Valley Community Church

THURSDAY'S THOUGHT WITH PASTOR JACK - In our world and in our churches, there's too many regrets, and not enough heart felt repentance before God. "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." (II Cor. 7:10) Godly sorrow speaks of brokenness that can only be healed by repentance and salvation. Amen.

THURSDAY'S TH0UGHT WITH PASTOR JACK . . . The most common wish in our world is for peace. And because of that wish, we have a great love for this season that promises peace, joy, and good will. If God promised peace on earth, why is there so little in our world? Two simple reasons: 1. We haven't clearly defined what is meant by peace. 2. we're looking for it in the wrong places. Ask people to define peace and you get varying answers. Ask where they will find peace, and agai...n, varying answers. If we're not clear on the what and the where, we will never know peace on earth. You can answer both questions with one word ... JESUS. We know what peace is when we know Jesus. The Bible says, "Jesus is our peace." (Eph. 2:14). And Isaiah tells us if we know Jesus there will be no end to the peace we can experience. (Isa. 9:6-7) Jesus really is the what and the where of Christmas peace! This Christmas, lift your voice with the angels and sing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom is favor rests." Amen! See more

Thursday’s Thought with Pastor Jack ... Never dabble in sin ... it will always draw you in deeper.

THURSDAY'S THOUGHT WITH PASTOR JACK - We must always remain cognizant of the fact that Jesus was born to die, that we, who were born to die, might live forever. Nothing trumps this truth. Christ is the Savior! Rejoice!

THURSDAY'S THOUGHT WITH PASTOR JACK

THURSDAY'S THOUGHT WITH PASTOR JACK - What is the number one communication skill, and at the same time, the least used of any??? Can you guess? The answer is LISTENING. So many are talking, typing,and texting, but who is listening? We cannot have a healthy marriage, relationship, church, or world, without good listening skills. The good news is, listening is a learnable skill. James 1:19 says, "Take note of this: EVERYONE should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." In a world of the 'talking deaf' may we be good listeners! See you next Thursday!

THURSDAY'S THOUGHT WITH PASTOR JACK - What makes grace sooo amazing? Good question. John Newton, author of "Amazing Grace" found that answer in the middle of a storm at sea. We find our answer in the revealing word of God. Grace is the unmerited favor of a loving God! Amen! 'Unmerited' means unearned, undeserved, and without rights to it. Grace is free or it is nothing. 'Favor' refers to a Holy God's desire to reconnect with a lost and broken creation. So He sends His only ...Son, as a gift to this sinful world. The gift is free to us, but of the utmost cost to Jesus. He exchanged His life for ours! Jesus came to be the embodiment of grace and truth, He gave Himself FOR mankind and TO mankind. He came to be both sacrifice and Savior. It is this grace that makes it possible for a Holy God to pour Himself fully into relationship with you and me, without violating His character nor His Holiness. THAT is what makes grace so amazing! See more

THURSDAY'S THOUGHT WITH PASTOR JACK - Have you ever felt guilty? Of course you have. Have you ever been guilty? Yes again! Guilt is both a fact and a feeling. We get that, right? But what about when you feel guilty, but there's no fact of guilt? We must realize feelings of guilt come from several sources. They can be self-imposed, they can be "put on us" by others, and of course the devil is always happy to play the guilt game with us. So always remember, false guilt brings condemnation, but true guilt brings conviction and hope. The Bible says, "Godly sorrow (true guilt) brings repentance that leads to hope and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow (false guilt) brings death. See you next week!

THURSDAY'S THOUGHT WITH PASTOR JACK - It seems today that everyone is being offended. People are offended by what you say, what you do, what you believe, or even who you are. And 'you' are then blamed for them being offended. Hmmm. Let me share a simple but penetrating truth with you today - offense is an event . . . offended is a decision. Luke 17:1 tells us there will be offense in our world, no doubt. But to be offended is a decision. I encourage you to guard your deci...sions, for they determine your direction and shape your destiny. "As a man thinks . . ." See you next week!

THURSDAY THOUGHT WITH PASTOR JACK -

THURSDAY'S THOUGHT WITH PASTOR JACK - How many times have you said to yourself or to those around you, "just do what's right"? It seems assumed that we know the when, what, where, why, and how of doing right. But we don't do it, and we ask ourselves 'why'? The sweeping answers might be sliding standards in our lives, wrong comparisons or exceptions made, and of course, tough choices. Never forget, doing what is right will always bring it challenges, and James, in his book, ...makes it very clear, every decision carries a consequence. (Jas. 4:17) So how will you and I improve our "batting average" at doing what's right? I think we can find solid advice in the apostle Paul's defense before Felix the judge. In Acts 24:16, Paul says, "I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." Ask yourself one question as you begin each day, 'Is my conscience transparent before my Creator, Redeemer, and Judge, AND the folks I live with everyday?" If you answer honestly, you will be well on your way to, 'just doing what's right!'! God bless! See more

THURSDAY'S THOUGHT WITH PASTOR JACK - Do you have wisdom? Are you wise? Surprisingly, many people hesitate to answer in the affirmative. Yet in James, it says, "If we lack wisdom we can ask God and he will give it to us generously, without finding fault." If you've ever asked and believed, then you have wisdom. But what is wisdom? A familiar definition is, "wisdom is the practical application of knowledge'. To be wise then, is to learn and live out the marvelous truths of God. James says it this way, "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." That is wisdom