Ray Family Update from January 2015

Dear Praying Friends,

The past few weeks have served as a reminder that our enemy is very much alive and busy. While in Florida for a Bible conference, we were encouraged to visit a wildlife reserve. Ignorant as to the setup of the reserve, we were excited at the opportunity of seeing live alligators. We drove through the reserve thinking it might be similar to our own Cades Cove where we might see wildlife by the side of the road, but no. As we were leaving, a lady was by the side of the road on a bicycle. I asked her about the alligators and she informed me we would need to park and walk a trail. She further warned that the gators were free roaming and could be on or near the trail. How foolish was I to think the alligators would be enclosed for safety? The whole thing truly reminded me of our dealings with the Devil. The world finds great curiosity in flirting with the dangers associated with our reptilian enemy. They don’t fear the free roaming foe. Needless to say, we drove on.

When a Friend Becomes a Foe

If you are familiar with the various personality types, I am akin to a beaver—work driven. I have a daily schedule with weekly goals and when these do not go according to plan, I feel an overwhelming sense of underachieving. Usually, this serves me well, driving me to work hard, but this month it turned on me. The year started with a virus moving through our family. Once that passed, at least in part, we were in the hospital having our precious baby boy, Isaac Andrew. A few weeks later, we were in Florida for a weeklong Bible conference. None of these things were in my weekly schedule. Though this may seem heartless to you, it underscores my weakness. Though being work driven has helped me write, study, preach, and teach, it often causes me guilt when there should be no guilt. Though the illness was frustrating, the birth of a son and the opportunity to minister in a Bible conference were tremendous gifts from God to this preacher.

In spite of the busyness of the month, the Lord enabled me to write eight weeks of devotions for the second volume of Daily Strength and two chapters for the yet to be titled marriage book. Additionally, I was able to preach a good number of times at home and in the aforementioned Bible conference. Perhaps most impressive was the fact that I was able to cut the first umbilical cord. Those of you who know me well know that this was a miracle in and of itself. My time spent on the songbook has been somewhat limited, but I was able to spend a couple of days with Brother Jeff Faggart going through psalms set to meter by King James. What an unusual and tremendous blessing that we will have something in the songbook written by King James!

Looking Forward

Amidst the usual schedule of writing, preaching, teaching, and songbook work, the month of February comes with several other opportunities of ministry. Just before Valentine’s Day, I have the privilege of being a part of our sixth annual widow’s dinner. God has gifted our church with several wonderful ladies and I find it a great honour to give just a little back to them for all that they have sacrificed to continue to serve the Lord after the passing of their husbands. The following Tuesday, February 17th, I am honoured to be preaching at a Bible conference at Faith Independent Baptist Church in Knoxville. Additionally, we hope the weather cooperates enough to allow us to resume our outreach ministries of street preaching and door knocking.

Prayer Requests

* Wisdom (for writing, preaching, and counseling); Additionally, pray for wisdom in deciding what preaching invitations to accept or refuse. It is difficult to pastor and travel to preach, but I must be willing to minister as God leads. Several pastors have reached out with invitations. Please pray I will be sensitive to the Lord’s leading in this area.
* Spiritual power for the ministry