PATRICK

  Amos 5:14  (NKJV) says, “Seek good and not evil, That you may live; So the Lord God of hosts will be with you, As you have spoken.” This verse teaches us that many people say “God is with me,” but their actions are far from God. They claim to know God, but their lives are full of evil. Today, the world is full of people who speak about God with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. Look at many celebrities and social media influencers. Some of them sing songs that promote sin—encouraging people to fornicate, drink, disobey parents, or live in rebellion. They dress and dance naked in videos, change partners like clothes, and live without fear of God. But when you read their bios or hear their interviews, they say “I believe in God” or post Bible verses. This is confusion. Their words say they know God, but their actions deny Him. Sadly, many young people now follow this same path. They live in sin and claim that God is still with them. But God is not mocked. His Word...

Job 35:13 -14 (HCSB) says, “Indeed, God does not listen to empty cries,and the Almighty does not take note of it — how much less when you complain that you do not see Him,that your case is before Him and you are waiting for Him.” This verse teaches us something very important about prayer. Not every cry or prayer is accepted by God. Job’s friend, Elihu, is reminding Job that when people cry out to God without faith, trust, or repentance, their prayers become empty cries. An empty cry is a prayer without heart, without faith, without obedience. It is a cry that sounds holy but means nothing. Let’s look at Six ways people make empty cries: 1. Crying to God without faith  – Some people pray but deep inside, they don’t believe God will help them. They don’t think God hears them or cares. Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” 2. Not trusting God’s judgment  – Some cry out, but in their hearts, they feel like God is unfair. They complain, saying God bles...

  Daniel 12:3 (GNT) says, “The wise leaders will shine with all the brightness of the sky. And those who have taught many people to do what is right will shine like the stars forever.” This verse speaks about the reward God will give His faithful people on the last day. Those who live with wisdom and lead others to righteousness will shine like stars in the sky—forever. What a powerful promise! Today, I want to teach you how to be wise so you can receive this reward. The Bible says in James 1:5 (NKJV), “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God...”  This means wisdom comes from God, and He is willing to give it to anyone who asks. When you receive God’s wisdom, you will learn how to live the right way and make decisions that please Him. You will also have the power to guide others. The wisest thing you can ever do in life is to preach the Gospel—to help people turn away from sin and accept Jesus Christ. That is the kind of wisdom that brings eternal rewards. Also, if you ...

  Psalm 121:1-2 (NKJV) says, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from where comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” There are times in life when no one understands your pain. You cry, but no one hears you. You explain your situation, but people still don't care or can’t help. Even those who love you the most are sometimes powerless to change your condition. In those moments, only God can help you. In this Psalm, “mountains” represent strong places—people or institutions that seem powerful. Maybe you are sick, and the best hospitals cannot heal you. Maybe your heart is broken, and even the most experienced counselors cannot fix it. You may be searching for peace, love, or strength—but people keep disappointing you. The truth is, only God can truly help. You may be surrounded by family and friends, but still feel alone. They promise to help, but do nothing. Some even speak badly about you behind your back. You may have trusted a rich or powerful perso...

  Hebrews 5:8-9 (NKJV) says, “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”   Jesus Christ, the Son of God, went through a painful and difficult process. He was rejected, hated, falsely accused, betrayed, and crucified. But all of this was part of His journey to becoming the Savior of the world. It was not easy, but it was necessary. Just like Jesus, every great man of God in the Bible went through trials before fulfilling their destiny. David was anointed king but spent years running from Saul. Abraham waited for years for the promise of a son. Elijah, after doing great miracles, was threatened, became depressed, and even wanted to die. Hebrews 5:8 tells us that although Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience through suffering. That means suffering was His classroom—and it’s ours too. In Deuteronomy 8:1-2, God says He allowed the Israelites to suffer ...

  Isaiah 58:6-7 (NIV) says, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?  Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”   Fasting is not about changing God. It is about changing yourself. Many people fast thinking they can force God to move on their behalf. But true fasting is about humbling yourself and putting your heart in the right position to receive God’s help and direction. In Isaiah 58, God was not pleased with how people were fasting. They were seeking God, yet they continued in sin. They fasted but still fought, quarreled, and mistreated others. God reminded them that fasting is a time of humility, not pride—a time of repentance, not self-pity. Many people fast and see no results because they do it the wrong wa...