The Anxiety Cure

On Sunday, August 11, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus teaches his disciples about worry, anxiety, faith, and the treasure of the heart. From this, Pastor Stuart shares that worry comes from believing that we don’t have enough security and resources. Instead, we are encouraged to discover the pleasure of God’s heart which is to give us the kingdom. Lastly, we must examine our hearts. What do we hold as treasure there?

At the end of the message, Pastor Stuart shared a song – Daily Bread, by Pat Barrett & Kari Jobe.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:22-34 (NIV)

How to Be Rich Toward God

On Sunday, August 4, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus, after leaving a meal with the Pharisees, begins to be surrounded by thousands of followers. As Jesus interacted with the crowd, he shared the parable of the rich fool where a man’s greed cost him his life. From this, Jesus encouraged his followers not to worry about their daily needs, for God will care for them. Pastor Stuart encouraged us to reflect on what we allow to influence our hearts, to protect our hearts by aligning with God’s will, and to strive to reconnect with Jesus through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.
Luke 12:13-22 (NIV)

How to Avoid Being a Hypocrite

Note: Please forgive the auto-focus box moving on the screen around Pastor Stuart’s face. We hope it doesn’t detract from the message. Thank you.

On Sunday, July 28, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus, after leaving a meal with the Pharisees, begins to be surrounded by thousands of followers. In that moment, Jesus teaches his disciples about hypocrisy and the perils of living a double life. From this story, Pastor Stuart encourages us to live our lives in the light, to make honoring God our focus, and to know our value in God’s eyes.

Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Luke 12:1-7 (NIV)

Keys for the Renewed Spiritual Life

On Sunday, July 21, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was invited to eat at a Pharisee’s house and he chose to not wash his hands, which led to a teaching opportunity. After instructing them about religious practices, he began to declare a list of “woes” that the Pharisees had incurred upon themselves. Today we looked at three woes. The Woe of Misguided Tithing, the Woe of Seeking Attention, the Woe of Hidden Judgements, and the Woe of Unattainable Expectations. From Jesus’ pronouncements, we can take a moment to examine our spiritual life by reflecting on our practices, evaluating to see if they express God’s love as we love one another, and seeking the Holy Spirit to restore our practices in light of the kingdom of God.

“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.

“Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.

“Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.”

One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.”

Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.
Luke 11:42-46 (NIV)

Remember to Return

On Sunday, July 14, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Gio Serrato shared a message about when Jesus encountered ten men with leprosy. Jesus chose to engage with them, and instead of healing them instantly, he told them to go to the priest and in their obedience they were healed. Though they were all healed only one took the time to return to Jesus giving thanks for his healing. This man was a Samaritan. From this we see that our encounters with Jesus are not mundane or predictable. Most often they will require something of us. Our obedience to Jesus is the gateway to wholeness and freedom, especially when we remember to return with gratitude, which imprints these interactions on our hearts.

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:11-19 (NIV)

Tuning Up Religious Practices

On Sunday, July 7, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was invited to eat at a Pharisee’s house and he chose to not wash his hands, which led to a teaching opportunity. Just as Jesus surprised the people at the dinner, he also uses everyday situations to surprise us and lead us into teachable moments. He then got to the heart by using straightforward language with them. Likewise, Jesus desires that we grow in uprightness and lovingkindness and will speak directly to our hearts to bring the necessary changes to our lives. Lastly, religious practices are designed to draw our hearts back to God through faith, and as such, spiritual practices are a gateway to freedom not an obligation to be bound to.

When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.

Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.

“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.
Luke 11:37-42 (NIV)

He Is Our Lord

On Sunday, June 30, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Gio Serrato shared a message about how to discover Jesus as our Lord. The first step is to recognize the authority of Jesus, in our lives, families, and community and to recognize who we are in Christ, those who are loved and invited to receive God’s salvation in Christ. The authority of Jesus is only a benefit when we are able to submit our hearts and lives to Jesus, as our Lord. We will need to work through issues that would prevent us from bringing our lives under the Lord’s authority. As someone living under the authority of Christ, the benefits and calling are according to the desires of the Holy Spirit.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
James 4:7-8 (NIV)

He Is Our Light

On Sunday, June 23, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Brook Fonceca shared a message about when Jesus replied to the people listening to his messages by sharing a metaphor with them. Their unwillingness to receive his message and miracles was like someone having unhealthy eyes. The inability to see what God is doing through Jesus is a darkness to their soul. From this, we see that we can change our perception of the world by having an open heart, responsive to God’s leading. An openhearted perception leads to an openhanded perspective where we can interact with the world with God’s heart, loving freely and fully, and reflecting the light of Christ. Developing and maintaining an openhearted perception and an openhanded perspective comes down to simple practices of devotion, like “Taking in the Good” and “The Miracle Morning,” among other things like nature walks, reading, meditation, and journaling.

“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”
Luke 11:33-36 (NIV)

He Is Our Peace

On Sunday, June 16, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Gio Serrato shared a message about when Jesus revealed the character of God as our peace and that Jesus is the gateway to experiencing God as our peace. Gio explores Jesus as our source of peace rather than what we can do to attain peace for ourselves. We acquire this peace when we intentionally get to the Lord relationally, from scripture, and through reflecting on our experiences with the Lord in our lives. The power of Christ’s peace reinforces us to remain faithful during challenging times and a source of peace to others in need.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27 (NIV)

How to Battle Your Unbelief

On Sunday, June 9, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was preaching to the crowds and challenged them regarding their faith. From this story, we see that we have the opportunity to embrace the tension that we believe and unbelieve at the same time. When we acknowledge this dichotomy, we can focus on God’s ability to meet our needs and return to the Lord in faith, walking boldly in God’s promises for us.

As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.
Luke 11:29-32 (NIV)

How to Handle Spiritual Opposition

On Sunday, June 2, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples about spiritual opposition by refuting the people who were listening to him speak, saying that one can only drive out a demon by the power of God. From this story, Pastor Stuart shared that when we experience spiritual opposition, we need to reestablish unity within our relationship with Jesus by choosing to simply trust Jesus, our Savior, re-securing our identity in Christ, and renewing our focus on kingdom purposes. Jesus said a house divided will fall. When we align ourselves with Jesus and God’s kingdom, we stand in the power of God and can be strong spiritual opposition.

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Luke 11:14-23 (NIV)

Make It Enough

On Sunday, May 26, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Gio Serrato shared a message about when Jesus fed the five thousand with a boy’s lunch of five barley loaves and two small fish. The boy became an example of faith, willing to give what he had and allowing the Lord to make something of it. In this story we see that Jesus can make it enough because he sees what we can’t. Jesus is our resource and can make our offerings enough.

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near.

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
John 6:1-14 (NIV)

The Father’s Gift

On Sunday, May 19, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples to be bold in prayer, trusting that God, the Father, is good and will meet their needs, even giving them his presence, the Holy Spirit. From this story, we are encouraged to be audacious in prayer, knowing that God will welcome us anytime for any reason. We can also trust that God’s will is to give us good things, especially the Holy Spirit.

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.

“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 11:5-13 (NIV)

Walking with Jesus: Unhurried Devotion, Part 8

On Sunday, May 12, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Jesus invited them to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Pastor Stuart reminded us that this prayer is in the plural you. As such, this prayer that Jesus taught us is for the church as a community. We are not in our testing alone. We have the Holy Spirit and the people of God as help in times of trial and testing and we can find our victory through the power of God’s Spirit within the body of Christ.

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,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation, *but deliver us from the evil one.’”
Luke 11:1-4 (NIV)

*Some manuscripts include this last phrase, “but deliver us from the evil one.”

Exploring Resurrection: Loving During In-Between Times

On Sunday, May 5, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Brook Fonceca shared a message about loving one another during the in-between times of Easter (Jesus’ resurrection and Pentecost) and the transitional times we find ourselves in. We learn that love is compassion and comfort, which produces simplicity and wholeheartedness and is applied by being present in the moment and proactive on behalf of those closest to us.

“So I give you now a new commandment: Love each other just as much as I have loved you. For when you demonstrate the same love I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know that you’re my true followers.”
John 13:34-35 (TPT)

We love because God first loved us.
1 John 4:19 (CEB)

Walking with Jesus: Unhurried Devotion, Part 7

On Sunday, April 28, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Jesus invited them to pray, “Forgive us our sins.” We learned from this passage that we are invited to walk in harmony with the Lord and with one another. We can maintain this harmony by keeping our relationships open for communication and reconciliation, understanding that forgiveness with one another is to say, “You don’t owe me anything” based on receiving God’s forgiveness when we sin. Grace begets grace. When we receive God’s grace we can extend grace to others.

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,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”
Luke 11:1-4 (NIV)

Walking with Jesus: Unhurried Devotion, Part 6

On Sunday, April 21, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared a message about when Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Jesus invited them to pray, “Give us each day our daily bread.” We learned from this passage that we are to have a dependence on the Lord for not only our spiritual needs but our physical needs as well. This dependence is to be renewed each day and expressed by faith that God will provide precisely what we need as we need it.

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,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”
Luke 11:1-4 (NIV)

How to Store Treasures in Heaven

On Sunday, April 14, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Baldemar Serrato shared a message about storing up treasures in heaven. He shared three simple points.

• Generosity Encouraged: Sowing Cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
  Giving special offerings with a joyful heart.

• How to Build Treasures in Heaven: Sowing for the Spirit (Galatians 6:7-10)
  Giving our lives as an offering to the Lord, following the Holy Spirit’s guidance

• Sowing in the Missionary Field (Philippians 4:10-20)
  Partnering with missionaries by giving generously so that they can serve others in need in places we can’t easily reach.

We have the opportunity to love God by loving one another through giving to meet others’ needs. This kind of service is honored by the Lord and remembered for us in heaven as a credit for the Lord’s blessings.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

No acumulen para sí tesoros en la tierra, donde la polilla y el óxido destruyen, y donde los ladrones se meten a robar. Más bien, acumulen para sí tesoros en el cielo, donde ni la polilla ni el óxido carcomen, ni los ladrones se meten a robar. Porque donde esté tu tesoro, allí estará también tu corazón.
Mateo 6:19-21 (NVI)

The Proposal

On Sunday, April 7, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Gio Serrato shared an encouraging message from the story of Jesus’ interaction with Zacchaeus. We learned that Jesus sees us with love and compassion and desires to be a part of our lives. Jesus invited himself over to Zacchaeus’ house and was welcomed warmly and with a commitment from Zacchaeus to make restitution to those he had wronged. The invitation to us is to consider what we can offer Jesus as we allow him to come into our lives.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
Luke 19:5-6 (NIV)

Because He Lives

On Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcast online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart shared an Easter message of freedom, love, and hope from John 20:11-16, when Mary Magdalene interacts with the risen Jesus. From this story we learn that because he lives we live in freedom from sin, shame, guilt, and fear. This freedom allows us to focus on our relationship with God and those closest to us. Finally, this freedom empowers us to live fully and freely in the present, not having to relive our past or be in fear of our future, but be present in God’s presence, knowing our future is in God’s hands.

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
John 20:11-16 (NIV)