Podcast Summary: "Highways for Valleys"

Times Square Church – Sermons
Speaker: Pastor Tim Dilena
Date: January 4, 2026

Episode Overview

On the first Sunday of 2026, Pastor Tim Dilena brings a timely and deeply relevant message titled "Highways for Valleys" to Times Square Church and its worldwide audience. The central theme is navigating life’s unavoidable valleys—times of sorrow, challenge, or crisis—not by avoiding them but by finding "highways," or clear spiritual connections to God, within those very valleys. Pastor Tim draws from both scripture and personal experience to show that even in our worst moments, we can experience our best moments with God.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Global Reach and Call to Unity

• Pastor Tim welcomes attendees from across 69 countries, 45 states, and multiple universities. He sets an inclusive tone, reminding everyone that the message applies whether they face personal or global storms (00:10–03:50).

• “We are, we are heading into a storm, folks... We need a word from heaven today.” – Tim Dilena (03:21)

2. Navigating Life’s Storms

• Drawing from Acts 27 and the storm called Euroclydon, Pastor Tim parallels the uncontrollable storms of life and culture with the biblical storm faced by Paul.

• He emphasizes that when society disregards God’s truth, God sometimes allows storms that are beyond human control to get people’s attention.

• Notably, Paul, though a prisoner on a doomed ship, anchors himself in God's word rather than the opinions of professionals.

• “Paul is in a storm. But Paul is connected to heaven. He heard from heaven. And in this storm... there's something at peace inside of him.” (09:57)

3. The Concept of ‘Highways for Valleys’

• Definition: “During my worst moments of life, I can have my best moments with God.” (12:25)
• Scriptural Foundation: Psalm 84:5-7—those whose hearts have “highways to Zion” can go “from strength to strength,” even as they pass through the “valley of Baca [tears].” (14:35)
• Highways aren't for escaping valleys quickly, but for spiritual connection and elevated perspective amid trials (09:00–13:15).
• Paul, from the “valley” of prison, writes about “heavenly places”—physical lows don’t have to mean spiritual lows (11:42).

4. What are Valley, Highway, and Zion?

• Valley: Times when the “floor drops out”—could be due to family issues, medical news, emotional collapse, etc. (15:00–18:00)
• Highway: The unimpeded spiritual road to God, not physical escape. The “fastest way to get to God as you’re going through those valley of tears.” (19:20)
• Zion: Not just a physical place but represents the presence of God, access to Jesus Himself (Hebrews 12; 1 Peter 2:6) (21:20).
• “Zion is when we find ourselves at the lowest place but are making a beeline to Jesus.” (21:59)

5. Practical Steps to Pave Your Highway to God

Pastor Tim shares “orange construction cones”—practical ways to build and maintain a spiritual highway in your heart for times of trouble (32:50–42:00):

1. Hunger for the Word of God

   • “If you start reading the Bible, I promise you, you will never get enough of the Bible.” (28:44)
   • Develop a voracious appetite for God’s Word to feed your spirit before a crisis comes.

2. Renewed Faith in Prayer

   • Believe God still answers. Testimonies of healing at TSC reinforce faith in both medical intervention and divine miracles.

3. Desire for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

   • Seek to be filled daily, empowering closeness to God wherever you are.

4. Urgency for Evangelism Despite Consequences

   • Like Paul, maintain boldness in sharing faith regardless of opposition or cost.
   • “We will not be quiet about Jesus as the only way...”

5. Renewed Commitment to Church Community

   • Value corporate worship and refuse bitterness toward the church.
   • “Staying at home when God wants you to be part of a local body... sabotages your growth.”

6. Forgive Fast, Refuse Bitterness

   • “[Forgive fast.] Refuse bitterness and refuse to be offended.” (39:35)

7. Reset on the Value of Money

   • A remarkable story of a $200 tithe from death row (Texas), illustrating radical generosity and detachment from materialism.

8. Non-Negotiable Obedience

   • When God speaks, respond in faith, as illustrated by testimony of a man flying across the country to obey a prompting to attend a service (41:45).

6. Valleys Are Inevitable—Highways Are a Choice

• Even believers often walk through valleys without access to a highway to God, leading to “depression and hopelessness.” (31:45)
• “You can be in a valley and a highway at the same time.” (30:41)
• Valleys crush the spirit unless you have a supernatural connection—“The highways that we need is hope. The highway we need is to go from strength to strength.” (49:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the purpose of highways in valleys:
  “During my worst moments of life, I can have my best moments with God.” (12:25)

• On the world’s storms:
  “We are heading into a storm, folks... When you look all over the world, what happened in Venezuela, what's happening in Israel, Gaza, Russia, Ukraine... we need a word from heaven today.” (03:21)

• On crisis perspective:
  “Paul is in a storm. But Paul is connected to heaven. He heard from heaven... How does the church navigate the same storm that the unbelievers are in?” (09:57)

• On ‘highway for the valley’:
  “It’s not in place of valleys, but it’s a highway for the valley... During my worst moments of life, I can have my best moments with God.” (12:25)

• On quick forgiveness:
  “Forgive fast. Refuse bitterness and refuse to be offended.” (39:35)

• Testimony of radical giving:
  “This is a tithe and offering from Texas Department of Criminal Justice... from a man on death row who sent in $200.” (40:45)

Key Timestamps

• Welcome & Global Greetings: 00:10–03:50
• Introduction of the Theme, Story of Acts 27: 03:50–10:10
• Explanation of ‘Highways for Valleys’: 12:25–14:56
• Defining Valleys, Highways, and Zion: 14:56–22:35
• Practical ‘Orange Cones’—Building a Spiritual Highway: 32:50–42:00
• Testimonies and Examples: 40:45–42:00
• Song – “Highway to Heaven” (with Mama May and Elder Vicki): 44:28–49:00
• Invitation and Prayer: 48:28–52:48

Closing Encouragement & Application

Pastor Tim concludes with a heartfelt plea to choose connection with God now—not waiting for trouble to come. He reminds listeners:

• “You can’t face the valley unless you have a highway to God.” (49:45)
• The “highway of salvation”—the ultimate starting point—is open to all who will receive Jesus.

The episode ends on a high note with the congregation singing “Highway to Heaven,” reinforcing collective faith and the joyous hope available even in life’s valleys.

For listeners who want to walk in victory in the coming year, this message offers both theological depth and practical steps to experience God’s presence in every circumstance.