Riverside Community Church RCC

02/15/2026

New on the blog: “What’s ‘Wrong’ With Jesus? (John 5:1-15)” — a short, thoughtful reflection on why an unmistakable miracle (a man healed after 38 years) sparks controversy instead of celebration. Read the full post to explore John’s surprising angle and what it means for us today. https://wix.to/MZXB8Kn

John 5:1-15Introduction: What’s “wrong” with Jesus?There’s a part of me that feels uncomfortable even asking that question. It sounds irreverent.And yet John 5 almost invites the question. Because Jesus does something so right, so merciful, so timely, that it somehow becomes controversial. A...

02/11/2026

John 3 introduces a Jewish man named Nicodemus. Now, Nicodemus is the kind of person we assume doesn’t need the “born again” message. After all, he’s not a "mess." He’s not “searching.” He’s established—moral, educated, respected, religious. And that’s precisely why John 3 is so unsettling. Jesus says the new birth is not for “those people,” but for everyone, including the most put-together person in the room.

02/10/2026

New on the blog: John 4 (February 10th, 2026) — a thoughtful breakdown of John chapter 4, exploring Jesus’ crossing of boundaries and the move from a private conversation at a well to a public awakening in a town. Read the full post and reflections: https://wix.to/DRLF5D6

John 4John, chapter 4, can be divided into three sections. 4:1-14, 15-30, and 31-42. Let's take a look at the whole chapter first, then at each unit.SummaryJohn 4 moves from a quiet, personal conversation at a well to a public awakening in an entire town. John records how Jesus deliberately crosses....

02/08/2026

New on the blog: “You (Everyone) Must Be Born Again (John 3:1-15)” — a short, challenging reflection on Nicodemus and why the new birth applies to everyone, even the most put-together among us. Read it and share your thoughts: https://wix.to/xKMDJ6o

IntroductionJohn 3 introduces a Jewish man named Nicodemus. Now, Nicodemus is the kind of person we assume doesn’t need the “born again” message. After all, he’s not a "mess." He’s not “searching.” He’s established—moral, educated, respected, religious. And that’s precisely why J...

02/07/2026

New on the blog: "Gospel According to John (1 of 2) — BibleProject". A concise summary of the first half of John, exploring authorship, eyewitness perspective, and John’s clear purpose in writing. Perfect 3-minute read for your morning reflection. Read more: https://wix.to/dR10wRD

02/06/2026

New on the blog: John, Chapter 2 (February 6th, 2026) — a short reflection on the wedding at Cana where Jesus turns an ordinary shortage into abundance and shame into celebration. Read how this “first sign” reveals his glory and strengthens faith in everyday moments. Read more: https://wix.to/vUW3wBR

John 2SummaryChapter 2 records a wedding in Cana where Jesus quietly turns water into wine (vv. 1–11). It is “the first of his signs,” and it reveals his glory in a way that strengthens faith rather than demanding applause. The setting matters. A wedding is a place of joy. And, the "crisis" is...

02/06/2026

Friday PM Announcements (Februay 6th, 2026) https://wix.to/pZja6KK

02/03/2026

Why Did God Test Abraham?
Clearly, it's not to inform himself. God is all-knowing. Then it must be to form Abraham into more of a likeness of Christ. But how does sacrificing Isaac help Abraham?
It helps because it's so easy for Abraham and us to trust the promise, rather than God. Isaac is a good thing, but should never be the ultimate thing.
What "Isaccs" in your life is God asking you to "sacrifice"?

02/03/2026

New blog post: The Gospel According to John (February 3rd, 2026) — A thoughtful pause from Genesis as we begin John. Discover what makes John unique among the Gospels and why his perspective deepens our understanding of Jesus. Read the 4-minute reflection now: https://wix.to/miiKmSY

John 1We pause Genesis and begin reading and meditating on the Gospel According to John. The three gospels — Matthew, Mark, and Luke —are called the Synoptic Gospels (meaning "same view"). John is not. In fact, the Synoptic Gospels were written around the same time, while John was written some 2...

02/02/2026

New blog: Journey to the Cross by Paul David Tripp — a reflective read about hope, winter’s waiting, and remembering the Creator as signs of new life begin to appear. Read the full post and be encouraged for the coming season. https://wix.to/FG1ROh9

It's already February! What a winter it has been. The weekend snowstorms and the Arctic freeze have made us less active. I can't wait for the Spring to arrive, and God willing, it will! The dark, cold winter nights are bearable because we have the hope that this, too, shall pass. Spring comes to us....

01/31/2026

New post: Genesis 21:1-21 (January 30th, 2026) — A short reflection on fulfilled promise and the painful consequences of unbelief. Read how God’s timing and faithfulness shine through Sarah and Hagar’s story. Full post: https://wix.to/723ydn5

Genesis 21:1-21SummaryGenesis 21:1–21 records of fulfilled promise and painful consequence of unbelief. In both, the Lord proves faithful.First, the story opens with God keeping time better than we do:The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah co...