|
|
|
|
|
With summer vacation coming to a close, we hope you've been squeezing in those last-minute adventures before school starts back up next week!
|
|
Now, let's dive into this week's installment of our weekly blog series. 😊
|
|
|
BElieve Jesus
|
Years ago, my wife became friends with Jenna.* While LeAnn is a bit of an extrovert, I suspect Jenna would have made my wife her friend even if LeAnn were a recluse. Jenna's outgoing, talkative nature was drawn to pretty much everyone with working lungs, especially fellow young moms like my wife.
|
At the time, Jenna was newly married, but had been with her now-husband for several years. They had a child together, and their kiddo was close in age to our kids, so LeAnn and Jenna would get together for "playdates." During those conversations, Jenna discovered we were Christians. She had not grown up around faith or church, yet she was FILLED with spiritual questions, genuinely curious to know what LeAnn believed.
|
For months, Jenna and LeAnn conversed about God, love, the gospel, the Bible, and more. Eventually, Jenna said she believed much of what LeAnn shared about Jesus. But there was something still hindering her from becoming a Christian. Due to the deep hurts caused by her father and numerous men (including her husband), she struggled to truly believe God the Father loved her. In other words, she wasn't sure if she could fully trust God.
|
Belief = Trust
As the unsettling events of the betrayal, arrest, conviction, and execution of Jesus were rapidly approaching, Jesus told His disciples...
|
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." (John 14:1, ESV)
|
|
The Greek word the English Standard Version translates as "believe" can also be translated "trust." In John's mind, if you "believe" in Jesus, you will confidently trust Him, even when life seems uncertain.
|
|
|
|
|
Let me give you a practical example of what "belief" looks like. If you believe a chair can hold you, you display that belief by sitting on it. The very action of sitting shows you trust the chair to hold your weight. Likewise, it isn't enough to say the words, "I believe in Jesus." You have to actually trust Him with your very life.
|
|
|
|
So ask yourself: "Do I fully trust Jesus?"
|
Trusting Jesus means being willing to obey Him and not the rules of our culture (Romans 12:2) or the selfish desires of our flesh (Galatians 5:17). Believing in Jesus means attaching your identity more to Christ (Galatians 3:27-29) than to your politics, favorite sports team, hobby, or theological tribe. Having confidence in Jesus means being willing to let others know of your faith (without having to get really weird about it! (Colossians 4:5-6).
|
Trust is Hard
With that said, I will readily admit that some days it is really hard to BElieve Jesus. There are times when I want something I know God doesn't want for me (Romans 7:15-20). If you are human, you know what I am talking about. The struggle is real (Ephesians 6:12)!
|
But just because something is hard doesn't mean it is wrong. There are many times in life when the better choice is the harder choice. It's easy to eat junk food, but much harder (and better) to be disciplined about what you allow into your body. It's easy to sit on the couch watching Netflix, but it’s much harder (and better) to go to the gym. It's easy to surf the web, perusing certain images and videos, but it’s much harder (and better) to 'make a covenant with your eyes' (Job 31:1).
|
When Jesus calls you to trust and obey, He isn't trying to restrict you. Rather, He is offering to free you! (Galatians 5:1) The true slavery is giving into the temptation, remaining stuck in the sin that so easily entangles. (Hebrews 12:1) Rather, Jesus' death and resurrection were loving acts done to free you.
|
|
So again I ask: Will you fully trust Jesus and BElieve Him?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Growth Groups
|
|
Growth Groups are a vital part of our culture here at Riverwood! If you haven't connected to one of our groups yet or would be interested in starting or co-leading a new Growth Group, please reach out to Jake Epley to get the conversation started!
|
|
|
Youth Group Kickoff
|
|
As the new school year approaches, we will be having our Youth Group Kickoff on Wednesday, August 28th @ 7 PM at the Riverwood building! There will be snacks and games, so have your students invite their friends and join us for a fun evening!
|
|
|
|
|
Join our Volunteer Team
|
|
A great way to grow spiritually is through service. Whatever your interest (Café, Kids, Worship, Tech, Greeting, etc.), we would love to find a place for you. If you want to be a blessing to the Riverwood family and our first-time guests, just send us an email!
|
|
|
Just For Fun
|
|
This past weekend, we hosted a Family Trivia Night! Here are some pictures from the event for your reminiscing pleasure!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
