Tag: faithfulness

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Don’t Water Down Your Dreams

Do You Love The American Dream More Than Jesus?

Life will always have critics and naysayers, but It’s not what people say about you that affects your life, but it’s what you say and believe about yourself that really matters. Have the opinions of others caused you to water down or walk away from your dreams? One of the most important things you can 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 and God do.  

Scripture say in Romans 3:3, “It doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” 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 to believe God! You don’t need anyone to validate you. You have to follow the voice of God for yourself, and allow Him to keep His promises through you. 

Today, God sees and knows the hidden treasures that’s buried inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams a reality! As you get rid of old, defeated thoughts and people, and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limits in your life, and live the abundant productive life God has for you! 

“What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?” (Romans 3:3, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for another day where I can see Your awesomeness in my life. Father, help me to see myself the way You see me. Help me to take the limits off my mind and dreams. Help me to see the plans You have for me, so that I can be empowered by You to fulfil my destiny. God, please help me not to water down my dreams based on naysayers. I love You and bless You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.  

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We Will Get Through

10 Scriptures That Remind Us We Are Showered in Grace

I hear this question over and over these days – are we going to get through these difficult times? It’s easy to get discouraged during the tough times. Have you ever gone through something that felt like the valley of the shadow of death? But I love what it says in today’s verse, “though I walk through.” This phrase gives us hope. 

I know these are hard times with sickness and bereavement at record rates, but know this – you are not alone, and you are just walking through. You don’t have to stop and live in the tough times! They are only temporary. Don’t allow fear to paralyse you in the middle of “the valley of the shadow of death.” God is with you. He is walking beside you. He is strengthening you. He is making a way of escape for you. He will carry you if He has to. He is lining up people and situations to bring you out of these tough places into a place of strength and victory! 

Today, why don’t you get a vision of your life on the other side of that trial. See your life without the loss and bereavement of the pandemic more loving, more faithful, stronger and more blessed than before. Keep moving forward and keep walking through. Don’t stay in fear. Press forward in faith into the victory God has prepared for you! 

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me…” (Psalm 23:4, NKJV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life, I pray I will never take it for granted. Father, please continue to walk with me even in these hard times of sickness, death and uncertainty. God, I pray for a vision of the other side of this trial, trusting that You are taking me through my circumstances to a place of victory and strength, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Trust In Your God

How Can You Trust Christianity Is True When There Are So Many Unanswered Questions?

During these times it’s easy to get discouraged with so many things going wrong. Maybe covid is in your family. Maybe you aren’t getting out of debt as fast as you thought. Or, you’re experiencing some challenges in your health or relationships. We have to be careful not to give up just because it hasn’t happened on our timetable. We serve a mighty God. His ways are higher than our ways. When we believe, all things become possible! 

Stop trying to figure things out. Humanly speaking there may not be a way, but that’s okay. God can do what men can’t do. Think about the children of Israel. When they left Egypt, there were two million of them. Then, Pharaoh came chasing after them, and when they came to a dead end at the Red Sea, it looked like it was over. They couldn’t see a way out, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t a way. God simply parted the Red Sea, and they went through on dry ground. Hallelujah! 

Today, it may look like there is no way out of your situation, trust God to make a way. He’ll part your Red Sea if He has to! He’ll do whatever it takes to lead and guide you in the path of victory that He has prepared for you! Praise God! 

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, good morning. I trust You, knowing with You all things are possible. Father, I will take my eyes off my circumstances and put my trust and hope in You for my victory. God, I bless You and thank You for Your faithfulness to me, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Words Are Like Seeds

Renewal, Of People Of God - Knowing Jesus

Did you know words are like seeds? When we say prayers, when we speak the Word of God, it’s like planting spiritual seeds. It’s a principle that God established at the beginning of time. The harvest is determined by the seeds we sow, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Think about how a planter waits for the harvest. He knows that if he protects his seed, he will get an abundant harvest. He waters it, pulls the weeds, keeps the soil moist and exposes it to sunlight. 

Today, like the planter we have to protect our spiritual seed. We can’t allow the “weeds” of negative thinking to come in. We have to pull them out by saying, “God, my trust and confidence is in You, I will stay positive.” We have to water our seed through praise to God, keeping an attitude of faith and expectancy. We expose our seed to sunlight by staying in the presence of the Son of God. That’s how we protect our seed. When you protect it, it won’t be long before you will see that harvest of blessing in your life. 

“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22, AMP) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. Father, I declare that my trust and confidence are in You. Thank You for hearing my prayers daily. God, I know that seed planted in Your Word will produce an abundant harvest in my life. Help me stay positive, protective and potent with all my words and thoughts, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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When It Rains It Pours

When the rain is still present

As we face 2021 there will be times when we feel overwhelmed and outnumbered by the things that are coming against us. Have you heard the saying, “when it rains, it pours.” For example, at the same time as the central heating needs repairing, the car breaks down, and then you get the news that a loved one has passed away. It seems like one thing happens after another.  

Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed right now, like all of the forces of darkness are coming against you. But the Scripture promises us that with God on our side, we have all the resources of heaven to get through the consistently hard times and arrive at the victory God promises us.  

Today, remember you are never outnumbered by sin or the devil, because the Greater One lives in you, and those who are with you are more than those who are against you! So the next time you’re feeling anxious, fearful or worried about anything, remember, He’s on your side. If God is for you, who can be against you? He promises to guide and protect you and lead you into victory! Hallelujah! 

“Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness to me. Father, thank You for Your peace and promises that reassure me even in the midst of the constant storms of life. God, I know that You and the entire heavenly host are fighting with me, therefore I can stand strong because You will lead me into victory, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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Breaking News – We Have A Vaccine

The search for the last 11 months has been to find an antidote against the Covid-19 pandemic. In early December there were shouts of celebration when a vaccine was found, and fear began to dissipate and faith got stronger. Do you know we have a vaccine, an antidote against sin and fear? The first thing many people would say is faith; however, the Scripture tells us that it’s love, for perfect love is what drives out all fear. Hallelujah! 

When we truly comprehend how much God loves us, what can we possibly be afraid of? For God is love. When we are one with God through a relationship with His Son, we are wrapped in perfect love where we can find strength and security. We can find peace. We can find refuge, provision, and hope in His love. His love knows no limits. It has no boundaries. His love never changes. There is nothing you can do to make Him love you any more or any less. So let’s celebrate this breaking news Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 

Today, open your heart and receive the vaccine of God’s love made at Calvary. Don’t go into 2021 without it, you will be vulnerable to the pandemic of sin. Daily meditate on His goodness and faithfulness. As you do, those old fears will melt away. Sin will cease, and you will move confidently into the life of victory He has prepared for you. 

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” (1 John 4:18, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Oh, Yahweh, I come before You with a humble heart, begging for the vaccine of Your love. Father, please show me Your love and fill me with Your peace and hope, and remove the pandemic of sin and fear. God, help me to be an example of Your love for the people I come into contact with. I bless Your Name today that I have the victory over sin through faith in You, not just now but forever, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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Brag On God

8 Reasons You Should Adopt an Attitude of Gratitude

In today’s verse, David was declaring the goodness of God and bragging on His faithfulness! We need to always remember that every blessing in life is from God. That job, good break, healing, or new opportunity – that was God’s doing. Scripture says that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above.

There’s an old gospel song that says, “Look What The Lord Has Done.” The song just brags on God. It’s a great reminder that all through the day we should be bragging on God’s goodness. We should be remembering His mighty acts. See, when we give God all the glory, that’s when He will pour out His blessings in greater measure. When we are humble and don’t try to take the credit, His grace and favour increases on us.

Today, look for opportunities to brag on God. If you are breathing today, brag on Him as your Creator. If you got to work safely today, brag on Him for being your Protector. If you are facing a difficulty, brag on the fact that He is your Deliverer and breakthrough is on the way! Keep declaring His goodness and faithfulness, and watch what God will do on your behalf!

“The LORD has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:23, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, You alone are worthy of all the praise and glory for the good things in my life! Father, thank You for blessing me; thank You for the breakthroughs in my past and the breakthroughs in my future. God, I brag on You because You are good, and worthy of all praise, in Christ’ name! Amen.

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What Is The Address In Your Heart Today?

Total Recall

What I’m really asking, is what are you expecting to happen in your life? What kind of attitude do you have? If your thoughts are stuck and you’re focused on what’s wrong, or what’s not working, then it’s time to change your address! It’s time to pack up your belongings and move out of the land of discouragement. It’s time to move out of the “nothing’s-going-to-happen street” or “I-can’t-do-it road”. It’s time to pack your bags and move into the “Ray of hope close” or “by faith boulevard”, or even “expectation manor!”

Every time you get a negative thought and you want to dwell in “nothing’s-going-to-happen street,” or “I-can’t-do-it road” instead, dwell on God’s promises, pack your bags and change address.

Today, every time you declare God’s faithfulness, you are taking a step in the right direction, and you’re moving from your old address (old way of thinking) into a new one. The Bible says that those who hope in the Lord will never be put to shame. Hallelujah! As you turn your focus toward Him, you will start living in “Hope street” – a land where His peace, blessings and victory reside.

“…my flesh also will dwell in hope.” (Acts 2:26, ESV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for ordering and directing my steps. Father thank You for moving me out of “I-can’t-do-it-road” to “expectation manor”, a place of hope and expectation! God, I claim Your promises, I choose to set my mind on You, knowing that You are faithful. God, I release the past and invite You to fill me with Your peace, blessings and victory, in Christ’ name! Amen.

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God Wants To Give You Victory

Victory, Not Just Today, But Always

Are you battling sickness? God wants to give you healing. Are you struggling with a broken relationship? God wants to give you restoration and peace. Are you facing a need–physically, spiritually or emotionally? God wants to give you provision. God desires for you to live in victory in every area of your life.  

The Scripture says He always causes us to triumph through Christ Jesus! No matter what you may be facing today, God wants to make you more than a conqueror, and supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory. Today’s verse starts by saying, “Thanks be to God.” In the Bible, when God’s people were going into battle, many times they sent the worshippers out in front of the warriors. When you choose to be thankful and bless the Lord in the midst of your battle, you are making a way for Him to move in your life.  

Today, start by thanking Him for His goodness. Magnify your God; don’t magnify your problems. Give Him thanks and make way for victory! 

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57, AMP) 

Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I say thank You for Your mercy and faithfulness. Father, thank You for always leading and guiding me into victory! God, I receive my victory right now for this trial I’m going through. I celebrate and magnify You and bless Your holy name for my total deliverance, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Jacob Blake – Sometimes Praising God Is Hard

Keeping Faith in God During Hard Times

When you wake up in the morning, what’s the first thing you do? Do you praise God for His goodness? Do you set the tone for praise because of success, favour and blessing? Looking at the events of this past week, months and year, it is so hard to praise God at all times like the Scripture says. To hear another mother crying, for her innocent black son, who was shot 7 times by the police is heartbreaking.  

We’re in the eighth month of the worst year on record, many commentators have said. Last year may have had some hardships and difficulties, but this year seems to be on another negative level. However, it’s time to set the tone for a season of praise. Despite all the negatives, Jacob’s family still managed to give God praise.  

Today, the Scripture reminds us that the darker it gets in the world, the brighter it’s going to be for God’s true believers. Things may be bad all around you. Murders, shootings and pandemics. People may be negative, complaining and discouraged, rightly so at times, but don’t let that spirit rub off on you, praise your way out of the negatives. The worse it gets the brighter God wants you to shine. Be determined to set a Godly tone of praise for the rest of the year, no matter how bad things get, by praising God and speaking words of faith over every situation! 

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises.” (Psalm 34:1, NLT) 

Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I have decided to bless You at all times. I will go against my feelings and focus on Your goodness and love. God, I praise You for the faith of Jacob Blake’s family, who lift You up in the face of their tragedy. Please grant him a full recovery. Father, I set a new tone of praise in my life, to replace all of my negative emotions, and I receive Your forgiveness, grace and mercy. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me at all times, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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God Make Me A Sower

"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?" (Matthew 5:13)

In the book of Genesis, God set up a system of seedtime and harvest. Everything God does starts with a seed. The Bible also tells us that He gives seed to the sower. In other words, if you are a person who has a desire to bless others and sow seed, God will make sure you have plenty to give.  

Notice in today’s verse what happens when we generously sow seed, we increase more! Just like planting a seed in the natural brings a natural abundant harvest, planting a spiritual seed brings a spiritual abundance. You can’t outgive God! The Scripture says that He will pour out blessings on you that you can barely contain. God’s blessing goes way beyond the financial realm. He wants you to have blessed relationships, good health and a happy career.  

Today, why don’t you take a step of faith and look for ways to start sowing? What do you have in your hand? Can you start by giving a smile and sowing joy? Do you have five pounds to help someone who is homeless buy some food? Choose to be a blessing and watch how God brings increase in every area of your life. 

“There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want.” (Proverbs 11:24, AMP) 

Let’s Pray Yahweh, today I want to be a sower. Father, help me to see the people around me the way You see them, so that I can bless them the way You want to bless them. God, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life as I do my best to be obedient to Your Word, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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A Message To The Pretender

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

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Trust God’s Timing

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

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5 Truths about God’s Design for Sex in Marriage

5 Truths about God’s Design for Sex in Marriage

Living in an over-sexualized culture, we hear messages about sex, wrong messages.   These messages become more a part of us than God’s truth because we hear them repetitively and churches are scared to address sexuality.

For too long, I believed the world’s message about sex.   That it’s a superficial, feel-good avenue to self-satisfaction.   Wrong, partly.   God did design sex to feel good!

But, there is more than that.   He designed it for profound spiritual, physical, and emotional connection.   It is just a shadow of things to come.

God’s design of sex is too amazing to keep silent about.

Here are five truths about God’s design of sex in marriage.

God designed sex to be bonding.

Not only spiritually bonding, but emotionally and physically.   When the two become one flesh, biochemicals are released in our bodies like oxytocin and dopamine.   Oxytocin, especially, is a bonding chemical.   When I embraced this truth and started engaging in the marriage bed more, the tone of our marriage completely changed.

“This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh,” Genesis 2:24 (NIV).

God designed sex for both husband and wife to experience pleasure.

It’s an equal opportunity activity.   Why else would there be a clitoris?   It’s only function is for pleasure.   The Song of Solomon is full of beautiful poetic language about the pleasures of physical love for both spouses.

If one spouse struggles with the ultimate moment, there are Christian resources available to help the couple understand how to achieve mutual enjoyment.

“The mandrakes send out their fragrance, and at our door is every delicacy, both new and old, that I have stored up for you, my beloved,” Song of Solomon 7:13 (NIV).

God designed sex so that we would know yearning.

Before you were married, you yearned for your fianc.   Not only did you crave your fiance’s touch, you craved his/her presence and knowing him/her better.  Even after years of marriage, it is good to remember this yearning.  It mirrors how God desires us to yearn for him.   I believe this is one reason he frequently uses the marriage as a symbol of his relationship with us throughout the Bible.

“Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?” James 4:5 (NIV).

God designed the marriage bed to be a place to show the fruit of the Spirit.

Peace, patience, love, joy, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control are the foundation of all Christian life, especially the marriage bed.   All conflict surrounding the marriage bed can be managed through employing these key traits.

My own marriage endured a long season of mismatched sex drives.   It was through these qualities and some wise communication tools that we overcame our conflict.

God designed sex as a powerful mystery.

Biblical stories of sex often confused me when I was young.   There was some nasty stuff in the old testament, the rape of Dinah, Lot and his daughters, the men of Gibeah  clammering for the male visitor, Leviticus 20.   And yet, there is the beautiful Song of Solomon.   The New Testament seemed to prefer celibacy, to be honest.   As a teenager, I couldn’t understand why I liked thinking about sex if it was disgraceful and violent.

But, as an adult, I realized the stories were teaching me that sexual intimacy is powerful and mysterious.   It’s OK not to have it all figured out, as long as you respect the power it holds to do good when it is aligned with God’s perfect design.

“For my thoughts  are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the  Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways  and my thoughts than your thoughts,” Isaiah 55:8-9.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let the world’s message of cheap sex destroy the meaningful sex in your marriage.   Sex may only be a small portion of the whole of your marriage.   However, sex matters.   It especially matters if one spouse is more interested than the other.   When we ignore its power and importance in marriage, the relationship suffers.

Now, granted chronic health issues can affect sexual function and that’s a more complicated story.

 

 

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