March 7 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      Oasis In The Desert Daily Scripture Psalm 63:1 (HCSB)  "God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You in a land that is dry and desolate, and without water." Encouragement The wilderness is a dry and lonely place. It is a dry desert and thirst becomes a real issue if one does not have access to water. This is how David describes longing for God. He was either running from Saul, or his own son Absalom, who was also trying to kill him in order to dispose him as king. The presence of God, to David, would be as an oasis in the desert. David knew that, even though all had turned on him, God never would, and that he could find both rest and refreshment in the Lord. So he longed for the presence of God as one would for an oasis. This was also the cry of the early church when they were running for their lives from the many persecutions they had to face. God because their rest. It is true of today, as it was back then. God can be your rest if you seek His face as David and the early believers, as well as other believers did and do today. Apply God’s Word Do you feel at the end of your rope? Do you feel as though you are crawling through the deserts with no hope of water or refreshment to your soul? Have you a medical problem you're struggling with? How about other problems you feel are too heavy for you to carry? Sometimes we carry those through the desert with no hope of water or refreshment in sight! Jesus said for us to come to Him for our refreshment (see Matthew 11:28). Take time out with Him and let Him nourish your spirit, Don't try to make it through your desert alone. Look up! God is there in the midst of your desert with enough water for you to be satisfied! Come into His Presence Lord, as the woman at the well in Samaria, we ask You for Your living water so that our eternal thirst for You may be quenched. But we also ask You for refreshment for our souls every day. Be that oasis for us to come to for nourishment. In Jesus' name, amen. Greg Minassian Pastor Email Pastor Greg

Victory Christian Center 18180 US Highway 150 Bloomington, Illinois 61705 309.663.7233 www.VictoryPeople.org www.Facebook.com/VictoryPeople.org

March 6 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      I Am Justified!   Daily Scripture Isaiah 53:4-6 “Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.”   Encouragement JUSTIFIED = to declare innocent or guiltless, absolute (complete, perfect), to pardon, forgive, redeem... Oh... to be right with God! What a wonderful gift we have been given by God through Jesus! God knew that man would sin and would need a way that could irrevocably make themselves right with Him. Jesus' death on the cross and His blood that was shed, has washed us white as snow. We have been purified, made innocent, guiltless, and FORGIVEN! God no longer sees the sin that we once carried because our faith in Christ has cleaned us up. We can walk boldly into the thrown room because the veil (which kept us from God because of our sinfulness) has been torn. I've always had a vision of myself asking God to forgive me and being told to walk through a waterfall of blood. It is the blood of Jesus' sacrifice and it is flowing continuously, fast and strong. It saturates me from my head to my toes like an oil being poured over me. When I walk out on the other side I'm dressed in the whitest of clothes, and I'm standing in a place that is white, pure, clean... It is so bright it's hard to look at. I no longer feel ashamed, guilty, dirty, unworthy, or even fearful of what God will say... I have been purified and freed from His judgment of my sin! I'm all alone in the throne room of God standing at His feet! I have come before my Creator and the King of Kings to spend time with Him, and He has allowed it to be just the two of us! I'm always amazed that "immediately" after walking through the waterfall of Jesus' blood, I am at His feet! Apply God’s Word Everyone will receive a final judgment (Mat 13: 36-43 and 47-50). I thank God that He has given us the ability to be justified before being judged! All you need to do is to repent of your sins, and claim His sacrifice to have been done for "your" salvation "JUST-IF-I'D never done it!" Live your life walking by faith and in freedom! Don't look back at the past, or let the devil remind you of what used to be. If you do, it's like telling Jesus that His being tortured, His blood being shed, His death on a cross, and all that He suffered for YOU wasn't enough. Have faith that our loving God wants us to live with Him for eternity, and that He made this possible through His son Jesus Christ. Come into His Presence Thank you, God, that I have been freed from my past and even from the mistakes that I will make in my future by the blood of Jesus. If I do look back in my past at who I was and what I've done, let me be quick to realize it's not who I am today. That it's nothing more than a pre-Jesus condition, a learning tool to do better, or a testimony to how good You are. Thank You that I am justified through my acceptance of Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen. Kalyn Petersen Greeter Ministry Director Email Kalyn

Victory Christian Center 18180 US Highway 150 Bloomington, Illinois 61705 309.663.7233 www.VictoryPeople.org www.Facebook.com/VictoryPeople.org

March 5 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      What Now?: Life After Baptism   Daily Scripture 2 Corinthians 4:13-17; Ephesians 4:17-24 "And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." Encouragement So, you have been or am about to be water baptized. What does life look like now? Outwardly, life will probably look the same to you. You will have that same job, same friends, same family. Oh, yes, and you will probably still have the same issues in your life before you were submerged. Encouraged yet? There is now an forever will be a difference after your conversion and baptism. Let's take a look at that together today. Let's quickly recap what we have learned this week. We have learned that the word baptism comes from the Greek word baptizo, which means “to submerge”. We saw Jesus as our Perfect Example, fulfilling all righteousness in baptism. Next, we discovered that God Himself will open up the Heavens for us, pour out His Spirit to us, and speak to us more clearly and concisely. Then we found out that we are raised to new life in Christ and have become free from the chains of sin in our lives. Finally, we were challenged to take the next step and plunge ourselves (pun intended) fully into the things of God's kingdom. That brings us to today's question of “Now what?”. The answer lies in the passage found in 2 Corinthians 4. The latter part of verse 16 States that even though our outward man is perishing, our inward man is being renewed day by day. Our Christian journey of faith is a marathon, not a sprint. Asking Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior followed by water baptism is the starting point of our race! Hebrews 12:1-2 instructs us on how to win this race. The winning strategy is two-fold. First, we must get lean and mean. Verse 1 says to lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. The writer of Hebrews then tells us to run the race with endurance. Secondly, we need to keep the goal of the finish line in our mind and spirit. We do that by looking to how Jesus ran His race. Verse 2 states that he endured the cross even while despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God. Apply God’s Word Paul tells us very clearly in 2 Timothy 4 how to apply today's encouragement in our lives. In verses 1 through 4 he tells us in advance of the obstacles we will have to overcome to live out our Christian faith. Then in verse 5 he instructs us on what we are to do to win. He says be watching in all things. In other words, live purposefully. Then he says endure afflictions. I call this being eternity minded. We can get through anything when we keep the reward in our mind. He continues by telling us to do the work of an evangelist. This, simply put, means share with others what Jesus is doing in your own life. Share the good news! Finally, he says to fulfill your ministry. In layman's terms, be obedient to whatever God gives you to do and do it with all your might, passion, and enthusiasm! If you and I will do these four things, then there will come a time that we will join Paul in saying, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”! Come into His Presence Father, we have obeyed You in baptism. Now, we ask for Your grace to run our race. Help us daily to be renewed from the inside out! In Jesus' name, amen. Brian Fatheree Pastor Email Pastor Brian

Victory Christian Center 18180 US Highway 150 Bloomington, Illinois 61705 309.663.7233 www.VictoryPeople.org www.Facebook.com/VictoryPeople.org

March 4 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      What's Stopping You?   Daily Scripture Acts 8:30-38 "So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.” So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him." Encouragement All week long we have been laying out a case for what water baptism is, why we should do it, and what are some of baptism's benefits. Today, we simply ask you: what's stopping you? Do you feel unqualified, undeserving? Does this seem to simple to you? What is hindering you from being baptized? In our passage for today, Philip explains the gospel to the eunuch from Ethiopia. Showing to him how the scripture declares Jesus to us. Philip made the case for Jesus so well that, when they came upon a body of water, the eunuch reverses the question we asked today. He asked Philip, “what hinders me from being baptized?” Philip simply answers by saying, “If you will only believe with your whole heart, you may.” The eunuch declares his belief in Jesus and water baptism ensued! If you believe in Jesus and if there is a body of water for Baptism to be performed ,then there is literally nothing standing in your way! We encourage you to get water baptized as soon as possible! You won't regret this decision. Apply God’s Word Here at Victory Christian Center, we make it easy to apply your faith to this encouragement. Find elder Ryan Seggelke or find a connection card. Let us know you are ready for this all-important step in your faith journey! We want to celebrate with you as you declare your allegiance to Jesus! Come into His Presence Father, we pray for those who are contemplating being baptized. Help them to follow through as You draw them to a committed relationship with You! In Jesus' name, amen.   Brian Fatheree Pastor Email Pastor Brian

Victory Christian Center 18180 US Highway 150 Bloomington, Illinois 61705 309.663.7233 www.VictoryPeople.org www.Facebook.com/VictoryPeople.org

March 3 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      No More   Daily Scripture Romans 6:6-11 "knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over him. For the death that he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Encouragement This passage of scripture deserves even more than the two days of devotionals we are giving it this week. Really, all of Romans 6 is worth your reading time. The good news we want to highlight is in verses 6 through 11. Paul tells us that as we are now baptized into God's Kingdom, we are no longer slaves to sin. He goes on to tell us that Jesus now has dominion over death and sin. This is great news! Paul tells us to likewise reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus our Lord! I especially appreciate verse 14 that tells us that sin will not have dominion over us because we are not under the control of the law but under the control of His amazing grace. Apply God’s Word The application to today's devotional is not complicated at all. It is a matter of belief. Believing that because I accepted Jesus and because I followed Jesus into baptism I can have victory over sin in my life. I want to leave you today with something that we posted on our bathroom wall to remind us every day of how good God is! “If God can speak and create an entire world out of the vacuum of space, there is no reason to doubt that He can call into existence whatever you need. The only limitations God has are the ones you place on Him. If you question His willingness; if you doubt His ability, or even your own worthiness; you are constricting the flow of His miracle working power. It's not a question of what He can do, but rather a question of what you can believe. If you can believe, all things are possible to the one that believes.” Come into His Presence Father, help each of us to believe that baptism has opened the Heavens to us. I thank You that Jesus has removed the dominion of death and sin in our lives. Help each of us to believe that we can live in victory over sin in our new lives in Christ. We rejoice that because of Your sacrifice for us that we are “slaves no more”! In Jesus' name, amen!   Brian Fatheree Pastor Email Pastor Brian

Victory Christian Center 18180 US Highway 150 Bloomington, Illinois 61705 309.663.7233 www.VictoryPeople.org www.Facebook.com/VictoryPeople.org

March 2 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      Life After Death   Daily Scripture Romans 6:4-5 "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection." Encouragement I hope you read the entire passage today for this devotion to truly be encouraged in your faith. I want to highlight verses 4 and 5 for our purposes today. Paul tells us in these verses that symbolically through baptism we are buried into death and then, like Jesus, raised into new life. In baptism, we stand with Jesus as a symbol of being crucified with Him. Then we are buried (immersed) with Him into death. Finally, we are raised with Him into new life. Paul declares to us in verse 4 that if we are raised to new life in Jesus, then we should walk in “newness of life”. In other words, our life should take on a new direction once we repent and are baptized. As believers, once we join ourselves to the course of Christ, our lives should reflect a “newness”. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new!” And to think, we just thought we were getting wet all over only as a symbol. Baptism really does go much deeper than that. Apply God’s Word To apply today's encouragement is simple, but not necessarily easy. Accepting Jesus into our lives and then being baptized should result in our lives being renewed in Him. This is why we need the supernatural impartation we spoke of yesterday. Philippians 4:13 declares that, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Praise God that we don't have to make this transition to new life on our own! Come into His Presence Father, thank You for raising me to new life in Jesus! I ask for the strength and resolve to live the new life I have chosen to live with You! Thank You for accepting my repentance and my obedience in baptism as I enter my new life! In Jesus' name, amen!   Brian Fatheree Pastor Email Pastor Brian

Victory Christian Center 18180 US Highway 150 Bloomington, Illinois 61705 309.663.7233 www.VictoryPeople.org www.Facebook.com/VictoryPeople.org

March 1 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      Opening Heaven   Daily Scripture Matthew 3:13-17 "Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?" But Jesus answered him and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. When he had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were open to him and he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and alighting upon him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.""  Encouragement Water baptism is a pivotal moment in a believer's life. Even though it is a physical act symbolizing a spiritual event, it can and should be much more. I always contend that Jesus is our Great Example and always modeled what and how we should be like. I have also always contended that if we do what Jesus did we can expect similar results. With that in mind, let's take a look at what took place supernaturally after Jesus' physical baptism. This passage of scripture shows us that immediately after Jesus was baptized that the father opened up the heavens, sent Jesus the Holy Spirit, and then spoke to Jesus in clear and concise terminology. Now, I am not guaranteeing you that the moment you are baptized you will see a dove above your head and hear God audibly. I am, however, arguing the point that God will open Heaven for you, release His Spirit in your life more deeply, and begin to communicate to you more clearly. Time and time again I have individuals I have baptized declare to me how immediately after being baptized they began to understand scripture more clearly. They also had a keener sense of the operation of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They were at the beginnings of living supernatural lives. All of this, because they obeyed God's Word and were baptized. Apply God’s Word There are two ways to apply today's encouragement. The first is for those of you who need to be water baptized. Obey God in baptism and then expect Him to open the Heavens in your life because of your obedience. Secondly, if you have been baptized already and don't sense an open Heaven in your life, pray. Pray to your Father according to this scripture to petition Him for Heaven to open, the Spirit to descend on your life, and the Father to speak to you more clearly. Whichever category you identify with, we look forward to hearing how God begins to supernaturally influence your life from today forward. Come into His Presence Father, those of us that have followed Jesus' example of baptism petition You for an open Heaven, a release of Your Spirit in our life, and open lines of communication with You. Lord, for those of us who are about to enter into baptism, we set ourselves in expectation of You opening our lives to the supernatural realms of Your kingdom. In Jesus' name, amen! Brian Fatheree Pastor Email Pastor Brian

Victory Christian Center 18180 US Highway 150 Bloomington, Illinois 61705 309.663.7233 www.VictoryPeople.org www.Facebook.com/VictoryPeople.org