Church In The Valley - Ontario Ranch Campus

God's Word provided the foundations for making the best decision. God is faithful to guide us as we turn to Him and follow the counsel and direction He gives through His Word. The foundations for solid decisions is found in faith, obedience, and integrity.

Listening to God's Word and doing it leads us to the best relationships. He speaks through His word to show us how to rightly relate to Him and others. God gives the perspective we need through the Word to unravel and deal with conflict and also to establish boundaries that allow for healthy relationships.

There is much reward in keeping God's Word. One of the benefits is that the Bible helps to minimize the trouble we have to deal with and helps us avoid creating more trouble by caving to temptation.

God promises a future of blessing to those who choose to follow Him. We must claim the promised future by knowing God's word and being careful to obey it. Claiming the promises of God requires faith and patient endurance to continue living out what God shows us in His Word (God promised the good land to Israel but they had to move out to claim it through obedience).

Listening to God's Word protects us from deception as it uncovers reality about ourselves and how life works from God's perspective. We gain freedom by doing the Word - freedom to be and do what we should. We are set free from destructive habits, lies, and a false sense of reality.

Resolving difficulties in relationships adds strength and allows friendships and family life to get out of the danger zone and thrive. Experiencing grace in our friendships and family life is a boost beyond things that destroy relationships and help us to thrive.

True encouragement and acceptance make it possible to develop genuine relationships that grow stronger over time. When we talk about our blindside we get beyond survival mode.

Authenticity is a crucial ingredient of meaningful friendships and family life. Consideration builds trust and paves the way for honesty that allows us to really help one another.

Friendships and families thrive over the long haul when they are centered on love that turns into showing consideration for the goals and interests of the other. If we focus on our own needs, the friendship stays in survival mode. Learn God's way out of survival mode.

We counter all the schemes of the Devil by claiming the truths found in Scripture. When we "swing the sword" we counter the temporary lies and attacks of the enemy with the eternal promises of God. In the same way, we pray we invite God into the forefront of whatever situation we're facing. Satan wants us to rely on our own resources and strength to fight, but when we voice scriptures and pray, we tap into the power of God.

The Devil wants us to lose heart and give up when life gets tough. If we quit, we are not accomplishing the purposes God gave us. However, God's salvation to us is our only hope. It reminds us of our spiritual identity and that we are followers of Christ. As Christ followers, we learn from Jesus example of endurance and perseverance, and we do not have to quit - no matter what we face. God's salvation saves us from giving up!

Satan launches "flaming arrows" at us so we will question God's presence and His goodness to us. Many times these arrows come during times of trouble. Satan wants to discourage us, while God wants to use the trouble for our good. God has given us the shield of Faith so we may remember God's track record with us and that He will not rip us off.

Satan wants to do all within his power to stir up conflict between people and especially God's people within the church. If we're bickering and divided, we cannot use our energy to fight the real adversary - Satan himself. However, God gives us the Gospel of Peace so we may explain God's forgiveness to others (after we've experienced it ourselves) and extend His mercy to others as we work toward unity.

Satan wants to continually accuse us and remind us of all the sin we've done in our life. God has given us the righteousness of Christ to battle these accusations. Christ paid the price for our sins and we fight the battle against Satan by putting on the breastplate of Christ's righteousness as we admit our sin and accept Christ's forgiveness through faith.

The enemy, the Devil, and the demonic, have waged war against humanity. The Devil wants to destroy us and will use any means and schemes necessary to take us out. In this message we will focus on one of Satan's main attacks against us - confusion. He applies this strategy by telling lies to our mind and emotions. Discover how to use God's word to battle back against the enemy's lies.

God is working in the lives of others as we set out to find those who are lost to Him. I can be confident that God is doing the work that only He can do. He makes Himself known; draws people to Himself and convicts people of sin.

Evangelism was never intended to be a solo mission. The church was meant to partner with us in the process. So it's important to create opportunities for our friends to meet others in the church. When our friends and family see the "witness of the body," the way we love one another and live, our effectiveness is multiplied.

Sharing the news means that we must work through our fears. Paul asked for prayer that he would proclaim the truth fearlessly. How to get past your fears: know Jesus by spending time with Him and His people AND let your love for others drive out the fear.

A Jesus follower's purpose is to share the good news about Christ with those around us.

Our role as Jesus' followers is to be salt and light to those around us. He wants us to be real and show others how Jesus changes lives.