The Word For The Valley Podcast (iOS)

Who are you—really? Not your name, not your job, not the place you’re from, and not the list of things that have happened to you. Scripture keeps pulling us back to this deeper reality: you are not the sum of your circumstances. Jesus teaches that beneath all the external noise—your experiences, failures, achievements, wounds, and successes—there’s something far more essential. The Bible calls it...

In one of the most memorable moments in the Gospels, Peter steps out of a boat and onto the water—not because he was fearless, but because he was willing. As Pastor Mike will point out, our fellowship with Jesus is always as close as we want it to be. The limitations aren’t on His end; they’re on ours In this episode, we’ll look at the kind of desire and surrender that led Peter to say, “Lord, let...

After the feeding of the five thousand, something dangerous begins to happen—dangerous not because of persecution or lack, but because the crowd misreads Jesus. John’s Gospel tells us they were ready to take Him by force and make Him king. Not the King He truly is—but the king they wanted. And right in that moment, Jesus does something surprising. He immediately sends His disciples away in a boat—...

We ended Part 1 with the deeply painful and unjust death of John the Baptist. His disciples carried his body away, and the news of John’s death reached Jesus. And it’s at this moment—out of grief, loss, and the heaviness of injustice—that the next scene unfolds. Instead of turning inward or withdrawing completely, Jesus responds in a way that reveals His compassion, His heart, and His mission more...

In today’s passage, we step into one of the most unfair, unjust moments in the entire Bible. It’s the kind of  moment that exposes corruption, abuse of power, and the deep darkness of the human heart. And yet… in the middle of this tragedy, Matthew is setting the stage for something important: how Jesus responds to the world at its very worst.

As Jesus closes this section of parables, He reminds us that the truths of God never change—but they’re always fresh. The same gospel that transformed lives centuries ago still transforms hearts today. We don’t need new truths; we need the old truths made new in our lives—lived out, rediscovered, and applied in the moments we face right now.

Jesus tells two short but deeply revealing parables — the treasure hidden in a field and the pearl of great price. Both describe someone who discovers something so valuable, they joyfully give up everything to gain it. Are they about us seeking God — or God seeking us? Who is the one selling all to obtain the treasure?

Jesus reminds us that while God is not okay with hypocrisy, He allows it for a time. The field isn’t perfect, but it’s still His. God’s patience is His mercy—giving every person time to turn before the harvest comes. But the delay in judgment doesn’t mean it’s forgotten. And the longer hypocrisy grows, the greater its reckoning will be.

As we continue through the "Parable of the Sower", Jesus reveals a third factor at work. There’s an enemy—who actively sows deception, distraction, and division among the good seed. In this episode, we’ll also uncover how the wheat and the tares grow together, what that means for our spiritual lives, and why discernment matters more than ever.

What makes for good soil? In the Parable of the Sower, good soil is more than just fertile ground—it’s a heart prepared to receive God’s Word. In this episode, we’ll learn how to cultivate that kind of heart—one that welcomes truth, grows deep roots, and bears abundant fruit.

Jesus is shifting His approach. This time, He steps into a boat while the crowd gathers on the shore and begins teaching in parables. A simple story—a sower scattering seed—carries a profound message. In this episode, we explore why Jesus chose parables and what the parable of the sower reveals.

Jesus teaches about the condition of the heart and the danger of incomplete change. He says that when an unclean spirit leaves, it seeks a resting place—but if the heart isn’t fully transformed, the work isn’t finished. Meaning, feform alone isn’t enough; true change requires a new heart, a life renewed from the inside out.

“Jesus said, ‘A tree is known by its fruit.’ In this moment, He’s confronting religious leaders who accused Him of being in league with the devil. But His question back cuts straight to the heart: ‘What fruit of My life points to evil?’ Every work He’s done up to this point has been good—healing, restoring, and freeing.  In this episode, we’ll uncover how the condition of our hearts determines wha...

Miracle or Deception? In part 2 of this episode, Jesus performs a remarkable healing on a man who was demon-possessed, blind, and mute. The crowds are amazed and wonder if He might be the Messiah—but the Pharisees have a very different response.

Adversity has a way of revealing who we really are. Most of us would like to think we are defined by our best days—but often it’s in the hard days that our true character shows. In Matthew 12, Jesus faces opposition and hostility, yet instead of shrinking back or compromising, He proves Himself to be the Son of God not only in His words but also in His actions. What sets Him apart is that adversit...

Are you following rules—or following Jesus? In this episode, we’re continuing to explore the tension between legalistic rule-keeping and true devotion to God. Jesus reminds us that God desires mercy, not just sacrifice or obligation. He tells the Pharisees, “If you had understood this, you would not have condemned the guiltless,” referring to His disciples. And then, He makes a bold declaration: “...

Sabbath rules… or Jesus? In Part 1 of this episode, we’re looking at a powerful truth: human need in the service of God is greater than legalistic rule-keeping. And even in Jesus’ day, the Jewish leaders recognized that at times, devotion to God required setting aside strict traditions. But in Matthew 12, the tension comes to the surface. The Pharisees accuse the disciples of breaking the Sabbath,...

Why does God choose the weak and humble to reveal His truth? God’s plan seems to be to take the weak, the humble, and the overlooked—and exalt them according to His purposes. Yet many see Jesus and hear His teachings without recognizing who He is. In this episode, we explore what it means to humble yourself under God’s mighty hand and why those who acknowledge their need for Him are able to receiv...

If even miracles and truth can’t move us… what will? Jesus asked, “But to what shall I liken this generation?” Despite seeing miracles, hearing His words, and witnessing John the Baptist’s ministry, many remain unmoved. He compares them to children in the marketplace—unresponsive whether the message is joyful or mournful. In this episode, we explore the danger of a hardened heart and what it means...

Jesus said, “Blessed is the one who is not offended because of me.”  In Greek, the word for “offended” carries the idea of being scandalized—shaken when something happens outside of our expectations. For John, the scandal was that Jesus wasn’t bringing swift judgment to Israel’s corrupt leaders or driving out the Romans. Instead, Jesus would ultimately submit to both at His death.  God was working...

In Jesus’ day, most Jews were expecting a conquering Messiah—a king who would bring national peace to Israel and drive out their enemies. John the Baptist was among them, but with a twist: he wasn’t focused on Rome. His eyes were on Israel’s own religious leaders. He longed for God to judge, purify, and set His people right. And John wasn’t wrong—that day will come. But he misunderstood the timing...

In part 2, we dig into one of Jesus’ most unsettling statements: “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” What does that mean for us? We’ll explore how following Christ reshapes our thinking—and sometimes even divides our closest relationships. Let’s take a closer look at what true discipleship really costs.

When Jesus tells His disciples, “Do not fear them.” What does that really mean?  In Part 1, we'll explore how the fear of people—something we all wrestle with—can become a trap, and why a right fear of God is the key to breaking free.

Jesus prepares His disciples for the reality of persecution—and it’s not just from the outside. It will come from religious leaders, political powers, and even their own families. In this episode, Pastor Mike walks us through how Jesus calls His followers to stand firm, trust the Holy Spirit, and not be afraid when opposition comes.

Jesus sends His followers out as sheep among wolves—vulnerable, defenseless, and dependent on their Shepherd. In this clip, Pastor Mike shares what it means to be wise as serpents yet harmless as doves, balancing godly wisdom with gentle innocence in a world full of challenges.