Valley Life Church

On Sunday, October 16, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice encouraged us to examine the things that hinder us from developing our prayer life. Three hindrances he shared with us are:

1. Thinking you can go it alone.

2. Misunderstanding the character of Father God.

3. Not relying on the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 11:1-2, 11-13 (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,…’”

“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!”

https://bit.ly/Luke11_1-2_11-13NIV

On Sunday, October 9, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice encouraged us to develop our passion for prayer by becoming a person of shameless audacity, approaching the Lord who is our source, and understanding that the Lord responds affirmatively when God’s people ask, seek, and knock.

Luke 11:5-10 (NIV)

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.

https://bit.ly/Luke11_5-10NIV

On Sunday, October 2, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice shared the first part of a series about prayer. When approaching prayer, we are encouraged to have a posture of humility where we ask the Lord to use us, make us like Jesus, and restore us as we put our trust in the Lord.

Luke 11:9-10 (NIV)

“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.”

https://bit.ly/Luke11_9-10NIV

On Sunday, September 25, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice concluded our study from Ephesians 5:15-16 with an exhortation to stand strong through the evil day by remaining prepared through spiritual practices, resolving to stand in the midst of pressure, and being committed to prayer throughout the difficulties of the day.

Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)

Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity (redeeming the time, NKJV), because the days are evil.

Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

https://bit.ly/Ephesians5_15-16_6_13NIV

On Sunday, September 18, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice led us in a conversation about living wisely. Becoming wise requires a willingness to change, an openness to learn, and a desire to develop a lifestyle patterned on the lives of the wise.

Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)

Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity (redeeming the time, NKJV), because the days are evil.

https://bit.ly/Ephesians5_15-16NIV

On Sunday, September 11, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice led us in a conversation on how to understand time in regards to the Kingdom of God, how to develop an awareness of Kingdom time, and ways to incorporate strategies to be more effective when we are operating in Kingdom time.

Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)

Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity (redeeming the time, NKJV), because the days are evil.

https://bit.ly/Ephesians5_15-16NIV

On Sunday, September 4, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice led us in a conversation about living in a dynamic relationship with the Holy Spirit by watching what causes us to let the Spirit’s presence dissipate in our lives. We also addressed some key strategies to stay in alignment with the Holy Spirit. Lastly, we were reminded that gratitude brings us into a proper perspective of our relationship with the Lord and our interaction with those closest to us.

Ephesians 5:15-20 (NIV)

Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

https://bit.ly/Ephesians5_15-20NIV

On Sunday, August 28, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice led us in a conversation about living prudently, encouraging us to make gaining wisdom a priority, to make the most of every opportunity, and to live in a way that pleases God.

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)

Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

https://bit.ly/Ephesians5_15-17NIV

On Sunday, August 21, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message encouraging us to know Christ more by doing the things that enhance our relationship with him, receiving his power to endure suffering, and pressing in to take hold of Christ.

Pastor Stuart also shared a song called "I Want Jesus" by John Wilds.

Here is the link to watch it. https://youtu.be/6SpTCBX6Yyg

Philippians 3:10-12 (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.

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.

https://bit.ly/Philippians3_10-12NIV

On Sunday, August 14, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Ray Arney shared a message about choosing to have a “Best Day Ever” perspective by looking for diving appointments, doing something for someone else, and being someone who can be seen so that we can have a positive impact on the world around us while drawing people to Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV)

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?

https://bit.ly/2Corinthians2_14-16NIV