Life is difficult. Not only do we struggle with personal, school and work issues but we are also involved in a spiritual battle that can make us want to give up. The Apostle Paul’s instructions to the Church in Philippi was to press on and keep their eyes on the Heavenly prize. Listen and be encouraged to keep pressing on through the hard times, the comfortable times and all those times that don’t go as you had hoped. Pastor Chris Teien

Jesus said, “I will build my church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” The church is called the bride of Christ and most of God’s plan to save the world involves the church so why would we miss out on that. Jesus wants us to be connected to Him worshiping, encouraging, learning and loving as we share life with one another. When you aren’t plugged into a local church you miss out on relationships that could benefit you, the local community and the Kingdom of God. Be encouraged to value church the way Jesus does and see what He intended the church to become and accomplish. Pastor Chris Teien

[Part 2 of 2] Most of us expect to enjoy long lives but there is no guarantee that our time here on earth won’t be cut short. God has created us to live somewhere for eternity – where will you be one minute after you die? What assurance do you have that you will go to be with Jesus in heaven? Listen and be encouraged to live for Jesus and confidently die expecting Jesus will welcome you to your heavenly home. Pastor Chris Teien #RiverRockChurchMN 

[Part 1 of 2] Jesus came down from Heaven to teach us how to live and pay the penalty for our sins. He had three years of public ministry to teach us whatever He thought was important for us to know and it appears He thought it was imperative we know the truth about Heaven and Hell. Many people want to avoid thinking or talking about Hell because it is terrifying. What you believe about the afterlife will affect your life choices and how you approach death. Listen to be encouraged to be confident about your reservation in Heaven and get motivated to help others cancel their reservation in Hell. Pastor Chris Teien #RiverRockChurchMN 

Life circumstances, hopelessness and extreme depression can lead people to look for ways to check out of this life. God forbids murder – suicide is self-murder. Jesus offers hope, help and forgiveness and can empower you/them to keep living. In Acts 16 the Philippian jailer thought the prisoners he was responsible for had escaped and out of fear was about to fall on his sword until someone convinced him to stop because it was going to be OK. Many people, even pastors, are cutting their lives short and leaving a trail of pain and loss for all those who cared about them. Listen and be encouraged and equipped through God’s Word plus hear amazing testimonies of those who kept living. Resources at https://riverrockchurch.com/suicide-prevention  Pastor Chris Teien  #RiverRockChurchMN 

For some the New Year is nothing more than a calendar change and life goes on just like it did last year. Others make “impossible” New Year’s resolutions that fizzle out within a few months. The Bible has some very encouraging advice to help us live a new life in Christ and experience blessings in the New Year. Listen and be encouraged to leave your past failures behind and strategically renew your commitment to seven areas of victory and blessing for 2020 - Pastor Chris Teien  #RiverRockChurchMN  

Listen and learn about the blessings that God has for us as he continues to be our Immanuel. When the apostle Matthew wrote about Jesus’ birth He quotes Isaiah, “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.” Jesus the Creator of the Universe, chose to be born as a baby, to the poorest of the poor. The King of Kings came so that he could live with us, with the plan that He would provide a way for us to come live with Him for eternity.  He promises to never leave us or forsake us, in fact He placed His Holy Spirit within us and God is still with us today.  - Pastor Dan Jetto 

No one really knows the exact day Jesus was born but our churches and culture have chosen December 25th as the day to celebrate His birth. It was the day that God became a man, then lived among us, paid off our sin debt, gave us a job to do, went back up to Heaven and promised to return at the perfect time. Jesus is God and He is worthy of our worship and our gifts. It seems odd that people have become more focused on family, food, football and financing gifts for each other (or themselves) then focusing on the true gift of Jesus. Be encouraged to not let this Christmas season pass by without putting Jesus first and sharing Him with others.  Pastor Chris Teien

Listen and be encouraged to experience, ponder, celebrate and share Jesus the treasure we in Jesus this Christmas season and all year round. From Luke 2:15-20  - Pastor Chris Teien

People who are truly Thankful will take time to show their gratitude. We who are experiencing the unending love and undeserved grace of Jesus should take time to express that as we come together on Sunday morning to worship the Lord at church. A.W. Tozer wrote about why we should be thankful, “…Most precious of all, is the friendship and communion of Jesus. He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother and He has assured us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Let this knowledge keep us ever thankful. We dare not take Jesus for granted. His love alone should keep the flame of our gratitude at white heat until that day when we shall be presented to the Father with exceeding joy.” Confident faith and true life in Jesus will lead us to be Thankful, Grateful and Blessed. Listen as we look at reasons and ways to experience joy in Thanks-giving from the Bible - Pastor Chris Teien