PATRICK

  "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2 NIV Prayer is how we talk to God, and it also helps us care about the needs of others. Through prayer, God gives us compassion and a sense of purpose. We are encouraged to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:2); those who work for God (Matthew 9:38); all Christians, especially those who are suffering (Ephesians 6:18-20); Israel (Psalm 122:6); our enemies (Matthew 5:44); and those who don't believe (Romans 10:1). While we often pray for our own needs, it’s also important to pray for the wisdom, well-being, and strength of others. This is where spiritual battles are won. When we sincerely pray for others, we might notice more spiritual challenges in our own lives, but we also begin to see our problems differently. As we spend less time focused on ourselves, prayer becomes a tool that helps us let go of self-centeredness. We are then able to follow Jesus' command to "Love one another, just as

  "Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble." Proverbs 13:20   Many people’s lives have been ruined because of bad friends. When you are close to an evil person who lacks wisdom and does not fear God, it is very easy for you to be influenced to do what that person does. We are indeed well aware that some behaviors and actions do not please God, and you may find that your friend or close companion is engaged in them. However, because you do not want to offend them or are afraid to rebuke them, you end up just staying with them and tolerating them. This makes you a participant in those evil deeds. But there are also worldly philosophies that have trapped people into friendships and associations with unworthy individuals. These are philosophies and wisdom that condemn the people of God, saying that we are not any better and that everyone is weak, so there is no need to distance yourself from anyone. They use phrases like "you think you are

  "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32." The issue of forgiving those who have wronged us is not easy, given the reality of the wounds caused by those who have hurt us. However, forgiveness is not optional; it is mandatory. If you do not forgive those who wronged you, God will not forgive you. As He said in His word: "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15." Therefore, you see that for you to be forgiven of your sins, you must also forgive those who have wronged you. And I believe that you know you are not perfect and that you need forgiveness, so you must also forgive those who have wronged you. When you hold on to judgment and bitterness in your heart against someone who has wronged you, it is as though you are judging yourse

  "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." Philippians 2:13 (NIV) God is within you, and when He does anything on this earth, He does it through you. It is a great honor that God has given to humanity to be his coworker. Therefore, the abilities you have, whether intellectual or any kind of knowledge, along with blessings, are gifts from God to enable you to fulfill His good purpose. So, when God places a certain ability in you, He works through you by giving you the desire or idea to do something. When the Word of God says, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act..."  it means that when you feel the urge to do something that builds God's kingdom or anything beneficial to the community, know that this inspiration comes from God. Satan does not want humanity to be prosperous or to live in peace; he wants us to live in poverty and suffering all the time. So, when you have an idea that will uplift your eco

  "No one is respected unless he is humble; arrogant people are on the way to ruin. Proverbs 18:12 GNT" The Word of God places great emphasis on the issue of humility because it is one of the most important criteria that can enable you to receive something from God. Moreover, being humble will bring you many benefits, such as the following: 1. Favour from God:    Humility is the criterion for receiving God's grace and favor. James 4:6 says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."  This grace can manifest in various ways, including spiritual and economic growth, wisdom, and blessings. 2. Wisdom and Knowledge:    Proverbs 11:2 says, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."  Wisdom brings you humility, and humility enables you to learn and receive knowledge from God and others. 3. Honor and Exaltation:    When you are humble, God will honor you. People may look down on you and mistreat you for a time, but God

  "The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy." Genesis 26:13 We often set our own criteria for success, but these criteria can sometimes block God's blessings in our lives. Today, I encourage you to set aside those self-imposed standards and reasons you believe are necessary for success. Today's message is about Isaac, a man whom God blessed greatly: "The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy."  Isaac lived in a challenging environment; it was a season of famine, and he was in a foreign land without a country of his own. These circumstances could have been an excuse for Isaac not to succeed, but he did not allow that environment to discourage him. You might also be in a difficult situation like Isaac, but do not let those circumstances and challenges around you be a barrier to your success. Instead, seek to know what God says about your current situation. God gave Isaac specifi

  "Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. Zechariah 9:12"   In your life, never give up on anything you are pursuing because if you believe and have hope, nothing is impossible when you rely on God. Don't focus on your current situation or the circumstances around you; instead, keep your eyes on God and trust in Him. Abraham had faith and hope in God until he received what was promised to him, as it is written: "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do wha

  "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19" When God does something, it can not fail, but you must allow Him to do it. God does not forcefully do things for his people. Our God is very gentle. Perhaps there are things you deeply desire God to do in your life. Because you know he has the power and ability to do them, but if they haven’t happened yet, you must ask yourself why. Without a doubt, the obstacle might be on your end. Because God always desires to do good, great, and marvellous things for His children. This passage begins by saying, "This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters; Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:16,18"  Then it continues, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the w

  "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2" We see in the Bible that there were people who cried out to God when they were in trouble, and God sent His angels to save them and bring answers to their prayers. However, we often fail to recognize these angels when they come, which is why today's message says, "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing, some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." Abraham received the promise of a child by showing hospitality to strangers who were God's angels. Genesis 18:2-5 says, "Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, ‘If I have found favour in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your fee

  "The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it. Proverbs 10:22" This is a question that each one of us has asked or is asking, "What should I do to be successful?" There are many ways you can use to obtain wealth. There are seminars, various teachings, and books that have been written to guide you on how to succeed and become rich. Some of these teachings and methods indeed yield results. Because you can acquire wealth outside of God and be successful and prosperous; Psalm 92:7 says, "Though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever."  Also, Psalm 37:7 says, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways when they carry out their wicked schemes" So, it's entirely clear that you can be successful without following God's ways. You can become wealthy using wicked means. But I want you to ask yourself, and I also ask y