Valley View Baptist Church

Parents, have you ever accidentally left your child behind somewhere? Or thought you left them behind when you actually didn't? Maybe your own parents forgot you somewhere when you were younger. It's a scary thought and a frightening few minutes.

Mary and Joseph endured that for 3 days! They were traveling back home from Jerusalem and after a full day of travel they realize they've left Jesus behind in the city! They were likely frantic and terrified. They were trusted with God's Son and they had LOST HIM! They probably began asking, where is Jesus!? Where is Jesus!?

Where is Jesus in your life? Are you just assuming that you are walking with Him? Have you talked to Him recently? Have you sought Him recently? We have to do the asking. We have to do a checkup. Is He with you? Have you left Him behind?

If so, go back to Him, now.

As Christians, we are called to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. Not just in part, but in whole; from head to toe. But what does that mean really? We don't have to die in the same sense that Old Testament sacrifices had to die. We are to be living sacrifices. How can we present ourselves like that?

Tonight Bro. Mike showed us how we can give our whole selves to God, from our mind to our feet. Are you presenting yourself as a living sacrifice to God?

Sometimes in life we let temporary circumstances determine the overall value of things. If we're honest, we do it to God too. We let difficult times and struggles determine whether or not following Him is worth it. We let discouragement and stress distract us from Him.

But regardless of the situation, regardless of the struggles and trials, He is Worthy!

This morning we were blessed to have Pastor Jared Shumate with us today in his first official Sunday as Pastor! As we are getting to know him and his family better, he reminded us today that God already knows all about us.

In the book of Jeremiah we see that God calls Jeremiah to be a prophet. But Jeremiah gives an excuse; he is but a child and cannot speak. But God already knew all about Jeremiah. Not only did he know all about Jeremiah, but He knows all about us!

Think about that for a moment...The God of the universe, the Creator or everything...He Knows Me...

Paul, in writing to the church at Corinth, says "watch ye." He tells them to keep their eyes open and be vigilant, watchful for the dangers that the enemy puts before us on a daily basis.

They might have been discouraged that Timotheus and Apollos weren't coming. Instead, God sent Paul. They weren't expecting him, but God sent him for that time and that season. They might have been confused, just like our own church over the last seven months. But God sent His man for a reason.

We as a church are equipped to reach an immeasurable number of souls. But we must remain watchful. We have to beware of the weapons of the enemy.

This morning we opened our arms and our hearts to welcome our Pastor Candidate, Bro. Jared Shumate, and his family to Valley View.

This morning he shared a message with us about our direction and how we can fulfill the works of God.

In order for our church to fulfill the works our church has for us, we must focus certain areas in our life to God. But before we can do that as a church, we must do the same as individuals.

Are you ready to move forward and fulfill the works of God?