Valley Life Church

On Sunday, March 21, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message in person and online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from John 14:1-6 about Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life. This is the fifth of seven I Am statements by Jesus. In this statement, Jesus comforts his disciples by acknowledging their troubled hearts, providing companionship, belonging, and a spiritual home.

John 14:1-6 (NIV)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

http://bit.ly/John14_1-6NIV

Jesus: The Good Shepherd

On Sunday, March 14, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message in person and online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from John 10:14-16 about Jesus: The Good Shepherd. This is the fourth of seven I Am statements by Jesus. In this statement, Jesus declares his role as our shepherd who cares for us like no other. We also discuss the role of the sheep as those who receive the care of the shepherd and listen to his voice.

John 10:14-16 (NIV) 
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

http://bit.ly/John10_14-16NIV

On Sunday, March 7, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from John 10:7-10 about Jesus: The Gate for the Sheep. This is the third of seven I Am statements by Jesus. In this statement, Jesus declares that Jesus cares for us and saves us as the exclusive one. Many will try to deceive us and take from us what we would only give to God.

John 10:7-10, NIV

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

http://bit.ly/John10_7-10NIV

On Sunday, February 28, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from John 8:12 about Jesus: the Light of the World. This is the second of seven I Am statements by Jesus. Through this statement, we gain confidence that in Jesus we have direction, discernment, and peace. When we follow Jesus, we know that he will light our way and empower us to be a light in the world, making our life a testimony of God’s love.

John 8:12 (NIV)

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

http://bit.ly/John8_12NIV

Jesus: The Bread of Life

On Sunday, February 21, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from John 6:25-35 about Jesus as the Bread of Life. If Jesus is our Bread of Life, then he is our source of spiritual sustenance for daily life and for eternity. When we encounter Jesus as the Bread of Life, we discover that the dimensions of our hearts are revealed. Lastly, as the Bread of Life, Jesus wants not only to meet our needs but be in a continual and personal relationship with us.

John 6:25-35 (NIV) 
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

http://bit.ly/John6_25-35NIV

On Sunday, February 14, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from Romans 12:17-21 looking at three ways to show love by not responding according to our human impulses but relying on the Holy Spirit’s grace to live in a way that is different than the world.

- Do not repay evil for evil.

- Do not take revenge.

- Do not be overcome with evil.

When we choose to love, accept, and forgive, we can live at peace with all who come into our lives.

Romans 12:17-21 (NIV)

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

http://bit.ly/Romans12_17-21NIV

On Sunday, February 7, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from Romans 12:14-16 looking at three qualities that will help us build stronger relationships. The first is to practice blessing those around us, including those who are against us. The second is to practice compassion, entering into the present emotional reality of those close to us. Lastly, the third is to walk in humility, pursuing harmony over knowledge or being right.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Romans 12:14-16 (NIV)

http://bit.ly/Romans12_14-16NIV

On Sunday, January 31, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from Romans 12:11-13 looking at three exhortations from Paul. The first is to have a heart of enthusiasm in loving one another. The second is to make sure we maintain spiritual practices to keep our hearts full of faith. Lastly, the third is to look outside of ourselves by practicing hospitality to those the Lord brings into our lives.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:11-13 (NIV)

http://bit.ly/Romans12_11-13NIV

New Year – Renewed You, Part 4: Perfecting Love

On Sunday, January 24, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from Romans 12:9-10 to help us recognize what Christlike love looks like, which begins with seeing others and ourselves like Jesus does by separating people from their actions. We are then encouraged to connect our affection to one another, feeling their joy and pain. Finally, we are to be guided with honor in how we interact with one another.

Romans 12:9-10, New Living Translation

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

http://bit.ly/Romans12_9-10NLT

On Sunday, January 17, 2021, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message online via YouTube Live and Zoom. In our discussion this week, Pastor Stuart leads us in conversation from Romans 12:6-8 to help us recognize that we are uniquely gifted by God to help one another by seeing ourselves as God’s masterpiece and finding the grace to walk in that gifting, understanding that this is God’s plan so that we can reflect the love and life of Jesus to those we encounter in our daily lives.

Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

http://bit.ly/Romans12_6-8NIV