River of Life Church

River of Life Church We are a local church in suburban Houston, TX founded by Andrew J. Willis & his wife Cheryl. We are primarily built on first generation believers.

Be sure to join us on Sundays, Thursdays, and for community events! The River of Life Church is a collection of many cultures and nationalities; people from every walk of life; many newly committed followers of Jesus who have discovered a need to meet regularly with our Creator and connect with others of His creation frequently.

06/10/2026

I wish young people would hear this clearly:

Not every promotion is from God.

“Well, it pays more.”

Maybe.

But more money does not always mean more peace.

More income does not always mean more prosperity.

More success does not always mean more joy.

Proverbs 10:22 (KJV):

“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”

There is a difference between wealth and blessing.

You can have wealth and still be miserable.

You can have success and still be empty.

You can have influence and still be lonely.

The world is filled with examples of people who achieved everything they thought they wanted, only to discover it wasn't enough.

Mark 8:36 (KJV):

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

That’s the danger of chasing the vegetable garden.

Immediate results.

Temporary rewards.

Quick growth.

But no lasting fruit.

The vineyard takes longer.

It requires patience.

It requires faith.

But the vineyard produces something money cannot buy:

Peace.

Character.

Purpose.

A godly marriage.

A healthy family.

A clear conscience.

Before you chase the next opportunity, ask yourself:

Am I pursuing a blessing?

Or am I simply pursuing a bigger paycheck?

Because not everything that grows your bank account grows your life.

Choose the vineyard.

The blessing of the Lord carries no sorrow with it.

Give anytime! https://riveroflifehouston.org/giving
Learn more: https://riveroflifehouston.org/aboutus

06/10/2026

Not Every Promotion Is From God

DESCRIPTION:

Jezebel’s first move against Naboth wasn’t an attack.

It was a promotion.

She sent letters and said:

“Put Naboth in a place of honor.”

Make him feel important.
Celebrate him.
Elevate him.

And that reveals a powerful truth:

Elevation of position is not elimination of opposition.

Not every promotion is from God.

Proverbs 27:21 (KJV):

“As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.”

Most people fear criticism.

But praise can be far more dangerous.

Criticism tests your patience.

Praise tests your humility.

The enemy rarely shows up saying:

“You’re terrible.”

More often he whispers:

“You’re too gifted for accountability.”
“You’re too smart to need a pastor.”
“You’ve outgrown the church.”
“You don’t need correction anymore.”

That’s how vineyards get lost.

Proverbs 16:18 (KJV):

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”

Sometimes the highest-paying opportunity
isn't the best opportunity.

Sometimes the promotion costs more than it pays.

More money.
Less character.

More influence.
Less accountability.

More recognition.
Less dependence on God.

Before you say yes to the promotion, ask:

Will my marriage survive it?

Will my integrity survive it?

Will my spiritual life survive it?

Will my vineyard survive it?

Because not every open door is from God.

And not every setback is from the devil.

Discernment is learning the difference.

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Learn more: https://riveroflifehouston.org/aboutus

06/10/2026

I’m telling you this as someone who has lived it.

Not as a theory.
Not as a sermon point.
But as a testimony.

I understand that without that man of God in my life
and without this church,
my life would be a wreck right now.

My marriage would not have made it.

My ministry would not have made it.

My integrity would not have made it.

My character would have taken a devastating blow.

Proverbs 27:17 (KJV):

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

There are people who think they can walk with God alone.

But God never designed believers to grow in isolation.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJV):

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…”

The church is not perfect.

Pastors are not perfect.

People are not perfect.

But God still uses imperfect people
to help keep us on the right path.

Without correction, I would have drifted.

Without accountability, I would have compromised.

Without wise counsel, I would have made decisions that would have cost me dearly.

The reputation I have today is not because I am stronger than everyone else.

It is because God surrounded me with people who loved me enough to tell me the truth.

People who challenged me.
People who corrected me.
People who prayed for me.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (KJV):

“Two are better than one… For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow…”

Thank God for the church.

Thank God for spiritual fathers and mothers.

Thank God for the people who help protect our marriage, our ministry, our character, and our future.

Because some of the greatest blessings in our lives come through the people God places around us.

Give anytime! https://riveroflifehouston.org/giving
Learn more: https://riveroflifehouston.org/aboutus

06/10/2026

I hear young preachers say all the time:

“Don’t let a pastor tell you you’re not ready
if the Lord called you.”

Be careful.

Because some voices will hype your calling
while quietly setting you up.

They’ll flatter you.
They’ll validate you prematurely.
They’ll tell you what your flesh wants to hear.

And sometimes they’ll do it
in the name of the Lord.

But here’s the truth:

Hebrews 13:17 (KJV):

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls…”

You need a pastor.
You need a church.
You need authority in your life.

Not because you’re inferior.
Not because someone wants control.

But because no one thrives unaccountable.

Proverbs 11:14 (KJV):

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”

Independence sounds powerful —
until it leaves you exposed.

I’m not saying this to judge you.
I’m not saying this because I think I’m above you.

I’m saying it because I’ve lived it.

Without the man of God in my life,
without the church covering me,
my life would be a wreck.

Submission is not weakness.
It is protection.

Accountability is not restriction.
It is safety.

Don’t let someone set you up
by telling you you don’t need covering.

Even vineyards need fences.

Give anytime! https://riveroflifehouston.org/giving
Learn more: https://riveroflifehouston.org/aboutus

06/09/2026

Jezebel makes her appearance in the story of Naboth —
and she doesn’t show up loud.

She shows up deceptive.

1 Kings 21:8 (KJV):

“So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal…”

She used the king’s authority.
She forged his name.
She operated under borrowed legitimacy.

That’s how deception works.

It rarely introduces itself as evil.

2 Corinthians 11:14 (KJV):

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”

The enemy doesn’t show up with horns.
He shows up with credentials.

Jezebel didn’t confront Naboth directly.
She wrote letters in the king’s name
to people Naboth trusted.

Wolves don’t announce themselves.
They dress like sheep.

Matthew 7:15 (KJV):

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

Here’s the warning:

Not everything that uses God’s name
represents God’s heart.

Not everyone quoting Scripture
is submitted to Scripture.

Many “Jezebel types” operate
in religious language
while advancing personal agendas.

Discernment matters.

Because deception doesn’t look like rebellion.
It looks like righteousness.

Stay rooted in truth.
Stay anchored in the Word.
And don’t be impressed by borrowed authority.

If it doesn’t align with God’s character,
it isn’t from God —
no matter whose name is signed at the bottom.

Give anytime! https://riveroflifehouston.org/giving
Learn more: https://riveroflifehouston.org/aboutus

❤️ Stay Connected with River of LifeChurch is more than a Sunday service—it’s a family.Stay connected throughout the wee...
06/09/2026

❤️ Stay Connected with River of Life

Church is more than a Sunday service—it’s a family.

Stay connected throughout the week with the River of Life Church App! Watch messages, stay informed about upcoming events, receive important updates, and stream services from your favorite devices.

📲 Download the app today and stay connected to what God is doing in our church family.

Already have the app? Make sure notifications are turned on so you never miss an update or encouragement. 🙌

Andrew J Willis

06/09/2026

Last week we talked about Naboth and his vineyard.

King Ahab offered him a better vineyard.
He offered him money.
He offered him an upgrade.

But Naboth said:

1 Kings 21:3 (KJV):

“The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.”

Under Levitical law, he couldn’t sell it.

Why?

Because it didn’t belong to him in the first place.

It was inherited.
It was assigned.
It was sacred.

And here’s the reminder:

There are some things the Lord gave you
that are not yours to sell.

Your salvation.
Your calling.
Your marriage.
Your integrity.
Your children.
Your inheritance in Christ.

Psalm 16:6 (KJV):

“The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.”

The world may offer you something that looks better.
More money.
More influence.
More comfort.

But before you trade it, ask yourself:

Did God give this to me?

If He did —
it’s not mine to sell.

Some offers are upgrades financially
but downgrades spiritually.

Some “better vineyards”
cost you your inheritance.

Hold onto what God gave you.

Because what He assigns
He expects you to steward —
not auction.

Give anytime! https://riveroflifehouston.org/giving
Learn more: https://riveroflifehouston.org/aboutus

06/09/2026

Most people aren’t asking Jesus where He is.

We spend our time trying to get Jesus to come to us.

But Jesus said:

Matthew 11:28 (KJV):

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

He didn’t say,
“I’ll come to your chaos.”

He said,
“Come to Me.”

There is no other hero in the story but Jesus.

He paid the price.
He secured the inheritance.
He tore the veil.

No one else could give you what He gave you.

Hebrews 12:28 (KJV):

“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved…”

You’ve been given something eternal.

So don’t trade it.
Don’t sell it.
Don’t let go of it for a better-looking vineyard.

No offer is worth your inheritance.
No shortcut is worth your soul.
No temporary gain is worth eternal loss.

Lord, help us hold on.

Help us steward what You’ve given us
with wisdom, integrity, and character.

Let Your Word go forth.
Let it be seed in good ground.

Speak to us.
Correct us.
Encourage us.
Challenge us.

And teach us again what it means
to come to You.

Because the rest we’re searching for
is found in surrender.

Give anytime! https://riveroflifehouston.org/giving
Learn more: https://riveroflifehouston.org/aboutus

06/09/2026

Whenever you start doing something for God,
the enemy will react.

Resistance doesn’t mean you’re wrong.
It often means you’re effective.

But hear this clearly:

Don’t let that stop you.

Colossians 2:15 (KJV):

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

The devil is loud.
But he is defeated.

He does not have victory over you.
He does not have power over your inheritance.

1 Peter 1:4 (KJV):

“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.”

What God promised you cannot be stolen by noise.
What God ordained for you cannot be overturned by intimidation.

Yes, the enemy may try to discourage you.
Yes, he may attempt to distract you.
Yes, he may try to create chaos around you.

But he cannot cancel what God has already secured.

So keep serving.
Keep building.
Keep praying.
Keep believing.

Because the one who fights for you
has already won.

Give anytime! https://riveroflifehouston.org/giving
Learn more: https://riveroflifehouston.org/aboutus

06/09/2026

Regardless of how you feel about him, President Donald Trump made a statement that was worth thinking about.

After what appeared to be yet another moment of chaos surrounding him, he was asked why these kinds of things keep happening.

His response was simple:

When someone is doing something significant, those are the kinds of people others try to take out.

You may agree with him.
You may disagree with him.

That’s not the point.

The principle is.

Luke 22:31 (KJV):

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.”

When Peter was ordinary, the enemy ignored him.
When Peter stepped into calling, the enemy targeted him.

Opposition is often confirmation.

When you begin to:
• Build something meaningful
• Lead your family differently
• Break generational patterns
• Serve God boldly

Expect resistance.

1 Peter 5:8 (KJV):

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

The enemy does not waste energy on what isn’t a threat.

So if the pressure increases…
If the attacks intensify…
If the chaos seems louder…

Ask yourself:

What significance did I just step into?

Whenever you start doing something for God,
the devil will react.

Not because you’re weak.

But because you matter.

Stand firm.

The attack is not proof you’re failing.
It may be proof you’re effective.

Give anytime! https://riveroflifehouston.org/giving
Learn more: https://riveroflifehouston.org/aboutus

Address

4518 Highway 6 N
Houston, TX
77084

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