RCCG Victory Temple Chantilly's Podcast

Without faith it is impossible to please Him."

Heb 11:6 NKJV

The Bible says, "Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (v. 6 NKJV). Here is something God can't do: Be pleased without faith! Twelve spies entered the promised land, but only two came back and said, "We are well able to overcome it" (Nu

13:30 NKJV). God had promised it to them, but the majority thought it couldn't be done. People who think "possible" not only create forward-looking, optimistic pictures of the future in their own minds, but also in the minds of others. And the opposite is true. Sam Ewing said, "Nothing is so embarrassing as watching someone do something that you said couldn't be done." Now, believing you can doesn't guarantee you will. But believing you can't guarantees you won't! So how's your approach to life? When you face the unknown, the undone, or the untried, do you focus on all the things that can go wrong or all the things that can go right? Ballistic rocket pioneer Wernher von Braun said, "I have learned to use the word 'impossible' with the greatest caution." You say, "Who was he?" The scientist who made it possible for the first man to walk on the moon! John Andrew Holmes said:

"Never tell a young person that something cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for somebody ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing." If you want to achieve something, give yourself permission to believe it is possible-and trust God for success.

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Thank God for his gift that is too wonderful for words!" 2Co 9:15 CEV

One afternoon a little girl stood outside Pete

Richardson's antique shop studying the treasures in the window. Then she went in and asked to see a string of blue beads. When Pete set them on the counter, she said: "They're perfect. Will you gift wrap them, please? They're for my sister. She takes care of me. This will be our first Christmas since Mom died, and I've been looking for the perfect present." "How much do you have?" asked Pete cautiously. Pouring a stack of coins on the counter, she said, "I emptied my bank." Pete picked up the necklace, the price tag visible to him and not her.

"What's your name?" he asked, walking into the back room. "Jean Grace," she replied. Pete returned with a beautifully wrapped package, and the little girl thanked him and left. On Christmas Eve when the last customer had left and he was locking up, a young woman rushed into the store and handed him a familiar package. "Do you remember who you sold this to?" she asked. "A girl called Jean bought them for her big sister," he replied. "How much are they worth?" she inquired. "The price," Pete replied, "is always confidential between the seller and his customer." Her sister asked, "But how could she pay for them?" Carefully rewrapping the present, Pete handed it back to her and said, "She paid the biggest price anyone can ever pay. She gave everything she had." When "God sent forth his Son" (Gal 4:4) to redeem us, He gave everything He had.

"Thank God for his gift that is too wonderful for words!"

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"Children. are like arrows." Ps 127:4 NLT

Our children are like arrows; they must be aimed in the right direction. When they're aimed in the wrong direction, they can end up in violence, drugs, and destructive lifestyles. And as long as we jeer at or judge them, they will never feel comfortable turning to us for help as they go through life. Broken arrows come in all colors and forms: black, white, rich, poor. Pain isn't prejudiced; it spares no age group or social strata. What's the answer? Let the strong bear the infirmities of the weak (See Ro 15:1).

"Jesus...had compassion on them and healed their sick" (Mt 14:14 NLT). Compassion is the mother of miracles! When the disciples thought they would die in the storm, they didn't challenge Christ's power, they challenged His compassion: "Carest thou not that we perish?" (Mk 4:38). Where there is no compassion, there will be no miracle. Only when you're moved by someone's pain rather than turned off by their symptoms can you bring healing to them. One author writes: "We can build all the churches we want. But if people cannot find a loving voice within our hallowed halls, they will pass through unaltered by our clichés and religious rhetoric. Church is not a club for the well-heeled, but a hospital for those needing to be healed and set free. You don't have to like everything about the people you're called to minister to, but you do have to love them because God does." We have been called to gather up those the world has thrown away because they matter to God: ''They shall be Mine,' says the Lord of hosts, 'on the day that I make them My jewels'" (Mal 3:17 NKJV).

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"He makes me to lie down in green pastures."

Ps 23:2 NKJV

Even when you're living right and doing all the right things, life can still be draining. We have all received mail addressed simply to "Occupant." Sometimes you're drained not because you did anything wrong, but because you happen to "occupy" the planet.

The combination of the world, the flesh, and the devil will suck the spiritual vitality right out of you if you let them. You try to pray, but no words come.

You know you ought to read your Bible, but when you try to, the letters on the page all run together and none of it makes sense. And you don't want to listen to spiritual people, especially when you suspect they may be faking their positive viewpoints. You're just going through the spiritual motions, nodding and saying amen; yet in your soul, you're running on empty. David, who had been a shepherd, said that God "makes" us lie down. Why?

Because just like sheep, we would keep on wandering all over the place and wearing ourselves out. Note two things David says: (1) "He makes me to lie down in green pastures." The word "green" means "fresh." Each day you need a fresh encounter with God through praver and a fresh intake of His Word. Bread is not the only thing that can go stale; your spiritual life can, too. (2) "He leads me beside the still waters" (v. 2 NKJV). The word "still" means you need times of quietness and reflection. "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps 46:10). The only way to know God intimately, sense His leading, and draw on His strength is to "be still."

I Running on empty

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"My suffering was good for me." Ps 119:71 NLT

God uses problems, pressures, and people to prune you for greater fruitfulness. Are vou aware of Him using any of these three things in your life today?

God can use all situations in vour life to help you grow if you will just have the right attitude. He will use a major frustration, a financial setback, a sudden sickness, a broken marriage, a rebellious child, or even the death of a loved one to get your attention. You say, "But it hurts so much!" Yes, pruning is painful. Sometimes a gardener will prune a tree until it looks like a totem pole or a giant toothpick. It's not a pretty sight. But the pruning process is positive. God is not mad at you. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Ro 8:1 NKJV). God does not punish His genuine children. Jesus took your punishment on the cross. God's pruning is for your best, for more fruitfulness in your life. Can God's pruning fail to produce? Sure, if you don't cooperate. How does God produce "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" in your life? (Gal 5:22-23 NLT). He produces these qualities by allowing you to face situations and people with exactly the opposite qualities. He teaches you to love by putting you around difficult people. He teaches you patience by letting things frustrate you. You say, "How can I cooperate with God?" The Bible tells you: "Alwas be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus" (1Th 5:16-18 NLT)

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"In Christ we, though many, form one body." Romans

12:5 NIV

The Bible describes the Christian life in war terms: fight, conquer, strive, battle, overcome, victory.

You're in a spiritual battle whether vou realize it or not, and you need support and backup. When you became a Christian, you became a member of God's army. Imagine you go to a recruiting office to join the Army. They say, "Wonderful, sign here." You say: "Wait! I have one stipulation. I don't want to be committed to any particular platoon. I want to be able to float around. I'll be part of the Army, but I don't want to be committed to a certain group of soldiers. If the battle gets too hot in one area, I'll move to another area and join another platoon. And if I dislike one platoon's leadership, I'll join another." Would you want a person like that fighting by your side? Of course you wouldn't! But that's how many Christians today relate to God's army. They float around from church to church with little or no commitment to any particular group of Christians-so while the battle is being fought, they are awol.

There is no such thing as a free-floating believer in the Bible. The difference between just attending church and becoming a member is like the difference between getting married and just living together. The distinction is commitment. The Greek word for fellowship is koinonia, which means being committed to one another. Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (Jn 13:35 NIV). And you can't love in absentia. So, be committed and connected.

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"Always...give an answer...with gentleness and respect." 1Pe 3:15 NIV

The Bible says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that vou have. But do this with gentleness and respect." Two ways to get an egg out of an eggshell are to (1) crack it open, or (2) put it in a warm, loving environment and allow it to incubate and hatch. The second wav preserves the chick, while the first kills it. Similarly, two ways to get the good news of the gospel across to people are to (1) pound them over the head with it. or (2) love them into God's family. Have you noticed that a lot of evangelism is just a thinly-veiled insult? "You need what I have because vou're so awful." People do need the good news, but your disposition can keep them from receiving it. Respect unbelievers; don't humiliate them. Respecting means accepting them. That doesn't mean vou have to approve of their lifestyle. Acceptance and approval are different. But everybody has the right to be treated in a respectful way. The best way to share the gospel with unbelievers is to surround them with love and acceptance as you share it with them. Be respectful, sensitive, and caring. Theologian D. T.

Niles said, "Evangelism is just one beggar telling another where to find bread " Share God's Word!

You do the sharing, and God will do the saving.

Once vou sow the seed of God's Word into someone's heart, you can love them and leave them and trust God to do His part.

Evervbodv has the right to be treated in a respectful way.

"Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?" Pr 20:6 NIV

A new employee once asked a coworker, "How long have you been working for the company?" He replied, "Ever since the boss threatened to fire me!" Seriously, employers scramble to find workers who are faithful and dependable. Citizens long for politicians who will faithfully carry out all of their campaign promises. In the marriage ceremony, newlyweds are asked to be faithful to the vows they make to each other. The truth is, without faithfulness, your influence will be restricted-or wiped out. Without faithfulness, the sum total of all your other wonderful talents is diluted. Faithfulness turns the mundane into the miraculous and transforms ordinary individuals into dependable achievers. Wise King Solomon asked this soul-searching question: "Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?" The world wants people who are faithful. There are more than 300 geysers in Yellowstone National Park approximately half the known geysers in the world. But one stands above the others. It's not the largest, and its waters don't reach the greatest height, but it's by far the most popular. And its popularity is due solely to one thing-its dependability. People stand in long lines under the hot sun to see it, because according to a precise schedule, it shoots a stream of boiling water more than 120 feet into the air. You can nearly set vour watch by it. That's why it's called Old Faithful.

People are attracted to our faithfulness. God is glorified by our faithfulness. So in all you do this day, practice faithfulness.

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"His heart went out to him." Lk

15:20 PHPS

When the father saw his prodigal son, "his heart went out to him." Jack Graham writes:

"This isn't a father who can't wait to punish his sinful son...who has written him off as wasted and worthless. This is a loving, caring father who can't wait to embrace and welcome him. He runs down the road to meet him...What you see...is a picture of the Father's love for you...eager...excessive... approachable…abundant." Max Lucado adds: "The tale involves a wealthy father and a willful son [who]...takes his inheritance [to] Las Vegas and...wastes [it] on slot machines and call girls... Broke [and] too proud to go home, he gets a job sweeping.stables at the racetrack. When he finds himself... [eating].. their oats, he realizes enough is enough...Off he goes, rehearsing his repentance speech... But...

'When he was...a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion' [v. 20 NKJV]..We expect crossed arms...a furrowed brow..a guarded handshake...a stern lecture...Instead [the father said],

'Bring out the best robe...a ring...sandals... and... the fatted calf' [vv. 22-23 NKJV]."
The ring symbolized delegated authority. The one who wore it carried on business in the name of the one who gave it.

Would you have given this prodigal the power of attorney over your matters?

Entrusted him with your credit card? When you came to God, you were given authority to conduct business in His name. When you speak truth, you're His ambassador (See 2Co 5:20). As you steward finances He gives, you're His business manager. When you proclaim forgiveness, you're His priest.

He has given you the privilege to do for others what He does for you. Don't withhold encouragement or affirmation! Speak words that strengthen others. Why? Because you represent your Father!

You're His ambassador.

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"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks." 1Th 5:16-18

In order to succeed in life, you need good coping skills. The salesperson has a quota. The performer has rehearsals. The therapist counsels one depressed soul after another. The pilot has to sit in the cockpit for hours. The preacher is never free of sermon preparation. Then there is the mother with tiny children facing fourteen hours a day of making decisions, competing with strong wills, and trying to be everything to everybody. How do you develop the coping skills required to live the abundant life Jesus promised? (See Jn 10:10.) Paul tells us,

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks." Rejoice in the things that never change, can't fail, and won't let you down (like God's promises!). And when you feel like you can't cope, pray. Better yet, live with a prayerful heart!

With every breath, say, "I trust you, Lord; I turn it over to you, for I know you have everything under control." And don't forget to give thanks. Remember the old adage: "I grumbled because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet." Instead of complaining, start counting your blessings. Do you remember what life was like before vou met Jesus?

Weren't there days when you thought you wouldn't make it? Now look where you are! On the other side of the Red Sea, looking back, the Israelites declared that the Lord was their strength, their song, and their salvation (See Ex 15:2). And isn't that what He has been to you, too? Come on, praise God!

Instead of complaining, start counting your blessinas.

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