Life in the Valley Podcast

Episode 28.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines.  This is part 2 of the discipline of prayer where we answer several questions on prayer:
If God is sovereign and His will is supreme, why pray? What difference does it make?
Does God change His mind? Can my prayers change His mind?
Why do people always say “in Jesus’ name” at the end of their prayers?
Why do I struggle to stay focused while praying? I fall asleep or my mind wanders.
I get overwhelmed with all the things to pray for. When I see a prayer list, I feel defeated or it becomes rote to pray though. Any advice?
How do I know if it is God speaking to me….or just indigestion?
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC.
Submit your questions at https://www.machiasvalley.org/questions.

Episode 27.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on the spiritual disciplines.  This is part 1 of the discipline of prayer. We break it down like this:
What is prayer?
Practicing the discipline of prayer.
Practical helps for your prayer life.
Book Recommendations:
Prayer by Timothy Keller
The Valley of Vision 
A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller
Every Moment Holy by Douglas Kaine McKelvey 
 
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC.
Submit your questions at https://www.machiasvalley.org/questions.

Episode 26. As we enter Holy Week, we discuss Easter and the significance of the resurrection for us as followers of Christ.
What is it that Christians celebrate on Easter?
What is the importance of the resurrection?
Why do you think we don’t celebrate Easter as much as other holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, etc.?
Scripture references:
1 Corinthians 15:12-19
1 Corinthians 15:20-23
Ephesians 1:19
Romans 8:11
 
Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC
 

Episode 25. In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: “How do I know if I am really saved?”
 
1.  First, do you understand the gospel?
https://www.machiasvalley.org/the-gospel
Romans 3:21-26; Hebrews 6:19-20; Galatians 3:26; John 10:27-30; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:13
Sealed with the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:22
 
2.  If yes, then you can know you are really saved because God’s Word declares you are saved.
Adoption – Galatians 3:26
Union with Christ – Romans 5:11
Gifts from the Father to the Son – John 10:27-30; 17:11, 20-21
Read 1 John
3.  There is evidence or fruit of salvation.
Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23
Love for God – Mark 12:30
Love for other Christians – John 13:35, Colossians 1:4,8; I John
Mortification of/grief over sin – Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 6; Romans 8:13-16
Alistair Begg video 
Assurance  - article by The Gospel Coalition
 
Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.
 
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC
 

Episode 24. In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: “Apostasy? Can you lose your salvation? Or were you never really saved to begin with? Respected Christians are on both sides of this debate so how should it be taught in church?”
Scripture references:  2 Thessalonians 2:3; Acts 21:21; Hebrews 6:4-8; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:15-16; Romans 10:13; 1 John 5:13
 
The Greek word apostasia is used two times: “a falling away, defection, apostasy”
2 Thessalonians 2:3 – a falling away (KJV) “apostasy” (NAS) “rebellion” (ESV)
Acts 21:21 – forsake (KJV)
Similar word apostasion is used three times: “1. divorce, repudiation; 2. a bill of divorce”
Matthew 5:31, Matthew 19:7, Mark 10:4 – all used when Jesus was addressing the issues of marital divorce
Based on this, apostasy is leaving the faith. Rejection of Christ. Rebellion against God.  It is the opposite of repentance (turning from sin to Christ).  Apostasy is turning away from Christ to sin.
 
Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.
 
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

Episode 23.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines.  This is part 2 of the discipline of the Word.
 
Bible Reading Plans
 
Use Martin Luther’s Method:
Instruction – What does this passage tell me to do?
Praise – How does this passage make me worship God?
Confession – How does this passage call me to confess the way that I failed?
Petition – Ask for the Spirit to help you walk in obedience.
 
ESV app
 
Recommended Reading on our website
 
The Gospel Coalition free courses
 
Charles Simeon Trust courses
 
For the Church Institute courses
 
Help Me Teach the Bible with Nancy Guthrie podcast
 
Knowing Faith podcast
 
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC
Submit your questions at https://www.machiasvalley.org/questions.

Episode 22.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines and we are starting with the discipline of the Word.
What is the biblical basis for devoting ourselves to the discipline of the Word?
What does it look like?
How does the discipline of the Word transform us?
Book Recommendation: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney
Scripture References:  Psalm 119, Acts 2:42, 2 Timothy 3:14-16
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC
Submit your questions at https://www.machiasvalley.org/questions.
 
 

Episode 21. This is a sermon follow up episode from the sermon Pastor Zach preached on February 11, 2024 on Mark 6:30-44, "A Compassionate Shepherd." 
 
Do you have questions? You can submit them on our website at www.machiasvalley.org/questions.
 
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC

Episode 20.  In this episode, we are introducing a series of Theology Talks over the next several episodes on spiritual disciplines. What do we mean by spiritual disciplines? What is the biblical basis for why we should commit ourselves to spiritual disciplines? What are some spiritual disciplines?
Book Recommendation: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney
Scripture Reference:  1 Timothy 4:7
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC

Episode 19. In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: "What is your take on head coverings and the cutting of hair?"  Pastor Zach explains the use of hermeneutics (the right interpretation of Scripture) and how to use the COMA method.  
C - Context
O - Observation 
M - Meaning
A - Application
Scripture references:  1 Corinthians 11:2-6
Recommended resources:  Bible Study: A Student's Guide
Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.
 
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC