Blog
Pastor Ray’s thoughts on issues in the church and contemporary culture.
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...
Dealing With Differences
How do we deal with matters of differing convictions on non-salvation issues within the body of Christ? Before we even go there, we must make it very clear that there is no room for discussion when it comes to essential doctrines like the nature of God, or the deity...
Sing, Rejoice And Praise
How we handle our differences within the body of Christ in those “gray areas” dealt with in Romans 14 is a critical part in maintaining the spiritual health of the church family. We see in Romans 15 that Paul wrote to a body of Jewish and Gentile believers who were...
Mega and hip or Holy?
1 Thessalonians 4.7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 1 Peter 1.15,16 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” What is the use of a great number of nominal...
Why Do We Go to Church?
PSALM 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. What is the main attraction in today’s church? Now before you give me the “off the cuff” answer in fluent Christianese, really think about it. Is it the state-of-the-art building with...
Growing together in Christ
Acts 2.41-47 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles 'doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came...
The Olivet Discourse
Matthew 24:3a And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? Over the years, it has never ceased to amaze me how God has “coincidentally” timed our studies in Scripture. Such is true of our...
Receiving one another glorifies God
Romans 15.5-7 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one towards another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ...
Men of God, Rise Up!
Psalm 128:1 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. The bible asks in Psalm 11:3, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Satan may be a liar and a deceiver, but one thing that he is not….stupid! He can read, and...
A priesthood of ministers
Exodus 28.3,4 And thou shalt speak to all that are wise in heart, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister to me in the priest's office. And these are the garments which they shall make;...
The dangers of division
Romans 16.17,18 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them! For these are the kind who do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By their smooth...
God's presence for a troubled church
2 Corinthians 13.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen The letters of Paul to the church of Corinth are filled with reproof, rebukes, corrections and warnings. They were divided over...
Good News, Not Good Advice
Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; Is it just me, or are some of you...
The Great Commission
Matthew 28.18-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in...
An Example of True Devotion and Giving
1 Samuel 16:7b ...for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. We are presented with a study of contrasts in Mark 12:35-44. Jesus’ question about His identity stands in contrast with the “loop hole”...
The Spirit of Pentecost
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every...
Evangelize, don't proselytize
Romans 16.25-27 Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the...
Anointing, not eloquence
1 Corinthians 2.1-5 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness,...
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.