Ray Family Update from January 2017

Dear Praying Friends,

I am sure, if you are like others, this letter finds you in the midst of a time of trial or difficulty, but we serve a God who promises sufficient grace in our times of need. Whatever your need is, God’s grace is sufficient for that need, and whatever lies around your next corner will also be met with sufficient grace. This is God’s promise to us! Our promise to Him ought to be that we will endure hardness as good soldiers and that we will remain faithful to the One who has been so faithful to us. Regardless of the present adversities, we can count it all joy because we know that God will use those things for our benefit and that He will likewise give us the necessary aid to come through on the other side victoriously.

A Special Thank You

I know there is a common perception out there that today’s preachers are lazy and that we spend more time eating meals and enjoying hobbies than we do on our ministerial obligations. I also understand that there are many good ministers out there who have a different viewpoint of the priorities of the ministry than myself. As such, some good men spend more time making hospital visits, in ministerial/leadership meetings, and in one-on-one counselling than I do. I, on the other hand, have forged a somewhat different path, seeking to major on the study and delivery of the Bible through teaching, preaching, and writing.

All that being said, I fully understand and appreciate that though God called me into this ministry, God’s people have enabled me to do it full time. For that, I say, “Thank you!” Thank you for entrusting me to fulfil God’s calling for my life in the capacity in which you have. I assure you that I do not take it lightly and that I do all that I can to ensure that your money is well invested. I am certain that I have failed many of you along the way and for that I am sorry, but please know that it has never been for a lack of desire to do right, nor has it been a want of sobriety for the task at hand. Again, I say, “Thank you!”

What Is in the Works

Preaching/Teaching
As of the month of January, Bible Institute classes have resumed. With that, I am presently teaching courses on Dispensationalism and The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews, as well as preaching through The General Epistle of James. Once completed, this will make the fourteenth and fifteenth books of the Bible that I have been privileged to go through verse by verse.

Writing/Editing
As to the writing or editing front, I am currently involved in five major projects. Several of these we hope will be complete and go to print before the end of the year. As some of these go to print, they will free up time to give to other projects that are presently awaiting my attention. Most likely, the book nearest to be released to the printers is our first children’s book on Josiah.

Conference Preparations
In addition to the above, I am spending a great deal of time in preparations for the Bible Conference held in June. I am already excited and looking forward to what the Lord is going to do this year. In the next few months, I will provide more information, but I assure you that this is a conference you do not want to miss!

Prayer Requests

* Pray for clarity of mind, strength of body, and fruitfulness in the many tasks at hand.
* Pray for wisdom regarding the upcoming King James Conference.