Conversations at Valley Life Church - Valley Life Church

On Sunday, December 15, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Giovanni Serrato shared a Christmas message about becoming children of God by receiving the good news of Jesus Christ, believing that God receives us and makes a way for us to receive the Lord, and being brought into Christ's family, we receive one another. John 1:12-13 (NIV)Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.https://bit.ly/John1_12-13NIV

On Sunday, December 8, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a Christmas message about when Mary received the promise from the Angel Gabriel that she would give birth to Jesus, and Mary's response was, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” From this, Pastor Stuart encouraged us to live in spiritual preparation, welcoming what God says about us, never fearing what God assigns to our lives, and simply giving ourselves to God's will.Luke 1:26-38 (ESV)In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.https://bit.ly/Luke1_26-38ESV

On Sunday, November 24, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about giving thanks, and he led us in a practice of gratitude, declaring that gratitude precedes everything spiritual. Below are the notes outlining this practice of gratitude. Ephesians 5:20 (NLT)And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.1. Pause2. Reflect3. ConnectPractice1. The Lord: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV) - Actions - Character2. People: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 (NIV) - Actions - Character3. Complaints: Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalms 55:22 (NIV) - Actions - Characterhttps://bit.ly/Ephesians5_20NLT

On Sunday, November 17, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem, and along the way, he turned and addressed the crowd that was following him. Jesus challenges them to count the cost of being his disciple. From this, Pastor Stuart encouraged us to return to Jesus, our first love, to restore our focus on Jesus, and to respond to Jesus' voice calling us to a life of transformation through surrender. Luke 14:25-35 (NIV)Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.'“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won't he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”https://bit.ly/Luke14_25-35NIV

On Sunday, November 10, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Brook Fonceca shared a message from Philippians where the Apostle Paul declares that he is embracing God's calling on his life by pursuing it with all his heart. From this, Brook encouraged us to align our perspective with God's in regard to our calling, realizing that whatever situation we find ourselves in, we are found in Christ, we are reflections of God's love in Christ, and we bring a glimpse of heaven to earth as we love God by loving one another. Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.https://bit.ly/Philippians3_12-14NIV

On Sunday, November 3, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem and was invited to eat at a Pharisee's house. During the meal, Jesus instructed the people at the table to be generous when they throw a banquet, inviting those who are unlikely to be invited instead of those in their inner circle. From this, Pastor Stuart encouraged us to keep an eye out for those who are considered “others,” to stop keeping score, expecting to be repaid, and to keep our focus on Jesus. Luke 14:12-14 (NIV)Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”https://bit.ly/Luke14_12-14NIV

On Sunday, October 27, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Giovanni Serrato shared a message about when the Apostle Paul was on trial before King Agrippa in Caesarea. Paul shared his testimony of coming to Christ and the difficulties and persecutions he experienced for the gospel of Jesus Christ. King Agrippa replied to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Paul confesses his desire that all would come to Christ, except for his chains. From this, Pastor Gio encourages us that even though we have a past, full of victories and mistakes, we don't need to resist the leading of the Holy Spirit drawing us to Christ. As we walk with Christ, some will misunderstand us, but others will see God's love through our lives. Some will come to Christ through our testimony, and others will not. But our hearts should embrace Paul's desire for all to come to know the love of God through Christ. Acts 26:28-29 (NKJV) Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”https://bit.ly/Acts26_28-29NKJV

On Sunday, October 20, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem and was invited to eat at a Pharisee's house. During the meal, Jesus shared a parable about how people chose where to sit at a banquet, reminding them to choose a seat of lesser honor. That way, you could be invited to sit in a place of greater honor. From this, Pastor Stuart explains how humility is necessary for growth and is something that can be cultivated in our lives. Luke 14:7-11 (NIV)When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”https://bit.ly/Luke14_7-11NIV

On Sunday, October 13, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem and was invited to eat at a Pharisee's house. During the meal, as Jesus was being watched, he healed a man who was with them. Jesus used this situation to express that God values people over rules. From this, Pastor Stuart encouraged us to examine our lives to see what we are letting into our lives that can become obstacles to our faith. He listed desiring the approval of others, making religion an end in itself, and protecting a calloused or broken heart. Luke 14:1-6 (NIV)One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” And they had nothing to say.https://bit.ly/Luke14_1-6NIV

On Sunday, October 6, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem, and some Pharisees warned him that Herod wanted to kill him. Jesus replied by reiterating his purpose and his necessity to go to Jerusalem. From this, Pastor Stuart exhorted us to get bold about living, focusing our faith on our calling, and reconnecting with the Lord's longing through us. Luke 13:31-35 (NIV)At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'”https://bit.ly/Luke13_31-35NIV

On Sunday, September 29, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem. His disciples asked about who would be saved. Jesus answered, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door.” From this, Pastor Stuart shares that our hearts need to be connected to what Jesus cares about, identifying when we are outside of God's plan, and evaluating if our focus is to know Jesus in the present. Luke 13:22-27 (NIV) Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.'“But he will answer, ‘I don't know you or where you come from.'“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.'“But he will reply, ‘I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'https://bit.ly/Luke13_22-27NIV

On Sunday, September 22, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching on the Sabbath and asked, “What is the kingdom of God like?” He then shared the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast. From this, Pastor Stuart led us in a discussion on “What is the Holy Spirit Up To?” He reminded us that God's kingdom is counterintuitive and that small things have a great impact. The Holy Spirit uses what little we have, our prayers, talents, and resources, and makes them great in God's kingdom, all the while leading us into new ways of transformation. As a benediction, Pastor Stuart shared a song – Come Jesus Come by Stephen McWhirterhttps://youtu.be/UViC6DllCeALuke 13:18-21 (NIV) Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”https://bit.ly/Luke13_18-21NIV

On Sunday, September 15, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching on the Sabbath and healed a woman who had been physically afflicted for eighteen years. He then taught the people about compassion. From this Pastor Stuart encourages us to have compassion for people and see them as God does, understanding that compassion reveals God's kingdom and sets people free. Luke 13:10-17 (NIV) On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.https://bit.ly/Luke13_10-17NIV

On Sunday, September 8, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching his disciples, with the crowds listening in, about current events and how to make sense of them and walk through them. From this Pastor Stuart encouraged us to not get lost in theology (figuring it out), but rather to adopt an eternal perspective of life and use the bad to cultivate the good. Luke 13:1-8 (NIV)Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'“‘Sir,' the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it.https://bit.ly/Luke13_1-8NIV

On Sunday, September 1, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching his disciples, with the crowds listening in, about why he came, what his ministry would produce, and how to interpret the signs of the times. From this teaching, Pastor Stuart shared seven questions that we could use to discern our spiritual seasons. 1. What is the Lord judging or purifying in you?2. Where do you feel constrained until you commit?3. Where is there unrest and lack of peace?4. Where is there division with others?5. Where are you aware of the Holy Spirit?6. Where are you holding God back?7. Where are you withholding from God?Luke 12:49-59 (NIV)“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”Interpreting the TimesHe said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It's going to rain,' and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It's going to be hot,' and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time?“Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”https://bit.ly/Luke12_49-59NIV

On Sunday, August 25, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was teaching his disciples with the crowds listening in about how to be faithful in service, understanding the consequences and blessings of obedience. From this passage, Pastor Stuart encourages us to develop a faithful and wise stewardship, living with an urgency to bless, and taking stock of what the Lord has entrusted to us. Luke 12:41-48 (NIV) Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. “The servant who knows the master's will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. https://bit.ly/Luke12_41-48NIV

On Sunday, August 18, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus teaches his disciples about not fearing the future or worrying about provision, but rather receiving God's kingdom, being prepared to serve, and knowing that God will provide all things. From this, Pastor Stuart encourages us to trust in the Lord for our future, making time for devotion by reducing our interaction with the world and embracing the future that Jesus is revealing for us. Luke 12:32-40 (NIV)“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”https://bit.ly/Luke12_32-40NIV

On Sunday, August 11, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus teaches his disciples about worry, anxiety, faith, and the treasure of the heart. From this, Pastor Stuart shares that worry comes from believing that we don't have enough security and resources. Instead, we are encouraged to discover the pleasure of God's heart which is to give us the kingdom. Lastly, we must examine our hearts. What do we hold as treasure there?At the end of the message, Pastor Stuart shared a song – Daily Bread, by Pat Barrett & Kari Jobe.https://youtu.be/zWt4-_UKM5ULuke 12:22-34 (NIV) Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.https://bit.ly/Luke12_22-34NIV

On Sunday, August 4, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus, after leaving a meal with the Pharisees, begins to be surrounded by thousands of followers. As Jesus interacted with the crowd, he shared the parable of the rich fool where a man's greed cost him his life. From this, Jesus encouraged his followers not to worry about their daily needs, for God will care for them. Pastor Stuart encouraged us to reflect on what we allow to influence our hearts, to protect our hearts by aligning with God's will, and to strive to reconnect with Jesus through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Luke 12:13-22 (NIV)Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'“Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I'll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”'“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.https://bit.ly/Luke12_13-22NIV

Note: Please forgive the auto-focus box moving on the screen around Pastor Stuart's face. We hope it doesn't detract from the message. Thank you.On Sunday, July 28, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus, after leaving a meal with the Pharisees, begins to be surrounded by thousands of followers. In that moment, Jesus teaches his disciples about hypocrisy and the perils of living a double life. From this story, Pastor Stuart encourages us to live our lives in the light, to make honoring God our focus, and to know our value in God's eyes. Luke 12:1-7 (NIV)Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.https://bit.ly/Luke12_1-7NIV

On Sunday, July 21, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was invited to eat at a Pharisee's house and he chose to not wash his hands, which led to a teaching opportunity. After instructing them about religious practices, he began to declare a list of “woes” that the Pharisees had incurred upon themselves. Today we looked at three woes. The Woe of Misguided Tithing, the Woe of Seeking Attention, the Woe of Hidden Judgements, and the Woe of Unattainable Expectations. From Jesus' pronouncements, we can take a moment to examine our spiritual life by reflecting on our practices, evaluating to see if they express God's love as we love one another, and seeking the Holy Spirit to restore our practices in light of the kingdom of God. Luke 11:42-46 (NIV)“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.“Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.“Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.”One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.”Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.https://bit.ly/Luke11_42-46

On Sunday, July 14, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Gio Serrato shared a message about when Jesus encountered ten men with leprosy. Jesus chose to engage with them, and instead of healing them instantly, he told them to go to the priest and in their obedience they were healed. Though they were all healed only one took the time to return to Jesus giving thanks for his healing. This man was a Samaritan. From this we see that our encounters with Jesus are not mundane or predictable. Most often they will require something of us. Our obedience to Jesus is the gateway to wholeness and freedom, especially when we remember to return with gratitude, which imprints these interactions on our hearts. Luke 17:11-19 (NIV) Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”https://bit.ly/Luke17_11-19NIV

On Sunday, July 7, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was invited to eat at a Pharisee's house and he chose to not wash his hands, which led to a teaching opportunity. Just as Jesus surprised the people at the dinner, he also uses everyday situations to surprise us and lead us into teachable moments. He then got to the heart by using straightforward language with them. Likewise, Jesus desires that we grow in uprightness and lovingkindness and will speak directly to our hearts to bring the necessary changes to our lives. Lastly, religious practices are designed to draw our hearts back to God through faith, and as such, spiritual practices are a gateway to freedom not an obligation to be bound to.Luke 11:37-42 (NIV) When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.https://bit.ly/Luke11_37-42NIV

On Sunday, June 30, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Gio Serrato shared a message about how to discover Jesus as our Lord. The first step is to recognize the authority of Jesus, in our lives, families, and community and to recognize who we are in Christ, those who are loved and invited to receive God's salvation in Christ. The authority of Jesus is only a benefit when we are able to submit our hearts and lives to Jesus, as our Lord. We will need to work through issues that would prevent us from bring our lives under the Lord's authority. As someone living under the authority of Christ, the benefits and calling are according to the desires of the Holy Spirit.Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.James 4:7-8 (NIV)https://bit.ly/James4_7-8NIV

On Sunday, June 23, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Brook Fonceca shared a message about when Jesus replied to the people listening to his messages by sharing a metaphor with them. Their unwillingness to receive his message and miracles was like someone having unhealthy eyes. The inability to see what God is doing through Jesus is a darkness to their soul. From this, we see that we can change our perception of the world by having an open heart, responsive to God's leading. An openhearted perception leads to an openhanded perspective where we can interact with the world with God's heart, loving freely and fully, and reflecting the light of Christ. Developing and maintaining an openhearted perception and an openhanded perspective comes down to simple practices of devotion, like “Taking in the Good” and “The Miracle Morning,” among other things like nature walks, reading, meditation, and journaling. Luke 11:33-36 (NIV)“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”https://bit.ly/Luke11_33-36NIV

On Sunday, June 16, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Gio Serrato shared a message about when Jesus revealed the character of God as our peace and that Jesus is the gateway to experiencing God as our peace. Gio explores Jesus as our source of peace rather than what we can do to attain peace for ourselves. We acquire this peace when we intentionally get to the Lord relationally, from scripture, and through reflecting on our experiences with the Lord in our lives. The power of Christ's peace reinforces us to remain faithful during challenging times and a source of peace to others in need. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27 (NIV)https://bit.ly/John14_27NIV

On Sunday, June 9, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was preaching to the crowds and challenged them regarding their faith. From this story, we see that we have the opportunity to embrace the tension that we believe and unbelieve at the same time. When we acknowledge this dichotomy, we can focus on God's ability to meet our needs and return to the Lord in faith, walking boldly in God's promises for us.Luke 11:29-32 (NIV)As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.https://bit.ly/Luke11_29-32NIV

On Sunday, June 2, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples about spiritual opposition by refuting the people who were listening to him speak, saying that one can only drive out a demon by the power of God. From this story, Pastor Stuart shared that when we experience spiritual opposition, we need to reestablish unity within our relationship with Jesus by choosing to simply trust Jesus, our Savior, re-securing our identity in Christ, and renewing our focus on kingdom purposes. Jesus said a house divided will fall. When we align ourselves with Jesus and God's kingdom, we stand in the power of God and can be strong spiritual opposition. Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.Luke 11:14-23 (NIV)https://bit.ly/Luke11_14-23NIV

On Sunday, May 26, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Gio Serrato shared a message about when Jesus fed the five thousand with a boy's lunch of five barley loaves and two small fish. The boy became an example of faith, willing to give what he had and allowing the Lord to make something of it. In this story we see that Jesus can make it enough because he sees what we can't. Jesus is our resource and can make our offerings enough. Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near.When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year's wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”John 6:1-14 (NIV)https://bit.ly/John6_1-14NIV

On Sunday, May 19, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples to be bold in prayer, trusting that God, the Father, is good and will meet their needs, even giving them his presence, the Holy Spirit. From this story, we are encouraged to be audacious in prayer, knowing that God will welcome us anytime for any reason. We can also trust that God's will is to give us good things, especially the Holy Spirit. Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.' And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”Luke 11:5-13 (NIV)https://bit.ly/Luke11_5-13NIV

On Sunday, May 12, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Jesus invited them to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Pastor Stuart reminded us that this prayer is in the plural you. As such, this prayer that Jesus taught us is for the church as a community. We are not in our testing alone. We have the Holy Spirit and the people of God as help in times of trial and testing and we can find our victory through the power of God's Spirit within the body of Christ. Luke 11:1-4 (NIV)One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”He said to them, “When you pray, say:“‘Father,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come.Give us each day our daily bread.Forgive us our sins,for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.And lead us not into temptation, *but deliver us from the evil one.'”*Some manuscripts include this last phrase, “but deliver us from the evil one.”https://bit.ly/Luke11_1-4-NIV

On Sunday, May 5, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Brook Fonceca shared a message about loving one another during the in-between times of Easter (Jesus' resurrection and Pentecost) and the transitional times we find ourselves in. We learn that love is compassion and comfort, which produces simplicity and wholeheartedness and is applied by being present in the moment and proactive on behalf of those closest to us. John 13:34-35 (TPT)“So I give you now a new commandment: Love each other just as much as I have loved you. For when you demonstrate the same love I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know that you're my true followers.”1 John 4:19 (CEB)We love because God first loved us.https://bit.ly/John13_34-35TPThttps://bit.ly/1John4_19CEB

On Easter Sunday, April 28, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Jesus invited them to pray, “Forgive us our sins.” We learned from this passage that we are invited to walk in harmony with the Lord and with one another. We can maintain this harmony by keeping our relationships open for communication and reconciliation, understanding that forgiveness with one another is to say, “You don't owe me anything” based on receiving God's forgiveness when we sin. Grace begets grace. When we receive God's grace we can extend grace to others. Luke 11:1-4 (NIV)One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”He said to them, “When you pray, say:“‘Father,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come.Give us each day our daily bread.Forgive us our sins,for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.And lead us not into temptation.'”https://bit.ly/Luke11_1-4NIV

On Easter Sunday, April 21, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Jesus invited them to pray, “Give us each day our daily bread.” We learned from this passage that we are to have a dependence on the Lord for not only our spiritual needs but our physical needs as well. This dependence is to be renewed each day and expressed by faith that God will provide precisely what we need as we need it. Luke 11:1-4 (NIV) One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'” https://bit.ly/Luke11_1-4NIV

On Sunday, April 14, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Baldemar Serrato shared a message about storing up treasures in heaven. He shared three simple points. • Generosity Encouraged: Sowing Cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) Giving special offerings with a joyful heart. • How to Build Treasures in Heaven: Sowing for the Spirit (Galatians 6:7-10) Giving our lives as an offering to the Lord, following the Holy Spirit's guidance • Sowing in the Missionary Field (Philippians 4:10-20) Partnering with missionaries by giving generously so that they can serve others in need in places we can't easily reach. We have the opportunity to love God by loving one another through giving to meet others' needs. This kind of service is honored by the Lord and remembered for us in heaven as a credit for the Lord's blessings. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)No acumulen para sí tesoros en la tierra, donde la polilla y el óxido destruyen, y donde los ladrones se meten a robar. Más bien, acumulen para sí tesoros en el cielo, donde ni la polilla ni el óxido carcomen, ni los ladrones se meten a robar. Porque donde esté tu tesoro, allí estará también tu corazón.Mateo 6:19-21 (NVI)https://bit.ly/Matthew6_19-21NIVhttps://bit.ly/Mateo6_19-21NVI

On Easter Sunday, April 7, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Gio Serrato shared an encouraging message from the story of Jesus' interaction with Zacchaeus. We learned that Jesus sees us with love and compassion and desires to be a part of our lives. Jesus invited himself over to Zacchaeus' house and was welcomed warmly and with a commitment from Zacchaeus to make restitution to those he had wronged. The invitation to us is to consider what we can offer Jesus as we allow him to come into our lives. Luke 19:5-6 (NIV)When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.https://bit.ly/Luke19_5-6NIV

On Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared an Easter message of freedom, love, and hope from John 20:11-16, when Mary Magdalene interacts with the risen Jesus. From this story we learn that because he lives we live in freedom from sin, shame, guilt, and fear. This freedom allows us to focus on our relationship with God and those closest to us. Finally, this freedom empowers us to live fully and freely in the present, not having to relive our past or be in fear of our future, but be present in God's presence, knowing our future is in God's hands. John 20:11-16 (NIV)Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don't know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”Jesus said to her, “Mary.”She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).https://bit.ly/John20_11-16NIV

On Sunday, March 24, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Jesus instructed them to declare, “your will be done.” This declaration can be understood as saying three things. 1) Aligning ourselves to God's will first, 2) Having an attitude of humility and surrender with joy and enthusiasm, 3) Understanding that we have a mission to usher in God's kingdom that is coming. When we pray, “your will be done,” we are giving ourselves over to live a life of faith with passion for God's purposes and vision for the work of the kingdom through the body of Christ. Luke 11:1-4 (NIV)One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'”Let your kingdom come.Let your will be done on earthas it is done in heaven.Matthew 6:10 (GW)https://bit.ly/Luke11_1-4NIVhttps://bit.ly/Matthew6_10GW

On Sunday, March 10, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Jesus instructed them to declare, “your kingdom come.” This declaration can be understood as saying three things. 1) All of me, 2) For all of you, 3) For your purposes. When we pray, “your kingdom come,” we are surrendering ourselves to God's way and will, aligning ourselves to God's presence and purpose so that we can be God's people in the world, reflecting the love of Jesus. Luke 11:1-4 (NIV)One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'”Let your kingdom come.Let your will be done on earthas it is done in heaven.Matthew 6:10 (GW)https://bit.ly/Luke11_1-4NIVhttps://bit.ly/Matthew6_10GW

On Sunday, March 10, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Jesus revealed to them that out of our intimate relationship with God who is our Father, we can pray, “Hallowed be your name,” which is a request that we reflect God's glory as a fully integrated child of God. Luke 11:1-4 (NIV)One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'”https://bit.ly/Luke11_1-4NIV

On Sunday, March 3, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message about when Jesus' disciples approached him and asked that he teach them how to pray. In this passage, we see that Jesus is more than willing to teach us to pray and as a lesson he gives us a pattern to help us reorient ourselves to the way of God's kingdom. Lastly, we see that as Jesus says, “When you pray…” there is an embedded invitation to connect with God the Father allowing the Lord to meet our needs. Luke 11:1-4 (NIV)One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”He said to them, “When you pray, say:“‘Father,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come.Give us each day our daily bread.Forgive us our sins,for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.And lead us not into temptation.'”https://bit.ly/Luke11_1-4NIV

On Sunday, February 25, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message about when Jesus visited the house of Martha and Mary. In this story, Jesus sets the priority for his disciples as making oneself available to sit and listen in God's presence. Unfortunately, Martha was the example of one who is anxious and troubled by the surrounding circumstances instead of finding peace in Christ. Pastor Stuart shared a song at the end, which you can see here.https://youtu.be/xzKKbe_GXWsLuke 10:38-42 (NIV)As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”https://bit.ly/Luke10_38-42NIV

On Sunday, February 18, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message about when Jesus was tested by an expert in the Law regarding the greatest commandments from the Law. Jesus declared that to love God is to love your neighbor, which seems like an upside-down message. The expert wanted to justify himself by passing over this reality and sought to justify himself by following the letter of the law. From this story, we see that salvation comes by faith, not by following the Law. Sometimes we skip over the reality before us in favor of knowing the right things instead of doing the right things. Lastly, we need to get beyond the justification of our lives and get back to repentance, humility, and the desire to be transformed by the Holy Spirit. Pastor Stuart shared a song at the end, which you can see here.https://youtu.be/OthlHj5Nst8Luke 10:25-29 (NIV)On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”https://bit.ly/Luke10_25-29NIV

On Sunday, February 4, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message encouraging us to contend for a spiritual breakthrough by seeing that we are surrounded by many faithful saints who have gone before us and have provided a foundation for our faith to increase. They also are examples for us to remove the hindrances that keep us from persevering in our walk of faith. Lastly, we must see our Christian faith as a marathon with Jesus as our forerunner, goal, and companion. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.https://bit.ly/Hebrews12_1-3NIV

n Sunday, January 28, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message exploring the blessings we receive when we commit ourselves to the Lord through a season of fasting. Among other things, we find that our spirits are restored, our hearts are reoriented, and we experience renewal in our lives as we seek to honor God with our worship. Psalms 63:1-5 (NLT) O God, you are my God;I earnestly search for you.My soul thirsts for you;my whole body longs for youin this parched and weary landwhere there is no water.I have seen you in your sanctuaryand gazed upon your power and glory.Your unfailing love is better than life itself;how I praise you!I will praise you as long as I live,lifting up my hands to you in prayer.You satisfy me more than the richest feast.I will praise you with songs of joy.https://bit.ly/Psalm63_1-5NLT

On Sunday, January 21, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message exploring how fasting restores our spirit through the element of testing, through our relationship with God as Father, and through learning to trust. Matthew 4:1-4 (NIV)Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”Deuteronomy 8:2-3 (ESV)And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.https://bit.ly/Matthew4_1-4NIVhttps://bit.ly/Deuteronomy8_2-3ESV

On Sunday, January 14, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message introducing fasting as a way to enhance spiritual passion by setting clear spiritual goals, practical intentions for fasting, and a heart open to receive the Lord's reward for your faith. Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.Matthew 6:16-18 (ESV)“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”https://bit.ly/Philippians3_10-11NIVhttps://bit.ly/Matthew6_16-18ESV

On Sunday, January 7, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message to invite us into the practice of prayer and fasting as a way to present ourselves to the Lord, allowing God to transform us and reveal to us God's will.Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.https://bit.ly/Romans12_1-2ESV

On New Year's Eve Sunday, December 31, 2023, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message to encourage us to allow scripture to guide our hearts and minds as we follow Jesus into the new year. Philippians 4:6-7 (TLB) https://bit.ly/Philippians4_6-7TLBDon't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.We are encouraged to place our trust in the Lord through gratitude and prayer. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) https://bit.ly/2Timothy3_16-17NLTAll Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.We are encouraged to allow scripture to speak into our lives. Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT) https://bit.ly/Philippians3_13-14NLTI focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.We are encouraged to invite God's presence to keep us present with a view to the Lord's calling in our lives. Ephesians 5:15-19 (NLT) https://bit.ly/Ephesians5_15-19NLTSo be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.We are encouraged to live wisely and as an act of worship. Acts 4:10-12 (NLT) https://bit.ly/Acts4_10-12NLTLet me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,‘The stone that you builders rejectedhas now become the cornerstone.'There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”We are encouraged to remember that Jesus is all we need and to live as a reflection of Jesus in our world, so that others may know the Lord.

On Christmas Eve Sunday, December 24, 2023, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a Christmas message about the visit from the Magi with an encouragement to follow their example by seeking Jesus to worship him and present him with the treasures of our hearts. Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for out of you will come a rulerwho will shepherd my people Israel.'”Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.https://bit.ly/Matthew2_1-12NIV

On Sunday, December 17, 2023, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a Christmas message about the announcement of Jesus' birth to Joseph. He chose to honor God by doing what the angel had said, even though it was not socially beneficial for him. From this story, we're encouraged to pursue the character God can use, build trust through every season, and to be aware of the reality of God's unfolding plans. Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.https://bit.ly/Matthew1_18-25NIV