Victory Temple Chantilly's podcast

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Jesus is the answer. "I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me." Ro 10:20 NLT The Bible says, "I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me." You say, "What does this Scripture mean?" That even though you're looking for answers in the wrong places, asking the wrong questions, and heading in the wrong direction, Jesus will intercept you, redirect you, and meet your deepest needs. When the woman at the well met Jesus, she was looking for the answer in relationships. She had been through five failed marriages and was living with man number six (See Jn 4:18). When Zacchaeus met Jesus, he was looking for the answer in material things. "Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was" (Lk 19:2-3 NKJV). When Paul met Jesus, he was looking for the answer in religion. Here is his résumé: "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless" (Php 3:5-6 NKJV). Multiple relationships didn't satisfy the woman at the well, riches didn't satisfy Zacchaeus, and religion didn't satisfy Paul. And these things won't satisfy you either. What will? A relationship with Jesus! Today He is saying to you: "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life" (Jn 10:10 NLT). Today and forever, Jesus is the answer. Jesus is the answer Today and forever, Jesus is the answer. Share This Devotional Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!…

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Refuse to wear the label. 50:40

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Refuse to wear the label. "His mother called his name Jabez, saying, 'Because I bore him in pain.'" 1Ch 4:9 NKJV The name Jabez means "pain and trouble." Perhaps that's why no other parent in Scripture gave their child that name. But it's a label he refused to wear and a name he refused to be defined by. A label usually tells you what is in a bottle; its contents and even its value. And when you accept the labels people try to put on you, you start to believe that's who you really are and that you will never become anything more than that. The Bible says, "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Pr 23:7). People will use past experiences to label and limit you. They will also use your physical, mental, and emotional characteristics to label and limit you. What should you do? Do what Jabez did - go to God ! In the final analysis, His opinion about your past, present, and future is the one that matters most. Plus, He loves you and has a plan for your life. Jabez prayed a prayer that changed his life, and it will change your life too. "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!' So God granted him what he requested" (1Ch 4:10 NKJV). Jabez asked God for four things: blessing, influence, power, and protection. And God gave them to him. So, today you have a choice; believe what others say about you, or believe what God says about you. When you look at it that way, the choice is clear. Refuse to wear the label Blessing, influence, power, and protection Share This Devotional Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!…

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Growth Is About Enlargement. 44:36

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Growth is about enlargement. "You enlarged my path." Ps 18:36 NKJV Read these enlargement Scriptures: "You enlarged my path ." "Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, 'Oh, that You would...enlarge my territory'" (1Ch 4:10 NKJV). "Enlarge the place of your tent...lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes" (Isa 54:2 NKJV). God wants to enlarge you spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and in every area of your life. But to experience enlargement, you must learn from people larger than you. Dr. John Maxwell writes: "The first ten years that I was intentionally pursuing personal growth, I was always behind trying to catch up. I had to get over the comparison gap. I recognized I needed to be exposed to bigger and better leaders outside of my own small circle, but when I stepped out of my comfort zone, I was intimidated. It was clear that I was not in their league. Their organizations were six times the size of mine, and they had many more and much better ideas than I did. I felt like I was in over my head and trying to swim. Despite that, I was encouraged. Why? Because I discovered that great men were willing to share their ideas. And I was learning so much. You can only learn if others are ahead of you. It was a difficult transition, but it was well worth it. So if you are aware that others are better than you, don't be discouraged. Be glad others are there to help show you the way. Growth is not a rocking chair you sit in, it's a mountain you climb each day. But there is good news. As Jim Rohn said, 'You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight!'" Growth is about enlargement Be glad others are there to help show you the way. Share This Devotional Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!…

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Today Expect God’s Favor! 54:47

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Today expect God's favor . "For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield." Ps 5:12 NKJV The Bible says that God will surround the righteous with favor. If you are trusting in the finished work of Christ, God sees you as " righteous " (See Ro 3:22). So, you qualify; you can pray, "Lord, I need your favor in this job interview," or "in selling this house," or "in making this deal," or "in going on this date," etc. Be prepared for your old programming to kick in, where you think about the word "righteous"; you begin to wonder if your thoughts, words, and deeds are good enough to deserve God's favor. Here is a truth you need to keep in mind: The only righteousness that God responds to is the righteousness of Christ. And since He has placed you "in Christ," you are always qualified to ask God for favor and believe He will grant it. You are saved by grace. And the word grace means "unearned, unmerited, undeserved favor." The world's concept of favor is misleading: "She owes me a favor," or "I don't owe you any favors!" In other words, the world's concept of favor is totally performance based. But the only performance God looks at when it comes to granting you His favor is Christ's performance on your behalf and the fact that you are trusting totally in Him. His life covers all your sins of omission, and His death covers all your sins of commission. And since God always sees you "in Christ," in His eyes you are always qualified for favor. "Righteousness...shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus" (Ro 4:22,24 NKJV). So, today expect God's favor. Today expect God's favor Unearned, unmerited, undeserved favor Share This Devotional Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!…

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Governed by Christ's love for us. 50:22

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Governed by Christ's love for us . "For the love of Christ constraineth us." 2Co 5:14 The most powerful incentive to overcoming sin is not our love for Christ, but His love for us. Even with the best of intentions, our love for Him is subject to fluctuations. Jesus said to the church in Ephesus, "You have left your first love" (Rev 2:4 NKJV). He said to the church in Laodicea that their love had become "lukewarm " (Rev 3:16). Many of us grew up in churches where we were told that the reason we yield to certain carnal traits is because we don't love the Lord enough. So, we try harder, without success, and get discouraged. That's like putting the cart before the horse. It should be the other way around. The secret of victorious Christian living is not found in trying to love Jesus more, but in having a revelation of His love for you. That's why Paul wrote, "The love of Christ constraineth us." Paul's actions were governed by the knowledge of Christ's incredible love for him. If you're struggling with sinful habits today, pray for a revelation of God's love for you. It makes all the difference! Paul writes: "I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts...as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love; and may you be able to... understand... how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never...fully... understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God himself" (Eph 3:17-19 TLB). Governed by Christ's love for us A revelation of His love for you Share This Devotional Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!…

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Understanding the word "imputed" 54:35

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Understanding the word "imputed" "Righteousness...shall be imputed [transferred] to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus." Ro 4:22, 24 NKJV Picture a transfer of funds from one account to another. Banks do it every day. Now imagine yourself destitute and unable to pay your debts. Then in an astounding act of grace, someone assumes all your debts and then transfers to your account such abundance that you never have to work or worry for the rest of your life. That's what happened at the cross when God imputed to Jesus all your sins from the cradle to the grave and imputed all His righteousness to you. Mind-blowing, isn't it? Would you say, "No thanks, I believe in paying my own way"? Would you say, "I can't allow you to do everything while I do nothing, so I'll work for the rest of my life to prove myself worthy of your love and grace"? Salvation is like health food that's labeled "no man-made additives." Understand this: The righteousness required for getting into heaven is not about behaving the right way, but believing the right way. You say, "But I feel such guilt when I sin." You're supposed to! Your new nature is reacting to sin just as your body does to food poisoning. Your boundaries have been violated and your regenerate spirit is saying that you can't indulge in that anymore; it's not who you are! Why did God arrange the plan of salvation in this way? Because any righteousness we could achieve falls far short of His standards. He actually calls it "filthy rags." Understand this: Your rewards in heaven are based upon your behavior, but getting into heaven is based on trusting in Christ alone. Understanding the word "imputed" It's not about behaving the right way, but believing the right way. Share This Devotional Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!…

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God uses damaged people 51:53

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God uses damaged people . "When you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers." Lk 22:32 NLT Too often people are devalued or dismissed because of what they have been through in life. Sometimes it's because of what they have done to others, sometimes it's because of what others have done to them. If you have been to a consignment store, you know there are valuable items at deeply discounted prices; you just have to know what you're looking for. Jesus does. In His eyes you may be "down" but you're not "out." Peter's sorrow over denying Jesus ran so deep that he decided to go back to his old job as a fisherman. Can you imagine the scuttlebutt around the harbor? "That's the guy who turned his back on Jesus." Were Peter a pastor, we would have called for his resignation. At the very least, he would have nothing to say that we would be interested in listening to. Yet, he was the first person Jesus went looking for after the resurrection. And when Jesus saw Peter, He never mentioned it —not even once. But three times He asked him, "Do you love me?" When Peter answered yes three times, Jesus said, "Feed my sheep," referring to his future as pastor and head of the church (See Jn 21:15-17). Jesus looked beyond Peter's failed past and saw his future. Peter's failure was not a surprise. Jesus had told him, "When you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers." The weakness he had overcome and the restoring grace he had experienced became some of his greatest teaching tools in helping others. Yes, God will reprove you, but it's to restore you and use you for His purposes. God uses damaged people Share This Devotional Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!…

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You are not beyond God's reach. 53:19

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You are not beyond God's reach. "But He needed to go through Samaria." Jn 4:4 NKJV The Bible says that Jesus "left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria" (vv. 3-4 NKJV). In case you may not be aware of it, Samaria was not on the way to Galilee. Actually, it was miles out of the way. Yet, the Bible says Jesus "needed to go." Think about it: It was a long journey, and He was on foot. It was hot. As a Jew, He wouldn't be welcomed there because of a long-standing animosity between Jews and Samaritans. As for the woman at the well that He went to meet, women in that culture were forbidden to talk to men outside of their own family. Furthermore, this woman was the talk of the town because she had been through five divorces. So, why did Jesus feel like He "needed to go"? Because He saw this woman as a diamond in the rough. While those around her talked about her past and her problems, Jesus saw her potential for His kingdom. "Many of the Samaritans... believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified" (v. 39 NKJV). To reach Galilee on God's schedule, Jesus had to throw man's schedule out the window. But the schedule didn't control Him. What did? The will of God and the unmet needs of hurting people. And He was willing to go out of His way, turn tradition on its head, and break new ground in order to do it. How about you? Can God interrupt your plans? If He can, then He can use you. Pray, "Lord, show me what I must do today in order to please you." You are not beyond God's reach Can God interrupt your plans? Share This Devotional Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!…

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Change Your Routine. 53:19

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FEB. 13, 2025 Change your routine. "I will lead them in paths they have not known." Isa 42:16 NKJV As attested by the law of requisite variety, the continued existence of any system requires the ability to cultivate variety in its internal structures. In physical exercise, for example, routines eventually become useless. If you exercise the same way each time you work out, your muscles begin adapting and stop developing. You have to change your routine. You have to disorient them. This is true spiritually. One author writes: "When I'm in a spiritual slump, nine times out of ten, something sacred has become routine. I'm sure it differs by personality, but one of the ways I snap out of a spiritual slump is by disturbing my routine and experimenting with spiritual disciplines. Sometimes all it takes is a small change in routine. Volunteer at a local homeless shelter. Start keeping a gratitude journal. Get plugged into a small group or Bible study. Take a day off and do a personal retreat. Or just get up a little earlier in the morning and spend a little extra time with God. One of the small changes in routine that has helped me rejuvenate my devotional times is picking up a new translation of Scripture. New words help me think new thoughts." In order to grow spiritually, you need consistency, structure, and discipline. But when you go through a spiritual dry spell, try changing your spiritual routine. Instead of doing things the way you have always done them, try doing things differently. "I will lead them in paths they have not known." God doesn't change, but He moves! And in order to get to where God wants to take you, you must be willing to move with Him. Change your routine To grow spiritually, you need consistency. Share This Devotional Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!…

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Fear is the enemy of growth 54:36

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Fear is the enemy of growth . "Tell the children of Israel to go forward.'" Ex 14:15 NKJV If you want to grow, you need to get over any fear you may have of making mistakes. As author and professor Warren Bennis states, "A mistake is simply another way of doing things." So, expect to make mistakes along the way, and embrace them as a sign that you are going in the right direction. With the Red Sea in front of them and Pharaoh's chariots behind them, the children of Israel panicked. "The Lord said to Moses, 'Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward'" (v. 15 NKJV). When they did, the Red Sea became a pathway to victory and a burial ground for the enemy they feared. If you have to find "the best way" or "the perfect way," you will never get anywhere. It's like driving on an unknown road at night. Ideally, you would like to see your entire route before you start out. Instead, you see it little by little. As you keep going, a little more of the road is revealed to you. So, if you want to see more of the way, get moving. Make a commitment to yourself to start on your growth plan and keep at it for at least twelve months. If you do, you will develop a love for the process, and at the end of the year, you will be able to see how far you have come. "Enlarge the place of your tent...stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left" (Isa 54:2-3 NKJV). Fear is the enemy of growth Expect to make mistakes along the way. Share This Devotional Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!…

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Keep Trusting God 53:15

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Keep trusting God . "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." Job 13:15 NKJV The story of Job reads like this: Chapter 1 , he is one of the wealthiest men in his generation. Chapter 2 , he loses everything, including his health, his wealth, and his children. Chapter 42 , he is back on top again. Wouldn't you like to know what happened from chapters 3 through 41 ? If so, you should read the book of Job and find out how he had it all, lost it all, got it all back, and ended up with twice as much as he lost. Did Job have unanswered questions? Lots of them. Did he experience grief? Yes, to a depth that is hard to imagine. But Job never changed his mind about God, and God never changed His about Job. This Scripture best summarizes Job's attitude: "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." If you're stuck at a place you don't understand right now, don't give up-on God or yourself. When you don't understand your circumstances, and it feels like they're more than you can bear, stand on this great Bible promise: "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in... the Lord, is everlasting strength" (Isa 26:3-4 NKJV). Trusting God does not mean He will answer all your questions, but that He will give you "perfect peace" regardless of the circumstances. Trusting God does not mean that you won't struggle, but that He will give you "everlasting strength." So, the word for you today is-keep trusting God, and He will bring you through this. Keep trusting God He will give you "everlasting strength." Share This Devotional Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!…

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Use Your Gifts In Ministry To Others 50:06

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FEB. 10, 2025 Use your gifts in ministry to others. "The gifts and...calling of God are irrevocable. " Ro 11:29 NKJV When God gives us a spiritual gift, He doesn't take it back. "The gifts and...calling of God are irrevocable. " And if God does not, we must not! Paul writes: "If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived" (Gal 6:1-3 MSG). When a brother or sister in Christ goes astray, the Bible tells us what we must do; lovingly confront them, gently correct and counsel them, and cover them. The Bible says, "Love will cover a multitude of sins" (1Pe 4:8 NKJV). Now the word "cover" doesn't mean "cover up"; it means provide a place of shelter and restoration where they can be made whole. Is restoring someone sometimes messy? Yes, especially if they have hurt others and brought embarrassment to the family of God. But that's the point… They are still our spiritual family! The world is watching to see how we handle this. If we throw away those among us who stumble, why would the world turn to us for help? Jesus healed a blind man by rubbing clay in his eyes and telling him to go and wash it off in the pool of Siloam. How far away was the pool? We don't know. But he needed someone to hold his hand and walk with him until he reached it and his sight was restored. And that's what we have been called to do. Use your gifts in ministry to others A place of shelter and restoration Share This Devotional Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!…

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Pass It On To Others. 59:35

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FEB. 6, 2025 Pass it on to others . "The things that you have heard from me...commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." 2Ti 2:2 NKJV What's your goal in life? Survival, success, or succession? Some of us suffer from "duck syndrome." We appear calm on the surface, but underneath we're paddling furiously. We think "I'm glad people around me don't know how much I don't know," and we keep them at a distance hoping they never find out. That's not how God wants you to live, as the source of your own strength and wisdom. David wrote, "The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Ps 27:1 NKJV). On the other hand, some of us strive for a self-centered form of success that begins and ends with us. Our philosophy is "look out for number one." When that's your goal, God cannot trust you with success because your motives violate every principle in His Word. God told Abraham, "I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing" (Ge 12:2 NKJV). When your heart's intent is to bless others, God will bless your endeavors. Jesus said, "I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain [after you're gone]" (Jn 15:16 NKJV). Part of God's plan for your life is passing on to others what He has entrusted to you. There is no lasting success without a successor. That's why Paul wrote, "The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." So, the word for you today is-pass it on. Pass it on to others Survival, success, or succession? Share This Devotional Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!…

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Let's respect our differences. 50:13

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Let's respect our differences . "Let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up." Ro 14:19 NLT Paul wouldn't yield an inch when it came to standing on the central truths of Scripture. But when it came to traditions, personal opinions, and personal preferences, he said, "Let each be fully convinced in his own mind" (v. 5 NKJV). Under the law of Moses, being circumcised was considered equal to having a covenant between you and God. So when Gentile believers joined the New Testament church, Jewish believers insisted they too must be circumcised. Not as babies, mind you, but as adults! Were these Jewish believers sincere? Absolutely. But they were sincerely misguided. When this issue threatened to split the church, the apostles met in Jerusalem, prayed about the matter, and issued the following opinion: "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things" (Ac 15:28 NKJV). Any time a tradition or personal preference becomes equal in authority to God's Word, we have gone too far. Question: Have you been upset with someone who doesn't agree with you on some nonessential point of doctrine? Have you been critical of someone whose opinion differs from yours? Perhaps in insisting on your list of dos and don'ts, you have forgotten the most important item on God's list: that we exhibit love. Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (Jn 13:35 NKJV). Our hearts can be in unity even when our minds don't agree. We can walk hand in hand, even when we don't see eye to eye. As theologians often say, "In essential things, unity. In all things, charity!" Let's respect our differences Our hearts can be in unity even when our minds don't agree. Share This Devotional Send us a text Support the show Changing Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!…

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How To Forgive! 51:23

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