The Hope Valley Podcast

In this week's message, Pastor Sam explores the Faith we have in Jesus, and why having faith means being faithful. The season of Advent is a time to dwell on the arrival of Jesus, which is a past, future, and present event – all at the same time. Advent reminds us of the timeless nature of God and His work. In the Advent season, we reflect on what He has already done, we look forward to what He ha...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam explores the Hope we have in Jesus, and how it can energize and sustain us, even in the darkest times, as it has for the generations that have gone before us. The season of Advent is a time to dwell on the arrival of Jesus, which is a past, future, and present event – all at the same time. Advent reminds us of the timeless nature of God and His work. In the Adven...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam tackles the question, "How can I get better at communication in relationships?" and explores what the scriptures teach about how we should approach one another. This is the fourth message in a series we're calling "You Asked For It" where each week we explore a question submitted by you. WANT TO SUBMIT A QUESTION FOR THIS SERIES? Follow this link: https://forms.g...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam tackles the question, "How do I know what God wants me to do?" and explores how God speaks to us as we do the work of living the way He has taught us to live. This is the third message in a series we're calling "You Asked For It" where each week we explore a question submitted by you. WANT TO SUBMIT A QUESTION FOR THIS SERIES? Follow this link: https://forms.gle/...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam tackles the question, "How Should I Love Myself?" and explores the difference between the Biblical view of self-love and the modern American view of self-love. This is the second message in a series we're calling "You Asked For It" where each week we explore a question submitted by you. WANT TO SUBMIT A QUESTION FOR THIS SERIES? Follow this link: https://forms.gl...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam tackles the question "Do I need 'good works' to be saved?" This is the first message in a series we're calling "You Asked For It" where each week we explore a question submitted by you. WANT TO SUBMIT A QUESTION FOR THIS SERIES? Follow this link: https://forms.gle/eXUnbWdcspA98pky6 Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/ho...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam talks about seasons of detachment, where we lose things that gave us a sense of identity, direction, and purpose - and what God is doing in these seasons where we feel so lost. This is the fourth part in a four-part series called "The Wilderness" where we are learning how God uses "wilderness experiences" to let certain things within us die, so that we can experi...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam talks about what God is doing in a season where our weakness, failure, and even our sin is being exposed in a way that feels public and humiliating. This is the third part in a four-part series called "The Wilderness" where we are learning how God uses "wilderness experiences" to let certain things within us die, so that we can experience a deeper life and love i...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam explores what God is doing in a season of disillusionment, where people are letting you down, institutions are failing, and God isn't matching the picture in your head. This is the second part in a four-part series called "The Wilderness" where we are learning how God uses "wilderness experiences" to let certain things within us die, so that we can experience a d...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam explores what God is doing in the seasons where He feels distant and the things that used to relax, rejuvenate, and fuel us, no longer seem to be working - or we lose them altogether. This is the first part in a four-part series called "The Wilderness" where we are learning how God uses "wilderness experiences" to let certain things within us die, so that we can...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam talks about how we can take advantage of the opportunities we have in the middle of hardships - rather than only seeing them in hindsight. This is part of a 3-part series called "Facing the Storm" where we are learning how to do more than just survive storms and seasons of suffering in our lives. By facing suffering the way that Jesus did, we can learn to embrace...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam talks about learning to see hope through the storms in our lives. Though the storm is always shifting and changing, God is not. This is part of a 3-part series called "Facing the Storm" where we are learning how to do more than just survive storms and seasons of suffering in our lives. By facing suffering the way that Jesus did, we can learn to embrace the storm,...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam talks about we can embrace the storms in our lives, rather than resent them. This is part of a 3-part series called "Facing the Storm" where we are learning how to do more than just survive storms and seasons of suffering in our lives. By facing suffering the way that Jesus did, we can learn to embrace the storm, see the hope through the storm, and leverage the s...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam talks explains how trusting in God's wisdom is the pathway to peace for our minds, hearts, and actions. "Asking for God" is a five-part series where we are discovering how we can learn to hear God, not by asking Him to speak more, but by moving ourselves towards Him as we meditate on His nature and find delight in who He is. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.chur...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam talks about learning to appreciate the authority of God and slow down our pace of life. "Asking for God" is a five-part series where we are discovering how we can learn to hear God, not by asking Him to speak more, but by moving ourselves towards Him as we meditate on His nature and find delight in who He is. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.church or find us on...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam explains how meditating on the love of God, with all its implications, brings stability to our hearts, minds, and even other human relationships. "Asking for God" is a five-part series where we are discovering how we can learn to hear God, not by asking Him to speak more, but by moving ourselves towards Him as we meditate on His nature and find delight in who He...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam talks about how we can develop a craving for God to reveal Himself to us, which draws us deeper into the ways He has already revealed Himself to us. "Asking for God" is a five-part series where we are discovering how we can learn to hear God, not by asking Him to speak more, but by moving ourselves towards Him as we meditate on His nature and find delight in who...

In this first of five lessons, Pastor Sam talks about the nature of God's mercy and the effect it has on our heart when we meditate on it. "Asking for God" is a five-part series where we are discovering how we can learn to hear God, not by asking Him to speak more, but by moving ourselves towards Him as we meditate on His nature and find delight in who He is. Visit us online at www.hopevalley.chur...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam talks about how to intentionally connect with people and build relationship in order to point them to Jesus. This is one part in a 5-part series about sharing the good news of Jesus with others. When we understand the story of our own lives as being part of the larger STORY of God’s love, we have a testimony to share with other people that is authentic, needed, a...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam breaks down the three parts of a testimony, and how we can be ready with a clear and compelling story of the work of Jesus in our lives. This is one part in a 5-part series about sharing the good news of Jesus with others. When we understand the story of our own lives as being part of the larger STORY of God’s love, we have a testimony to share with other people...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam talks about the work of the Holy Spirit in illuminating THE STORY of God's love and what role we play in a person coming to know Jesus. This is one part in a 5-part series about sharing the good news of Jesus with others. When we understand the story of our own lives as being part of the larger STORY of God’s love, we have a testimony to share with other people t...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam breaks down THE STORY of God love - a.k.a. the Gospel - into four main plot points, that are easy to remember and share with others. This is one part in a 5-part series about sharing the good news of Jesus with others. When we understand the story of our own lives as being part of the larger STORY of God’s love, we have a testimony to share with other people that...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam talks about understanding your testimony as being part of the larger story of God's love, and how God has strategically placed you near other people who need to hear it. This is one part in a 5-part series about sharing the good news of Jesus with others. When we understand the story of our own lives as being part of the larger STORY of God’s love, we have a test...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam talks about the "Day of the Lord" and how the expectation of God's judgement is both a sobering reality and a source of comfort and hope for today, and how all that should impact the way we live right now. This is part of a ten part "Bible Threads" series - adapted from The Bible Project video series on Biblical Themes - where we look at several core themes and i...

In this week's message, Pastor Sam talks about the theme of "Exile" that runs through the story of the Bible, and how followers of Jesus are called to live in the world as people that belong to a better world. This is part of a ten part "Bible Threads" series - adapted from The Bible Project video series on Biblical Themes - where we look at several core themes and ideas that are threaded through...