What Is Keeping You Down?

In the conversation for Sunday, October 22, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us the truth about guilt and its power to keep us down if we let it. He also played two songs to help us to see how to live into and embody the freedom of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sacred Reading 00:00-14:30, Conversation 14:30-40:47

Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Romans 7:24-8:2 (NLT)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart in God’s promises.

So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith. Consequently, it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” How different from this way of faith is the way of law, which says, “If you wish to find life by obeying the law, you must obey all of its commands.” But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
Galatians 3:9, 11-13 (NLT)

Stuck in Transformation

In the conversation for Sunday, October 15, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares some strategies for aligning our perspective regarding transformation, which is the first step in getting unstuck in the process of becoming more like Jesus in our daily lives.

Sacred Reading 00:00-12:55, Conversation 12:55-42:36

When I want to do good, I don’t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. But if I am doing what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing it; the sin within me is doing it. It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin?
Romans 7:19-24 (NLT)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart in God’s promises.

The truth is that no condemnation now hangs over the head of those who are “in” Jesus Christ. For the new spiritual principle of life “in” Christ lifts me out of the old vicious circle of sin and death. The Law never succeeded in producing righteousness—the failure was always the weakness of human nature. But God has met this by sending his own Son Jesus Christ to live in sinful human nature like ours. And, while Christ was dealing with sin, God condemned that sinful nature. Therefore we are able to meet the Law’s requirements, for we are living no longer by the dictates of our sinful nature, but in obedience to the promptings of the Spirit.
Romans 8:1-4 (PHILLIPS)

How to Let God Transform You

In the conversation for Sunday, October 8, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice helps us to see repentance as the pathway to change because to repent is to believe that it’s possible to change your life because God has the power to help restart your life.

Sacred Reading 00:00-15:50, Conversation 15:50-46:52

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:17 (NASB)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart in God’s promises.

The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Luke 4:17-21 (NIV)

Rest Stop: Finding Rest in Your Hectic World

In the conversation for Sunday, October 1, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us the benefits of rest and how rest can positively impact our home life, work life, and spiritual life.

Sacred Reading 00:00-11:04, Conversation 11:04-40:23

“Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:29 (NLT)

Sacred Reading
A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading. Below are the guidelines for each of the four readings of the practice. 

• Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.
• Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.
• Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.
• Rest: Rest your heart in God’s promises.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

How to Invest in the Eternal

In the conversation for Sunday, September 24, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice leads us in exploring an eternal perspective when it comes to investing our resources.

Sacred Reading 00:00-12:13, Conversation 12:13-45:04

“Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. Instead, store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust don’t destroy and thieves don’t break in and steal. Your heart will be where your treasure is.”
Matthew 6:19-21 (GW)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

“Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. Instead, store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust don’t destroy and thieves don’t break in and steal. Your heart will be where your treasure is.”
Matthew 6:19-21 (GW)

Community Huddle: Engaging Topics

In the conversation for Sunday, September 17, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice addresses two topics with the VLC community, investing in children’s ministry and living a healthy lifestyle.

Sacred Reading 00:00-13:45, Conversation 13:45-1:02:27

“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:17-18 (NASB)

Sacred Reading
A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter —
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”
Isaiah 58:6-9 (NIV)

New Adventures in Prayer: The Prayer of Awareness

In the conversation for Sunday, September 10, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us the nature of temptation and the power of awareness to help us pass the tests we encounter in our daily lives.

Sacred Reading 00:00-24:45
Conversation 24:45-56:04

“And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:13 (NIV)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
James 1:13-16 (NKJV)

New Adventures in Prayer: Cultivating a Heart of Forgiveness

In the conversation for Sunday, September 3, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us the power of forgiveness to bring freedom and blessing for us and others.

Sacred Reading 00:00-16:25
Conversation 16:25-54:17

“And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
Matthew 6:12 (NIV)

Sacred Reading
A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:12-15 (NIV)

New Adventures in Prayer: A Return to Dependency

In the conversation for Sunday, August 27, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us our need for dependence on God in all areas of life. When we discover God as our source, we will also discover that our needs are sufficiently met, which then empowers us to share in the lives of others.

Sacred Reading 00:00-13:20
Conversation 13:20-47:42

"Give us today our daily bread."
Matthew 6:11 (NIV)

Sacred Reading
A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms 23:1-4 (NASB)

New Adventures in Prayer: The Tension of Prayer

In the conversation for Sunday, August 20, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us some insights on the kingdom and will of God and the tension we experience when we say to the Lord, “Not my will, but yours be done.”

Please note: There is a 4 minute silence at 32:30 in the talk where Pastor Stuart invites us to sit quietly in prayer. We left the silence in the recording to give you an opportunity to engage in the exercise as well.

New Adventures in Prayer: The Tension of Prayer

Sacred Reading 00:00-06:56
Conversation 06:56-39:32

“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:9-10 (NIV)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
For I trust in You;
Teach me the way in which I should walk;
For to You I lift up my soul.
Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;
I take refuge in You.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalms 143:8-10 (NASB)

New Adventures in Prayer: The Magnetic Pathway

In the conversation for Sunday, August 13, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us that adoration is integral to the prayer life of a Christian. Adoration is what helps us to focus our lives in a Godward direction. When God is in focus, the rest of our lives are in focus.

New Adventures in Prayer: The Magnetic Pathway

Sacred Reading 00:00-20:00
Conversation 20:00-52:16

“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,”
Matthew 6:9 (NIV)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

When I am in trouble, I call out to you
because you answer me.
No god is like you, O Lord.
No one can do what you do.
All the nations that you have made
will bow in your presence, O Lord.
They will honor you.
Indeed, you are great, a worker of miracles.
You alone are God.
Teach me your way, O Lord,
so that I may live in your truth.
Focus my heart on fearing you.
I will give thanks to you with all my heart, O Lord my God.
I will honor you forever.
Psalms 86:7-12 (GW)

Guatemala Sunday 2017

In the conversation for Sunday, August 6, 2017, we get to hear from this year’s Guatemala mission team. They share life changing stories and ways for us to help the community that they served.

Guatemala Sunday 2017: Team Member Stories

Now Is The Time for Missions

Sponsor a Child through Corazón de los Niños

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

The crowds asked, “What should we do?”
John replied, “If you have two coats, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”

Luke 3:10-11 (NLT)

Aaron Redshaw: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

In the conversation for Sunday, July 30, 2017, VLC member, Aaron Redshaw, shares with us his story of how God can redeem our difficulties and set us on a path to help others experience God’s redeeming love. 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Sacred Reading, 00:00–14:45
Conversation, 14:45–00:52:05

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,
the few people left of the nation of Israel.
I’ve carried you since your birth.
I’ve taken care of you from the time you were born.
Even when you’re old, I’ll take care of you.
Even when your hair turns gray, I’ll support you.
I made you and will continue to care for you.
I’ll support you and save you.
Isaiah 46:3-4 (GW)

At the Intersection of Suffering and Grace

In the conversation for Sunday, July 23, 2017, Pastor Kim Nowlin shares with us that even though there is grace for us in suffering, our suffering can also be a grace for others. 

Sacred Reading, 00:00–18:35
Conversation, 18:35–01:00:05

At the Intersection of Suffering and Grace

The text for this Sunday’s message is 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 (NIV).

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NIV)

New Adventures in Prayer: Invitation to Authority

In the conversation for Sunday, July 16, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice continues his series, New Adventures in Prayer, and shares with us that prayer is an invitation to understanding that God, our Father, has authority over all things, just as the heavens stretch over the earth. Yet, the primary purpose of this authority is to bring about a breakthrough in our lives, reversing the curse, and setting us free to love as God loves.

Sacred Reading, 00:00–15:46
Conversation, 15:46–49:55

New Adventures in Prayer: Invitation to Authority

“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,”
Matthew 6:9 (NIV)
Isaiah 61:1-3 (NASB)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

I love the Lord because he hears
    and answers my prayers.
Because he bends down and listens,
    I will pray as long as I have breath!
Death had its hands around my throat;
    the terrors of the grave overtook me.
    I saw only trouble and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
    “Please, Lord, save me!”
How kind the Lord is! How good he is!
    So merciful, this God of ours!
The Lord protects those of childlike faith;
    I was facing death, and then he saved me.
Now I can rest again,
    for the Lord has been so good to me.
Psalm 116:1-7 (NLT)

New Adventures in Prayer: Invitation to Intimacy

In the conversation for Sunday, July 9, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice continues his series, New Adventures in Prayer, and shares with us that prayer is an invitation to intimacy with God. 

Sacred Reading, 00:00–18:40
Conversation, 18:40–45:10

New Adventures in Prayer: Invitation to Intimacy 

“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,”
Matthew 6:9 (NIV)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
1 John 3:1-2 (NASB)

Ken Karnes: All We Need Is Love

In the conversation for Sunday, July 2, 2017, Ken Karnes shares with us his story of the restorative power of God’s love and if we choose to open our hearts to God’s love, we will be changed and able to love fully as we are loved by God.

Sacred Reading, 00:00–14:29
Conversation, 14:29–47:45

All We Need Is Love

This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.

We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.

If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.
1 John 4:13-21, The Message

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. … This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God.

My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!
1 John 4:7, 9-12, The Message

The God Who Speaks

In the conversation for Sunday, June 25, 2017, VLC member and dear brother, Grant, shares with us his story about discovering how God speaks to him and offers suggestions on how to listen so that we would hear what God is saying to us.

Sacred Reading, 00:00–09:52
Conversation, 09:52–52:55

The God Who Speaks

1. Be still.

2. Visualize Jesus.

3. Tune into the thoughts entering your mind.

4. Write it down.

“God is speaking to me, continually, so that I can know him, and particularly his love for me.”

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV)

Andrew & Wendy Russell: Our Story

In the conversation for Sunday, June 18, 2017, VLC members, Andrew and Wendy Russell, share with us their story of God’s love and grace through direction, provision, healing, restoration, and adoption. Their hope is that in sharing their story it will encourage others to share the goodness of God through their own stories.

Sacred Reading, 00:00–16:42
Conversation, 16:42–56:26

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

For we are His workmanship, God’s own master work, even a work of art, created in Christ Jesus, being reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and ready to be used for good works, which God prepared for us beforehand to do. Taking paths which He set, so that we would walk in them, living the good life, which He prearranged and made ready for us. 
Ephesians 2:10, Amplified Bible

New Adventures in Prayer: Invitation to Relationship

In the conversation for Sunday, June 11, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice continues the series titled, New Adventures in Prayer. In this conversation, Pastor Stuart invites us to approach prayer as a way to build our relationship with God. The text for this message is Matthew 6:9. 

Sacred Reading, 00:00–14:40
Conversation, 14:40–41:35

New Adventures in Prayer: Invitation to Relationship

“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,‘”
Matthew 6:9 (NIV)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
Colossians 1:9-12 (NASB)