Blog

Pastor Ray’s thoughts on issues in the church and contemporary culture.

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....

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...

Our Faith Is Practical

In the last chapter of Galatians we are once again introduced to the practical application of the doctrines taught earlier in the book. A great example of this usefulness is found in the book of Romans: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that...

How Is Your Hearing?

Jesus said to each church He addressed in Revelation chapters 2 and 3: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” I find it interesting that each church was not only spoken to individually, but Jesus exhorted them to take heed to what the...

The Life After The Flesh

There are only two paths in life that a person may be on. One is the path of life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the walk in the Spirit which benefits others and glorifies Jesus. The other is the walk after the flesh, which takes advantage of others,...

The Two Shall Become One

“And The LORD God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’ Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And...