Valley Life Church - Yakima

Our Generous God

12/21/25  The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. — Psalm 19:1–4a NLT  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. — John 1:5 NLT  Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” — Genesis 15:5 NLT  The light [that] shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it — John 1:5 NLT “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. — John 3:16 NLT   For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given…[who is] Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all… — Isaiah 9:6a & 1 Timothy 2:5b–6 NKJV

A Perpetual Series of Occasions for Hope

Trevor Hutton Psalm 139:11-12 Hebrews 11:1

A Great Light has Dawned

A Great Light Has Dawned How Christmas Shines Hope into Our Deepest Darkness

The Birth of Light and Hope

Pastor Joe Hite Psalm 112:4 New Living Translation 4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Psalm 139:12 NLT but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. What is the meaning of light? John 1:5 NLT 5 The light shines in the darkness,     and the darkness can never extinguish it. Enter The Light in This broken World Repentance and Pursuit Broken person living in a broken world The Jesus Prayer “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” Hope In Jesus Future … and in His restored Kingdom.  Today “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”                                                                                                                   John 8:12

Seeing Through the Smoke

Pastor Jon Verwey When we trust our own rules, our way of living, or even our church culture more than God’s Word, Jesus begins to fade from view. The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.” — Mark 7:1–13 NIV …“Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders… v. 5 Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:  ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ v. 6-7 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” v. 8 You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! v. 9 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. vv. 10-12 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.” v. 13 “I know the Bible says forgive… but my situation is unique.” “I don’t need other people—God helps those who help themselves.” “I’m not gossiping—I’m sharing a prayer request.” “I don’t need to give or serve because I’m still ‘working on myself.’” “I don’t need to change my attitude—this is just who I am.” “It’s not stealing—I deserve this, and they won’t miss it.” “I’m not unloving—I’m just being real.” “It’s not really adultery—it’s just emotional connection.” “I didn’t lie—I just didn’t tell the whole story.” “It’s not greed—I’m just being a good steward.” Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. — James 1:22–25 NIV  Jesus knew the Word, Jesus quoted the Word, Jesus taught the Word, Jesus fulfilled the Word. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. — Matthew 5:18 NLT  If you love me, obey my commandments. — John 14:15 NLT And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate… But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.— John 14:16a & 26 NLT The more we trust and live by our own rules, the more Jesus fades from view—but trusting and living by God’s Word reveals Him clearly.