You don't have to hang around Valley very long before you will hear the phrase 'a better way'. As we often say around here, 'God has a better way'. It is a foundational truth of our faith, a truth rooted in the Bible. The Psalmist tells us the way of the Lord leads to blesssing. Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2) He goes on to say...the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. (Psalm 1:6)
Mankind, has always had a choice, follow the ways of God, or follow your own way or the ways of this world, the ways of the Evil One. One path leads to life, the other leads to death. It's now wonder Joshua would exhort the people to choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15). Jesus said: Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)
We understand the way of the Lord is not always easy, we are not immune to the realities of living in a fallen world or the consequences we face from making poor choices along the way. But, the way of the Lord is the way of forgivness, of mercy and kindness, rather than being caught in an endless cycle of sin and guilt and shame. The Bible tells us, In Him, meaning Jesus, we have redemption...the forgivenss of sins (Ephesians 1:7).
The way of the Lord is the way of salvation over condemnation; there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). It is the way of eternal life rather than eternal seperation from God, the way of heaven rather than hell. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
God's way is for goodness to triumph over evil, it is the way of peace rather than strife, kindness rather than hostility, compassion instead of harshnesss. Paul writes in Romans 12: Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-18,21)
Over and over again in His Word, the Lord offers to us a better way, the way of faith over fear, joy over misery, hope in anotherwises hopeless world. Therefore, Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).
In Deuteronomy 30, God says through Moses...I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you... .may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life (Dueteronomy 3O:19-20)
God's way really is the best possible way for any of us to journey through our days here on earth, and it is the only way for us to spend an eternity with Him in heaven. So, friends...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).
Mankind, has always had a choice, follow the ways of God, or follow your own way or the ways of this world, the ways of the Evil One. One path leads to life, the other leads to death. It's now wonder Joshua would exhort the people to choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15). Jesus said: Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)
We understand the way of the Lord is not always easy, we are not immune to the realities of living in a fallen world or the consequences we face from making poor choices along the way. But, the way of the Lord is the way of forgivness, of mercy and kindness, rather than being caught in an endless cycle of sin and guilt and shame. The Bible tells us, In Him, meaning Jesus, we have redemption...the forgivenss of sins (Ephesians 1:7).
The way of the Lord is the way of salvation over condemnation; there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). It is the way of eternal life rather than eternal seperation from God, the way of heaven rather than hell. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
God's way is for goodness to triumph over evil, it is the way of peace rather than strife, kindness rather than hostility, compassion instead of harshnesss. Paul writes in Romans 12: Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-18,21)
Over and over again in His Word, the Lord offers to us a better way, the way of faith over fear, joy over misery, hope in anotherwises hopeless world. Therefore, Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).
In Deuteronomy 30, God says through Moses...I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you... .may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life (Dueteronomy 3O:19-20)
God's way really is the best possible way for any of us to journey through our days here on earth, and it is the only way for us to spend an eternity with Him in heaven. So, friends...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).
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