Mountain Valley Church of God

Luke 1:30-38 The Annunciation

We’re going to look at the annunciation—the announcement that the angel Gabriel brought to the virgin Mary. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  So, Mary has the natural reaction that pretty much invariably occurs when a human encounters an angel who appears in […]

Ruth 4: 13-22; Prayers Answered and Faithfulness Rewarded

So Boaz took Ruth as his wife.  It’s interesting to see the blessings of God on Ruth’s life, as she has come so far, so fast.  Only a little while ago, she was called a foreigner in Ruth 2:10, then she is called a lower-class servant “sipha” in chapter 2 vs. 13, then, in chapter […]

A Song of Thanksgiving: 1 Chronicles 16:8-36

Unfortunately due to technical difficulties this week’s service audio was not recorded. If you enjoy silent movies I can share the link with you. The books of chronicles are a retelling of the history already recorded in the books of I,II Kings and I and II Samuel to a very specific audience—those who had returned […]

Ruth 4: 9-12 Kinsman Redeemer

9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon.  Boaz calls on both the elders and the crowd to be witnesses.  10 Furthermore, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, […]

Ruth 4:1-8 Eligible, Able and Willing

4 1Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the redeemer of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Come over here, friend, sit down here.” And he came over and sat down.  Boaz didn’t waste any time, and started immediately about the business of redeeming, that very morning.  Boaz […]

Ruth 3:14-18 Six measures of Barley

Ruth she rested in the assurance that Boaz had given her.  Ruth was awake and got up early in the morning, before it was fully light, before a person could recognize another. If they were found like this, it could ruin both of their reputations, regardless of how innocent it was. And now Boaz says […]

Ruth 3:6-13 Exactly as Planned

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her. It was important that Ruth do things exactly as Naomi had told her, so that Boaz would understand that Ruth was asking him to be her kinsman-redeemer. This assurance that all was done according to […]

COMFORT FOR GOD’S PEOPLE

Pastor John speaks on Isaiah 40:1-8 Download and print the sermon notes above to follow along.

Ruth 3:1-5 Bridal Preparations

3:1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?  This word security means a resting place, a permanent home.  It’s a synonym of the word she used back in chapter 1 vs.9 May the Lord grant that you may find rest, […]

Ruth 18-23: May He who took notice of you be blessed.

18 She took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. She also took it out and gave Naomi what she had left after she was satisfied. Naomi’s been worrying all day whether Ruth would come back at all, or whether she would come back having been mistreated […]

Ruth 2:12-17 Take Refuge in the Lord

God has put Ruth in just the place and time where He can use Boaz to provide for her.  12 May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” Like Naomi did earlier in chapter 1, Boaz […]

Ruth 2:8-13 Do not Glean in Another Field. When you are Thirsty, Go to the Water.

8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go on from this one, but stay here with my maids.Boaz no longer seems very concerned about all of the harvest activities going on around him.The first command, “Do not go to glean in […]

Ruth 2:1-7 Firstfruits of Faithfulness

22 So Naomi returned, and with her Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, who returned from the land of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. God uses the ___________________ of Ruth to __________ hope in Naomi’s heart and life.  Naomi returned with Ruth, arriving in Bethlehem at the beginning of __________ […]

Ruth 1:14-21 Choose Hope, not Despair

14 And they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. At this point that Orpah agrees with Naomi, that the best course of action is for her to return to her people What Ruth does, goes above and beyond any obligation that she has to Naomi, […]

Ruth 1:6-12 Two Rays of Hope; Repentance and Prayer

 6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the land of Moab, for she had heard in the land of Moab that the Lord had visited His people in giving them food.  That she might return The word shoob doesn’t mean “to leave” it means “to return, to turn back, to restore, revive, repent”.  And this […]

Ruth 1:1-5 When all Seems Lost

1 Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. 1 Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, This cycle […]

The Book of Ruth–Introduction

In the book of Ruth, we’re going to see how God provides for us in hard times and in good times, how He can take bleak circumstances and turn them to joy.  The book of Ruth is a story of love and redemption, which points, over and over again to God’s love for us, despite […]

And I Will Dwell in the House of the Lord Forever

I will Dwell Hebrew is yashab—to sit, to remain, to stay, to dwell, to abide.  David is only describing something that he does, after spending all of the previous verses in the Psalm describing what God has done for him.  It is only because the Lord is his shepherd, that that he can dwell with […]

Psalm 23:6

6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, Surely God’s blessings are something that He can count on and have confidence in.  The only conclusion, based on who God is, and David’s personal relationship with Him, that David could come to, is that he can be sure of God’s provision. […]

Psalm 23:5 My Cup Runneth over.

Provision in the past and provision now. When David begins speaking about what it like to be a guest at the Lord’s table in verse 5, how God prepares a table for him and anoints his head with oil, and gives him an overflowing cup—these are pictures of God’s provision for him.  Here’s a statement […]

Psalm 23:5 You have anointed my head with oil;

Watch live at 10am Why oil? For refreshment and to honor guests Oil, in Old Testament and New Testament times was rubbed on the skin for refreshment.  An anointed face was associated with joy, which is why we read of the oil gladness in passages like Isaiah 61.  When people were mourning, they specifically refrained […]

Psalm 23:5 You have anointed my head with oil

Why oil? For refreshment and to honor guests Oil, in Old Testament and New Testament times was rubbed on the skin for refreshment.  An anointed face was associated with joy, which is why we read of the oil gladness in passages like Isaiah 61.  When people were mourning, they specifically refrained from this usual practice. […]

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You prepare a table The Hebrew here is Shulchan a meal-table.  You Prepare The shepherd prepares the table for the sheep A shepherd would make scouting expeditions before the sheep ever get to the mesas, to see how the grass is growing, and which mesas will be suitable for grazing and would also check to […]

Psalm 23:4 Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

When shepherds were out in the field, they typically carried a rod and staff.  Your rod Protection One of the primary purposes of the shepherd’s rod was for protection.  The rod was a branch with a knob on one end which was used like a club or to throw at a predator.  Considering how the […]

Psalm 23:4—We Can Trust Him in the Valley

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Between the two hilltops is usually a valley.  This verse about the dark valley between two hills is the center verse of the Psalm.  Even though I walk Just like veterans that have been […]

Jerimiah 35–The Lasting Legacy of Obedience

35 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD during the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: God is going to use this family as an example to ________, and as an example to ________. 2 “Go to the Rekabite family and invite them to come to one of […]

Psalm 23:3-Follow your Guide.

He restores my Soul.  He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. He restores my soul In Psalms 43:5, David cries out during one of these times Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, […]

Psalm 23:2 Rest and Recuperation (R and R)

He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.  God as our shepherd provides for our spiritual nourishment and refreshment.  It’s only when we heed Jesus’ instruction to lie down, and we let Him lead us by the quiet waters, when we obey, that we receive these times of refreshing. […]

Psalm 23: The LORD is my Shepherd

The 23rd Psalm is a Psalm of comfort, a Psalm that celebrates right relationship between God and Man.  In the twenty-third psalm, God reveals himself primarily as our shepherd.  As we The relationship that David is talking about here between himself and God is a forever relationship, that should be getting deeper and more fulfilling […]

Philippians 4:18-22-God will Supply all your Needs.

18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, Paul indicates that he has received everything in […]

Partners in Ministry: Paul and the Philippians

Watch online at 10am by clicking here. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.  15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for […]

Moms, Grandmothers: Pass on The Heritage of Sincere Faith

2 Timothy 1:5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. Paul’s purpose in writing the book is to encourage the younger Timothy in his ministry as the pastor of the […]

Content – Paul’s Secret to Overcoming

Philippians 4:10-13 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get […]

How is Your Thought Life?

Download this week’s outline Download Philippians 4:8-9 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and […]

Messiah in the Passover

We have a guest speaker this week discussing Messiah in the Passover

He Has Risen – John 20:1-19

The disciples, 2,000 years ago, had just experienced the worst week of their lives. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Solome had come with spices to anoint the body of Jesus. “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?” God had taken care of it. They got […]

As The Bride of Christ, Experience The Love of God

Sermon begins at about 38 minutes JOHN 2:1-11 I. JESUS LOVES YOU AND GOD HAS INDEED BLESSED YOU: THE QUESTION IS, “DO YOU LOVE GOD AND DO YOU LOVEJESUS ?” (1) Consider The Love That GOD Has For You, That GOD , (THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT HAS BEEN CREATED), […]

Don’t worry, pray instead

The sermon begins around 32 minutes in the video. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 is one […]

Philippians 4:4-5 Rejoice, Be Gentle

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Rejoice in the Lord Always, and again I say Rejoice! Keep on rejoicing in the Lord at all times, regardless of what circumstances might come upon you. Rejoicing in circumstances […]

Philippians 4:1-3 Therefore, stand firm.

My beloved brethren, my beloved Philippians is the most personal of all the epistles written by Paul. It is a love-letter to this body of believers. whom I long to see Paul is stuck in a Roman prison, and he longs to see his brothers and sisters in Christ. my joy and crown. Because Paul […]

Teen Challenge

Philippians 3:15-16 Enemies of the Cross

18For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. Introduction Last week we talked about how we […]

Philippians 3:15-16: A Mature Mindset

15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Introduction Paul encouraged us to press on, to pursue after Jesus, run […]

Sunday Sermon

A message from the Gideon’s and Pastor Bill Smith

Philippians 3:7-11: That I may know Him

7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count […]

Philippians 2:19-24

Philippians 2:19-2419 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek after their own interests, […]

Philippians 2:14-15: Without Grumbling or Complaining

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world Introduction So last week we discussed how working out our own salvation […]

Philippians 2:9-11: Every knee will bow, every tongue confess: Jesus Christ is Lord

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ […]

Philippians 2:7-8

Philippians 2:7-8but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Introduction Jesus was in Glory with the Father before creation. Jesus as our ultimate […]

Philippians 2:5-7: Have this Attitude

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Have this attitude It literally says “think […]