Blog
Pastor Ray’s thoughts on issues in the church and contemporary culture.
The Illusion Of Pleasure
No, I’m not ascetic! I’m thankful for the many ways that Jesus, my Creator, has blessed me. He has saved my soul and given me many pleasures, both spiritually and materially. I’m truly grateful for His good gifts. However, we often reverse our order of pleasures,...
Don’t Go Down To Egypt
In the Scriptures Egypt symbolizes the world system and, to the born again believer in Jesus Christ, it is a type of the old life. It pictures a place of bondage and affliction, a place where life is ruled by a cruel taskmaster. Our heavenly Father, however, has a...
Safety In Christ
Proverbs 21:31 tells us that “safety is of the LORD.” I might add that there is only true safety in the LORD. However, there is a counterfeit safety too. The end-times message of antichrist is one of “peace and safety”. By contrast, David humbly prayed to God, “Hold...
Regeneration, Not Rehabilitation
In our efforts to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, let us never allow our intellect to interfere with the “sword of the Spirit,” the living Word of God. There can be an intellectual approach taken in evangelism that makes “the cross of Christ...of no effect.” Even...
I’ve Had It!
When God saw the extent of the wickedness of man in the days of Noah, He essentially declared, “I’ve had it!” Man’s unchecked flesh had thoroughly corrupted his way upon earth, which had a devastating effect upon the entire planet and all that lived on it. Mankind’s...
Church Relationships
“I love the church, Pastor; it’s the people I can’t stomach!” Face it, the church is made up of people with different personalities, cultural and social backgrounds, genders, ages, occupations, etc. The most diverse body of people on this earth is the Body of Christ....
Repentance: The Pathway To Real Change
Luke 5:31,32 They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. How many of us have made some New Year's resolutions? Goodbye couch potato, gym membership, here I come. Sick of my eating...
Now What?
The Christmas season has gone by; now what do we do? The answer to that question is contained in God’s Word. There is tremendous value in setting aside a time of the year to ponder the claims of Christ’s birth, and all of the related implications. But now that we have...
Reflecting On What Lies Ahead
As we come to the end of another year, may we thank our Lord Jesus once again for His faithfulness towards us. His mercies have sustained us and His grace has enabled us to do His will. As we reflect on the chapter of 2017 in our lives, hopefully we have seen progress...
A Life Of Sacrifice
Sacrifice is an often forgotten word within today’s church circles, at least in America. This is, no doubt, partially due to the influence of our affluent and pleasure-centered culture. Oh Christians may speak of giving to the Lord’s work and serving, but how much of...
Busy, or Busybody?
1 Peter 4.15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. In 1 Peter, chapter 4, verses 7–11, the church is exhorted to be about the business of doing five things as we see the end of the age...
“I Will Build My Church”
Jesus made this statement before His disciples in the area of Caesarea Philippi (Matt 16:13-18). After our heavenly Father revealed to Peter that Jesus is indeed the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God, Jesus told him that he was blessed to receive that...
Ministry And Prayer
When king Hezekiah initiated the reforms in Jerusalem, he began by removing the filth and rubbish from the Holy Place. This included the uncleanness that the priesthood had developed in the years of apostasy from Jehovah. Before our temples can be filled with the...
Preparing The Way Of The Lord
John the Baptist, who typified the prophet Elijah, was a messenger who proclaimed, “Prepare the way of the LORD”. That message preceded the revelation of Jesus as “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. It is vital that each and every person who claims...
The Peril of Drifting
Hebrews 2.1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. As we open chapter of the book of Hebrews, we find the first of six “perils” or danger signals in the epistle, the peril of...
The Now Covenant
Matthew 26.28 For this is my blood of the New Testament (covenant), which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 2 Corinthians 3.6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the...
God’s Counsel
Job asked the question, “(Does God) see as man sees?” The obvious answer is no. Only God sees “the big picture”. Only God knows everything. The obvious, however, is not always so obvious in daily life. Amnesia in spiritual matters amongst Christians is the cause for...
The Oscars!
The cameras were flashing. Reporters and news media crowded around “The Stars”. This is Oscar night – the night set aside to acknowledge those who were the best in the various roles and aspects of the motion picture industry. Fashion and jewelry abounded. There is...
Works
Without a correct understanding of what the Bible says about “works”, it would be very easy to get confused about ones relationship with Jesus. We need to recognize the difference between the passage that some would claim explains that works are necessary to gain...
Unity In Jesus
Paul the Apostle called upon the church at Philippi to live in harmony in Jesus. There was no question that they were saved; in fact, he specifically wrote to two sisters in Christ whose names were written in heaven, but who couldn’t agree on spiritual issues. The...
Christianity “Lite”
We are living in very interesting times. People are becoming more and more health conscious. This has birthed an increase in reading the labels on the things that we eat and drink. There are now a wide variety of foods that are labeled “lite”, which supposedly means...
The Tragedy Of Rejecting Our Creator
The fall of mankind began when Adam and Eve believed the lie of the serpent instead of the truth of The Living God (Genesis 3). Ever since then, mankind has continued to fall for the devil’s lies about God. The most modern lie about God is found in the theory of...
Ready To Stand
A very popular boxing announcer precedes the introduction of the fighters with the words, “Let’s get ready to rumble!” I’m sure neither combatant thought the word “rumble” meant rhumba. Likewise, spiritual warfare is no dance. It is a fight to the finish. However, as...
Looking To The Lord
One of the benefits of belonging to the Father is that through Jesus we have direct access to God in prayer (Ephesians 2:18). How glorious it is to be able to call upon our Lord at any time throughout the day or night! “As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD...
We Win!
As we begin our study on spiritual warfare and the armor of God, we must keep in mind the fact that when all is said and done, we win! Jesus Christ has obtained victory for each and every one of His children. Our victory is realized practically as we walk by faith....
Passing The Torch
Scripture tells us that children are the heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is His reward. The responsibility of Christian parents is to follow the command to raise the children which God gives us “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” This training...
Dealing With Conflict
Every marriage can expect conflicts. No matter how young or old the couple is, no matter how many years they have been married, conflicts are inevitable. However, conflicts need not result in clashes. In fact, they can actually be unexpected blessings that draw us...
The Fruit Of Refreshment
Onesiphorus is referred to by Paul as a brother who often refreshed him.1 The Greek word for refreshed means “to relieve or cool down.” Paul, writing from prison acknowledges thanks for the refreshing ministry of his brother. How important for us to follow in the...
The True Spirit Of Worship
King Herod was troubled at the news of the birth of Jesus.1 This was because, if Jesus were King - and indeed He is2 - then Herod was no longer in that place of supremacy. How important it is for us to resist that spirit of Herod. Herod acted like he was interested in...
Back To Ground Zero
On my recent trip to India the Lord brought clarity in my heart about ‘Church life’ or life in the Spirit. Each of us who are in Christ craves for a deeper, more meaningful walk with Jesus. Likewise, we all seek to experience the moving of God’s Spirit as recorded in...
About Me
I am the Lead Pastor of Koinonia Fellowship, a husband, father and grandfather. I also serve on the worship team as one of the drummers.