Podcasts about pastor beth

Welcome to the audio podcast of Valley Family Church located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We pray you'll be encouraged as you listen to this podcast. For more information on Valley Family Church, visit valleyfamilychurch.org.

[Jesus said to the disciples,] 36 "About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so, too, will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken, and one will be left. 42 Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." 

November 23, 2025  Sunday Service         How do you view money? Join us as Pastor Beth discusses our role of looking at money as disciples of Christ.  

November 16, 2025 Sunday Service God's Playlist: Uplifting Songs for an Uncertain World   Join us for the last week of our fall 2025 Psalm series. This week we learn about the Psalms that highlight our love for God and His love towards us.

5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, [Jesus] said, 6 "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."   7 They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" 8 And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them.   9 "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." 10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.   12 "But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, 15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls." 

Sunday Service: November 9, 2025 Pastor Beth        We continue the Psalm series with this new uplifting sermon regarding the Psalms of Ascent, also referred to as the Pilgrim Psalms. These Psalms serve as spiritual support and encouragement for our journey through life.

Soul Sanctuary exists to walk with all people; to invite and guide them into a growing relationship with Jesus, nurture them toward a Christ-like maturity, and equip them for ministry in the world (Matthew 28:18-20).For more information, visit https://www.soulsanctuary.ca/LINKS: Connect Card: https://www.soulsanctuary.ca/hello Kids & Youth: https://www.soulsanctuary.ca/kids-youth Upcoming Events: https://www.soulsanctuary.ca/events

1 [Jesus] entered Jericho and was passing through it.2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner." 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much." 9 Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost." 

Sunday Service: October 26, 2025  Disability awareness panel with Lauren Westlund              Vicki Burke             Charita Moore             Tony & Teresa Jones             Tim & Mary Towery             Tori McCracken             Ginna Towery      Join us this morning as we understand the importance of disability awareness in the month of October. Listen to the panel's testimonies of their walks with Jesus led by Lauren Westlund.

19 Now we know that, whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For no human will be justified before him by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.   21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed and is attested by the Law and the Prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26 it was to demonstrate at the present time his own righteousness, so that he is righteous and he justifies the one who has the faith of Jesus.   27 Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. Through what kind of law? That of works? No, rather through the law of faith. 28 For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.

October 19, 2025  Sunday Morning Service  Pastor Beth         Join us as we continue in our Psalms series as we explore power of the Royal/ Messianic Psalms.

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October 12, 2025 Sunday Morning Service God's Playlist: Uplifting Songs for an Uncertain World   Join us for this week's service as Pastor Beth discusses how to use the lament Psalms to grow closer with God.

October 5, 2025 Sunday Morning Service        Join Pastor Beth and Gate City Vineyard as they celebrate Hispanic heritage month with Pastor Obed and Los Hechos. In this sermon both Pastor Beth and Obed discuss the diversity of Gods people and how we are all made in His image. 

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Sunday morning Service September 21, 2025        Join us as we start a new series on how God's playlist within the psalms helps us through the uncertainty of life.

In her last sermon in the Gathering for Good series, Pastor Beth discusses what it means to serve not only in the church but in our community. Thank you for joining us on discovering the who, the what, and the why of the church gathering.

Today, Pastor Beth Bramstedt speaks in Part 3 of our three-week series titled “Follow Me”. What does it mean to truly follow Jesus beyond mere belief? In this conclusion to the "Follow Me" series, Pastor Beth unveils how Peter's journey from impulsive fisherman to mature shepherd mirrors our own path of discipleship. Through touching stories of modern-day transformation and Peter's seaside reconciliation with Jesus, we discover that following Christ is a lifelong journey of healing, connection, and growth. You can find the full sermon notes and other resources at our website. We hope this message encourages you and helps you know Jesus in a more real way. Subscribe to us at our YouTube channel, on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify. You can also visit us at Facebook or Instagram.

September 7, 2025         Pastor Beth continues her Gathering for Good sermon series with the practice of preaching and the importance/ impact of youth ministry in the church.

Today, Pastor Beth Bramstedt speaks on our three-week series titled “Follow Me”. Have you ever felt the stirring call to step out of your comfort zone, even when fear threatens to hold you back? In this message about following Jesus, Pastor Beth unpacks the compelling story of Peter walking on water, revealing how authentic discipleship embraces both faith and doubt. You can find the full sermon notes and other resources at our website. We hope this message encourages you and helps you know Jesus in a more real way. Subscribe to us at our YouTube channel, on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify. You can also visit us at Facebook or Instagram.

Join us as Pastor Beth leads us in a new three-week series of gathering for good. In this week's sermon Pastor Beth elaborates on the importance of practicing fellowship and singing within the church.

1 On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they were watching him closely.   7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host, 9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”   12 He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers and sisters or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” 

In this week's sermon Pastor Beth relates Gods growth process in nature with our own spiritual growth,

[Jesus said:] 49 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52 From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 they will be divided:  father against son   and son against father,  mother against daughter   and daughter against mother,  mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law   and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”    54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain,' and so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,' and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” 

8/10/2025 

Join us for a powerful service as special guest speaker Pastor Beth Jones shares an inspiring message.

Soul Sanctuary exists to walk with all people; to invite and guide them into a growing relationship with Jesus, nurture them toward a Christ-like maturity, and equip them for ministry in the world (Matthew 28:19-20).For more information, visit https://www.soulsanctuary.ca/LINKS: Connect Card: https://www.soulsanctuary.ca/hello Kids & Youth: https://www.soulsanctuary.ca/kids-youth Upcoming Events: https://www.soulsanctuary.ca/events

August 3, 2025   In this week's sermon Pastor Beth delivers a powerful message on the gift of Jesus.

1 [Jesus] was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”2 So he said to them, “When you pray, say:       Father, may your name be revered as holy.   May your kingdom come.   3 Give us each day our daily bread.   4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.   And do not bring us to the time of trial.”   5 And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7 And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything out of friendship, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.   9 “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for a fish, would give a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if the child asked for an egg, would give a scorpion? 13 If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” 

7/6/2025 Pastor Beth delivers a message on the power of conviction, reminding us that one question can alter the trajectory of your entire life... just like the life-changing decision to follow Jesus. Learn more at: www.gatecityvinyard.com

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of hir pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way; I am sending you like lambs into the midst of wolves. * Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals, and g' no one on the road. * Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house!'* And if a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on that person, not, it will return to you.' Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from hou house. *Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is before you; ° cure the sick who are there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of G come near to you.' " But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome go out into its streets and say, *Even the dust of your town that clings to our we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has cor near.' 16 "Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you refects whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."   " The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" 18 He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 1º Indeed, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you. 2 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

51 When the days drew near for [Jesus] to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to prepare for his arrival, 53 but they did not receive him because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 When his disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 Then they went on to another village.     57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 And Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” 

Welcome to the audio podcast of Valley Family Church located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We pray you'll be encouraged as you listen to this podcast. For more information on Valley Family Church, visit valleyfamilychurch.org.

Today, Pastor Beth Bramstedt speaks in week 8 of our series study of the book of Colossians. Our series is called "Beyond the Static" as we look to clear the noise of life and our world and listen to the voice of a loving God. Pastor Beth shared a message focused on living a life centered in Christ, drawing from the book of Colossians. She emphasized that instead of viewing life in compartments, believers should recognize that Christ should be at the center of their entire existence, affecting every aspect of life. The sermon highlighted the importance of understanding sin within the framework of God's love and grace, encouraging the congregation to trust in God's goodness rather than rationalizing their behaviors. Ultimately, Pastor Beth urged everyone to put on their new self in Christ, continually striving for maturity and submitting every part of their lives to Him. You can find the full sermon notes and other resources at our website. We hope this message encourages you and helps you know Jesus in a more real way. Subscribe to us at our YouTube channel, on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify. You can also visit us at Facebook or Instagram.

[Jesus said,] 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” 

Today, Pastor Beth Bramstedt speaks in week 7 of our series study of the book of Colossians. Our series is called "Beyond the Static" as we look to clear the noise of life and our world and listen to the voice of a loving God. Pastor Beth shared a heartfelt message about the significance of baptism, highlighting a recent testimony from Matt about his spiritual journey. Emphasizing the transformation that comes with accepting Christ, she explained that our old life is replaced by a new life hidden in Christ. She also encouraged the congregation to look upwards for discernment rather than inward or outward, focusing on things above and deepening their relationship with God through prayer, reading scripture, and community.  You can find the full sermon notes and other resources at our website. We hope this message encourages you and helps you know Jesus in a more real way. Subscribe to us at our YouTube channel, on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify. You can also visit us at Facebook or Instagram.

[Jesus prayed:] 20 “I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.   25 “Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them and I in them.” 

Offense is a trap that stops you from moving forward with your life! In this message, Pastor Beth shares about WHY we get offended, and HOW we can live free of it! Sermon from Mother's Day at Centerbranch 2025. Would you like to visit Centerbranch Church? Click here to plan your visit: https://tinyurl.com/4cf2d2jb Need prayer? Let us pray for you: https://admin.centerbranch.org/page/930 Give online: https://www.centerbranch.org/give

1 On the first day of the week, at early dawn, [the women] went to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.” 8 Then they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. 

1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus's feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” 

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to [Jesus], “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.' ” 

12 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14 But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. 15 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.  4:1 Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 

Clara and Ps. Beth share 5 actionable steps to start reading your bible in 2025! They share what their personal time looks like with their time with God and so much more!!   Resources: 40 Days Through Revelation by Ron Rhodes The Shred by Nathan Finochio January 2024 How To Read Your Bible Sermon Series: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0QV5Jl3iqcW3baVA7bbyzb?si=5HEPNxzERoGojFBRuntqPA https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sp3P2N5T76nhDuYqF4yON?si=UcAh3NQJTtyjKcer9snpuA https://open.spotify.com/episode/0L1a6YW91PP4kFxav16Kop?si=wVkvQduiQ5OZfGafr2B8mA Follow Beth on IG: @bethhartstack Follow The Wild Youth on IG: @thewildyth   SHARE THIS EPISODE WITH A FRIEND + LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE! ⭐️ ⚡️Cover art by the talented Alana Leonard follow her on IG: @alanajl09

1In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.  6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.  8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.  12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,  14“Glory to God in the highest heaven,   and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”  15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 

Luke 1:26-38   26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 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 ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel said to 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 holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. 

31Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free'?”  34Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”

2Some Pharisees came, and to test [Jesus] they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” 5But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. 6But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.' 7‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”  10Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; 12and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”  13People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. 

Welcome to the audio podcast of Valley Family Church located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We pray you'll be encouraged as you listen to this podcast. For more information on Valley Family Church, visit valleyfamilychurch.org.