River Valley Church — Local services in Dilworth

Rise Again: A Devotional Reflection on Redemption and Misplaced Hope 📖 Micah 7:8 “Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.”

We’ve all fallen. Not just once, but repeatedly—in habits, relationships, choices, addictions, and distractions that promised comfort but delivered emptiness. That yearning for love, security, and identity? Many of us have tried to fill it with people, performance, or pleasure—only to find ourselves back at square one.

Micah speaks right into that place: Falling is not the end. Darkness doesn’t have the final say. When we sit in silence, weighed down by regret or shame, the Lord declares, “I will be your light.”

Relationships, though a beautiful gift when stewarded well, can easily become idols. We chase connection hoping it will heal the ache in our soul—but no human can fill the void designed for the Father. We substitute intimacy with flesh for intimacy with the Spirit, and the cycle repeats. Sex, codependency, unmet expectations… they blur our vision and harden our hearts.

This is not a call to shame—it’s a call to return. A return to fellowship. A return to truth. A return to authenticity.

Let’s lay it down. Let’s stop letting the pursuit of romance compromise the pursuit of righteousness. Whether you’re in addiction recovery, emotional burnout, or spiritual drift—this is the moment to stand up, dust off, and run hard after Jesus.

Start a plan. Reach for accountability. Invite friends into your walk. 📱 Try the YouVersion Bible App. Open the Word. Let truth anchor you.

If God intends deeper relationships in your life, He’ll lead them in His timing. But your hope must never rest in man or woman—it must be rooted in Him. That’s when relationships thrive, and healing becomes holy.

🔥 You are not disqualified. You are not forgotten. Let the walls come down. Let Jesus flood the dark places. Let today be the start of your rise.

Thanks for your hospitality and showing me that Jesus lives is still alive within this...

It's an alright place. I went there for the Easter service this year. Wasn't sure where to sit, so I just sat in an empty spot. However, someone kept looking at me like I wasn't supposed to sit there. Luckily when I went to the back of the room, someone offered me a chair. I really appreciated that. A lot of the people there...

Really negative environment. The kids run wild, some of the kids are aggressive towards other kids and the adults just stand by. Leadership is seriously lacking and the music is almost painful. There are so many amazing churches around here I definitely don't recommend you put yourself through the torment of River...