Riverbend Podcast

How can you say you love God, but don't love your brother? The nature of love - the way we express it as a community.

We do not make a distinction between Saints and Sinners - Believers only. Journey of faith is for a lifetime - be comfortable with having people seek without being saved.

Why we do things the way we do at Riverbend? What it means for us to walk on THE RAZOR’S EDGE of Spiritual Dichotomy.

Reflecting Jesus' love for us to others. Why we should show sacrificial love.

What do we do - WHEN we know God has called us to do something great and WE FINALLY GET THE CHANCE?

Why should we wait when we know God has called us to do something great and someone else stands in our way?

How do we handle it - WHEN we know God has called us to do something great and OUR OPPORTUNITY never seems to arrive?

After a particularly challenging week personally, Pastor Dave shares how Jesus' Sermon on the Mount can teach us about the power of humility during times of chaos, crisis and difficulty.

Is our Humility truly setting us free? Relational humility is a test for how humble we are.

What is the true nature of humility? There is a misconception of Jesus' teaching on this. Not things we should take pride in - but to humbly be - even without notice.

This week Pastor Dave concludes our consideration of Psalm 23: "For the length of my days, for all of my days, will be filled with the presence of God - and the presence of God is through my grateful generosity when I take what I have been given, when I show what I have been shown, when I bless as I have been blessed; I am practicing my destiny, I am touching the face of God, and I am experiencing the eternal right now. Because forever has no beginning and no end. And we connect with it through our gracious, grateful, generosity... Surly this, surly goodness and mercy, surly these things are the most important legacy, and it is how we will dwell in the house of the Lord...forever."

The most significant enemies that attack our gratitude are not external, but internal: Comparison, expectation, unmet hopes and dreams, disappointment, disillusionment, and entitlement that says “You deserve more, you deserve better.” Instead, we should be thankful for the table God has set before us – grateful for all He has provided – in adversity, or prosperity. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." - Psalm 23

Many of us have experienced the fear of death's arrival but as believers in Christ we need to walk in the confidence and knowledge that God will come through with His promises. The presence and the power of God brings us strength and comfort, even in the reality of death. Though we will face trials and tribulations in this life, let us be reassured by His works and relentless love so that we may walk in faith and peace with Him daily. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." -Psalm 23:4

Continuing in our study of Psalm 23, we looked at our fears of 'what will be'. When you find yourself worrying about the unknown in your future, it is good to reflect upon the things that God has done for you in the past because remembering God’s provision helps us relax and trust in Him. One day at a time: rest, refresh, be restored and re-commit.... And know that we don’t have to worry because God is always in control.

We often experience fear but God says to cast all fears on Him. He is the Good Shepherd, and through faith in Him, we will not be in want.

If you want to live a good life, you have to go all in to follow Jesus Christ.

Todd talks about hardships within his life and his son's life. Yet, God has always been there for them and because of God's love and kindness, they have dedicated their lives to Him. Who do you run to when you're left to deal with the wreckage from the storm?

Why is it always easier to do the wrong thing rather than it is to do the right thing? Why do we turn away from God? Why do we walk away from love? We often want to control things and we tell ourselves that we don’t need anyone else because we can handle everything on our own. But the truth is we were never fashioned to do it alone; we were fashioned to walk through life with God and it is by His love that we are able to overcome the hardest situations in life. So let’s abandon our pride and trust in Him, let’s choose to walk everyday with God, and let’s choose to love as we have been loved so dearly by Him.

We explore the idea of love, but never exhaust it. When we say God is Love, we are saying it is infinite and exhaustive - bigger than the universe. That's what makes it so magnificent, so compelling. Love is not our personal catalog of experiences we have to describe love - even though they are legitimate: none alone are adequate. What are the limits of limitless love?

Regardless of how we perceive Jesus, He not only meets our expectations but He exceeds them and today is our greatest reminder of His sacrificial love. His adoration for us is beyond what we can even fathom. We serve an awesome God!