Who are you angry at? Is your anger solving the problem? Why are you angry?...
Caesar Augustus was the adopted son of Julius Caesar. Augustus was born on September 23rd in 63 BC. He ruled as the Emperor of Rome for the first 14 years of Christ's life. He rose to power in time of great peace for this massive empire....
As a dad of three kids, I try my best, like most parents, to teach them to do what's right. My goal is to help them become independent of me and dependent upon God. ...
Luke’s gospel records that Caesar issued a decree that every resident within the Roman Empire should return to their home town to register and pay a special tax. Caesar Augustus issued this decree, but in truth, this decree had already been issued by God....
Nine months before our Savior’s birth, an angel appeared to a young Jewish girl, Mary, whom Scripture describes as a virgin, engaged to a man named Joseph. Prior to that angelic visit, Mary must have felt great excitement as she anticipated her marriage. ...
It is pure speculation to assert these were the last words of Christ before He became a baby in the womb of Mary. But they may have been! ...
By the time that Mary gave birth, hope in God’s promises for forgiveness and deliverance from the empire had reached a fever pitch. Some were looking for a beneficent dictator. Others expected a high-profile miracle worker. Others hoped that a famous prophet like Elijah had come with a spectacular message....
That first Christmas; all eyes were on Augustus, the cynical Caesar who demanded a census so as to determine a measurement to increase taxes even further. At that time who was interested in a young couple making an eighty-mile trip south from Nazareth? ...
We don’t have the insight to find the right path, nor the inner power to walk it. That’s why Jesus’s disciple Thomas admitted that he didn’t know the way, even though he was close to the Master. ...
Unrecognized. Unseen. Undiscovered. Nobody knows. Nobody sees. Nobody cares. As long as there is plenty of food, lots of cheer, a plethora of tinsel, and a cornucopia of gifts, everyone’s happy. Jesus? Who’s that?...
To fully cherish Christ this Advent season, we must first understand God’s motive in giving his son to us! This answer can be found in the familiar and most famous verse in our Bible. John 3:16 says… “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son...” ...
No prince or president could out-politic him, nor pompous military power subdues him, it's Christ’s call. He can carry upon his shoulders the weight of the sin of the world. He is surely able to carry our daily burdens. What good news!...
Have you trusted in unwise counsel? The Lord is inviting you to call upon him today for a fresh sense of his power and presence through the Holy Spirit, who serves as your counselor. James 1:5 is God’s guarantee for you ...
USA Today, did a special on Gertrude Weaver. She was born in 1898, making her the oldest woman in the world. She is from the good ole south, Arkansas. At 117 years old you could say she watched the world change. She was alive before there was the Ford automobile, she was alive before there was a Hitler or a man on the moon. She was there to see the world change. Think about God, theologically. He created the world and changed the world. He is eternal; he is before age. He cannot be numbered nor counted....
Isaiah foretold of the Messiah coming as a King David’s descendant. This would mean that Christ comes from royalty and in the line of a rightful King! The birth of Jesus would fulfill God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Jesus as the Messiah would establish a Kingdom like as an empire of God’s grace. ...
It is hard to turn on the news today and find peace and quiet in the Phoenix Valley. We are now the 5th largest city in the USA. Peace is something not only sought after from major cities of the world but for all mankind. We all long for peace, from major urban epicenters to rural run down villages peace is what we want. We want freedom from disturbance; we want quiet and tranquility...
Christmas begins within the triune God...
Our annual Easter egg hunt has been a big draw for the community. With each egg we set out, we prayed that God would use this fun, family-friendly event to connect people to Jesus and His church relationally. There was one person, in particular, who was looking for a family-friendly Easter egg hunt for her daughter and found a church family!...
Mission Grove Church will have its Grand Opening Oct 7...
Come and join us at North Valley Community Church for a family-friendly night of Worship...
North Valley Community Church is Growing!...
School is about to be back in session. As parents of three wonderful kids, Leslie and I help our kids get ready each year by reminding them that their lives as students can be an act of worship to God....
Vivian Bush grew up in a Christian household but never fully understood her mom's Christian faith. At the age of 18, she lost her mother and her heart grew cold....
This story is an encouragement to all! Ryan and Taryn McFoy share their story in an interview about their faith journey to be baptized and their spiritual growth as a family at North Valley. ...
Kevin grew up in Scottsdale with his parents and an older brother. He only attended church for funerals. He had no real religious exposure except for a few friends....
If you think about family genealogy and history like links in a chain of faith, there are broken links, weak links, strong links, and first links. ...
Ruth converted to the Lord after her husband died, and she became one of the godliest women in the Bible. She was King David’s great-grandma....
In an unprecedented act, Naomi’s friends seemed to have named the boy Obed in what was possibly a prophetic utterance. Obed means servant, or worshipper, of God....
God’s order of marriage is covenant, consummation, then conception. For the first time, Boaz and Ruth enjoyed the gift of marital intimacy as husband and wife....
She came to our church as an energetic young lady that all would say is “ready to blaze her own path!” Independent and strong! Aliviah was definitely seeking more in her life but not quite sure how to put her finger on exactly what was missing. ...
The storyline of Ruth goes from a funeral to a wedding both practically and emotionally. Ruth, which is one of the best-written short stories of all time, concludes with scenes of God’s hand of providential blessing resting upon Boaz, his lovely bride, Ruth, and her mother-in-law, Naomi. ...
Indeed, Boaz shines forth here as a strong, bold, wise, and shrewd redeemer. He was clearly a man of action who made a promise to Ruth, headed immediately into town, called a court meeting to session, invited the unnamed man to sit down and make a decision on the spot, and in a short period, obeyed the law and redeemed Ruth as he led and everyone gladly followed him....
Filled with joy for his legal victory and thrilled to be marrying Ruth, Boaz launched into a speech before those he had assembled to witness this great day of redemption. He promised to lovingly care for Ruth as his wife, as well as Naomi as his mother-in-law, and to honor Ruth’s deceased husband, Mahlon, and Mahlon’s deceased father, Elimelech....
Influenced by Boaz’s shrewdness, the unnamed man realized that he couldn’t afford to buy the land and care for the two widows and any children that he might bear through Ruth....
By Israelite law, when land was put up for sale, it was preferable for it to be purchased by a near relative to keep it in the family (Leviticus 25:25-30; Jeremiah 32:6-12)....
For many people, reading the Bible can be, quite frankly, a bit disappointing. They see God speaking to people, but they’ve never heard His voice. They see angels delivering messages, but all they get are bills in the mail....
Now the story hits a crisis when Boaz reveals to Ruth that as a law-abiding man, he must find a way to marry her legally. Because Naomi had chosen to welcome Ruth as a full daughter, the women had the legal right to their family land....
Today, single people often ask where the line is in dating. But Ephesians 5:3 (NIV) says, “among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality.”...
In this scene, the older woman Naomi practiced the essence of Titus 2:3-5, providing Ruth with counsel that was wise but also quite risky....
Ruth could see the differences between a relationship in her native, sexually-immoral Moabite culture and her adopted, Godly Israelite community. ...
At this point in the story, Ruth and Boaz have taken center stage. Their relationship commenced with great hope as Boaz spoke kindly to Ruth, prayed for her, protected her, and provided for her all as one would expect from a man ready to be a godly husband....
With wise motherly counsel, Naomi encouraged Ruth to stay close to Boaz and his workers because he was a godly and safe man. ...
A clue to the remainder of the story is then revealed when Naomi informs Ruth that Boaz was, in fact, a relative somehow connected to them through her deceased husband, Elimelech (see also 2:1). Consequently, Boaz was qualified to become a “redeemer” for the women if he so chose and if other relatives concurred....
Boaz demonstrated his generous and kind character in his care for Ruth, making sure she is fed, safe, and employed...
The story of Ruth and Boaz, which is arguably the greatest human love story in all of Scripture, is incredibly timely even though it is roughly 3,000 years old....
Much of who we are and how we see the world is shaped by our earliest childhood experiences. ...
In response to the gracious protection and provision of Boaz, Ruth followed a common Eastern mode of demonstrating gratitude and humbly received his favor. Without tipping his hand, the author paints a lovely picture of Boaz as a respectable man with character like Jesus’, and Ruth as a blessed and cared-for woman who respected Boaz easily....
To modern ears, the exchange of prayers between Boaz and his workers seems especially peculiar; very rarely does a boss walk into his or her business to hear priestly blessings showered down from the cubicles. Boaz was apparently a man who was an evangelist and pastor to his workers. He loved and cared for them so well that they spoke well of him and prayed to God for him....
As Ruth went out to glean for food, she found herself in the fields of Boaz....
Scripture has much to say regarding the poor. There are both righteous and unrighteous poor people. The righteous poor include those who are widows (like Ruth and Naomi), orphans, sick, elderly, immigrants, and hard-working people who struggle to make ends meet, even such as our Lord Jesus. The unrighteous poor include those who are poor because of sin such as laziness, drunkenness, and foolish spending, as illustrated throughout Proverbs. ...
The timeless book of Ruth is timelier than ever. For the first time in U.S. history, the majority of adults are single. The same is true in many other nations around the world. As anyone seeking a mate can testify, finding a safe person is perhaps more difficult than ever. ...
Perhaps the women were sitting together and weeping loudly at the thought of adding the loss of their close friendship upon their already devastated lives as Naomi continues to persuade her daughters-in-law to return to their families in Moab rather than journey with her for an uncertain future in Bethlehem. Orpah chose the ordinary course of reasonable action and returned to her home in hopes of perhaps again falling in love, remarrying, and starting her life over. ...
In his book Necessary Endings, Dr. Henry Cloud explains how there are times in life where we need to have a clear ending with a person or place so that we can heal up and move into a new season of life. This is what happens after the funerals in Moab....
Have you ever hit rock bottom? Have you ever lost someone you dearly loved? Have you ever felt like your whole world came crashing down, that there was no one to turn to and God seemed far away? ...
While in Moab, Elimelech and his wife, Naomi, saw their sons marry Moabite women, which wasn’t technically forbidden in Scripture (Deuteronomy 7:1...
Can you recall the absolute worst season of your life? Do you remember how overwhelmed you felt, how exhausted you were, and how unsure you were if your future would ever get any better?...
Christianity offers the hope of good news: a savior has been born, named Christ the Lord. We have a real need and a real savior who ALONE can really save....
Besides Christianity, there are four predominant worldviews that compete for allegiance:...
Jesus is the Savior. All religions and worldviews outside of Christianity have one thing in common: God is not the savior. Either you are your own savior, or there’s no savior at all. ...
Luke 2:8–21 is perhaps the most familiar passage in all Scriptures. Linus reads it every Christmas for the Charlie Brown television special. Almost every church has a nativity scene stashed somewhere. ...
Have you ever wondered what people thought of shepherds in Jesus’ day? People thought shepherds were odd. They lived by themselves, outside of town, sleeping in the open, and surrounded by animals all the time. Their reputation was less than stellar...
Jesus’ birth is historical: Christianity is based on fact. It is theological: God entered humanity in order to save us. Finally, it is biographical: What does Jesus’ birth mean for you and me? What does this possibly have to do with our life?...
Today, we conclude answering some of the most common questions regarding God entering history as the man Jesus Christ. The truth is Jesus was fully man and fully God. He lived life perfectly as a man, to serve as our example and a flawless substitute sacrifice in our place. ...
In order to describe the theological significance of Jesus’ birth, theologians like to use the word incarnation. It comes from the Latin meaning “in the flesh.” Incarnation refers to the Christian doctrine that God, who is spirit, took upon Himself human flesh and came as the God-man, the Lord Jesus Christ....
Luke introduces us to Augustus Caesar, who was ruling at the time that Jesus was born. Augustus Caesar was a very important political leader who ruled over the Roman Empire, one of the most prominent, longstanding, far-reaching empires in the history of the world. He was the adoptive son of Julius Caesar. ...
God, Jesus Christ, and the abiding guidance of the Holy Spirit are walking through our community and NVCC is prepared to welcome folks with open arms and the Love that can only come from The Living Son of God. See you on Christmas Eve. Keep on Praying!...
Every Christmas, cards start arriving in the mailbox and songs echo at the mall with the word “Immanuel.” But what does that mean?...
Mary has two options in light of all that has happened in her life. She can either give in to anxiety, or she can focus on history: What has God done?...
One of the lessons we learn from Mary’s example is to replace worry with worship. It’s okay to be concerned about your life, and to make plans for your future. But Jesus says do not worry (Matt. 6:25...
Song is a means of enjoying, honoring, recognizing, and proclaiming God. Human beings were made to sing...
Unmarried. Poor. Young. Pregnant with God. Mary has a lot to worry about. Rather than worrying, however, we find her worshipping in Luke 1:46...
Every man and woman should aspire to have faith like Mary’s. By the grace of God, we should aspire to love God, trust God, and serve Jesus like she did. We should long to have the same kind of heartfelt devotion and affection for Jesus as she did. ...
The Scriptures are all about Jesus, and we learn ten things about Jesus from the angel Gabriel’s announcement of His birth....
God’s Grace FREE’S, heals and renews. Todd and Jeri Kehoe’s story reflects God’s liberating power of Grace. Come this Sunday to hear more! This heartfelt story shows how God’s Grace FREE’s and restores lives!...
Damond knew something was missing. He was not regularly attending North Valley at the time, but later decided he needed to come back and check it out. Soon he found himself coming more and more regularly. He slowly started being interested in learning more about the life of Christ and the Christian message. It’s was all so new to him....
“Serving keeps your heart in the right place. It reminds us of our purpose: to share and show the love of Christ to others. We schedule serving on Sunday, but it is really something we do the rest of the week too.” ...
Gabriel appears to this young girl Mary, and she was startled. Gabriel likely appeared as a man, and men would not have customarily approached and engaged in private with a young woman like that. Additionally, he says that she has found “favor with God.” ...
Based on how Luke tells her story and describes his research, it is likely that he actually sat down with Mary, an older woman by that time, to ask her questions about her miraculous life. She is a relative of Elizabeth, but when Luke picks up the narrative Mary does not yet know that her elderly cousin is pregnant. Mary is simply a young woman, living a quiet life in a rural village called Nazareth....
As the mother of God, Mary is the most significant woman in the history of the world. Mary’s story begins with the Mother of us all: Eve, the first woman in the history of the world....
Since Theophilus has a lot at stake, he hired Luke, a fellow Gentile...
It is stunning and wonderful to think that the longest book of the New Testament was written for one person. Does God love the world? Yes. Does God love all the nations? Yes. Does God love all the cities? Yes. Does He love individuals? Yes, He does. What a great comfort that He would go to such great lengths to actually have one book of the Bible given to one person...
Luke is mentioned three times in the New Testament, each time by his close friend Paul. Scholars have noted the amount of medical language used in Luke-Acts as an indicator that Dr. Luke was the author.[3] Paul refers to Luke in Philemon 24 as his “fellow worker.” Luke spent lots of time traveling and laboring side-by-side with Paul in the work of the gospel....
Luke’s massive investigation that culminated in his gospel was motivated by his concern for a man named Theophilus and others like him. This friend was possibly not yet a Christian, but wanted to know the truth about Jesus....
There is a seemingly insatiable appetite for books, movies, and television shows in which someone with a keen mind is on the hunt to find the truth about an important event....
When Andy learned the staff and Elders nominated him to be an Elder, they asked what he most looked forward to as a part of the team, He answered, “Simply put, serving my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by serving the church.”...
Ever think about how giving is not so much about something we do, but rather something we are? In the Bible generosity is something that characterizes the early church Christians! Being generous wasn’t something they did, it was something they were!...
Pastor Ryan, is calling this one of the most important messages of this year, because of the great opportunity and great need to reach the next generation for Christ in the North Valley of Phoenix! ...
Meet David and Rima Torres, members of North Valley. Their marriage went through a 7-year struggle. David’s job took him out of state every week and Rima was caring for ailing parents. They admit God and their marriage was not a high priority....
Jayson and Carmen Palaus became foster parents in September 2013. “A huge need for foster families exists,” they said. “Our mindset was: attempt to fill that need. If a child was placed that needed permanency we would consider it.” ...
When asked what he wished to share with the congregation Bill had no hesitation in stating, “Grace is too good a thing to keep to ourselves. People need the body of Christ. No one should go through life alone.” North Valley Community Church is here to meet that exact need. ...
Leslie describes some of her feelings before Christ as ‘guilt, shame, loneliness.’ At one point, she had all the world could offer yet still felt empty and powerless. God is truly amazing in meeting us right where we are at our lowest point and inviting us into a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ. Leslie’s magnificent story of overcoming many of life’s emotional hardships will not leave you empty!...
“I always felt like I was stuck in the middle between them. As long as I can remember I believed there was something, or someone making this world go around, I just couldn’t find a way to connect it.” says Kevin. ...
The day Will was baptized was one of the greatest moments of his life. There is nothing he wants more than for his family to experience the same level of joy and fulfillment he found since he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Will has been talking to Emily about Baptism since he was baptized over a year ago. ...
Casey and Daphne are going to be baptized at North Valley on Sunday, September 10th! We are excited for them and their decision to follow Jesus as they make their public proclamation together before the church family. It is going to be a beautiful moment for everyone as mother and daughter experience the sweet opportunity to share their faith through the joy of Baptism. ...
Living at peace in an anxious world is possible if you know the prince of peace! In this four-week message series, you are going to see the sweet sovereignty of God unfold in the life of Daniel, an Old Testament hero of our faith! God worked powerfully in Daniel’s life just as he can works in peoples lives today! What was Daniel’s secret?...
Nathan is a 5-year-old energetic little boy that loves to run and play! He has grown up in North Valley Kids since the day he was born and loves being at church. Nathan has been learning about Jesus and it is amazing to hear what he can tell you about the Bible. He is growing in his faith all the time! However, as most boys his age do, he has so much energy and loves to be silly. He wants to be outside and chase his friends around the playground. ...
North Valley Community Church is just 5 years old. 2 years ago, we purchased a 9-acre property, renovated it and moved on site. It is a remarkable accomplishment and a challenging project. We have been worshipping on site for about 13 weeks....
Your witness starts in “Jerusalem” - in your city, neighborhood, and family - but it doesn’t stop there! Jesus goes on to say that His followers will also be witnesses “in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”...
Jesus’ mission was to do the will of the Father. What was the Father’s will? To spread His message of good news, that those who believe in Him will be saved. Jesus’ life and death were dedicated to showing those around Him what God was like and what God wanted from them....
Have you ever heard the saying, “Do as I say, not as I do”? It points out that most people don’t live up to their ideals. It’s easier to know what’s right and tell it to others than it is to actually do the right thing so that others can learn by example....
Giving the disciples the Holy Spirit was part of Jesus’ mission to create His church, the group of people who would continue to carry out His gospel-mission for the rest of time and throughout the whole world....
After Jesus’ resurrection, the mission He had to carry out on earth was almost over, but He had to make sure His disciples will be ready to carry on His mission in the future....
Jesus’ resurrection shows us what the resurrection of our physical bodies will be like. It also shows us what our spiritual resurrection is like. ...
Jesus told the disciples that He would send them like the Father sent Him. Does this mean that the Jesus’ followers will die and be resurrected, too? Yes! But not in exactly the same way Jesus did. ...
Jesus’ disciple Thomas is famous for being the one who said he would believe Jesus’ resurrection when he saw it with his own eyes. But Thomas wasn’t really unique in that respect. ...
Remember the miracle of the paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof? The religious leaders thought Jesus’ claim to forgive sins was blasphemy, so He also healed the man....
When you’re looking for something you have misplaced, have you ever said, “Well, it couldn't have walked off by itself”? You expect objects to be where you last left them. ...
Jesus willingly gave up His life so that our relationship with God could be restored, We are also called to sacrifice. Jesus’ sacrifice is the only one that can save us, and no further sacrifice is required for salvation. ...
Jesus’ sacrifice changed everything about how people can relate to God. We remember that His death atones for our sin and that His resurrection shows that we can be resurrected, too. ...
You could say that the first two Christians--the first two people who really understood Jesus’ sacrifice--weren’t His disciples or followers. Jesus had told the twelve disciples that He was going to die, and yet they were confused and scared when Jesus died. None of them stayed with Jesus....
Jesus was the King of the Jews, and the most crucial part of His sacrifice was His death. Giving up His life paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world. But Jesus made many other sacrifices, too....
The Jews were looking for their messiah. They thought He would be a king or a general or a political leader who would free them from the Roman Empire. So even though many of them saw or knew about Jesus’ preaching and miracles, few thought He was the Messiah....
Forgiveness isn’t just something we need in order to restore our relationship with God or to offer to those who sin against us. Forgiveness is part of our mission to work with God to spread His message to the whole world. 2 Corinthians 5 gives us instructions and a description of how God’s forgiveness should affect us...
When someone suffers a tragedy, they often receive the most comfort from others who have gone through the same thing. They know something about how they are feeling and understand the struggles and difficulties they must endure. ...
The Bible tells us that this woman was caught in adultery. Notice something missing? Where’s the man she was sinning with? If she were caught in the act, the Pharisees had to have caught him, too, yet they didn’t bring him to be accused publicly....
Have you ever been punished as an example? You broke a rule and the enforcer threw the book at you, not because you needed to learn a lesson yourself, but to deter others from doing the same thing. It feels humiliating, especially if you have already repented and tried to correct your mistake....
In John 8, the scribes and Pharisees (Jewish religious leaders) are trying to trip up Jesus by getting Him to break Jewish laws. This time, they bring Him a woman who, under the Jewish laws given by God, clearly should have been condemned to death. They wanted to see if Jesus would forgive her anyway. ...
God gives us gifts, talents, and strengths to use us in the local church ministry. No one can do everything, and most people focus their efforts in a few areas. That’s good! The Apostle Paul calls the church a family, where all the family works together for the good of everyone. All the different roles, but for the family to work well, everyone needs to be doing something....
Friends bring out different aspects of your personality. With some people, you might be serious. With others, you might do crazy, silly things. The paralyzed man had friends who were serious about ministering to him, even it took some crazy steps to do it. They were ready to do whatever it took to help him....
How do you react when someone hurts you? It probably depends. Was it accidental or intentional? Are they sorry or unconcerned? Will they do it again, or are they making sure it won’t happen a second time? As Jesus was ministering to sinners, the way He treated people varied a lot....
Have you ever tried to teach or train someone who didn’t want to learn? It’s hard! On the other hand, when someone is motivated and eager to learn, teaching can be much easier. Jesus ministered to people of all kinds, to His followers and opponents alike....
After Jesus’ baptism and temptation, He began going all over Israel, starting His public ministry--the time He spent interacting with others to show them why He had come. From the story of the paralyzed man, we can see three key parts of His ministry....
Jesus suffered temptation, fought it, and succeeded so that we could know that we could do it too. He also experienced how difficult and painful it can be, so He knows that fighting temptation is difficult....
Jesus fights temptation with scripture. Three times the devil tempts Jesus, and three times Jesus says, “It is written.” He is quoting the Bible. Using God’s own words is the most powerful weapon we have. The devil can’t argue with God Himself. By using scripture, you can be certain the thought or words you use to defend yourself are true and right!...
The final temptation the devil has for Jesus is, in some ways, the most basic. In other words, the kind of sin that leads to all other sins. He wants Jesus to worship something besides God and to take God’s power and glory for Himself....
The devil presented Jesus with three different kinds of temptation. They aren’t the only kinds of temptation, but they are some good example of the types of temptations we all face....
We’ve all seen cartoons in which a tiny white, winged angel and a tiny red, horned devil appear on a character’s shoulders to try to convince him or her to do something. It’s supposed to be funny, but the devil is a real being who really interacted with Jesus--and who interacts with us! Being tempted is one of the ways Jesus became like us, so that he could set us an example of how to deal with temptation....
A wedding is a marker in life. Before, these two people were part of two different families; now they are one new family. A wedding ceremony isn’t the only thing that creates a marriage, of course, but it does mark the beginning of a new chapter of life and it has a real spiritual and legal effect on the couple’s relationship. And it’s done in public so that everyone else knows what has happened....
You’ve heard the saying “Do as I say, not as I do”? When teaching others, it’s easy to see where we are hypocritical or lazy. Fortunately, Jesus wasn’t like that all. His death and resurrection is the means of salvation, but His life, including the things He did AND said, are an example of what we too should do in order to be sanctified (to be more holy)....
When was the last time you were at a high school graduation? It seems like there’s always one family that just can’t hold back from shouting and cheering when their graduate is announced. They are so proud they just can’t keep from identifying themselves as the family...
Sometimes when I’m eating with my children, I eat things I don’t enjoy, even some things I dislike. I could just insist they try new foods on their own, but I want to set a good example. Asking them to do something I won’t do myself makes teaching them much less effective....
Before Jesus started preaching Himself, His cousin John has his own ministry of preaching repentance, calling the people to confess their sins, and baptizing them. The old Testament prophets had predicted that there would be a messenger who came to prepare the way for the Messiah, and that was John....
We have a lot of ways to talk about apologizing to other people. Bury the hatchet, kiss and makeup, wipe the slate clean, extend the olive branch. How about “start over”?...
When you think someone you like and respect, do their faults and weaknesses come to mind first? You probably could name some of their less-than-perfect qualities, but when you think of loved ones, you probably remember their good points first....
Just like Jesus started out life as a helpless baby, part of a normal human family, we also share many of the same weaknesses He had: having a body that is subject to hunger, injury, sickness, and death; experiencing difficult and broken relationships; facing temptation....
Every new baby is helpless. Even if a child is born as a king or a billionaire, he still needs help to eat, to sleep, and to stay clean. Jesus was born as God, with great majesty and power, but He was equally and genuinely human....
When we think of Jesus’ birth, we often think of His humility...
I felt God nudging me to lead and He used his people, other members in our church to confirm that He was calling me to serve as Mission Team Leader!...
There are many ways we can romance our husbands but I have chosen to focus primarily on physical intimacy. This is often put on the backburner. It’s simply not a priority to us. ...
Marriage first and foremost is a spiritual relationship. The Lord wants to be in the center of our lives personally and as a couple....
As followers of Christ, we are called to be servants, especially to most important people in our lives … our husbands! ...
A resource list for the Marriage Teaching Series...
Have you ever walked outside and saw the beauty of a sunrise in the morning? Or looked out your window to see the foothills and mountains and ask God, "How did you make everything?...
At the announcement of Christ’s birth, we see that these angels share that this good news will result in great joy. But the shepherds will not initially feel great joy but rather great fear! Rather the angels explain that if they receive this good news, it will result in great joy. ...
Do you ever wonder why Christmas sermons so often talk about joy? That’s because the birth of Christ is described as resulting in great joy, as the angel says, the joy of Jesus. But what about the times you just don’t feel it, even as a Christian?...
Have you ever thought about what creates happiness? Some people think that some people are born more happy than others....
Have you ever been so excited to share some good news with a friend or family member that you can hardly wait? You know that this news is going to bring lots of joy!...
Have you ever seen something so awesome you don’t know what else to do but to use the most amazing words to describe it? Like seeing the Grand Canyon or a shooting star or an early morning sunrise or evening sunset....
Have you ever been so excited about something you saw that you had to share about it? Maybe a favorite TV show, or a movie, or a joke? Maybe something funny that happened to you, something so interesting that you had to tell others?...
Have you ever been excited to give someone a gift? Or maybe you recall a time someone else was about to give you a gift, and the smile all over his or her face made you happy! Here in today’s verses we find the angels, a little jittery and giddy to share this good news about this long awaited gift from God, Jesus Christ the Lord!...
God chooses the ordinary to do the extraordinary. The shepherds in today’s passage were out keeping watch over their flock. An angel suddenly appeared to them! This was an extraordinary event; the intensity of light was overwhelming. It was so amazing and supernatural that it scared them. ...
Have you ever seen a flock of sheep or a shepherd? Shepherding is a tough job. It’s not only dirty; it can be dangerous! As we look at this section of scripture, I think there are several important truths to understand about the good news of Christ’s birth coming first to the shepherds. ...
Many may wonder what was going through Mary's mind when she was approached by the angel who announced, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28) She was probably afraid and confused. Anyone would have been. ...
Has anyone ever made a promise to you? Did you know that God made a promise that His son would be born in Bethlehem? In fact the exact details of Jesus' birth, His life, His death, and His resurrection have all been promised and have and will all be fulfilled because God is a promise maker and promise keeper!...
Have you ever hiked up a mountain? What’s the longest hike you ever did? One mile? Five? Ten? Joseph hiked about ninety miles! Since Bethlehem was at a higher elevation than his hometown in Nazareth, Joseph, along with Mary, would have made an uphill journey to be registered in the census. ...
What thought comes to mind when you think of Joseph? Is he just a minor figure in the whole Christmas story? Scripture tells us he was a righteous man from the bloodline of David, and he was betrothed to Mary....
Have you ever been told to do something? Maybe a boss or an overseer gave you an order? Maybe as a child you had a dad or mom who told you to do something, regardless whether you liked it or not? ...
Here we are at the last verse of I John. It seems like a a good place for a final summary or a statement of good wishes to John’s reader, and yet, he gives one more warning. It even seems to open a new topic. This is the first time John has mentioned idols. ...
The Gospel of John was written for non-Christians and new Christians. Yet the letters and the Gospel have much the same purpose. John 20:31 says, “these [stories about Jesus] are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Here in I John, he writes that he has written to give us confidence in eternal life....
Some people are known for a trait or characteristic that is so consistent it's impossible to imagine him or her without it. You might have a friend you think of as “the funny one,” but do you think he's never been sad in his life? Do you think the person you think of as “the honest one” has never, ever lied?...
Here's another passage Bible experts argue about. What is a “sin that leads to death”? It could be sin that leads to physical death; in other words, there's no point in praying for those who have already faced God's judgment. It could be a sin for which the sinner won't or can't repent; elsewhere, the New Testament says it's impossible to be forgiven for “blaspheming the Holy Spirit,” which is also a statement that generates a lot of controversy. It's a good question to wrestle with - if only so you can avoid it! - but John himself tells us that it's not the most important part of this verse....
If a co-worker or classmate volunteered to do part of a group project you hate, would you say no? If your kid begged to have broccoli for dessert, would you insist on candy? Of course not! When someone wants to do something that fits your plans and desires, you say yes. God is the same way. When we ask for something He already wants for us, He gives it to us....
When you click a link to a news article, what tells you whether the reporting is accurate? If you think the organization that publishes the article is trustworthy, you will probably believe their news. In a similar way, if you read something you think is truth, it’s a point in favor of the author...
This might be a confusing passage to you. What did “coming by water and blood” mean to John? Even Bible experts disagree about what exactly John is talking about. This is an opportunity to “test the spirits,” as John instructed us earlier. As you think about these verses, remember that it must agree with what we believe about Jesus Christ...
The United States Code, the list of all the laws passed by the federal government, is 22 million words long. That doesn't include all of the state, county, and city laws that apply to you. You might also have professional standards, HOA regulations, and house or family rules to obey. Do you feel oppressed yet? That's a lot of rules! So many you couldn't possibly read them all, much less remember them....
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 1 John 5:1-2 Yesterday I wrote about what life can be like in a close, happy family. Not every family is like that, and to those with a painful experience of families, the idea of loving and caring for brothers and sisters can seem foreign. Others have been hurt by churches or other Christians, which makes it hard to trust and love the family of God....
Some of you visited family or friends last week for Thanksgiving. Maybe you met a new little baby who belongs to a loved one. Even if you had never met that baby before, you could probably say you loved him or her. How? The baby never did anything for you. You didn't know if you would get along with the child. But you love the parents, so you also love the child....
I know a mother who, every year when her kids left for college, would give them a “mom talk,” reminding them to work hard, but more importantly to love God, love their churches, and obey God. Eventually her children started pre-empting her talk by giving themselves the “mom talk.” They knew it so well, they could recite it themselves....
Ultimately, John says love is what keeps us from fear. When we love God (shown by confessing Christ and obeying him) and love your neighbors, these are the signs that we abide in God and they give us confidence in our salvation....
Do you have lepidopterophobia? That’s fear of butterflies. Some people really are afraid of butterflies, but clearly butterflies aren’t objectively threatening or dangerous. For most people, fearing tiny colorful winged insects seems pretty ridiculous....
John summarizes the gospel here again in this verse. This time he emphasizes the idea of telling others - testifying. But who is “we”? John has previously referred to himself and the other apostles and disciples (the church leaders) as “we.” And that would makes sense here....
You can use the word “love” for a lot of things. The way you feel about your family. Your tennis score. Your favorite food. An attraction to a crush. Even some harsh discipline might be “tough love.”...
When a group of my old friends get together, we talk about things like “shimmy pops” and “the gator car.” Does that make any sense to you? I doubt it. We have our own shared language of inside jokes, phrases, and topics that remind us of the experiences we have had together. Maybe your friends or family have your own “secret language” that only makes sense to your group....
Judges evaluate legal cases according to the law; editors evaluate writing according to a style book that sets out grammar and usage standards. These kinds of professionals have an objective standard to make sure they are making the right choices. They don’t have to depend on their own opinions or try to create their own rules....
You hear about God every Sunday at church, but that’s not the only place you encounter teaching about spiritual things. You might hear a spiritual message from a friend or family member, or see an article posted on Facebook, or get a new book for devotions. Which ones are true? Can you tell?...
Believing in Jesus and loving one another are two sides of the same coin. John can't stop writing about it! Think back to the beginning of the book. Everything John wrote about remembering the gospel is the “believing” half of the commandment. We can't believe in Jesus if we don't understand who He is, what He did, and how we can be saved....
When John writes about obeying God's commandment, it's easy to start to feel that salvation is earned through obedience. Like you'll only feel confident about your status with God if you can be “good enough.”...
John tells us the confidence we can have in our salvation comes from obeying God, and he specifically lists one commandment: to believe in the Name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another....
Do you ever wonder if you are really a Christian? Or if you have really been forgiven? John’s readers wondered this too! As we have seen already, John sets the bar high for holiness. He has said that Christians must be as pure as God is (I John 3:3), that no one who knows God can keep on sinning (I John 3:6), and that we should lay down our lives for our fellow believers (I John 3:16). This is a hard standard to live up to. In fact, apart from God’s help, it is impossible....
As believers who have been made righteous by Jesus’ death and resurrection, will we continue to sin before Jesus returns? The answer is clearly yes, as discussed back in chapter 1. ...
John paints a clear picture that this particular kind of rebellion against God and knowing God is not a matter of degrees. It is not gray. One cannot rebel against God just a little. John stands firm on the fact that this is a black and white issue....
In the beginning of chapter three, John introduces an eschatological perspective. Eschatology is the study of the end times. In the Christian scripture, the end times have a distinctly “already” but “not yet” paradox. That is, in Jesus, we already have access to the righteousness and eternal living that we will experience in heaven...
Have you ever felt very undeserving of a gift? Maybe you won a prize that you didn’t think you worked hard enough for. Maybe your sibling forgave you even though you probably didn’t deserve forgiveness. Maybe you missed the mark of perfection, but someone told you, “I love you anyway.”...
Have you ever heard the phrase “setting the bar high”? If you are trying to see who is the best basketball player in your group of friends, you might determine who makes the most points. ...
Do you ever feel like following God’s will is a bit confusing? It may even feel like you are wearing a blindfold sometimes, trying to maneuver the obstacles of life. And it sure doesn’t help when you have a crowd of voices yelling in your ear where to go. ...
Have you ever played the game “Telephone”? It starts with one person whispering a phrase into a friend’s ear. And then that friend tries to whisper the same phrase into the next person’s ear. People keep passing on the phrase until the final player announces out loud what he or she heard. Sounds easy, right?...
What is the most important thing to put our faith in as Christians? The answer is a lot simpler than people often realize. The answer is one man: Jesus Christ. He is the key, the anchor, the most important piece of the Christian faith....
Do you have a special spot for your favorite things? Maybe you put them on a shelf in your room or a secret box under your bed. Maybe you take them out to look at occasionally or like to show them to your friends....
Who is the antichrist? Have you ever heard this word before? Well, John’s original readers had. In Jewish writings, there was predicted to be a powerful figure called the antichrist who was against God, as well as several antichrists before this last one. Both the last powerful antichrist and all of the smaller antichrists before him had one goal: to deceive people about God’s truth....
What are some things you need to survive? Do you need food, water, and shelter? What are some other things you desire for a healthy life? Maybe you desire friends, family, a good education, a car to get around? Is it wrong to desire these things? ...
What are some of your favorite things that God has created? Do you have a favorite mountain, type of animal, or even person? ...
Can you think of some of the most well known pairs of opposites in the world? For example, black and white, day and night, hot and cold. ...
John desires to encourage ALL Christians by reminding them of these truths! They truly do know God because of the lessons of verses 12-14, which were taught by Jesus Christ himself. ...
Do you ever have times of uncertainty regarding your faith? Maybe you sometimes question if you will really go to heaven when you die. Maybe you get discouraged that God could really love and forgive you after all the times you have messed up....
Do you sometimes struggle to treat your brother, sister, or friend with love even though you really do love them? When are the times that are the most difficult to treat them with love? ...
Yesterday we discussed the importance of obeying God’s commandments as revealed to us in Jesus Christ Himself, in order to really know who God is. In verses 7-11 John sheds light on one of the most significant ways we can show obedience to God. ...
In verses 3 through 6, John makes it pretty clear that “to know” God is related to keeping His commandments. What does this mean though? What does knowing God have to do with obeying His commandments?...
Have you ever heard the phrase, “I would take a bullet for you?” Have you ever had a friend or family member sacrifice something for you so that you would not be in danger? ...
Last week we discussed how God is so faithful and just to forgive our sins if we ask Him for this forgiveness. But once we realize this truth, a reasonable question to ask is, “Can I just keep sinning if God will forgive me anyway?” ...
...the good news is that all we have to do is trust Jesus to forgive us and He will make us into a completely new creation! ...
It is important to admit that we have all sinned and that our punishment for sinning is death. But the best news of all is that if we admit our need for help, then all we have to do is receive the medicine...
Have you ever heard the phrase, “She talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk”? This means that someone’s actions aren’t lining up with what she claims to believe. This is very similar to how John refers to the illustration of light in vs. 7. ...
Have you ever been “it” for the pool game Marco Polo? Isn’t it odd to be so separated from everyone else who can see when you are supposed to tag them with your eyes closed? It can easily feel discouraging, like you will never be able find anyone else to tag. ...
Have you ever noticed how different light and darkness are from each other? At night when you lie down in the darkness to fall asleep, even the smallest of nightlights can seem bright!...
Can you remember a time you got to hold a newborn baby in your arms? Can you remember or imagine the moment you will get to hold your very own baby in your arms for the first time? It might make you wonder what that precious new child will be like when they grow up or what all they will get to do in their lives. ...
Yesterday we talked about the importance of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. What is John’s reason for sharing the good news? In verse 3, John explains that it is “so that you too may have fellowship with us.”...
Are there moments in your life that are just too amazing to keep to yourself? Maybe you find sunsets to be the most beautiful sight in the world! Maybe you think nothing is more precious than a newborn baby’s laugh. Maybe roller coasters give you the biggest thrill ever! ...
Has a friend ever told you a story that was so outrageous you questioned whether it could be true? Maybe before you believed the story you needed to ask, “Did you really see this with your own eyes?” This is probably how people felt about the gospel, or the good news, of Jesus Christ, which we talked about yesterday. This good news sounds too good to be true!...
Have you ever received news that was so good that you could feel excitement spread through your entire body? Maybe you were so happy that you wanted to jump up and down or do a somersault. It is especially easy to feel this kind of intense excitement if this good news affects not only the rest of your day or your week, but also your entire life into eternity! ...
North Valley Church to Display Replica Ground Zero Cross in Phoenix. Two days after the September 11 attacks, a worker discovered two steel beams in the shape of a cross among the debris of the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The Ground Zero Cross quickly became a symbol of faith and hope for first responders and the community at large. ...
Video highlights from North Valley's mission trip to the Dominican Republic...
A few ideas to expand your ministry and reach people for the Glory of Christ in the North Valley. ...
Pastor Ryan had sent us as an intern and volunteer staff team of four to serve an extremely young church plant, Epiphany, in South LA in whatever way they needed help....
From July 23rd through July 30th, 2016 our small and mighty North Valley mission team will be serving children in the Dominican Republic. ...
The following is a testimony referenced in Pastor Ryan's recent message on Sunday June 19, 2016 titled "A Biblical Response to The Orlando Massacre" Pastor Ryan knows Tim personally and has seen the fruit of his life and ministry. Tim's testimony can also be found in the Celebrate Recovery Bible. A Christ-centered, 12 step program for anyone with hurts, habits, or hang ups....
When I heard the news of the great tragedy in Orlando, “Again?” I thought. “Another mass shooting?” Really? This one is said to be the worst in American history! There are 50 dead and 53 wounded. It was an egregious act of evil....
God loves it when we care for others. Especially those who are stumbling in sin. As God’s people we are called to be aware of the needs of others. This is what it means to be selfless. We are constantly thinking about others....
Do you sometimes find it hard to believe that prayer really works? Does God actually respond to what we ask of him?...
The kind of prayer that God loves to hear is the prayer of the righteousness. This does not mean that you have to be perfectly righteous in order to pray. If that was the case you’d never get started in prayer! ...
When was the last time you were really sick? Do you remember? It’s never fun to be sick. Most adults hate to be sick. Our lives have to be put on hold. On the other hand, sometimes kids like to be sick because they get to stay home from school! What do you think about that?...
Do you ever feel like your parents are all always watching? They are aware of your every move? Maybe if you are younger this is case, but as you get older this should feel different as they help you learn what true independence as an adult is really like. One day, we all move out of our parent’s house (hopefully) and learn to live on our own....
Have you ever had someone not believe what you were telling them? Did you ever try and convince them that you were telling the trust by saying something like, “I swear!” or, “I swear on my mother’s grave!” or, “I promise you that I am not lying!”...
Have you ever competed in a competition that was very physically taxing? Have you ever been pushed to the limit of your ability? Have you every been in a contest that made you want to quit, but you finally endured to the end? How did that make you feel when you finished?...
One of the things that usually accompanies the stress of suffering is a willingness to be short, cross, or biting with the people around us. You’d think that when we were suffering it would be in our best interest to help each other and encourage one another, but sadly, this is often not the case....
We have already talked a bit about farmers in one of our devotionals from a few days ago, but James brings up the subject again in our verse for today. Farming is challenging work for a number of reasons. One of the biggest reasons is that it demands a high degree of patience. How do you feel about patience?...
Sometimes poor people have no one to defend them. They might not have many friends or if they do have friends those friend are poor too. Usually those who are poor don’t have anyone on their side who is powerful, with the exception of God. He is as powerful as it gets....
There was once a man who had everything. All of his needs were met and much more beyond. He has 12 cars. A house in Montana and Florida (who want to live in Montana in the winter?) and his very own private jet so that we could fly all over the world anytime he wanted to. He had jewelry so that everyone would see how wealthy he was by just looking at what hung around his neck or glimmered on his fingers....
Oftentimes in our world today, people with money mistreat those who don’t have as much money. It’s really a sad reality. But it happens all the time. As we have already seen, money and corrupt us with pride. We can be tempted to think that we are better than someone else because of our wealth. This is pure sin that James and rest of the Bible speak quite often about....
Do you know what a hearse is? A hearse is a special type of car that is used to carry a dead body that rests in a coffin. A hearse is usually used to transport a body from a funeral home to a place of burial, like a cemetery. Now how odd would you think it would be to see a UHaul trailer being filled with all the dead person’s stuff being pulled by a hearse? Wouldn’t you think, “Why is that dead person have all their stuff with them? It’s not like they are going to use any of that stuff. They are dead!”...
In our devotions for this week are we going to look at a section in the book of James where he speaks some hard words. His audience is a bit hard-hearted so oftentimes hard-hearted people hard words are necessary (think Jesus vs. the Pharisees)....
Do you know what the word “arrogant” means? Imagine someone who says, “I am the greatest! There is no one like me. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. No one can stop me because I am so powerful.”...
This simple phrase is great reminder. It reminds us that we are not sovereign. It reminds us that we are not in control. It reminds us that if things don’t work out as we planned that it’s ok. God must have had different ideas for us for our good. It reminds us that God’s will should be our focus no matter what we are planning....
Does it ever feel like your life is moving very slowly? Maybe the school year creeps along too slowly. Maybe you are on a long road trip and you just can’t get to the destination fast enough. Maybe you daydream about when you are older and can do things that adults do but it seems like you’ll never be there. Ever feel that way?...
We all love to make plans. “What are we going to do today?” “Where should we go on our trip?” “Where should we spend the weekend?” These would all be common questions in a family. It’s not wrong to make plans but James wants us to think about it a bit differently....
There are many different roles that people play in our lives. Our teachers teach. Our police officers try to keep us safe from harm. Our government officials make laws to help society run smoothly. There are many different roles for people in our world and for that we should be thankful....
Do you want to feel close to God? Oftentimes we can feel like God is far away from us. Maybe we feel that he is not listening or that he doesn’t care. We wonder if there is anyone out there or if maybe God has abandoned us....
Can you think of a scary opponent that you would not like to face off against in a competition? Would you like to play basketball against Lebron James? How about trying to tackle Adrian Peterson in football? Do you think you could hit a pitch from the best major league pitcher? How about trying to win a footrace against Usain Bolt?...
Imagine you are a parent. You kids love to ask you for things. In fact, they come to you over and over again to ask you for things they want. It’s like they are little, never ending “ask” machines as constant requests are always at on the tips of their tongues....
Have you ever been in a fight with your brothers or sisters? (If you don’t have any brothers or sisters, just imagine for a second.) What was it about? What happened? How was is resolved? In any family conflict is normal. The key thing to remember when it comes to conflict is not if but why. If we can identify why it is we are in conflict with one another, we might be that much closer to resolving it. What do you want? What do they want? How can we figure this out?...
Do you know how a farm works? For a farmer who has a large plot of land, he usually grows some type of food plant, like corn, beans, or wheat. The farmer hopes that there is much sun and rain during the summer so his plants can grow tall and strong. Once his plant produces the food it will be harvested. In our verse for today James talks about a harvest as well. It’s a harvest of righteousness. ...
Godly wisdom is not just words. It looks like something concrete. It is revealed in a certain type of character. Notice again that all the things that James lists here are not about intelligence but rather, fruits of the Spirit. This type of wisdom has a source, a location. It must be given....
Do you know what chaos is? Most likely, your bedroom is in a constant state of chaos from clean to utter disaster. Chaos means lack of order. Everything is out of place. Everything is random. Everything is unstructured....
Do you think it is possible to have a completely different understand of wisdom than someone else? Maybe you think it is wise to save money and your friend thinks that what is more wise is to spend money as soon as you get it. People might not always agree on what is most wise....
What do you think of when it comes to those in your life who are wise? What does wisdom look like? Many people think of an old man with a long beard who sits silently in the corner and will speak once in awhile. When he does it is always profound and his words are chalked full of deep insight. But is the ability to speak a message of profound insight into any number of situations the nature of true wisdom? If you are a deep thinker does that make you wise?...
Imagine you had the opportunity to visit the president of the United States at the White House. Wouldn’t that be exciting? How do you think you would speak to him? Would you be loud and mouthy? Would you be cracking jokes? Would you ask him to hook you up with a souvenir from the oval office?...
Sometimes politicians get a bad wrap. They have a tough job. They know that if they can make a certain number of people happy they will get elected. But that can be very hard to do. Because of this they can be accused of “talking out both sides of their mouth.” What this means is that they say one thing to make a certain group of voters happy and then to a different group with different beliefs the same politicians may say something completely different to make them happy....
What do you think is the most devastating power known to man? A flood? A tornado? A forest fire? A hurricane? An avalanche? ...
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Big things come in small packages”? Oftentimes, it is true. Have you ever been to a dog park? In a big group of dogs it’s not always the biggest dog who is the toughest. Sometimes it’s the small dog who runs the show. Small dog but big influence and control....
Words are a huge part of human existence. Can you imagine how dramatically your life would change if you couldn’t talk or couldn’t hear? Through words we build relationships, we learn from teachers, we run businesses, and encourage one another. Think of how hard your life would be without being able to communicate in words. ...
This section of scripture is a bit hard to understand because it seems to say that opposite of what we are all taught as Christians. We are taught to believe that we are made right with God (justified) by his sheer grace and mercy alone. Our works don’t do anything to contribute to our justification. So what is the meaning of verse 24? ...
If you want to prove that you are right about something what do you have to do? Oftentimes, you have to produce what is called, “proof” or “evidence”....
Do you know anyone who is poor or has ever been poor? Have you ever seen a poor person on the street or been approached by someone in dire need? Maybe your own family or someone in your extended family is currently in a situation like this or has been in the past....
What would you think of someone who said they loved you but they constantly made fun of you in front of other people? What would you think of someone who said they were passionate about caring for orphans but never gave their time or a single dollar towards the needs of orphans in the real world? ...
Imagine you disobeyed your parents in way that deserved a just punishment. Let’s say you were very disrespectful to them in front of your friends. But instead of getting what you deserved they decided to bless you instead. Wouldn’t that be amazing? ...
Do you know what the word “liberty” means? How would you define it? Sometimes it’s helpful to understand a word by considering it’s opposite. The opposite of liberty would be confinement. If you are confined to your house you are not at liberty to go anywhere else. So to be liberated or at liberty means that you are set free....
When you take a test at school, how is it usually graded? 60-70% is a D, 70-80% is a C, 80-90% is a B, and 90-100% is an A. Our American schools usually operate on this type of system or a variation thereof....
Have you ever felt left out? Have you ever felt singled out as weird? Have you ever felt like someone that you cared about was giving you the cold shoulder for some silly reason? Have you ever felt like the last to find out something important? Have you felt mistreated in these ways?...
Have you ever felt like people were treating you different than others? Have you ever felt like you were mistreated because of a belief that you had, or for the clothes you were wearing, or because of something you said?...
Have you ever had a hard time keeping track of something like your phone, your books, maybe a wallet or keys? It’s really important that we keep track of things that matter the most. James says that we need to “keep ourselves unstained from the world.” ...
Have you ever been visited when you were in a hospital? Or visited someone when they were sick? Sometimes that is one of the most important things you can do for someone who is sick or hurting. Just being near them tells them that you care. ...
Have you heard your dad ask the rest of the family to help out around the house or to assist someone who was sick?...
Have you ever got your clothes really dirty? The only way to get them clean is to wash them. Did you know that God washes our sin away, through His Son, Jesus Christ? T...
Who do you think are the most needy people in your city? Single moms? Drug addicts? The unemployed? The homeless? In the world of the New Testament, the most needy people were widows and orphans. ...
What would you think of a person like this: They sit in the front row at church every week and take notes when the sermon is preached. They serve at the local homeless shelter once a week. They always attend their mid-week small group and they never fail to give sacrificially to the church. Oh, and one more thing, ...
Do you know what a contrast is? A contrast is putting two different things side by side and by seeing them together it becomes clear how different they are....
It’s easy to forget things sometimes. You lose your keys. You lose your phone. You lose you coat. You lose that book that you read a long time ago. It’s easy to forget. But what if your forgetting became more serious. Sometimes this is called amnesia. ...
Being quick is a great attribute to have, especially in sports. In football, basketball, and soccer having athletic quickness will give you a great advantage. Quickness can get you to the ball first, it can help you make the tackle behind the line of scrimmage, it can help you cut off an advancing player...
The subject of how to serve your husbands physically may be a very delicate topic. You may have legitimate barriers to overcome like body image issues, deep conflict with your husband, broken trust, etc. I pray that God in His grace will bring healing and restoration....
Marriage first and foremost is a spiritual relationship. The Lord wants to be in the center of our lives personally and as a couple. As we grow in our walk with Him, we grow closer in our relationship with each other. The best GPS for our lives and our marriage is found in the Word of God. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path" (Prov. 3:5,6). ...
As followers of Christ, we are called to be servants, especially to most important people in our lives … our husbands! We can serve him emotionally by giving him our respect. "I respect you.” Very few things are more important to a man then to know he has the respect of his wife. What is respect? A feeling of admiring someone or something that is good, valuable, important, and should be treated in an appropriate way....
The Bible tells us that your wife is a co-heir of Christ and of the grace of life! What does that mean? It means that she is in no way inferior to you, less than you, not as important or as valuable as you are to God....
To live with your wife in an understanding way is both an art and a science. That makes you and me students of our wives, if we are any good as husbands. “To show honor” as we have learned means to designate, assign or to count as precious, which means treating her as the person with the highest priority in life....
God’s Word exhorts the Christian husband to serve his Christian spouse. God doesn’t command unbelievers to do anything beside believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but for the Christian husband, there is a high calling to serve his Christian wife. It’s his number one responsibility towards God. His reputation as Christian depends on it. His prayer life will diminish as a result of neglecting this responsibility....
Over the next seven days, North Valley’s prayer team will be praying for you and your marriage. Each day you will receive a special devotional that will help you serve and better understand your spouse. In this series you will learn how to serve your spouse in three keys areas of his/her life....
Did you know that each Sunday when you go to church, the Word of Truth is being taught in our main services and in our kids’ classes? The Word of Truth is the Bible. It’s the life-giving message of Jesus! ...
Desires and temptation are not necessarily bad. It’s acting on those desires and temptations that are truly sinful. We live in a fallen world. One day, for those are in Christ, we won’t even have sinful desires or temptations, for we’ll have completely different bodies and minds. We long for that day when Jesus returns, makes all things right, and gives us a new home with him forever and ever....
Sometimes in our lives our suffering is very great. It feels impossible to bear. We feel like we might explode or go crazy. In these times, for some people, we might want to blame God and accuse him of sending something into our lives to cause us to sin against him. ...
Do you know anyone who has ever backed out on a promise they made to you? How did that make you feel? What did you say to them? What happened in your relationship with them?...
Oftentimes enduring a huge challenge provides a great reward. Consider a marathon runner. Finishing a 26.2 mile course in 4-5 hours is not easy....
Do you have a garden at your house? Or have you ever been to a farm? Gardeners and farmers often watch how their fruits and vegetables are growing in the middle of July. This is usually when the garden or farm plot begins to produce food to eat....
How did you become a Christian? Becoming a Christian involves hearing the truth of the Gospel, turning from sin, trusting in Jesus for salvation, and desired to follow him by faith. ...
One of the greatest things about God is that he is immutable. That is a big, fancy bible word that means God never changes. His love for us will not change. His hatred of evil will not change. And his ability to control all things for our good will not change....
Have you ever been told to take your medicine? Cold medicine can taste really gross but you knew that it would help you feel much better. Sometimes people say “take your medicine!” as a way of saying that doing something hard now will help for things to be better in the future....
Why do you think James would write that a lowly brother (meaning someone who is poor) is exalted and a rich brother is humiliated?...
James says, that when we doubt God, we are unstable. The writer of Hebrews says that it’s impossible to please God if you doubt him. (Heb 11:6). This doesn’t mean that we can never ask questions or struggle with disbelief something in scripture. James is not asking us to check our brains at the door before we try to worship God, but rather he is telling us it’s we will be like a sea tossed around at sea, driven by the wind, unstable and uncertain about everything....
James says.. “let steadfastness have it’s full effect” This is an exhortation to trust and submit to God’s work in through you. Our heavenly father, wants us to the see the full-effect of what these trials are producing....
Do you know anyone who changes their mind all the time? They can never be nailed down on a decision. Maybe they are anxious because they fear the consequences of making the wrong choice. Do you ever feel that way?...
James says holiness is a process. The phrase “testing of your faith” literally means a refinement process. It’s a rare phrase that is used only once in the NT (I Pet 1:7) and twice in the OT.(Ps 12:6, Prv 27:21). The idea is that holiness is a refinement process....
Ever been on a boat? A big one or a small one? Have you even been in a boat when there was a strong wind or storm? Most people who spend significant time on the water know that when you are caught in a storm out at sea, it can be a very scary experience. The water is tossed around in violent crashes that can seem rather erratic and unstable. Does that sound fun to you?...
James tells us to expect trials. He doesn’t tell us to go looking for them, but tells how to think and respond in the midst of them. The phrase “when you meet” literally can translated as “when you fall into trials.” ...
Do you love to give? Is giving gifts easy for you? Do you know anyone who you would consider a real giver? Someone who just loves to selflessly give of their time, talents, money, or resources?...
To “Count it all Joy” I think we must take this to mean we need perspective. We need to not simply see the present pain and trial, but we must see our circumstances from a supernatural perspective, and eternal perspective. ...
Do you have goals for your life? What would some of those be? To get a good job when you grow up? Get good grades? Get really good at sports, music, or another hobby? Goals are great things to have because they help us focus on achievement in our lives. We should thank God for all that he enables us to do by his grace....
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, - James 1:2, ESV When I first read this passage, I was perplexed. I was wondering how could I do this? I’ve discovered in my studies that If I understand joy simply as a feeling, I will not be able to find the joy that James speaks of; but James here in the text doesn’t command me to feel a certain way but rather to think a certain way....
Try to remember a time in your life that was really hard. Do you have something in mind? Ok, now reflect upon your emotions during that time. How did you feel? Angry, sad, grumpy, distraught, or, violent?...
I can imagine that as James penned his letter, he recalled his transformation from being the family’s biggest Jesus-skeptic to a super strong Jesus-believing preacher! He had to laugh a laugh of humility!...
At North Valley we define servant leadership as “taking the initiative for the benefit of others.” It’s a style of leadership that takes into account others' needs and interests first and foremost....
One of the themes of the book of James is that his audience was suffering persecution, and we know this because of the word Dispersion. ...
James was the brother of Jesus and the author of the Book of James. Historically, he has been called James the Just. He was also the pastor of the church in Jerusalem. But for now, I will share about him as a little brother, a skeptical brother at that....
We talked about James being a servant. When a person is a servant that means he or she is serving someone. Do you remember what the text for today says about the person that James was serving?...
If you were to introduce yourself to someone for the first time, how would you describe yourself? Would you say something like, “Hi there! My name is ______ and I am in ___ grade!” Or, “Hi there! My name is ______ and I am from ______.”...
Do you have brothers and/or sisters? What would you think if one of them told you that they were the one and only Son or Daughter of God? Would you believe them?...
Have you ever heard someone say, “Walk the walk, don’t just talk the talk.” If you haven’t, what do you think it might mean?...
Merry Christmas! Last night we all gathered to hear God’s word, sing, and fellowship. My son Sam had been saving up his allowance so that he could give. No one asked him to do this, but he wanted to. He has been talking about it for the last two weeks. His gift was the lion’s share of all that he has....
What is there to be joyful about on Christmas if your heart is overwhelmed with business? What is there to be joyful about if there is no family to share it? What is there to be joyful about if finances or health is failing? Steady yourself, Christian. ...
It might sound crazy to leave your home in search of a king, but the wise men studied the stars and scriptures and then made a decision. They would travel a great distance to come and worship a newborn King. Their honesty is strikingly bold. ...
The wise men had very little fear. They ask questions because they are learners and not afraid of looking dumb. We have a saying at North Valley: the leaders are the learners. Learners ask questions. ...
The wise men were counselors and advisors to political leaders within the Roman Empire. These men studied astrology, dreams, sacred prophetic scriptures, and the arts of magic. At the time of the writing, Jesus had been born in the town of Bethlehem, during the reign of Herod the King...
I have good news, which I think will build your confidence. We have looked at God’s Word over the last twenty days, and we've seen how prophecies made concerning the coming Messiah have been fulfilled. ...
The Prophet Isaiah said that the Messiah’s kingdom would bring in peace, a peace that would have no end. This prophecy is fulfilled; from the time of Christ’s coming, the peace of God can rest in the hearts of man. Jesus is the peace for even the greatest conflict between good and evil. He is the conquering king. His rule has no end....
Do you get furious? Do you have an anger issue? God’s Word tells us that “human anger does not accomplish God's righteousness” (James 1:20 NET). Who are you angry at? Is your anger solving the problem? Why are you angry?...
Augustus made peace where historically it had been impossible. His leadership and ingenuity led to the development and reform of the taxation system, roadways, armies, guards, mail systems, and more....
As a dad of three kids, I try my best, like most parents, to teach them to do what's right. My goal is to help them become independent of me and dependent upon God. ...
In the time of Christ, a decree was an authoritative legal order. If you have ever been evicted from an apartment, it was worse than that. Failure to comply with a decree would result in imprisonment, death, or at the least heavy fining. Luke’s gospel records that Caesar issued a decree that every resident within the Roman Empire should return to their home town to register and pay a special tax. ...
Nine months before our Savior’s birth, an angel appeared to a young Jewish girl, Mary, whom Scripture describes as a virgin, engaged to a man named Joseph. Prior to that angelic visit, Mary must have felt great excitement as she anticipated her marriage. ...
As David’s greater son the Lord Jesus ultimately fulfilled this model. God’s will was fully accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ when He took on human form and completely obeyed the Lord’s good pleasure, finally to die on the cross and to be resurrected....
The babe in Bethlehem, whom we celebrate at Christmas, is “Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David and … his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:32...
Unrecognized. Unseen. Undiscovered. Nobody knows. Nobody sees. Nobody cares. As long as there is plenty of food, lots of cheer, a plethora of tinsel, and a cornucopia of gifts, everyone’s happy. Jesus? ...
Imbedded in the memory of many of us who regularly celebrate Christmas is Matthew’s quotation of Micah 5:2. “And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.” (Matthew 2:6)....
The prophet Isaiah once said some 700 years before the birth of Christ, that all of this was for… us! The gift was for you and for me! ...
Isaiah describes the Messiah as a king so great that he would have final authority not only over Israel (Micah 5:2) but also over the whole world. Jesus would later tell his disciples that all authority in heaven and on earth had been to him from above, thus claiming that he fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy (Matthew 28:18). The Apostle Paul also wrote that God made Jesus the ruler of all things (Ephesians 1:21-22)....
Here Isaiah describes the Messiah’s character with four specific names, each revealing our Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:3 says “all treasures of wisdom and knowledge rest in Christ.” ...
Jesus Christ is everlasting, he has no end nor beginning. While he was born, he was still eternal....
We all long for peace, from major urban epicenters to rural run down villages peace is what we want. We want freedom from disturbance; we want quiet and tranquility. We want peace from war and violence. Today we shall find this in the person and work of Christ. As we look upon the forth descriptive name of the messiah in Isaiah 9:6. The Prince of Peace. This perhaps most clearly is exemplified in the Christ more than the others....
The birth of Jesus would fulfill God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Jesus as the Messiah would establish a Kingdom like as an empire of God’s grace. A Kingdom where God’s justice and mercy would rule and reign. An empire is…an extensive group of states or countries under a single supreme authority, ...
Christmas begins within the triune God...
In his most recent sermon in the series, entitled “Before You Rebuild,” Pastor Ryan Rice laid out what differentiated Nehemiah and made him successful in his dream of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem....
Have you ever wondered what the Christian life should really look like? Pastor Ryan Rice, Head Pastor of North Valley Community Church, addressed that important issue in his sermon this past Sunday. ...
Day 40 - 40 Days of Outreach. Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. ...
Day 39 - 40 Days Of Outreach. Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ....
Day 38 - 40 Days of Outreach. Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." ...
Day 37 - 40 Days of Outreach. Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork....
Day 36 - 40 Days of Outreach. Psalm 148:7-10 Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word, Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!...
Day 35 - 40 Days of Outreach. 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,...
Day 34 - 40 Days Of Outreach. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 NIV For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy....
Day 33 - 40 Days of Outreach. Colossians 4:5-6 ESV Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person....
Day 32 - 40 Days of Outreach. 2 Corinthians 10:15-16 ESV But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence....
Day 31 - 40 Days of Outreach. James 1:22 ESV But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves....
Day 30 - 40 Days of Outreach Proverbs 18:13 ESV If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. ...
Day 29 - 40 Days of Outreach Ephesians 2:10 ESV For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them....
Day 28 - 40 Days of Outreach 1 Corinthians 13:1 ESV If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ...
Day 27 - 40 Days of Outreach 1 Peter 3:15 ESV but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect...
Day 26 - 40 Days of Outreach. John 8:31-32 ESV So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ...
Day 25 - 40 Days Of Outreach. 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 ESV For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;...
Day 24 - 40 Days of Outreach. Matthew 6:11 ESV Give us this day our daily bread,...
Day 23 - 40 Days of Outreach. Matthew 13:31-32 ESV He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”...
Day 22 - 40 Days of Outreach Matthew 6:10 KJV Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven....
Day 21 - 40 Days of Outreach. Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ...
Day 20 - 40 Days of Outreach. 1 Peter 2:2-3 “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” ...
Day 19 - 40 Days of Outreach. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 ESV that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God....
Day 18 - 40 Days of Outreach. Proverbs 16:9 ESV The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps....
Day 17 - 40 Days of Outreach. Matthew 25:37-40 ESV Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'...
Day 16 - 40 Days of Outreach. 1 Corinthians 3:6 ESV I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth....
Day 15 - 40 Days of Outreach. Lamentations 3:21-22 ESV But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;...
Day 14 - 40 Days of Outreach. 2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT The eyes of the lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.” ...
Day 13 - 40 Days of Outreach. 1 John 4:18 NLT Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love....
Day 12 - 40 Days of Outreach. John 8:7 NLT They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!"...
Day 11 - 40 Days of Outreach. Colossians 4:5-6 NLT Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Paul’s Final Instructions and Greetings ...
Day 10 - 40 Days of Outreach. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV pray without ceasing, ...
Day 9 - 40 Days of Outreach. 2 Timothy 4:2 NIV Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage...
Day 8 - 40 Days of Outreach. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. ...
Day 7 - 40 Days of Outreach. John 16:33 ESV I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”...
Day 6 - 40 Days of Outreach. Luke 10:3 ESV Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves...
Day 5 - 40 Days of Outreach. 1 Corinthians 12:4 NASB Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit....
Day 4 - 40 Days of Outreach. Philippians 1:6 NASB For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus....
Day 3 - 40 Days of Outreach. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NASB Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. Christian Conduct...
Day 2- 40 Days of Outreach. Ephesians 2:10 NASB. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them....
Day 1 - 40 Days of Outreach. Matthew 20:28 ESV even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus Heals Two Blind Men ...
School is about to be back in session. As parents of three wonderful kids, Leslie and I help our kids get ready each year by reminding them that their lives as students can be an act of worship to God....
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