Conversations with Ray Martinez

The central message of today's podcast episode is encouragement. We are reminded of the interconnectedness we have as believers in Christ and the importance of gathering together. Paul's words encourage us to support one another, sharing the word of God and inspiring repentance and belief. Listen in for more insight.

The greatest challenge lies in the word "All." How do we truly give our all? It requires wholehearted commitment and dedication. We cannot approach our relationship with God in a halfhearted manner. We must ask ourselves how we can live in a way that truly counts, giving our all to God. Listen in for more insight for living.

JESUS speaks often about the reality of hell, describing it as a place of eternal punishment and separation from God. The word translated “hell” in Mark 9:43 is the Greek word Gehenna , which comes from the Hebrew name for a place called the “Valley of Hinnom.” Jesus uses this place to paint a vivid image of what hell is like. The Jewish people often associated the Valley of Hinnom with spiritual...

On this All Saints' Day, it is important for us to remember who God is and the promise of life everlasting. It is a time to have faith and trust in God's shepherding presence in our lives. We can rest assured that our loved ones who have gone before us are now with God. Let us give thanks for their faith, and let us also look forward to the day when we will be reunited with them. Listen as...

JESUS spoke often about angels, describing them as heavenly beings who carry out the will of God. In this podcast, we will explore what Jesus says about angels and their role in the spiritual realm. Angels are personal spiritual beings who have intelligence, emotions, and will. This is true of both the good and evil angels (demons). Listen in to learn more about Angels. This comes from my book, &q...

JESUS speaks often about the dangers of worry, describing it as a hindrance to our spiritual growth and a sign of a lack of faith. Those who leave everything in God’s hands will eventually see God‘s hands in everything. In this podcast, we will explore what Jesus says about worry, its effects on our lives, and how we can overcome it. Listen in today on a great teaching and insight. This teaching c...

Welcome to today's mini podcast episode! In today's scripture reading, we will explore three passages: Isaiah 45:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, and Matthew 22:15-22. These passages shed light on a common human behavior known as the "Gotcha" game, particularly prevalent among politicians, especially in the weeks leading up to an election.

F EAR is a natural human emotion that can be caused by various factors, including perceived danger, uncertainty, or the unknown. In this podcast, we will explore what Jesus says about fear, its effects on our lives, and how we can overcome it.  Listen in as we talk about the nature of fear, the effects of fear, and overcoming fear.

Scripture often highlights the suffering of Christ. Indeed, the crucifixion of Christ is the apex of human history and the grand theme of the apostles’ teaching:  “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” ( 1 Corinthians 2:2 ). It is through the passion of Christ that we are made right with God. Listen in as we take a deeper dive.

FASTING is a spiritual discipline that has been practiced by many religions throughout history. In Christianity, fasting is often seen as a way to deepen one’s relationship with God and focus on spiritual growth.  In this podcast, we will explore what Jesus says about fasting and its significance in His teaching.  Listen in today.

Welcome back to another episode of "Finding Peace in a Chaotic World." Today, we are delving into the topic of societal harmony and the pursuit of peace, inspired by Romans 12:14-21. In this passage, the Apostle Paul offers us practical advice on how to navigate our interactions with others and maintain peace in society. He encourages us to bless those who persecute us and not curse them...

Having the mind of Christ doesn't mean thinking exactly like Jesus, but rather aligning our thoughts with His. It involves a change of mind, a new way of processing things. Paul encourages the Philippians to be of the same mind, in full accord, and to consider others more significant than themselves, showing humility and love. We are not only in need of a new heart, as Ezekiel mentions, but al...

JESUS is often questioned by the religious leaders of his time, who seek to trap him in His words. However, Jesus chooses to remain silent at times, much to the confusion of those around him.  In this podcast, we will explore why Jesus chooses to be silent when questioned and what we can learn from His example. Please, listen in.

Our daily lives as Christians, in our bodies and in our relationships with the world and our vocations, become the arena of worship. This is who we are and what we do in Christ. We are not to conform to the behavior and customs of this world but to be transformed. Transformation is a metamorphosis, a change from within. It involves having the mind of Christ, as Paul teaches that we do have the min...

We will be diving into the theme of "Not Fair but Just." Our scripture readings for today come from Isaiah 55:6-9, Philippians 1:12-14, 19-30, and Matthew 20:1-16. In Isaiah 55:6-9, we are reminded to seek the Lord while He can be found, and to understand that His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. This serves as a foundation for our exploration of the concept of fairness and justic...

COMPASSION is a fundamental aspect of Jesus’s teaching. He emphasizes the importance of showing love and kindness towards others, especially those who are marginalized and vulnerable. In this podcast, we will explore what Jesus says about compassion and its significance in our lives. This study comes from my book, "The Teachings of Jesus".

Romans chapter 12:1-2 emphasizes the power of appropriate daily worship. This concept of being a living sacrifice means being dead to ourselves but alive to Christ. Listen in for more details.

Today we will talk about being “Free to Forgive”. Joseph said to them to not fear. Your evil only caused God to make good of it. Joseph had every reason to be angry with his brothers. He was thrown into a pit, then sold him into slavary. Then they told his father that Joseph was killed by wild animals. In a classic rags to riches, Joseph becomes in charge of Egypt. Jesus cross was meant for evil,...

Jesus Christ is often revered as a revolutionary figure in His approach toward women. He challenged the patriarchal norms of His time and elevated the status of women in society.  In a day when women were considered second-class, Jesus shattered prejudices and elevated the status of women to unprecedented heights. That value equalization continued with His apostles.  In this podcast, we will explo...

Welcome to the podcast on Personal Evangelism with Dr. Jerry Root’s teaching. In today's episode, we will delve into the importance of putting our faith into action and sharing the good news of Christ with others.  Our scripture for today is Philemon 6, which reminds us of the generosity that comes from our faith and the good things we have in Christ. Dr. Jerry Root emphasizes that the gift of...

Today we'll be discussing the various ballot issues that will shape the future of our beloved city. Fort Collins voters will be faced with several crucial decisions when they head to the polls in 2023. In this episode, we'll break down the ballot issues that you need to know about. Let's dive right in.

September 11, 2021 was a horrific day that none of us will forget, at least those who were around then. The history of this tragedy can never be forgotten. What we did in our community was to pull together and do what we could for the moment.

In Christianity, we say, “in the name of Jesus” is a common practice used in prayer and spiritual activities. This phrase is not just a set of words, but a declaration of faith and dependence on Jesus’s power and authority. In this podcast, we will explore why we are taught to say “in the name of Jesus” and the power it holds. Listen in for a deeper dive.

Embracing the concept of dying to ourselves may seem challenging, but it is through this surrender that we truly find life. It is in dying to our own desires that we discover the abundant life that Jesus promises. Let us reflect on the call to die to ourselves and embrace God's plan. May we strive to set our minds on the things of God, surrendering our own will and desires. In doing so, we wil...

Welcome to today's episode of "Understanding God's Plan." In our reading from Romans 11:1-10, we delve into the concept of the remnant and the hardened. We will explore the profound insights shared by the apostle Paul and the significance of these teachings in our lives today. The passage highlights how the hardened individuals are deaf and blind to the Gospel, while the remnant...