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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 25th

📖 “saying, “If you will diligently listen and pay attention to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and listen to His commandments, and keep [foremost in your thoughts and actively obey] all His precepts and statutes, then I will not put on you any of the diseases which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.” ⎯Exodus 15:26 Amplified Bible

God wanted to be the source of everything the Israelites would need while they were in the wilderness. He was the One who would keep the Israelites free from sickness and disease. God gave them the criteria for their walking in divine health. If they would listen to and pay attention to the voice of God. If they would keep His commandments, precepts, and statutes, He would not allow sickness to come upon them. Disobedience to God’s laws opened the door for sickness, disease, and calamity to come upon the people. But all would go well with the people when they obeyed and kept God’s laws. God wants us to walk in divine health as well. We only have two laws to keep: 1) love the Lord our God with all our heart, and 2) love our neighbor as we love ourselves. As we do these things, we can believe God to keep us healthy and strong. He is our Healer and the Strength of our lives.  

#Healer #TrustGod #dailydevotional #vcccharlotte 

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 24th

📖 “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 King James Version 

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 within it 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 

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 23rd

📖 “[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)." ⎯ 1 John 3:8-10 Amplified Bible Classic Edition

Has anyone ever said, “You look just like your mother.” Did they say something like “your father used to act the same way” or “your father 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. From a spiritual perspective, we can have the same tendencies as our parents. If we are born again, we have the nature of the Father God. We can have a love nature. We can be extraordinarily patient, or kind, or peaceful. Those are just some of the fruit of the spirit that is in because of the new birth. If one isn’t born again, that individual gets his nature from the devil. That is one reason it is easy to lie, steal, or cheat with ease. That is his nature. As believers, we must allow the nature of our Father God to dominate us. It causes us to be the light of the world or the salt of the earth. It is what sets us apart from the world. The world should be able to tell that we are different because we have a different Father. We should have a different nature. We can all miss the mark, but we should be striving for perfection. We should be striving to be more like Jesus. He is the ultimate example. He said that if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. That should be our goal. When people see us, they see the Father. 

#likefatherliveson #GodsChildren #dailydevotional #vcccharlotte 

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 22nd

📖 “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 Amplified Bible Classic Edition

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 | February 21st

📖 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things." ⎯Matthew 12:35 NKJV

Who is this good man? This “good man” is one that is born again, who speaks of the goodness of God and the salvation of Christ and understands that without Christ he would be nothing. He has a renewed mind. He could not help but to speak good things because of his love towards God. Because of that love towards God, he loves people. Therefore, he will not speak evil, hatred or slander about others. 

Conversely, the evil man can only speak deceit, hatred, jealousy, and lies. Because he has no relationship with the Father. He’s carnal and can only speak evil from his heart as it is stated in the previous verse, Matthew 12:34, “Brood[f] of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” 

Your words reveal where you are! If your mouth reveals that you are evil and you want to change, receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. If you have done that already, formulate a prayer similar to what David prayed when he went astray. “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7 NKJV) “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) 

#cleanheart #devotional #goodman #vcccharlotte #inspiration  

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 20th

📖 “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, marked off the heavens with a [nine-inch] span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him?” –Isaiah 40:12-13 Amplified Bible Classic Edition

The Spirit of God played a crucial role in creation. He measured the waters in His hand. He weighed the mountains. He marked off the heavens with His hand. He measured the dust of the earth. The earth is still here and functioning the way it did when it was first created. The Spirit of God that not only played a role in creating his world—but the universe—has also planned our lives! The plan of God for our lives is better than anything that we could plan for ourselves. I Corinthians 2 tells us that the things that God has for us are revealed to us by His Spirit (verses 9-10). God’s thoughts towards us are good and not evil. He has an expected end for us, and we must walk with Him to experience the good life that He has for us. If the Spirit of God can successfully orchestrate the creation of this universe, you better believe: He can successfully plan our lives. Trust Him and His plan. 

#purposedriven #GoodGod #devotional #creation 

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 19th

📖 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever." –Psalm 23:6 NKJV

Indeed, without a doubt God has a dynamic duo following you! Goodness and mercy were assigned to you when you asked the LORD to be the Shepherd of your soul. What does it mean to have these two coming after you? Goodness encompasses the benefits we receive from our fellowship with the Shepherd. Mercy is the blessing we did not earn that God pours upon us out of His goodness. This Dynamic Duo are packed with the loving-kindness of the LORD. Whatever is good for you, they’ve got it. Goodness and mercy mark your trail with that which is beautiful, bountiful, beneficial, gracious, precious, sweet and for our welfare. It reminds us of the last part of John 10:10 (AMPC) where Jesus says, “…I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” No dismal forebodings or fears about what’s behind you! God’s Dynamic Duo has YOUR back! 

#mercy #psalm #devotional #vcccharlotte #inspiration

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 18th

📖 “Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function]." -I Corinthians 12:27 Amplified Bible Classic Edition  

When we make Jesus the Lord of our lives, we become part of the Body of Christ. We function both collectively and individually within the Body and every part is important. Every function is important. Just like in the human body every part is important, the same is true when it comes to the Body of Christ. For us to thrive in our personal lives, we must function in the place that God would have for us to be. We must be doing what God has called us to do. When we individually are functioning in the right place, the overall Body of Christ thrives because we are all operating in our place. We must seek the Spirit of God and receive His direction and His guidance concerning our place. One part isn’t more important than another. We must strive to get where He wants so that we can make an even bigger impact on our world. We must continue to take ground for the kingdom of God.  

#kingdomofGod #devotion #encouragement #vcccharlotte 

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 17th

📖 “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all their host by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea as in a bottle; He puts the deeps in storage places. Let all the earth fear the Lord [revere and worship Him]; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." -Psalm 33:6-9 Amplified Bible Classic Edition  

We were made in the image and likeness of God. Ephesians 5:1 tells us that we are to be “imitators of God as dear children”. One way that we can imitate God is by speaking and expecting what we say will happen. Jesus did it when He was on the earth. He cursed a fig tree, and it withered away. After that event took place, He told the disciples that they could have what they say if they do not doubt it in their heart (Mark 11:23). God created our reality by His words. We can create our reality by doing the same. He spoke, and it was done. When we speak and believe that it will take place, it will also be done. We must be satisfied with the consequences of our words (Proverbs 18:20 AMPC). 

#speaktheword #devotional #Godsaid #vcccharlotte 

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 16th

📖 “The way of the sluggard is overgrown with thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him], but the way of the righteous is plain and raised like a highway.” -Proverbs 15:19 Amplified Bible Classic Edition 

There are benefits to being in the family of God. One benefit is knowing that God will direct our steps. We know that He has a plan for our lives. We know that it is a good plan because He is a good God (Jeremiah 33: 3). God’s thoughts toward us are always good. We must learn to commit our way to Him and trust that He will bring to pass His purposes for us (Psalm 37:5, Psalm 57:2). God tells us that He will instruct us and teach us in the way that we should go (Psalm 32:8). God will not only reveal the plan that He has for our lives, but He will go before us and make the crooked places straight. Let’s not be like the sluggard. His way is hard. The way of the righteous is easy, if we simply follow God. 

#righteous #devotional #familyofGod #vcccharlotte 

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 15th

📖 “I can guarantee this truth: Those who believe in me will do the things that I am doing. They will do even greater things because I am going to the Father." -John 14:12 God’s Word Translation

 This could sound too good to be true to the average religious person. The idea that we could do and believe the same things that Jesus did when He was here on the earth. If Jesus said it, then it must be so. If He said that we can do the same thing that He did while He was on the earth, that means that we can do it. We can lay hands on the sick. We can cast out devils. We can open the eyes of the blind and unstop the ears of the deaf. We can raise the dead. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He told His disciples that in His Name, they were to cast out devils. They were to lay hands on the sick and see them recover. He wasn’t just talking to those who were there that day, He was referring to every believer. God is no respecter of persons. One time while Jesus was on the earth, the disciples told Him that there was a man casting out devils in His Name. They wanted to stop Him, but Jesus forbade them. Jesus told them not to forbid the man because He wasn’t against them (Mark 9:38-40). We must get a revelation of this if we are to walk in this. If Jesus said that we can do the same things that He can and greater, then we can.  

#Jesus #devotional #motivation #vcccharlotte 

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 14th

📖 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” -Psalm 23:5 NKJV  

 There are times when we just do not want to deal with or be in the company of those who have been the naysayers in our lives. Yet, there are some folks that the Shepherd of your soul has determined to put at your head table to witness your greatest triumphs. You are in good company! Nehemiah was threatened by Tobiah, Sanballat, the Prophetess Noadiah and others (See the Book of Nehemiah). Nehemiah completed his assignment in excellence regardless of the opposition that came against him. Those who taunted and threatened him watched the Lord help him at every turn. They could not outsmart Nehemiah. They could not stop him because the Lord was his Shepherd. The enemy will diminish your joy if he can get you to focus on the presence of your enemy around the table. However, your Shepherd has determined that they will be in the audience to watch Him anoint you, pour into you and over you until your cup overflows. They will be close enough to see, but far away enough that they can do nothing to stop your blessing – provision, protection, promotion! Next time you see someone who has vexed your soul without a cause, start looking for the table your Shepherd has prepared for you. Maybe your overflow was held up until they could take their seat! Now, take your seat and let them ask, “Who’s being honored at this table?” 

#nehemiah #inthepresenceofmyenemies #devotional #honor 

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 13th

📖 “And He came out and went, as was His habit, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples also followed Him.” -Luke 22:39 Amplified Bible Classic Edition 

 A major contributor to our success can be found upon examination of our daily habits. It is found in the things that we do daily. Jesus had a habit of praying. He prayed first thing in the morning and sometimes late in the evening. He prayed after ministering and traveling all day, and He also had a habit of going to the synagogue(Luke 4:16). Many successful people have habits that have caused them to experience success. Some exercise daily. Some read daily. In the Bible we see that Paul prayed in tongues more than everybody (I Corinthians 14:18). It could be the reason He had so many revelations. Daniel prayed three times a day. He had a habit of fellowshipping with God. We must form habits that will cause us to improve and become better and better. We can establish habits that will make us healthier. We can form habits that will cause us to grow closer to God. We can form habits that will cause us to become more skillful and perform better in our jobs. We can create habits that can change our lives. Let’s ask God to show us what habits we can develop so that we can bring Him more glory in our lives and for the kingdom of God. 

#dailyhabits #routine #success #devotional #vcccharlotte 

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 12th

📖 “And if a kingdom is divided and rebelling against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided (split into factions and rebelling) against itself, that house will not be able to last. And if Satan has raised an insurrection against himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is [surely] coming to an end." -Mark 3:24-26 Amplified Bible Classic Edition

There is power in unity. Anything divided against itself will fall. You could have put “a family” divided won’t be able to last. An organization divided against itself will not last. A team divided against itself will not last. No entity can survive if there is internal strife. We cannot be ignorant of Satan’s devices. Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. That is why he wants to cause strife, division, and discord within a church, a company, a marriage, a relationship, eventually those things will not last. We must endeavor to walk in love if we are going to combat the enemy when it comes to strife. We must walk in the fruit of the spirit, and we must love our neighbor as ourselves. No one said it would be easy, but we can do it. We can demonstrate the love of God. We can forgive and forget. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

#wecandoallthings #dailydevotional #unity #vcccharlotte

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 11th

📖 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” -Psalm 23:4 NKJV

Deep valleys of sickness, relationship traumas, or life pressures, may be casting the shadow of death in your mind right now. Have no fear, the Shepherd is near! Consider the words of our Shepherd to Israel in Isaiah 43:1-2 NKJV. As the spiritual seed of Abraham by faith in Jesus, receive that promise… put your name in it, 1But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” Whatever you are facing, you are not alone! The Shepherd is never going to leave you! If the issue looming over you was caused by your own choices, the Shepherd’s rod is right now tapping you back onto the right path. If the shadow of death appeared as you went into the valley because of the influence of others, the Shepherd’s staff is pulling you up and out of harm’s way. Repent and receive the comfort of your Shepherd. Remember, the valley only contains the shadow of death! The Shepherd has a heart for YOU! Today, choose faith over fear because the Shepherd is near! 

#faithoverfear #shepherd #devotional #vcccharlotte

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 10th

📖 “Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides.” -Mark 4:24 Amplified Bible 

We control our spiritual development. God has given us His Word, but we control how much of it we consume. We control how much attention we give it. God does not force us to grow spiritually. He will prompt us. He will encourage us, but He will not force us to grow in the things of God. We can have as much of God as we desire. Notice in the text that by your standard of measurement, it will be measured back to you. If you study a lot, a lot will be revealed. If you study little, you will receive little. The more you pursue God, the more you study His Word and the more revelation you will receive.  God is not holding back on us. He must be pursued. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6) 

#seekandyoushallfind #devotional #motivation #vcccharlotte 

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 9th

📖 “And [Jesus] entered Jericho and was passing through it. And there was a man called Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, and [he was] rich. And he was trying to see Jesus, which One He was, but he could not on account of the crowd, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass that way. And when Jesus reached the place, He looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today. So he hurried and came down, and he received and welcomed Him joyfully.” -Luke 19:1-6 Amplified Bible Classic Edition 

Zacchaeus had a fervent desire. His desire led to action. He wanted to see Jesus, but he had two things working against him: the size of the crowd and he was short in stature. Zaccheus did not allow these obstacles to hinder him from achieving his objective. He wanted to see Jesus! Zaccheus ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a tree so that he could see Jesus. Not only did Jesus see Zaccheus, but He also came to his house and spent time with him at his house. Zaccheus was rewarded for his diligence. The Bible even tells us that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Zaccheus did not allow his obstacles to stop him from the goal. He was persistent, and he was determined. We must have the same disposition. We must continue to act until we have accomplished the task. We must keep moving forward until we accomplish the goal. All things are possible to them that believe. 

#Zaccheus #devotional #persistence #vcccharlotte #bible

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 8th

📖 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake." –Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV

Have you found yourself distraught, overwhelmed, or crying out to God about one situation or another? Take a step back and consider the words of the psalmist David. Ask yourself, “Am I allowing the LORD, to be my shepherd?” When the LORD is shepherding us, we stop allowing the pressure of daily wants and needs override our peace. Why? Because we know that we can cast our cares on the Shepherd because He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7) When we allow the LORD to shepherd us, the pressures and anxieties that would normally trip us up cannot. Why? Because we are laying down in green pastures and beside still waters where our Shepherd restores our souls and marks out the right paths for us to take. In other words, we let the Shepherd do His job. He won’t work on our situations or circumstances as long as we are working on them! There is a green pasture where all is provided. There are still waters where peace restores the soul. There is a path for our feet that keeps us in right standing with our Shepherd. Choose today to let the Shepherd, Shepherd You! 

#psalm #restoration #Godlovesyou #vcccharlotte 

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 7th

📖 “Now about this time, when the number of the disciples was greatly increasing, a complaint was made by the Hellenists (the Greek-speaking Jews) against the [native] Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked and neglected in the daily ministration (distribution of relief). So the Twelve [apostles] convened the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not seemly or desirable or right that we should have to give up or neglect [preaching] the Word of God in order to attend to serving at tables and superintending the distribution of food. Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good and attested character and repute, full of the [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business and duty. But we will continue to devote ourselves steadfastly to prayer and the ministry of the Word.” -Acts 6:1-4 Amplified Bible Classic Edition 

Distractions come to all of us. We must all learn how to handle them if we are going to achieve all that God would like for us to achieve and if we are to accomplish the goals that we set for ourselves. All distractions are not necessarily bad, they just aren’t necessary for us. There was a significant need. The widows needed to be tended to, but that wasn’t for the apostles to handle. The apostles knew their focus needed to be on the Word of God and prayer. They had to maintain their focus and delegate the care of the widows to someone else. We must all examine our lives and determine what may be a distraction in our lives. Some things may have to be eliminated. Some items may have to be delegated. God will show you what is necessary and what is a hindrance. We must maintain our focus if we are going to accomplish all that God desires for us to accomplish. What we focus on will determine what we experience. 

#stayfocused #distractions #dailydevotional #vcccharlotte  

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL | February 6th

📖 “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” -Psalm 34:18 New International Version

We can see in this passage that God doesn’t abandon those who are brokenhearted. He is ever-present (Psalm 46:1). If we feel crushed in our emotional arena, it’s important to remind ourselves that it is temporary and that our circumstances don't define us. The Greater One lives inside us (1 John 4:4). We can find comfort in the fact that God never leaves our side. Psalm 139:7 states, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” God’s eyes never leave the righteous, and He is listening to their cry. We must be willing to trust God even when we may have difficulty tracing Him in our circumstances. He rescues those who are contrite, ashamed or poor in spirit. God is ready and willing to save them. So, be of good cheer! If you are in the family of God, don’t forget your "Good Father". He covers and protects His own. Make it a regular practice to build up your spirit man today by praying in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not only our Comforter, but He empowers and strengthens us to be who God created us to be. The situation shall pass. Never forget Who is with you every step of the way. You’ve got this with His help.



#brokenhearted #comfort #devotional #inspiration #holyspirit

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