Pastor Ray Patrick

April 29, 2021April 29, 2021

Sphere Of Influence

During this pandemic and periods of lockdown, one thing that God has done for us is that He has given us more ministry opportunities. Reaching out to neighbours, friends, and the vulnerable. Millions have started online ministries and businesses. What about you! Don’t just sit there and watch the world go by. God wants to bless you and enlarge your territory. Your territory can be your sphere of influence, or your realm of responsibility or authority.

Are you ready for increase in your life today? You may desire God’s increase, but the Bible says we have not because we ask not. Are you asking for God’s blessing and ministry opportunities? Are you asking Him to enlarge your territory to make things bigger and better for you and your sphere of influence? When you ask God to bless you, your faith is activated, which opens the door for Him to work in your life.

Today, ask for God’s blessing, ask for His discernment and wisdom. Ask Him to make you more effective on your job; ask Him to increase the quality of your life and relationships; ask for more people to love and encourage. Ask Him to enlarge your territory so that you can be a greater blessing to those around you. Why not take one step of faith in prayer, God will open doors that no man can close, and He will pour out abundance in every area of your life! Hallelujah!

“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory…” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I open my heart to You and ask You to bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory and my sphere of influence. God, I ask You to increase me in every area, and teach me to be faithful to You always, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

April 27, 2021April 27, 2021

A Special Place

Don't put fullstop where God has placed a comma in your life

Do you and God have a special place? A place where you meet with Him and He you. It may or may not be physical. God’s special place for you is where you are most content and fulfilled in Him. It may not be a place where you experience prosperity, good health, good emotions, good relationships, or perfect finances. It could be that place where you run to when things are not right.

In Scripture we find a good example in the life of Elijah. In 1 Kings 17:3, God told the prophet Elijah, “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.” Elijah went to the place where God directed him so his physical, spiritual and emotional needs could be met. It was quite peaceful and in the presence of God.

Today, be like Elijah who obeyed God and went to that special place of alone time with God, and all his needs were met. If Elijah had decided not to obey God and do things his own way instead, he may not have been in a place to receive God’s blessings. Today, God is calling you to that quiet place to spend time with Him. You will be blessed when you are convinced that God wants to meet all your needs, and you decide to follow Him.

“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for loving me and for giving me a place where I can meet with You physically, spiritually and emotionally, so that I can be recharged, fulfilled and blessed. God, give me the wisdom and patience to know where to go to find the special quiet place of Your blessing. In Christ’s Name! Amen.

April 26, 2021April 26, 2021

Life Blessings

Every time you choose to obey the Word of God, you are choosing blessing. When you put God first in your life; when you walk in love toward others even when it’s difficult, you are choosing blessing. God desires that you live in blessing in every area of your life. He’s given promises in His Word and established a plan for you to live in total victory. He promises to give you the answers, but you have to be the one to decide to obey His voice. You have the final choice, so choose life and blessing!

Today, turn away from ungodly influences and give to others, then God will pour out His blessing on you in return. Start now and do what you know to do. Obey God’s Word, and His blessing will overtake you! You’ll rise higher and higher and live the abundant life He has for you.

“…I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live…” (Deuteronomy 30:19, NASB)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your consistent blessings. Father, today I choose life in You and blessing through obeying Your Word. God, Keep me close to You so that I can honour You in all that I say and do, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

April 23, 2021April 23, 2021

God Will Respond

Have Needs? God Will Provide Your Every Need.

Have you ever wondered where God is when you call on Him in the midst of your trial? Scripture promises that He is near to those who call upon His Name. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re going through; He is your deliverer. He’ll bring light into your darkest hour; He’ll bring rain into the dry places; He’ll bring restoration and healing to the broken places. Hallelujah!

When you call on His Name, you can be assured that He will respond. As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, God will faithfully respond when you seek Him.

Today, you may think you have to clean up or change your behaviour or habits before you can turn to God, or before He will respond to you, but that’s not what God says. He is ready to receive you just as you are. Even if you feel like a mess, He’ll take your mess and turn it into a message. God’s arms are open wide right now. Open your heart and call upon Him. Draw close to Him and His goodness.

“Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring” (Hosea 6:3).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for always receiving me with open arms. Father, I love You and choose to give You all that I am. God, I choose to press on that I may know You better. In Christ’s Name! Amen.

April 23, 2021April 23, 2021

God Will Respond

When you call on His Name, you can be assured that He will respond. As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, God will faithfully respond when you seek Him.

“Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring” (Hosea 6:3).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for always receiving me with open arms. Father, I love You and choose to give You all that I am. God, I choose to press on that I may know You better. In Christ’s Name! Amen.

April 22, 2021April 22, 2021

Beyond Your Limits

When you are incarcerated – physically or emotionally – you are stuck, limited and in trouble. When Paul in Scripture wrote he was in chains, arrested for preaching the gospel, everything in his surroundings was “limited.” But instead of looking at his surroundings, Paul kept his eyes on the limitless God. Paul, kept looking for the open door of opportunity that God would have for him next. He was physically in chains but spiritually and emotionally free.

Today, no matter what chains may be limiting you or holding you back, remember, we serve a God who’s in the business of setting people free, and He has equipped you with His power. When doors seem closed all around you, when your surroundings look limited, when you feel like you’re in chains, God is still at work. He will walk with you all the days of your life. Keep your hopes up and keep expecting. Like Paul, pray for opportunities to be opened to you, look beyond your limits and focus on your limitless God!

“Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about His mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.” (Colossians 4:3, NLT)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I choose to take my eyes off of my limited surroundings and focus on You. Father, I trust that You are working for me, opening doors of opportunity. Thank You God for giving me the power to look beyond my limits, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

April 21, 2021April 21, 2021

Overflowing With Abundant Life

Have you ever wanted a better life? You may not have the biggest house or newest car, but God promises abundant life for you. His abundant life goes way beyond the things we can see in this natural world. His abundant life means that you can have peace in the midst of life’s storms. His abundant life brings you joy when things are uncertain. You can have hope when circumstances seem hopeless. You can live and enjoy life to the fullest every day because you have the Creator of abundant life.

Today, you may look at life and think, “God is going to give me abundant life someday”, but the truth is, God wants you to have abundant life right now. Ask Him to show you His abundant favor, blessing, and peace. As you focus on God’s promises of abundance, your life will feel free and more satisfying, and you will overflow with His abundance, the way God intended!

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, ESV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I know that You want the best for me today and every day. Father, thank You for Your promise of an abundant life. God, teach me to share Your abundance with others. I love You and bless You today. In Christ’s Name! Amen.

April 20, 2021April 20, 2021

God Help Me Control My Tongue

I believe every word we speak has power. Have you ever said things you wish you could take back? Our words determine the direction of our lives. The Bible tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue.

There’s no neutral ground. We are either sowing seeds of life and productivity with our words, or we are sowing seeds of ruin and destruction with our words. This is a good day to take inventory of your words and make the decision to sow only good seeds with your words.

Today, speak God’s Word over your own life and the lives of those around you. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you to consider every word before you say it. Make the decision today that your words will bring glory to the Lord. As you guard your mouth, you will “keep” your life. You’ll see increase in every area and enjoy the blessings God has in store for you!

“He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” (Proverbs 13:3, AMP)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I give this day to You. I give You my every thought, I give You every word and action. Spirit, help me to live a life pleasing to God in every way. Please help me speak words of blessing to edify those around me. In Christ’s Name! Amen.

April 19, 2021April 19, 2021

Keep Going

Over this past weekend we began the 12 steps to breaking free series. Many of the responses, comments or questions had to do with how to keep going in the midst of constant negativity – at home, at work and even at church.

Christ doesn’t want you to settle for negativity and mediocrity in any area of your life! His plan is for you to be victorious and filled with joy each day. No matter what has happened to you in the past, God wants you to pick yourself up and keep going on the path that leads to victory.

Today, if you look to God, He will renew your strength and help you soar like an eagle. That’s an amazing promise from an amazing God! So, keep waiting, keep pushing, keep running, keep believing, even through the tough times, and you’ll see enormous magnificent blessings come your way.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
(Isaiah 40:31, KJV)

Let’s Pray

God, thank You for Your promises in Your Word of strength and endurance, which will come when I wait on You. Father, please do not allow me to get stuck in a rut or give up on my journey with You. In Christ’s Name. Amen.

April 16, 2021April 16, 2021

Divine Favour

Your life today may seem to have no order and your future looks bleak. God says in Scripture that He has laid out plans for each one of us. When God laid out the plan for your life, He lined up the right people, the right circumstances and the right breaks. He’s already released favour, supernatural opportunities and divine connections. The breaks you need in life have already been ordered by God, and will come to pass once you stay in His will.

If you will stay in faith and go out each day and be a person of excellence, you’ll walk into God’s appointed favour. Once you understand these principles, you will get excited every single day! You’ll have a spring in your step as you think about what blessing is coming next! It could be today. It could be tomorrow. It could be next week. Keep expecting. Keep believing.

Today, stay focused on the fact that God has already released into your future everything you need to fulfil your destiny. Start declaring seasons of increase over your life. Declare that favour is on you and opportunities are coming. As you do, you’ll move forward into the divine favour and blessing God has ordered for you!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10, NASB)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for setting up a blessed life for me. Father, thanks for ordering good things for my present and future. God, help me to understand Your goodness and favour better, so that I can trust You and follow Your divine path for me all the days of my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

April 15, 2021April 15, 2021

Are Your Roots Grounded In God?

Have you ever felt like your life is spinning out of control? Do you feel tossed around by the storms of life? Have you ever seen a tree in a hurricane? The wind and the rain blows the leaves from the branches, and sometimes the branches are torn off and the tree is blown over. But, the tree’s roots are protected from the weather by being firmly established in the ground. The same should be true in our lives.

If our roots are not firmly grounded in the Word of God, we become vulnerable during the difficult times. But when our thoughts are in line with God’s thoughts, He plants a righteous root within us and we become spiritually grounded. Our thinking becomes clear, we become stronger and equipped to overcome the storms of life.

Today, God wants you to be solid. He wants you to be steady. He wants you to have a grounded life and character. He wants your roots to grow deep in His Word. He wants you to be righteous in Him. Ask Him to show you any areas of your thought life that might need to be firmly planted in Him. As you develop your relationship with God, you will grow deep spiritual roots and stand victoriously against all that life throws at you!

“No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.” (Proverbs 12:3, ESV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your plan for my life. Father, help me to grow deep roots in my relationship with You. Please Lord, cause my thoughts to be Your thoughts, so that I will be strong and grounded in You. God, thank You for Your favour and blessing in my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

April 14, 2021April 14, 2021

Satisfaction Guaranteed

Do you want to be satisfied? Did you know that respecting and honouring God will lead you to experiencing satisfaction? Yes, that’s right; no matter where you’re at, what is troubling you, or what has happened to you in the past, true satisfaction is close at hand. It’s found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Proverbs tells us that along with the satisfaction that God gives you, when you show Him respect and follow His lead, it will keep evil away from you, and peace and joy will flood your life to an overwhelming degree!

Today, I remind you that God’s satisfaction and peace is not temporary, it’s not just here until something bad happens. Experiencing true satisfaction in God can last for eternity. You can live the way you were born to live, the way God intended for you to live! You can live healthier, happier and victorious, for as long as you have breathe!

“The fear of the LORD leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil.” (Proverbs 19:23, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your gift of satisfaction that is beyond anything I have ever known. Father, thank You for the peace that it brings. God please strengthen me as I seek to serve You, and find real joy and love in You. In Christ’s Name! Amen.

April 13, 2021April 13, 2021

Spring Time

We are just a few weeks into spring – the time of year when many people sow their seeds. The Scripture talks about seasons of sowing and reaping in your life. In Psalms, it talks about sowing in tears and reaping in joy. That verse is saying that the sowing seasons are usually the most difficult.

At times, it’s difficult to keep a good attitude when it seems like all your friends are being blessed, but you’re not. You may feel like they don’t work as hard as you do. You may feel like they don’t give like you do, or don’t deserve the blessing. That’s a time of testing. It’s hard to go through disappointments and stay positive and hopeful. These are seasons of sowing. If you’ll do the right thing even when it’s hard, when you sow in tears you will always reap in joy!

Today, have a new attitude towards what God has placed in your heart. It may be taking a long time, but God still has a plan to bring it to pass. Don’t give up. Your time is coming. It’s never too late! God is saying, “This is your season, your spring. Keep your faith stirred up.” Keep sowing because in due season, you will reap the bountiful harvest with a song of joy in your heart! Hallelujah!

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for another season to serve You and sow into the lives of those around me. Father, I ask for Your strength today to do Your will, and keep a good attitude during the unpredictable time of spring. God, please help me in my season of sowing so that I can be ready in the time of harvest. Lord, I love You and bless Your Holy Name today. In Christ’s Name! Amen.

April 12, 2021April 12, 2021

What Is Top Of Your To-Do List?

What is your priority today? Where is you focus? Do you have so much on your “to-do” list that you don’t even know where to start? The question is, is all of that really necessary?

The Scripture tells us there is only one priority needed in life, and that is to sit at the feet of Jesus. When we sit in His presence, we get to know Him. We hear His voice and He shows us the way that we should go. When we don’t take time for God, that’s when the enemy steps in, and we feel the cares and worries of the world.

Today, take a moment to review all that is priority in your life. Evaluate how you are spending your time. Tune out unnecessary distractions and tune in to God’s voice. Make time for Him every single day, because that is the one thing that is needed to overcoming the enemy, worry and this negative world!

“…You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one…” (Luke 10:41–42, NIV)

Let’s Pray Yahweh, today I choose to make You priority in my life and set my heart and mind on You. Father, I choose to cast my cares and focus on what’s most important, talking to You, hearing Your voice and being in Your presence, so I can follow Your Word, Your will and Your ways! In Christ’s Name! Amen.

April 9, 2021April 9, 2021

Don’t Let Go Of Hope

A week ago today, satan thought he had won. Christ was in the grave, the disciple’s were hiding, and many followers of Christ had quit. It’s the same today, during our trials and hopeless situations he wants us to give up and quit so he can have the victory in our lives. But, just like Christ we can overcome him through the almighty power of God!

Today, remember we still have resurrection miracle working power, which always confuses the enemy. Christ’s power today is the same yesterday, today and forever. No matter what weapon the enemy may throw at you, it cannot penetrate the blood defence that Christ has put around you! Guard your hope, your joy and your victory in Christ, because they are God-given blessings that He wants you to enjoy each day. Hallelujah!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, ESV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for hope, resurrection power and the blood defence of Calvary. Father, please do not allow the enemy to overcome me. Help me to guard my joy, my hope and my victories in Christ, which are gifts from You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

April 8, 2021April 8, 2021

The Power Of Possibility

During this pandemic, many have lost hope and trust in God. God reminds us with this simple promise that “with Him, all things are possible!” Possibility is powerful! Possibility isn’t limited. It means you have options. No matter how you may feel right now, you aren’t stuck and you aren’t confined to your circumstances. No, you have a door of possibility in front of you, the question is: will you walk through it?

You may ask, “Ray how do you walk through that door of possibility?” By placing your faith in Him. By trusting that He keeps His promises, and by being confident that He is at work even when you can’t see it. That confidence, praying, believing and worshiping will open doors, and allow you to walk through them in good times and in bad times.

Today, meditate on the fact that God is still doing the impossible. He still has the power to restore broken families. He can restore lost dreams and work miracles beyond what you could ever imagine. Please choose to trust and believe, look for His goodness and know that with God, all things are still possible! Hallelujah!

“…with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for choosing me and using me for Your glory. Father, I rest in knowing that my life is in Your hands. I trust You and believe You that all things are possible. I choose to walk in Your power of possibility, knowing that doors will open and that all things will work together for my good. In Christ’s Name! Amen.