May 21 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      Where Are Your Desires?   Daily Scripture Mark 8:34 "Whoever desires to come after Me …”    Encouragement Two desires to deal with, the desire to die to self, or the desire to live for self. The question we all must look at honestly: Where is my desire? Fasting is a way to redirect our desires. What we once thought was good to desire can be changed through fasting. Psalms 73:24 says, “You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.”   Apply God’s Word Everyone needs the refreshing of a good cleansing from toxins that can hide in our body. Especially in the way of foods and drinks can be harmful to us in the long run. We need times of cleansing to restart our body's immune system properly. I believe fasting can provide both a cleansing for the body and for the soul. A three day fast can certainly accomplish this, but use caution. Ask your physician before trying this. Come into His Presence Father, help me to rid myself of the effects of this present world. As I fast, show me the things that need to be removed from my life. Help me to begin to hear and see clearly. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen. Ed Herald Senior Pastor Email Pastor Ed

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

May 20 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      Where Is Your Cross?   Daily Scripture Mark 8:34 “...take up his cross, and follow Me”.    Encouragement Another word Jesus used in our text is, “Cross”. This is where Jesus lost some followers. It wasn’t easy for His followers to understand. In fact, when Jesus was telling His Disciples about His soon crucifixion, Peter decided he would try and prevent Jesus from going to His cross. Then Jesus in turn rebuked Peter, because Peter was trying to stand between Jesus and His cross. Apply God’s Word Denial is the key, but we still have to pick up our cross. Jesus had to deny Himself before He picked up His cross. Luke 22:41-43 says, “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done." Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.” After this experience, Jesus was taken to the cross. But He first had to kill His will in the garden. Not My will but Thine be done was His cry to the Father. The cross will never be carried if we don’t first live in denial. The cross represents the place where we die to self. Kill it there and walk away! THOMAS GOODWIN said; “There were no cords could have held him to the whipping-post but those of love; no nails have fastened him to the cross but those of love. Matthew 14:27 says, “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Come into His Presence Father, it’s no easy thing to deny self the pleasures and cares of this world. But I want to experience all the good You have for me life and I know I must deny those things pick up my cross and follow You. Help me to pick it up today and bring You honor and Glory. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen. Ed Herald Senior Pastor Email Pastor Ed

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

May 19 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      Seems to Be the Opposite   Daily Scripture Mark 8:34-38 “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.””   Encouragement It amazes me how God has such a different perspective on the way things should be, rather than what my carnal flesh thinks, or how it wants to act. As Spirit-filled Christians we are taught not to follow the ways of the world; and not to walk, talk or act in the ways of sinners. We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit and have a transformed mind. So, when we wonder how we should react to things that happen to us, the best thing we can do is seek God through His word to understand the best way to handle it. Don't be too surprised to find that it wasn't at all what you had expected and that the answer may not be the easiest to do, but the end result will cause you to be blessed and will give glory to God! Remember that we are supposed to see things differently through the eyes of Christ. An unbeliever who can not understand spiritual things would possibly call us weak, a push-over, a door mat... or think we are crazy to do the things that we do in the manner that we do them. But we know the God that we serve, and He has placed His Holy Spirit within us as a navigational guide through life. We can do all things as we are strengthened through Christ (‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4: 13) and given revelation through His spirit within us to accomplish His desires for us. Apply God’s Word God is faithful, and His ways are the best ways! When you follow His guidance, and are obedient to His word, things turn out better than you could have expected by trying to do it your way. When God's ways are applied to a situation, the way that you conduct yourself may be noticed, and when His blessings begin to flow, God receives the glory through your example of living a righteous lifestyle. Even unbelievers (though they don't understand now) would want to know how you could do what you do and everything seems to turn out for the best. Be prepared to share what you know to be true!  Come into His Presence Help us, Lord God, to read, understand, and apply Your word and Your will as we go through life living to be more like You. We want our lives to be a reflection of who You are, and our purpose to give You glory. Our desire is to hear You say, “well done faithful servant you will live with me in eternity”. 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

May 18 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      Less is More   Daily Scripture Philippians 4:11-13 “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”   Encouragement Learning to be content in the world we live in is a challenge. Striving for more of the world is not the answer. There are people that have a lot of money but they seem to fall into pits of drugs and alcohol, or spend it so frivolously that it is quickly gone leaving them worse off than they were before. Life can be like these reality shows that have people competing to be the last man/woman standing. It's hard for me to watch as they back stab, connive, and scheme against each other. Winning someone's trust just to turn on them in the end. Doing "whatever it takes" to get to the top and win. It's a scary thought that there are people in the world that survive with a "dog eat dog" mentality. All for what? Unfortunately, the competitiveness of the world sets things up that way before us as a test to see just how far we will go before we compromise. ‭‭Being busy and overly committed to things all the time can also steal your joy, causing you to become stressed and to never get the rest you need to re-energize. We can get so caught up in the chaos of what the "norm" is, that we don't even realize it! All of this can cause a separation between us and God, because it all becomes idols that receive more attention than we give to Him. This is exactly where the devil wants you to be. Chasing after the things of the world, desiring more than enough, busy and "on the go" all the time. He loves it when you "hit the door running." All the while God is saying "here I am, come to me and I will give you rest for your soul." ‭What if everything you thought was most important was stripped away from you in an instant? I picture someone with all the craziness swirling all around them like a huge noisy storm and suddenly it stops! SILENCE, everything is still. Would God say "I never knew you"?  Apply God’s Word Do you want more peace, more joy, more contentment? Get rid of all the distractions, recognize the things that cause you stress, possibly down size your material lifestyle, or whatever it takes to be satisfied with LESS of the world. Get back to your first love (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:4- “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!”). Pick up your Bible, find a quite place and connect with God, make Him your priority. You will find that this simple act will fill the void in your life, and you will be MORE satisfied. Paul was satisfied in plenty and in want, because he relied on God to give him what he needed. When it was good He enjoyed it, but he didn't get too attached to those times because it could have caused him to get too comfortable and not continue to do the will of God. God is your provider, and he will make sure you have everything that you need. He deserves to be the desire of your heart. Come into His Presence Lord, help us to slow things down in order to connect with You more. Help us to see that less of the world and more of You is what will bring us contentment. Our trust is in You as our provider who will give us what we need, help us to realize that it is enough. We love You, Lord, in plenty and in want. We will seek you first. 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

May 17 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      Living With Denial   Daily Scripture Mark 8:34 “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me…”    Encouragement At first glance the title seems a bit odd. But it was only meant to catch some attention. The real meaning behind it is found in our scripture. Jesus was challenging His disciples with the same thought. If you want to truly be a disciple of Jesus, then your life will be marked with denial. For many of them this meant leaving every comfort then had come to know. They may have been asked to spend long days or weeks away from family and friends. Some even had to give up their occupations to follow Jesus.   Apply God’s Word For all of us, there are things we are called to surrender. These are not things we didn’t want in the first place. When we are asked to surrender something, it most likely will be those things we count costly. God gave up His Son to a life of rejection and ultimate death. He did it so we could live the same life He lived. Free from the encumbrances of this present world. If we are willing to deny the flesh its desires, we will not become overwhelmed be the busyness to keep up with it all. Denying your flesh is good and healthy, spiritually and physically. Come into His Presence Father, I need to deny myself more. The flesh desires so much of what this world offers, but I want to hunger after You. So I choose to live in denial today. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen. Ed Herald Senior Pastor Email Pastor Ed

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

May 16 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      The Big Payoff   Daily Scripture Matthew 24:45-47, 25:1-30 Encouragement All week we have been talking about humility, service, and putting others first. Today, I want to encourage you that even though serving others can be laborious, difficult, and challenging, it is and will be worth it! In Matthew 24:46 we are told that if we as servants are faithful, we will receive a reward. That reward is being put in charge of everything the Master owns. Wow! For me, the greater reward is found in Matthew 25:23 when our Master will say to us, “well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!” Apply God’s Word Application for today's encouragement can be found in Galatians 6:7-10. Paul tells us to not grow weary in our well-doing, our serving. He tells us that we will reap a timely harvest if we don't give up and quit! Verse 10 tells us to look for our opportunities to serve, especially to those in the family of faith. So, my friends and faith family, keep serving even when you think you may never see any results. Because God's word is true and he promises us the reward! Come into His Presence Father, help me to not grow weary in my serving! Give me Your strength to accomplish the task before me. Help me to serve You until the day I can see You face to face and hear You say “well done!” 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

May 15 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      Servant Leadership   Daily Scripture Hebrews 3:1-6 “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.” Encouragement Moses is considered one of the greatest leaders in the history of Israel. Rightfully so! However, God's view of Moses was different than the nation's, historians', and some theologians'. In both verse 2 and verse 5, God calls this leader of millions a great servant. In fact, God calls him a faithful servant. True leadership is always laid by a foundation of service. To lead anything we must learn to be servants. Apply God’s Word We have all been enamored by some very charismatic, gregorious, over-the-top confident leader. Many times we were also later disappointed by them when we discovered their self-serving, ego-centered character flaws. We have all been called to lead in some capacity. Some in business, some at work, some in church, and all at home. The way we apply this lesson is to remember to be a servant to those we lead. Let your leadership show forth in and by your service. Come into His Presence Father, help me to remember that when You promote me into leadership, You still expect me to be a servant. Help me to serve others by example and in humility! 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