Ray Family Update from August 2015

I am, by nature, a creature of habit. I prefer organization, consistency, and regularity in every facet of life. However, much of what goes on in the world is anything but habitual. Change, however, is not all bad. Sure, we (Independent Baptists) fight against change, in most cases rightfully so, but sometimes change is used of the Lord to encourage a healthy fear of Him. The Lord suggested as much in the latter part of Psalm 55:19 where He said, “Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.”

Truth is, every fleeting moment brings change. We lose time and opportunities that will never visit us again. Sometimes these changes are minimal, but other times the changes can be quite unnerving. In two weeks’ time, my wife celebrated a birthday (not telling you how old), my daughter Charity turned two years old, my daughter Sara lost her first tooth, my daughter Hannah began the process for braces, and my son Noah got his learner’s permit for driving. Some of these changes invoke more reaction than others, but they are all a reminder that time is swiftly passing us by.

Externally, I marvel at the departure by some from the mystery unveiled by the apostle Paul concerning the catching up of the New Testament church prior to Daniel’s seventieth week. Myself and Brother Doug Stauffer met with one man who formerly espoused the truth but has since put forth great efforts to convince believers of a post-tribulation rapture. Just as surprising is people’s willingness to defend those who teach such doctrines suggesting that the pretribulation catching away of the church is not a fundamental doctrine. This often comes from those who have been duped into believing in “the fundamentals of the faith.” Depending upon your list of fundamentals, the church’s departure prior to Daniel’s seventieth week is NOT a fundamental doctrine. According to the scripture, it is our blessed hope! Just another reason to be a Bible believer instead of a fundamentalist.