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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | December 3rd

📖 Then the [Holy] Spirit said to Philip, Go forward and join yourself to this chariot. Accordingly Philip, running up to him, heard [the man] reading the prophet Isaiah and asked, Do you really understand what you are reading? —Acts 8:29-30 AMPC

We must never forget that we are co-laborers with God. We are God’s hands and feet in the earth. When God instructs us to do something, it is imperative that we listen and obey. Someone’s salvation could depend on our obedience. The Spirit of God spoke to Philip, and he ran. He did not try to process the instruction. He did not try to reason with God. When the Spirit of God told Philip to join himself to the chariot. He did exactly what God asked him to do. His obedience caused a man to get born again and to be baptized in water. This had to be a life changing experience for the Ethiopian. You can only imagine what this did for Philip and his relationship with God. Philip not only led the man to Christ, but he was translated to another city, supernaturally. His life had become an adventure in God. Our lives will become an adventure as well, when we are obedient to His instructions. All of us should have an adventure in God.

#vcccharlotte #devotional #listening #obedience

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | December 2nd

📖 [But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done].

No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God. 

By this it is made clear who take their nature from God and are His children and who take their nature from the devil and are his children: no one who does not practice righteousness [who does not conform to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action] is of God; neither is anyone who does not love his brother (his fellow believer in Christ). 
—I John 3:8-10 AMPC

Has anyone ever said, “You look just like your mother.”? Or maybe: “Your father used to act the same way” or “He used to do something like that in his younger days”? We all tend to have character traits that are like our parents, from a natural perspective. We can have the same tendencies as our Father from a spiritual perspective. If we are born again, we have God's nature. We can have a love nature. We can be extraordinarily patient, or kind, or peaceful. Those are just some of the fruits of the spirit that are in us because of the new birth. If one isn’t born again, he/she has the devil's nature. It's easy to lie, steal, or cheat. As believers, we must allow our Father God's nature to cause us to be the world's light or the earth's salt. The world should be able to tell that we are different because of our Father. We can all miss the mark, but we should strive to be more like Jesus, the ultimate example. He said that if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. That should be our goal. 

#likefatherliveson #GodsChildren #dailydevotional #vcccharlotte

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 30th

📖 We know [positively] that we are of God, and the whole world [around us] is under the power of the evil one. —I John 5:19 AMPC

People of God are different. We are not to act like the world. We are not to talk like the world. We are not to imitate this world because the world is under the influence of the wicked one. The world is being run by God’s enemy. God tells us that if we are a friend of the world, then we are His enemy as well (James 4:4). God does expect there to be a separation between us and the world. He tells us to come out from among them (the world) and to be separate (II Corinthians 6:17). Once we do, God said that He would be a Father to us, and we would be legitimate children of God (II Corinthians 6:18). We have been delivered out of the kingdom of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Colossians 1:13). We ARE different: God expects us to look like and act like it.  

#childrenofGod #devotional #vcccharlotte #notofthisworld

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 29th

📖 But the centurion replied to Him, Lord, I am not worthy or fit to have You come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant boy will be cured. 

When evening came, they brought to Him many who were under the power of demons, and He drove out the spirits with a word and restored to health all who were sick. 
—Matthew 8:8,16 AMPC 

The centurion recognized the authority of Jesus’ words, which drove out demons. Jesus would minister by the laying on of hands, but He would also minister healing through His words. There was power in Jesus’ words, and there is power in our words. Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Jesus spoke to a tree and the fig tree died. He calmed the storm with His words. He spoke to fevers, and they left. There was power in what He said then and there is power in what He says to us now. We were created in His image and in His likeness. If His words have power, then so do ours.  

#wordshavepower #devotional #vcccharlotte #Jesus

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 28th

📖 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

This scripture serves as a wonderful reminder to let the spirit of gratitude from today carry over into our everyday lives moving forward! Allow joyfulness, frequent prayer, and thanksgiving to become a part of your “new normal”, as it is God’s will for us to live quiet and peaceful lives (1 Timothy 2:2). As you feast and celebrate today, may your actions be a catalyst for a new way of life - free from complaining, strife, selfishness, arrogance, ungratefulness, and every other evil work.

Remember that you can choose to give thanks at ANY time! You can put on joy at ANY time! And you can cast your cares on the Lord as often as you need to! Let today be the start of something new for you and your walk with the Lord. Happy ThanksGIVING!

#HappyThanksgiving #vcccharlotte #devotional #givethanks #praiseGod

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 27th

📖 For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name’s sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do. —Hebrews 6:10 AMPC

Have you ever felt unappreciated? Have you ever felt like you are giving everything and yet you feel overlooked? Well, here is some great news: God has not overlooked your labor. God sees everything that you do. God sees the love that you are walking in and expressing daily. God knows how to reward His people. God knows how to show His appreciation in tangible ways. As believers, we are to work as unto the Lord and no unto men (Colossians 3:23). Whatever we put our hands to we do it with all our might (Ecclesiastes 9:10).  When you live by these two principles (working as unto the Lord and with all your might) you won’t be concerned about being overlooked. You know that promotion comes from the Lord. You know that God honors faithfulness. The Bible tells us that a faithful man will abound with blessings (Proverbs 28:20). Stay faithful. Serving God doesn’t cost, it always pays. It always pays to serve God, and to serve Him faithfully! 

#promotion #devotional #rewards #vcccharlotte #faith

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 26th

📖 When He prepared the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there; when He drew a circle upon the face of the deep and stretched out the firmament over it, 

When He made firm the skies above, when He established the fountains of the deep, 

When He gave to the sea its limit and His decree that the waters should not transgress [across the boundaries set by] His command, when He appointed the foundations of the earth— 

When I [Wisdom] was beside Him as a master and director of the work; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always, 
—Proverbs 8:27-30 AMPC

There are so many benefits that are available to us through Christ Jesus. One benefit is the Wisdom of God. The Bible tells us that “Jesus is made unto us wisdom” (I Corinthians 1:30). Not only does Jesus live on the inside of us, but so does His Wisdom. I Corinthians 2:7 tells us that “we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory”. When you couple that with I Corinthians 14:2, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries”. We now have an idea how to access that wisdom. When you are spirit-filled, you can pray out the Wisdom of God by praying in the Spirit. This will help you remember what to do in any situation. The Wisdom of God established this world, and His wisdom will establish ours, when we pursue it and seek it out. 

#wisdom #vcccharlotte #devotional #spiritfilled

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 25th

📖 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;”
—Luke 4:18 NKJV

Just like Jesus had a specific calling on His life. We as ambassadors of Christ have one as well. God has anointed us to minister salvation, deliverance, and healing to this broken world. There are people in the world that are hurting and yearning for a touch from God and we all have a calling to deliver that touch. God wants to show people how much he loves and cares for them and He wants to use us! In these last days we must lock down our calling and start to get into the positions and places where He wants us to be in so we can minister to whoever He brings our way. Let us continue to chase after the high calling God has for us like our Lord and Savior, ministering to those who need our God.

#ourcalling #minister #vcccharlotte #devotional #MostHigh

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 23rd

📖 For not from the east nor from the west nor from the south come promotion and lifting up. But God is the Judge! He puts down one and lifts up another. —Psalm 75:6-7 AMPC

God is the source of our promotion. We do not look to man to promote us; we look to the Lord. The Bible even tells us that we are to work unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23). God promoted Joseph while he was a slave and a prisoner. Daniel was promoted while he and his people were taken into captivity. Nebuchadnezzar even commented that “the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (Daniel 4:25). Our job is to work unto the Lord and to walk in a spirit of excellence. As we do those things, we can rest assured that promotion is on the way. Promotion does not come from men; promotion comes from the Lord. Be encouraged. 

#promotioncomesfromtheLord #trustGod #humility #vcccharlotte #devotional

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 22nd

📖 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.  
—Psalm 118:1 NKJV 

God is a good God! He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of his dear son and we ought to give him praise! We should show our appreciation to God for everything he has done for us. Lamentations 3:22 says: “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.” If it were not for the Lord’s mercies, we would be consumed, but because of his great love towards us, he sent his only begotten Son for us all. Satan may lie and make us think that there is nothing to praise God for. We, however, know better. It is clear we have a reason to praise Him because His mercy endures forever. 

#mercy #deliverance #compassion #vcccharlotte #devotional

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 21st

📖 The apostles [sent out as missionaries] came back and gathered together to Jesus, and told Him all that they had done and taught. 

And He said to them, [As for you] come away by yourselves to a deserted place, and rest a while—for many were [continually] coming and going, and they had not even leisure enough to eat. 

And they went away in a boat to a solitary place by themselves. 
—Mark 6:30-32 AMPC 

The apostles had been sent out by Jesus to preach the Kingdom and to cast out devils and to heal the sick. They had come back excited, and they were constantly going out and coming back in. Even though the apostles were doing the work that Jesus had sent them out to do, Jesus still compelled them to get away and to rest. Jesus recognized that even though they were doing what they were asked to do, it was also important that they rest. Have you ever gotten so busy that you forgot to eat? Maybe you were so busy that you realized you haven’t eaten all day long. The devil wants us to wear ourselves out. He wants us to be so consumed with working that we don’t eat or sleep like we should. If we wear ourselves out, we are no good to our families, our jobs, or the Kingdom. We must recognize the wiles and the schemes of the enemy. If he can’t stop us, then he will convince us that we must work, work, work. God took the time to rest after creating the earth. Jesus took time to rest. Jesus made His disciples get away and rest. If God and Jesus took the time to rest, then we must do the same.   

#rest #vcccharlotte #devotional #JesusisLord

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 20th

📖 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. 
—Colossians 3:15 AMPC 

We all want to make the right decisions in our lives (at least we should). As believers we should have the desire to make decisions that line up with the will and plan of God. One way that we can do that is by following peace within our spirits. We may not always hear the voice of God when we are trying to discern the will of God in a matter. We can, however, always follow peace. There are times where one may receive a “check” in their spirit man or a “red light”. Sometimes it can be described as an uneasy feeling in your gut. Many times, that uneasiness can be an answer.  That uneasiness can be a no from God, or a “do not move forward”. God deals with us in our spirit man not necessarily our minds. God will either speak to us in our spirits (the inner man) or we can experience a peace on the inside, that can signal that we can move forward. Peace should always be an umpire in settling matters because it helps to bring finality. Even when God speaks to us, there should be a peace in our hearts because we know that we have heard from God. This should always bring praise to God, because He is the God of all comfort, and He is the God of peace.  

#vcccharlotte #devotional #decisions #peace

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 19th

📖 [For Abraham, human reason for] hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So [numberless] shall your descendants be. 

He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or [when he considered] the barrenness of Sarah’s [deadened] womb. 

No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, 

Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised.
—Romans 4:18-21 AMPC 

There are many people in the world without hope. They have been challenged financially, mentally, and physically, and they have no hope. They don’t see how their lives can get any better because of the difficulties they face daily. As believers, we have hope. Even when it looks like we don’t have any hope, we can go to the Word of God and receive some. Abraham did not consider his circumstances when it came to believing God, he was convinced that God was able to keep His Word to Him. We can be the same way. We can ignore the circumstances and simply believe God’s Word because He cannot fail us. When we put our trust in the Word of God, we can have hope. It doesn’t matter what’s going on in the world, we can stay positive and have a cheerful countenance because we know that God is faithful to His promise. If He said it, He will do it. If He spoke it, He will bring it to pass.    

#hope #devotional #encouragement #trustGod #verseoftheday

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 18th

📖 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. —Galatians 4:6-7 KJV

Sometimes we can take things for granted. According to the Scripture, we are not considered servants of God, but “children” of God. The Bible tells us that God “has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant” (Psalm 35:27). If God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant, how much more His children? Children have more privileges than servants. Many have called themselves servants of the most High, and they are not necessarily wrong. In God’s eyes, He sees us as His children. It was always His will for us to be His children. Sin separated us from God, and it was not until after the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, that we were able to be called the children of God (after receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior). Children have access to everything their parents have access to. As children of God, we have access to everything that God has. As we grow in the knowledge of God, we also grow in the knowledge of our inheritance, and as we act on the Word of God, we experience the reality of what has been promised to us.  

#childrenofGod #JesusChrist #devotional #inheritance #verseoftheday

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 16th

📖 The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible]. 

Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. 

[Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment]. 

[They are living memorials] to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. 
—Psalm 92:12-15 AMPC

God expects us to flourish as we get older. We are to bring Him glory by standing on His Word and demonstrating that He is faithful to His promises. The world will try to paint a different picture. The world will have you seeing yourself as declining physically and becoming a burden on family members. God sees things differently. He sees you flourishing in every area of your life and becoming a living memorial of His goodness. Do not allow the world to tell you how you are supposed to age. God’s Word tells us that our lives are to get better and better as we age. Stand on the promises of God and watch Him honor His Word in your life. God is not a man that He should lie. 

#trust #Godspromises #psalm #dailydevotional

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 15th

📖 He will rescue you in six troubles; in seven nothing that is evil [for you] will touch you. In famine He will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword. You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, neither shall you be afraid of destruction when it comes. At destruction and famine you shall laugh, neither shall you be afraid of the living creatures of the earth. —Job 5:19-22 AMPC

This Scripture shows us that God desires to “keep” us regardless of what the enemy may try to bring against us. He will rescue us from all types of trouble. Our God will cause us to laugh at destruction and famine. He will keep us if we had to go to war, He will keep us from the power of the sword (or any weapon). God is our Deliverer and our Protector. As believers, we do not fear death, or destruction, or anything that is under the curse. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, and He causes us to win in every situation and every circumstance when we stand on His Word. God took care of his people in the middle of famine, and He has protected His people in war. If He has done it in the past, He will do it now. He has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

#faithful #motivation #devotional #redeemer #vcccharlotte

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 14th

📖 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. —Revelation 4:11 KJV

We were created to give God pleasure. We were created to give Him joy. Is your life pleasing to Him? The Bible tells us that it is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6) Are you living by faith today or are you walking by sight? Are you calling those things which be not as though they were? As believers, we live a lifestyle of walking in the unseen. We understand that the things that are seen are temporal (temporary). They are subject to change. The Israelites did not please God when they were in the wilderness because they complained every time they faced a challenge or an obstacle. They were moved by circumstances. Faith people aren’t moved by the negative circumstances of life. Faith people understand that faith will overcome everything that does not line up with the Word of God. Let’s live a life that is pleasing unto God. Let’s live a life of faith, a life of standing, believing, and acting on God’s Word. 

#walkbyfaith #devotional #faithlife #vcccharlotte #believe

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 13th

📖 Woe to my rebellious children, says the Lord; you ask advice from everyone but me and decide to do what I don’t want you to do. You yoke yourselves with unbelievers, thus piling up your sins. For without consulting me you have gone down to Egypt to find aid and have put your trust in Pharaoh for his protection. But in trusting Pharaoh, you will be disappointed, humiliated and disgraced, for he can’t deliver on his promises to save you. 
—Isaiah 30: 1-3 The Living Bible

Do you go to God when you must make a tough decision? Do you seek His counsel? Do you ask for His advice? Many times, when we must make decisions, we go to everyone but God. We go to our best friend. We go to a relative. We don’t seek the Lord and get His mind on the major decisions of our lives, at least not like we should. Do you know how much God loves you today? Are you aware of His concern for your overall well-being? He wants to help you in every circumstance, but when you don’t consult Him, how can He? God sent the Holy Spirit to be our Helper, and I am sure it saddens Him when we don’t allow Him to do what He has been sent to do: help us. Let’s not put our trust in the arm of flesh. Let’s put our trust in Almighty God. He can handle every obstacle, and He can handle whatever the enemy tries to place in our lives. God wants us to cast our cares on Him and allow Him to handle our burdens. Everything is easy to God. We will find that out the more we trust Him. Let’s not put our trust in Pharoah (the world), you will be disappointed, humiliated, and disgraced. Let’s keep our eyes on God, He will never let us down when we do. 

#decisions #devotional #askGod #vcccharlotte #trustinGod

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 12th

📖 Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! —Habakkuk 3:17-19 AMPC

The prophet here is taking a significant stance. He is taking a stance of Victory. He is saying that it doesn't matter what it looks like, I'm going to rejoice in the Lord. He was saying that he wasn't going to focus on his circumstances; instead, he was going to rejoice. He knew that God would cause him to prevail. He knew that God would cause him to make progress and excel in life. Let's be like the prophet. Let's keep our eyes on the right thing. Let’s set our gaze on the rock of our salvation. Let's keep our eyes on the One who always causes us to triumph in every situation. We look to the hills from where our help comes from, our help comes from the Lord. 

#devotional #vcccharlotte #iamvictory #Godhelpus #strength

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 11th

📖 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving. —2 Corinthians 8:7 NIV

God desires for us to excel in every area of our lives. The church in Corinth was excelling in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness (or diligence), and in love. That is impressive. Despite their excelling in these areas, Paul admonished them to excel in giving. Giving not only bestows blessings to others, but it also causes blessings to come our way. When we give, it is given back to us again, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over (Luke 6:38). Our giving causes others to give thanks to God because we were the channel that God used to be a blessing. God delights in our excelling in everything we do. If we haven’t started to excel in our giving, it's definitely time that we do. It is more blessed to give, than to receive (Acts 20:35). When we start to excel in that area, we will understand why. 

#giver #generosity #Goodgod #verseoftheday #devotional

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