Author: Pastor Ray Patrick

Evangelism. Outreach. Ministry. Pastor Ray Patrick is a R.E Teacher at The Eden School
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Equipped For The Journey

Photo by Mukuko Studio on Unsplash

Realise today, God didn’t make anyone inferior. He didn’t make any person second class. You are a masterpiece! You are fully loaded and totally equipped for the race that’s been designed for your life! Say to yourself “I may not look like someone else, or have the job that someone else has, but that’s okay. Nobody will ever be a better me.”

Growing up, I was the smallest boy in class. I used to want to be tall like some of the others. Did you know that when you compare yourself to others or wish you were like someone else, it’s like saying God didn’t do a good job with you? You’re actually saying, “God, why did You make me sub-par? Why did You make me less than the others?”

Today, let your attitude be, “I’m anointed to be me. I’m equipped to be me!” Remember, it’s easy to do what you are equipped to do. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to be like someone else. Accept who God made you to be, and embrace the good things He has prepared for you!

“I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” (Psalm 139:14, KJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for making me, me. Father, thank You for equipping me so I can fulfil my destiny. God, today, I choose to focus on what You’ve placed in my hand, knowing that as I am faithful to You, You will direct my steps. I bless You and praise You for who You are, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

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Black History

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

If It Had Not Been For The Lord Where Would You Be?

In the UK it’s black history month. As I look back at where God has bought us from, like the Lord says, “through many dangers’ toils and snares…,” all I can say looking back and reflecting is “if it had not been for the goodness of God, where would we be?” Some wouldn’t be alive today. Some would still be mentally messed up. If it had not been for God’s favour and love, some would still be struggling, barely making it. You may say, “we haven’t made it very far, we’ve got a long way to go.” And that may be true, but black or not, I want you to take a moment and look back over your life and realise how far you’ve come. The same God that brought you this far, the same God that has kept you alive, is going to carry you through any difficulty you may be facing.

Today, just start praising and thanking God for what He is doing and what He has done. Thank Him for His love and favour and blessings upon you. Praise precedes the victory. Praise brings the walls of opposition down. Praise is the invitation for God to intervene on your behalf! Friend, I declare that the goodness of God is all over you! He is directing your steps, and you are following His leading. I declare that your best days are ahead, and as you praise Him and thank Him, you will move forward into the victory and blessing He has prepared for you!

“If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” (Psalm 119:92, ESV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You so much for Your consistent goodness and faithfulness in my life, and the lives of my forefathers. I don’t know where we would have been without You. We were mistreated beaten and abused, but what the devil meant for bad, You have used it to make us stronger. Hallelujah! Father, I know that Your hand of favour is upon me. I know that You are leading me and guiding me in victory. I won’t give up, please keep me close to You, as I surrender every area of my heart and mind to You, in Christ’ Name! Amen.
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Success Comes With Favour

Success in this life isn’t necessarily about how much money, or influence or education someone has. Success is about living a life of excellence in obedience to God’s Word. When we step out to do what God has called us to do, Scripture says that His favour surrounds us like a shield. When we have His favour, we have everything; we have an advantage for success!

Favour opens doors. Favour will bring good breaks. The favour of God will cause you to accomplish what you could not accomplish on your own. It gives you an edge. Now, if you’re going to see the gracious hand of God at work in your life, you can’t go through the day feeling intimidated, thinking that you’re average, looking around and comparing yourself to everyone else.

Today, you have to live like you have His favour, think like you have favour, talk like you have favour, walk like you have favour, dress like you have favour! Not arrogantly. Not in a way that portrays that you’re better than somebody else, but with quiet humility and confidence, knowing that you have the gracious hand of God on your life! Live like you’ve got it because you do! Hallelujah!

“…His favour lasts a lifetime…” (Psalm 30:5, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your grace, favour and mercy upon my life. Father, I praise You today because You are good. I receive Your truth by faith and rise up to walk in my calling. God, I know that You are going before me to prepare the way, as I walk in Your favour all the days of my life, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

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God Gives Us Power

Travelling from Watford, to do a revival after my radio broadcast, the enemy was trying to bombard my mind with negatives. Saying your too tired, is this worth it, the church is not ready, there is no excitement and there will be no visitors. But the Spirit reminded me God will give you strength, He wants to do something great in and through you. He has promises and blessings in store for you that you haven’t even thought of yet. I let out a loud “hallelujah” and kept on driving. I arrived and the church was on fire – great singing and praising, and two people gave their hearts to God and will be baptised. Hallelujah!

The Scripture tells us that God gives us power… He wants you to live in abundance so that He can use you to be a blessing to others. When we are willing and obedient, we open the door to His promises. He will do great things for you and through you. In other words, when we live in excellence and integrity, when we follow the Spirit of God, we will walk in His blessing. Like a tree planted by the water, your leaf will not wither because you are connected to an unlimited supply line.

Today’s verse says that “He gives us the power to get… ” God gives us the ability. He gives us creative ideas and inventions, but we have to be diligent, do our part, and step out in faith, go against how we feel in the natural, and use what He’s given us. We have to sow seed in order to see the harvest that He has promised. Receive His power today and choose a life of integrity, so that you can move forward into the abundant life He has prepared for you.

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get…” (Deuteronomy 8:18, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for giving me the power to live in abundance, and to move when I don’t feel like it. Father, I will be faithful to You and Your Word. I will stand on Your promises and listen to the Spirit. God, help me to be diligent and follow Your commands, please bless everything I set my hands to today, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

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Two Things You Need

The two things you need to make it through hard times are grace and peace. These two are powerful forces in the life of the believer. Grace empowers us, and peace directs us. It’s like this: grace is the petrol and peace is the navigation system. You need both to reach your destination.

Scripture says that we are saved by God’s grace through faith. We don’t deserve it and can’t do anything to earn His grace, but He gives it to us anyway. Grace opens the door to salvation, but it doesn’t stop there. His grace is also supernatural empowerment to live the life God has called us to here on earth.

Today, know that peace is every bit as powerful as grace. It’s not just a feeling; it’s a state of being. Peace literally means “to set at one again.” When we are at one with the Father in thought, word and deed, we can physically feel it on the inside. We are settled internally, and nothing external can move us from our position of peace. Today, receive God’s grace and peace and let them carry you through the life of victory He has ordained for you!

“May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” (2 Thessalonians 1:2, NLT)

Let’s PrayYahweh, thank You for Your grace and peace in my life. Father, I choose to stand and follow Your Word. God, thank You for guiding me during this year. I receive the life of blessings You have prepared for me, in Christ’ name! Amen.

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God Made You, You

I heard someone saying they wished they looked different. They wished they were lighter skinned like their friend who gets all the young men. Did you know that when you compare yourself to others, or wish you were like someone else, it’s like saying God just didn’t do a good enough job? It’s actually like saying, “God, why did You make me subpar? Why did You make me less than?”

Breaking news! God didn’t make anyone inferior. He didn’t make any person second class. No, you are a masterpiece! You are fully loaded and totally equipped for the race that’s been designed for you!

Today, change your mindset and say to yourself, “I may not look like someone else, or have the shape like some else, or have the job that someone else has, but no one will ever be a better me. I’m anointed to be me. I’m equipped to be me!” Hallelujah! Remember, it’s easy to do what you are equipped to do. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to be like someone else. Praise God you are who He made you to be, and embrace the good things He has prepared for you!

“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for making me who I am. Father, thank You for equipping me to fulfil my destiny. Today, I will be focused on what You’ve placed in my hand, knowing that as I am faithful to You, You will direct my steps. God, I bless You and praise You for making me who I am, directly from Your hand and mind of the Creator, with my own mind and DNA. Today I accept who I am, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

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Trials Are Momentary

Aren’t you glad that Scripture promises that our troubles and trial are only momentary? When compared with eternity, our troubles won’t last long, they are not eternal! The second part of today’s verse tells us, that when we stand strong in faith during times of adversity, we are building faith, which achieves eternal glory, which will always outlast our trials.

When you confess your trust and reliance on God, you are passing the test for eternal glory!

If you are in the middle of tough times today, look to God. The Bible says that Jesus is the author and finisher of your faith. He is the one who writes faith on your heart, and then develops it to completion on the inside of you, as you yield yourself to Him.

Today, your part is to seek Him. Follow His commands. Open your heart and choose to speak His Word which is alive and active. Remember, your trials are only momentary and light, but His eternal glory outweighs it all and last forever, from this world into the next. Hallelujah!

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV)

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for preparing me for Your eternal glory. I cast my cares on You, knowing that my trials and troubles are momentary and light, compared to the wonderful eternity You have for me, according to Your Word. Thank You for Your eternal blessing on my life, which begins today and will last forever, beyond this life and into the next, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

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Totally Equipped

Payday Is Coming

Growing up, I was the smallest boy in class. I used to want to be tall like some of the others. Did you know that when you compare yourself to others or wish you were like someone else, it’s like saying God didn’t do a good job with you? You’re actually saying, “God, why did You make me sub-par? Why did You make me less than the others?”

Realise today, God didn’t make anyone inferior. He didn’t make any person second class. You are a masterpiece! You are fully loaded and totally equipped for the race that’s been designed for your life! Say to yourself “I may not look like someone else, or have the job that someone else has, but that’s okay. Nobody will ever be a better me.”

Today, let your attitude be, “I’m anointed to be me. I’m equipped to be me!” Remember, it’s easy to do what you are equipped to do. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to be like someone else. Accept who God made you to be, and embrace the good things He has prepared for you!

“I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” (Psalm 139:14, KJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for making me, me. Father, thank You for equipping me so I can fulfil my destiny. God, today, I choose to focus on what You’ve placed in my hand, knowing that as I am faithful to You, You will direct my steps. I bless You and praise You for who You are, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

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Declare!

As I end my week here in sunny grey Watford, I am reflecting on the goodness of God, and that helps to set my tone for the day and this weekend. When you wake up in the morning, do you expect the goodness of God in your life? Do you set the tone of the day for success, favour and blessing with your words? Scripture tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. So, as you reflect on whatever you want God to do in your life, move forward and declare it in Jesus’ Name.  

Declare power, declare kindness, declare strength and declare praises to God all throughout the day. Things may be bad all around you. People may be negative, complaining and discouraged, but don’t let that spirit rub off on you. The worse it gets, the brighter you’re going to shine. The good news is that no matter how you feel, no matter what’s going on around you, you can choose your words. There’s nothing that can stop you from constantly speaking His Word with power and positivity!

Today, set the tone for your day, week, month and year, by praising God and declaring positive words of faith and abundance over your future. Remember, when you put God first and you speak His word, He promises to honour you. He will pour out His favour on you and lead you into life, health, strength and blessing, all the days of your life! Hallelujah!

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1, ESV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I choose to bless You at all times. Father, I set my tone for my day, week, month and year by declaring Your favour, grace and mercy over my life. God, thank You for Your faithfulness at all times. Please help me to be faithful and positive, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

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Something New

When The New Year Doesn’t Feel Like The Start Of Anything

Everybody loves something new, from shoes to smartphones. Today’s verse says God is doing something new with you right now. Can you see the “brand-new thing” God is doing in your life? Sometimes it’s easy to see the hand of God moving, and sometimes the storms of life can cloud our vision. But no matter where you are in life today, meditate on this truth that God is working, even when you can’t see Him.

Just like a seed buried deep in the ground, it may seem dark and lonely, and there may be dirt all around, but that is the place where new springs forth. In your old stale, dark situation trust that God is doing a new thing! You can trust Him because He is faithful! His plan for you today is blessings. His plan is to give you a future and hope. His plan is to do a new thing in your life.

Today, let go of the thoughts of the old past, and push through your dirty life, and open your heart to the “brand-new thing” God has already started in your life. Ask Him to show you what He’s doing. Ask Him to reveal it to your heart and mind. So, seek Him with your whole heart and you will find Him, and see the brand-new thing He’s doing in you!

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun!” (Isaiah 43:19, NLT)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for pushing through my stale, dirty life and doing a new work in me, even when I’m not paying attention or deserve it. Father, thank You for the brand-new thing You have promised me. God, I open my heart and put all my faith and trust in You, now and always, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

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Dream Killers

Over the years in church, I having been the subject of much gossip, I have concluded that one of the tactics the devil employs is the negativity of other dream killers. Question: have the negative opinions of others caused you to water down your dreams? I had to learn that there will always be critics and naysayers in life. It’s not what’s said about you that affects your life, but what God has said, and what you say and believe about yourself.

The greatest thing I believe we must learn, is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life—you do. In  the book of Romans, the apostle Paul is saying, “it doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” Remember, when God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass; it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to believe and follow the voice of God for yourself, and allow Him to order your steps.

Today, God sees the hidden treasures that He has buried on the inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams reality! As you get rid of negative people, defeated thoughts and dream killers, and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limitations off your dreams and goals, and live the abundant life God has in store for you!

“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?” (Romans 3:3, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for another day to see Your goodness in my life. Father, thank You for the dreams and successes You have buried in me from the day I was conceived. I refuse to listen to the naysayers, critics and dream killers that the enemy has placed in my life. God, today I choose take off the limits in my mind and of the people around me, and embrace the dreams You’ve placed in my heart. I beg you God, to empower me by Your Spirit to fulfill Your plans for me, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

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Keeping Up With The Jones

Growing up in the UK, when people bought something new, we used to say that they were trying to “keep up with the Jones’s (trying to compete with your neighbours).” It’s easy to be tempted to go through life competing with everyone around us. When we see someone who’s more talented, better looking or has more gifts, instead of running our race and being comfortable with who we are, oftentimes we feel inferior and think, “I’ve got to catch up to my neighbours and friends.” The problem with this unhealthy competition is that it’s a never-ending cycle.

Did you know there will always be someone ahead of you? But it’s very freeing when you realise, “I’m not in a competition.” I don’t have to have as big a house as my neighbour to feel good about myself. I don’t have to keep up with my co-worker. I don’t have to be a certain size. No, I understand that I’m not in competition with my friend, my neighbour or my co-worker.

Today, say to yourself “I’m going to be the best me that I can possibly be, I’m going to run my own race, I’m going to stay in my lane, I will not compete with anyone.” Now, that’s an attitude God can work with. When you focus on being who God made you to be, that’s when you’ll rise up higher, and position yourself for every spiritual blessing He has in store for you!

“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I humbly come to You giving You all that I am. Father, help me keep my eyes on You and no one else. Please work on my heart and mind, so I will learn to stay in my lane and run my own race. God, I want You to be my only focus. I want to be free from competition today, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

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Faith is Greater Than Fear

How to Deal with Chronic Fear and Anxiety

So many people today are living with less than God’s best, because they’ve allowed fear to creep in and take root in their lives. Fear is the number one negative emotion, and the greatest weapon the enemy uses to try to hold us back. Fear is not from God. Scripture tells us that fear brings torment. Over a hundred times we are told to “fear not.” It’s designed to paralyse us and keep us from God’s blessings.

I’ve got good news! God-given faith is greater than your fear. His power in you is greater than any power that comes against you. Hallelujah! In order to walk in His power, you have to close the door on the enemy, the enemy can’t have access to your life unless you open a door and give him access. That’s why we have to be careful about what we watch, what we listen to, what we read, what we say and who we hang with. When we open ourselves to fear, we give the enemy opportunity.

Today, if you’ve allowed fear to steal from you in any area of your life, you can be free, you can be finished with fear. Conquering the enemy starts by making the choice to close the door on fear, and instead, meditate on God’s promises and His sacrifice. For the Word says we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony! Let His truth and what He has done for you sink down into your heart. Declare it out of your mouth. Let God set you free by praising Him, and watch Him lead you into victory as you close the door on fear!

“Do not give the devil an opportunity to work.” (Ephesians 4:27, ISV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I come to You today declaring that I am finished with fear. Father, thank You for giving me power, love and a sound mind. I declare I will stand on Your promises and share all You have done for me, because that will make me overcome fear and other negatives in my life. Fill me with Your peace and joy today, as I move forward in victory with You, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

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God’s Compassion

Is there something that you’ve done in your past that you’re not particularly happy about? A choice that you regret? The good news today is that you can be free of guilt and condemnation. You don’t have to live with that burden any longer.

The Bible tells us that God’s mercies are new every morning. He’s not ever going to run out of compassion. He’s not ever going to run out of forgiveness. He’s not ever going to say, “well, this is the last time I’m going to give you mercy.” No, you can have a new beginning every single day!

Today, if there is anything from the past that you may still be carrying, take a moment and call on His faithfulness. Call on His mercy. Ask for His forgiveness. Let Him refresh and restore your soul right now. Praise Him and thank Him for the work He is doing in your life, and enjoy a fresh new beginning today!

“…His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” 

(Lamentations 3:22–23, NAS)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I choose to let go of every single sin, issue or weight from my past. God, I call on Your mercy; I call on Your grace. Father, thank You for hearing me and delivering me. I receive Your love and forgiveness today, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

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Team Work

As the football season begins, the thought came to mind in regards to teamwork. Your destiny is too big to accomplish things on your own. God has already arranged for certain people to come alongside you and speak faith into you. He has already placed in your path people who will inspire you, challenge you, and help you accomplish your dreams.

Some people never reach their highest potential because they never get away from the wrong people. Recognise that not everyone can go where God is taking you. You’ve got to connect 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 putting you down, telling you what you can’t do, or who refuse to give you their approval no matter how hard you try. 

Today, realise life is too short to drag people along who will hold you back from your God-given destiny. Ask God to help you get the wrong people out of your life, then He will help you make the right connections, so you can fulfill 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 connections You have for me. God, 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 for your will to be accomplished in my life, in Christ’ name! Amen.

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Don’t Just Sit There!

We all face storms in life. But during those times, we have to remember that Almighty God is greater than any struggle we face! He’ll take those challenges and use them to strengthen us, but we have to do our part and take a step of faith toward the victory.

When a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, it’s in a dark place on the backside of some tree, been battered by the storms of life. it doesn’t look like it has many options. But when it becomes a butterfly i, it doesn’t just sit and wait for someone to come and let it out of it’s cocoon. No, that butterfly knows that it has to make a move if it’s going to be set free to fly. In the same way, we have to do something to get out of the confining places life has placed us in. We have to pray, we have to believe, and we have to move into our victory .

Today, don’t just sit there! No matter what you may be facing, don’t forget, His grace is sufficient for you. His strength is made perfect in you. He has given you everything you need to be an overcomer in this life. Now is the time to make a move break free from the clutches of the storm and rise to new levels because God has victory and blessing prepared for you!

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’…” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV)

Let’s PrayYahweh, thank You for the strength to make it through any challenge I may face. Father, I will not stand still in my struggles , I will move beyond them putting my trust in You. God, I declare that You are good and faithful. Thank You for equipping me with strength for a powerful victory in every area of my life in Christ’ name. Amen
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