A Very Profound Event Happened at Christmas: The Scriptures Says it Best: Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com
In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made
In him was life, and
that life was the light of all mankind.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. . . .
He was in the world, and though
the world was made through him,
the world did not recognize him.
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He came to that which was his own,
but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God
children born not
of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but
born of God.
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The Word became flesh and
made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,
the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels.com A Very Profound Event Happened at Christmas: MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!
This should have been posted before Thanksgiving Day. All the same,
“Better Late than never,” and on thanksgiving week,
I heard one radio announcer say:
“Thanksgiving is not a day, it is an attitude of the heart.”
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T – THANK and PRAISE God
for all things BIG SMALL
And do not forget
the precious people in your life!
H – HEALTH AND
are things we can all be thankful for
even if we are ill at a hospital
A – APPRECIATE and ADMIRE
the beauty of God’s creation
N – NAME and NUMBER
your blessings
its a rewarding experience,
including the precious people in your life.
K – KINDNESS and THANKSGIVING
in the heart
are twin siblings in the same home.
S – A SMILE and a CHEER;
want to see it on the face of the deserving?
Just say, “Thank You!”
from the heart
and with a warm smile
G – GIVING and RECEIVING:
The one exists not without the other
I – ICTUS;
Five Greek letters for ‘fish
Jesus, Christ, God, Son, Savior:
at least one reason to “give thanks!”
V – VISION and VALUE:
Nothing says:
“I see and I value what you have done” like when you say
I – INSIDE and OUTSIDE:
A thankful heart outwardly
N – NICE and NEW:
Thanksgiving is always that
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G – GOOD to GREAT:
‘Good Gifts’ ‘GREAT GIFTS,’
when it is received with a heartfelt:
I believe in a reality
that is governed by observable and verifiable laws
of science operating within God’s creation.
Photo by Jakob on Pexels.com I believe that scientific laws and discoveries are valid
for ALL human existence
including those of the children of God(!), that is, the laws of
gravitation, motion, thermodynamics, relativity, atomic energy,mathematics, statistics, chemistry, physics, electromagnetism, etc.
I do not accept evolution BY CHANCE
I cannot rule out evolution by divine design.
Denying the laws and verifiable discoveries of science
on the basis of so-called ‘faith’
is a futile endeavor because
Photo by Cecu00edlia Tommasini on Pexels.com I believe and accept the scientific advances behind modern technology
that have revolutionized human existence in the fields of
agriculture and food production,
medicine and fighting disease and illnesses,
manufacturing,
communication and transportation,
entertainment,
astronomy and even (sadly and unfortunately)
warfare, because
GOD PUT THEM THERE (!!!)
to be discovered for human use!
I also believe and accept verifiable theories and observations of the social sciences
concerning human nature and human interactions:
the quest for power,
how and why people attain, keep and exercise
organizational behavior,
group dynamics;
the quest for possessions including
the universal principle of scarcity,
(human desires and wants are unlimited but resources are),
the economics laws of demand and supply,
the quest for pleasure, Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs, etc.
are valid because GOD PUT THEM THERE!!!!
I believe that God is therefore the greatest scientist;
the greatest, physicist, mathematician, astronomer, molecular biologist, surgeon, sociologist, etc.! God is above, over, and beyond all of his creation.
I also believe in the writings of the Bible
It is a revelation of an otherwise UNKNOWABLE
How else can we know the God
who is the origin, and is over, above, and beyond the cosmos?
This revelation gives meaning and purpose to life.
It is ultimately the only viable answer
to the question:
“What is the meaning and purpose of life?”
Think of God as the Unlimited Energy that birthed everything
(energy appears to be one of the main constants in the entire cosmos)
but which/who is also a PERSONAL
Photo by Jonathan Meyer on Pexels.com I believe God wants men to live within the natural order of creation
FOR THE MOST PART(!!),
that miracles of the dramatic kind
are rare occurrences and
designed by God to be so(!),
because he wants us to live by faith(!!)
and because he wants us to live
within the scientific (natural) laws of his creation!
GOD PUT THEM THERE!!!!
Neither Abraham, nor Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Paul, Peter, or James
discovered the aerodynamics in order to build an airplane, nor did they
discover penicillin, the microscope, electricity, the Periodic Table, DNA, X-rays, Quantum Theory, or the connection between smoking and cancer;
gun powder was discovered by the Chinese, and
Archimedes had to discover the buoyancy principle because,
THAT’S HOW GOD INTENDED IT!!!
So child of God
don’t give up on dramatic miracles, but
don’t wait for them either.
It is God’s will that you live your life in obedience to him
with or without miracles.
The ONE MIRACLE
LEARN, UNDERSTAND, AND USE
the laws and principles
that God has put into his creation,
and seek his favor, and
YOU WILL MEET YOUR GOD GIVEN GOALS. THAT’S HOW GOD INTENDED IT!!!!
LET’S DO THIS! YOU CAN DO THIS!!
(Next post: how the perspective above helps us deal with the problem of evil and suffering!!)
All the benefits of my Vote for Donald Trump Appear to be
More Conservative Judges
Inasmuch as I want a society
where conservative values are respected, this
pertains mostly to America, not the Kingdom of God,
when judges are appointed
by both sides
solely for partisan control of the judiciary,
and it will ultimately corrupt justice
for everyone, forever (!);
will not prevent the ongoing moral decay of humanity
predicted in the Bible, as we move toward the end-times!
Deuteronomy 1.16: “‘Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien who is with him.
That is, justice must be blind to even the closest earthly affiliations.
The Possibility of Overturning Roe vs. Wade
Inasmuch as I am pro-life
(in Church and personal life
and I will work to reduce abortion in society
in other ways other than using the force of law)
I am also pro-choice (as a matter of law in society) ,
inasmuch as I will like to reduce abortions in the US,
the church will do a better job to impact society for God
by modelling selfless, holy, and cross-bearing lives as people of faith,
than to try to wield the corrupting tools of political power
to force social change; that is,
making abortion illegal
constrains action by force of law, it
does not change people and
is only a temporary fix, to the eternal problem of the
sinfulness of man, and it
does not address immorality within the Church itself;
I also have hope that God has a plan even for unborn babies
as I believe he does for infants who die early!
Matt. 18.10: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”
A friend of the (mostly white) Church in the White House
is temporary, of this earth, not the kingdom of God
if the Church cannot criticize that ‘friend’,
if the Church must always praise that ‘friend’,
if the Church must explain away, excuse, and lie (‘spin’),
when that ‘friend’ lies, divides, and is unrepentant of
deceit, meanness, pride and boastfulness, narcissism, and adultery,
and thereby abandon its basic mission to a lost world:
faithfully proclaim the truth and will of God
that we must be
true, loving, meek and lowly, selfless, and faithful to the wife of our youth, welcoming, be wronged instead of wronging others, give vengeance to God instead of always ‘fighting back.’
Faithful prophetic witness
to powerful (and sometimes corrupt) political leaders (kings)
is clear in the Bible.
It usually involves truth, rebuke, courage, and great risk: Samuel (Eli), Samuel (Saul), Nathan (David),
Elijah (Ahab, Jezebel, Ahaziah), Elisha (Ahab), Micaiah (Ahab)
Isaiah (Manasseh), Jonah (Nineveh),
Jeremiah (Zedekiah), Daniel (Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar),
John the Baptist (Herod)
Jesus (Pilate), Peter (Sanhedrin);
the Early Church (the Sanhedrin); and
Paul (Agrippa).
It is never a cozy relationship
the White House and white evangelical American leadership.
Strong Economy?
As good as that sounds,
a strong economy is of this earth, not eternal
Mark 8.36: “What does it profit a man [nation]….”
What if
(as the signs are beginning to show, and
as Donald Trump continues to gamble
with the economy and
with the livelihood of millions of Americans,
using trade wars),
the economy takes a downturn,
as is expected every now and again?
Strong Immigration Enforcement?
This excites those
whose primary concern is America who may be driven by
lack of knowledge and compassion, fear, distaste, and/or
indifference towards
those who are different, who are weak, and destitute;
who have forgotten, who ignore the fact,
that the Kingdom of God is all tribes, tongues and nations
that everyone ‘came from somewhere else’,
that the Bible overwhelmingly teaches love and welcome
for the weak, the widow, the fatherless, the alien ,strangers (!)
that Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus were themselves refugees
to Egypt from political violence!
Matthew 24.44: “Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’” Revelation 7.9 “…from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb….”
Strong Military and National Defense,
pertains to only America, not the Kingdom of God;
is material, temporary, and earthly.
Ephesians 6. “For we do not wrestle not against flesh and blood…”
Second Amendment Rights
Is only of this earth, and temporary, and
when promoted unreasonably and at all cost, it
UNDERCUTS THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS:
selfless love,
sacrifice,
give instead of taking life,
“turning the other cheek”,
“Nevertheless, let your [God’s] will be done not mine”
lacks any sound biblical and theological support.
Matt. 16.24: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
The choice between a gun and the cross is easy
Next Post Why a Vote For Donald Trump has Negative Long Term/Eternal Consequences for America and the Church.
A little introduction about Reach Ministries Int’l!
Beginnings
After much prayer, I began activities for this ministry in March this year
when my family finally joined me in Greenville Area of SC.
This blog was started in 2017.
Right now it is
me, my wife of 36 years and our children,
my good friend Elvis Muhabwa from Uganda,
former colleagues, friends, and well wishers, disciples, etc.
from around the US
in Illinois where I was a pastor for 13 years and
around the world who are praying for this ministry, and it can be
anyone who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior or who wishes to have such a relationship with him, and who identifies with the Vision, Mission, and Profile of the ministry below.
More About Dr. Ray –link at the home page.
In addition, My gifts are
church planting,
teaching,
prayer and intercession
prophecy
faith
I am a dreamer!
I believe in miracles (both:
the one-of-a kind, all-at-once action of God, and
the slow, over-time irresistible favor of God,
The Vision
Reach Ministries: Army of Worshipers whose ultimate prayer is that God is glorified in and through each of them, who are passionate about achieving their God-given dreams and aspirations, and who promote and enjoy healthy, meaningful, and fulfilling relationships in community.
The Mission
Through God-centered worship, sound biblical teaching, practical training in important life skills and by creating diverse opportunities for healthy interactions, relationships and service to others, Reach Ministries will raise an Army of Worshipers to fulfill the vision.
The Three Pillars
Reach Upwards to God (He is always reaching down to us in Love! )
Reach Forward to your goals (Everyone one can achieve their God-given goals )
Reach Outward to Others (To give and to receive; to bless and to be blessed in community! )
Why “Reach”?
Because we need to respond to God’s invitation to a relationship with him
Because we need to keep moving, keep growing, keep getting better
Because we need to seek others, see, listen to, serve, and help others
which is the greatest source of fulfillment:
we can receive in life;
a meaningful and positive impact on others,
the greatest legacy ever!
Interested? What can you do?
Share, pass the word around about the following opportunities
Email me at reach4himwdray@gmail.com to join small/prayer group(s)
Follow Reach Ministries on Twitter at reach4himwdray
Follow Reach Ministries on Facebook at reach4himwdray
Check this blog for updates, encouraging, positive, and daily posts
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Reach! when it comes online soon.
Pray
As the Lord leads!
Some Basic Truths For Meaningful, Happy and Successful Life
Believe that:
There is a God Almighty
He is
He sees
He knows
He loves
He will judge
He is sovereign
(owes no one any explanation, and is
free to do whatever he wills,
He is Holy but he is also merciful
You are Special
One of a kind In a good way, despite or because of
what you did in the past
what someone did to you in the past
your DNA profile where you were born
You have something to say, to give, to contribute, to do
in this world;
a legacy to leave behind,
a mission to accomplish, and
a dream to fulfill.
Your life has meaning!
You are of infinite value
to God who loves you and died for you
to those who love you
mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, siblings, bff etc.
You add meaning, joy and happiness to their lives.
For those who may not ‘love’ you,
They are not looking at your true value.
They are looking at something other than
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Things can and Do Change
Other opportunities will open
Closed doors may become open
New doors will open up
‘Doors’ can become walls or
ladders may be provided to scale walls!
People can change
Friends can become enemies
Bosses can become subordinates
Doubts can become trust
Opponents can become team-mates
Miracles (impossible ‘coincidences’) can happen New methods, medications, procedures, approaches will be invented
making it easier to get where you want to go in your life!
Reality, Facts, and Truth Rule in the Long Run
There are no ‘alternative facts’ Opinions, feelings, emotions, loyalties change, facts don’t
Evidence based choices are best
Respect True Scientific Discoveries
God is the ultimate scientist They are foundation to practically all human achievements
The Other Side of Life Will Be Different
All tears will be wiped away;
No more sorrows, sickness, death, or evil,
No more scammers, swindlers, thieves, liars, sociopaths;
Those who (we) think they ‘got away with it’
will not escape the ultimate justice,
If you have invested in it!
I recommend Jesus to you, Personally!
Don’t think there will be need for ‘Faith’
Faith will become sight
It will be like the Garden of Eden all over again!
Follow Reach Ministries on Twitter and Facebook ; Contact: reach4himwdray@gmail.com
YOU CAN DO THIS, LET’S DO THIS!
In order to have a meaningful and successful Life after Defeat, Step 1 is to separate Who YOU ARE from WHAT HAPPENED (the event). Now the next steps:
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Take Time to Reflect
Avoid far reaching decisions while you are ‘feeling blue.’
Choices under such conditions are likely to be
emotion driven,
ill advised, and
wrong.
Learn from the experience.
Who to trust
What to do
A better way
Keep Things in Perspective
The Time Perspective
There may be other opportunities.
Take the long view.
How will this look one, two, five, or ten years from now?
How will this look from the other side of eternity?
You may have gone through this in the past,
remember how you made it through then?
The ‘Others’ Perspective
In the past your ‘win’ meant others lost!
Your experience may not be the best,
but it is not the worst either.
Others have survived such things
The ‘God’ Perspective
He lives, he sees, he knows, he understands, and
He is in control
He does not make mistakes
All Things Are Possible with him
Consider Alternatives
Do it again!
Success sometimes (often) comes only after several tries
‘Third time is the charm’ Believe!
Adjust Your Line of Attack (approach)
More and better preparation
Note the ‘signs’ along the way and make adjustments
Change Direction
You may not be a fighter pilot but
you will be able to design the planes they fly in
You may not qualify or be approved to be a doctor
but you will be an excellent nurse practitioner or
a medical technician, or a surgical nurse, etc.
You may not qualify to become an engineer
but you will be an excellent and successful mechanic!
You get the idea!
You can Do this – Let’s Do this!
Contact: reach4himwdray@gmail.com
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We are Designed by God to Reach out to Him and to Others; To Reach Out for Love and Towards our Dreams!
