reciprocal love. God shows His great love through the gift of salvation. Living for God and not self is an outward action of a pure heart. The fear of being made a fool of, taken advantage of or failing yet once again are the inferior motives that contaminate my pure heart toward my Jesus.

There is no amount of self-discipline that will adequately clean an impure heart. That is God’s business. He is an expert at creating pure hearts. Our business is to identify the impurities and call out for help. It takes bravery to then respond to the Holy Spirit’s work, as He grabs our hands so to speak, and tells us to run to the mountains. Fear is not always absent in those brave moments. Instead, one experiences courage, which is fear walking or running in this case.

Typically, we have no idea of God’s plans for the mountains. God may have a plan to protect you, like the angels with Lot. Or God’s plan may have nothing to do with you. His plan may be to move you to the mountains, so that He can flow through you and into the lives of others who live in the mountains.

By the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you, may your “I can’t…!” grow into, “I can’t help but to obey You, God!” And may you find yourself running out of sheer obedience.

As I write this blog, my heart cries out, “Make me brave! Show me what I need to surrender. Free and empower me to run to the mountains! Use me in the mountains, Lord. Use me in the mountains! But mostly, make my heart purely devoted to you, my Savior.”

Run my friend, run to the mountains!”

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I can’t…!

Say it out loud for me, “I can’t…..!”

What is the first thing that comes to mind?

I can’t change jobs! I can’t talk to my neighbor! I can’t move! I can’t exercise! I can’t read the Bible! I can’t talk to my husband! I can’t join a small group! I can’t stop screaming at my children! I can’t have a quiet time! I can’t go back to school! I can’t keep my mouth shut! I can’t teach a Bible study! I can’t stay here! I can’t write a blog!

I’ve been reading the account of Moses when he is pleading with God to have mercy on the righteous in Sodom and Gomora. Destruction is coming because the outcry against the wickedness in those cities has become so great.

In response to Moses’ prayer, God sends two Angels to rescue the righteous. They go to Lot’s home to warn him. They urged Lot to hurry and leave with his wife and daughters. Lot hesitated, so they grasp his hands, as well as those of the women and led them to safety. And then the angels told Lot to flee, flee to the mountains!

Lot’s response, “I can’t…!”

“I can’t flee to the mountains. This disaster will overtake me and I will die. Look this town is near enough and it is small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared. “Genesis 19:19, 20

What mountain is God pulling you toward? Are you hesitating even though you feel His loving grasp leading the way? What compromise is near enough not to go? What is good enough in comparison to the mountain? What is small enough that you can do it in your own strength, so you don’t feel so threatened?

Those questions are heart surgery for me.

I rest so much in God’s beautiful grace and love, that I often do not push myself to the mountains. The terrain seems too rough. I too hesitate and resist His grasp, His leading.

As I was asking those questions, I just so happened to be reading Psalm 51 in conjunction with Genesis 19. Again, God’s word brought me to my knees. The motives of my heart were exposed. I’m first, not God. My fear is outweighing my trust. Protection of self is more important than obeying God. I have resigned to statuesque Christianity.

”Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. “ Psalm 51:12

CREATE: to bring into being: cause to exist

PURE: free from mixture with anything of a different, inferior or contaminating kind

RESTORE: bring back into existence, reestablish

SUSTAIN: to hold or bear up; to keep from giving way

A pure heart is motivated by reciprocal love. God shows His great love through the gift of salvation. Living for God and not self is an outward action of a pure heart. The fear of being made a fool of, taken advantage of or failing yet once again are the inferior motives that contaminate my pure heart toward my Jesus.

There is no amount of self-discipline that will adequately clean an impure heart. That is God’s business. He is an expert at creating pure hearts. Our business is to identify the impurities and call out for help. It takes bravery to then respond to the Holy Spirit’s work, as He grabs our hands so to speak, and tells us to run to the mountains. Fear is not always absent in those brave moments. Instead, one experiences courage, which is fear walking or running in this case.

Typically, we have no idea of God’s plans for the mountains. God may have a plan to protect you, like the angels with Lot. Or God’s plan may have nothing to do with you. His plan may be to move you to the mountains, so that He can flow through you and into the lives of others who live in the mountains.

By the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you, may your “I can’t…!” grow into, “I can’t help but to obey You, God!” And may you find yourself running out of sheer obedience.

As I write this blog, my heart cries out, “Make me brave! Show me what I need to surrender. Free and empower me to run to the mountains! Use me in the mountains, Lord. Use me in the mountains! But mostly, make my heart purely devoted to you, my Savior.”

Run my friend, run to the mountains!”

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Praise https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/praise https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/praise#comments Thu, 11 May 2023 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/praise 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

Having a grateful heart is something that Paul writes about a lot in the Bible. 

Whether we are on a hill or in a valley, we are called to continuously praise God, despite the circumstances around us. 

There have been many times this felt so difficult for me to do. Just a few months ago, I felt so discouraged. I was hurt. Worldly plans weren’t going the way that I imagined them to and I felt angry. That anger numbed me and hardened my heart, making it difficult to receive and give love. 

But God. 

He heals.

He freed me of the lie that I was undeserving of love and purified my mindset. He provided and blessed me with a relationship that honors and glorifies Him. 

He will continue to heal you and bless you too. 

Numbers 6: 24-26 “the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” 

If you are in a valley, praise him anyway. Even when you don’t feel like doing it. Especially when you don’t feel like doing it. There is so much growth and healing in inviting Jesus into your journey. 

Count your blessings even when they feel minimal. Remember your lows when you feel that you are on your highest hill. Give praise to the one who provided it all. 

In Deuteronomy 31:8 we are reminded that we serve a God who will never leave. 

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear nor be dismayed.”

Be encouraged by his promises. Give him praise for keeping them. 

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1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

Having a grateful heart is something that Paul writes about a lot in the Bible. 

Whether we are on a hill or in a valley, we are called to continuously praise God, despite the circumstances around us. 

There have been many times this felt so difficult for me to do. Just a few months ago, I felt so discouraged. I was hurt. Worldly plans weren’t going the way that I imagined them to and I felt angry. That anger numbed me and hardened my heart, making it difficult to receive and give love. 

But God. 

He heals.

He freed me of the lie that I was undeserving of love and purified my mindset. He provided and blessed me with a relationship that honors and glorifies Him. 

He will continue to heal you and bless you too. 

Numbers 6: 24-26 “the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” 

If you are in a valley, praise him anyway. Even when you don’t feel like doing it. Especially when you don’t feel like doing it. There is so much growth and healing in inviting Jesus into your journey. 

Count your blessings even when they feel minimal. Remember your lows when you feel that you are on your highest hill. Give praise to the one who provided it all. 

In Deuteronomy 31:8 we are reminded that we serve a God who will never leave. 

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear nor be dismayed.”

Be encouraged by his promises. Give him praise for keeping them. 

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Oh What a Merciful Father! https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/oh-what-a-merciful-father https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/oh-what-a-merciful-father#comments Wed, 19 Apr 2023 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/oh-what-a-merciful-father “O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?

How long will you look the other way?

How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!

Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”

Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

But I trust in your unfailing love.

I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬


Above are the words of David from Psalm 13. “O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?” Can you relate to David’s words? I know that for me there have been times where I’ve asked God this very same question. Waiting on God is difficult. David repeats the phrase “How long?” four times in this short Psalm. It shows us that the Psalmist had much anguish in his heart. This Psalm also shows us that we can bring our sorrow and our anguish and our impatience to God. He never gets tired of hearing from His children. Bring your desperation to Him. He hears our prayers.


The word BUT jumps off the page in this Psalm. David comes to a place in verse 5 where he seems to remember God’s character and to trust in God and in his mercy. When we find ourselves in a season of waiting, a season of desperation, let us remember God’s mercy. That God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to rescue us from eternal torment and instead be saved and reunited with our heavenly Father. As David rejoices at the end of Psalm 13, let us also rejoice in the Lord! Even in times of waiting, the Lord is worthy of our praise. In every season He is worthy of our praise! We can never stop praising Him!

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“O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?

How long will you look the other way?

How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!

Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”

Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

But I trust in your unfailing love.

I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬


Above are the words of David from Psalm 13. “O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?” Can you relate to David’s words? I know that for me there have been times where I’ve asked God this very same question. Waiting on God is difficult. David repeats the phrase “How long?” four times in this short Psalm. It shows us that the Psalmist had much anguish in his heart. This Psalm also shows us that we can bring our sorrow and our anguish and our impatience to God. He never gets tired of hearing from His children. Bring your desperation to Him. He hears our prayers.


The word BUT jumps off the page in this Psalm. David comes to a place in verse 5 where he seems to remember God’s character and to trust in God and in his mercy. When we find ourselves in a season of waiting, a season of desperation, let us remember God’s mercy. That God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to rescue us from eternal torment and instead be saved and reunited with our heavenly Father. As David rejoices at the end of Psalm 13, let us also rejoice in the Lord! Even in times of waiting, the Lord is worthy of our praise. In every season He is worthy of our praise! We can never stop praising Him!

]]>
What is Love? https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/what-is-love https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/what-is-love#comments Wed, 08 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0500 https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/what-is-love This is what a group of 4 to 8 year olds answered when asked, “What does love mean?”

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.” Billy-age4 

“Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.” Chrissy-age 6

“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas when you stop opening presents and listen.” Bobby-age 5

It can be mindboggling as we attempt to describe love.  The Bible defines it well in the verse I John 4:16, “God is love.” But even that succinct definition can leave one mystified.

I found some amazing clarity in defining love, in I Corinthians 13:1-6.  I was also nestled into the thought, if God is love then I Corinthians 13:1-6 is also a description of God! Read as I replace the word love with God, because God is love.

God is patient, God is kind, God does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. He is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered. He keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. God always hopes, God always perseveres. God never fails.

Child of God, do you embrace and rest in that description of your Heavenly Father?  How about when you are struggling with a wounded heart and you feel jealous, angry, betrayed, fearful, anxious or regretful? Often I find Christians stonewalling themselves, shocked at their own feelings. We say, “I should not feel this way!” We then shut our feelings down and not only hide them from God but from ourselves.  These hidden feelings morph into unhealthy and at times sinful actions and attitudes.

Your Heavenly Father who is love, longs to do all of life with you-the good, the bad and the ugly.  As any good parent, you would be giving Him a gift if you shared these feelings with Him. It’s from that connection that your Heavenly Father can lead, teach and guide you toward health and freedom!

“Parenting is 80% connection and 20% guidance, because until children feel connected, they have no reason to follow our guidance.” D. Laura Markham

I found it very encouraging as I looked up the meaning of the words in the Bible that are used to describe love. It helped me feel even safer to explore and “tease out” my feelings in prayer as I couched them in the reality of who is my God. For example the definition of patience is to bear pain and trials without complaint. Kindness is the idea to do good toward another.  As I share my prayer, feel free to exchange your struggle for mine.

“Father, thank you for your patience and kindness as I wrestle with regret.  You are bearing my pain and trials without complaint of me.  You desire to do good toward me in the midst of my regret. You do not have envious feelings of discontent and ill will toward me. You are not boastful or rude toward me.  You are not kicking me to the curb because I’m struggling to let this go. You are not self-seeking or easily angered because I am regretful.  You are for me!  You keep no record of wrongs as I confess my failures to you.  You don’t hold it against me-you throw my confessed wrongs as far as the east is from the west! You do not delight in my brokenness but rejoice in the truth.  I love the truth that I am your child. Even though I am battling regrets, you do not give up on me. Your hope and dreams for me will never end! God, you never fail.  You will not quit on me. Teach me how to let go and be free.  Guide me in taking responsibility for what I must and redeem what is left in my hands. Nothing, not even this regret can separate your love from me. Romans 8:28”

May I challenge you to take the time to connect with your Heavenly Father? As any good parent, He longs to spend time with you and hear what is on your heart.  Even the feelings that you don’t like.  

Connect with your Heavenly Father, it’s then that you will be more open to His leading, guiding and teaching.

Your name is not only engraved on the palm of His hands (Isaiah 49:16), but your name is safe in His mouth.

God is love.

]]>
This is what a group of 4 to 8 year olds answered when asked, “What does love mean?”

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.” Billy-age4 

“Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.” Chrissy-age 6

“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas when you stop opening presents and listen.” Bobby-age 5

It can be mindboggling as we attempt to describe love.  The Bible defines it well in the verse I John 4:16, “God is love.” But even that succinct definition can leave one mystified.

I found some amazing clarity in defining love, in I Corinthians 13:1-6.  I was also nestled into the thought, if God is love then I Corinthians 13:1-6 is also a description of God! Read as I replace the word love with God, because God is love.

God is patient, God is kind, God does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. He is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered. He keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. God always hopes, God always perseveres. God never fails.

Child of God, do you embrace and rest in that description of your Heavenly Father?  How about when you are struggling with a wounded heart and you feel jealous, angry, betrayed, fearful, anxious or regretful? Often I find Christians stonewalling themselves, shocked at their own feelings. We say, “I should not feel this way!” We then shut our feelings down and not only hide them from God but from ourselves.  These hidden feelings morph into unhealthy and at times sinful actions and attitudes.

Your Heavenly Father who is love, longs to do all of life with you-the good, the bad and the ugly.  As any good parent, you would be giving Him a gift if you shared these feelings with Him. It’s from that connection that your Heavenly Father can lead, teach and guide you toward health and freedom!

“Parenting is 80% connection and 20% guidance, because until children feel connected, they have no reason to follow our guidance.” D. Laura Markham

I found it very encouraging as I looked up the meaning of the words in the Bible that are used to describe love. It helped me feel even safer to explore and “tease out” my feelings in prayer as I couched them in the reality of who is my God. For example the definition of patience is to bear pain and trials without complaint. Kindness is the idea to do good toward another.  As I share my prayer, feel free to exchange your struggle for mine.

“Father, thank you for your patience and kindness as I wrestle with regret.  You are bearing my pain and trials without complaint of me.  You desire to do good toward me in the midst of my regret. You do not have envious feelings of discontent and ill will toward me. You are not boastful or rude toward me.  You are not kicking me to the curb because I’m struggling to let this go. You are not self-seeking or easily angered because I am regretful.  You are for me!  You keep no record of wrongs as I confess my failures to you.  You don’t hold it against me-you throw my confessed wrongs as far as the east is from the west! You do not delight in my brokenness but rejoice in the truth.  I love the truth that I am your child. Even though I am battling regrets, you do not give up on me. Your hope and dreams for me will never end! God, you never fail.  You will not quit on me. Teach me how to let go and be free.  Guide me in taking responsibility for what I must and redeem what is left in my hands. Nothing, not even this regret can separate your love from me. Romans 8:28”

May I challenge you to take the time to connect with your Heavenly Father? As any good parent, He longs to spend time with you and hear what is on your heart.  Even the feelings that you don’t like.  

Connect with your Heavenly Father, it’s then that you will be more open to His leading, guiding and teaching.

Your name is not only engraved on the palm of His hands (Isaiah 49:16), but your name is safe in His mouth.

God is love.

]]>
Humility... https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/humility https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/humility#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2023 09:00:00 -0500 https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/humility Humility is not thinking less of yourself. Humility is “thinking of yourself less”.

It is not going low, but it is dying to your selfish desires.

In my devotional this morning, I was reminded of this.

The culture of our world today raises YOU up. There is emphasis on making your world centered around yourself. Me me me. A friend of mine shared with me yesterday that she “produces her own happiness”.

We are human. Broken. Sinners. I don’t know about you, but I do not trust myself to fill a void that was meant for Jesus. We simply do not have the capacity. For a temporary season, maybe. We can do a pretty good job for a while, but eventually that fire burns out and we are looking for more ways to fill the gaps that we hold in our hearts.

Philippians 2:5-8 describes humility so beautifully.

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”.

How admirable is a servants heart. Jesus served the Father and became so obedient that it brought him to his death. He loved the Father enough that He died for His sake. He loves YOU enough that He was crucified on a cross for your sins.

How selfless.

How loving.

How humble is our Jesus.

Humility does not mean we shouldn’t like ourselves. We are called to honor our bodies because they are His.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body”.

Self care does not have to be selfish when our motives are geared towards glorifying creation. Out of love for the Father, we take care of the things that he has made, and that includes our bodies. In doing so, we stay submitted to Him and humble. Every good thing in us should point back to Him.

Magnify our God.

Keep our hands open to the challenges and blessings he is giving to us.

He has called you higher.

Jeremiah 7:23

“But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way I command you, that it may be well with you.'”

Lord, I am not worthy to receive your love, but by your grace I am saved. I surrender myself to you and praise you for the freedom you have given me. For the love that you pour into my life. I ask that you help guide me and keep me fixed on you through every season of my life. I lift this up in your name. Amen.

 

 

 

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Humility is not thinking less of yourself. Humility is “thinking of yourself less”.

It is not going low, but it is dying to your selfish desires.

In my devotional this morning, I was reminded of this.

The culture of our world today raises YOU up. There is emphasis on making your world centered around yourself. Me me me. A friend of mine shared with me yesterday that she “produces her own happiness”.

We are human. Broken. Sinners. I don’t know about you, but I do not trust myself to fill a void that was meant for Jesus. We simply do not have the capacity. For a temporary season, maybe. We can do a pretty good job for a while, but eventually that fire burns out and we are looking for more ways to fill the gaps that we hold in our hearts.

Philippians 2:5-8 describes humility so beautifully.

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”.

How admirable is a servants heart. Jesus served the Father and became so obedient that it brought him to his death. He loved the Father enough that He died for His sake. He loves YOU enough that He was crucified on a cross for your sins.

How selfless.

How loving.

How humble is our Jesus.

Humility does not mean we shouldn’t like ourselves. We are called to honor our bodies because they are His.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body”.

Self care does not have to be selfish when our motives are geared towards glorifying creation. Out of love for the Father, we take care of the things that he has made, and that includes our bodies. In doing so, we stay submitted to Him and humble. Every good thing in us should point back to Him.

Magnify our God.

Keep our hands open to the challenges and blessings he is giving to us.

He has called you higher.

Jeremiah 7:23

“But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way I command you, that it may be well with you.'”

Lord, I am not worthy to receive your love, but by your grace I am saved. I surrender myself to you and praise you for the freedom you have given me. For the love that you pour into my life. I ask that you help guide me and keep me fixed on you through every season of my life. I lift this up in your name. Amen.

 

 

 

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Restore https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/restore https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/restore#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2023 08:00:00 -0500 https://www.riversideconnect.com/about/riverside-community-church-blog/post/restore As I have done in past years, I’d like to share with you the word(s) I’m focusing on for the new year. This year I am focusing on the words RESTORE and RESTORATION. What does restoration look like in the Bible?


The scripture that I’d like to focus on today is Job 42:10. “And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” If you’ve never read through the book of Job before, I encourage you to do so. I have read Job many times. Each time I learn something new that God wants me to see. With my focus on restoration this year, the above verse jumped off the page to me. What also came to mind were these questions: Would the message of the book of Job change if God had not restored Job to his former blessings? How am I approaching the throne of God when I ask for restoration? What is my heart posture? If God does not restore and heal me (physically) on this side of Heaven, how do I handle that and does that affect my faith and trust in God?


I have been battling Lyme disease for many years. Lately, my health has had lots of ups and downs. It seems that the past few months have been filled with sickness after sickness. I’ve found myself praying for healing daily over the past few months. After reading through this section of Job, I started thinking...God is still God and is still on the throne and still in control whether my health is fully restored on this side of Heaven or not. The restoration of my health does not determine how good God is. Just like the restoration of Job and his fortunes does not determine how good God is. I will continue to live my life glorifying God-this is not dependent on what God does or doesn’t give me. God does not love me less if I am not healed on this side of Heaven. Just for the record, I am expecting God to heal me physically fully here on earth as He is the God of miracles and I know this is on his resume to do so. I’ve read multiple stories in the Bible that show Jesus performing miracles and healing people. However, is my heart posture, Lord you owe this healing to me. Look at how “good” I am. Look at all I’ve done for you. If so, I’m missing the mark. God doesn't owe me anything. He gave me the best gift I could ever ask for which is His only Son, Jesus Christ who lived a sinless life, died a sinner's death and rose on the third day so that I could be saved. God did this for you too. We ultimately have all that we need. I encourage you to take some time and reflect on your relationship with God. Does it have conditions? Are you loving God for what He can do for you and give you or are you loving God for who He is as our all knowing, all loving creator and Father?

]]>
As I have done in past years, I’d like to share with you the word(s) I’m focusing on for the new year. This year I am focusing on the words RESTORE and RESTORATION. What does restoration look like in the Bible?


The scripture that I’d like to focus on today is Job 42:10. “And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” If you’ve never read through the book of Job before, I encourage you to do so. I have read Job many times. Each time I learn something new that God wants me to see. With my focus on restoration this year, the above verse jumped off the page to me. What also came to mind were these questions: Would the message of the book of Job change if God had not restored Job to his former blessings? How am I approaching the throne of God when I ask for restoration? What is my heart posture? If God does not restore and heal me (physically) on this side of Heaven, how do I handle that and does that affect my faith and trust in God?


I have been battling Lyme disease for many years. Lately, my health has had lots of ups and downs. It seems that the past few months have been filled with sickness after sickness. I’ve found myself praying for healing daily over the past few months. After reading through this section of Job, I started thinking...God is still God and is still on the throne and still in control whether my health is fully restored on this side of Heaven or not. The restoration of my health does not determine how good God is. Just like the restoration of Job and his fortunes does not determine how good God is. I will continue to live my life glorifying God-this is not dependent on what God does or doesn’t give me. God does not love me less if I am not healed on this side of Heaven. Just for the record, I am expecting God to heal me physically fully here on earth as He is the God of miracles and I know this is on his resume to do so. I’ve read multiple stories in the Bible that show Jesus performing miracles and healing people. However, is my heart posture, Lord you owe this healing to me. Look at how “good” I am. Look at all I’ve done for you. If so, I’m missing the mark. God doesn't owe me anything. He gave me the best gift I could ever ask for which is His only Son, Jesus Christ who lived a sinless life, died a sinner's death and rose on the third day so that I could be saved. God did this for you too. We ultimately have all that we need. I encourage you to take some time and reflect on your relationship with God. Does it have conditions? Are you loving God for what He can do for you and give you or are you loving God for who He is as our all knowing, all loving creator and Father?

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