Ray is available to preach/teach for your next
Bible Conference
Retreat
Seminar
Home School Conference
Family Conference
Revival Services
Things to remember when inviting Ray to your church.
1. Prepare your church for the conference. Pray for the conference, get the word out to the community and encourage everyone to attend.
2. Provide for the guest preacher. When Ray comes to a church he does not make any financial appeals at all. His ministry is not driven by money. That being said one of the primary ways that Ray and his family are provided for is through his preaching ministry. Consider: A. Covering all travel expenses for Ray (and when occasion warrants--his family). B. Provide a place for Ray to stay that is conducive to study, prayer, and preparation. C. Provide a financial gift to Ray via either a love offering received throughout the conference or from an amount budgeted for the conference (this should be beyond the amount for Ray's travel expenses. A separate check is preferred). Let us assure you that we are not focused on money and Ray is glad to come to your church for whatever you can provide so do not hesitate to let us know.
3. Following the conference consider adding Nourished in the Word Ministries to your church budget. Ray's support is presently at about 50%. A monthly gift of any amount would be helpful. We have a few churches that give $100 per month.
4. Consider having Ray bring books for the conference. We are often requested to bring books to set up for a conference book store. This is one way that we can help to get solid teaching into the hands of people. We have a very large selection of books that are sound in doctrine.
5. While Ray is at your church he is delighted to speak to groups during the day. If you would like to schedule Ray to speak to a local men's group, civic club, school assembly or any other group then he would be happy to consider that. Ray can speak to either men or ladies groups and often is asked to address the topic of marriage and family.
6. Ray's wife, Lori, is sometimes asked to speak to the ladies of a church/community. If you would like to schedule Lori to speak then that may be possible.
7. When Ray comes to your church he is coming as a servant of Christ and is willing to serve in a variety of capacities. Consider allowing him some time in the morning for exercise and study. It is generally a good idea for Ray to have some time to study and pray a few hours before the evening message as well. Ray is very flexible in his schedule so do not hesitate to ask if there is something that you would like for him to do.
You may contact us anytime but the more advance notice you give to us the more opportunity that we have to schedule. Thanks for your consideration and do not hesitate to call no matter how small or large your group may be.
678.697.4495
ray@nourishedintheword.org
New Orleans was my home for three years while I was attending Seminary. During that time I had the opportunity to experience Mardi Gras. The climax of Mardi Gras is Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday is the last day before Lent. For those who celebrate the revelry it is a time to get the sin out of their system before the solemn days which lead up to Good Friday. Many of those celebrating wear a mask.
The Germans have a phrase, "Gott sieht hinter deine maske." It means, "God sees behind your mask." The Bible tells us as much. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (I Samuel 16:7). Much of human existence is lived behind a mask. We wear a mask to church, to work, and with our friends. There is One, however, who is able to see behind any mask, uncover any disguise, and ponder the depths of our being that we would just as soon leave undiscovered. His name is God. He looks at the heart. The heart is the center of the cognitive, emotional, and volitional life of each person. When we are pressed by trials, temptations, or passionate desires, what is on the inside comes bubbling out like toothpaste from a squeezed tube. Especially do our words indicate the true condition of our heart.
As much as we would like to hide, we discover in the Bible that there is absolutely nowhere that we can flee from the presence of God. His eyes are able to penetrate to the depths of the sea and rise above the heights of the mountains. In fact, he sees under the earth and beyond the capacity of the most powerful telescope. There is no place in this universe or beyond where the searching eyes of God are absent. Our hearts are exposed before his brilliant gaze. So the next time you feel as if you are being watched, or that someone is looking into your soul, then you can be assured that in fact you are, and your secrets are being heard.
When it comes to religious things, there is the constant temptation to rest our hope on externals, such as focusing on outward appearances. In the days of early church history, during the time of the apostles, the church was constantly battling those who sought salvation through external rites, traditions, or ceremonies. For example, there was a group of people known as the Judaizers who believed that entrance into Christ's kingdom was through the gates of circumcision. The Apostle Paul characterized such people as "dogs, evil workers, and mutilators" (Philippians 3:2). He told Christians to beware of people who sought salvation through human works (Philippians 3:2). He wrote and spoke so strongly because to trust in anything other than, or in addition to, Christ for salvation is to miss eternal life. In fact, Paul recounted his own journey in which he had trusted family background, religious ritual, and human achievement for soul salvation (Philippians 3). When he discovered, by divine revelation, that salvation was by God's grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone to the glory of God alone--he was set free from his futile attempts at earning salvation. He discovered that salvation couldn't be earned, for God graciously provides it to all that will come to God, repenting of sin and trusting in Christ. In fact, salvation does not come through family background or religious achievement. It is not obtained through external religious ritual such as circumcision or baptism. Salvation is, from start to finish, a gracious gift from our benevolent heavenly Father.
The good news of God's great gift of salvation sped to the heart of the apostle Paul with the key that unlocked him from his prison of self-salvation. It opened the door to salvation provided by God through Jesus Christ. Paul spent much of his ministry rejoicing in the grace of God and opposing all religious systems that attempted to add anything to God's grace for salvation.
We are still today faced with dangerous error when it comes to the issue of salvation. Some believe that because they have been baptized, or because they are on the membership rolls of a church somewhere, that in fact they have been rescued from their sin. They are trusting in something that they have done to secure that which only God can give. Just as Paul warned Christians about those who taught that circumcision is the passage way to salvation, so we must warn people of any religious system that seeks to place the achievements of man at the passage way of grace.
Do you believe that baptism, morality or any human work is at the entranceway of salvation and that you must get baptized or straighten up your life before God can save you from your sin? If so you need to read again God's Word and rest fully in His salvation by grace.
Thinking on these things brings to my mind the great hymn by John Newton entitled "Amazing Grace" "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound; that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost by now am found; was blind but now I see." To be nourished in the Word is to rest in God's amazing grace (Read Philippians chapter 3).