PATRICK

  No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24 NIV This verse reminds us of an essential truth: life is not about putting ourselves first. God calls us to care for others, consider their needs, and ensure our actions bring help, not harm. Yet, in today’s world, selfishness and greed often dominate. We see it everywhere—people driven by self-interest, ignoring how their actions impact others. Business decisions prioritize profit over people, leaving workers exploited and communities harmed. The Bible warns about this in 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”  When we love money more than people, we lose sight of what matters most. Selfishness is just as destructive. Many focus only on their own comfort, goals, and success, without asking how their choices affect others. This mindset causes pain—broken relationships, lost trust, and damaged lives. A selfish or greedy heart ignores the harm it creates, seeking onl...

  "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." Ephesians 4:15 (KJV) The only way to grow your faith in Christ is by holding onto God’s truth in love. This means your faith should not lead you to discriminate against or hate others, nor to consider yourself more righteous than them. Instead, love God with all your heart and live a life of holiness. God’s Word in Ephesians 4:17–32 provides us with guidance: "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: th...

  "Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” Genesis 28:16 NKJV This verse tells the story of Jacob’s dream about a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels going up and down. When Jacob woke, he realized something profound—God had been with him all along, but he hadn’t noticed. How often does that happen in our own lives? God is near, yet we fail to recognize His presence. God isn’t like the objects we see around us. He doesn’t move from one place to another; He is everywhere at all times. Jeremiah 23:24 says, “Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him? Do not I fill heaven and earth?”  God holds the universe in His hands, and His presence surrounds us every moment. So why do we sometimes feel distant from Him? It’s not because He moves away, but because our sins, worries, and distractions cloud our awareness of Him. As Isaiah 59:2 says, “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your ...

  "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." – John 10:27   In this verse, Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd and describes His followers as His sheep. This relationship is built on trust, care, and guidance. Just as sheep rely on the shepherd for safety and provision, we are called to trust Jesus to lead us through life. Following Jesus is not a sign of weakness but a step toward true fulfillment. He promises that if we listen to His voice and obey His words, He will guide us. His guidance leads to blessings in our lives—spiritually, emotionally, and even materially. By following His voice, we align with His perfect will, which helps us make wise decisions, avoid unnecessary mistakes, and find purpose. In John 10:28-29, Jesus assures us of His protection: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’...

  Matthew 21:22: "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (NKJV) Pentecostal Bible Study on Matthew 21:22 Context: This verse concludes the story where Jesus curses a fig tree for bearing no fruit (Matthew 21:18-21).  The immediate lesson is about the power of faith  and the importance of prayer. Key Themes: 1. Faith as the Essential Condition: Jesus emphasizes that faith is the driving force behind answered prayers. This faith is not merely believing that God exists but fully trusting in His power, will, and goodness. Hebrews 11:6: "Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." 2. Prayer as an Act of Communion: Prayer is not just about asking for things; it’s an intimate dialogue with God that requires persistence and sincerity. 1 John 5:14-15: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything accordi...