What do you do when pain has taken a toll on your joy? In the opening message of The Joy of the Lord, Pastor Mike walks through Psalm 126 and the promise that “those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.” Through the imagery of carrying, sowing, and cultivating seeds, we discover that healing doesn’t come from ignoring our pain, but from confronting it, processing it, and allowing God to use it. Your pain doesn’t have to scar you—it can mark you, shape your testimony, and become part of the journey that leads you back to joy.

As The Valley Church prepares to step into a new season, Pastor Mike looks at Paul’s words in Philippians 3 and the call to keep pressing forward. We can celebrate what God has done without believing we’ve arrived. There is still more race to run, more growth ahead, and more God wants to do in us and through us. The goal isn’t to arrive—it’s to keep pursuing Jesus with everything we have. Our past can remind us of God’s faithfulness, but it should never keep us from moving toward what He has next. With eternity in view, we press on with faith, expectation, and confidence that the best is still to come.

What happens after you say yes to God? In Luke 5, Simon Peter obeys Jesus even when the command doesn’t make sense—and the result is both miraculous and overwhelming. His nets begin to tear, his boat begins to sink, and suddenly his obedience creates a whole new set of problems. In Part 1 of Our Next Step, Pastor Mike looks back at the story of The Valley Church and the steps of faith that brought us here, while challenging us to consider our own “obstacle of obedience.” Because following Jesus doesn’t always lead to an easier life, sometimes it leads to what we’ll call the mess of yes. The question isn’t whether obedience will be messy. The question is whether we’d rather live in the mess of yes or the comfort of no.

Biblical community is about more than simply being in the same room—it’s about sharing life and pursuing Jesus together. In Acts 2, the early church gives us a powerful picture of a community devoted to God’s Word, prayer, fellowship, and the work of Jesus. They didn’t just show up out of obligation; they delighted in being together, and in the midst of that community, they saw God move.

In this message, Pastor Mike explores the Biblical Community Triangle: devotion, delight, and displays of God’s power. When we commit ourselves to God and to one another, we create space for relationships to deepen, faith to grow, and lives to be changed. We were never meant to follow Jesus alone—we are better together.

In the final week of Nobody Said It Would Be Easy, we look at Joshua’s challenge to Israel: “Choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship?” Following Jesus isn’t a passive decision—it’s a daily choice to trust God’s faithfulness, leave behind the things that compete for our hearts, and live a life of worship. Joshua’s words remind us that indecision is a decision of its own. Choosing God means planting our feet, surrendering our old ways, and allowing our lives to be shaped by His Word and His presence. And that choice doesn’t just affect us—it shapes how we lead our families and the people around us. The cost of following Jesus is real, but what we gain in Him is so much greater.

Life is full of uncertainty. Whether you're facing a difficult diagnosis, a career change, or simply wondering what comes next, the unknown can feel overwhelming. In Joshua 3–4, the Israelites stand before the flooded Jordan River with no clear way forward, yet God calls them to trust His presence instead of their understanding. Join us as we discover why we can trust what we don't know to the God we do know, and how His faithfulness in the past gives us confidence for whatever lies ahead.

Fear is something we all face, but God never intended for it to define us. As Joshua stepped into leadership after Moses, God repeatedly told him, "Be strong and courageous," reminding him that courage is a choice made before the battle begins. In this message, we'll discover four practical ways to combat fear by remembering God's Word, trusting His presence, preparing well, and taking the next step. Most importantly, we'll see how Joshua's story points us to Jesus, who chose courage for us at the cross. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or uncertain about what's ahead, this message is for you.

Every life tells a story—but what story will yours tell? In the final message of our Habits of the Household series, we look at Jesus' words in Matthew 7 and ask four questions that reveal the legacy we're building today. Together, we'll examine the path we're walking, the fruit we're producing, the foundation we're building, and whether our faith is truly rooted in Christ. Whether your foundation feels strong or shaken, this message is a reminder that it's never too late to build on the rock and leave a legacy worth leaving. 

In Part 3 of the finances portion of our Habits of the Household series, we take a closer look at what the Bible says about cheerful generosity and why giving is about so much more than money. Through the story of the widow's offering in Mark 12, we'll discover how generosity reflects our heart, grows our heart, reaps what it sows, and becomes a tool God uses to produce miracles. Whether you're new to giving or looking to take your next step, this message is an invitation to experience the joy of investing in God's kingdom.

This week in Habits of the Household, we look at Matthew 6, where Jesus gives us three powerful questions to help audit the condition of our hearts: Where is my treasure? Where are my eyes? Who am I serving? Discover how your finances can expose what you truly value, why Jesus connects generosity to spiritual health, and how living with an eternal perspective leads to lasting peace. Whether you're confident with money or struggling to trust God in this area, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to seek first the Kingdom.