Repetition Deepens Impression

GodInterest exists to welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds, equipping people with a faith that works in real life and sends them into a world to serve for God and humanity.

Notice in today’s verse, God’s people were commanded to go around saying continually, “Let God be magnified. He takes pleasure in prospering me.” I believe one reason they were supposed to say it all the time, is so that it would get down deep in their hearts. Reputation deepens the impression. 

Remember, when we hear something for long enough, we start to believe it. It starts to affect the way we see things. I wonder what would happen if, all through the day, we decided to stop dwelling on negative, self-defeating thoughts like, “I’ll always be broke. My business or ministry will never grow. I won’t be able to send my children to university, it’s too expensive.” What if we started dwelling on positive thoughts like, “God takes pleasure in prospering me. Good breaks are in my future. Explosive blessings are coming my way?”

Today, let the truth of God’s Word sink down into your heart, and throughout the day declare His goodness. Declare His faithfulness. Declare His blessings because He delights in seeing you prosper and live abundantly. Receive it today, hold your head high, speak God’s Word over every area of your life. 

“Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favour my righteous cause; And let them say continually, ‘Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.’ ” (Psalm 35:27, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your goodness. Thank You for my success. Father, please change my thinking from negative to positive. God, send Your spirit to into my life today, so that my faith will become real and active, as I continually claim Your promises over my life. Help me to see my life the way You see it. Help me to see and declare the blessings and victories You have for me in Christ’ name! Amen.

Walk In His Blessings

I Just Can't Help But Talk About Jesus

Are you looking for abundance? Well, God wants to bring you to a place of abundance! A place filled with favour, opportunity, good health and great relationships. You may not be there yet, but don’t worry, your blessing is on the way. Hallelujah!  

David reminds us in Psalm 31, “God has blessings stored up for those that love the Lord.” There are good health, provision, relationships, businesses and promotion stored up for you that God wants to release. There are blessings with your name on it when you love the Lord. Oh yes, God is going to bring you into what He has already prepared for you. When you honour Him, when you’re faithful to Him, that’s how you walk in His blessings. You don’t have to look for them; blessings and favour are going to find you! Good breaks are going to come your way! 

Today, be ready to receive what God has for you. Position yourself for blessing by falling in love with God and walking in His ways. Meditate on the Word of God and sing His praise. Thank Him for what He is doing, because favour is looking for you! 

“Surely, LORD, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favour as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:12, NIV) 

Let’s Pray Yahweh, thank You for blessing me. Thank You for Your blessings and goodness in my life. Father, please help me to see new ways to be a blessing to others, as I daily keep my heart and mind focused on You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Incredible Future

In a sign of things to come, a Swedish train operator is using new technology that employs big data to predict the entire commuter train system two hours into the future.

You may feel right now, like the challenges you face are too big or too overwhelming. We all face challenges. We all have obstacles to overcome. Keep the right attitude and focus, it will help us stay in faith so that we can move forward into victory.  

I’ve learned that average people have average problems. Ordinary people have ordinary challenges. But remember, you’re above average and you’re not ordinary. You are extraordinary. God created you and breathed His life into you. You are exceptional, and exceptional people face exceptional difficulties. But the good news is that we serve a super exceptional God!  

Today, when you have an incredible problem, instead of being discouraged, you should be encouraged knowing that you’re an incredible person, with an incredible future. Your path is shining bright because of your incredible God! Be encouraged today because your life is on an incredible path. So, keep in faith, keep declaring victory, keep declaring God’s promises over your life because you have an incredible future! 

“The path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day…” (Proverbs 4:18, AMP) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, today I lift my eyes to You. Father, I know that You are the One who helps me and has given me an incredible future. God, I choose to stand in faith, knowing that You have an incredible plan in store for me, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Faith and Righteousness Go Together

GodInterest exists to welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds, equipping people with a faith that works in real life and sends them into a world to serve for God and humanity.

Many people are looking for ways to be righteous or in “right standing” with God. In Genesis 15 it simply says that when we believe God, that’s righteousness. The evidence, of our faith is found in our actions. Faith without works is dead. That means, when we really believe something, our actions will support what we believe. Abraham believed God, he obeyed His Word and left his father’s land, even when he didn’t know where he was going. In the same way, when we believe God, we have to leave some things behind in order to embrace the new life He has in store.  

Today, as you let go of the old and, by faith, embrace God’s promises, know that He is leading you down paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake! Keep believing and keep stepping out, knowing that your best days are ahead of you! 

Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for making me righteous in You. Today I choose to accept and believe Your Word by faith. God, help me to follow You all the days of my life in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Are Your Roots Grounded In God?

God's Wisdom and You (Part 2)

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.

Father I Trust You With My Life

Can God Be Trusted?

“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18, NLT)
“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18, NLT)

With many of our youth today growing up without a father-figure in their lives, it becomes hard for them to trust God and love God. Unlike David, who despite lives challenges, he chose to put his life in the hands of the Lord. In Psalms 31:15, He says, “I trust You, God, because I know You are good, my times are in Your hands.” Are you willing, despite an absent father-figure, poor relationships or trust issues, to release every area of your life to the Father who will never abandon you or let you down? Are you willing to trust Him with every time and season of your life? 

Today, you may be in a situation that you don’t fully understand, but take heart God is a good God, you can trust Him. He is working on your behalf. If you’ll keep your heart surrendered to Him, you’ll begin to see things change in your favour. As you continue to trust Him, He’ll open doors for you. God, will take what the enemy meant for evil in your life, and He’ll turn it around for your good. Keep standing, keep believing, and trust Him. Your times are in His hands! 

“My times are in Your hands…” (Psalm 31:15, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank you for being there for me, today I choose to trust You. Father, I trust that You are working on my behalf. God, I trust You with my whole life, my times are in Your hands. Please help me to stay close to You today, so that I can hear Your voice. In Christ’s Name! Amen. 

God Knows Your Secret Cries

God knows those things that you haven’t told anybody about. He knows the secret cries and petitions of your heart. He is aware of hidden dreams placed in you. Maybe you thought they would never come to pass, or maybe you buried them because they didn’t happen on your timetable. Maybe, in the natural, you have every right to give up on your goals and dreams.  

Don’t give up, be encouraged, God is still working behind the scenes! He still has a plan to bring those dreams to pass. All you have to do today is what Psalm 37:4 says, “delight yourself in the Lord” That word delight actually means to make yourself soft and pliable. It paints the picture of God as the potter and you as the clay.  

Today, allow God to mould and shape your character like the potter does the clay. Allow Him to direct your plans and ideas. Keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, Get excited about your future as you submit your ways to the Lord and open your heart to His leading, He will fulfil those secret desires and petitions of your heart! 

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.”  (Psalm 37:4, AMP) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, You said the path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter each day. Father, You said no good thing will You withhold from me if I walk uprightly before You. You also said because I delight myself in You, You will give me the secret desires of my heart. God, I thank You today for these promises, and for being in control of my life and knowing what I need for my future, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

A Brighter Day

Victory, Not Just Today, But Always

Yesterday was a dark day as I laid my aunty to rest. Are you facing a situation that seems dark? Maybe you can’t quite see what’s going to happen in the future, or with your family, or finances. As a believer it won’t be long, for God promises that your path will shine brighter and brighter as you seek Him. He promises that the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn shining brighter to a full day! 

You may ask “”Ray what does it mean to be righteous?” Righteousness is simply being in “right standing” with God. Being in “right standing” means surrendering your life to Him. It’s about obeying His commands and seeking His plan for your life on a daily basis. 

Today, no matter how dark things are, know that God has a bright future for you. He wants to show you that His way leads to a brighter path! I admonish you to seek God in all things and you will have brighter days ahead! 

“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18, NLT) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for giving me a bright future. Father, I know that You have a wonderful plan and purpose for me. God please show me Your ways as I put You first in all things and receive Your promise of a brighter day, in Jesus’ Name! Amen. 

“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18, NLT)
“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18, NLT)

Season = Ploughing, Planting, Watering, and Harvest

Season = Ploughing, Planting, Watering and Harvest

We are about to move into a new, better season. For me, spring is better than winter. God has ordained seasons in your life. It’s easy to get frustrated when our dreams aren’t coming to pass on our timetable. When that happens, we have to submit our plans to Him and trust that He has a better plan. Understand that in God’s kingdom, every season is not harvest.  

Every season is important and contributes to the harvest. There are plowing seasons. There are planting seasons. There are watering seasons. And sure, we would love for every season to be a time of increase, but without the other seasons, we wouldn’t be prepared. It’s during the plowing seasons when God’s bringing issues to light that we need to deal with.  

Today, God is getting us prepared for life’s promotions. If you’re not making as much progress as you would like, the key is to not lose any ground. Don’t go backwards. Hold your position by keeping an attitude of faith and expectancy, even when it’s hard, it’s just a season change. So keep ploughing by speaking the Word daily. Keep watering by praying and claiming God’s promises. As you do your dreams will come true, and you will receive the harvest God promised you! 

“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18, NLT) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness in all seasons of my life. Father, I trust that my harvest time of increase is coming, and I choose to remain faithful while planting, ploughing and watering. God, I submit all my ways to You today, trusting that You have the best plan for my life. Almighty God, I love You and praise Your name today and always, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Healed

Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing His diseased sheep progress toward healing.

Four of my friends and I had the privilege of seeing “Healed” an awesome play by Mark Grey, a Christian director. In reflection this sprang to mind, relationships are so important in the eyes of God. As His children, He desires that we live in unity and stay connected with one another. When we are transparent and pray for each other, something supernatural takes place. We open the door for God to pour out His abundant blessing and healing in our lives.

Remember, when we walk in love, forgiveness and unity, our prayers become more effective, and His power is released through us.

Living in peace and unity doesn’t mean you have to agree with everyone around you all the time. It means you look for honest common ground. It means you reach out to others in truth despite how you feel; you pray for them and help meet their needs. 

Today, one way to be healed is to put the needs of others first, God will make sure our own needs are abundantly supplied. When we live with a servant’s heart toward others, it opens the door for God’s complete healing–physically, spiritually and emotionally. Give and it will come back to you!

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16, NLT)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for revealing the truth to my heart so I can be healed. Father, I desire and beg for total healing in my relationships and in my personal life – mentally, physically and spiritually. God, I choose Your ways above my own, and ask that You open opportunities for me to pray for others, and open the door to Your healing power throughout my life, in Christ’ name! Amen.

Life Has No Finish Line

People that are goal-oriented and very focused on achieving their dreams, many times overlook the simple things that we should be enjoying in our everyday. We have to remember that life is not really about the destination, it’s about the journey – how we live all along the way. It’s about the path we’re on. 

In this thing called life there is no finish line. Once you accomplish one dream, God will give you another. When you overcome one challenge, there will be another. There is always another mountain to climb. If we make the mistake of living just for the destination, we’ll look up one day and realise we’ve missed out on some of the most enjoyable parts of life. 

Today, most of life is routine – breakfast, work, lunch, home, dinner, bed and do it all again. There are very few mountaintops. The high times are few and far between; where you graduate, or get married, or have a child, or go on vacation. Don’t get stuck living for the mountaintops. Learn to enjoy the path you’re on. Learn to enjoy the people in your life. Learn to enjoy the simple blessings of walking in the path the Lord has prepared for you! 

“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for the gift of life. Father, thank You for the plan You have for me today and in the future. Teach me to enjoy the journey of life, to embrace each day with joy and enthusiasm. Almighty God, help me to see the blessings of every moment You have given me, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

My Steps Are Ordered

This week one of my prayers has been that God would give me direction and a renewed vigour. When we encounter difficult situations, we can be tempted to wonder if we are on the right path for our lives. And yes, sometimes we make poor choices that get us off course.  

If your heart is following after God, if you’re determined to stay in faith and put Him first in your life, you can be confident that you are right where you are supposed to be in God’s will! You might say, “that couldn’t be right. I’m uncomfortable. Somebody isn’t treating me right.” God will not allow a challenge to come into your life unless He has a divine purpose for it.  

Today, remember when God is in control, things don’t happen to us they happen for us. Hallelujah! In other words, God uses those difficult things to grow us and stretch us and take us to another level. He orders our steps. So stay in faith, keep a good attitude, and let God lead you into the righteous plan He has for you! 

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…” (Psalm 37:23, KJV) 

Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for ordering my steps and directing me. Father, I trust that You are at work in my life, even during the times when I don’t understand what’s happen in my life. God, please give me the strength and courage to do what is right in Your sight. I bless You today and always, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Aim For Righteous And Loyalty

In Uncertain Times Christ's Death and Resurrection Offer Comfort and Hope

It has been said that righteousness and loyalty go hand in hand. In other words, if we’re not being loyal to God then we aren’t going to experience God’s best. Loyal people are honourable people. When you’re loyal, you stick with someone through thick and thin. When you’re loyal, you keep your word to people even if you get a “better” offer.

Loyal people honour their parents and defend their family. Loyal people are respectful.  When you’re loyal, you are a person of integrity. You build trust with others. Is this an area where you can rise higher? Are you faithful in the things you’re committed to? Can you be more loyal?

Today, don’t let the distractions of everyday life keep you from being dedicated to God, family and friends. Look for ways to show honour to those around you. Is there something you need to set aside for the sake of a loved one? Show love by staying loyal. As Scripture promises, when you pursue loyalty and righteousness, you will find the abundant life God has for you!

“He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life”¦”  

(Proverbs 21:21, NASB)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for the promise of life in Your Word. Father, please show me any area where I can rise up higher by pursuing loyalty. Help me, by Your Spirit, to be more committed and supportive to those around me. God, let Your light shine through me, as I pursue righteousness and loyalty today, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick

 

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