River of Life Missoula

God instructs us to remember His faithfulness as a foundation for future faith. In Joshua 4, the Israelites built a memorial with stones from the Jordan River after crossing on dry ground, creating a conversation piece for future generations. God's power was released only after the priests took steps of faith into rushing waters. River of Life Church has its own legacy stones—from its miraculous beginnings in East Missoula to recent provision for a new property. When facing impossible situations, remember that God's power activates with your step of faith, and He sees value in places and people others overlook.

Spiritual warfare is an unseen battle for our hearts, minds, and souls that manifests in everyday struggles. The enemy attacks through deception, planting doubts about God's goodness and lies about our identity. Fortunately, we have powerful weapons including Scripture, faith, and prayer to counter these attacks. While Christians still face difficulties, we fight from a position of victory in Christ. By staying grounded in God's Word, maintaining an active prayer life, and remaining connected to other believers, we can experience peace and triumph in spiritual battles.

In a world where the church often chooses hesitancy over boldness, we must recognize that partial obedience is actually disobedience. King Saul's story teaches us that God desires complete obedience rather than religious sacrifices. Today's misguided tolerance has weakened the church's role as society's immune system. Pride—the original sin—leads us to pick and choose which commands to follow, while God calls us to identify and eliminate areas of compromise in our lives. True holiness requires cutting away anything that prevents total surrender to God's will.

There's a spiritual war being waged over our families, with the real enemies being evil spirits, not other people. Men are being systematically sidelined from their God-given leadership roles, but like Nehemiah, fathers are called to stand up as spiritual warriors. The battle begins in the mind, continues through prayer, requires stepping into leadership regardless of titles, and demands willingness rather than qualifications. Victory comes through fighting in prayer, being present, staying watchful, and actively reclaiming spiritual ground in our homes.

In our comfort-filled world, many experience spiritual malnourishment despite material abundance. True spiritual hunger, as exemplified by King David in Psalm 63, seeks God above all circumstances. While we often mistake our craving for God with desires for temporary satisfactions, cultivating healthy spiritual hunger requires intentional choices. This includes taking charge of what we consume spiritually, preparing nourishing options before desperate moments arrive, prioritizing our relationship with God, distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy spiritual appetites, engaging in spiritual disciplines, and asking God to increase our hunger for Him. The alternative—lukewarm faith—leaves us spiritually empty and drifting away from God.

In this week's message, we look at Acts 16, where Paul and Silas face off with a spirit of deception—and what that means for us today. Pastor Jason shows how the spiritual battles we read about in Scripture are still happening right now, often disguised as "love" or "tolerance." Using real examples from our community, he challenges us to recognize what's really going on and to respond with truth, love, and biblical clarity. This is a must-hear if you've ever struggled to speak truth without sounding harsh—or felt pressure to stay silent.

Choosing Your Circle Wisely: How Your Friends Shape Your Future explores the profound impact friendships have on our spiritual journey and life direction. This message examines how the people we surround ourselves with influence who we become and where we end up in life. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 15:33, we learn that bad company corrupts good character, highlighting the importance of selecting our inner circle carefully. While Jesus was known as a friend of sinners, he maintained clear boundaries and was strategic about his closest relationships, spending most time with disciples aligned with his mission. The message identifies two warning signs of harmful friendships: those who distract us from God's plan and those who consistently tempt us toward sin. Jesus modeled three relationship circles we can apply today: the multitude (casual acquaintances), the twelve (regular companions), and the three (closest confidants). This teaching provides practical guidance for evaluating friendships, being intentional about building relationships with those who share your values, and positioning yourself to influence others positively without compromising your faith. Christian community, spiritual growth, biblical friendships, discipleship, boundaries in relationships, spiritual influence, faith journey, Christian living, purpose-driven relationships, spiritual accountability, Christian fellowship, spiritual mentorship, godly friendships, spiritual discernment, Christian boundaries, spiritual community, faith development, Christian discipleship, biblical community, spiritual direction.

One Community Away from Success: The Power of Authentic Relationships explores how many of us suffer from relational poverty in today's isolated world. Despite financial stability, we often lack the meaningful connections God designed us to have. This message examines why we've become relationally poor: our transient lifestyles, isolating modern conveniences, and the illusion of connection through social media. Learn how the voice of true connection can overcome the lie of independence, and discover that what you need isn't always a miracle but margin for community in your life. Based on principles from Acts 2, discover three qualities of authentic community: open doors where people can be themselves, environments where vulnerability about brokenness leads to healing, and groups that fight for each other against spiritual attacks. Find practical steps to build meaningful relationships, overcome past hurts, and experience the success and fulfillment that comes through genuine community.

In our increasingly isolated world, many suffer from relational poverty despite financial stability. We've become disconnected due to transient lifestyles, modern conveniences, and the illusion of connection through social media. Authentic community requires intentionality and creates space for healing and growth. Great communities have open doors where people can be themselves, allow for vulnerability about brokenness, and include members who fight for each other. By identifying our community, being honest about our need for connection, and learning to be better friends, we can experience the success and fulfillment God designed us for.

In today's increasingly isolated world, godly friendships play a crucial role in shaping our spiritual journey and life purpose. True spiritual friends push us in our faith journey, help us move from survivor to conqueror, and see potential rather than problems. Drawing from the biblical story of Jonathan and his armor bearer, we learn that even just two people with aligned faith and purpose can create breakthrough moments. These relationships feed faith instead of fear, see calling over chaos, and fight alongside us in spiritual battles.

In our digitally connected yet emotionally distant world, true friendship has become increasingly scarce, with many adults reporting few or no close friends. Biblical friendship involves being present, sharing vulnerabilities, and supporting each other through difficulties. True connections require intentional effort - putting away distractions, being authentic, and making time for face-to-face interaction. Christian friendships are particularly vital as they provide godly counsel, accountability, and support while helping us grow closer to God.

In a pivotal moment during battle, Joshua demonstrated extraordinary faith by asking God to make the sun stand still. This bold, public prayer showcased complete trust in God's power to do the impossible. While Joshua and his army were exhausted from fighting, he chose to prioritize complete victory over personal comfort. This powerful account teaches us about praying with audacity, pursuing God's vision despite discomfort, and believing in divine intervention when facing seemingly impossible situations.

Control issues often stem from our struggle to fully trust God with every aspect of our lives. By spending time in God's Word, recognizing His reliability, and experiencing His peace, we can develop deeper trust. True freedom comes through daily surrender and actively choosing to release control to God. This involves consistent prayer, keeping reminders of God's faithfulness, and being willing to trust His timing and plan even when we don't understand.

Easter marks the ultimate demonstration of God's love through Jesus's sacrificial death and resurrection. This profound act paid the full price for humanity's sins, showing both the high cost of forgiveness and God's immense value for each person. When Jesus declared 'It is finished' from the cross, He confirmed that our debt was paid and victory was won. This truth enables believers to move beyond guilt and shame into a life of freedom and purpose.

Peter's journey during Holy Week reveals how faith can swing between bold confidence and paralyzing fear. Initially close to Jesus, Peter displayed remarkable courage, even attempting to walk on water and vowing never to deny Christ. However, when he began following at a distance after Jesus' arrest, his boldness crumbled into fear and denial. This pattern reflects how many believers today struggle with maintaining closeness to God, often due to social pressures or past hurts. The key to regaining spiritual boldness lies in restoring a close relationship with Christ, just as Peter did after the resurrection.

Finding peace and purpose in a busy world through the biblical story of Mary and Martha. Discover how to overcome common barriers that keep us from developing a deeper relationship with God, including perfectionism, busyness, and misplaced priorities. Learn practical ways to cultivate spiritual disciplines and find rest in God's presence. This powerful message explores the balance between service and devotion, helping you understand why spending time with Jesus is essential for spiritual growth. Perfect for anyone struggling with spiritual burnout, feeling distant from God, or seeking to deepen their faith journey. Topics include spiritual growth, Christian living, Bible study, prayer life, devotional practices, overcoming distractions, finding peace, spiritual disciplines, Christian meditation, and personal transformation.

In times of chaos and uncertainty, God maintains complete control over every moment of our lives. His kingdom operates on different principles than earthly systems, remaining constant and unshakeable regardless of circumstances. While we face temporary struggles like job uncertainty, relationship challenges, and health concerns, these difficulties don't diminish the permanence of God's kingdom. Understanding this truth allows us to stop settling for mediocrity and instead pursue the greater things God has prepared, even in our imperfection.

In an unstable world, understanding what truly matters is essential for meaningful living. While material possessions, human achievements, and even relationships are temporary, God's kingdom remains unshakable. By pursuing unshakable faith through Scripture, prayer, and worship, we can build our lives on an eternal foundation. Living with an eternal perspective helps us make choices that impact beyond our lifetime and align with God's unchanging purposes.

Life's challenges and trials serve a greater purpose in our spiritual journey - they're often preparation rather than punishment. Like sifting wheat separates grain from chaff, difficult times reveal our true character and areas needing growth. These moments of adversity strengthen our faith, build resilience, and develop deeper trust in God. Through every trial, God is working purposefully to prepare us for our future calling, using each challenge to shape us for greater purposes.

Building an unshakable foundation in God's kingdom requires more than surface-level faith. True stability comes through actively choosing and building upon God's promises, love, and truth. Like a well-constructed building, a strong spiritual foundation enables believers to withstand life's trials and maintain stability in unstable times. This foundation is built through consistent dedication to God's Word, genuine application of His teachings, and alignment with kingdom values rather than cultural standards.

True discipleship requires more than casual church attendance or selective engagement with Scripture. Following Jesus demands complete dedication, self-denial, and willingness to face difficult truths. This includes active participation in church community, contributing to ministry, and embracing the full message of Scripture - even the challenging parts. Real discipleship involves being transformed by Jesus, committing to God's mission, and taking ownership of one's spiritual journey.

The choices we make about forgiveness create powerful ripple effects throughout our lives, similar to the butterfly effect theory. Unforgiveness can damage our physical health, emotional wellbeing, and spiritual growth, while also hurting those around us. The Bible teaches that forgiveness isn't optional for believers, but rather a command that opens the door to God's blessings. Through identifying areas of unforgiveness, depending on the Holy Spirit, and taking practical steps toward forgiveness, we can experience renewed joy, peace, and restored relationships.

Living in spiritual light means embracing God's truth, purity, and holiness while rejecting darkness and sin. This journey requires genuine belief in Jesus, practicing biblical truth, sincere repentance, and maintaining a heavenly focus. Walking in the light transforms our relationship with God and others, affecting our motives, actions, and priorities. By examining our lives and taking intentional steps toward light, we can experience the fullness of God's presence and purpose.

Life's middle moments - those periods between start and completion - can be filled with uncertainty and doubt. Rather than fixating on the past or worrying about the future, we can find strength through intentionally choosing joy in God's presence. Through Nehemiah's example, we learn that perseverance comes through joy, not just persistence. By focusing on the present moment and taking simple steps of obedience, we can navigate challenging seasons with renewed strength and purpose.

Life's crushing moments, while painful, can serve a greater purpose in our spiritual journey. Just as grapes must be crushed to create valuable wine, our difficult experiences can produce something meaningful when properly processed. The value derived from these seasons depends on three key elements: our origin as God's children, our protection against negative influences, and the environment we maintain during trials. Through proper perspective and trust in God's purpose, these challenging seasons can transform from mere suffering into powerful testimonies of growth and victory.

Discover the transformative journey from fear to faith in giving and experience the abundance of God's overflow. Learn powerful insights from the parable of the talents and understand the crucial difference between burying your gifts and sowing them in faith. Explore practical ways to overcome fear-based decision making and embrace a lifestyle of generous living. This teaching delves into biblical principles of stewardship, abundance mindset, financial freedom, spiritual growth, and kingdom multiplication. Perfect for Christians seeking to deepen their faith, understand biblical finances, and experience supernatural provision. Learn how to move from scarcity thinking to abundance living, from fear to faith, and from holding back to stepping out in trust.

The principle of first fruits teaches us to give God our best rather than our leftovers. This ancient biblical concept extends beyond material offerings to include our time, energy, and talents. When we prioritize God by giving Him our first and best, we demonstrate trust in His provision and position ourselves for blessing. This practice isn't about following rules or earning favor, but about acknowledging God's sovereignty and allowing Him to bless everything else in our lives.

Spiritual dryness is a common experience in faith, but the danger lies in letting temporary distance become permanent lukewarmness. Warning signs include attending church out of obligation, giving only when convenient, and choosing popularity over conviction. The path from dry to thriving faith requires forgetting past failures and actively pursuing God, even when feelings don't align. Through dedicated worship time, honest prayer, and intentional pursuit of relationship with God, we can move from being spectators to active participants in our faith journey.

Discover the transformative power of living generously and unlock God's promises of abundance in your life. Learn how God's economy operates differently from worldly systems and why generosity is key to experiencing His overflow. Understand the biblical principles of sowing and reaping, and how they apply to your finances, time, and resources. Break free from the scarcity mindset and fear that holds you back from giving. Explore practical steps to implement generous living and witness the impact it has on your spiritual and emotional well-being.

Discover the transformative power of living in God's abundance and breaking free from scarcity mindsets. Learn powerful biblical principles from Isaac's story of experiencing supernatural provision during famine. Understand how to identify and remove spiritual blockages that prevent God's overflow in your life. This life-changing message explores practical steps for accessing divine abundance, maintaining spiritual growth, and becoming a channel for God's blessings. Perfect for Christians seeking breakthrough, spiritual growth, biblical prosperity, overcoming obstacles, faith building, spiritual transformation, abundant living, divine provision, spiritual warfare, and personal development. Gain insights on moving beyond comfort zones, dealing with difficult seasons, and experiencing supernatural breakthrough in every area of life.

Discover the true meaning of worship through the story of the wise men. As Christmas approaches, it's easy to get caught up in holiday preparations, but the journey of the wise men offers profound lessons. These scholars, guided by a star, brought symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. Learn how their actions teach us to worship the Creator, focus on Jesus, practice humility, and engage in holistic worship. This season, challenge yourself to deepen your faith and honor God with your whole being.

Discover the heart of this week's message, focusing on God's unwavering love and His good plans for us. Learn about the joy of giving through the church's generosity. Explore Simeon's prophecy in Luke 2:28-35, revealing Jesus as a light to the nations and the glory of Israel. Understand the significance of the shepherds' encounter with angels in Luke 2:8-14, emphasizing that God's message is for everyone. Knowing that God is for us should transform our lives, encouraging obedience to His commands and embracing discomfort for growth. Reflect on the story of Joseph's obedience in Matthew 1:18-25 and Matthew 2:13-15, illustrating the importance of following God's guidance. Apply these lessons to draw closer to God and experience His good plans for your life.

As Christmas approaches, many of us find this to be a stressful time. This Christmas instead of worry and stress, Jesus offers us all peace. Take a listen to River of Life's first message of Destined.

Ezekiel 47 offers a powerful metaphor for spiritual growth, likening it to the depths of a river. From ankle-deep to waters too deep to cross, each stage represents a deeper relationship with God. The river symbolizes life, healing, and restoration, starting from the temple and growing deeper. Reflect on your spiritual journey and take steps to deepen your relationship with God, allowing His life-giving water to flow through you and impact your community.

Faith is not a leash but a path to freedom. Baptism is a powerful declaration of following Jesus. Praying 'Your kingdom come' calls us to bring heaven to earth through our actions. Indecision can be a prison, but overcoming the fear of failure and making decisions aligned with God's will leads to a fulfilling life. Establish core values, take small steps, and seek prayer for wisdom to break free from indecision and live abundantly.

Discover the transformative power of seeking holiness over fleeting happiness in this week's message. Learn how aligning your life with God's purpose leads to lasting joy that transcends circumstances. Explore the dangers of the 'happiness gospel' and understand why God's ultimate goal is our holiness. Reflect on areas where you might be prioritizing happiness over holiness and take actionable steps to realign your focus.

Revival is a profound spiritual awakening that brings us closer to God, requiring clean hands and pure hearts. Jesus, our High Priest, removed barriers to God's presence, inviting us to a transformative relationship. Embracing newness, as illustrated in the parable of the wineskins, means letting go of old habits and mindsets. Transformation involves pressure and discomfort, but trusting in God's plan helps us grow and expand our capacity to receive His blessings.

In this powerful message, Pastor Jason explores the importance of speaking the truth of the Gospel, even when it may offend others. In a world that often values comfort over conviction, this message is particularly relevant. Pastor Jason delves into how Jesus did not shy away from offending people when necessary to correct wrong theology and spur spiritual growth. He discusses the duality of Jesus as both a cornerstone for believers and a stumbling block for non-believers, emphasizing the need to present the Gospel truthfully. The sermon also warns against diluting the Gospel message to avoid offense, as this robs it of its transformative power. Pastor Jason encourages us to speak the truth in love, even when it is uncomfortable, and reminds us of our responsibility to be bold in our witness for Christ.

Explore the Parable of the Wedding Feast from Matthew 22, where Jesus uses the imagery of a grand wedding to convey deep spiritual truths about the Kingdom of Heaven. This parable highlights God's open invitation to all humanity, the importance of being spiritually prepared, and the consequences of unpreparedness. Learn about the significance of the wedding clothes, symbolizing righteousness and a genuine relationship with Jesus. Discover how believers are called to accept Jesus, live transformed lives, and share the Gospel with others.

In today's divided world, Christians are called to bring the principles of heaven to earth, as highlighted in Matthew 6:10. This message emphasizes the church's role in politics, urging believers to stand up for truth and righteousness. The sermon addresses common misconceptions about the Church's involvement in politics and highlights the importance of voting as a God-given authority. Key issues such as the sanctity of life and gender identity are discussed, urging Christians to vote in alignment with biblical principles. By exercising our authority and standing firm in our faith, we can make a significant impact in our society.

Pastor Jason explores the journey of growing in faith through moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love for everyone.

Pastor Jason preaches the second message in the "Growing Pains" series. He teaches that the growth process is often accompanied by discomfort.

Pastor Jason preaches a message about the importance of serving and how serving and outreach is in the DNA of this church.

Pastor Seth preaches a powerful message on the topic of worship.