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

River of Life - Cold Spring

Kodak Moments

"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—all she had to live on.” -Mark 12:41-44 (NIV) Two ways we can give: a.) I can give based on reason. b.) I can give based on revelation. - What does giving do? -Giving breaks the grip of materialism -Giving strengthens my faith -Giving is an investment for eternity -Giving always blesses me in return -Giving makes me happy 3. Let’s Glorify the Lord Together. "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." - 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV) “The people rejoiced for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord.” - Proverbs 11:25 "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." - 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (NIV)

Together

“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 make a long blast with the ram's horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.” -Joshua 5:13 - 6:5 (ESV) - How do we sense and see what God is doing? 1.) Spiritual Vision comes when we submit to God’s purpose. "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?” - Joshua 5:14 (ESV) 2.) Spiritual Vision comes from being in God’s presence. "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?” - Joshua 5:14 (ESV) “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV) 3.) Spiritual Vision comes when we believe God’s promise. “Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.” - Joshua 6:1-2 (NIV)

See!

“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 Corinthians 6:2b (NIV) 4 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Miracles: 1.) Learn to Wait on God. “Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. At the end of three days the officers went through the camp.” - Joshua 3:1b - 2 (ESV) 2..) Follow His Lead. “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 3:3-4 (NIV) 3.) Be Consecrated. “Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” - Joshua 3:5 (ESV) We repent enough to be saved, but do we surrender enough to be transformed? 4.) Get Moving - If you want a miracle, you need to do something! “So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.” - Joshua 3:14-17 (NIV)

Preparing for a Miracle (Pt. 2)

“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 Corinthians 6:2b (NIV) 3 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Miracles: 1.) Learn to Wait on God. “Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. At the end of three days the officers went through the camp.” - Joshua 3:1b - 2 (ESV) 2.) Respond to His Leading. 3.) Follow His Lead. “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 3:3-4 (NIV)

Preparing for a Miracle

“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 Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.” - Joshua 1:1-2 (NIV) You get strong by forgetting the past! 2.) Move toward the new territory “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.” - Joshua 1:2 (NIV) a.) “When God is leading, you will go to a place spiritually before you experience it physically. " b.) He never calls you to do something you can do without Him! 3.) Listen for God’s Promises “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.” - Joshua 1:3 (NIV) When you are heading to new territory, God always encourages and inspires us with a new promise. “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.” - Isaiah 54:2 - 4 (NIV) 4.) Live the Word “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:7 (NIV) 5.) Walk in God's Presence “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)

Get Moving (Pt 2)

Get Moving

“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 Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.” - Joshua 1:1-2 (NIV) You get strong by forgetting the past! 1.) Move toward the new territory “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.” - Joshua 1:2 (NIV) a.) “When God is leading, you will go to a place spiritually before you experience it physically. " b.) He never calls you to do something you can do without Him!

A New Day

“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 thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” - Philippians 3:4-7 (NIV) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” - Ephesians 2: 8 - 9 (NIV) “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” - Romans 10:9 - 10 (NIV) Remember who you are. When we know who are we, we will know what to do. 2.) You need to grow. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:23 - 25 a.) We need people to help us grow! b.) We need positive people in our lives. c.) We need to connect with others.

Good / Bad / God

"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 to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.” -Acts 16:16 - 40 (NIV) Here is a list of verses you can use for any situation you may be facing - Joy - “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. -Psalm 16:11 (NIV) 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) “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 Rest - “The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” -Exodus 33:14 (NIV) Peace - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) Guidance - “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” -Psalm 5:11 (NIV) “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) Confidence - “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” - Jeremiah 17:7 - Choose worship until you are free!

Worship

"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) “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” (MSG version) 3.) Seek His Presence “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” -Psalm 16:11 (NIV) "Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

Changed

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.

Starts Right Here - Week 2

"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. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG) How can we become salt and light to the world? How can we be representations of Jesus to those around us? **Value People (Connecting) Jesus valued everyone. Missions and valuing people paves the way to miracles. “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." -Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

Starts Right Here

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 children. “If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry for help will not be heard.” -Proverbs 21:13 (GNT) Listening to others emphasizes their value. When you listen to someone, you are saying, “You matter to me.” 22,000 children a day die of dirty water or hunger related issues. The entire health budget of Ethiopia, a country of 105 million people, is equivalent to just 1% of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos fortune. 750,000,000 people around the world live on less than 1.90 a day. “The crowd asked, “What should we do?” John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” -Luke 3:10-11 (NLT) “Caring for the poor is lending to the Lord, and you will be well repaid.” -Proverbs 19:17 (CET) So…Why should we care about the poor? 1. Because God cares about poor. 2. Because God is an advocate for the poor. 3. Because every person on the planet is valuable to God. - Big Idea - Where someone lives should not determine whether they live or die. 4. Because we were poor, and God graciously gave to us. “Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need but does not help. Then God’s love is not living in that person. My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring.” -I John 3:17-18 (NCV) What is God asking you to do? God’s prompting + Obedience = The Miraculous

Missions Experience Sunday

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.

Mid-Summer Celebration

Hear great messages from Pastor Denny Curran from River of Life Church in Cold Spring, MN. To learn more about the church please visit riveroflifeag.org.

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River of Life - Cold Spring

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