As we enter a new year filled with anticipation and hope, we are drawn on the call to know Jesus more deeply. Reflecting on Ephesians 1:16-23, we're reminded that seeking God is a lifelong journey—a pursuit that requires more than knowledge or effort. Paul's prayer for the Ephesians reveals a powerful truth: it takes the Spirit of wisdom and revela…

When God created man and woman, His first act was to bless them—a profound truth revealing His heart and out greatest need. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible unfolds as a story of blessings—blessings declared, promised, anticipated, and experienced. God desires us to prosper and be in good health (3 John 1:2). For those in Christ, every spiritu…

The Lord has been establishing His work among us in incredible ways over the past two years. From securing a church home and celebrating baptisms to building relationships and commissioning missionaries, we've seen His faithfulness. This is a time to rejoice in what has been accomplished while remaining expectant for what's ahead, holding our dream…

Just as another year comes to a close, so ALL of World History is approaching its end. Revelation 20-22 gives us a glimpse into what the future holds for us all with Jesus. Join us in Chapel Hill as we celebrate the New Year with Head Pastor Matthew Bollinger's message of hope. For more information, visit riverlifefellowship.com To contact us: medi…

Getting to experience the love of the Father is one of the principle joys of the Christian walk. It is a foundational element of our faith, an anchor for us to fall back on. When we grow in God's love, we learn how to walk like Christ. Join us in Mooresville as Pastor Andy Squyres discusses how experiencing God's love on a regular basis is an impor…

After 400 years from the close of the Old Testament, Jesus' birth issued a new beginning for all humanity. Through the story of Joseph, we discover that with every ending there is always hope to something new to begin. Join us in Chapel Hill as Head Pastor Matthew Bollinger recaps 2024 with the Lord's message of hope for the new year. For more info…

RiverLife Wilmington is celebrating its first year of weekly services full of establishing moments, challenges, and God's provision. In many ways, the past year has not looked like what was expected. The life and journey David, one far from what he may of envisioned, is a reminder to us to not let unmet expectations keep us from what the Lord has f…

The Father has a surprise for you. He has a gift for you right now. It's the gift of faith. Like Mary, respond with "Be it unto me according to your Word." And, you will step into the greatest surprise of your Christian life. Join us in Chapel Hill for our Christmas service, and a special message from Head Pastor Matthew Bollinger about our Christm…

With the birth of Christ and the Christmas story, there were many Old Testament prophecies being fulfilled. One of the greatest fulfillments was "a child shall be born and His name shall be Emmanuel," which is translated into God with us. We have a High Priest that came into this world to be with us in all of our sufferings, trials, and even our fa…

Sometimes a word from the Lord seems to die. Disappointment tries to set in, but Elisha raising the young boy from the dead provides a model for us to resurrect the Word of the Lord from the dead. Join us in Chapel Hill as special guest speaker Will Gelling shares an encouragement to us when we find ourselves facing disappointment in the aftermath …

God has called each of us, given us a purpose, and shared His blueprint for His plan. Our physical and spiritual environments play crucial roles in shaping the trajectory of our lives. While our earthly surroundings influence us, the greater reality is that being seated in heavenly places in Christ should profoundly shape who we are and how we live…

The season of Advent is a time of reflection and anticipation as we celebrate Christ's birth. Advent reminds us that the hope we celebrate is not just for the future, but for today, as we embrace the salvation, peace, and joy found in Jesus. For believers these blessings are already ours, while for those who have not yet believed, there remains a h…

Imagine hiring an architect to design your home. You'd share your vision for what it should include, and the architect would create a detailed plan to bring it to life. Similarly, Ephesians shows us the features of a life built according to God's design. Ephesians equips us to live intentionally, grounded in the truth of God's work and His eternal …

We can choose the lens through which we view the world: a lens of ungratefulness or a lens of thankfulness. The lens of ungratefulness can lead us into a negative mindsets like fear and envy, often fueled by the world around us. In contrast, choosing thankfulness not only aligns us with God's will but also brings peace and health benefits. Just as …

Often, worship is a sacrifice. What do you have to give to the Lord in praise? Even when we feel tired, worn out, sick, or discouraged. In addition, in our oversaturated media generation, we have our own tastes and preferences. People comment, "I just didn't connect with the worship team's style." But... what about worship that is centered on Chris…

God, in His loving kindness, takes delight in giving us, His children, good gifts (Luke 12:32). Throughout the Bible, we see examples of God's abundant generosity as He pours blessings out upon the Earth. When humanity responded with taking that generosity and hoarding it, God responded with more generosity as He sent His son to die for us. We don'…

In Psalm 100, we are reminded that thanksgiving is the gateway to God's presence. Offering thanks and praise to God brings us closer to Him, just as the Old Testament sacrifices of thanksgiving did. Giving thanks can still require sacrifices today and even come out of hardship. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for us, allowing us to come directly …

In the Bible, "hope" means "confident expectation." It doesn't mean 50/50, it is a 100% confidence that He who Promised is faithful! Abraham and Sarah walked in hope, David running for his life walked in hope, Israel in exile for 70 years lived in hope... confident expectation! Today, God has called the church to be a beacon of hope. Despite the ha…

Grace is like a river. It is so beautiful it takes your breath away. It's a deep sapphire blue with an almost magnetic pull that draws you in. Yet, it is also very dangerous. We don't fully understand the River's significance, but it is central to our identity, direction, and destiny. The River of Grace flows "from the throne of God and of the Lamb…

The Book of Ephesians is a treasure chest of truth. After introducing the glory of this treasure, Paul prayed for us to receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation—not just wisdom or revelation for a specific situation. His prayer wasn't for a momentary insight but a continual, flowing river of wisdom and revelation. Unlike a cupful, this river is …

Worshiping Jesus is our #1 priority as Christians and as a church. When we gather, "everyone has a song, hymn, or spiritual song" (Ephesians 5:16) from your heart to bring. Whether it's sung from the stage or from your seat, we are all a vital part of the atmosphere of praise and adoration. Join us in Chapel Hill as Matthew Bollinger continues his …

In the Kingdom model, extravagance really comes from the heart. Jesus, himself, models this in his ministry, and we see it applied in the parables in Luke 15. When we, as believers, are presented with an opportunity to give, how should we respond? Join us in Mooresville as guest speaker Cory Meade encourages us to align our thoughts with those of H…

Having "eyes to see" is a theme that runs throughout the Old Testament, and one that Jesus echoes in His teachings. What we discuss today is specifically having eyes to see God's glory, even when it doesn't look so glorious. Join us in Wilmington as guest speaker Cory Meade encourages us to cultivate a recognition of God's glory in everything. For …

The heart of our church is to be a home for the Lord's presence—a true dwelling place for him. We're committed to cultivating a grace-filled culture in our lives and ministry to realize this vision. A central teaching of the New Testament is that grace isn't just for salvation; it's for every day, enabling us to live godly lives, love others well, …

In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul reminds us that our true battles are spiritual, not merely against flesh and blood. As we navigate the complexities of daily life—be it in our families, workplaces, or personal relationships—we are encourages to recognize the unseen forces at play. We are invited to understand that peace is not just a passive state but an…

What would happen in society if people were swept up by the unconditional love of God? Join us in Chapel Hill as campus leader Michael Pham unpacks the reality of God's unconditional love toward us. For more information, visit riverlifefellowship.com To contact us: media@riverlifefellowship.comبقلم River Life Fellowship

God has a vision for your life, many visions, and he will reveal them to you. Embracing His direction brings clarity, understanding, and motivation. Every path and purpose from God is filled with hope and grace, even through times of sorrow. His Presence and Grace from Psalm 16:11 and 2 Corinthians 12:9 form the foundation of our lives and the hear…

Jesus calls us to persevere in our calling, even in the midst of disappointment and discouragement, as illustrated in the story of Ezra. Our setbacks do not define our journey; instead, they can lead us to deeper faith and reliance on God's presence. In a world that often feels chaotic, we are encouraged to reflect on out assignments and represent …

The Church is and can continue to be a "house of God:" a "habitation that leads to a visitation," corporately and for individuals. It is the very gateway to the heavenly realm! Join us in Chapel Hill as Head Pastor Matthew Bollinger dives into Jacob's ladder to understand how to prepare our hearts for whatever God wants to do next. For more informa…

At its heart, the Kingdom of God is about living under God's leadership. It's not just a future event or a distant concept; Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God was "at hand" (Mark 1:15), accessible and present. This means that for us today, it's something we seek and live out actively. And when we do, the mysteries of the Kingdom will be revealed …

The metanarrative of Scripture is simply this: God is a Father who created sons and daughters with whom He not only desired to live, but also in whom he desired to live. Beginning with Adam and continuing with Abraham, the Father visited His creation in order that He might dwell among them. Therefore, His visitation became His habitation. Today, we…

What does it mean, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated" (Romans 9:13). This speaks of God's plan to work through Jacob, who valued the spiritual inheritance that came through his grandfather, Abraham, while Esau seemed to have little value for his inheritance. It's not about personal hatred but about God's purpose in choosing Jacob to carry …

Grace is a very common topic in the Church. So often when developing a belief system about Grace, we ignore the second half of the Grace message, choosing only to focus on the celebration of the forgiveness of our sins. But, there is empowerment in the power of grace for how we are to live our lives. Join us in Wilmington as guest speaker Cory Mead…

The Day of Atonement, also known as Yom Kippur, is a holy day in the Bible that symbolizes the Lord's purification of His people. Under the Law in the Old Covenant, it included rituals and the sacrifice of two goats: one for the sins of the priests and another for the sins of the people. However, we no longer need sacrifices or rituals because Jesu…

Jesus Christ was and is fully God and fully Man. As His followers, we don't have to choose between spirituality and humanity—our experience is meant to be both. Our humanity is part of who we are. In the resurrection, we won't stop being human; instead, we will be transformed into the fullness of what God always intended: redeemed, glorified, and p…

Jesus sends us out into the world with His peace, as seen in Matthew 10. That peace is not only a part of God's character but also a vital aspect of the Gospel, and we are invited to embody and share this peace in our communities. In a world filled with turmoil, we are called to bless others with the peace we've received, as illustrated in Ephesian…

The Book of Psalms contains a beautiful prophetic picture of what God desires His house, the church, to be. It is meant to be a place of rest, peace, joy, satisfaction, protection, and abundance. But above all, the defining characteristic of God's house is His tangible presence. It is in His presence that the church finds its fullness. Join us in C…

In this life, there will be pain and strife, trials and tribulations. But, praise be to the God of all comforts (2 Corinthians 1:3). As we walk through the valleys of life and face circumstances which try our patience and faith, we have an opportunity to lean on the Holy Spirit, and look to God as our source of comfort. We will suffer as a fact of …

Philippians 4:6-9 provides a blueprint for living from a place of peace, and emphasizes that peace itself is from God and surpasses all our understanding. Jesus said that in this world we will have trouble and sorrow, but we can be hopeful and continue living in peace because he has overcome the world through his life, death, and resurrection (John…

Have you ever had a big decision to make? How did Jesus make decisions, big or small? Do you think he ever questioned his decisions, like choosing Judas? If we are truly "following Jesus," we want to make decisions about our life in the same way that he did. Here's what we know: He only did what he saw the Father doing, and he never made any decisi…

There is much wisdom to be gleaned from the life of Elijah, and we as a community have different perspectives the Lord has given us to offer fresh revelation when we come together and learn as a body. Join us in Mooresville for the first installment of "Voices of the Congregation," a new series featuring three messages from various members of our c…

In the midst of the external and internal conflict that is prevalent in the world around us, we need to understand the significance of standing firm in God's peace. Ephesians 6:10-18 focuses of the vital role of the "shoes of peace" in our spiritual armor and reminds us of our need for the Good News of Peace. Scripture shows us that the nature of G…

I once heard the Lord say to me, "I am real and I am always speaking." This is the starting point with learning to hear the voice of God: If God is Truth and Reality, then everything else is a lie and counterfeit. He is real, and He is always speaking, the issue is not a speaking issue, but a listening and a hearing issue. Join us in Chapel Hill as…

Elijah, nearing his end on earth, tested Elisha's commitment, yet Elisha refused to give up. (2 Kings 2:1-14). Elisha focused on inheriting Elijah's prophetic spirit and remained steadfast despite distractions. Today, this story warns us about all the voices and who and what we should focus on. Staying focused on what the Holy Spirit is doing, pers…

David wrote, "The same way a loving father feels towards his children—that's but a sample of [God's] tender feelings towards us, your beloved children, who live in awe of you." (Psalms 103:13). If you are going to know Jesus, you need to know His Father. If you are going to follow Jesus, you need to follow the leading & guidance of the Father, also…

Like Elijah, some of us have had powerful encounters with God, yet we might feel like nothing came from them. Maybe you've experienced outcomes that seem the opposite of what you expected and find yourself in a cave. If so, you are in a redefining moment. What the Holy Spirit does in our cave moments will define the rest of your life. Join us in Mo…

Be filled! Pastor Ryan starts recapping last week's message discussing the significance and relevance of water baptism as seen in Jesus' personal experience, commission to us, and in examples through the book of Acts. The transformative power of baptism in the Holy Spirit, is coupled with, yet distinct from water baptism. Baptism in the Holy Spirit…

Follow Jesus. Follow the path that he has designed for your life. Don't fall for the comparison trap. Follow Jesus in the way that he has designed you to have an intimate relationship with him. In Psalm 139:24, David asks God to "see if there is any path of pain I'm walking on...." Jesus wants to free you from pain in order that you might follow Hi…

We are in a time where there is a greater fear of what is happening in the world than the fear of the Lord. Jesus delighted in the fear of the Lord, we don't fear anything else. The fear of the Lord is awe, not terror of Him. It turns us away from chaos to His awesomeness. God's goodness is a threat to anything that threatens us. Join us in Mooresv…

Jesus came to his Disciples and said, "Follow Me" They laid down their lives (plans, careers, etc.) in exchange for His. How can we do this today? What does this look like? It's often referred to as living in the "upside down, wrong-side out kingdom." In this message we will explore the depths of the Kingdom of Heaven and it's application to our li…