"State of the Union Address"

Good Morning Riverbank,

As the new year approaches I am excited about what 2011 holds for us here at Riverbank.  This week I have been seeking God and preparing to share vision and direction for this upcoming year on Sunday in my "State of the Union" address.  Like I mentioned a few weeks ago that usually means that half of the crowd claps for everything and the other half scowls at everything.  I hope you guys will be encouraged and clap.   

Remember that our gathering moves to Sunday morning this week.  Welcome and Social time will begin with coffee and refreshments at 9:30 with worship following at 10.  I really encourage you to get there at 9:30 and spend that time building relationships with each other and our guests.  

One of my passions for us is that we are always growing in our relationship with God.  Not, just staying immature babies but growing up into mature believers who help others grow.   So what does that look like?  In the following passage of scripture we see that the first thing is to know the Father and have our sins forgiven, but then we grow into young men who can overcome the power of the devil and sin in our lives, and in maturity we know Christ and have become like him.  Here's to lots of growth for all of us this upcoming year.  

I have written to you who are God’s children because you know the Father. I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.  1 Jn 2:14

Have a great week,

Pastor Brian

A Riverbank Christmas

Good Morning Riverbank,

We had a wonderful Christmas program Sunday evening.  Even if things did get a little crazy with the last minute move of the meeting place to your house since the heat wasn't working at the Legion Hall. Hearing everyone share the ways that they have experienced Immanuel, God with us, this year was awesome.  Here is just a partial list.

Lost jobs and new jobs

Moving to new community

New Home

Safety in a vehicle accident

Comfort in losing a pet

Opportunities to use talents for God

Financial provision

Encouragement from God's word

New church home at Riverbank

I was so blessed by the sincerity, hard work, and talent of our young people who shared in music.  

My message this morning is for them.  Keep seeking after God, and sharing what He is doing in your lives.  You are an encouragement and blessing to all of us. 

Remember these words of Paul to Timothy.

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.  1 Tim. 4:12 

May the Peace of God be in your Heart this week,

Pastor Brian

Parenting Seminar - Augusta County Virginia

Just got the information on the following opportunity from Pastor Greg.  Participate in this if you can.

Please see the email below about a very encouraging, informative and life changing parenting seminar coming to C’stone Augusta on January 15. Rick Martin will be our guest presenter. I can’t think of anyone more qualified and gifted to help parents reach the heart of their children.

This seminar is not only for parents, but for anyone who works with kids and teenagers. So please spread the word. We’ll be sending you more information over the next several weeks.

Greg

Cornerstone will be hosting a Parenting Seminar in January. Please see information below.

Join us in a seminar that will guide you to reach the heart of your children! The seminar will be held at Cornerstone. It will be presented by Rick Martin. Cost is $20.00 per person. You may register online: click here OR call the Cornerstone church office at 540-324-0705. Sorry, childcare is not provided.

NOTE: This is not just for parents. This is a seminar for grandparents, tea

Your Big Dream

Good Morning Riverbank,

If you are venturing out this morning stay warm.

If you weren't able to be a part of the worship gathering on Sunday night I shared a parable by Bruce Wilkinson called The Dream Giver.  Here are a few thoughts from that message that I believe will encourage you today.  If you get a chance to pick up the book I highly recomend it.  You can get it from Amazon by clicking here. 

One morning, Ordinary woke up with these words echoing in his mind: What you are missing you already have... Could it be? Ordinary looked and looked. And then he discovered that in a small corner of his heart lay a Big Dream. The Big Dream told him that he, a Nobody, way made to be a Somebody and destined to achieve Great Things. - The Dream Giver -

• Common Misconceptions about Dreams
  • I don't have a dream
  • I have to invent a dream
  • I have a dream, but it is not that important
  • I have a dream, but it is up to God to make it happen
  • I had a dream, but it is too late

I encourage you to pray and consider these questions today.  Do any of these describe your beliefs about a Big Dream for you life? What is the Big Dream that God has place in your heart? Where are you at in your journey to see that Big Dream fullfilled?

May you see all of your Big Dream fulfilled,

Pastor Brian

Work Enthusiastically

Good Morning Riverbank,

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

I Cor. 16:58

Be encouraged!  The hard work of building the kingdom of God and transforming our community here in Nelson, Co. is worth the effort.  God's promise is than work done for the Lord is never worthless.  Even if we don't see the results He does!  He is such a wonderful God, pouring out blessing on us when we bless others.   May we work and serve Him with renewed passion and enthusiasm today.  

Be Blessed,

Pastor Brian

This Week's Prayer Focus - For God to send us those that are hurting emotionally and physically and need healing.  

Announcement - We have heard from a number of you about struggles with conflicts with the afternoon meeting time. Starting in January we will move our worship time to 10AM Sunday mornings. 

Pray For the Craig Family

Good Morning Riverbank,

As I am writing this my thoughts keep going to the tragedy that the Craig family right here in our community experienced this past weekend of the accidental shooting of a 7 yr old boy by his 10 yr old brother in a hunting accident.  Some of you I am sure know the family and others affected by this tragedy.  There are no words to describe what they must be experiencing.  I have children the same age and I can only imagine the trauma for those that were present when this happened.  I encourage you to do what I have done as this has come to mind.  PRAY!   Pray for comfort, emotional healing, peace and for them to cling to God rather than turn on Him.  The following words of the 23rd Psalm have been my prayer.  Let us continue to lift this family before the God's throne of Grace.

Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

Share His Love,

Pastor Brian

For the News Report on this Tragedy Click Here

Testimony - Amazing Miracle

Good Morning Riverbank,

And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

Heb.2:4

I shared on Sunday evening about my hunger and need for God to move powerfully and to confirm our message through signs and miracles just as he did for Jesus and the early believers.  

On Monday I recieved the following e-mail of how God moved miraculously in our sister church in Missouri.  I have cut and pasted two emails below, first the email with the prayer need that I received last week and then then the answer that I received on Mon.  Be encouraged.  God is at work and he can meet your needs and the needs of those around you.  Step out in faith and ask Him to move to heal and meet the needs of those you encounter each day.

Sent: Monday, November 15, 2010 9:58 AM

Subject: Prayer Need

Please pray for our church family and our building project. After many months of communication about financial needs we would have at the end of this project and after multiple opportunities for people to come on board in this area we have reached the crucial point. This Sunday we will be sharing with the congregation our need to meet a $110,000 gap that we have in funding the final construction costs for our project. We are praying and believing that the Lord will meet this need through his people and that things will continue in the process. We would appreciate your prayers and your intercessors prayers as well. Thanks and God Bless! - Marty

On Nov 22, 2010 9:37 AM, "Marty Smyser"  wrote:

Just wanted to say thanks to you all for your prayers and support. Yesterday was just an amazing day for us as the Lord really showed His hand and His people showed their faithfulness.

 

We shared the financial need to the church yesterday and asked those who had made pledges to move up their pledges if possible and for those who did not pledge to make a pledge. We laid out all the options and then ask for the money to be available to the church by December 31, 2010. We simple shared that the building would be completed it was just a matter of how and when it would be done. The response was absolutely amazing as we raised $143,640 to be in hand for the church by December 31.

 

However, that was not the only blessing for us. On Friday Dale Bentch called to let me know that we would be receiving $60,000 from the sale of their facilities and the final closing of the Versailles church. This was a complete surprise to us and has basically knocked this construction project out of the park. With a total of $203,640 we are set and on the way to completion of this building in just an amazing faith filled way.

 

As I type this I am still pretty emotional about the whole thing. Just an amazing God we serve. Thanks again for any part you have had in our success. "Prayer is the work of ministry not the preparation for the ministry" Thanks! - Marty

Trust in God and stay hungry,

Pastor Brian

Live Worship this Sunday at Riverbank

Good Evening Riverbank,

I am excited to announce that we will have a LIVE WORSHIP TEAM this Sunday evening  for our gathering at the Riverbank.  The worship team from Harvest Chapel in Dilwynn (They just recently joined the Cornerstone Network) will be coming to lead worship.  Victoria and I had the pleasure of joining them for Sunday Morning worship a few weeks ago and I guarantee that you will be blessed.  

I will be preaching from the following passage in Acts.  Study and pray over this as you prepare your hearts for what God wants to do on Sunday.

No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days,’ God says, 
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. 
Your sons and daughters will prophesy. 
Your young men will see visions, 
and your old men will dream dreams.

 In those days I will pour out my Spirit 
even on my servants—men and women alike— 
and they will prophesy.

And I will cause wonders in the heavens above 
and signs on the earth below— 
blood and fire and clouds of smoke.

The sun will become dark, 
and the moon will turn blood red 
before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.

But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.

Acts 2:17-22

Prayer focus - Ask God to show up in a powerful way and fill us a fresh with the Holy Spirit and for those that He wants to touch to be present.

Come and bring a friend.  4-6 PM at the American Legion Hall in Shipman,

God Bless,

Pastor Brian

Deep Roots - Community Part 3

Good Morning Riverbank,

It is a glorious morning in Nelson County.  

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosityt—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Acts 2:46-47

As you read this passage and think through the ones I have shared over the last couple of days, keep in mind that the early Church did not make two distinctions that we often make in our thinking.  First, is the distinction between what is spiritual and what is secular.  For them everything was a spiritual activity because they were filled with the Holy Spirit wherever they went.  Second, there was not a clear distinction between who was "in the church" and who was not.  These activities were taking place with believers and non-believers present and this is why so many were being saved.

Allow, the Holy Spirit to shine a fresh light these passages as you read knowing that this was a lifestyle, not just something they participated in.

Have a Wonderful Day,

Pastor Brian

Deep Roots - Community Part 2

Good Morning Riverbank,

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 

Acts 2:43-45

So as the new church formed and met together in homes and the temple courts what was happening among them?  There was a "sense of awe."  Do you have that same attitude of worship in your life?   They performed and experienced miracles that gave evidence to the power of their message about Jesus and brought healing and life to many people.  They gathered together for worship, and they had an incredible spirit of generosity.  

Wow, what a powerful, God breathed life.  As we form this church in Nelson Co.  we want to have deep roots of community and experience the power of God working in our lives just like the early believers.  Pray for God to pour out His Spirit and for us see this vision fulfilled in Riverbank.

Living abundantly in Him Today,

Pastor Brian

Deep Roots - Community Part 1

Good Morning Riverbank,

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

Acts 2:42

As the early believers formed community after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost they were very intentional about how they lived their lives.  In the verse above we see that they were committed to learning about how to live a godly life, to growing in relationships with each other, and growing in their relationship with God through prayer.  

Sometimes we make the community that Jesus created for believers (The Church) so complicated, when right here in Acts we see the simplicity of living a life of relationship with God and others.  

In the next couple of days we will see the results of this life.  As you pray today ask yourselves, "Am I committed to living my life in community with others just like the early believers did?"

Be Blessed,

Pastor Brian

Be Content With Who You Are

Be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you, he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God, He is most careful with you.

1 Peter 5:6-7 The Message

Why is it so hard for us to be honest with who we are are the good, the bad, and the ugly?  Sometimes, "church" is where we put on the biggest front and then we wonder why people say that the church is full of hypocrites?  We men may be the greatest offenders in this area.  In the book Wild at Heart, John Eldridge calls this front that we put on "the poser."  People ask us, "How are you?" and we answer with spiritual language that hides the struggles of our lives.

So there is the problem... we all have done it.  How do we break free into honest living that is healthy for us and our relationships?  I think the key is in the first part of this verse, "Be content with who you are."  We all are not perfect, we make mistakes and we sin. But, we have been set free from the power of sin through Jesus death on the cross, we love Him, we hunger for the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and we are growing to be more like Jesus.  Along the way we have victories and defeats, joys and heartaches, strength and struggles.  

Let us be content with who we are and God's strong hand will be on us to promote us at the right time.  As we live in authenticity our relationships will grow and those that are hurting around us will be drawn to the power of Jesus that they can see at work in our lives.

Live under God's Strong Hand today,

Pastor Brian

Change the Atmosphere Wherever You Go

Romans 15:13

 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

What a powerful promise.  I have been reflecting this week on the fact that because the Holy Spirit fills me as a believer in Christ then everywhere I go brings the Spirit of God into that place.  It doesn't matter whether or not that place is a church worship service or a gas station.  That is exactly what happened Sunday evening when we went to Lovingston to bless our community.  Because, we were there and filled with the Holy Spirit, the atmosphere of the grassy area besides Blossom's Florist was changed.  I could sense it and I believe our guests could sense it as they came are were blessed.

This Sunday afternoon we will get the same opportunity.  Due to the fact that about 90% of our families are involved in the Rec. Dept. Youth soccer tournament Sunday afternoon, we will have our gathering at the soccer field to cheer on the Riverbank kids.  We won't meet at the Shipman Legion Hall.  And, remember that as you are there the Holy Spirit filling you is changing the atmosphere around you.  Be a blessing, reach out, share a word of encouragement, and invite someone into relationship with God's people.

Take Care,

Pastor Brian

You Can Trust Him

Deep Roots – Trust in God

by Brian Mininger

Notes from Message 10.17.2010 

Jeremiah 17:5-8

This is what the Lord says:"Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,who rely on human strengthand turn their hearts away from the Lord.They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,with no hope for the future.They will live in the barren wilderness,in an uninhabited salty land.

"But blessed are those who trust in the Lordand have made the Lord their hope and confidence.They are like trees planted along a riverbank,with roots that reach deep into the water.Such trees are not bothered by the heator worried by long months of drought.Their leaves stay green,and they never stop producing fruit.

Where is Your Trust?

• Relying on yourself to get through destroys your relationship with God
• Relying on others to get through destroys your relationship with others
• Only relying on God allows our relationship with Him and others to grow
• The beginning of Trust in God is surrender, the choice to lay down ourselves, confess our sin and accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus
• This Surrender is a Daily Choice 

Trust Killers

• Anger with God
• Victim Mentality
• Figuring it all out
• Offenses
• Wounds
• Fear

Trust God for Salvation

Gen 49:18 - I trust in you for salvation, O Lord! 

I Pet 1:8-9 - You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

Trust God for Wisdom & Revelation

I Cor. 2:4-5 - And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

Prov 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Trust God for our Physical Needs

I Tim 6:17 - Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.

Lk 12:24-26 - Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?

Trust God to Defend us

Ps 22:4-5 - Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them. They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced.

Dan 3:16-17 - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.

Trust God for our Physical Healing

Ps 103:3-5 - He forgives all my sins, and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle's!

Is 53:5 - But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

Trust God to Heal our Heart

Ps. 147:3 - He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

Ps. 33:20-22 - We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.

Jn 14:1 - Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

Final Thoughts

• The attitude of trust is humility and submission
• Trust is created in the struggle and the fire
• We need the filling of the Holy Spirit to live this way each day

Time to Get to Work

Good Morning Riverbank,

I love what Victoria shared yesterday about praying for workers in the harvest.  We have an incredible opportunity to impact this community for Jesus Christ and see lives transformed, but that is going to take workers. 

So what is a Harvest?  The Harvest is a word picture that Jesus used to describe the time when we reap the results of the "seeds" of faith in Jesus that have been sown in the lives of individuals as they surrender to Jesus and are set free from the power of Sin in their lives.  

Just like a Harvest of wheat takes workers and equipment, in the same way the spiritual Harvest takes workers and resources.   There are people to love and pray with, children to serve,  worship to be led, discipleship to be taught, events to be planned, coffee to serve, chairs to be set up... and the list goes on and on.  I promise you there is a way to serve that fits with your giftings and abilities.  

So here's today's challenge... 

1. Pray and allow God to show you how He would have you work in the Harvest
2. Pray for more workers to join us here in Nelson Co in the Harvest
3. Pray about how God would have you share your resources to reap the Harvest
4. Pray for God to prepare the Harvest

As you can see there is a theme... Pray and Act.  To reap a mighty Harvest we must do both.

I know there are some of you who receive this e-mail that are interested in what God is doing at Riverbank, but haven't yet got connected.  There may be many reasons for this... schedules, other commitments, or still trying to discern where this is where God wants you to be.  I encourage you to seek God about joining this work.  It is truly going to take all of us to reap this Harvest.

On a more practical note we are mobilizing for our outreach to the children of Nelson Co on the 31st in Lovingston.  God has opened the door for us to set up a Family Fun Center right in the middle of the Trick-or-Treating that goes on in Lovingston.  We have permission to set up in the parking lot and grass of Blossom's Florist at the end of Front St.  We have been told by those who have handed out candy in the past to be prepared for well over 500 kids.  Below is a list of some of the ways you can help.  If you can help with these things reply and let me know and I can pass on the info to Melody.

• Pass out and put up fliers
• Invite your friends (Here is the Facebook Page Link that you can use to invite people too) 
• Bring and set-up lights, tables, straw bales, coffee makers, water jugs, etc on Sunday afternoon
• Donate money to help with the cost of the Moon Bounce, goody bags, and refreshments
• Help fill goody bags this Sunday night at the end of our meeting.
• Serve coffee
• Supervise kids on the Moon Bounce
• Greet and talk to those that stop
• Pass out Goody Bags
• Play an instrument
• Clean-up and haul away trash
• Help with costume contest registration and judging
• Take "Guess the # of candy corn" registrations
• Write thank-you cards to those who come
• Pray for the preparations
• Pray for the people
• Pray for the workers

Finally I will be sending out a prayer focus daily as we prepare for this event.  Today, lift up Melody and Jeff as they assemble the list of needed items and get ready to purchase what is necessary.  Pray for wisdom as they plan amounts and that we will have everything that is needed to bless those who come.

Together in the Harvest,

Pastor Brian

Encouragement for Today

Good Morning Riverbank,

This morning I found my bible reading taking me to the book of Jeremiah.  Specifically to the 30th chapter.  Here, Jeremiah is prophesying to the people of Israel hope for God's restoration of their homeland.  The people of Israel had become scattered and taken over by their enemies but Jeremiah was speaking of hope and the day when God would bring his people back and restore to them what had been lost.  

"For the time is coming when I will restore the fortunes of my people of Israel and Judah. I will bring them home to this land that I gave to their ancestors, and they will possess it and live here again.  I, the Lord has spoken." Jeremiah 30:3

As I read this passage what quickened in my heart was that, in the same way, God slowly restored Israel to Jerusalem, so does He want to restore the spiritual life here in Nelson County and to our communities.  He is bringing people back to himself and rebuilding spiritual roots in Nelson.  Many years ago, as we read in the history books of Nelson, our communities used to be strong places of worship.  There were churches in almost every community that were alive and serving the people, a hub of activity.  

However through time and devastation, the enemy has been able to get a foothold.  But no more! We believe that God wants to do a new and fresh work here in our communities.  His desire is to rebuild that which has been lost and what the enemy has stolen. But we have to decide if we are going to be a part of the "rebuilding" that God wants to do here.  Another passage comes to mind.

"The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers for His fields."  Matthew 9:37-38 
The thing that struck me about this passage were 2 things: 

1.  I am  not in charge :)  He is in charge of the harvest.  He is in charge of the results.

2.  These are "His Fields" 

Simply put, He calls us to 2 things-  To Work and To Pray.  That's all. I don't have to worry if the people will be there or not. He is simply asking me to show up, to work in the "fields" that he has prepared.  And he is asking me to pray - pray that more workers will come to help for all those he is going to send.  

Now thats exciting people!  :)  

God's moving...are you ready to jump on board?  Are you ready to work and pray? If so, he's got a job for you.  To work with the people he sends, to love them as he would, to see people set free, to bring in the harvest.  

Be blessed today - 

Working in the harvest together!

 ~Victoria