Episodes
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Make sin big. Make Jesus bigger.
Sometimes we get frustrated with not knowing the big picture and we need to trust that God will guide our next steps. Can the reverse also be true? Can we focus so closely at the next step that we forget to look at the big picture? This Sunday, we focus on the big picture: Sin is big, but Jesus…
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Led by a Lamp and a Light
Do you want to know the next step or do you want to know the big picture? God's Word does both. Today we celebrate how God's Word leads us through life and how it leads us to eternal life. Message based on Psalm 119:105
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Leave the Lions to God
In Matthew 10, Jesus sends out his 12 disciples to go and spread this message, "The kingdom of heaven has come near." Whenever you preach Christ, there will be pushback, but Jesus brings up a painful truth; sometimes, faith divides a family...This leads us to wonder what we can do when the people...
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What a Witness
This Sunday, we are focusing on Saint Luke the Evangelist. In his gospel, he records Jesus birth, sermons, prayers, travels, suffering, death, and last moments. It must have been amazing to see... except he wasn't there. Many assume Luke must have been a close friend of Jesus to write his story…
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Who Do You Say I Am?
Talking about Jesus is easy, at least when you are surrounded by people that also want to talk about him. It get increasingly more difficult when you are in a situation where bringing up Jesus, or just living your faith, might cost you something. In our text for today, Peter didn't struggle to...
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Live Brightly in your Community
"Will God put me in the right place?"We can wonder if we are in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing. In Jeremiah 29, we see that concern. The Israelites were in exile; obviously not where they expected. Yet, God commands them to seek the peace of the city. Sometimes, we…
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Live Brightly at Work
We live in a dark world, yet God gives us an opportunity to bring his light to others. Today, we talk about being a shining light in the workplace. What does that look like? Well, Colossians 3 shows us that we don't need to be scared to live our faith because of who Christ is, who we are, and…
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Hope Cuts through Smoke
The Reno community was hit hard last week with devastating fires. When life is clouded by loss, uncertainty, and suffering, it can be difficult to see God's plan. Today, in Romans 8:18-25, God reminds us that we are not alone in our groaning. We are not without hope. Hope cuts through the smoke.
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Christ Breaks & Christ Builds
"Do I belong here?" This is a question that everyone has asked themselves at one point. Ephesians 2 has an interesting answer. As we talk through our relationship with Christ and if we belong, we hear the words: foreigner, stranger, and far away. That isn't comforting, until we learn the words…
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If God is for Us
"If God is for us, who can be against us?"That victory cry comes from Romans 8, a cherished chapter of scripture often used for when our enemies, or especially death, seems to have the final word. Since not every day feels like victory, we constantly need to be reminded of what Jesus has already...
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Make Decisions With A Discerning Heart
Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. We all make them. From the time we get up to the time we go to bed. Some are more weighty than others. Today's message guides us on how to make decisions that are God-pleasing.
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Expect Everything
What should we expect a pastor to do week to week and what should we expect him to be like. In our message for today we explore the character of a pastor and how in everything he does, he reflects the Good Shepherd. Message based on 1 Timothy 3:1-7.
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Expect One Thing
With the many distractions of the world, Jesus reminds us that one thing is needful -- sitting at his feet and hearing his Word. Message based on Luke 10:38-42.
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My Presence Will Go WIth You
Sometimes what makes for the best experiences is not so much what we're doing or where we're going, but who we're with. Today's message reminds us of God's amazing promise that "his presence will go with us." May that bring us comfort and confidence as we move forward. Message bases on Exodus...
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The Sower and the Seed
Today we welcome Pastor Paul Kolander from The Springs Lutheran (Sparks) as he leads us through a study of "The Parable of the Seeds", teaching us how the Word works according to God's will.
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We are for the Lord
Today's sermon is based on Exodus 32
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Famous Last Words
Today's sermon is based on 2 Timothy 4:1-8. With his life nearing an end, the Apostle Paul gives a final encouragement to young pastor Timothy -- Preach the Word!
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He Sends Who?
Today's sermon is based on Matthew 9:35-10:8, where he hear how Jesus commissioned the 12 apostles to preach the good news to crowds of helpless people... and that these men were not the last ones to be sent out into God's harvest field.
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A Life Without Worry
Today, Jesus gives us the antidote to worry in his Sermon on the Mount. Message based on Matthew 6:24-34.
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Christ. Through. Us.
Who is "us?" Today we marvel at the change of status we have as people who have had their relationship with God reconciled. Furthermore, we marvel at that because of Christ, God chooses to work through us as his ambassadors. Message based on 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.
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Living Water
Service for the festival of Pentecost. Message based on John 7:37-39.
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The Meaning of Ascension
Service for the festival of the Ascension. Message based on Ephesians 1:15-23.
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Not as Orphans
Jesus promises, "I will not leave you as orphans." In a world filled with loneliness, fear, and uncertainty, hear the comfort of Christ's abiding presence through his Word and Spirit. Join us as we celebrate God's faithful love and assurance that we are forever his children. Message based on John...
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Comfort for the Overwhelmed
Message for the Fifth Sunday of Easter. Based on John 14:1-11.
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Listen to the Shepherd
Message for Good Shepherd Sunday. Based on John 10:1-10.
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Looking in the RIght Place
Jesus meets two of his followers as they are walking down the road to Emmaus. The men are filled with grief at the death of Jesus, and are struggling with confusion about what kind of redemption he came into the world to bring. But as Jesus speaks with these men, we see that the solution to both...
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The Way Things Are Supposed to Be
When Jesus appeared to his disciples after Easter, he said, "Peace be with you." Today we study what that peace meant specifically for a disciple named Thomas, and also how that peace still fills our lives today.
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I Am What I Am
He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Every struggle with your identity? Today we celebrate how Christ's victory not only changes our eternal future, it changes our identity! Message based on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.
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Join Jesus in the Valleys
"Who is this?" That was the question that the Palm Sunday crowd asked. During times of stress, we maybe ask the same thing concerning Jesus -- "Just, who are you?" As we see Jesus walk from the top of mountain into the valley to face his death, we are assured he continues to come into our…
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Exactly What I Need: Sight
Have you ever had a blindspot? We often need people who are close to us to lovingly point them out. Today, we thank God that he lovingly points out our spiritual blindspots. And when he opens our eyes, we see him as our Savior. Today's message is by visitor Pastor John Derme.
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What Are You Chasing?
In John 4, Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman who had embraced a sinful life. His words to her highlight her desperate need, and point her - and us - to the only source of salvation.
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Exactly What I Need: Life
Pastor Paul Kolander, from The Springs Lutheran Church in Sparks, leads us today as our guest preacher as we study John 11, where Jesus dramatically reveals himself to be the resurrection and the life for his people.
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Savor the Sweetness
It's the most popular passage of the Bible -- John 3:16. But what makes it so sweet? Join Light of the Valleys Lutheran today as we take a look at this passage, phrase by phrase, to savor the sweetness.
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How to Fight the Devil
After his baptism, the Holy Spirit led Jesus to be tempted by the devil in the wilderness. We will learn about the strategies of the devil by examining his three temptations, and also be comforted by the fact that Jesus is the Champion who has already defeated Satan for his people.
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A Matter of Mountains
Today we follow three of Jesus' disciples to the top of a mountain to see the Savior's glory. We'll learn that we don't need to fear God's power because we have been redeemed. We'll also learn that we can follow Jesus through all of life's challenges because he is always with us, no matter how...
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Blessed by the Word
What does it mean to be "blessed"? Blessedness doesn't come from shiny cars or luxurious homes. Today, Jesus invites us to slow down and take in his promises, realizing just how blessed we are through his Word. Message by Pastor Joel Heckendorf is based on Psalm 1:1--2.
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Chosen
Why are you a Christian? In many ways, it sounds like an intimidating question. But as we study the Apostle Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, we are reminded that we are Christians because of the undeserved love God had for us even before we were born, and the love that he shows to us every...
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Are You Up For It?
What makes a person a follower of Jesus? Today we learn that it's not the things that they do or something they earn. It's the Word of God that changes hearts so people follow the Savior. We're reminded of the gospel's power in Matthew 4:12-23.
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Don't Make Jesus Small
Is Jesus too small in your eyes? Today's message based on Isaiah 49:1-6 comforts us as we celebrate just what it took for God to send his Son to rescue us.
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Identity Revealed
Today we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. By taking a look at the account of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River, we will be able to see clearly his identity as our Savior. And we'll be able to see our own identity too. Today's message based on Matthew 3:13-18.
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Welcome!
Have you ever walked right past something important without even noticing it? God used a star to welcome the wise men from far away, making it clear that Jesus is the Savior for all people. And he’s still doing that today. As you listen, consider how God has welcomed you and how this Savior isn’t...
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Peace?
On Christmas Eve, our worship focused on one word: Peace. But in Matthew 2, we hear an account that shows that at least outwardly, the world right after the birth of Jesus wasn't very peaceful. There was still pain, sin, and horrific loss. As we study this challenging section of Scripture, we…
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Thank God for Joseph
Joseph never speaks a recorded word in Scripture, yet his life speaks volumes. Light of the Valleys in Reno invites you to listen in to see how our heavenly Father used this father-figure as a blessing in our Savior's life.
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Find Peace in your Royal Family Tree
Our family trees sometimes look more like stumps, than trees. Jesus also had his fair share of "stumps" in his lineage. And yet, he was the "shoot" that came out of that stump to bring peace. By God's grace, you, too, have been grafted into his royal family. Light of the Valleys Lutheran Church…
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How Can I Know?
The first person listed on Jesus' family tree is a man named Abraham. Today, we look at an incredible account from Abraham's life in Genesis 15, where he comes to a greater understanding of God's unfailing love.
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What Do You Want?
Join us at Light of the Valleys in Reno as we explore one powerful question Jesus still asks today: ‘What do you want?’ In this sermon, we follow the disciple Andrew’s journey from curiosity to faith and discover Christ’s invitation to ‘Come and see.’ Message based on John 1:39-45.
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Are Your Bags Packed?
How long will we have to watch and wait for Jesus to return? We do not know. Jesus said he would return soon. However, the definition of "soon" for the One who has no beginning and end will naturally differ from ours. Whenever Jesus returns, it will take us by surprise. So, how do believers avoid...
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Perfect Justice
The world around us is filled with chaos and injustice. It can make Christians wonder, "Is God really in control?" In our readings today we are reminded that God is ruling our world, and that he will bring about justice in his time and in his way. We are also encouraged as we hear that the Lord...
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A Grace Story
"The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost." Those words of Jesus explain his entire mission on earth. Today, we study the story of Zacchaeus, a man who truly was lost in sin. We will hear how this man was found by Jesus, and examine the depths of God's undeserved love to all people --...
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Pictures From Home
Today, we hear words of encouragement for the saints. In the book of Revelation, we will see some pictures of our heavenly home, where God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. Today's message based on Revelation 21:1-6.
About this show
Weekly messages from Light of the Valleys Lutheran Church in Reno, Nevada.
Hosted by
Joel Heckendorf
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