Ray Family Update from February 2017

Dear Praying Friends,

I trust this letter finds you happy in the Lord. I hate to be burdensome to you, but I would greatly appreciate your prayers. Between preaching three sermons each week, teaching two Bible Institute classes, trying to complete four books, and pushing for completion on my part of the songbook, I am wearing down. I am quite embarrassed to say anything, especially in light of the troubles, difficulties, and afflictions endured by the saints of God in the past. Yet, I find that the prayers of God’s people have helped me deeply in times past. As to the trials, I am reminded of the wisdom given to Paul, “when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). My only hope is that I can maintain a right spirit and, in doing so, bring some glory to the Saviour.

Upcoming Schedule

In a little less than two weeks, I will be preaching for Pastor Jeff Hensley and Faith Independent Baptist Church in their annual Bible Conference. Both our adult and youth choirs will be singing. Then in the month of April, we will head north to be with Pastor Ryan Guenther and Victory Baptist Church in Hartland, Michigan for their annual King James Bible Conference.

In three months, we will host our annual King James Bible Conference. I do not know if I have anticipated a conference more than I do this year’s. For this meeting, we have adopted the theme “The Perfect Christian” with a focus on the three abiding virtues (faith, hope, and charity) of 1 Corinthians 13:13. We are excited to have some of the brethren who have been faithful to this meeting for many years as well as some first timers. The conference begins on Monday night June 5 at 7 p.m. with morning services on Tuesday and Wednesday and evening services Monday through Wednesday. I hope you will make plans to be in attendance at all services. Immediately following the King James Conference, we will go into our second annual youth revival. Those services will be held on Thursday and Friday evenings, and Saturday morning and evening.

The Homestretch

As I mentioned above, it seems like everything is bottlenecking on the publications front. In the next few months, I hope to complete either initial drafts or final drafts on the following:

1. The first year of a six-year Sunday School curriculum
2. A children’s book on Josiah
3. A prophetic and doctrinal analysis of Matthew 24
4. A songbook including over 1,000 psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
5. The fourth and final volume of Daily Strength, a devotional book for Bible-believing Christians

Lest I get bored when some of these projects come to a close, I already know of a couple of other works that need my attention. As to the future, I try to keep the dreaming to a minimum; however, I would love at some point down the road to do an in-depth discipleship series. Over ten years ago, I had an idea to do this in two volumes: the first covering doctrinal truths on a level easily understood by new believers (the milk of God’s word) and the second covering the same doctrines but on a deeper and more complex level (the meat of God’s word). Though these tasks are far too lofty, I would rather shoot high and miss than to be slothful and ineffective in my Christian life. Jesus is soon coming and I want to be found busy when He does! I hope you are busy in His work.

Prayer Requests

* Pray for strength and wisdom to finish each of these projects.
* Pray for God’s leading in the upcoming meetings.