Ray Family Update from July 2015

The scriptures seem to set forth a unique distinction between the ways of God and of the Devil. Of the Lord, the scripture saith, “Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known” (Psalm 77:19). On the contrary, the scripture says of Satan, “we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11). The Devil is not adding new weapons to his arsenal but reloading and reusing the same old weapons; nor is the Devil scheming new battle plans but reusing the ones that have been useful to him for thousands of years. God uses His word to expose the Devil’s weaponry and battle schemes for the whole world to see! How entirely helpful this is to those who know and study the scriptures.

Over the years, I have become increasingly awakened to the “coincidence” of increased Satanic activity immediately preceding increased blessing from the Lord. I sincerely claim some ignorance as to the amount of information at the Devil’s disposal at any given time, but it would appear to me that he has some level of awareness as to the coming blessings of God and increases his activity. Scripturally speaking, there was no time of greater Satanic activity than the years immediately preceding the cross of Christ—a time when “the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ” (Galatians 3:14). Still yet, the Jews are going to face increased Satanic activity toward the end of Daniel’s seventieth week—a time when the Devil knows “he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:12).

I marvel that the Devil still possesses the element of surprise, but he does. Perhaps, it is my own lack of faith or my short-term memory concerning the truth of the scriptures. However, I never cease to be surprised when increased attacks from Satan eventually give way to increased blessings from God. Truth is, like most of you, I have much more bad news I could report than good news. However, instead of focusing on the attacks, I would rather praise the Lord for the reports I have received of folks receiving help from the ministry of Antioch Baptist Church and the wonderful joy of seeing one who had previously professed atheism come to know Jesus Christ as Saviour.