Author: Pastor Ray Patrick

Evangelism. Outreach. Ministry. Pastor Ray Patrick is a R.E Teacher at The Eden School
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How To Have a Prolonged Productive Life

woman in white long sleeve shirt standing near white and gray house during daytime

So many people today are looking for ways to prolong their lives and renew their youth, but God already has a fail-proof system outlined in His Word. It says in Isaiah that when you put your hope in Him, He will renew your youth. Also, today’s verse tells us that keeping God’s Word close to your heart will prolong your life. 

Today’s verse doesn’t say that you will just have a long, drawn-out, ordinary life. No, God promises that He will prolong your life and fill your days with peace and prosperity. He wants you to live fulfilled and happy all the days of your life.  

Today we must keep God’s word first place in our life. We can’t allow distractions to steal our focus or take us off course. If you want a productive life, choose to keep, and live out God’s commands. This will allow you to enjoy His peace and prosperity all the days of your life. 

“Do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity” (Proverbs 3:1–2, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for allowing me to have a long, productive life. Father, I choose to honour You and keep Your Word first place in my life. God, please show me Your ways so that I may walk with You all the days of my life. In Christ’s Name. Amen. 

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Pleasing God Not Man

woman in white sweater and blue denim jeans sitting on bed

I told someone just the other day that ministry is about pleasing God not man. I also said that I don’t need to win man’s approval as long as I have God’s. Amen! 

Paul in the bible feels the same way. He was evidently not worried about trying to please the people around him. It’s not that he didn’t care about others. It’s just that his primary focus was on serving the Lord. 

Many times, you may be too worried about what people think of you, which inhibits you from following God with your whole heart. Instead, follow those God-given desires with reckless abandon, because all that will matter in the end is fulfilling God’s plan for your life. 

Today remember you are called to serve God without reserve, so fulfil His plan without letting others side-track you with their selfish, self-centred, denominational political agendas. Please don’t forget it’s always God first and man second. 

“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10, NIV) 

Let’s Pray  

Yahweh, give me the dedication to be Your servant alone. Help me not to be side-tracked by what others may think of me or their self-centred political denominational agendas. Father, I am tired of looking for man’s approval over Yours. I repent of that sin and ask for Your forgiveness. God make me Your servant today and always, In Christ’s name. Amen. 

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Waiting Patiently 

standing woman facing a speeding train

A few years ago, while in Tanzania, I spent days waiting to see the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, but inclement weather was keeping the peak hidden. In the end, I went to sleep hoping the next day I would see it. Early the next morning, I opened my eyes to see that huge white mountain glistening in the sun-covered sky. What a sight! It was truly worth the wait! 

Waiting gives us a greater appreciation. It gives us longer-lasting memories. It also gives strength and patience for the next situation. 

Rather than waiting until we reach heaven to reward us, God gives us blessings of hope now, to keep us strong and focus when heaven seems so far away. An attitude of patience. 

Points to consider while waiting patiently…

1. God’s way is the best, and we become more aware of this when we observe Him working out His plan in our life. 

2. The Lord knows the right moment to provide what we want or need. If we give up too soon or try to manipulate circumstances, we miss out on God’s best for us. 

3. We have God’s favour. When we are patiently waiting for His will, then He can freely bless us. God certainly wants to pour out His love on our life. 

Today I want to remind you that God has many rewards available to us when we abide patiently in His will. We will all face circumstances in which we are tempted to be impatient. What determines whether we express patience is faith and the value we place on whoever else is involved – a brother, friend, co-worker, or God. Do you value Him enough to be patient with His timing? 

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” (Galatians 6:7-9) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I give myself away so you can use me. Father, please bless me with joy, patience, and success in my life, please guide me each day to have patience with my friends and family. God bless this day, fill my life, and bless me eternally. I pray I will pass the spiritual tests that will come my way. Lord, please protect me as I wait on you. My Life is not my own, to you I belong. I give myself to you.  In Christ’s Name, Amen. 

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The Big Question 

notes on board

Most of us have asked this big question, “why am I here?” Understanding why God put you here is one of the most important principles when it comes to discovering your unique purpose and calling. 

To know why you are here helps you answer the question of why God has uniquely gifted you the way He has. Remember, we all have gifts whether we are black or white, rich, or poor, old or young, God has called you to accomplish individually special unique tasks. There’s nothing more exciting than to discover your purpose and area of calling and focus on it!  

Don’t let the enemy tell you you’ve been forgotten or left out. God has not left anybody out. You have talents, abilities, and natural strengths and you need to be aware of what they are and make sure that you’re taking advantage of them and using them for His glory. Your gifts are wrapped up in your abilities and positive passions. Pray about it today because there is something important that only you can accomplish for God! 

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12:6, NIV) 

Let’s Pray  

Yahweh, I want to clearly understand the reason You created me and gifted me the way You have. Father, I pray for your Spirit to make my purpose live in me and through me, so I can fulfil my God-given purpose.  I declare positive passion and ability over my life. Father, I beg you to allow me to experience the joy and victory that comes from being in Your will. In Christ’s Name. Amen. 

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Patience? ?

Patience is more than just a word. It’s an action of love toward others and an action of trusting in God. As I said yesterday patience is a word I have feared for years. I constantly struggled with putting that word into action and living it out in a way that reflects Christ’s example.  

Just recently, I was sitting in an airport terminal waiting on a delayed flight for over two hours, I couldn’t help but notice how my patience fluctuates. Sometimes, I can sit, be still, and be fully reliant on God and His timing. Other times, I’m constantly looking at the clock and wondering, “When? Why not now?” 

We all have our own individual spiritual gifts. Yours may be leadership, showing grace, teaching, or anything like that. Many forget that being patient is a spiritual gift. I believe it is more an act of love as well as a spiritual gift. For, in 1 Corinthians 13:4, we read, “Love is patient, love is kind…” Although this is just a piece of the entire chapter which goes on to talk more about love in action, we can see just how important patience is within the first three words of this verse. Love is patient. While being patient, we should be loving others. 

My solution to becoming more patient and overcoming my impatience is to answer the three questions two of which were stated earlier: When? Why not now? And do I love deep enough? The answer to them all is, “God knows.” This suggests the key to being patient is faith, trust, and love for God. 

Today I declare patience is more than just a word. It’s an action of love toward others and an action of trusting in God. It is also something that is not always easy to develop. It’s developed over time – a process. Don’t feel stressed or pressured to immediately go out and try and fix your patience- experience, time, practice, and God’s help are the only things that can truly develop your patience. Please be patient while developing your patience. 

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. James 5:7  

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank you for being patient with me. Grant me the virtue of patience. I pray that it may mellow me and make me less irritable. Father may I be broad in my forgiveness, and never narrow, proud or overbearing. God, may no one be worse off for having come within my influence, no one less pure, or less noble and may my love and God-given patience lead to eternal life in Christ’s name, Amen! 

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“Patience” The Hardest Prayer

woman in white sweater and blue denim jeans sitting on bed

The prayer I struggle most to pray, is the one for more patience. This is because, developing patience comes through trials and the learned skill of seeing other people the way God sees them. Practising patience teaches us to keep looking toward things above, where we witness God working in the most difficult of circumstances or within the most difficult of people. 

The Bible says, welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their history to deal with. Treat them gently (Romans 14:1 MSG). 

Today consider these three things in developing Patience: 

Patience comes with a cost. Patience requires that you trust God’s timetable, setting aside your quick-fix agenda, your rights and demands, not in a sense of co-dependent weakness, but with the sacrificial strength of the Jesus-life within you, where you sync with the deep, mysterious, ancient love of the Creator. 

Patience comes with practice. Most people can muster patience when it’s convenient; the real test comes with the stress of time slipping away, or when someone keeps making the same mistakes repeatedly. 

Patience comes through God’s love. Patience may cost you all the love you have, but that’s okay! God has more love in his love bank than our minds could ever conceive. So, give all the love you have, and God will give you more and more and more as you keep giving every ounce of love away. Can’t do it? Of course, you can’t but God can. Hallelujah! 

Allow God’s love and his patience to flow through you. 

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, teach me to be patient – with life, with people, and with myself. I sometimes try to hurry things along too much and push for answers before the time is right. Father, touch me and fill me with your light and your hope. God, give me strength when I am weak, love when I feel forsaken, courage when I am afraid, wisdom when I feel foolish, comfort when I am alone, hope when I feel rejected, and peace when I am in turmoil. In Christ’s name, Amen. 

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Overcoming Offences 

man in black shirt and gray denim pants sitting on gray padded bench

Some of the definitions for the word Offence are the act of provoking, annoying, irritating or causing pain or injury. It is also the reaction the offence produces, like indignation, resentment, or anger, which can lead to a breach in relationships. When someone sins against you, your flesh rises and demands retribution. But the way of grace must, guard your mouth and heart and release the offender. 

The writer of Proverbs urges us to respond to offences by giving evidence of the grace of God. An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel (Proverbs 18:19).  A hostile relationship is hard to win back. Contention separates people into opposing sides. Jesus died to break down the dividing walls. 

The Bible says He who guards his mouth, and his tongue keeps himself from calamity (Proverbs 21:23).  When our unguarded mouth gives vent to our unhealed heart, we unleash words that hurt deeply. 

The wise man continues, do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared (Proverbs 22:24-25). Don’t take the anger of angry people personally, or you will find yourself reacting to them in the same destructive way. Calmness can lay great errors offence to rest (Ecclesiastes 10:4). A quiet spirit will overcome great anger and turn aside the hurtful actions of others. 

Today, “Let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or offence or occasion to fall in your brother’s way”. Show the redemptive purpose of Jesus in every situation and relationship. We overlook offences because Jesus took our offences and bore them to His cross. Our motivation is in the great forgiveness of Jesus. Those who have been forgiven much will forgive much. 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I present my emotions before you, and I pray that you set me free from the spirit of offence. Lord, help me not hold grudges, or harbour ill feelings and thoughts towards those who have hurt or insulted me. Please empower me to forgive and love unconditionally as you love me. Teach me not to cling to negative words or nurse my offences until they grow into something deeper. In Christ’s name Amen. 

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Just To Be Close To You

silhouette photography of person standing on green grass in front of mountains during golden hour

One thing I desire is to be counted among those who intentionally draw near to Jesus. Near to the One who saves us, loves us, and pours immeasurable grace and mercy into our lives; the One who leads and guides us, strengthens us, and never leaves us. 

In the bible, we are reminded of folk who desired to be close to Jesus. I remember Mary, at the feet of Jesus. John, the beloved disciple, leaning on the chest of our Lord. David, the psalmist whose soul thirst for God. Enoch, walking close beside Him—so close, in fact, that God just walked him on up to heaven, completely bypassing death. The list could go on and on. I want my name to be included with those who have deeply desired intimate communion and fellowship with the Lord. Don’t you? 

Today, I want to draw near to the Lord who wakes me up each morning and reminds me that this new day He has made is a day to be glad. And I am glad—deep in my heart, glad that I am His and He is mine. I am grateful that I have the privilege of walking in a close relationship with Him. Let’s live each day for Him and with Him and be counted as one of God’s closest friends. There is no better place to be.  

Psalm 145:18 “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I thank You that You desire to spend time with me. Father, Your Word says if I draw near to You, You will draw near to me—and I want to be close to You. So, right now, I ask that You cause me to desire to draw close to You above everything else in my life. God, help me to have supernatural time management, help me to see clearly when I can set aside time to spend with You, and help me never to compromise that time, in Christ’s name, Amen.

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Why We Get Into Trouble? 

man in black shirt and gray denim pants sitting on gray padded bench

Whilst talking to a young person on my radio show about street life, stabbings and shootings (which is on the increase in our communities) I am realising that folk act first and think later. One of the characteristics of a prudent person, is that they give thought to their ways. Too many people today just act, or react, based on their emotions or circumstances. They let the world around them determine and dictate how they should feel, or what they should do. They believe the media hype with all kinds of negatives. Don’t let that be you!  

Please give thought to your ways. Submit every decision to the Lord in prayer, and allow Him to direct you from inside your heart. Don’t believe everything you hear. Let the Lord guide your steps. 

Today, as you take time to meditate before the Lord, submit your plans to Him. Proverbs says that your ways will be established. You will find supernatural peace that passes understanding, and you will live in success all the days of your life. Please give thought to your ways! 

“The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” (Proverbs 14:15, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness to me. Thank You for guiding and directing my steps. Father, help me each day to give thought to my ways, and follow the good plan You have for me. God, teach me to stop being reactive and instead become proactive. God, I don’t want to act first and think later, so I give You my mind. Please control my thoughts in Christ’s name! Amen. 

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Favour in Store For You

silhouette image of person praying

Today’s scripture talks about how time and chance will come together for every person. In other words, there are moments of favour that God has already released into your future. If you let that thought sink down into your heart, it will change your whole outlook on your future.

People miss out on the good things because they allow fear to distract them and hold them back. They say, “What if I fail?” “What if they don’t like me?” “What if I make a mistake?” However, “What if you do succeed?” “What if they do like you?” “What if you do it better than anyone else?” – that’s what expecting God’s goodness and favour is.

Today go out with an attitude of faith and expectancy and you’ll see the good things God has in store for you. You’ll walk into divine moments of favour, moments of blessing, and moments of increase. Get ready to embrace all the good things God has for you!

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11, NIV.

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for the good things You have in store for my future. Thank You for Your peace and joy that surrounds my every step. Father, I choose to keep my heart focused on the blessings you have for me today and in my future, in Christ’s name. Amen.

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God Calls Me Friend 

four men sitting on ground

Did you know that the all-Knowing, all-Powerful Creator of the universe wants to be your friend today? He wants to walk with you, talk with you and simply share life with you. That’s why He created you, for His fellowship and your worship. It’s as simple as opening your heart of faith to Him just like Abraham did. 

The Bible says that God is a friend who sticks closer than a brother or anyone else. That means He is faithful and true. People may let you down, but God will never let you down. Family may forsake you but God won’t. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. He’ll always be with you. He cares about you; He is always thinking of you. 

Today it’s an honour and privilege to be called a friend of God! Let that sink down into your heart. The next time the enemy tries to tell you that you are alone in this world, or that no one understands what you are going through, just say out loud, “I am a friend of God!” 

“And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.” (James 2:23, NIV) 

Let’s PrayYahweh, thank You for being my eternal friend today. Father, thank You for loving me and being faithful to me. God, help me understand Your friendship so that I can be a better friend to you and those around me in Christ’s name, Amen.

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The Best Four Options for Christian Web Hosting in 2022

laptop technology ipad tablet

Companies that Provide Web Hosting and Uphold Christian Values—Our Preferred Choices

Christian web hosting is a topic that seems to be on the minds of many who are wanting to host a website with a Christian firm, as seen by the numerous inquiries we’ve had about it this year.

Many Christians who are looking to host a website enjoy working with a business that shares their views and has high moral standards. You presumably arrived at this page because you are a steadfast Christian who manages or builds websites. The good news is that we’re here to dispel ambiguity!

As professionals in the web hosting sector, we decided to develop a directory of Christian web hosts to assist Christians in making an informed choice about which hosting providers they can rely on to uphold their basic principles and deliver excellent service.

Christian Web Hosting Companies vs. Secular Businesses

We recognize how crucial it is for Christians to work with hosting providers that share their principles, but also have a high standard of service. Meaning that just because you choose a Christian web hosting company, this should not be at the expense of quality of service. No to the country, as Christians we ourselves are called to have a high standard in everything we do. So therefore a Christian organisation that does not adhere to high standards in the first place should not to chosen purely on the basis of identifying as a Christian hosting provider.

So what does a Christian do? It can appear that you only have two options:

Choose a publicly visible Christian host at the expense of service, security, features, etc or
select a business that offers excellent service but does not uphold Christian principles.
We advise following Jesus’ advice and trying to firstly find a Christian organisation that fulfils the core principles as it is our duty to support our brothers and sisters in Christ, and your search is not successful then although not identifying as strictly a Christian company on the outside, to locate a company that produces results consistent with the high standards you deserve. Again with that being said, if there was a choice between two companies with high standards and one happened to be a Christian company, then we should definitely go with the one that identifies as a Christian organisation. We should always support our brothers and sisters in christ we’re possible. And remember, that even the largest web hosting companies had to start somewhere. They will refuse to recount the days when they struggled to get to the top. The Christian journey is a struggle all by itself. So it would be very hard-nosed to expect a newly established Christian hosting company to compete with one of the giants immediately without your support.

Jesus’ remark in Matthew 7:15–20 is well-known.

These businesses actually include Christian staff members and are very engaged in working on philanthropic issues that actively match the essential beliefs of the Christian religion and the teachings of Jesus, despite the fact that they don’t all publicly identify as Christian hosting. Let’s look at a few of those businesses.

Our Favorite Web Hosting Providers: Christian Values


The following are our top picks for Christian web hosts that, in our opinion, best represent the teachings of Jesus Christ:

DomainRooster No. 1 (Best Value & Most Affordable)

The most popular host on our website, DomainRooster is a newly established web hosting company. The lowest web hosting plan starts at $2.95/month!

The nicest part about them is that they’re one of the few hosts with US-based and UK-based telephone help available around the clock. They offer outstanding security and WordPress features.

DomainRooster has a solid moral foundation and abides by the teachings of Jesus; no websites that contain adult content, nudity (including artistic photos), or sell any adult-oriented goods are permitted on its servers. The company CEO is also a devoted Christian.

Go to DomainRooster

SiteGround, #2

On our website, SiteGround is the second most well-liked host, and they are excellent! They are one of our absolute favourites and have outstanding technology and customer service. We adore them since they have the quickest support response time of any host in their category.

You can get their services for a ridiculously low price of only around $6.99/month.

They also have a solid moral basis that adheres to Jesus’ teachings since they forbid gambling websites, pornographic content on their servers, and other websites that promote immoral behaviour. They follow the golden rule (treat others as you would like to be treated) and engage in a ton of charitable activities.

Go to SiteGround.

WP Engine #3

WP Engine is the best option available for WordPress hosting services (although they are a bit more costly than DomainRooster or SiteGround). With a ton of incredible features designed just for WordPress, like caching, staging servers, and insanely strong backups, they are pretty much the best of the best when it comes to WordPress hosting.

WP Engine has a solid moral foundation and upholds the teachings of Jesus by forbidding the hosting of websites that promote gambling, adult material, and other harmful vices. Additionally, they care for one another by managing a “Give Back Committee” that coordinates charitable giving and volunteerism for various organizations.

Go to WP Engine.

Netooze #4

Netooze is the best option available for cloud hosting services and is unbelievably one of the most affordable cloud hosting providers today. With a ton of incredible cloud hosting features they provide infrastructure as a service, vStack servers, VMware servers, Kubernetes, DNS management, networking, RDP, and insanely strong backups, they are pretty much the best of the best when it comes to cloud hosting today.

Netooze CEO is also a devoted Christian who has embedded Christian principles in the development of this state-of-the-art cloud hosting platform

Go to Netooze

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Links

grayscale photography of people

Do you think you can accomplish your goals and dreams by yourself? Your destiny is too big to accomplish on your own. God has already arranged for certain people to come alongside you and speak faith into your life. He has placed in your path people who will inspire you, challenge you, and help you accomplish all your God-given dreams. But some people never reach their highest potential because they never get away from the wrong people. 

Recognize today that not everyone can go where God is taking you. You’ve got to link up with people who understand your destiny and can call forth your seeds of greatness. You don’t have time to spend on people who are always pushing you down, telling you what you can’t do, or who refuse to give you their approval no matter how hard you try.  

Today life is too short to drag people along. If you are struggling to get the wrong people (parasites) out of your life, then pray. Pray also, that God will help you make the right connections so you can fulfil the destiny He has in store for you. 

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”Proverbs 18:24, NIV 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for placing godly people in my life. Father, Help me to discern the right people You have for me. Please give me strength to release the wrong relationships so I have room in my life for the people You have chosen to connect with me, in Christ’s name, Amen. 

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Good Gifts 

people celebrating christmas online

God is a good God and He has good gifts for His children! He wants to bless you with provision and supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. He wants to pour out His abundant favour on you and cause everything you touch to prosper. He wants to bless you with spiritual gifts and make you strong in your inner being. He wants you to enjoy your job and be proud of your work each day. These are all gifts from God. 

Today, understand that every good gift from God is meant to draw us closer to Him. He is good and faithful, and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Seek Him today and experience the life of blessing He has in store for you! 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your good and perfect gifts. Father, I open my heart to You and ask that You help me see Your goodness. Please draw me to You, fill me with Your peace and joy, as I follow You all the days of my life. In Christ’s name, Amen. 

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Joyful Swagger?

woman in collared shirt

This morning on the breakfast show we had a joyous time. Did you know that it is God’s will for you to be joyful always? He wants you to be happy and carefree. He wants you to love your life no matter what your situation looks like. When you have joy amid difficult circumstances, it is evidence that you have faith and trust that God will bring you through.
 
I submit to you today, joy is strength. When you have God’s supernatural joy, you can stand strong no matter what’s going on around you. You may say, “I’m not a real jovial person. I’m mostly serious. I never laugh much.” And of course, God made us all differently, but you can train yourself to laugh and smile more. One article said that the average child laughs over 200 times a day, but the average adult only laughs 4 times a day. What’s happened? We’ve allowed the pressures of life, stress and more responsibilities, little by little, to steal our joy.
 
Today, make your mind up to get your joy back, get your smile back and get your Holy Swagger back. Decide that you are going to look beyond your problems and look at what God will do on your behalf. Ask Him every day to fill you with His supernatural peace and joy so that you can live in His strength, victory and abundance all the days of your life! 

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, NIV)

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I humbly receive Your Word, today. Lord, give me Jesus’ joy in this very moment. I choose to open my heart to You and invite You to fill me with Your Spirit, joy and strength. I rebuke the spirit of sadness and misery, in Jesus’ name. Thank You for showing me Your goodness and empowering me with Your grace. I bless You today and always, in Christ’s name. Amen.

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Look Again

As we come to the final days of 2022 let's read Psalm 23.

I prayed for a visitor at a revival. She felt that there was a drought in her life. Yesterday she sent me a message to say “God answered our prayers I received my immigration… The Bible says that after the prophet Elijah prayed and asked God to end the drought, he said to the people, “I can hear the sound of an abundance of rain.” He was saying in effect, “There is a yes from God in our future!”

Elijah told his assistant to go look on the other side of the mountain to see if there was any sign of rain. When the assistant came back, he said, “No, Elijah. There’s not a cloud in the sky. It’s clear.” Elijah didn’t get discouraged and think, “What are we going to do now? I might as well quit this prophet business.” No, he simply said, “Go back and look again.”

 
This happened six different times, but Elijah kept saying, “Go look again.” On the seventh time, the servant came back and said, “Elijah, I saw a small cloud in the sky. It isn’t much, just the size of a man’s hand.” Elijah’s answer was basically, “You’d better get your umbrella. Rain is coming!”
 

Today, my friend, like Elijah, maybe you are believing for something and aren’t seeing anything happen. Don’t give up, go look again! If God has promised it, He will do it. It won’t be long until you see His showers of blessing pouring down on every area of your life! Oh Yes! I receive it!

 
“ ‘Go and look toward the sea,’ he told his servant. And he went up and looked. ‘There is nothing there,’ he said. Seven times Elijah said, ‘Go back.’ The seventh time the servant reported, ‘A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea…” (1 Kings 18:43–44, NIV)
 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness. Father, I will trust you no matter how long it takes for my prayers to be answered. I believe that You are working behind the scenes even when I can’t see it. Father, I choose to keep believing, I choose to keep looking again, and I choose to trust you when I can’t trace you until I see every promise fulfilled in my life in Christ’s name. Amen.

 

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