River of Life Church
  • Home
  • How Can I Serve
  • Map
  • Pastor Mark Radeke
  • Giving
  • Upcoming Events
  • Contact
  • ReMarkablog
  • Beliefs
  • Event Photos
  • Daily Bible Reading
  • Online Messages
  • Service Volunteer Sign-up

The Power of Story

3/24/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Our church is going through the series, Just Walk Across the Room, written by Bill Hybols.  The premise is that giving the greatest gift of introducing someone to the God who created them, loves them and has purpose and destiny for their lives is our PRIMARY mission as followers of Jesus Christ!

Stories and the words used to tell them are powerful. I asked our church if they knew the theme song from Brady Bunch. They not only knew it, they sang it! Even the younger generation knew the song. The Brady Bunch theme song tells the story each episode of the two families coming together as one family.

Jesus is the greatest story teller. Some of the most striking and intense stories Jesus told were of people just like you and me.
>A business owner needed some work done, so he hired people for the day.
>A woman was standing in her kitchen one day, baking homemade loaves of bread.

Every person alive has a story and it is awesome when we realize our stories fit into God’s greater story.
>I can be found like a lost son.
>I can be cared for by a Good Shepherd too.
>My deepest needs – like the sick person – can actually be met.
>I can receive abundant life just by having the tiniest amount of faith.

What if you were asked why you go to church and pray so often? How would you answer? This is defining moment. We should be able to answer naturally, sincerely, and with clarity in a space of about 45 seconds.
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…

Our goal is to learn how to tell God’s story and your story well. When telling God’s story, pictures often work best. A simple drawing which shows people at one end of a canyon and God at the other end illustrates that corrupt and imperfect humanity is separated from a perfect and holy God. The only way to reach God is through the cross of Jesus Christ.

Every follower of Jesus has a before and after story. Before I met Jesus, I was this way. Now that I have met Jesus I am this way.
“I was striving … but now I’m grateful.”
“I was self-destructive … but now I’m healthy.”
“Guilty, but now liberated.”
“Fear-stricken, but now confident.”
“Despairing, but now hopeful!”

  Keys to telling your faith story well:
>Search your heart and soul to firm up a three point foundation of your story
1. Key word or concept describing you before Jesus
2. Fact that you came into a relationship with Jesus
3. Key word or concept describing you after walking with Jesus

My story:
I was a lonely, heart-broken boy who lied and was mean to my brothers and sisters. I knew I needed Jesus, but thought He would have me go to Africa or do stuff that I would not like. I guess I doubted that He was good and loving.
I finally accepted Him into my life, wanting to have my sin gone even if it meant Africa!
I have discovered Jesus wants the best for my life, He is my closest friend, my loneliness is gone, I have gone to Africa and it was the best experience!
96 words

Write your ‘Before I met Jesus – After I met Jesus’ story in 100 words or less. I believe you will have opportunities this week to point someone to Jesus this week.
“If you speak in a way no can one understand, what’s the point of opening your mouth?” 1 Corinthians 14:9 (The Message)


0 Comments

A Global Search for Flight 370

3/19/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
A Boeing 777 with 239 people on board is still missing. Flight 370 left Kuala Lampur, Malaysia late Friday, March 7 that was to land in Beijing, China. It went missing in the early hours of March 8 and there is no trace of the plane anywhere. Transmitters were intentionally turned off and an altered course detected. The search area is 7 million square miles and more than two dozen countries are involved in the search.

Anguished family members who are tormented by the unknown are photographed and their pictures remind us that this is a mystery that is not a movie or book, but involves real lives.

What does this mystery tell us about our world?
1.       It is dangerous. There are accidents, attacks and injustices every day.
2.       It is connected. The world is watching this drama unfold. A variety of countries are mobilizing military, professional and amateur search and rescue efforts.
3.       It is compassionate. People are moved with compassion to help in big and small ways. Some ways are directed in the search efforts and some are directed towards those waiting to hear word of their loved ones who are missing.
4.       It is critical. Frustration over information that lacks accuracy or timeliness results in anger from one agency or country to another.

My prayer is that the LORD would reveal the whereabouts of missing Flight 370 and every passenger would be rescued.

Psalms 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.


0 Comments

Is a Spiritual Checkup in Order?

3/18/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Jessie Baker spoke at our church this past Sunday and gave a great message on our spiritual health. The following is the outline from her notes:

I.                    What is the Goal of Spiritual Life?
·               Emotionally healthy
·               Not burned out
·               Fulfilled/satisfied
·               Joyful
·               God-Inside Minded
·               Outwardly show fruits of spirit
“Sometimes we get so involved in ministry that we forget to do a heart check.”
“We can be doing for God, but our hearts are not in it.”

Most of us at one time have felt we are going through the motions.  This is not God’s intent.  “I have come that you will have life, life to the full” John 10:10

Given a choice, most of us would not voluntarily visit our doctors for an exam.  I recently had to bring my kids for their yearly exams.  It was traumatic to say the least.  In the end though, we know that it is for our own good.   It can also help to prevent major medical problems in the future.

About 21% of population goes in for an annual exam
Also given a choice, I think many of us would say that we are a little afraid of spiritual checkups as well.  After all, if we check to closely we might need to chance a habit or two.  An “attitude-ectomy”

Proverbs 4 gives us a checklist to go through a spiritual checklist.  My hope is that you might identify with one or two areas that God is prompting you to analyze your life and hopefully get back on track.
PRAY
II.  Proverbs 4:20-27 (NIV)
My son, pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
    keep your foot from evil.

A.      Ears (vs 20)  -  Are we hearing God’s Word clearly and with understanding?  Are we doing what those words tell us?
B.      Eyes (vs 21, 25)  Are we keeping our eyes on the teachings that will guide us toward righteousness?
C.      Heart (v 23)  Are we protecting our heart from evil?  Are our hearts soft to his leading?
D.      Tongue (vs 24)  Is our mouth clean and pure?  Are we instilling life into others?
E.       Feet (vs 26)  Are we walking straight toward God's truth without wavering?  Are we helping the poor, serving others as Christ would?
F.       Sensitivity - are we sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit?
·         John 16:13 - 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
III.                Prescription
A.      Daily Dose of God's Word, Daily filling with the Holy Spirit
·         Psalm 51:11 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
·         Ps 119:11, 105 - 11 I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.
B.      Spiritual Nourishment –
1.       Bible Study
a.        Ps 1:2 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
2.       Memorization
C.      Spiritual Exercise –
1.       Prayer
a.       Phil 4:6 - 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 
2.       Worship/Praise/Fellowship
a.       Heb 10:25 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
D.      Rest in the Lord
1.       Mt 11:28-29 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.) –
2.        Listen
IV.                Vaccinations -  Protecting us against attack (forgiveness, love, no stress, anger, bitterness, guilt, fear)
·         Hebrews 12:1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
·         Proverbs 12:25 25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
V.                  Conclusion
a.       Being spiritually fit eliminates destructive behaviors and helps us to develop positive routines
·         How did you do on your spiritual checkup? 
·         What areas do you need to re-evaluate? 
·         Do you need to get a new prescription for one of the following? 
·         How about a vaccination to remove an area blocking us? 
·         Quiet your heart for a minute before the Lord; it’s not worth leaving here without stopping to fix a spiritual issue.  It will only grow, and potentially destroy us.


0 Comments

Who is St. Patrick?

3/17/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Today, we celebrate St Patrick’s Day and I am re-posting my blog about St Patrick from last year.

Other than shamrock shakes and wearing green, why is St Patrick recognized? St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Though, widely known, much of his life is a mystery and it is difficult to determine what stories are accurate and what stories are legends.

Here is what we do know, from History.com:
St. Patrick was born in Britain and lived there until he was a teenager. It is known that St. Patrick was born to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D. Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been suggested that he probably took on the role because of tax incentives and there is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family.

At the age of sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family's estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. (It is also believed that Patrick first began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christianity during his captivity.)

After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. According to his writing, a voice-which he believed to be God's-spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland.

To do so, Patrick walked nearly 200 miles to the Irish coast where he boarded a ship. After escaping to Britain, Patrick reported that he experienced a second revelation; an angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than fifteen years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission-to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish. (Interestingly, this mission contradicts the widely held notion that Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland.)
More can be read at http://www.history.com/topics/who-was-saint-patrick

St. Patrick was named a patron saint of Ireland for the spiritual impact he made in the country that kidnapped him and enslaved him for six years.

God does extraordinary things through ordinary people that hear and obey His voice.
What can you do on St. Patrick’s Day that is a response to obeying God?

Have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!


0 Comments

Courage versus Control

3/12/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Courage is a tremendous character trait. A person with courage is confident and is willing to take calculated risks. Courage is necessary for leading. God tells Joshua to be courageous because he was the next leader after Moses.
Joshua 1:6-9
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “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. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 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.”

Unfortunately, some leaders become overly confident in their own abilities and use it to control those around them. The corrupt kings of the Bible used fear and intimidation to control the people they should have been serving. Control has a very subtle way of sneaking in to our lives. It starts out just being helpful. It ends up taking a person’s free will away.

Is there a person in your life that has shifted from courage to control?
Do you ever make that shift?


0 Comments

Living in 3D

3/10/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Have you ever watched a 3D movie at a theater? You get a pair of 3D glasses and even though the glasses are dorky looking, they make the images jump out at you. The picture has or appears to have height, width and depth.

Our church is going through Bill Hybols’ series, “Just Walk Across the Room”. Hybols states that we live in 2D if we don’t add God’s perspective to the mix.

Last week we learned that the single greatest gift followers of Jesus Christ can give to the people in their lives is an introduction to the God who created them, who loves them, and who has a purpose for their days.  Giving the greatest gift involves:
>Entering the Zone of the Unknown
>Hearing the Promptings of the Holy Spirit
>Just Walk

Just walking is one thing, but what do I do once I have walked across the room? During my school years, I had a crush on almost every girl in my class. I was on the team bus returning from a JV football team. The players were towards the back with our sweaty football gear still on and the JV cheerleaders were towards the front. The girl I had a crush on that month was one of the cheerleaders and she was sitting alone! After many minutes of building up my courage, I finally got up and sat next to her. I must have said, “Hi” or something, but I do not think I said anything else the entire trip! I was in my own little “Zone of the Unknown”.

Living in 3D encourages those of us who are following Jesus to learn how to reach out to others effectively once they find themselves standing in the Zone of the Unknown! Awkward first meetings can grow into transformational friendships by tuning in to the Holy Spirit and by choosing to Live in 3D:
Developing Friendships
Discovering Stories
Discerning Next Steps

Develop Friendships
The longer we walk with Christ, the more isolated and insulated we become from the world we are called to reach. Jesus spent time with people far from Him.
Luke 15:1-2
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”


 Instead of openly accepting and embracing people who are far from God, the religious leaders ignored those who were not already “in” the circle. Jesus tells three parables, stories that have a meaning, to show that He cares about people far from Him. People who live in 3D constantly look for ways to Develop Friendships so they can discover stories.

Discover Stories
Discovering stories begins with taking the risk to engage with people far from God. Last week during a coffee break, I asked some questions that resulted in my hearing their story of two broken marriages, a death in his family, distrust and disinterest in church.

Discern Next Steps
Let the Holy Spirit lead where you go after you discover the stories of a person. If you are a follower of Jesus, there were people who discerned a next step to take in your life. They invited you to church, a small group or out for coffee to talk more.

I want you to think of the next steps that people took in your life that helped you to understand God’s grace…steps that led you to invite Christ into your life.

I want you to remember this week steps people took in your life as you pray and ask God for discernment and wisdom on next steps you must take if you follow Christ’s example in the lives of those around you.


0 Comments

7 Things I Did Not Know About Ash Wednesday

3/7/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
This is a posting I did last year on Ash Wednesday. The Lenten season has begun and I am looking forward to celebrating Jesus as risen Lord on Easter Sunday!

Ash Wednesday was something that other denominations observed, but it was not a part of the church I grew up attending. I knew that it was the start of a season before Easter when people gave up things like sweets and meat on Fridays. As a child, I was glad I was not required to give up stuff I liked. Since my childhood, I have met Christians that observe Ash Wednesday and I am learning that there are some significant things I did not know about the occasion. Here are seven:

1.       Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent.
2.       It occurs forty days before Easter not counting Sundays.
3.        During some Ash Wednesday services, the minister will lightly rub the sign of the cross on the foreheads of worshipers.
4.       The ashes used are typically from the burning of palm leave s from the previous year’s Palm Sunday.
5.       Ash Wednesday is primarily observed by Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic, Presbyterian, Eastern Orthodox and Anglican denominations.
6.       The Bible does not mention Ash Wednesday or the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21.
7.       The observance of Ash Wednesday began around the 8th century.

I appreciate the prayerful preparation leading up to the celebration of Easter. Prayer and fasting are to be a regular rhythm of life for all Christians. This is a good opportunity to emphasize both. Our church will not hold a special service on Ash Wednesday, but all of us are invited to pursue a deeper walk with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 5:16
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.


0 Comments

Are You a Ten City Person?

3/5/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
God gives each of us skills, talents, and a destiny to fulfill. It is given to us as a trust. He expects that you will live out your calling and purpose using the set of talents God has given you for His pleasure. Jesus told His followers a parable which illustrates His expectations.

Luke 19:13,15-17
13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’
15 “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’
17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’


I think it is a big deal to double your return, but Jesus’ shares that it is a very small matter in the story He told. Your personality, character traits, and sphere of influence are given by God. You can live each day with boldness, knowing that success follows obeying God.

Are you a ten city person?


0 Comments

Is is Bad to Eat Bacon as a Christian?

3/4/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
I am reading through the dietary laws in the Old Testament, which clearly prohibits eating pork.

Deuteronomy 14:8 (NIV) The pig is also unclean; although it has a divided hoof, it does not chew the cud. You are not to eat their meat or touch their carcasses.


 I am a Christian who eats pork. Should I stop? Is there scripture support for me to eat pork or other foods that were declared unclean in the Old Testament?

Peter’s vision in Acts 10 is about people and not food, so this should not be used as an argument. Romans 14 is a better place to consider clean and unclean foods.
Romans 14:2-3, 5-6 (NIV)
2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.


There are Christians who do not eat pork and those who do. This passage highlights the importance of personal conviction, doing it to the LORD and not discredited those who have a different conviction.  So, whether your conviction has you eating bacon or biscuits for breakfast, do it for the LORD.

Are there any Scripture passages that have helped you with this question?
Comment here:


0 Comments

Just Walk Across the Room

3/3/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
I rarely repeat messages, but in 2011 I did the series, Just Walk Across the Room written by Bill Hybols  and we are going through it again. Why? It is what we are called to do as a church. The premise is that the single greatest gift followers of Jesus Christ can give to the People in their lives is an introduction to the God who created them, who loves them, and who has a purpose for their days.  This is what evangelism is: seizing opportunities to have eternal impact in someone’s life — opportunities that originate with a simple walk across the room.

Are you ready to give the “single greatest gift” to someone today?

Christ followers who want to give the greatest gift are willing to enter the Zone of the Unknown. This refers to leaving the circle of comfort to the zone of the unknown. When you bring Jesus into the conversation, it is unknown what the response will be of those you are visiting with. We are not left without any help. Christ followers who want to give the greatest gift listen to the Holy Spirit’s promptings.

This past week I sensed a prompting by the Holy Spirit to ask an acquaintance some personal questions about previous marriages that did not work out. I entered the zone of the unknown. I asked questions, made comments and asked more questions. I learned that my friends brother died  – heard about a brother died age 21 cook was 17, heard about 2 divorces, heard about distrust of bible – our conversation did not result in a dramatic change, but I felt moved him from a scale of -10 to +10 maybe from -7 to a -5.

Matthew 19:10 (NIV)
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”


Christ followers who want to give the greatest gift just walk; walk into the zone of the unknown, listen to the Holy Spirit prompting and see what God does with your steps of obeying Him.


0 Comments

    Mark Radeke

    Husband of one, father of five, pastor and friend of many.

    Archives

    December 2022
    March 2021
    April 2020
    January 2019
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    Categories

    All
    10 Commandments.
    Bible
    Business
    Christian Living
    Church
    Dreams
    Easter
    Evil
    Famous People
    Finishing Well
    Forgiveness
    Freedom
    Global Poverty
    God
    Grace
    Heaven
    Holidays
    Holy Spirit
    Hope
    Kingdom Of God
    Love
    Marriage
    Money
    New Ventures
    Outreach
    Parables
    Parenting
    Peace
    Poverty
    Prayer
    Prophecy
    Retreat Highlights
    Salvation
    Senior Citizens
    Spiritual Gifts
    Trinity
    Trust
    Valentine's Day Stats
    Water Baptism
    Wisdom
    Worship

    RSS Feed