Comment

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 17th

📖 And the Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden [delight]; and there He put the man whom He had formed (framed, constituted). 

And out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight or to be desired—good (suitable, pleasant) for food; the tree of life also in the center of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of [the difference between] good and evil and blessing and calamity. 

The gold of that land is of high quality; bdellium (pearl?) and onyx stone are there. 
—Genesis 2: 8-9:12 AMPC 

Notice the environment that Adam (and later Eve) was placed in. Adam wasn’t placed in a desert. He wasn't placed in the wilderness. Adam was placed in a place of abundance. God did not give him two trees to choose from. God gave man a variety to choose from. The Garden was a place of beauty. The Garden was a place of prosperity and blessing. God hasn’t changed His mind about the type of life He wants for His children. God still wants His children to live a life of abundance. When God told His people about the promised land that He had for them, He said that it was a land that flowed with milk and honey. They were to eat until they were full. It was a land where there would be no scarcity (Deuteronomy 8). III John 2 tells us that God wants us to prosper and to be in health even as our soul prospers. We must embrace the will of God. We must renew our minds and allow our thoughts to become God’s thoughts. He wants the best for us and as we walk with Him, we can expect His best in our lives. We can be the head and not the tail. We can be above only and not beneath. We can be all that God wants us to be. 

#abundance #vcccharlotte #prosperity #devotional #willofGod 

Comment

1 Comment

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 15th

📖 One of those days He and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, Let us go across to the other side of the lake. So they put out to sea. 

But as they were sailing, He fell off to sleep. And a whirlwind revolving from below upwards swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in great danger. 

And the disciples came and woke Him, saying, Master, Master, we are perishing! And He, being thoroughly awakened, censured and blamed and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; and they ceased, and there came a calm. 

And He said to them, [Why are you so fearful?] Where is your faith (your trust, your confidence in Me—in My veracity and My integrity)? And they were seized with alarm and profound and reverent dread, and they marveled, saying to one another, Who then is this, that He commands even wind and sea, and they obey Him? 
—Luke 8: 22-25 AMPC

Jesus had said for them to go to the other side. Once he had spoken, He went to sleep. He fully intended for them to get to the other side. He was so sure they would get there that he went to sleep. He rested in what He said. When the storm hit, the disciples spoke words that were contrary to what Jesus said. All they had to do was agree with Jesus. All they had to do was agree with the Word that was spoken. Their words located them. Their words proved that they had more confidence in the circumstances than they did in what Jesus said. Jesus was obviously displeased with the disciples. He asked them why they didn’t trust him. We can’t look down on the disciples. We have done the same thing. We have believed more in our circumstances than what God has said. God’s Word will change our circumstances when we agree with Him. God expects us to say what He says. He expects us to trust in His Word. Circumstances will never change the Word of God. God’s Word will always come to pass. We can trust in His integrity and His veracity. 

#words #believeinGod #trustinGod #vcccharlotte #devotional

1 Comment

1 Comment

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 14th

📖 From there he went all over Galilee. He used synagogues for meeting places and taught people the truth of God. God’s kingdom was his theme—that beginning right now they were under God’s government, a good government! He also healed people of their diseases and of the bad effects of their bad lives. Word got around the entire Roman province of Syria. People brought anybody with a sickness, whether mental, emotional, or physical. Jesus healed them, one and all. More and more people came, the momentum gathering. Besides those from Galilee, crowds came from the “Ten Towns” across the lake, others up from Jerusalem and Judea, still others from across the Jordan.
—Matthew 4:23-25 The Message 

God wants you well. God wants you well in every area of life. Jesus came to heal the sick, but not just those who were sick physically. Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted. Jesus came to heal the oppressed. Jesus came to set the captives free. God wants you free from a tormented mind. God does not want His children to have an unsettled, worried mind. We are to keep our mind on the Word of God. Keeping our mind on God will allow us to experience the peace of God. The Word of God is to be the anchor to our souls. That simply means that we can stay emotionally stable when hard times hit us because we are standing on God’s Word. 

We know that God wants us well physically. Jesus took the stripes on His back so that we could be made whole (Isaiah 53:5). III John 2 tells us that God desires for us to prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers. God wants us to prosper in our health, our soul, and in our finances. It is easier to help make someone whole, when we are walking in wholeness in our own lives. God wants us to be examples. We are His evidence that we can experience the blessed life that Jesus shed His blood for. That life is possible for us if we can believe in what the Bible tells us — that all things are possible to him who believes. 

#believers #vcccharlotte #allthingsarepossible #devotional #WordofGod 

1 Comment

Comment

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 13th

📖 Besides, to which of the angels has He ever said, Sit at My right hand [associated with Me in My royal dignity] till I make your enemies a stool for your feet? 

Are not the angels all ministering spirits (servants) sent out in the service [of God for the assistance] of those who are to inherit salvation? 
⎯Hebrews 1:13-14 AMPC

Don’t forget about your angels. They are ministering spirits who are sent to assist those who have inherited (received) salvation. When we speak the Word of God, the angels do His commandments (His Word) and hearken unto the voice of His Word (Psalm 103:20). Speaking the Word of God activates the angels and causes them to move on our behalf. When we speak the Word of God, we give the angels an assignment to carry out. Many angels are sitting idle because many believers never quote or speak the Word of God. Don’t allow the angels to sit dormant in your life. They are our servants, and they are ready to move. 

#SpeaktheWord #devotional #angels #vcccharlotte

Comment

2 Comments

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 12th

📖 Be careful what you think [ Above all that you guard, protect your heart], because ·your thoughts run your life [life flows from it]. —Proverbs 4:23 The Expanded Bible  

Guard your mind and guard your heart. It has been said that “your life goes in the direction of your most dominant thoughts”. This is one reason why we must be careful what we think about. We don’t want negative thoughts to infiltrate our hearts. If we allow those negative thoughts to get into our hearts eventually, we will start to speak those thoughts and we will have what we say. (Mark 11:23) The mouth will speak whatever the heart is full of (Luke 6:45). As believers, we walk by faith and not by sight or appearance (II Corinthians 5:7). We keep our eyes on the Word and not on what we see in this natural world. God’s Word will change what we see. We must get His Word on our minds and in our hearts. Guard your mind and your heart. If it doesn’t line up with the Word don’t think about it. We should do what Philippians 4:8 says: For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. 

#protectyourmind #vcccharlotte #protectyourheart #devotional  

2 Comments

Comment

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 11th

📖 I will satisfy fully the life of the priests with abundance [of offerings shared with them], and My people will be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord. —Jeremiah 31:14 AMPC

God desires for us to experience His goodness. Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from above. God is a good God, and He wants us to experience His goodness all the time. The Bible tells us that He daily loads us with benefits (Psalm 68:19). God is constantly trying to bestow His blessings upon us. The Bible tells us that the blessing of Abraham will come upon us and overtake us as we diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord our God and obey His commandments (Deuteronomy 28:1-2). God has done His part. He has redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13). He has given us the ability to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:4). It’s on us now. Let’s pursue all that God has given us, and let’s not give up until we have obtained the promises. 

#theblessingofabraham #Godisgood #devotional #vcccharlotte

Comment

2 Comments

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 10th

📖 When they arrived at the house of the ruler of the synagogue, He looked [carefully and with understanding] at [the] tumult and the people weeping and wailing loudly. 

And when He had gone in, He said to them, Why do you make an uproar and weep? The little girl is not dead but is sleeping. 

And they laughed and jeered at Him. But He put them all out, and, taking the child’s father and mother and those who were with Him, He went in where the little girl was lying. 

Gripping her [firmly] by the hand, He said to her, Talitha cumi—which translated is, Little girl, I say to you, arise [from the sleep of death]! 

And instantly the girl got up and started walking around—for she was twelve years old. And they were utterly astonished and overcome with amazement. 
—Mark 5:38-42 AMPC 

Protect your faith. When you are believing God for a miracle, you must create an atmosphere that is conducive to what you are believing for. Protect your environment. You don’t want people around you who don’t believe in miracles. You don’t want to hang around people who do not believe that God can do anything. You want to be around like-minded people. You want people that are going to encourage your faith and keep you built up. Jesus had to kick the unbelievers out of the house. He had to change the atmosphere. He had to create an environment that would allow Jairus to keep believing. Be mindful of your environment. Be mindful of your associations. Jairus got what he believed for. If you protect your environment and have the right people around, you can too. You can receive from God. 

#faith #vcccharlotte #believe #devotional #receive 

2 Comments

1 Comment

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 8th

📖 The Lord will not allow the righteous to hunger [God will meet all his needs], But He will reject and cast away the craving of the wicked. ⎯Proverbs 10:3 AMPC

The Lord knows how to meet our needs. He will not allow us to go hungry when we put our trust in Him. God fed Elijah by sending the ravens to bring him food in the morning and the evening. Jesus multiplied fish and bread and fed thousands of people. God fed the Israelites manna in the wilderness, and there were 2-3 million people. God is not moved by famine or our circumstances. God is moved by faith. He changes circumstances, and He will change yours if you believe Him to do so. His eyes are looking throughout the earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect towards Him (II Chronicles 16:9). 

#perfectheart #israelites #Godprovides #devotional

1 Comment

2 Comments

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 7th

📖 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. —Romans 1:16 KJV

When we believe and act upon the Word of God, that promise of God is transformed into the power of God. The Word of God itself contains the power of God necessary to produce what it promises. Proverbs 4 tells us that God’s Word is life to those that find them and health to all their flesh. Psalms 107:20 tells us that, “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions”. The Word healed and delivered. Never forget that God and His Word are one. His Word can do whatever He can do. We must prioritize the Word of God and give it first place in our lives. As we do, we will see more manifestations of its power. Remember, “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). 

#Gospel #powerofGod #devotional #vcccharlotte

2 Comments

3 Comments

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 6th

📖 I answered them, The God of heaven will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or memorial in Jerusalem. 
—Nehemiah 2:20 AMPC

When you know that God has told you to do something, and you are obedient to whatever it is He has asked you to do, you can expect the God of Heaven to prosper you. When we are obedient to the Word of God and living a life that is pleasing unto Him, God promises to bless the works of our hands (Deut. 28:8). The Lord takes pleasure in our prosperity (Psalm 35:27), and it makes Him look good when we are excelling. It makes Him look good when we are the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath. III John 2 even tells us that God wishes above all things that we prosper and be in health, even as our soul prospers. As we walk with God, we can expect our lives to get better and better. He will take us from glory to glory. 

#glorytoglory #inspiration #devotional #vcccharlotte

3 Comments

4 Comments

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 5th

📖 And now, you see, I am going to Jerusalem, bound by the [Holy] Spirit and obligated and compelled by the [convictions of my own] spirit, not knowing what will befall me there— 

Except that the Holy Spirit clearly and emphatically affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me.

But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself, if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was entrusted to me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news (Gospel) of God’s grace (His unmerited favor, spiritual blessing, and mercy). 
—Acts 20:22-24 AMPC  

There will be times in all of our lives when we have to make the statement that Paul made: None of these things move me. The devil will give us his best shot. He will whisper things in your ear, telling you that you will not make it. He will whisper that God’s Word will not work this time. He will say all kinds of things to intimidate and to scare you. We must stay “planted” into the Word of God. When you are rooted and grounded in the things of God, you are not easily moved or distracted by what the enemy is doing in your life. He may be attempting to wreak havoc in your life, but you know that it is temporary. You know it is a matter of time before you walk out your victory in Christ. The devil may huff and puff, but He can’t blow your house down. Your house has a firm foundation. Your house has been built on a rock. Trouble may come your way, but it will come to pass you by. You are in the secret place. No weapon formed against you will prosper. The weapon may form, but it will not prosper. The promises of God is what keeps us anchored. We will not fall if we are leaning on God. We can be like Paul and say: But none of those things move me. 

#promisesofGod #vcccharlotte #firmfoundation #devotional

4 Comments

3 Comments

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 4th

📖 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

3 Comments

2 Comments

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 3rd

📖 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. —Isaiah 59:1 NKJV

God is not new to saving His people, and matter of fact, He alone specializes in it. There has not been a situation or problem brought by His people that has given Him any ounce of trouble or difficulty. He is the Almighty and All-powerful God, and we, as His children, must start recognizing that. The Lord’s power has not been diminished, and the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, is still active and available to change whatever is wrong in our lives. As His representatives on earth let us remember that God hears our prayers, and He is still all powerful. 

#representGod #AlmightyGod #vcccharlotte #power #devotional

2 Comments

3 Comments

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | November 1st

📖 Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 
—I John 5:4 CEV 

Every child of God can overcome the world. Every born-again person has been given the measure of faith. That faith, when developed and exercised, will cause the believer to overcome all the enemy may throw his way. As your faith increases, your limitations decrease. As you grow in your faith walk, you learn to believe God for increase in your finances, healing in your body, and anything else that is out of sync. Faith will work on anything. When Jesus was on the earth, He spoke to fig trees, storms, fevers, and even the dead. They all obeyed Him because faith will work on anything. Jesus even said that if you spoke to a mountain, it would have to obey you (Mark 11:23). We must make the development of our faith a priority if we are going to continue to overcome in this life. Faith is what will cause us to win. Faith is what gives us this victory! 

#faith #victory #childofGod #vcccharlotte #verseoftheday

3 Comments

2 Comments

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | October 31st

📖 John replied, “God in heaven appoints each man’s work.” —John 3:27 The Living Bible 

What type of business are you in? Isn’t this a common question? Upon meeting a stranger, one of the first things we want to know is what they do for a living. Instead of asking what they do for a living, maybe the question should be asked, “Are you doing the work that God has appointed you?” A person may be successful in their field of endeavor, but are they in the field that God has selected for them? Are they doing the work appointed by God or are they doing the work they appointed for themselves? People select their occupation for many different reasons. Some are in their field because of the income it pays. Some are in their field because of the benefits. We want to be where God wants us to be because God knows what is best for lives. True success is in being in the will of God. We should constantly examine our lives and make sure we are in line with God. We want to be doing the work appointed by the God in heaven. 

#truesuccess #vcccharlotte #theLord’swork #devotional #God’sbest

2 Comments

2 Comments

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | October 30th

📖 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 
—I Chronicles 16:34 KJV

Do you live a life of gratitude. Are you grateful for the little things in life? Are you grateful to be alive? Are you grateful that your name is written in Heaven? As believers, we understand that everything in our lives that is good came from God. Every good gift and every perfect gift come from Him. We ought not be like the Israelites when they were in the desert. They complained every time they faced an obstacle or experienced a hard time. They would constantly complain and tell Moses that they should have stayed slaves in Egypt. These were the same people that experienced freedom at the Hand of God. They saw His mighty works in Egypt, and yet they still questioned whether He would take care of them. They were ungrateful people. We must make sure that we do not behave like them. We must give thanks unto the Lord, because He is so good. 

#goodGod #gratitude #thankfulthursday #devotional #verseoftheday #vcccharlotte

2 Comments

3 Comments

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | October 29th

📖 When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.” —Mark 10:41-45 The Message 

Two of Jesus’ disciples requested to sit on the right and left side of Jesus when He established His kingdom here on the earth. They wanted a position of greatness. Jesus eventually gave them a key to greatness. He told them that if they wanted to be great, they must first be willing to serve. Jesus even gave Himself as an example when He told the disciples that he did not come to be served, He came to serve. God has a purpose and a plan for all our lives. Regardless of how big the plan is, the plan is not self-serving. The plan is not to elevate you. You may be elevated in the eyes of the people, but the plan is ultimately to help people.  

God loved us so much that He gave us Jesus. Jesus was treated like a king (and rightfully so, He is the king of kings) and yet He came to serve the people. God sent His best, and His best came to serve. We should follow His example. We have been sent into this world, equipped with gifts and talents that will be a blessing to humanity. Don’t keep them to yourself. Don’t be selfish. The world is waiting on the manifestation of the sons of God. The world is waiting on you! 

#greatness #vcccharlotte #followHisexample #devotional 

3 Comments

1 Comment

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | October 28th

📖 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 

“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. —Matthew 25:15-21 NKJV

What are you doing with the talents that God has given you? Are you working to unleash your full potential? Are you working to become a valuable member of the Body of Christ? We must be about our Father’s business. Jesus, as a little boy, was in the temple learning and asking questions. He was diligent about His purpose at a young age. We must do the same. We must continue to be diligent and faithful. Once we have proven ourselves in doing this, God will reward us with greater responsibilities, which always come with even greater rewards. Many times, we want more without passing the faithfulness test. We must be like Paul—forgetting the things that are behind, we must press toward the mark. We can be all that God wants us to be if we are willing to pay the price. The faithfulness fee is what will grant us access to greater things. Are you willing to pay the price? 

#vcccharlotte #responsibilities #devotional #diligence #purpose

1 Comment

2 Comments

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | October 27th

📖 Day by day the Lord observes the good deeds done by godly men and gives them eternal rewards.  He cares for them when times are hard; even in famine, they will have enough. —Psalm 37:18-19 The Living Bible 

It doesn’t matter what is going on in the world, God’s got us. He cares for us. When there is chaos in the world, we can have peace because we know that God has our backs. Even in famine, God will see to it that we have enough. When you read the Word of God, you see God doing that repeatedly for His people. God doesn’t depend on the resources of this world, but He uses the resources of the world to bless His people. His coming through for us is not dependent on the state of our economy. God knows where all the money is. He knows where all of the food is. He knows how to get it to us when we need it. David said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread”. If God did it for David, He will do it for you. He is no respecter of persons. 

#faithfulGod #provider #psalms #faith #Jesus

2 Comments

2 Comments

DAILY DEVOTIONAL | October 25th

📖 So they said to him, “Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?” So John said, “I am, as Isaiah prophesied: a voice that cries in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord.” 
—John 1:22-23 Jerusalem Bible 

Initially the people thought that John the Baptist was the chosen one, the Messiah. He plainly told them that he was not the one. He knew who he was and without having to think about it, he quoted the prophecy from Isaiah. He did not let anyone put a label on him that did not belong to him. When people ask us, “What do you have to say about yourself,” we should automatically know who we are. We should know that we are more than conquerors. We should know that the gates of hell cannot prevail against us. We should know that we are overcomers, and the Greater One lives on the inside of us. John the Baptist knew what the Word said about Him, and it should be no different with us. We must know what the Word says about us if we are going to continue to walk in victory.  

#iamvictory #whoami #Jesus #devotional #verseofthemonth

2 Comments