Ray Family Update from March 2016

Dear Praying Friends,

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for your prayers! Please do not cease now. Like the apostle Paul, I know it is the Lord “Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (2 Corinthians 1:10). However, as Paul testified to the Corinthians, “Ye also helping together by prayer for us” (2 Corinthians 1:11). God delivers, but your prayers help! Now, more than ever, I value and covet the prayers of God’s people. What a blessing it has been to hear from saints who have been and continue to pray!

As I write this letter, I do so with a heavy heart. I want to know Christ, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:10). I want to rejoice when I am counted worthy to suffer shame for His name (Acts 5:41). I want His strength to be made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). I want to count it all joy when I fall into divers temptations, knowing that the end is patience (James 1:2-3). However, there are times when the pains and heartaches associated with such lessons seem unbearable.

Though we will never fully experience the sufferings of Christ, we can, at times, get a small glimpse of what He must have endured and felt. We feel the painful effects of what sin can do to an individual or family. We experience the heartaches of having those we love fail to return the love they received. We feel the disappointment when those we once knew to be such strong proponents of truth become bewitched by lies. We hurt for those who will not repent though their manner of life is self-destructive. At times, we even become the enemy for acting in the best interest of those to whom we minister. This is nothing new. The Lord’s servants have endured these trials for thousands of years. To some degree, these adversities bind us, not only with those living today, but also with those who have endured such in the past and will do so in the future.

Outreach! Outreach! Outreach!

As last year’s outreach came to a close, I was concerned we were growing apathetic toward the needs of those in our community. When the numbers willing to go out and give a gospel witness decrease, even those who remain fight the urge to quit. Thus far this year, the Lord has graciously renewed our fervour. We have been able to get out a good number of gospel tracts and have flooded the street corners in Fountain City with scripture signs and gospel preaching.

Soon, Lord willing, we will descend upon the UT campus for UT football with the opportunity for mass distribution of gospel tracts. Staying with the theme of UT football, this year presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give out gospel tracts at the largest ever college football venue—the Battle at Bristol. Also, in the area of outreach, please pray for the financial provisions for a DVD and booklet to be distributed in door-to-door visitation.

Upcoming Schedule

Later this month, I hope to attend an annual King James Bible Conference in Michigan. We thoroughly enjoy seeing the saints there and have the utmost respect for the dear pastor that hosts the conference. There are two other ministry trips I am considering before the year’s up; I would appreciate your prayers on these matters. Additionally, our annual King James Bible Conference will be held here in Knoxville on June 6th-8th. The rest of the week will involve a special youth meeting. We are looking forward to what the Lord will do in these meetings.

Prayer Requests

* Pray for the skills, equipment, and finances we need to produce a church invitation/gospel witness on DVD.
* Pray for the preparations for our King James Conference and the youth meeting to follow.
* Pray that I will have a tender heart to follow the Lord’s leading on a daily basis.
* On a personal note, please pray for my family’s health. My wife and children have been plagued with sickness over the last few months. And, as for me, I am on some new medication that tends to have some unfavourable side effects.