Pastor Ray Patrick

April 23, 2019April 23, 2019

Spiritual Growth Equals Daily Watering

How’s your faith? Do you want to have more faith? Did you know faith can grow and increase? Notice the Bible doesn’t say, “faith comes by having heard the Word of God one time.” It says that faith comes by hearing – present tense. We have to hear the Word of God over and over again in order for it to take root in our hearts and transform our minds. God’s Word can transform us in an instant, but most of the time, our faith grows as we hear the Word of God again and again.

Like a seed needs water daily to grow, your spiritual seed needs the water of God’s Word daily. The more you hear God’s Word, the more you know Him. The more you know Him, the more you will be able to believe Him–and that’s what faith is!

Today, let your daily focus be God’s Word. Choose a few Scriptures to listen to and meditate on? Write them down and carry them with you. Let that truth sink down into your mind and heart. Let the truth of the Word transform your faith, and belief in a God that can move you forward into the abundant life God has prepared for you!

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
(Romans 10:17, NKJV)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your Word that is living and active. I pray that it will take root and grow in my life. Father, I submit myself to You and ask You to teach me Your ways. Give me the appetite to daily bask in Your promises in order to build my faith in You. God, give me a deeper insight into Your Word, so I will become more faithful to You and know You personally, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick

April 22, 2019April 22, 2019

No More Curtain

Christ on the cross symbolised redemption. The word ‘redemption’ means saving, or being saved from. Jesus’ death and His resurrection means we’ve been saved from our sin. Hallelujah! The Bible says: ‘there is salvation in no one else, but Jesus! And there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved’.

Without Jesus’ death, our sins would continue to separate us from God forever. Jesus fulfilled the law for us, therefore we have been declared righteous. Peter says, ‘He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross, so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.’

Jesus is our substitute. He took our punishment, freeing us and giving us the opportunity of eternal life. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV). On the cross Jesus became what we were — sin — so we could become what He is — righteous. When He died, the curtain in the Temple was torn. At that moment the Bible says that ‘the curtain of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom.’ This symbolised that the sinful barrier between God and us had been removed.

Today, let’s remember, Jesus’ death freed us from a life of sin and shame, and opened up a life where we can personally come to God and enter His presence. Before the curtain in the temple was torn, only priests were allowed into the holiest place of the sanctuary, where they could meet with God on the people’s behalf (Exodus 40). Thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice, we’ve been redeemed. We’re no longer condemned, now we can go directly into God’s presence, where He will accept us and forgive us.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.’ (Matthew 27:51 NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, how can I say thank You for taking my place, my sin and my shame? Yahshua, thanks for removing the division my sin had caused, so now I can be close to You, and that You can always be close to me. God, after the reflection of this weekend, my love for You has become deeper, and I vow to commit my life to You, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick.

April 19, 2019April 19, 2019

Holy Laughter

On this weekend where the focus is on the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, joy – not sorrow – should be our spiritual response. Did you know that it’s God’s will for you to be joyful always? God wants you to be happy and carefree. He wants you to love your life no matter what your circumstances look like. In fact, when you have joy in the midst of difficult circumstances, it’s the evidence that you have faith and trust that God is going to bring you through.

In Christ, joy is strength. When you have His joy, you can stand strong, no matter who or what wants to crucify you. You might say, “I’m just not a real jovial person. I’m more serious. I never laugh much.” I realise God made us all differently, but you can experience real inward joy, which should externally make you happy and excited. So let yourself laugh and have fun, because that’s why Christ came and died. I read where the average child laughs over 200 times a day, but the average adult only laughs 4 times a day. What happened? We’ve allowed the pressures of life, stress and responsibilities to steal our joy.

Today, on this Spiritual weekend, make the decision to get your joy back. Decide that you are going to look beyond Friday’s problems, to Sunday’s resurrection and hope, and know that God will see you through. Ask Him every day to fill you with His supernatural peace and joy, so that you can live in Christ’s strength and victory all the days of your life!

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I humbly receive Your Word today. Father, on this weekend, I choose to open my heart to You, and invite You to fill me with Your joy and strength that the resurrection brings. Yahshua, thank You for showing me Your goodness, and empowering me with Your grace. I bless You today for Your amazing sacrifice, in Jesus’ Name! Amen

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick

April 18, 2019April 18, 2019

He Will Finish What He Started

This weekend, Christianity will celebrate the resurrection of Christ, which all started when they crucified Jesus, on that Friday. It was the darkest, most painful, discouraging day of His life. In fact, it was so bad that He sweat drops of blood. It looked as if His enemies had gotten the best of Him. But God had other plans.

On Friday, they put Him in the grave as they celebrated their demonic victory, but by Sunday morning it was a different story. The grave could not hold Him! Death couldn’t contain Him! The forces of darkness couldn’t stop Him! On the third day as He had promised, He came out of the grave and said, “I was dead, but now I am alive forevermore!” Hallelujah!

Today, one lesson that we can learn from the resurrection is that God will always finish what He started. No matter how dark it looks, no matter how long it’s been, no matter how many people are trying to push you down; if you will stay in faith, God will always take you from Friday to Sunday as He has promised. He will always complete what He started in you!

“He was buried…he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
(1 Corinthians 15:4, NIV)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for the reassurance that You will complete what You started in my life. Father, I trust that no matter how dark things may seem on this Friday, by Sunday things will change by faith. Yahshua, You are my shining light of hope. Thank You for the resurrection which gives me confidence of victory in every area of my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019

The Holy Weak

I often wonder what real humility looks like. This week marked Jesus’ Kingly entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. He comes not as a military conqueror, or as a King riding on a stallion, but as a humble servant riding on a donkey. Jesus didn’t just ride on a donkey; Jesus rode on a donkey and a colt. He rode not just on a beast of service, but also on its young, weak, vulnerable offspring.

In the gospels we are told Jesus rode the donkey and its colt into Jerusalem. As well as making a statement about humility, I believe he was also making a statement about vulnerability. Can there be any true humility without a true realisation of weakness? Is it possible to really be humble and at the same time be shielded from hurt, pain and rejection? He enters the world through the vulnerability of a baby in a lowly manger, and prepares to end his earthly sojourn by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and a vulnerable tender colt.

Some years ago I was looking for a Counsellor. I sought someone who would understood my pain, my perplexities and my problems. I am told that true intimacy can only be shown by letting one’s defences down and becoming open and transparent. In politics, we like candidates who identify with our deep-seated struggles.

Today, as we approach what Christianity calls the holy weekend, the humility of Jesus is not a lofty virtue, but it connects all of us who struggle with the stresses and strains of everyday life. And it tells us that our power is not in covering our weaknesses, but in recognising our weaknesses, and acknowledging the vulnerable places where we hurt together. As we say in addiction “there is only one who can heal. It is the one who has been wounded.”

“They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.”
(Matthew 21:7)

Pray With Me
Emmanuel, thank You for being humble and vulnerable for me. Yahshua, teach me to be humble in every area of my life, especially as I try to deal with life’s hostile situations. God, show us how Your strength is made perfect in our weakness. In Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick

April 16, 2019April 23, 2019

Are You A Dumb Disciple?

With Easter only being a few days away, it’s easy to listen in on the story where Jesus tells the disciples that soon He will be betrayed and suffer, be nailed to a cross and die, and after three days rise again, and think, “dumb disciples, why didn’t they ever get it? Why couldn’t they hear what He told them so plainly and not just once but three times?”

Thinking about it, I’m not sure the disciples were dumb, or at least that I am any smarter than they were. There are lots of times when I switch off, I hear only what I want to hear, not what was being said. And there have also been quite a number of times that I’ve been speaking to congregations, especially ones where people are angry and frightened, and I’ve noticed that their capacity for hearing what’s being said, or seeing what’s going on can be zero. Truth can be spoken over and over and we just don’t seem to hear it. Strange!

So why did He tell them what was about to go down? I feel that somehow, later, they would recall His words subconsciously. They would say, “I remember, now I get it.” And what exactly would they be getting? That when our plans and predictions go bust and our expectations aren’t fulfilled, God is still God. God is still working and is able to bring about His purposes in spite of our sin.

Today, just because what we thought would happen or should happen doesn’t, it doesn’t mean the whole story is over. The story is God’s story, bigger than we can grasp, better than we can imagine. So let’s listen and not just hear, let’s see and not just look. How? With our spiritual hearts and mind.

But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what he said.
(Luke 18:34)

Pray With Me
Yahshua, forgive me for being a dumb disciple, for the times when my heart goes hard, and the eyes of my heart are closed, and the ears of my heart are stopped. God, keep working with me, leading me in Your will, healing my heart and opening my eyes and ears to Your grace. In Jesus’ Name! Amen.

April 15, 2019April 15, 2019

God Wants to Take You to the Next Level

God wants to take you to the next level in every area of your life! He wants you to rise higher in Him. He wants you to know Him more, so He can reveal His glory through you. He wants you to be blessed so that you can be a blessing to others. He wants you to reach heights you never dreamed of.

Rising higher looks different for each of us. For you, it could be doing the impossible. It may be seeing your family restored. It may be healing in your body. It may be a promotion at work, or new friendships that you’ve desired. No matter what it is, know that God has your best in His heart. He desires to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond what you could ask, think or imagine.

Today, know that God loves to do above and beyond and show Himself strong on your behalf. Meditate on that fact that God loves you and want you to be the best you can be. As you submit every area of your life to Him, He will cause you to rise up higher like on eagles wings. He will give you strength and take you to the next level in every area of your life.

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

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I humbly come to You giving You every area of my mind, will and emotions. Father, I submit my desires to You knowing that Your ways are higher than mine. God, thank You for leading me and causing me to rise up to the next level in every area of life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick

April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

A Message To The Pretender

I find it hard to deal with fake folk. Yes, I agree everyone has an outer life and an inner life. The outer life is our public life that people can see. The inner life is made up of our thoughts, attitudes and motives. Only you and God know what’s going on inside. Too many people go around today pretending and acting one way, yet on the inside they’re totally different. Their heart and their actions don’t line up.

A message to the pretender, understand God looks at the outside as well as the inside. We can fool a lot of people, but we can’t fool God. God would rather us be open and honest, than go through life pretending, wearing masks and being fake.

Today, please take inventory of what’s going on inside of you. Are you at peace? Are you overlooking offenses? Do you believe the best for people? Does your heart and actions line up? Does your religious spiritual exterior line up with your inner heart and mind? If not, submit your ways to the Lord and ask Him to give you an undivided heart. Live a life pleasing to Him, and walk in His blessing all the days of your life!

“Teach me Your way, LORD, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name.”
(Psalm 86:11, NIV)?

Pray With Me
Elohim, I humbly come before You today. Please search the deep places of my heart and remove anything unlike You. Yahweh, help me to stop pretending and to be real. Please show me if there is any area where I need to line up my inside and my outside. God, help me to be authentic in You today, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick

April 11, 2019April 11, 2019

In A Second God Can Turn It Around

All day yesterday while in Jordan there was evidence of God showing up. From the super extended stay for free at the hotel, to getting us to the airport with time to spare after leaving late. Then allowing the cases through when they were 5kg overweight. Then, when we land in Bahrain the hotel we reserved was higher in price, but after a silent prayer we managed to get a room almost £50 cheaper. Hallelujah!

All through the Bible, we have examples of how God suddenly showed Himself strong on behalf of His people. But sometimes when we’ve struggled for a long time, it’s easy to just give up. One of the enemy’s greatest lies is to tell you that nothing is ever going to change. He’ll tell you that you’re never going to get well, that your marriage isn’t going to work out, that you’re never going to break that addiction. But, I want to tell you, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in those circumstances, God can change things in an instant! In a split second of time, He can turn it all around. One touch of God’s power can heal your body. One touch of His favour can promote you. One touch of His goodness can solve that problem. Just one touch from Almighty God can instantly change your life.

Today, I encourage you to keep believing, keep standing and keep hoping. Don’t let the enemy drag your thoughts down, because God is working things out for your good. Your time is coming, and I declare that your breakthrough is going to happen suddenly–in an instant!

“”¦And in an instant, suddenly, you shall be visited and delivered by the Lord of hosts”¦”
(Isaiah 29:5-6, AMPC)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I choose to trust that You are working things out for my good. Father, I choose to stand in faith, believing that my breakthrough is coming instantly. God, give me Your strength and peace as I patiently wait on You, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick.

April 10, 2019April 10, 2019

God Teach Me When To Fight

While on the aeroplane yesterday I was thinking about how important time is. If you want to live a life of victory in Christ, you have to be very selective about what you give your time and attention to. You have to recognise which thoughts to ignore, which comments to ignore, and sometimes, which people to ignore. Every “battle” that comes across your path is not a battle that you’re supposed to fight. Some are simply distractions to try to lure you off course. If that battle is not between you and your God-given destiny, it’s a battle you should ignore.

Some people get distracted because they are always trying to straighten everyone else out, or win their approval. But if that’s your focus, you are wasting valuable time and energy that you should be using to pursue your dreams. Turn away from that distraction! You don’t need the approval of everyone around you; you only need God’s approval!

Today, realise you don’t have to fight every battle. You don’t have to straighten people out. You don’t have to pay somebody back. Instead, focus on what matters; focus on God and His Word, so that you can live in freedom, peace and happiness every day of your life!

“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your Word.”
(Psalm 119:37, NIV)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for ordering my steps. Father, thank You for planning good things for me. God, teach me what battles to fight. Help me to discern the things I should ignore. Help me to avoid distractions as I focus my heart and mind on You today, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick.

April 10, 2019April 10, 2019

Stop Procrastinating

It’s so interesting how easy it is to procrastinate (put things off). We plan on doing something and we have good intentions, but we just keep on putting it off till later. We say, “one day, I’m going to start exercising. One day, I’m going to get my finances in order. One day, I’m going to forgive that person who hurt me.” The problem with this kind of thinking is that “one day” never comes. There will always be some reason to keep delaying it.

Right now, is there something in your heart that you know you need to do? Maybe God has been dealing with you on a particular issue, and you keep putting it off. You think, “as soon as I get through this busy season, then I’ll spend more time with my family. As soon as the price of gas goes down, then I’ll start tithing. As soon as my child gets out of diapers, then I’m going to get my family back in church. As soon as I stop doing bad stuff I’ll get baptised.”

Today, I want to remind us all, good intentions don’t equal obedience. Someone once said the road to destruction is paved with good intentions. The quicker you do what you feel down in your spirit, the happier you’re going to be. Don’t let unfinished business keep you from God’s best. Step out, obey His voice, and walk in the blessings He has for you!

“I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.”
(Psalm 119:60, NKJV)

Pray With Us
Yahweh, thank You for Your patience and grace towards me. Father, today I rebuke procrastination in my life. Search my heart, show me the way to go. Let my obedience overtake my good intentions. God, I choose to obey Your voice quickly, and honour You in all that I do, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick

April 8, 2019April 8, 2019

God I’m Ready For My Shift!

I declare that a shift is coming in your life and in your circumstances. Whatever you need in your health, in your finances, or in your relationship. It may not look like anything is happening, but we serve a mighty God. He’s about to speak in your direction in a new way!

Like God told the Israelites, the enemies you have seen in the past, or even today, you will see no more. The addictions or bad habits that have held you back can be broken, in Jesus’ Name. God’s favour is being released in a new way that will propel you forward. What should have taken years to accomplish, God is going to do in a split second!

Today, I declare your shift is accelerated in Jesus’ Name. The shift means going beyond where you could go on your own. The shift is seeing Jehovah Jireh, the Lord our Provider, do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond. Now, our attitude should be, “God, I’m ready. I’m taking the limits off of You. I’m enlarging my vision. I may not see a way, but I know You have a way. I declare I’m coming into a shift!” Hallelujah!

“You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways.”
(Job 22:28, NKJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I open my heart and mind to You. Father, I declare that a supernatural shift is coming my way. God, I receive Your Word, I receive Your truth, and I receive the increase You have in store for me, and today I walk in my declaration, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick.

April 5, 2019April 5, 2019

Your Hurt For His Healing

As the weekend approaches and you head to your place of worship what will you wear? What about today, what attitude are you wearing? More than your clothes, what’s covering your mind and emotions? Are you clothed with despair and disappointment? Are you wearing “heaviness?”

Have you gone through a hurtful or disappointing situation? There is a season to grieve a loss. It’s important to go through that process and release the hurt to God. The Bible says God wants to change your mental and spiritual attire and give you a garment of praise, instead of a spirit of heaviness or despair. He wants to exchange your hurt for His healing. He wants to fill you with His peace and joy.

Today, are the garments of yesterday holding you back and weighing you down? Maybe it’s time to exchange that heaviness for His garment of praise. Maybe it’s time to release those heavy burdens. Maybe it’s time to forgive those who have hurt you, and begin to praise your way to victory. When you wear a garment of praise, you’ll stand strong and display His splendour all the days of your life!

“…Provide for those who grieve”¦a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”
(Isaiah 61:3, NIV)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I come to You with an open and humble heart. Father, I ask that You take my garments of despair and heaviness. Make me new today. God, take my hurt and give me your healing, give me a garment of praise today and have Your way in my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick.

April 4, 2019April 4, 2019

Trust God’s Timing

Have you been praying for something and it’s taking longer than you expected? No matter how long you’ve been praying or standing on God’s promises, don’t give up! Your time is coming. Your harvest is on its way. It might be today, it might be tomorrow, it might be next week, next month or next year; but remember, based on today’s Scripture, at just the right time you will get your breakthrough.

Be encouraged because God is faithful and His promises are true. So keep standing, keep hoping, keep believing. Keep doing good. Keep declaring the promises of God over your life.

Today, choose to be around people who are going to encourage you and fill your heart and mind with God’s Word. Give God praise continually. Press on in faith and keep an attitude of victory. Don’t get tired of doing what is right, because your harvest of blessing is on the way – trust God’s timing!

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
(Galatians 6:9, NLT)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. Father, thank You for refreshing and renewing my heart. Please, fill me with Your peace and Your strength. God, help me to do good and hold on until I see my harvest of blessing, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick

April 3, 2019April 4, 2019

God’s Favour Equals Success

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)?

Pray With Me
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 Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick

April 2, 2019April 2, 2019

If You Only Believe

My little daughter is very sick. She is close to death. Will You come to my home and pray for her? These were the words of a sad father in Scripture. Jesus said yes, but along the way He kept getting stopped, one interruption after another. Finally, word came back to Him saying, “no need to come. The little girl has died.

They were upset and very distraught. But Jesus said to them, “don’t be afraid, only believe. The little girl will be well.” Notice the phrase, “only believe.” Jesus went to the home, laid hands on the little girl, and she came back to life.

Today, does your situation seem impossible? In the natural, you don’t see how you can get well, or how you can overcome the addiction, or how your family can ever be restored. God is saying to you what He said to them, “if you only believe, I will turn the situation around. If you only believe, breakthroughs are headed your way!”

But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, ‘do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.
(Luke 8:50, NKJV)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your hand of victory upon my life. Father, thank You for making a way even when there seems to be no way, despite my unbelief at times. God, I choose to stand in faith. I choose to believe, knowing that You are ready, willing and able to cause me to overcome in this life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick