PATRICK

  "God Hears Our Cry: A Pause for Trust and Reflection" "I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Selah." (Psalm 3:4, NKJV)  Reflection and Insight This verse is a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness to hear His people, even in the midst of life’s challenges. David’s heartfelt cry reflects both his vulnerability and his unwavering trust in God. The word Selah invites us to pause and meditate on these truths.  1. Crying Out to the Lord David doesn’t keep his pain to himself—he lifts his voice to the Lord.  This shows active faith, demonstrating that no matter how overwhelming the situation, we can turn to God, who is always ready to listen.  2. God’s Response from His Holy Hill The "holy hill" represents God’s presence and power.  His response is assured, even if not immediate. This teaches us patience and trust, knowing that God’s timing is always perfect and His plans are for our ultimate good.  3. The Meaning of Sela...

THANKSGIVING FOR 2024 "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever." — Psalm 107:1 It is by God’s grace that you have reached this day. This year may have brought challenges and unexpected events, but God has been with you through it all. His hand has protected and sustained you, even in the hardest moments. Perhaps some things didn’t go as you hoped. You might have faced losses, disappointments, or even the death of loved ones. It’s easy to feel discouraged when life doesn’t go as planned. But even in those painful moments, God was there, comforting you and giving you strength to carry on. Maybe you feel like this year passed without any significant progress. Your goals remain unachieved, and your life feels uncertain or without direction. Even so, don’t give up. Thank God for the gift of life, for every new day He has given you, and trust that His plans for you are still unfolding. Or perhaps you faced situations where your life was...

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." — John 12:24 There was a young servant of God who is now a well-known preacher around the world. When he was first saved, he was taught the meaning of John 12:24, where Jesus says that to bear fruit, a seed must die. However, at the time, the preacher did not understand the verse fully. He started praying, “God, please kill me; I want to die.” He thought that if he physically died, he would come back as a new person, free from the struggles he was facing. When his parents heard him praying this way, they became very worried and asked why he wanted to die. The young man couldn’t explain himself clearly, as he didn’t yet understand what the verse truly meant. Many of us make similar mistakes, praying for things we don’t fully understand. In John 12:24, Jesus is not talking about physical death. Instead, He is talking about self-de...

Mark 11:24 > "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." --- Introduction This verse is part of Mark 11, where Jesus teaches about faith, prayer, and spiritual authority. It follows the episode of the cursing of the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14, 20-21), which serves as an illustration of the power of faith and prayer. Mark 11:24 provides a practical application, encouraging the disciples to pray with confidence. --- Text Analysis 1. "Therefore I tell you" Jesus connects this statement to the lesson from the fig tree. The use of "therefore" emphasizes that this teaching builds on the demonstration of faith that withered the fig tree. His tone is authoritative, offering a clear promise to those who live by faith. 2. "Whatever you ask in prayer" Prayer is the means by which believers present their desires to God. The term "whatever" highlights t...