Blog
Pastor Ray’s thoughts on issues in the church and contemporary culture.
Witnesses, not Attorney’s
Acts 1.8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Let’s set the record straight beloved. The proclamation...
Witnesses, not Attorneys
Acts 1.8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Lets set the record straight beloved. The proclamation of...
Walking In Oneness
As we continue our study regarding our oneness in Christ, we can never underscore enough that our oneness is really only in Christ. In a day and age when many men strive to “make a name” for themselves, you and I find both our oneness and individual identity in the...
The Body Of Christ
The church is called, among other things, the body of Christ. Just as we have one body, there is only one body of Christ. The body of Christ, though one body, has many members. We must never lose sight of that Biblical truth. This body, the Church, is the bride for...
The Church As The Body Of Christ
The body of Christ, the church, is likened in Scripture to the human body; and just as every part of our physical body (seen and unseen) has to be working together to insure good health and optimum function, such holds true in the church. The church is not as healthy...
Labor In Rest
Labor In Rest - Now if that doesn’t sound like a contradiction in terms! But it’s Biblical. In Hebrews 4:11 we’re exhorted to “be diligent” or “labor” to enter into the rest of God’s salvation. In fact, Jesus told the people who followed Him: “Do not labor for the...
Counting on the Lord
Each one of us can count on the LORD to supply the strength we need day by day. Therefore, let us walk upon those high places of worship and fellowship with the Lord each and every day. The Bible tells us what the last days will be like on earth, and we certainly can...
United In Jesus
The body of Christ is called a family. We are one body and one family. Our “oneness” stems from Jesus’ brokenness on behalf of us all. Satan knows that a house divided cannot stand, and thus he is constantly seeking to sow division5 and discord. So as we break bread...
Keep Watching
There are some key Scriptural passages that we would do well to heed in light of current trends in the evangelical circuit. These verses contain a singular, all-encompassing command of Christ to “watch”. The Greek word used in this command means, “to keep awake; rouse...
Weariness – It Can Make Or Break You
We all experience weariness at times. Because of the many demands that assault us daily, we have a tendency to wear down quickly. Also, there is a physical weariness that is a direct result of hard labor, and that kind of wear and tear, within Biblical limitations, is...
Second Fiddle
It seems that everyone wants to be a soloist these days. Second fiddle is a difficult spot to fill because it does not receive the recognition one may think it deserves. It’s sad but true that all too many who claim to be servants of Jesus Christ have the same...
Three Types Of Service
The Scriptures tell us that there are three forms of service: eyeservice, lip service, and heart service. While eyeservice merely looks good to others, and lip service only sounds good, service from the heart is true and pure and the only kind that is acceptable to...
Holiness
What is holiness? The word itself speaks of being set apart for exclusive use. We can also say that anyone or anything that is holy is sacred. When Moses was getting his “call” from God into the ministry there in the desert, he was told to remove his sandals because...
Glory Days Today
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. While there is great and inspiring value to looking back...
Preparing Our Heart for Church
Psalm 100:4,5 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Note, beloved, that the Psalmist is preparing...
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...
Dont 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...
Ive Had It!
When God saw the extent of the wickedness of man in the days of Noah, He essentially declared, Ive had it! Mans unchecked flesh had thoroughly corrupted his way upon earth, which had a devastating effect upon the entire planet and all that lived on it. Mankinds vile...
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...
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.