Bonded by Belief

Following last week's sermon "Walking With the Holy Spirit" delivered by Pastor Sam Merigala at Grace Gospel church on May 18, 2025, this week (May 25, 2025) we will continue looking into the key concepts of part 2 regarding a believer's relationship with the Holy Spirit. The central theme explored in this sermon is the apparent struggle many believers face in hearing or sensing the Holy Spirit, despite the conviction that He is always speaking. Pastor Sam posits that the issue is not God's absence, as He never leaves His children, but rather a lack of awareness or diminished spiritual sensitivity in believers. Various "spiritual barriers" are identified as hindering this ability to sense and follow the Holy Spirit. One significant barrier discussed is the pervasive noise and distractions of the world, including social media, television, and endless entertainment. This external clamor makes it difficult to be "still" and listen, as Psalm 46:1...

Today we will look into the sermon "Walking With the Holy Spirit", given by pastor Sam Merigala on May 18, 2024, at Grace Gospel Church. The sermon addresses a common struggle among believers: spiritual inconsistency , characterized by experiencing seasons of deep connection with God followed by periods of spiritual dryness and distance. This fluctuation is described as a "battle between passion and emptiness" where prayers feel empty, passion fades, and faith weakens. Pastor Sam posits that this isn't just an individual issue but a "spiritual crisis that millions of believers face". According to the pastor Sam, this struggle often stems from treating the relationship with God "like an event rather than a lifestyle". Many depend on "emotional highs, powerful sermons, worship experiences or Supernatural moments to feel close to him", but faith, as quoted from C.S. Lewis, "is the art of holding on to things your reason has once a...

This post is based on the mother's day sermon that pastor Sam gave in Grace Gospel Church on May 11, 2025. The sermon explore the idea that the women who bear significant weight and burdens and who are seemingly "destined for greatness" often face intense adversity. However, this is presented not as a random occurrence or misfortune, but as having a deeper truth and a divine purpose . Trials as a Calling and Purpose, Not Punishment A key concept is that these trials are not a curse but a calling . They are seen as an opportunity for God's power to be revealed in unique ways. The sermon explicitly state that God does not allow people to go through pain for nothing; His purpose is always higher than human understanding . Trials are not viewed as punishment or signs of God's absence or disfavor, but rather as an essential part of God's divine plan for their lives. These battles are not random events but are deeply purposeful and divine in nature . How Trials...