Preparing Our Hearts for Jesus, Part 2: Renewing Anticipation

On Sunday, December 11, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message with a challenge to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus this Christmas season by setting our anticipation to see in a new light, to allow God to restore hope, and to embrace the language of anticipation.

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
Luke 1:5-7 (NIV)

Preparing Our Hearts for Jesus

On Sunday, December 4, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message with a challenge to prepare our hearts with open eyes, open arms, and open ears to receive Jesus this Christmas season.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 1:9-12 (NIV)

The Bridge from Thanksgiving to Christmas: The Acts of Generosity

On Sunday, November 27, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice shared an encouraging message about the effects of generosity on our spiritual lives by being the pivot between gratitude and action, which leads to maturity.

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:18-19 (NIV)

The Miracles of Thankfulness

On Sunday, November 20, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice shared an encouraging message about gratitude, reminding us that thankfulness opens our eyes to Kingdom living, ushers in God’s resources, and restores, renews, and transforms us.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Entering the Mission of God: Renewing Our Pattern of Prayer, Part 4: Matthew 6:9-13

On Sunday, November 13, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice continued leading us in exploring the pattern of prayer Jesus gave us when he taught his disciples to pray. The statements, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” is an invitation to partner with God in the mission to see God’s kingdom expand by being light and love in the world, bringing a glimpse of heaven down to earth.

1) Submission:
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
2) Petition:
Give us today our daily bread.
3) Relational Alignment:
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
4) Battle:
And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from the evil one.’
5) Rest:
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.’”
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

Entering the Holiness of God: Renewing Our Pattern of Prayer, Part 3: Matthew 6:9-13

On Sunday, November 6, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice continued leading us in exploring the pattern of prayer Jesus gave us when he taught his disciples to pray. The statement, “hallowed by your name,” is an invitation to worship God who is holy above all others, yet calls us to an intimate relationship that also desires us to be holy as the Lord is holy.

1) Submission:
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
2) Petition:
Give us today our daily bread.
3) Relational Alignment:
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
4) Battle:
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
5) Rest:
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.’”
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

Renewing Our Pattern of Prayer, Part 2: Matthew 6:9-13

On Sunday, October 30, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice led us in exploring the pattern of prayer Jesus gave us when he taught his disciples to pray, starting with submission as a relational posture before God and a prerequisite to life-changing prayer.

1) Submission:
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
2) Petition:
Give us today our daily bread.
3) Relational Alignment:
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
4) Battle:
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
5) Rest:
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.’”
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
(Numbered themes added as an outline to the message.)

Renewing Our Pattern of Prayer: Matthew 6:9-13

On Sunday, October 23, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today, Pastor Stuart Nice led us in exploring the pattern of petition in the Lord’s Prayer, highlighting that this pattern reestablishes our priorities and our passions when we rest upon the promises found in this prayer.

“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.’”
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

The Main Hindrances to a Vital Life of Prayer

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.

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!”
Luke 11:1-2, 11-13 (NIV)

Developing a Passion to Pray

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.

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.
Luke 11:5-10 (NIV)

The Prayers Father God Always Answers: Part 1

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.

“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.”
Luke 11:9-10 (NIV)

How to Stand Through the Evil Day

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.

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 5:15-16 (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.
Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)

How to Live Wisely in the Evil Day

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.

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 5:15-16 (NIV)

Living in Kingdom Time

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.

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 5:15-16 (NIV)

Back to the School of Christ: Tending to the Holy Spirit

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.

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.
Ephesians 5:15-20 (NIV)

Back to the School of Christ: Prudent Living

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.

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.
Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)

Back to the School of Christ

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.
Click here to watch it.

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.
Philippians 3:10-12 (NIV)

Best Day Ever!

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.

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?
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV)

How to Stand Firm in this Shifting World

On Sunday, August 7, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today Brook Fonceca shared a message about using what’s available to us to stand firm when the world around us seems to be in continual change. We were encouraged to acknowledge and understand our resources, move the fulcrum toward the resource that is providing balance, and then trust the process.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

How to Live Courageously in this Uncertain World

On Sunday, July 31, 2022, VLC gathered in person which was also broadcasted online via YouTube. Today Pastor Stuart encouraged us to be strong in the Lord and not to fear by staying grounded in God’s word, by obeying the Holy Spirit, and trusting God when the way is unfamiliar.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:8-9 (NIV)