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River Church,

It has been a challenging week to say the least, with all of the headlines and heartbreak that we have been bombarded by in the news and social media outlets.  Between the assassination of Charlie Kirk and more and more senseless violence in our nation, it leaves one to wonder what is happening today!? Is the world out of control? What is our response as the Christian church? I will start out by saying the world has always been out of control. The moment that Adam and Eve turned over the authority to Satan in the garden, all "hell" has broken loose on this planet as he comes to steal, kill, and destroy. 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT "Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message..." Paul tells us that the plan of Satan is to blind people from the truth of the gospel. That is why the bible says that the message of the cross is foolishness to those that are perishing (1 Corinth. 1:18). This is time of increasing violence and lawlessness is also part of prophecy foretold long ago: 

Matt 24:12 NKJV "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." 

In the face of all of this evil what should the church be doing today?

The church should be a house of prayer: 2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us to pray for our land and he will hear and heal. We need to unite in prayer like never before church!

The church should be a place of comfort and peace: Lashing out in anger or judgment isn't going to advance the kingdom of God. Jesus taught us to bless our enemies and not curse them. 

The church should awaken, arise, and take back what the devil stole: Satan may have stolen the rule of this world and age but Jesus died on the cross to bring victory to his saints and place authority upon His church. When Satan wants to bring hell on earth, we bring heaven down to earth. Our fight is not carnal and we wrestle not against flesh and blood but we fight with the weapons of heaven. 

The church should share the good news of the gospel like never before: Matthew 24 tells us signs of the end and paints a grim picture but also shows us that the church will be empowered to reach the whole world with the life-changing power of the gospel. As the darkness gets darker the light shines brighter. Matt 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." Amen and Amen! 

-Joel

Song List:

Song list:

We Praise You- Brandon Lake- https://youtu.be/vVVXeKCg9w4?si=-mR7j5TsFWwuSPj5

Thank You Jesus for the Blood- https://youtu.be/dhU-Omwg2rU?si=AUfCJbnR57dH6Zfr

Come Holy Spirit- Martin Smith- https://youtu.be/s2epCha18G0?si=c49QIu58XEQOLKXk

I know a Name- Brandon Lake- https://youtu.be/KnMqQgzpLAM?si=JFDucwiTSzGifxUc

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