God With Us (In the Valley)

I want to welcome you to our gathering here at Legacy Bible Church.

My name is Pastor Mark and we are launching a new sermon series today which is really great. We are taking some weeks off from the “I Am’s of Jesus” and for the next 4 weeks we will be going through a message series called, God With Us, God With Us.

Let me tell you what we will do in this message series. We're gonna actually anchor ourselves to a scripture (for those of us who are followers of Christ). We're gonna look at the power of the word, incarnation, incarnation. It is a Theological term that means that God became flesh and dwelt among us.

If you are a Christian you are probably at least familiar with the word but the word is incarnation. Incarnation. It means, in a theological sense that God came in the flesh.

And that really is what the Christmas story is all about. You know that we are now officially into the Christmas season. As my son says, it is now legal to listen to Christmas music, even though as you might know, we have been listening to Christmas music since November 1st. That is when they started playing it on the radio and I absolutely love it.

We are now officially into the Christmas season. As my son says, it is now legal to listen to Christmas music, even though as you might know, we have been listening to Christmas music since November 1st. That is when they started playing it on the radio and I absolutely love it.

Although there are some songs that I am tired of. I am sorry to say to my Latino friends that feliz navidad is a song that I will turn off. As a matter of fact, the last time Alexa played that song, I didn’t say, Alexa skip this song, I actually said, “Alexa, never play that song again”.

Not a fan of Grandma got run over by a reindeer, that one is bad. That is a Christmas song I don’t need to hear again. Also, not a fan of the grinch song. I know, weird, right? I am sure we could come up with a huge list.

But I love the Christmas music that I heard as a kid. My very favorite Christmas album growing up was Gene Autry. Something about listening to that at my Mom mom’s house. Good stuff.

The great thing about my family growing up and the family that Rachel and I have together is that even with all that fun Christmas stuff we always keep Christ at the center of the holiday. And the whole celebration starts with this word, incarnation. Incarnation.

It is a very Christmasy word, it is also a very Christian word and the word is Emmanuel, which means “God with us” God with us. It means that Jesus came in the flesh, He took off this kingly robe and put on flesh and bone so that he could be with us.

It is about Jesus’ presence in our lives.

And this sermon series will be based on one verse, a very familiar Christmas verse, 23.

Matthew 1:23 ESV

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

GOD WITH US—1

Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.' NLT

What does God with us mean?

For Xians—Easy to believe that God is with us on mountain tops.

Get a raise—Team wins—Kid sleeps thru night—Parking spot.

More difficult VALLEYS: Alone, Scared, Hurting, Bad news. When the money’s not there for that bill that needs to be paid.

Maybe you have been working really hard on a project at work or at school. You put your heart and soul blood sweat and tears into it and you didn’t get out of it what you thought you deserved.

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Ministry with 3 guys—(Lance)

Marriage—Kids struggling * Close God—Job * Xmas blessings—Cancer

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As high as some of those mountain tops are there are some real moments that are down in the valleys aren’t there?

Valleys places: Battles—Loneliness—Desperation.

So what I wanna talk about today is where is God in those valleys? When you look at scripture, it's interesting that valley's represent several things. You see in the valleys there are often battles that took place. Some of you right now, you may be in a battle in the middle of a valley.

So what I wanna talk about today is where is God in those valleys? When you look at scripture, it's interesting that valley's represent several things. You see in the valleys there are often battles that took place. Some of you right now, you may be in a battle in the middle of a valley. Valley's were seasons of desperation. Valley's were seasons of loneliness. And it's interesting that valley's were also a time of growth. That you may enjoy God in some ways on the mountain, but you experience Him in different ways when you're in the valley. In fact, if you're taking notes, I like to say it this way. We may enjoy God on the mountaintops, but we get to know Him intimately in the valleys. We may know Him, enjoy Him, when times are really really good. But we get to know Him in a different way when we're in the valleys. So what I wanna do today is I wanna look at a text from the Old Testament. . And if you've ever read through , chances are you read right past these verses. If you stopped at them you may not have understood them. And so today I wanna look at them and hopefully bring some insight that will impact your spiritual life in a very real way. , w

Valley's were seasons of desperation. Valley's were seasons of loneliness. And it's interesting that valley's were also a time of growth.

You may enjoy God in some ways on the mountain, but you experience Him in different ways when you're in the valley.

In fact, if you're taking notes, I like to say it this way.

We may enjoy God on the mountaintops, but we get to know Him intimately in the valleys. We may know Him, enjoy Him, when times are really really good.

But we get to know Him in a different way when we're in the valleys. So what I wanna do today is I wanna look at a text from the Old Testament. . And if you've ever read through , chances are you read right past these verses. I know I have.

And so today I wanna look at them and hopefully bring some insight that will impact our spiritual life in a very real way. ,

We may enjoy God on the mountaintops, but we get to know him intimately in the valleys.

We may enjoy God on the mountaintops, but we get to know him intimately in the valleys.

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. 

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The Valley of Baka. What is the Valley of Baka? The Valley of Baka was most likely related to a tree.

Valley Baka desert country—thorns, wild animals, vipers, (cats) danger.

Nearly impossible to travel without facing trouble and hardship.

Valley of Baka—Valley of Tears, Valley of Weeping, Valley of Loss

Mountain—Valley of Tears

And this tree would ooze out sap. If you walked by this tree people said the tree was called a weeper. It looked like the tree was crying. And that's why the Valley of Baka is translated in different ways in scripture. It's called the Valley of Tears. It's called the Valley of Weeping. It's called the Valley of Loss. Anytime you see a valley in the Bible you would see a place that was very very dangerous.

There'd be thorns. There'd be wild animals, probably vicious cats. Satan's favorite animal in the valley. There would be people waiting to jump you and rob you. In fact, it was very difficult to get through a valley without something bad happening. Very difficult to get through the valley. And this is why the Psalm says this in verse five. He says, "Blessed are those "whose strength is found in you God. "Blessed are those whose strength is found in you."

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you...  

Don’t know God personally—What you have is all you have.

When you have Christ in your life you have a strength that is not your own.

We believe that when we get to the end of our strength that there is a heavenly strength. There is a divine strength. There is a strength from our God that is available to those who know Him.

Example. If you lift weights you have what is called a spotter. A spotter is someone who encourages you, someone who takes some of the weight when you can’t lift any more.

Exhausted—Can’t take any more—Don’t think make it.

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Doesn’t say—Blessed are those who make it on their own.

Independent—You are created to depend on God.

All you—Paco.

When you are weak—His strength is made perfect.

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It is our God who when you hit the end of your strength, His strength is made perfect in your weakness. His strength scripture said, is made absolutely perfect. "Blessed are those whose strength "is found in God." If you're in the middle of a valley right now, you have access to the very real, ever present power of a good God who is available and ready to come and assist you in your time of need. "Blessed are those whose strength is found in God." The text doesn't say blessed are those who make it on their own. It doesn't say blessed are those who pull themselves up by the bootstraps. It doesn't say blessed are those who are really determined. One of the big problems in our world today is we almost idolotize a spirit of independence. I don't wanna need anybody. I wanna be financially independent. I wanna be completely good on my own. I don't wanna trust people. I don't want people to be there for me. I don't need God, I don't need anybody. We were not created to be independent. We were created by our God to depend on Him and to depend on others. Blessed are you when you realize you are dependent and you have a power greater than yourself. Some of you, you need to lean into it. You need to just admit it. I don't have what it takes. I need His presence. "Blessed are those "whose strength is found in God."

5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  NLT

Blessed are those who have their minds set toward God.

"What joy for those "whose strength comes from the Lord, "who've set their minds "on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem." I love that. We're on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. What does that mean? We may be in the valley, but we're going to what was known as the City of Refuge.

Or we were going to the place that they call the place of peace. One commentary said this, it said, "To get to the City of Refuge, "you had to travel through the Valley of Tears."

For so many, the valley is the pathway to the place of peace. We've pushed through the valley. We're on a pilgrimage. This is the way the Psalm has said it.

Let me show you the first part. He said this. What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, "who have set their minds." Everybody say my mind is set. Say it again, my mind is set.

"Blessed are those who have their "minds set toward God." What you think about matters so much. What you think about matters. Paul talked about this a lot in the New Testament. To the Colossian believers he said this. He said, "Set your mind on things above, "not on things below." Paul told the Philippian believers this. He said, "If anything is excellent or praise worthy, "or admirable, or lovely, "think about such things." Where you are is one thing. What you think about is something else. What you think about matters.

Whatever is pure, lovely, excellent, praiseworthy—Think about…

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What you think about matters!

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My current circumstances may be in the valley—Mind is fixed on God!

My heart may be anxious—Mind is fixed.

Soul may be aching—Mind is fixed.

My emotions may racing—Mind is fixed.

Too much to do—Marriage in bad place—Inlaws—Paying for Xmas

Mind is fixed on God!

What you think about matters. What you think about matters. Listen, somebody, you need to hear this right now. Your current situation may be in the valley. But your mind can still be set upon God.

Your heart might now might be racing, but your mind is set. Your soul may be aching, but your mind is set. Your emotions may be racing, but your mind is fixed toward God. There may be too much to do and there may be pressure with the in-laws and you may be wondering how we're gonna pay for Christmas and on and on and on and on and on.

There may be real tragedies in the valley, but my mind is set on the goodness of God. He is with me. He is for me. Greater is the one who is in me than the one who is in this world. My God is going before me to prepare a way for me. His spirit gives me strength when I am weak. I need Him every moment of every day.

His words a lamp unto my feet. It is a light unto my path. When I cannot make it, His power is very very real. I may be in the valley, but my mind is set on the kingdom of God. I'm on a pilgrimage, I'm going to the place of peace. You may be in the valley but your mind is fixed.

Verse six says this, I love this phrase. "As they pass through the Valley of Baka, "they make it a place of springs. "As they pass through the Valley of Baka." In other words, we may be in the valley right now but the valley is not our destination. What are we doing? I'm just passing through. I may be in the valley right now, but this is not my home. I'm journeying to the place of peace. I'm just passing through. My God will get me through this. I'm just passing through. David said something similar in . He said, "Even though I walk," through the valley "of the shadow of death, "I will fear no evil. "For thou art with me." I may be in the valley but I'm just passing through. I may be in a difficult time, but God's gonna get me through. My God is gonna pull me through. I may be in a dark place right now, but we're just passing through the Valley of Baka.

Sometimes when you're in the middle of it you just want out. Get me out God. Make it go away. Make it stop God. I don't want this anymore. Just take it away. I just want out. What you have to realize is so often God may show you that the way is through the valley, not out of the valley. The road to the path of peace is often through the valley. Just passing through. I'm just passing through.

I love this next phrase. "As they passed through the Valley of Baka "they make it a place of springs." The King James version says it this way. The King James version says "They make it a well.

In other words, whenever you're in a dry place, what do you do? You dig a well. You make a well. You take and clear a way a little hole as a provision of rain that God will send. God hasn't sent it yet. It's dry right now. But when you're dry and when you're hurting you make room for the presence of God.

I know my God will provide what I need so I make a container preparing for the presence and the provision of God. You make a well. It's almost as if God would say something like this. "You show me your faith, "and I'll show you my faithfulness." If you dig it, I will fill it. If you prepare for me, I will show up. You show me your faith, and I'll show you my faithfulness.

I don't know who this will speak to, but someone, you need to hear it. If you dig it, He will fill it. If you plant it, He will grow it. You have to plant your seed before you see the harvest. If you pray it, God hears your prayer. When you're in the dry place, you make a well. You prepare for the presence and the provision of God. If you show me your faith I'll show you my faithfulness.

I love the if promises of God in scripture. "If you draw near to me," God says, "I will draw near to you." You show me that you believe and I will show you my presence. If you seek me, you will find me. If you make room for me, I will reveal myself to you.

There are probably some people here, who haven't sensed the presence of God in a long time. It's time to make a well. It's time to dig a ditch. It's time to say God, I'm gonna stop and wait for your presence.

it, He will fill it. Oh, Instagram story. "That bush is burning." That's not what God says. God says "Hey, why don't you stay a while? "Why don't you take off your sandals "because you're standing on holy ground. "Why don't you for a moment "be still? "Be still "and know that I am God. "Why don't you make a well "and then wait on me to fill it. "Because if you dig it, I will fill it. "If you seek me, you will find me. "If you draw near to me, "I will draw near to you. "Be still, and know that I am God." Some of you it's just time to prepare. And say God I wanna meet with you. And I'm gonna wait for you. And I'm going to believe that you're gonna reveal yourself to me because I need you right now.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

We may be in the Valley—Not Destination—Just passing through.

Even though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death

Just want out—(Many times)

Way is through not out!

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Jerusalem (Zion)—House of God—City of Refuge—Place of Peace

To get to the City of Refuge—Had to travel through the Valley of Tears.

For many, “The valley is the pathway to the place of peace.”

Sometimes we need to show our faith in order to receive what God has for us.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

Jesus said...

Show me your faith and I will show you my faithfulness.

When you are in the dry place—Dig a well

Dig a small hole—Container to catch the rain.

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Show me your faith and I will show you my faithfulness.

Stretch out your hand—Get up and walk

Shape—Financially—Wife

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Buried in this passage of pain is a promise

If you dig it—God will fill it.

If you draw near to me—I will draw near to you.

If you seek me—You will find me.

If you make room for me—I will reveal myself to you.

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God rarely reveals himself when you are rushed—Burning bush.

Be still and know that I am God.

Prepare for the presence of God!

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Lance on back porch

Didn’t hear audible voice

Back inside on mountain—God was with me in valley----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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God never says you won’t go through the Valleys

But you never have to go through the valleys alone

So it’s Dark—Storm—Trouble—Weak

He’s your Light in Darkness

He’s your Peace in the Storm

He’s your Joy in the Trouble

He’s your Strength when You’re Weak

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Mandy—Scared for her life—Autoimmune disease—Mayo.

Trust her to God! Thank him for healing.

Praise him before prayer is answered

Enjoy him on the mountain—Get to know him in the Valley

Seek His Strength—Fix Your Mind—Dig a well.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.