Below are excerpts from Pastor Stuart's daily scripture meditations. Click the title of the excerpt to read the full article. To receive these articles in your email inbox, please click the link at the top of the page to subscribe.

Living From "New" | October 16, 2017
Yesterday at our VLC worship gathering we looked at some of the reasons why we get stuck in the progression of our transformation into the image of Christ. It can be really frustrating for us to want to honor the Lord and to feel that the battle "within" is not winnable. This is a big part of the strategy of our enemy to keep us and ultimately the world from experiencing the abundant life of Christ.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)

Living From Freedom | October 17, 2017
Now that we know the "law" can't get us where we want to go, how do we access freedom? Simply come to Jesus and tell Him where you would like the empowerment to change. Instead of saying, "I am going to do this or that," ask the Lord to empower you by the Holy Spirit to succeed. You are free to pursue your victory.

Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm in this freedom, and don’t become slaves again.
Galatians 5:1 (GW)

Transforming By The Holy Spirit | October 18, 2017
We all experience the end of ourselves in our ability to change some area of our lives at some time in our life. Whether it was to grow spiritually, keep a budget, become a more patient person or to lose ten pounds, we realize that the force of our soul will not bring about the change. This is a part of Paul's argument in Romans 7 and 8. Through our own efforts, we often go in reverse.

But if God’s Spirit lives in you, you are under the control of your spiritual nature, not your corrupt nature.
Romans 8:9 (GW)