Rice Community Church

In this message we will discuss how following Jesus is not about taking what we like and dismissing what we don't, it takes faith, surrender and submission to who He is and for what He has done. When our heart is surrendered to God our desire is to follow Him wholeheartedly.

In week 2 of our series tonight we talk about our identity and remember we have a Father who loves us for who we are, God is more concerned with the who than than do, this evening we are discussing remember who we are and whose we are.

New series, "What's Next" As summer comes to an end and falls begins we start a new season, have you ever wondered what's next in your life? Asked the question God what's your will for my life? Today we look at Ephesians 1:15-20 and break down the Apostle Paul's prayer for every believer and see 4 steps that lead us into becoming who God has called us to be.

Have you ever been confused, frustrated, or angry about the answers you did or did not receive? We all have natural responses, we can get angry, walk away or give that person the silent treatment. Today we want to look at 3 responses when you feel like you're not getting answers. At the end of the day prayer isn't about changing God's mind and Him giving us what we want, but transforming and changing us, drawing us into His presence.

Today we look at Isaiah's prayer found in Isaiah 6:1-8 of "here I am, send me."

Have you ever hidden things about you from people? Ever felt like if they found out, people wouldn't like you? In this mornings message found in Psalms 139:23-24, we are going to look at a dangerous prayer of "Search me," Jesus can only address what we give Him access to." A Father doesn’t love his children because of what they can and cant do, He loves because who they are, His children, today and God doesn’t love you because of you and what you can do for Him, but because of Who He is and how He views you as His child.

Our past mistakes can cause us to feel guilt and then our guilt is put upon others and we see them through the lenses we see ourselves that that brings fear and worry into our lives. Today we look at the story of Jacob and how occasionally we have to get by ourselves and get desperate and hang on until God blesses us.

Today we look and break down the Lord's Prayer, found in Matthew 6:9-15. It's not a prayer to be memorized but gives us a basis for the principles to pray.

Sometimes it only takes 20 seconds of insane courage to make a difference. Courage doesn't wait for situational factors, courage only waits for one thing, a green light from God. Today we look in Judges 3:31 about the story of a man who did just that. Shamgar started where he was, used what he had, and did what he could and God showed up. God isn’t looking for worthy people to bless - He’s looking for available people.

One of the fundamental spiritual problems is this: we want God to do something new while we keep doing the same old thing. We want God to change our circumstances without us having to change at all. Going all in the unwillingness to give up, no matter how tough the fight gets, you don’t give up the fight. Its time to go All In for our All in All, Jesus.

We are all part of God's Christmas story, but have you ever wondered whats taking God so long to fix your problems, why hasn't He answered yet, why do I still deal with these issues? Today we look at the stories of Zecharias and Elizabeth as they remained faithful through it all and God showed up at just the right time. There is courage in the waiting. Luke 1:5-17

Today we look at John 6:25-35 and see the people asking questions but we need to remember and ask are the questions we are asking looking for the TRUTH or are we looking for an answer that fits our narrative, are we looking for a Jesus that will follow our plans, that will make our lives easier, or are we willing to lay it all down to follow Him.

Today as we look at John 6:15-25 and see Jesus is walking with us.The very thing that had stressed them out, tired them out, made them worry, had scared them, drained their faith, is what Jesus was walking over. Often we fear the difficult experiences of life such as illness, loss of loved ones, and financial hardships only to discover that these experiences can bring Jesus closer to us.

Jesus will meet you were you are at, and sometimes when we are going through storms when our faith rises we will see like Peter, we were walking on water with Jesus.

We live in a culture that seems to be looking to find a reason to be offended. This is the freedom that comes when we chose not to be offended by things we can't control. Hurt people - hurt people, offended people - offend people but forgiven people - forgive. 'Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment]. 'PROVERBS 19:11

In this series of messages we are looking to lay down who we think we are to pick up who God says we are. Have you ever noticed that the more we try and control people and circumstances the more out of control they get. Today we ask 3 questions, is it my concern, is it mine to control, or is it God's alone? We are by faith going to lay down our need to control and pick up who God says we are and let him guide our paths.

More than an experience, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit was given so that we could accomplish the mission Jesus gave us. We need His power, His words and His love for those around us to live out the lives He called us to as individuals and as His Church.

in life sometimes our perspective gets skewed by experiences. In week 2 of our series "Who is the Holy Spirit," we discuss how having the Holy Spirit with us He reminds us who we are and who God is, when we let Him He will energize, empower, enlighten and give us proper perspective. text for today found in John 14:12-18.