admin, Author at River Life Church

God Is on My Side

Life is full of ups and downs, but one thing is certain—God is on our side (Psalm 56:9). David experienced moments of struggle and doubt, yet he held onto the truth that God was for him. Pastor Glenn reminded us that God’s love isn’t based on our abilities or worthiness; He cares for us deeply and offers grace instead of justice (Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 5:7). No matter our failures or uncertainties, we have permanent access to His presence (Psalm 41:12). Even when we don’t know what to do, God does, and His plans will always prevail.

Stand, Still. | Wk 2

Pastor Tom continued the Stand Still series, teaching us that in a world constantly pulling us in different directions, it’s difficult to be still. 1 Peter 5:8-11 reminds us that the devil is looking for someone to devour, but we must resist him and stand firm. Matthew 11:28-30 invites us to find rest in Jesus.

Stand Still | Week 1

admin February 24, 2025 Pastor Tom introduced a two-week sermon series titled Stand Still, focusing on what it means to stand firm in the face of spiritual battles. When the enemy attacks, we often feel the urge to fight, flee, or fix things ourselves. But Scripture gives a different command: stand still. Read More … Ephesians gives us a clear, almost scientific explanation of what to do when facing spiritual warfare. After putting on the full armor of God and doing everything we can—stand. Stand your ground. Stand strong. Even when you feel like you can’t take another step, take another step. Pastor Tom unpacked the meaning of still. As a noun, it means calm or motionless. As an adverb, it means nevertheless, all the same, or in spite of. Culture tells us that success comes from constantly moving, working, and staying busy. But busyness is a trap. When we stand still in God’s presence, we are standing in spite of what the world expects of us and in spite of the enemy’s attacks. We can stand still in God’s presence anywhere, even in the midst of battle. Ephesians describes the armor of God, including the shield of faith. In ancient battles, shields were made of metal with a leather exterior. Before going into battle, soldiers dipped their shields in water so that when fiery arrows struck, the flames would be extinguished. After the battle, the shields were treated with oil, restoring them almost to new. This is a picture of how our faith protects us and how God restores us after we face attacks. Stand still because Jesus will fight for you. Pastor Tom shared the story of Elijah. Despite experiencing incredible victories, Elijah found himself overwhelmed, exhausted, and discouraged. God called him up a mountain, and as Elijah stood there, he experienced a mighty earthquake, a rushing wind, and a blazing fire. But God wasn’t in any of them. Then, in the silence, Elijah heard a whisper—that’s where God was. Sometimes, in our chaos and exhaustion, we expect to find God in grand, dramatic moments, but He often speaks in the stillness. He also shared the inspiring story of Wilma Rudolph. Diagnosed with polio as a child, doctors told her she would never stand again. But her mother refused to believe that report. She took Wilma to special doctors miles away for therapy, and Wilma’s 19 older siblings massaged her legs four times a day. Determined to walk, she not only overcame polio but went on to play basketball and run track, eventually making it to the Olympics. She became the first woman to win three gold medals, proving that standing still doesn’t mean staying idle—it means trusting in God’s strength to move forward. No matter the battles we face, God calls us to stand still—not in fear, but in faith. Because when we do, we’ll find that He is already fighting for us. Bible Verses Ephesians 6:13-14 – “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.” Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Give Now YouTube Follow Us Share Related Messages

It’s a Jungle Out There | Week 3

The message this Sunday focused on the reality that life is full of chaos, but when we look closely at everything happening around us, we’ll see Jesus standing in the middle of it all. There’s mayhem everywhere you look, and when you look closer at everything you see, you’ll witness Jesus standing in the middle of the hullabaloo.

It’s A Jungle Out There wk 2 | Keep Your Eyes On Your Tour Guide

Pastor Tom continued the It’s a Jungle Out There! series with a powerful message centered around one truth: Keep Your Eyes on the Tour Guide.

It’s A Jungle Out There: wk 1 | Remember Your Heaven Born Hunger

The world offers temporary satisfaction, but there is a Heaven-born hunger that only God can fill. When we forget His promises, we become weak and desperate, tempted to settle for things that ultimately poison our souls. But just as Jesus resisted temptation in the wilderness, we too can stand firm—feeding our spirit with His Word, staying connected in community, and remembering that God alone sustains us.

Happy New You | Week 3 | I Dare You To Be Happy

admin January 28, 2025 In Week 3 of the Happy New You series, Pastor Tom Golden challenged us to dare to live a happier, more fulfilled life in Christ by experimenting with spiritual growth. Using Proverbs 29:18 as a foundation, he explained that happiness isn’t just a fleeting emotion but is rooted in living according to God’s Word and embracing His vision for our lives. Download Spiritual Growth Plan Read More … Pastor Tom introduced a practical spiritual growth plan to help guide us through 2025. This plan focuses on seven key areas: food, finances, vocation, reading, sharing, relationships, and exercise. Each week, we are encouraged to evaluate our progress and make adjustments, experimenting with new ways to deepen our faith and align our lives with God’s purpose. He emphasized the importance of intentionality, encouraging us to use resources like reading plans, scripture research, and even tools like Siri or AI to explore the meaning behind biblical principles. For instance: Food and Exercise: Honor God with your body, as it is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Finances: Avoid the burden of debt and steward resources wisely (Proverbs 22:7). Vocation: Work wholeheartedly for the Lord, knowing He is your ultimate reward (Colossians 3:23-24). Reading: Let God’s Word guide you daily (Psalms 119:105). Sharing: Do good and share with others, pleasing God through your generosity (Hebrews 13:16). Relationships: Value the friendships and connections God has placed in your life (Proverbs 27:10). Pastor Tom also shared the story of King Josiah from 2 Kings. Josiah purified the temple and removed all false idols, demonstrating the importance of eliminating sin and distractions from our hearts. We, too, must identify the “bad and ugly” in our lives and surrender it to Jesus. To illustrate perseverance and hope, Pastor Tom shared the inspiring story of Cleveland Chandler, a man born into poverty who pursued education against all odds, ultimately becoming a Harvard professor. His story exemplifies how faith and determination can lead to unimaginable blessings. Pastor Tom left us with this challenge: Dare to embrace God’s plan for your life. Take small, consistent steps, trusting in His guidance, and watch as He transforms you into the “happy new you” He created you to be. Bible Verses Proverbs 29:1818 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Philippians 3:1414I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Psalm 1:11 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalm 119:105105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Give Now YouTube Follow Us Share Related Messages