Blog
Pastor Ray’s thoughts on issues in the church and contemporary culture.
The Imperfect Church
I think one of the most unusually comforting thoughts for me as a pastor is the imperfection of the church in the book of Acts and following epistles. If you examine those Scriptures closely, you’ll find that we are not much different than they were. Deifying the...
Remember Lot's wife
Smack dab in the middle of Jesus’ discourse on the days prior to His coming, He warns us with these words, “Remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 17:32) She looked back on Sodom and turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). The tragic error of Lot’s wife was that she placed...
The Two Ways Of Reconciliation
I hope that the statement I’m about to make will not be a new revelation to you, but here goes. Born again Christians at times have differences, disputes, and flare-ups, for any number of reasons. Some are theological, some are personal. Some are real, some are...
Setting Affections on Things Above
Colossians 3:1,2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. The apostle Paul begins his practical application portion of his letter...
Giving – A Way We Worship
Philippians 4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. As Paul closes his letter to the Philippians (4:14-23), he thanks them once again for their generous giving and care for him. He says that they ministered to him in his...
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
Paul warned the Corinthian church about those who preach another Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4). He would go on to say this about those who preach another Jesus: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no...
Beware!
Philippians 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. Ten times our Lord Jesus gave the warning to beware. Three of the warnings were to beware of false prophets (Matthew 7:15), of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees (Matthew 16:6,...
Counterculture Christianity
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. “Counterculture” is a buzzword in our nation today. Its basic message is calling for a radical change of society that is based on new,...
Fellowship With The Saints
It cannot be stressed enough how important it is for every one of us to attend a home study. Relationships develop there. Prayer partners are birthed. And needs of the saints are often met as those needs are made known.
The Ministry Of Music
Music is a universal language. In every culture the Holy Spirit inspired music for worship, inspiration, edification, and evangelism. There is no one style, pattern, or method in music any more than there is in any other ministry.
Exhortation: Fanning the Flame of Faith
One of the most abused and neglected means of personal growth in Christ is by the exhortation that comes from fellow saints. The vast majority of Christians are more concerned with living out their careers and hobbies than they are gathering together in the white hot pursuit of faith in Christ.
Saved to Serve
Could it be that Jesus looks down at His church and notices those who simply observe the work of The Lord being done, but refuse to lift a finger to help? Or perhaps they are simply too busy to serve because of other commitments?
Faith that obeys
Just like in Noah’s time, men are obsessed with evil imaginations and ungodly thoughts. The human race has corrupted God’s ways. Saving faith empowers us to walk with God and obey Him in the midst of a fallen world.
A Call for Reverence
Paul exhorted the believers in Ephesus to "dress properly" when they gathered together in the Name of Jesus. Ephesus was a city where sexual promiscuity and outward appearance ruled. Paul wanted these saints to know that Jesus redeems had redeemed them out of that...
Is the USA a Christian Nation?
The thing that is causing pollution in our society is in the unregenerate heart of man that refuses to repent and trust in The Lord Jesus Christ. Zephaniah 3.1,2 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not...
The salt of the Earth
Matthew 5.13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. The word "you" in "you are the salt of the earth" is emphatic:...
Jesus And Divorce
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus’ doctrine was often contrary to the accepted doctrine of the religious authorities. Such was the case when it came to the subject of divorce. In the first century the Pharisees were divided into two groups led by two great rabbis...
So send I you
Luke 4.17-19 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to...
A Response to My Blog Post
I thought I would share this reply to a blog I wrote last week. Hope it blesses you. Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement. Pastor Ray Dear Pastor Ray, Supersessionism, dispensationalism, Calvinism, Arminianism, cessationism, continuationism, etc. etc. etc....
We will not Bow!
"Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace....
Whatever happened to Sunday?
Acts 20.7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. I am certain that some will read this blog this morning and conclude that I...
Pro-Life Or Pro-Choice?
One of the most fiercely debated topics in our nation is the subject of abortion. The two sides of this debate are those who are Pro-Life and those who are Pro-Choice. The Pro-Life camp is against abortion, and the Pro-Choice camp is pro-abortion. As evangelical,...
Worship Wars
Before I tell you what a worship war is all about, let me ask you - what is worship supposed to be? Worship is that act of lifting our hearts and tongues to our great God in praise and adoration of Who He is. We praise and worship Him for His redeeming grace and...
Body Building
Eph 4.16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Getting in shape and exercise...
Good tidings of Great Joy
LUKE 2.10,11 for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ The Lord. We are soon to enter the Christmas season, a time of incredible advertising and...
What are YOU doing Sunday?
Hebrews 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. God has ordained The Lords Day as a day to honor Him, hear His word and reflect on His...
Sing and Speak of His Wondrous Works
1 Chronicles 16:9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. David is exhorting us to sing unto The Lord and talk about His wondrous works. Singing to The Lord and talking about His wondrous, extraordinary works are spiritual twins of a...
The King is Coming!
Matthew 24:29,30 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in...
Untitled Servants….The Glory of Christ
2 Corinthians 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; 2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the...
Keeping Our Eyes On Jesus
As we work our way through this “dealing with differences” chapter of Romans 14, one of the things that is not in the text, but that I am most assuredly reminded of, is my need to keep my eyes on The Lord. I realize that every time I put any human being on a pedestal...
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.