Conversations with Ray Martinez

Throughout Jesus' ministry, he encounters many people who are possessed by demons. In this podcast, we will explore what Jesus does about the demons. Jesus has the power and authority to cast out demons and heal those who were possessed. Notice that Jesus casts out demons throughout the Bible by merely using His words.  The spoken word is powerful .  Mark 11 says that if we just “say” to this...

Jesus asks His disciples who people say He is. Peter, speaking on behalf of the disciples, declares Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. This confession holds great significance, as it forms the foundation of our faith. Jesus assures Peter that upon this confession, He will build His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Listen in for more insight to the stairway.

ORPHANS are among the most vulnerable in Jesus’s time, and He has a heart for them. We will explore what Jesus says about orphans. Jesus teaches that caring for orphans is an important part of living out our faith. The words of the Bible call God’s people to actively pursue meeting the needs of children who have been orphaned, and a great place to start is through prayer . Listen in as we take dee...

The Bible makes it clear that children are a blessing. Whether adults are called to be parents, to foster, or to invest in children in some other unique way, kids are part of God's plan for individuals and humanity as a whole. God works through kids to bless their parents, and to demonstrate the blessings of simple faith. Listen in for a deeper dive from my book called, The Teachings of Jesus...

JESUS has a heart for the poor and marginalized, and He often speaks about them in His teachings. In this podcast, we’ll explore what Jesus says about the poor. If you are poor, know that God sees value in this for you today.  He also has the power to help you experience a change in this situation at any time. He knows exactly where you are and He still has this wonderful plan for your life—but it...

ANGER is an emotion that all humans experience, but it can also be harmful if not controlled. In his teachings, Jesus speaks about anger and how we can manage it in a healthy way. When managing your anger, we must realize that sin is involved, reconciliation is needed, and forgiveness is essential. What's the difference between reconciliation and anger and what is righteous anger? Let’s explor...

 Paul expresses his deep love and concern for the people, stating that he would willingly give his life for them. He emphasizes that the true Israel lacks nothing from God and affirms that the word of God has not failed. Paul reminds the readers that through Isaac, their name will live, as Sarah bore a child for them. He also mentions God's choice to love Jacob but hate Esau, highlighting God&...

FAITH IS A central concept in Christianity, and Jesus speaks frequently about it in His teachings. In this podcast, we will explore what Jesus says about faith. Faith can heal. Faith is essential for salvation. Faith can move mountains. Faith requires trust. Many people speak about “having faith in Jesus,” but what exactly does this mean? The Bible uses the phrase “faith in Jesus” synonymously wit...

In this podcast episode, we will be discussing carjacking prevention. Carjacking, the armed theft of automobiles from their drivers, has become a prevalent crime in recent years. It can occur anywhere and at any time, even in seemingly safe neighborhoods and during daylight hours.  One reason carjacking is on the rise is because stealing parked cars, especially luxury models equipped with advanced...

IN THE GOSPELS, Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, a meal of remembrance that Christians have continued to celebrate throughout the centuries. In this podcast, we will explore what Jesus means when he says, “Do this in remembrance of me.” What are the things we are to remember? We will take a deeper dive into this discussion...listen in today.

Intentional leadership is a philosophy that emphasizes purposeful action, clarity of vision, and a commitment to personal and organizational growth. It is characterized by a deep understanding of oneself, a clear vision of the future, and a focus on building strong, positive relationships with others. Intentional leadership requires a deliberate and thoughtful approach to decision-making, communic...

Jesus had a high view of Scripture and often referred to it in his teachings. In this podcast, we will explore what Jesus said about the Word of God. We know that the Scripture is authoritative, it is true, it points to Jesus and it must be obeyed. Listen in so we can take a deeper dive into the Scriptures.

Paul discusses his struggles about doing the things he hates, while teaching us how to recover and what assurances we have in Christ.

Encouragement is a powerful tool for leaders, and it can have a significant impact on the success of a business or an organization. When leaders encourage their team members, they can foster a sense of motivation, engagement, and loyalty that can lead to increased productivity, creativity, and innovation. In this podcast, we will explore the different styles of leadership by encouragement and high...

Who do we pray too, Jesus or God? Does Satan listen in on our prayers?  How can we keep him from knowing what we are revealing about ourselves? In Matthew 6:5–15, Jesus gives His disciples guidance on how to pray. He begins by warning them not to pray to be seen by others, but rather to pray in secret. He then gives them an example of how to pray, which is commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer.

PRAYER IS AN integral part of the Christian faith. We will explore what Jesus had to say about prayer, specifically about asking, seeking, and knocking. These words are a call to persistent prayer and trust in God’s provision. Jesus is saying that we should not give up on our prayers, but rather, we should continue to ask, seek, and knock. He also promises that our prayers will be answered.

In today's world, leadership is more important than ever. With rapid changes in technology, political tensions, and a global pandemic, people are looking for leaders who can guide them through uncertainty and chaos. And what makes a good leader? It's not just about having a vision or making decisions. It's about being relational. Being relational means building strong relationships wit...

The topic of the end times has fascinated people for centuries. In this podcast, we will explore what Jesus had to say about the end times and what we can learn from his teachings. In Matthew 24, Jesus gives a lengthy discourse about the end times. He warns his disciples about false prophets, wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, and persecution. He also speaks of the coming of the Son of...

Responsibility is the obligation to do something, while accountability is accepting the consequences of one's actions or decisions related to that responsibility. Responsibility is a duty, while accountability is the obligation to answer for the outcome of fulfilling that duty. Accountability is often seen as a higher level of responsibility, as it involves taking ownership and being answerabl...

Before we look at what Jesus said about temptation, it is important to note that he himself faced temptation. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Each time the devil tempts him, Jesus responds with Scripture, ultimately resisting the devil's schemes. What Jesus Said About Temptation: In Matthew 26:41, Jesus tells his disciples to "...

Welcome to today's mini podcast where we will be exploring the mission of the Holy Trinity. Our journey begins with Genesis 1:1-2:4 where God spoke and unfolded the earth with light, waters, the earth, the heaven, morning and evening. He created the sea creatures, birds, livestock, and even the things that creep on the ground. Then, He made man to be in charge of it all, created male and femal...

Being a leader is not just about making decisions and giving orders. It is a role that comes with a great deal of responsibility. A good leader understands this and takes their responsibilities seriously. They are aware that their actions and decisions have a direct impact on their team, their organization, and even their community. In this podcast, we will discuss the responsibilities of a good l...

As Christians, we often ask ourselves what Jesus wants from us. We will explore some key aspects of what Jesus desires from His followers. The prophet Micah responded to the Israelites’ complaint that they didn’t know what God wanted from them. The prophet says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly...

We will explore the powerful message of Romans 8 and how it answers the question, "Who will deliver me from this struggle of being a sinner, doing the very thing that God hates?" In Romans 8:1-2, Paul tells us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. It is through Jesus that we are delivered from the power of sin and death. We are no longer under the law of sin an...

Today's podcast we will discuss the significance of Pentecost and how it relates to our Christian faith. In Acts 2:1-20, we see that on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came like a mighty rushing wind, and divided tongues of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues. This event is a reminder that Jesus s...