Grow Through What You Go Through

Pastor Greg Simon

Grow through what you go through. If you are not seeing the victory yet, do not panic. That is not how your story ends. Your story does not end in defeat. “Now thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ and through us reveals the fragrance of His knowledge in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14 MEV). Choose to grow from hardship, not just survive it.

Circumstances should not dominate or dictate your life. Situations, circumstances, obstacles, problems, and difficulties come our way. “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:2-4 NLT). The enemy hopes: to keep you from BEING all God wants you to be; to hinder you from HAVING all God wants you to have; to slow you from DOING all God wants you to accomplish.

Grow through hardship; don’t just survive it. Every setback, trouble, or challenge has a lesson. In any circumstance, we have the power to overcome. “I know both how to face humble circumstances and how to have abundance. Everywhere and in all things I have learned the secret, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things, because of Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:12-13 MEV).

What triggers hardship in your life? Your own mistakes. Your enemy the devil. Your relation to other people.

Grow; let hard moments prepare your next level. Even when it seems dark, you don’t have to be afraid. God is working, making things happen that you cannot see. God is in the process of bringing you out. “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not be aware of it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. 20 The beast of the field shall honor Me, the jackals and the owls, because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen ones” (Isaiah 43:19-20 MEV).

You are an overcomer! Win or learn — there is no lose. “They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough” (Psalms 37:19 NLT).

Circumstances shouldn’t dominate your life, but circumstances do reveal whether you are a doer of the Word or only a hearer. “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22 MEV). Someone who just hears the Word but doesn’t apply the Word to their circumstances is self-deceived.

When Moses stood before the Red Sea, he didn’t panic. He didn’t complain. He encouraged everyone: “The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm” (Exodus 14:14 NLT). “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! 16 Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground’” (Exodus 14:15-16 NLT).

Every trial has something to teach. Reflect, adjust, and carry the lesson forward. What thing did you learn? Overcomers don’t waste experiences, but collect lessons like the repetitions of a weight lifter. God has something better ahead. Trust God’s goodness! God hasn’t failed you. God is planning something even better. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may declare the goodness of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9 MEV).

Grow through what you go through. Get prayed for! Brothers and sisters are ready to help. “Now when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands became heavy. So they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. And his hands were steady until the going down of the sun” (Exodus 17:11-12 MEV). The apostle Paul requested, “Now I ask you, brothers, through the Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf” (Romans 15:30 MEV).

God can turn around health issues, addictions, or setbacks even when all hope seems lost — don’t give up too soon! “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).

Do you feel hopeless? “There were four leprous men at the entry of the gate, and they said to one another, ‘Why are we sitting here until we die?’” (2 Kings 7:3 MEV). Consider the logic of the lepers, and take the next step. “For the Lord had caused the Aramean camp to hear the sound of chariots, horses, even the sound of a large army….’” (2 Kings 7:6a MEV). The lepers walking to the enemy’s camp, did not hear anything differently. God multiplied the sound of their footsteps, but apparently they didn’t know it. Keep moving forward in faith!

God is with you, in you. “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17 KJV). He is mighty and He is singing over you. You might not hear it, but God can make things happen in supernatural ways.  Do the next right thing; make decisions that honor God. God just might multiply the sound of your footsteps!

Like Paul and Silas, you may feel like you are in the dungeon of trouble — but praise the Lord anyway! “At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s shackles were loosened” (Acts 16:25-26 MEV). Others may whine and complain, but God’s children can praise. A Christ-follower will speak differently, relate differently, give differently, perform differently, love differently, invest differently, serve differently, act differently, live differently, praise differently. Grow through what you go through.

GOD IS SO CLOSE

Pastor Greg & Patti Simon

Our God is NEAR to us. Moses rhetorically asked, “For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on Him?” (Deuteronomy 4:7 NLT). King David rejoiced, “The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth” (Psalms 145:18 NLT). While preaching in Athens, apostle Paul proclaimed, “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him — though He is not far from any one of us” (Acts 17:27 NLT). Ponder that for a moment. He is not far from any of us!

CHILD OF GOD, HEAVENLY FATHER IS SO CLOSE TO YOU!

God is OVER you. “His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm” (Psalms 91:4 TPT). He defends you.

God is BELOW you. “The eternal God is your refuge, and His everlasting arms are under you” (Deuteronomy 33:27 NLT). “I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10b NLT). He strengthens you.

God is IN FRONT of you. He said, “I will march out in front of you and level every obstacle” (Isaiah 45:2a TPT). “The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you” (Psalms 32:8 NLT). God leads you.

God is BEHIND you. “Yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind” (Isaiah 52:12b NLT). He is your ‘rear guard’ providing a sense of protection and security. He watches your back and protects you from danger. God’s presence is constant and all-encompassing, both leading the way and protecting you from behind. “You are all around me — in front of me and behind me. I feel Your hand on my shoulder” (Psalm 139:5 ERV). God encourages you.

God is on YOUR SIDE. “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NLT). “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs” (Zephaniah 3:17 NLT). God celebrates you.

God is IN you. “Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in you, He will also raise your dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into you!” (Romans 8:11 TPT). God helps you and empowers you.

God is close no matter what situation. The Lord wants to defend you, strengthen you, lead you, encourage you, celebrate you, help you, and empower you! You’ll praise like the psalmist, “God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble — more than enough and always available whenever I need you” (Psalms 46:1 TPT). God is close to you!

You and I can enjoy the most intimate, personal relationship imaginable with our loving God. We can approach the Lord without shame or fear; depend on Him for all things. Our God is with us, closer than a friend who walks beside us. Our Lord lives inside us — strengthening us in weakness, emboldening us in hardship, and giving us vibrant life in trouble. We are never alone. He is with us and He loves us.

Share the 2025 Valley Fellowship Church Christmas Party!

 

You’re warmly invited to join our church family for a special evening of food, fellowship, and celebration at our Annual Valley Fellowship Christmas Party. This is one of the sweetest times of the year as we gather around the table — sharing a delicious meal, enjoying one another’s company, and celebrating all that God has done.

Every person is valuable and would be truly missed if not there — so please, mark your calendar and make plans to come! There’s a seat at the table waiting for you. A full meal will be served with a variety of delicious desserts to devour. The best part of the evening is celebrating together as a church family.

Tickets ($30 per person) are available in the foyer starting this Sunday. Tickets will be available in the foyer each Sunday through December 7. If anyone needs assistance in purchasing a ticket, see one of the pastors. Adults and teenagers will delight in a delicious dinner — a bountiful buffet — at The Jackson Center (6001 Moquin Drive, Huntsville, AL 3586). The Christmas Party is Sunday, December 14 at 5PM. Make this a family tradition, an evening filled with joy and laughter, interaction and gratitude for all God has done. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

While adults and teens are at the Jackson Center, children (K4–6th grade) have their own festive celebration. The Children’s Happy Birthday Jesus Party (5th grade and younger) meets at the VFC Cafeteria area (Building #2 where Kidz Church usually gathers). The ticket price for children aged 3 years to fifth grade is $10 per student. Nursery below three years old is free, but signup is required. Drop-off begins at 4:30 PM and the Party starts at 5:00 PM. Children will enjoy a meal, dessert, games, and fun activities, as they together celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

Who Is In Your Corner?

Pastor Greg Simon

We each must work out our faith on an individual basis, but we’re never meant to run solo in “the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Who is on your team? Like a prizefighter entering the ring for a championship fight, who is waiting in your corner with towel in hand, ready to give you water, rub your shoulders, and encourage you?

We have many kinds of relational connections — acquaintances (all around us), associates (friends), advisors (mentors) and assignments (mentees). Each serve different purposes in your journey on earth, but some folks are divinely called to your side. What kinds of people are in your corner? Are you in the corner for someone else?

Not surprisingly, moments of pain or seasons of difficulty often reveal who truly supports you. Evaluate your relationships. Who is there for you in difficult times? Who is only present during good times? Not everyone is called by God to walk with you. But, your brothers and sisters in Christ are called along side of you; your family at Valley Fellowship wants to do life with you.

We all benefit from having an encourager in our own lives and in being an encourager in someone else’s. You can be the perfect person to release hope or energy into someone else. Our words have the power to lift people up and to push people forward. Our words have the potential to release faith, healing, victory, new beginnings. “Encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT). Don’t be stingy; let encouragement flourish.

Consider the significant lifestyle of “Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means ‘Son of Encouragement’)” (Acts 4:36 NLT). Something about the way Joseph lived made the early believers give him a new name — Barnabas. When he entered a room, encouragement entered.

What do people think when they see us coming? “Here comes encouragement.” Or, do they feel more like: “Here comes discouragement; here comes whining; here comes despair; here comes complaining; here comes defeat.” May that never be what we leave behind!

We benefit from people who make a conscious effort to encourage us. If your current friends do not make a conscious effort to build you up, then they will wear you down. Who really belongs in your corner? Choose your tribe wisely. Welcome people who support and build you up, especially during challenging seasons. Seek connection with people who strengthen your faith and increase your confidence and dependence upon the Lord. Regardless of circumstances, God-called folks in your corner stick with you even when facing setbacks or making mistakes.

We benefit from the support and counsel of trusted friends. Godly connections are your God-given protection from the enemy, and sometimes even from yourself. “The Godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray” (Proverbs 12:26 NLT). Good friends tell you the truth, not just what you want to hear.

You find all kinds of helpful relationships in your membership and covenant commitment at Valley. You’ll find a uplifting Barnabas in your corner encouraging you not to give up. You’ll find a prophetic Nathan in your corner speaking the truth to you in love. You’ll find a righteous Paul in your corner telling you to suck it up and run your race. Yes! You will. Get connected and discover what God has for you.

Connections in the Body support us at our weakest, cheer us on at our best, comfort us in grieving, and inspire us along the way. Now, who’s corner are you in today? Be a Barnabas to someone else.

DO EVERYTHING IN LOVE

Wednesday 6:30PM Adult Series

Everything in love! That is the challenge of God’s Word in 1 Corinthians 16:14. With God’s help, we can do just that. With God’s grace and assistance, we can live in peace and walk in love. As we love based upon choice (not based upon feelings), we can learn to love even the people difficult to love.

”Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us” (1 John 4:11-12 NLT).

Jesus Christ commands His followers to love. “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” (John 13:34 NLT). But, our Lord calls us to love on purpose, even who we may not have ‘feelings’ of love. “Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44 NLT). “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27 NLT).

God wants to help you love others as He loves you. But, how can you love the people in your life who are hard to love? Discover Scriptural advice and encouragement through this Wednesday evening series. Whatever your situation may be, God wants to help you love others.

Join Pastor Greg and Patti Simon in the Sanctuary at 6:30-7:30PM for the Wednesday Evening Adult Series. Gain insight and encouragement. Love people, live in peace, and be thankful.

PERFECT FOR YOU

Pastor Greg Simon

God’s will is perfect FOR you even if it isn’t doesn’t seem perfect TO you.

God’s will for you is perfect for you, even if you don’t think it’s perfect from your own perspective. Some people mistakenly assume that troubles or difficulties in life are some kind of sign that they are missing out on God’s perfect will for their lives.

The reality is – you can be right in the middle of God’s will for your life and experience tremendous hardship. No one can escape all trouble. Ultimately, God’s perfect will is accomplished when the circumstances of our lives allow HIS GLORY to shine through our lives.

God’s Word has many examples of men and women right in the middle of God’s perfect will who still faced misfortunes, hassles, and trials. Joseph certainly faced disruption – trapped in a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused and thrown into prison – but God used all of those difficulties to save Joseph’s family and God’s chosen people. David was the God-chosen next king of Israel, yet he suffered through years of jealousy, betrayal, and rejection before he was humanly-recognized as king. Paul was unjustly beaten with rods, stoned to death, shipwrecked, mocked, and ridiculed, but God’s message was still be clearly delivered through Paul. Jesus endured the cruelest inconvenience of beatings, crucifixion, and even death without ever stepping outside of the Father’s perfect will for His life on earth.

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that God isn’t finished yet. Paul stresses, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NLT). I have heard people misrepresent this verse into somehow justifying a substandard for God’s will. Some suggest Paul is delineating three paths, but Paul’s word choice mentions only ONE will. In Greek, the verse DOES NOT break up God’s will into three kinds – good will, pleasing will, and perfect will. The word Paul uses for “will” is singular, not plural. Good, pleasing, and perfect all relate to one singular will.

Disturbance in your life is not an automatic signal that you have somehow missed God’s will for your life. That disagreement with your spouse shouldn’t send you into depressed anxiety about God’s will for your marriage. That rebellious child isn’t a sign that you aren’t called to be a parent. That cantankerous coworker giving you fits, doesn’t necessarily mean God doesn’t want you working at that location. Your flat tire on the interstate doesn’t mean you lost your way.

You may be squeezed today, but you can live for God’s glory! “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:2-4 NLT).

We are praying today for God’s strength to live for His glory and to trust His perfect will for my life – even if it upsets my preconceived plans and personal comfort. Live for His glory!

WHO IS WITH YOU?

Pastor Greg Simon

In the message from 10AM Worship on August 13, 2023, Pastor Greg Simon asks, “Who is with you and to what degree?” Who receives with you? Who labors with you? Who goes to war with you? Who is willing to suffer with you? Some partnerships don’t work out. Some relationships fail, but are later restored. Some are called to higher levels of partnership with you. Value and appreciate those who live in a high level of partnership with you.

VFCA WATER BAPTISM CHAPEL

The students of Valley Fellowship Christian Academy celebrated water baptism during chapel on May 1, 2023. Water baptism is an integral part of our first steps in growing as a believer. When a person is truly born again, water baptism is an outworking of that decision. Water baptism is an outward sign of the inward reality of Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Jesus Christ thought enough of baptism to visit the dirty Jordan River in order to set the example for His followers. Throughout the centuries, believers have followed Christ’s example and used the sacred act of water baptism as a public proclamation of Jesus as their Lord. Perhaps, the Holy Spirit is moving within you, nudging you make a public declaration of Christ’s Lordship. Are you ready to take that next step? Call the church office today!

Rituals to Awakenings

Pastor Greg Simon

This is a portion of the Zoom feed from Sunday 10AM on February 19, 2023. This teaching centered on Jesus Christ’s invitation in John chapter seven: “On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.’ 39 By this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him would receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” [John 7:37-39 MEV]

A mighty reservoir of the Holy Spirit dwells within each believer. Do you want to experience an awakening in the rituals of your life? Hunger and thirst for more of Jesus Christ. Exercise your faith. Ground all experience with the Holy Spirit in Scripture. Pray for an outpouring  of the Holy Spirit within each person. Live a life fully surrendered to the Lordship of Christ Jesus. God receives the glory for what He does through you as a vessel.