Rifle Church of Christ

04/12/2026

We were so blessed today to hear a message about handling difficult life situations based on Jesus' example in John 7.
John Cooper delivered this great lesson after being away for several months because of some health issues. It was wonderful to have him and Holly with us!

04/05/2026

04/02/2026

As we are celebrating the resurrection this coming Sunday, take a moment to contemplate what being "redeemed by the blood of the lamb" means.

To help understand redemption, go to this You Tube video by The Bible Project.

What do Christians mean when they say they’ve been “redeemed by the blood of the lamb?” Watch this video and discover the meaning of the word “redemption” in...

02/27/2026

Be Imitators

Children learn to function in real life by imitating those around them.

They learn to speak by listening to their family’s words and copying what they hear. They learn to interact with others by observing how their loved ones interact with others. They learn what’s culturally and socially appropriate by watching and imitating.

They learn how to eat, play, read, pray, cook, fish, braid, draw, garden, build, worship, invest, and navigate relationships by noticing and mimicking those around them.

And it doesn’t stop with children. People will often reflect those closest to them, as well as their environment.

Perhaps that’s why, while writing from the confines of a Roman prison, the apostle Paul gave the believers in Ephesus a heartfelt charge:

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul knew that loving and reflecting God was foundational. What we observe will get repeated and, eventually, passed along. The fancy word for this concept is discipleship—where we learn from those we trust and teach others what we’ve learned.

Regardless of where we’re at in life, we’re all being discipled by something. That’s why we should carefully consider who we are listening to and following.

It is vital to build our lives on Truth.

It’s already in our God-given makeup to reflect God. But as humans, we still have to intentionally remember who and whose we are, which is the first step in becoming more like Christ.

02/05/2026

This message from YouVerison seems so appropriate in our world today.

Fight Fear with Hope

It seems there’s always something to worry about: natural disasters, current (and potential) wars, shaky finances, relational brokenness, unmet expectations, political/cultural/racial divisions, senseless violence, our kids, our jobs, our health, and more—much more. But many of the things we fear are largely out of our control.

We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can choose our response.

You can constantly be worried, negative, anxious, fearful, critical, and bitter. Or, you can be known for seeing the good in people, choosing joy, offering encouragement, looking for God’s fingerprints, and always finding something to be grateful for. In either case, the cycle feeds itself.

Like hummingbirds are attracted to sweet things while vultures scour the earth for dead things, we will always find what we are looking for. Why? Because darkness and light both exist. Good and evil are everyday realities. And we must decide who we’ll trust, and how we’ll spend our lives.

There are plenty of scary things happening in the world, but—because of Jesus—there is always good.

Even on our darkest days, Jesus is the light of the world. He’s already carrying the weight of the world on His shoulders, which means we don’t have to. He has already made a way where there was no way, which means we can follow the path He has blazed. The Holy Spirit is already compelling us and leading us and teaching us and comforting us, which means we’re not alone.

The hope we have in Christ isn’t just wishful thinking or positive vibes. It's hope that’s based on truth—on facts and faith.

So what can we do? The Bible says:

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We can fight anxiousness with hope.
We can ward off worry with truth-filled encouragement.
We can resist fear by offering life-giving words.
We can refuse to settle for living scared.
We can expose the darkness to light.

So the next time you feel anxiety and fear weighing down your heart, ask God for help and encouragement. Remember, He is closer than a prayer away.

***Please note that in this article we are not speaking of clinical anxiety which needs specialized treatment.

01/31/2026

Motivation in Motion

Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

This verse is nestled within a powerful section of Scripture that urges us, as believers, to persevere in faith and stay connected in community. Hebrews 10:19–25 opens by reminding us that, through Jesus, we have direct access to God. His ultimate sacrifice tore the veil and made a way for us to draw near to God with confidence.

But the Christian life was never meant to be lived alone. That’s why the author calls us to look outward: to think deeply about how we can motivate each other toward love and action.

The phrase “spur one another on” isn’t passive. It’s about intentionally encouraging, challenging, and inspiring others to live out their faith in practical, tangible ways. In a world that often pushes us toward self-focus, Hebrews reminds us that one of the ways we endure is by investing in others.

And it also means when someone spurs you on toward love and good deeds, you should respond! One of the reasons we're designed to live in community is because other people can see things in us that we can't see ourselves. Like a coach of a sports team motivates athletes to perform at a higher level, your friends and leaders in your Christian community can motivate you to step out in faith, often in a way you might be afraid to do alone.

This kind of community doesn’t happen by accident. It takes time, vulnerability, and a willingness to walk alongside others in their faith journey. But when we live this way—pressing into God, holding tightly to hope, and building one another up—we create a church that reflects the love and mission of Jesus.

11/23/2025

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

11/18/2025

We would like to remind you of our shared meal tomorrow evening at 6:30 pm. It is a chance for sharing with each other and celebrating God's goodness.
This clip from You version this morning seemed appropriate for this occasion.

"Have you ever walked in darkness? Maybe the power went out in your house during a storm, or you were stranded on the road with car trouble. Walking in darkness can be scary, and it can be dangerous.
Having a light is just a little better, isn't it?
The same is true in our spiritual journeys.
How we find that light in the midst of darkness is actually pretty straightforward: Psalm 119 says that God's Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path—in other words, the Bible itself is the light! It is our guide. It helps us make decisions to follow Christ and not walk in darkness. Just as He is the light of the world, we are called to be His reflection in the world. When we intentionally choose to walk in His light, we embrace truth, righteousness, and love.
Walking in the light means surrendering our old ways, seeking God's guidance, and allowing His Spirit to shape our thoughts, actions, and attitudes.
As we walk in the light, a beautiful transformation occurs: we find fellowship with one another. This light of Christ not only illuminates our individual paths but also creates a bond of unity among believers. It’s how we discover the joy of shared faith, encouragement, and accountability. It is through this bond that we are reminded that we are not alone on our journey."

11/15/2025

We can (and should) be joyful today because we have new life because God loves us.
Let's show that love in our conversations and interactions.

"Throughout Scripture, we see God’s love reflected everywhere. He provides, protects, and guides with an abundance of love. God is love, and we are called to share His love by leading with love in our interactions with others. (1 John 4:16)
John 3:16 shares the key message of the Gospel: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God loved us so much that he gave His only Son to give us new life in Him.
God’s love doesn’t just provide, protect, and guide. His love transforms. His love restores. His love gives us a new future. Today, remember that because of God’s love for you, you have new life in Him."
# Daily Bible Study