Here for Good: Podcast of Valencia United Methodist Church

Rev. Nicole finishes our series on leadership by encouraging us to seek out ways to lead in the world. We find in Luke 14:48b the message that we are to use all that God has given us to build God’s Kingdom here on earth. We are to take the blessings that God gives and use them to bless others. Leading like Jesus led, as servant leaders, forces us to shift our focus from ourselves to others. We are called to lead with compassion for others, and with a focus on the important things in life.

Today is the third in a four-part series called “Lead Like it Matters to God.” We continue to build off of the first week in which Rev. Nicole explored Jesus’ model of leadership, Servant Leadership, and the idea that we are all called to serve. In today’s message, based on John 12:12b-17 and Romans 12:3-8, we will look at what it means for us to lead in our communities. We all have passions and we know what is important to us - those are good places to begin leading. It is also important to pay attention to the movement of the Holy Spirit and what new areas God may be calling you to serve.

As we continue in our series “Lead Like it Matters to God” we focus today on leading ourselves. In today’s message, based on Colossians 3:23-24 and Ephesians 4:20-24, Rev. Nicole teaches that God calls us to take responsibility for our actions, and to live as servant leaders. What might that look like in your daily life? Join us to be encouraged in your faith.

Do you consider yourself to be a leader? To some extent, we are all leaders – in our homes, with our families, in the community, in our jobs. What makes a good leader? In the first of this 4-part series, Rev. Nicole shares a message from Matthew 20:25-28 about how Jesus understood leadership and the example of a good leader he gives us. Join us as we explore why leadership matters to God.

How is your prayer life? Prayer comes easy for us at some points in our life and at other times it can be difficult to know how or what to pray for. In today’s message Rev. Nicole offers guidance and teaching from James 5:13-16 about how to deepen your prayer life and gain a richer understanding of God and God’s presence in your life.

How is your patience? Busy days, packed schedules, challenging times, and our desire for control can lead us to feeling as if we have run completely out of patience. In today’s message, Rev. Nicole preaches from James 5:7-11 and offers practical help in understanding how to become more patient. A growing faith helps us to trust that God is present with us in all situations, and when we better understand that we become more patient. Join us for an inspiring message that will deepen your faith.

Quarrels and judgments happen far too often. It often seems as if they are the rule instead of the exception. It can be easy to fall into the false perspective that our way of thinking is the right (the ONLY right way) and that can easily lead us to behave in ways that disrespects and damages relationships with people – some who we care very much about. Faith nudges us to respond differently; to set aside quarrels and judgments and instead offer love and respect. In today’s message, based on James 4:1-3, 11-12, Rev. Nicole helps us set aside quarrels and judgments so that our faith might be strengthened.

We live in a time where information overload and our perspective on what society expects of us, have left us craving wisdom. We need wisdom for ourselves, our family, the ways we interact with people, and our faith. In today’s message on James 3:13-18 and 4:1-3, 7-8a Pastor Michelle teaches about how the wisdom that God gives to all who sincerely ask, is true wisdom and helps us to live out our faith through our actions.

Many consider the book of James to be a handbook, filled with practical wisdom on how to live the Christian life. Today is the first in a series of six sermons in which we will be looking at what James taught, and thinking about how we can apply it to our lives. In this message, Rev. Nicole preaches on James 1:2-8, 12-16 and explores what James has to say about how we can handle the trials and temptations that we all experience at different times in our lives. James challenges us to respond to trials and temptations with faith and perseverance, believing that God is with us in the midst of them.

God’s grace can’t be earned – it is the gift of God’s great love freely given to us. It means that we are loved and accepted just as we are and that we are called to share that love in the world. Our heritage shapes how we understand our faith and directs us in how to live. In today’s message based on Acts 2:38-47, Rev. Nicole teaches about how the history of the church influenced what United Methodists believe, and how we are to impact the world.