Author: Pastor Ray Patrick

It’s normal for most Christians to want to share their faith. And I’ve learned that there are two ways to do that: prescriptively and descriptively.

Prescriptive sharing of faith involves offering advice about what people should do to deal with difficulties they may be having. This is similar to what a doctor does when writing a prescription for medication to help with a problem. Prescriptive sharing usually sounds something like “Here’s what you should do about your situation.” It often results in a lot of defensiveness because, frankly, most people don’t want to be told what to do.

Descriptive sharing of faith can often be more helpful. It involves telling someone what worked for you. Instead of saying, “Here’s what you should do,” you’re simply saying, “Here’s what helped me.”

Today, most people find it less threatening to hear you describe your own faith experience. Instead of sounding like a salesperson, you’re more like a friend with a story. No one can argue with your experience about how God is working in your life. Do you know anyone who might want to hear about how God has worked in your life? Ask God to help you sense an opportunity to do so. Can you share your story? Ask God to help you say the right words at the right time.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, show me who needs to hear what you have done in my life. Father, help me to share honestly and with your love to anyone who will listen in Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

Just like the parable of the mustard seed, the parable of the yeast also points to something small that produces amazing results. But in Israel, yeast often represented sin, contamination, and evil. Did Jesus intend to speak of yeast that way in this parable? Apparently, he did.

The Bible says, only bread without yeast could be used at Israel’s feasts and the smoke of yeasted bread was unacceptable to God. Jesus had also warned against the yeast of the Pharisees, citing their hypocrisy as yeast. And Paul also wrote, “Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be part of a new unleavened batch”. Leaven (yeast) was regularly identified with the pervasiveness of sin and wickedness. So, mentioning yeast in a parable about God’s kingdom would catch the Jewish audience off guard. What was Jesus saying? It didn’t sound like he was talking about sanctified bread!

Today, just like in scripture, Jesus often used shocking imagery to make a point. God could use even something despised to produce great results in his kingdom. In the parable of the yeast, Jesus may well have been saying that a despised group of former fishermen, prostitutes, and tax collectors could permeate the dead lump of religious, judgemental, Judaism with the good news of the kingdom of God. And if God could use yeast, he can certainly use you and me!

“The kingdom of God … is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour.” (Luke 13:20-21).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, you who use the sinful, contaminated, and unexpected in your plans, please use me for your Kingdom to carry out your purposes and to spread your glory. Father thank you for looking past my messed up sinful state and calling me son. God, may your Kingdom keep spreading throughout your world. In Christ’s name, Amen.

The books of the gospels focus on Jesus’ public ministry. For three years, he taught about the kingdom of God, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and even raised the dead. But before any of that, for thirty years, Jesus lived in the family home. And for most of those years, he worked with his earthly father Joseph in the family business.

Scripture says, Joseph was a carpenter just like my dad. Someone who worked with wood. The original language is not clear on what aspect of carpentry. What is clear is that Joseph was a builder of some sort. So he worked with his hands and tools, perhaps making farm implements and furniture or laying foundations. And Jesus did the same thing.

Today, we think about Jesus’ early year’s, where many people knew him as a teacher and miracle worker. They were in awe of him. But to the people in his hometown, he was the carpenter’s son, a guy who worked with tools in his hands. We have the opposite problem. We know Jesus as the Son of God. And we can lose sight of his genuine humanity. But for most of his years, Jesus lived his life as an ordinary person, went to school, worked with his dad and was tempted but without sin. Perhaps Jesus’ life began with building physical objects to teach of the time when he would build lives from the decay of sin. His church as a place of refuge, and prepare a place for all who put their faith in him.

Isn’t this the carpenter? Mark 6:3 

Let’s Pray

Jesus, you are the Holy Son of God, and we praise you. You are also the human son of Mary and Joseph the carpenter, with tools in your hands not just to build objects but lives. Today I invite you to fix my broken place, set me morally straight, and make me functional to aid men and woman for your kingdom. Please take me and make something wonderful out of my life in your name, Amen.

Last week we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus at Eastertime (what the world calls it), we heard about the Easter bunny, eggs, and chocolate. Those old secular traditions have nothing to do with Jesus’ gift of a new life for all who believe in him. But they can be distracting if we forget to focus on God’s amazing love shown to us through the death and rising of his Son, Jesus Christ.

When we look at Christs’ shed blood, it may make us uncomfortable. Perhaps we would rather focus on nicer, sweeter things like chocolate or some other treat. But the sacrifice of Christ is the only thing that could pay the debt for our sins and give us peace within. There is no redemption through chocolate eggs.

Today, may we be clear that our redemption did not come through chocolate, but from sin and death through the shed blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God. As we saw earlier this month in the Passover, when God delivered his people from slavery in Egypt, the sacrificed lamb of the Passover pointed ahead to the sacrifice of Jesus, God’s only Son. He became “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”. By his death we have life. By his shed blood we are set free and cleansed from all sin!

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  Romans 5:9.

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, forgive me for placing worldly, distracting things above your sacrifice. Father, you have freed me from my sin through the blood of Christ shed on the cross for my sake. Through His death, I can now enjoy full life in you – which is more enjoyable than chocolate. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

More frequently than ever, I am hearing the cry “Is there any hope?” Many of us have had that thought at one time or another, referencing an image of someone drowning – crying out for help.

In Psalm 130, the sense of hopelessness is made worse because the psalmist knows the reason for the brokenness of life: sin. It is not that God failed, but we have failed God. The psalmist also knows the source of hope: God himself. God in his mercy offers real hope, not the wishful thinking we often see these days. Human hope falls short and fails; hope in God “does not put us to shame” Romans 5 says.

Many ask me why is God’s hope sure?

The psalmist points to God’s unfailing love, unchanging word, and full redemption. In advent, we see the depths to which God went for our sake. In his unfailing love, God gave his only Son to be our saviour. Fulfilling God’s word, Jesus the Word of God came in the flesh to reveal God and bring salvation. This salvation brings not only the forgiveness of our sins but also full redemption and a future where the consequences of sin are fully removed. Christ Jesus is our hope!

Today when the night is at its darkest, we can put our hope in the Lord. The dawn is coming because Jesus came and promised us, He will come again. That is our greatest hope. His promises never fail.

Christ Jesus [is] our hope. 1 Timothy 1:1

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, you are the hope of the hopeless, the help of the helpless. Father, I praise you for answering my deepest need through Christ Jesus my hope, in whose name I pray. Amen.

I knew someone who wanted glasses so bad that they would fake being partially blind. In the Old Testament, we see that the prophet Isaiah speaks of God’s coming judgment. God is tired of his people’s disobedience and sends Isaiah with the harsh message: “You have a choice: Go on deliberately not seeing and hearing or turn from your wicked ways and be healed.”

Israel’s deliberate blindness blocked their healing and led to their exile to a distant land. However, there was a glimmer of hope: the bible says “The holy seed will be the stump in the land.” In other words, If you cut down a tree and leave the stump, new growth can sprout from it. God does not give up on his people.

Jesus quotes Isaiah’s mysterious words as he offers hope He sees new growth on the stump and says to his disciples, “Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear”. Paul also refers to Isaiah’s words when he meets resistance from Jewish leaders in Rome and they deliberately rejected the good news of salvation through Jesus. Paul then concludes, “God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”.

Today, it may seem, at first, that God blocks our healing. But that’s not true, it’s our deliberate blinding of sin. But if we follow scripture, we see that God longs for his people to turn to him, hate sin and be healed.

“Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” Isaiah 6:10.

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, open my eyes and ears, that I may see and hear you’re voice. Father give me understanding of your good news, and guide me to prepare for your coming. By loving you and others and staying away from presumptuous sin. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

As I travel the world and look at the youth I minister to daily, I can’t but help but think on how God has blessed us with creativity. Creativity is part of the image of God given to human beings, and sadly, we have put our creativity to use to destroy as much of the rest of God’s image in us as possible. That’s what our passage today in Romans is talking about.

God has always been there for us, He blesses us in so many ways. Yet we want his blessing but don’t want Him. We would rather choose evil. Our constant pursuit of sin turns us away from God. We want to pursue bad things, and if we want to pursue good, we want to do it our evil way or for our agenda.

Today as I read the opening chapter of Romans, I see an angry Paul. He is angry about all the evil that people have done in the world. Then in chapter 2 he has a moment of clear thought. Every person has had some part in creating some kind of sin that has been brought into the world, and if any of us think we can judge another, we are condemning ourselves. But God has been merciful to forgive us and show us a better way. And since God has been kind to us, we can and must spread that kindness to everyone else by creating more good than evil.

They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil. —  Romans 1:29-31.

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, please constantly remind me that I should be a creator of good instead of evil. Father help me to always believe that your way is better than my old evil way. God, show me your kindness, forbearance, and patience, as I battle through this sinful life. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Our God has consistently defeated the enemy, from Eden to Calvary, and will continue to till the second coming. One time this has been noted, was in the biblical story of Esther. The Jews had escaped Haman’s plot of destruction. Haman (the enemy) had fallen into the hole he had dug for others, and many of his followers were destroyed on the day decreed for the Jewish annihilation. That day was celebrated as the day of relief from the enemy. Not just a one-time celebration, Purim was to continue through generations. Feasting, joy, gifts to one another and the poor, marked this day every year, up to this very day among Jews.

As Christians, we too observe a time of year when we remember the day the devil plotted Christ’s destruction and failed. And with great joy, we celebrate the day of Christ’s victory over God’s enemy. As instructed by Christ, we are to gather as often as possible at the Lord’s table to remember His gifts of body and blood, offered so all who believe in Him may live. Week by week and year by year, we Christians are reminded to be joyful because death nor the enemy no longer has any power over us.

Today, the Lord’s Supper, Good Friday, and Easter are celebrations of what God has done for us and continues to do through Christ our messiah. What a mighty God! And because of calvary, the enemy has lost eternally. Today as Christians, let us begin to enjoy our eternal rest from the enemy, as we await the final return of the Lord Jesus.

These days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants. — Esther 9:28 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I praise you, my God, for giving me relief and rest from the enemy. Hallelujah! Father, help me to be faithful and honour you by sharing this good news every­where I go. In Christ name, Amen.

As I was packing for this current trip, I wasn’t sure what clothes to take. Thought about the weather, the people and what their expectations are. Self-help books are well known for this bit of advice: Dress for success. “Do you want to have a dream career”, they say? Are you longing for fulfilling relationships? Well, one thing they say you must do is dress for success!

I heard of a college graduate who had several job interviews lined up. He would dry-clean his whole business suit before every interview. He wanted to look perfect to land his dream job. I don’t know if the dry cleaning helped, but he got a job offer.

In today’s Bible passage, the apostle Paul tells us to clothe ourselves with Christ. Is this something as superficial as a “dress for success” mantra? Of course not! Paul is talking here about having Jesus’ work in every aspect of our lives. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we need to put aside our sinful actions and behave decently in every area of life. That means no things like drunkenness, sexual immorality, fighting with others, or selfishness.

Today Paul encourages us to wrap ourselves in Christ. We need to show outwardly what has taken place inwardly. Christ’s grace is compared to the versatile Middle Eastern robe that keeps you cool in the hot sun and warm during cold desert nights. That’s what we need in our journey of life. Christ is our best “attire” to protect us from temptations and to help us witness to others about God’s love.

Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus … and do not think about how to gratify the … sinful nature. Romans 13:14 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, cleanse our hearts from sin so that we may clothe ourselves with Christ from head to toe. His love, goodness, and kindness. Father help us to be your faithful followers and witnesses at all times in Christ’s name, Amen!

To the typical everyday Christian, the Cross is a symbol of victory. But this Good Friday, just like when Christ died, doesn’t feel good at all. We reflect on Jesus’ death on the cross and think of the suffering He had to go through. Then we turn our attention to today, with millions of our loved ones dying or suffering, this Friday doesn’t feel good, or like we are in a position of victory.

When we think about the cross and our current situation, it may look like evil has triumphed over good, the powerful over the powerless, but that’s not the truth. Jesus’ death on the cross was good overpowering evil. Jesus was triumphing. When He cried out, ‘It is finished’ (some translations say, ‘it is completed’), He didn’t mean, ‘I’m finished, My cause is defeated.’ Far from being crushed, Jesus triumphed over the powers of darkness. Hallelujah!

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers, authorities, and all their evil antics. He shamed them publicly, physically, and spiritually through His victory over them and changed how we could relate to God. No longer would we be bound by sin and shame; instead, He paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could be right with God. Love triumphed over the law. The Bible says “and three days later the empty tomb proved Christ had won the victory over death”.

Today, on this Good Friday, Christ’s victory over evil on the cross, gives us hope that evil won’t win. Wars, politicians, or viruses won’t determine the end of this world, or who will be in the resurrection. Whatever we’re facing, we know we can be victorious, because Christ was victorious. Christ says, ‘In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Sin, shame, and struggles won’t overcome us because He has already overcome them all’. So, this Good Friday, let’s remember that the cross and death weren’t the end – Jesus rose and because He did, we will.

‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33 NIV).  

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, on this Good Friday give Your people Your peace, that we may shine brightly in this dark and evil world. Father, grant us the courage to live faithfully even during hard times. Let our fear of You be the beginning of wisdom, rather than allowing the fear of the world to drive our actions. God, help us to embrace our heavenly citizenship, and live confidently in a world that needs to know You. Father, show Your mercy and heal those who are suffering. Most of all God, come. Restore the world You have made and make all things new. God, on this Good Friday, please grant us your goodness. We pray that Your will be done, in Christ’s most Holy Name! Amen.

One of our preachers travelled to Greece to retrace the footsteps of the apostle Paul. Near Philippi our guide pointed out a tumulus—a burial mound disguised to look like a hill. After years of effort, the archaeologist discovered the tumulus of Phillip II, ruler of Macedon in that region. As he held the golden chest containing the bones of that famous king, he said, “I can hardly believe it!”

I’ve got good news, you could spend ten lifetimes trying to find Jesus’ bones, but you would never succeed. Jesus was crucified and buried, but he did not stay in the grave. He arose! By his resurrection, he frees us from the guilt of sin and even from the power of death. Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”.

Joe Moser while in a prison during World War II, recalled how a tank roared toward the main gate and tore through barbed wire on the day of his liberation. He writes, “There was a stunned moment … then a roar went up from the camp that rolled through the acres down the narrow muddy corridor.” Only those who have been set free can know that roar of relief, joy, and exhilaration.

Today and throughout this season let the roar of freedom fill your heart and home and all the corridors of your community. Let it wash over the sin and brokenness of life with healing and restoration. Why? Because Christ the Lord is risen!

Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4.

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, may the joy I received through your gift of freedom at Calvary be evident to all. Father, thank you for your selfless sacrifice just for me, in Jesus’ Name Amen.

Did you know that the firstborn sons of Israel were spared from death on Passover night? Not because they were better than the children of the Egyptians. The Israelites were no less sinful or depraved than the Egyptians. The Israelite firstborn was spared only because of the blood of the lamb.

Scripture says, when the angel passed through Egypt and saw the blood on the doorframes of Israelites’ houses, he passed over those houses and did not allow the destroyer (death) to enter there. It was not enough for the lamb to die. It was also necessary that the lamb’s blood be applied to the doorframe as a sign of God’s protection.

Today, like the lamb that died in the wilderness and its blood applied to the doorpost, it is not enough to know that Jesus the lamb died. It is necessary to receive and apply the blood by faith, then we will see the benefit of his death. Christ died for our sins and rose again for our justification. Now we must receive Him as our personal Saviour. He is our Passover Lamb!

“When the Lord goes through the land . . . he will see the blood . . . and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter. . . .”  Exodus 12:23.

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I thank you for the reminder that I am saved not because of who I am or what I have done, but because of your grace through the blood of Christ. Father, guide me to accept, receive, and trust Him as my one and only Saviour. God thank you for your saving grace! In Christ’s name, Amen.

Take time to reflect, review, recount as many times as you need to this week and just remember we all have our “FRIDAYS” that feel hopeless yet do not forget, that “RESURRECTION SUNDAY” is on its way! GOD BLESS – Gail Masondo

In my youth, many moons ago, we were drawn to “who done it” detective movies. Real-life movies about murder, tragedy, love, and heroism, and we tended to hope for a happy ending. Our imaginations would get fired up with the plot’s twists and turns. We didn’t like it when a character got treated unfairly, and we smiled when justice was served. We would walk away satisfied when it all ended well. 

Stories in Scripture and life can work out a little differently. I don’t know who the adulterous woman in the story of John 8 is, or where her story started, but I am pretty sure she didn’t want to be dragged into a public square and threatened with execution. Having your faults exposed for everyone to see is not something any of us want in our life story. It is easy to judge others and find fault, but remember Jesus, is there looking and listening. 

Today, let us think about the adulterous woman. She was guilty as charged, as we often are, but at that moment when Christ told them, “you who are without sin throw a stone,” He reminds us that we are all sinners and that this woman represents all of us. Only Jesus has the right to throw a stone, and He chooses not to. Instead, He decides to use grace and forgiveness. In this new year, Christ asks us to throw away our judgemental stones and follow His example. 

“Where are [your accusers]? Has no one condemned you? . . . Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” — John 8:10-11 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank you for reminding us today that our task is not to judge others but instead to offer people your forgiveness. Father, help us all to accept your offer of forgiveness and begin living a new story. In Christ’ name, Amen. 

For much of my life, I’ve wanted to be successful.  I wanted to look good, have more money, and just outdo the competition.  I did not really have specific goals for myself. It was always just a feeling that a better life was out there to be had.  Looking back, my ability, my clothes and my financial situation were not the problem to my success, it was a lack of contentment. 

Scripture tells us to be content with what we have.  God has blessed each of us uniquely and has equipped us according to His plan which will bring true success.  Although we worship the same God, we are on different journeys requiring different tools and gifts.  Whenever you see others with certain qualities, achievements, or possessions, know that God has readied them for their own journey. In the same way, God has supplied you with everything you need for the work He has intended for you. 

God will always give you what you need.  It is easy to fall into the trap of endlessly wanting something more or different. However, our creator has already gone ahead of us and laid out the path he intends for us to walk.  He knows exactly what you need, and He ensures that you will have it and it will be above your expectations. As you walk that path, be filled with contentment knowing that He is always with you and that you have exactly what you need for life’s journey. 

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5.

Let’s Pray

Oh Lord, You are my shepherd and I should not be in want, but so often I struggle to be content; forgetting that you have graciously provided me with every spiritual blessing in Christ and everything I need for life and godliness. Thank you for often not giving me what I want because my desires would draw my heart from being satisfied in You. Help me to be content in You with what You have given me and not be focused on what my flesh wants or what the world tells me I should have. In Christ’s name Amen 

Let’s Reflect

1) In what area of your life are you most prone to discontentment? 

2) How does having faith in God’s plan for your life impact your ability to experience contentment?