Valley fourth Articles

“ I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus…”1 Cor. 1:4 This was the prayer of the Apostle Paul for a church that was filled with problems: immorality, jealousy, division, pride, and more. How could he thank God for people like this? Because, even with their weaknesses, they were people who had received the grace of God. They belonged to ...

“ Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!” Psalm 35:1 Let’s face it, there are times when doing the right thing in the eyes of God makes you an enemy in the eyes of other people. This can happen in a family, a neighborhood, a workplace, or even in a church. But if this has happened to you, take heart. David wrote here that he gave his most difficu...

“After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in His spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me. “ John 13:21 Have you ever wondered how much Jesus loves even the deepest sinner? Look no further than this moment in the Upper Room. The Scripture says that earlier that night, the Devil had put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus. Even knowing this,...

“The kings of the Earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart, and cast away their chords from us.” Then God will speak to them in His wrath, and terrify them in His fury, saying, “As for Me, I have set My King on Zion, my holy hill.”Psalm 2 Did you know that this famous psalm is not just poetry, bu...

“ The Lord said to Me, “You are My Son; today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your heritage, and the ends of the earth Your possession.”Psalm 2: 7-8 This Psalm actually records a conversation held between God the Father and God the Son. In it, God the Father promises that one day Jesus will have actual rulership over actual nations in an actual time in the future. This ...

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely… at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”1 Thessalonians 5:23The Apostle Paul ends this wonderful epistle with an encouraging reminder that God has committed Himself to the great task of shaping us to be like Jesus in our character. You may feel like you haven’t made much progress at all in the Christian life, and you may be on the edge of g...

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 Like the good Pastor-Teacher that he was, Paul begins to close this epistle with a set of “Rapid Reminders” about the spiritual life. He talks about certain spiritual habits that are suitable to every season of life and every series of events that a ...

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep, we might live with Him. Therefore, encourage one another, and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11Paul here reminds the believer that Christians have a “Blessed Hope“, which is the certain hope that Jesus will return t...

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.… Therefore encourage one another with these words.”  1st Thessalonians 4:13–18 Paul here offers comfort to these believers who had lost loved ones in death and worried whether these loved ones would miss the glorious...

“Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another… But we urge you brothers to do this more and more.“1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 Paul here tells the believers in the Thessalonian church to “love one another“, and then he adds this challenge: “do this more and more.“ The problem is, we don’t love this way often in ...