Here for Good: Podcast of Valencia United Methodist Church

Today, in the last message of the “Facing Life’s Giants” series, Rev. Nicole speaks about a giant we all face from time to time – doubt. Often, our doubts lead us to feel hopeless. Our faith, however, gives us a different perspective and the promise that we can always trust that God is with us. Facing our doubts, even doubts about faith, can lead us to a deeper faith and

understanding of God’s nearness to us in all situations. Today’s message based on 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 is a promise of hope for each of us.

Fear is a human emotion that we all experience at times, and it can be overwhelming. When we are afraid we might feel like we have no control or power to find peace in our lives. In 2 Timothy 1:7 we hear words that encourage us to trust what God can do in our lives. Rev. Nicole’s message will offer you hope in the promises of your faith.

What tempts you? We all have things in our life that lure us away from living the full life that God wants for us. In today’s message, based on 2 Samuel 11:1-17, we will hear the story of David’s temptation to follow his desires instead of God’s. Rev. Nicole offers five ways we can address our temptations and return our focus and actions to what God wants.

Today we begin a new series Facing Life’s Giants and start by looking at what our faith has to say about facing failure. We can be assured that God loves us just as we are. Our success or failure in life does not change how God feels about us. In today’s message, Rev. Nicole will share a story from Luke 22:31-34, and encourage us to remember that failure is never the final word when we have faith in Jesus.

Through Jesus, God offers us gifts that can change our lives. Today Rev. Nicole brings a message about receiving the gift of trust and learning how to live out the faith we have in God. We hear Matthew 1:18-25 and consider Joseph’s trust that God was at work in Jesus’ birth, even thought he couldn’t yet see how it would all work out.

Peace is something that so many of us often wish we had more of. In today’s message, based on Luke 1:39-56, Pastor Michelle reminds us that the peace we have from God through Jesus is deep and sustaining. It enables us to have peace, even in the most difficult of situations. Are you open to receiving God’s peace for your life?

Today, Rev. Nicole preaches about receiving the gift of purpose as we look at Luke 1:26-38 and Mary’s willingness to do what God asked her to do. With God, we can find purpose and joy in our lives every day, even when it seems like more than we can handle. God has a purpose for each of us and is faithful to help us accomplish that purpose.

In today’s message based on Joel 2:21-27, Rev. Nicole brings a message about the gift of plenty. Our faith helps us to believe that God will provide all that we need as an expression of God’s great love for us. In order to receive this gift, we must be open to it; we must trust that God will provide for what we need. Where do you need God’s provision in your life today? Join us to learn how to open your heart to receive what God has for you.

Welcome to the season of Advent – the time when we get our hearts ready to receive all that God has for us through Christmas. In today’s message, based on Luke 1:5-25, Rev. Nicole teaches about the gift of ‘not being in charge’. When we put our hope in God, and all that God has for us, we find that we no longer have to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders and are more open to receiving the hope that we have in Jesus.