My Easter Prayer

I pray all of my brothers and sisters in Christ can celebrate the risen Lord in peace this year.  I pray that those who do not know Jesus will learn about him and accept him as their savior. Our God is an amazing God, and may we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

The Light!

 

The Light

 

Yes, Jesus is the Light!

For Him alone we live.

He gave the blind their sight.

Yes, Jesus is the Light!

Only through Him we might

Have faith enough to give.

Yes, Jesus is the Light!

For Him alone we live.

 

This was a triolet poem that I attempted to write in 2008.

January has kept me busy this year. I plan to get more articles out on a regular basis. If you have any thoughts or comments, please feel free to share them.

I hope you have a blessed day.

Layman Ray

FLURE Revival Reminder

                 Today, my wife and I have been enjoying watching snow flurries outside of our kitchen window. We live in the southeastern part of the United States, where we do not see a lot of snow, so it is a treat to watch it. Snow flurries start with little white fluffy flakes gently falling. Then, you notice some of it sticking to the ground. Next, you see white patches on the back deck, and finally those patches start merging to create a light blanket of snow.

A few years ago, I authored an article called FLURE Revival for the website allsoulscount.com. The premise was that during Jesus’ ministry, He seemed to focus on five key areas when addressing his followers. Those areas were:

·         Forgiveness

·         Love

·         Unity

·         Repentance

·         Evangelism

You may note that I did not mention prayer, but that is because prayer is foundational to all of these. I was looking for the key teachings and examples Jesus imparted to those who believed in Him.

                As Christians, when we learn to forgive others and to truly seek forgiveness from others, we can have a significant impact on both non-believers and our fellow believers. They will see that we are walking the walk, and this will enhance how others perceive Christian integrity.

                When we strive to live a life of sacrificial love, those we encounter are positively affected. Loving the way Jesus loved us is an incredible goal. Imagine how many marriages would be strengthened if couples did this, how many lives would improve if we served others with love, and how much your life would change if you took the time to love others as a Christian. Once we push aside our own egos and put others first, we open a whole new life of enrichment for everyone.

                Unity among the followers of Jesus is something He prayed for the night before his crucifixion. Yet, the world often sees Christians fighting among themselves. We need to focus on what is truly important. If you take the gospel down to the main message, that is where our focus should be. John 3:16 – 17 is where our focus needs to be. God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish. For Jesus did not come to the world to condemn the world but to save it. That is where we should find our unity.

                Repentance should be a key part of our lives. This goes along with seeking forgiveness. We need to not only seek forgiveness but also turn away from sins in our lives. The world watches Christians with a critical eye, so we need to live like we believe in the message.

                Evangelism is the last of the group, but it is vital. The world is filled with people who are lost and sometimes, that sounds too simple. If we want to be blunt, we will say the world is full of people who are destined for eternal damnation. If we believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation, and I do, then we need to try to reach those who are lost. God sent his Son because all souls truly count. We are his hands and feet to spread the good news. God has made it amazingly easy for people to get on track for an eternity of joy and love. Our job is to share that message with them. God absolutely loves everyone, and He has given Himself to bring them to safety. So, we need to show the world the same love and share this blessed news.

                Why did I mention the snow? I see FLURE Revival working in the same manner as the snow flurries outside my window. At first, it may appear in scattered areas around the world, but as more Christians start putting these five areas into practice, it will begin to spread. Can you imagine the impact we, as Christians, could have on the world? A united group going out to the world in love, living lives that honor the Lord, and sharing the gospel of hope and love. 

                I pray that my life serves our great and wonderful Father in a way that brings Him joy. This year, my New Year’s resolution is to do more to serve him. That is my hope for all of you.

 

May you all be blessed, Layman Ray

The Christian What If Zone: Room Vacancy

 

The Christian What If Zone: Room Vacancy

I remember when I was about six years old. The school I attended brought all the students into the gymnasium. There, we watched three short films: a version of The Night Before Christmas, the story of the Nativity, and a movie about animals in Africa. When we watched the story of the birth of Christ, I was surprised that the innkeeper told Joseph and Mary that there was no room at the inn. 

This Christmas season I started wondering - what if the innkeeper had room for Mary and Joseph at the inn that first Christmas Eve. It almost seems like it would have taken something away from the narrative. After all, the image of the baby Jesus being placed in the manger is impactful. Still, my mind wandered to the innkeeper. How would giving Mary and Joseph a place to stay possibly have changed his life?

These thoughts brought me to Obed-Edom the Gittite. In 1 Chronicles chapter 13, there is an interesting story of the time King David first started brining the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Along the way, the ark seemed to be unsteady, and a man named Uzzah reached out to steady it. When he touched the ark, the Lord became angry and struck him down.

When this happened, David became angry and afraid. He decided that he was not ready to bring the ark into the City of David. So, he took the ark to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite, and he left it there for three months. During that time, Obed-Edom’s entire household and everything he had was blessed. The commentary in the New International Version Bible suggests that his blessings may have included numerous sons.

So, what if the innkeeper had a room in the inn for Mary and Joseph? What if he had invited them on into his place to stay? First, the Christ child would have been born in his home. The Son of God would have started his earthly journey in his inn. That would have been a blessing enough, but if we can equate the story to that of Obed-Edom, the blessings might have spread to his entire household. I cannot help but wonder what he may have missed.

I have a question for you. Have you told Jesus that you have room in your heart for Him? I hope the answer is yes. Still, for some, the answer may be no or possibly not yet. Either of these answers means you are missing out on the blessings God has in store for you. Trust me, there are blessings - first and foremost, the blessing of eternal salvation, and more than you can imagine.

Now, do not get me wrong. I am not saying that once you accept Jesus in your life, you will never have trials. That is not the case. You will go through hardships because that is part of life. The difference is that you will recognize the blessings you have.

In the last 14 months, I have had to go through four different surgeries, including a quadruple bypass and a splenectomy. I also endured months of chest pains, infusions, and a round of chemotherapy. It was challenging, to say the least, but during that time, I saw blessings after blessings in my life. One of the biggest blessings I had was hope. I knew that no matter how bad it got, in the end, God had me. If I did not survive my surgeries, I would have gone on to spend eternity in Heaven.

I also had fellow believers praying for me during my challenge. Just as I pray for all my brothers and sisters in Christ, including you. If you are not a believer, I am also praying for you. I am praying you will open the doors and invite Jesus to come and stay with you. He is knocking, and he is waiting for you to welcome him in.

What if you said, “Yes, I have room for you. Come on in.”

 

Have a blessed day,

Layman Ray

 

For more information on salvation, please visit Salvation's Path (allsoulscount.com) This is a link to All Souls Count’s web site.

Christmas Gift Ideas

 Here we are in the heart of the Christmas season, and I really enjoy this festive time of year. One of the many things I enjoy about Christmas is giving people gifts. Sure, it is nice to receive presents, but there is something special about giving someone a gift that you took the time to either track down or make. It is a way to show someone you care about them, to express your affection in a unique way, and to bond.

 While exchanging gifts is a wonderful tradition, Christmas ultimately celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of our Father in Heaven. So, let me ask you this, “Have you ever wondered what kind of gift you could give Jesus?” If not, then maybe I can help you with some Christmas gift ideas for Jesus. Here are just a few gift ideas.

·         Spend time with Him: Set aside some special time this season to really talk with Him in prayer.

·         Introduce someone to Jesus: Share the gift he gave to all who will receive it.

·         Forgive someone that you feel has wronged you: Start by praying for that person; you may find that your feelings towards them will change.

·         Seek forgiveness from someone you have wronged: Don’t just say you are sorry, instead seek ways to show the person you are genuinely remorseful.

·         Help a stranger: Remember the story about the good Samaritan.

·         Join a local church: If you are not a member, look for one to attend. Most churches would love to have you there.

·         Thank Jesus for his sacrifice and repent.

·         Volunteer with a local charity.

·         Worship God the Father.

These are just a few ideas and remember we do not know when Jesus was actually born. So, these are good things to do any time during the year.

I hope you have a merry Christmas this year.

Layman Ray

Standing for Peace, Unity, and Love

In 1983, I was stationed at Hahn Air Force Base in West Germany. At that time, East Germany was still part of the Soviet Bloc, but tensions had started to calm down. In fact, our biggest threats came from terrorists. We were all aware of the Baader-Meinhof Gang, also known as The Red Army, and their bombing attacks. Plus, in that same year 241 service men were killed by Hizballah terrorist in Beirut, Lebanon. The bombing sparked a strengthening of security on the bases.

 I mention all of that to give you a backdrop for a poem that I wrote during that time, which seems especially fitting as we face new threats and uncertainties.

 The Knight Rides

The knight rides through the dark,

Upon his sturdy steed.

Never straying from his course,

Destruction is his deed.

Soon his voice will sound like thunder,

And our world will shake.

His sword is swift, and with a flash

Many lives he’ll take.

He doesn’t care whom he kills,

Man, woman, or child,

And all the world will feel

As if we’ve been defiled.

The world will be burning,

With no one left to care.

Darkness will befall us,

With no one left to spare.

This evil knight keeps coming,

Astride his metal horse.

Is there no one to stop him,

And stray him from his course?

 So, that has been on my mind lately. Threats are escalating between the countries, and it seems like we may be on the verge of World War 3. Let us pray that will not happen. I do not believe most people want things to come to that. I would love to see a world where people support and love each other, instead of being dragged into conflict.

 As Christians, we need to set the example for the rest of the world. By uniting in support of others, praying for our leaders and for peace, we can show the world the true meaning of Christian love and compassion. Let us be like the good Samaritan, offering help to strangers without question. Though we may not be able to change everyone’s heart, we can start with our own actions.

Have a blessed day.

Layman Ray

Writer's Block

I keep seeing the cursor blinking on my blank screen. Every blink seems to be saying, “Writer’s Block.” I stare at my computer trying to figure out how I want to begin, and still nothing has come forth. I have also started typing multiple times just to hit the delete key and then stare at the blank screen once again.

As I look over at my bookshelf, I see the inspirational books of so many great Christian writers. There are books by C.S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer, Billy Graham, Charles Colson, Erwin Lutzer, Dr. David Jeremiah, Voddie T. Baucham Jr., R. Albert Mohler Jr., Greg Laurie, and so many others. Some authors may not be as well-known, yet they have written things that have brought me new insights that I cherish. I have read some of these books multiple times.

Of course, my shelves hold several Bibles. The one I have read the most has been The New International Version, a gift from my wife. I have read it several times. When I read it, I often discover something new that I have missed before. I can only explain these things as God revealing something new to me. We have an amazing God.

The Bible never ceases to amaze me with its rich history and intricate connections between books, which can only be described as divinely inspired. There are the prophecies that cannot be explained, except as a supernatural gift. Then there are the awe-inspiring words of Jesus that show his pure genius. Finally, the love and sacrifice of God leaves me in awe every single time.

Still, I sit here going through a mental block.

Maybe, just maybe, this writer’s block is a nudge from God to pause and reflect, to immerse myself deeper into His word.

If you find yourself staring at a blank screen, remember—you’re in good company. God’s revelations come in His time, and they’re always worth the wait.

Have a blessed day, Layman Ray