Vizion Church | Charlotte, NC

As Christians, we are to examine our motivations, resist the cultural pull of self-glory, embrace humility modeled by John the Baptist, and fully commit to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord in the power of active, personal faith.

Prayer and Fasting is an essential part of our walk as followers of Jesus. How we pray and fast is just as important is how often we pray and fast. They both realign our heart and will to the desire of Jesus! Prayer and fasting is our first response, not our last resort.

The story of the man with the withered hand is a story of how God continues to show us more of who he is. Our God is a God who sees us. Knowing that we can always rest in Jesus, and reach out to him in time of need, recognizing that He is the only one who can save us!

God's plan, though often different from our own, is always for our ultimate good. Joseph's life is the perfect example of exercising the forgiveness of others, and ultimately points to Jesus being the ultimate forgiver of sins and reconciliation

We often feel trapped between their past and a calling toward freedom, yet God always provides a way out of the wilderness of sin and despair. While the Israelites may have felt trapped, it is Pharaoh who was ensnared by God's plan. We have assurance that we have ultimate victory through Christ!

Acts 27 centers around the theme of navigating life's storms with faith and hope. There are four crucial “anchors” that serve as a guide in turbulent times: God's presence, possession, purpose, and promise, and as believers, we are to hold onto these anchor's in times of need!

Jesus has risen from the dead! His life, death and resurrection is proof of everything he ever said. His resurrection validates all the messages He spoke, it validates our salvation. We must respond to the gospel! He is risen indeed!

David's story with Nathan is a prime example of recognizing sin in our lives. We must recognize our own sins, embracing conviction as a form of God's mercy, ultimately asking for repentance and gaining a deeper relationship with God.

God desires for us to have a more authentic relationship with Him, oneself, and others. Through an integrated life with the Holy Spirit and pursuing Jesus, one's inner faith can reflect outward actions, leading to transformation and wholeness in relationships.

As Christian men, we must respond to the call to nurture and guide our families both spiritually and physically. Sacrificial love and compromise maintains peace within the family, and we are to be leaders of that. Christ's sacrifice, encapsulates the need for all of us to undergo a renewal of spirit and commitment to our roles within both family and faith.

Job was tested by Satan through devastating loss and personal affliction. The turning point comes when Job's wife, overwhelmed by despair, suggests he curse God and die, reflecting the deepest challenges of faith and emotional strain within relationships. Job's trials warn us of the impact of one's emotions can lead to a cycle of negativity. We should speak life and encourage one another in our relationships, and to not let their emotions control us, as marriage is a sacred covenant designed to foster growth in Jesus, and in each other.

Spiritual integrity and relationship choices are inextricably linked. We must actively defend our homes against spiritual threats and remain vigilant in our personal faith walks. We should learn from Lot's mistakes in order to better navigate our path toward Godly relationships and a fulfilling life in Christ.

We are called to be joyful, never stop praying, and be thankful in all circumstances. Joy is essential for Christians, even amidst trials and difficulties. We are to maintain a prayerful attitude, emphasizing that true power and strength come from communion with God rather than from worldly concerns or control.

We live in a time when the return of Jesus Christ is imminent. We must understand God's timeline is not our own. The Great Commission is the life we are to live, holy and righteous. We evangelize and disciple the people we love and lead, and wait patiently for the Lord to return!

Our seventh core value is Love is our Calling. Love and truth are not meant to be separated. Just as Jesus showed mercy to the woman caught in adultery, we're called to balance grace and truth in our own lives. It's easy to condemn others, but Jesus invites us to extend the same forgiveness we've received. As we go into the week, let's challenge ourselves to lead with love, to offer grace before judgment, and to remember that we, too, have been forgiven. Love is our calling—let's live it out boldly. 

Our sixth core value is Truth is our Standard.  Truth is unchanging and absolute; it must be the guiding principle in our life to combat deception and confusion from the enemy. Acknowledging Jesus as the ultimate truth in our life, provides clarity and direction, making Him the cornerstone of faith. Jesus is THE way, THE truth and THE life. Because of his death and resurrection we are bold in our approach to preaching the truth.

Our fifth core value is Generosity is our Worship. Giving is an expression of love and devotion to God and our giving habits reveal our true priorities and relationship with God! Our worship should stem from gratitude and joy, not obligation, transforming our relationship with God. Being generous means giving up what costs us something, trusting in God's provision.

Our fourth core value is Excellence is our Spirit. We serve a God who created the heavens and the earth. The Lord is excellent in all that He does, and he deserves our very best and our firsts! We maintain an excellent spirit by giving Him our very best and allowing God to draw all people unto Himself. 

Our third core value is Humility is our Heart.  Jesus models servant leadership, reminding us that humility involves serving others rather than seeking power or recognition. When we truly see God's holiness, we realize our shortcomings, leading to genuine humility.

Our second core value is that People are our Heart. Making disciples is not just a command but a lifestyle that every believer should embody. Our mission, given by Jesus, is to win souls, and make disciples, and we do that by having gospel conversations, and showing the love of Jesus through our words and actions.

Our first core value is that Jesus is our Message. He is the focal point of all teachings, highlighting the importance of Christ in every aspect of life and ministry. True transformation comes from understanding and following Jesus. Our message is to glorify Jesus and spread His message, bringing others to Christ.

The church thrives when all members engage in ministry, reflecting the body of Christ's unity. And genuine compassion should drive our actions, moving us to serve those in need, rather than complacency in our comfort zones. This active participation can lead to extraordinary community transformation, however true fulfillment is found in Him and His mission.

In Isaiah 8-9, the prophet foresees a time of darkness and despair for Israel, especially in the northern regions, but offers a message of hope through the coming Messiah. This child, Jesus, both fully human and fully divine, will bring light, peace, and salvation, establishing a kingdom of justice and love that will endure forever. This child was born for you, for your salvation.

Understanding “who am I” shifts to “who are You” when we recognize God's nature, allowing us to embrace our purpose. Letting go of self-centeredness allows Christ to lead, transforming our lives into reflections of His glory.

There is a transformative power of a personal relationship with Jesus. Life must revolve around Jesus rather than self, and ultimate fulfillment comes from a relationship with God.

True strength and progress come not from human might, but by the Spirit of God. God will finish what He has started and urges not to despise small beginnings, as God works through humble and seemingly insignificant starts to achieve great outcomes.

Jesus tell us in this world we will have trials but take heart for he has overcome the world. In those midnight hours we must pray and worship our way through. God is an on time Father and He wants to set you free. What you give to Him, He will use!

What does it mean to have a childlike faith? In Matthew 18, we see Jesus emphasizing that humility and a childlike nature are essential for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Having a childlike heart is a natural result of being saved, marked by transformation, humility, and a genuine change in attitude.

Could it be that your disadvantage is actually an eternal advantage? When we have come to the end of ourselves, we have no one to turn to but God. Our surrender draws us closer to salvation. True wealth is being saved by Jesus and knowing him!

Prayer is important, and especially in the Church! Where prayer is focused, power falls. We need to develop a stronger prayer culture, praying for our people, as well as lost souls to come to Jesus.

Have you ever felt like your life has been delayed? Almost as if there has been an injustice to you? Delays can be part of God's process, even though they may seem frustrating. Through the story of Joseph, we see how delays do not indicate God's disinterest, but rather can be part of His plan to develop character and dependence. God's favor may not look like human favor, and we should trust in His timing and process!

When we compromise, we invite the enemy to wreak havoc in our lives. Many of us are still searching for the right things in the wrong places. We're searching for peace in the enemy's camp. We won't find peace in the presence of the enemy. It can only be found in Jesus!

What are you living for today? What motivates you in life? Is it rewards from man or God getting the glory? God doesn't just care what you do but why you do it!

God's work transcends mortal men, showing that human failures do not hinder His plans. David was anointed king despite being overlooked by his own family, yet we are reminded that God looks at the heart, not outward appearances, it is true character that matters most. Abiding in Christ leads to spiritual fruitfulness and growth!

Jesus doesn't condemn. He loves. No matter the circumstances there's a God who loves us and is with us. You don't need to fear tomorrow because the one who's already been in tomorrow is with you. 

Your faith began with someone else's. Could it be that other people's faith will begin because of your obedience? The most important thing you can do in life is win souls and make disciples. The Lord's mission is our mission! We can't sit and wait for God to do all the work. He uses people and He wants to use you!

Devotion to the apostles teachings, devotion to communion, devotion to fellowship with other believers, and devotion to prayer. These are the 4 foundations to the Christian life. May we live in such a way that we become more like Christ each day.

o live in light of eternity we must deliberately live for eternity. We must be motivated by our future rewards, and we must become misfits. Are the things you're living for worth Christ dying for?

The church is still called to send. A church that stops sending is a church that starts dying. Before we're called to minister to people, we're first called to minister to the Lord. To minister is to serve. Let go of the old ways of life and serve God wholeheartedly! It might be your life but it's his story!

In this world there will be trouble. God doesn't promise to deliver us from this trouble but be with us and deliver us through it! Salvation is free, but our calling will cost us. But we serve a God who sticks closer than a brother! He can do much with little. Our faith doesn't have to be perfect for God to move on our behalf!

Christianity isn't a religion but a relationship with the living God. You can't earn your own way to heaven. Your goodness will never be good enough. May we never forget where we came from or how lost we were when Jesus came to rescue us from our own sinful nature! We still need the power of God! 

Peter's encounter with Cornelius shows us God's nature in a multitude of ways, but the main point is this: No matter the audience, the message remained the same: The Gospel of Jesus Christ. May our message to a lost and dying world remain the same. To continually preach Jesus. 

When you have an encounter with God, everything changes. Don't allow fear get in the way of your obedience to God. You were called by God. Your suffering is not vain. Devote yourself to the Lord!

It's not what it looks like. There's more happening than what meets the eye. What looks like defeat is actually God's hand at work in those unseen places. God's word cannot and will not return void so don't stop believing! May Jesus go before us, and may we just preach Christ! 

May we take up a posture today where we don't worship comfort but become bold to stand out in the midst of wickedness. We can't blend in the crowd but be willing to stand out and be a witness for Jesus! Don't defend yourself, defend the Gospel! God gives us the grace to endure the call!

The church isn't about comfort. We've got to shift from this consumer mentality and come out of our convenience and focus on the mission that's at hand. The great commission is still our mission. May we return to the bold, loving, and truthful preaching of the gospel!

Acts Chapter 5 encourages believers to live with integrity: God doesn't benefit from deceit. Rely on the Holy Spirit: When the Holy Spirit goes to work in our lives, wonderful, even miraculous things can happen! Remain faithful under persecution: May we become a people that we can praise in the opportunity to suffer in the name of Jesus! And trust in God's sovereign plans: God didn't promise us peace in our comfort. He promised us peace in his presence!

God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things! The Gospels transformative power can't be thwarted by human efforts! We it is by grace through faith in which we are saved and there is no other name but Jesus! May will live with a great boldness and be effective witnesses for the name above all names!

Like the lame man, many of us don't want to change or be transformed, but want the blessing where we are. God doesn't work like that. He isn't just going to comfort you in your condition but deliver you out of it! God is able, and He will. But even if He doesn't, He's still worthy of our praise!

The Holy Spirit: Descended at Pentecost, was promised to us, is worth waiting for, comes as He wills, and is often received as He convicts us and we acknowledge our own emptiness and dependence on Him. Relying on your own strength or efforts will result in emptiness. We need the Spirit! The power is in surrender and reliance on Him to transform the human heart!

The baptism of the Holy Spirit empowers believers to be effective witnesses and fulfill the Great Commission. With the Holy Spirit's indwelling and resting upon believers, He transforms their lives, giving them boldness, love, and consecration to God's purposes! We can be bold in our faith in order to help fulfill the Great Commission by trusting and relying on the Holy Spirit to help us and give us peace.