Light of the Word Radio

As Pastor Ray teaches from the book of Hebrews today, he notes what the author instructs as a culmination of everything that has been written up to this point. While we might expect the author to tell us to go preach the Gospel to people and be a witness, he instead commands us to be in prayer, to persevere, and to provoke one another to do good works. This may seem surprising, but it’s important...

Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, all are forgiven who put their trust in Him. But as Pastor Ray points out today, trusting that we truly are forgiven requires great faith. It makes much more sense to believe that we have to earn forgiveness from God, but this isn’t what the Bible says. Scripture tells us that God chooses to remember our sins no more. This kind of grace is almost incomp...

Today, Pastor Ray explains an Old Testament law that is demonstrated in Jesus’ life. This law stated that a slave, as he approached the end of his time of service, could choose to continue serving his master for life. If he so chose this, the slave would have his ear pierced. In the same way, Jesus chose to “pierce His ear” in a sense and commit His life to the Father. And as Christians, we are ca...

The Bible clearly tells us that we’re saved by God’s grace, not by any works or religious rituals that we do. But Pastor Ray recognizes today how difficult it can be to accept that as a Christian. We know that we can’t earn God’s love or forgiveness, yet we try anyway. Even though the work of salvation has been finished by Jesus Christ, we develop our own systems for how we can be accepted by God....

It is Finished! It's done! You have life and the promise of forgiveness of sin because of the sacrifice of Jesus’s blood. As Pastor Ray sets the communion table for us today, the reminder that God’s sacrifice was complete! Nothing ever has or ever will take the place of Jesus’s body on the cross that day. He died so that we could live. What else is there? There isn’t another single act in history...

Following orders is something that’s expected. But what if your king or your president was counseling you to do something against God’s commands? You’ll hear about a case today where this was the reality. People knew what they should do, according to God’s plan, but they followed their king instead. Pastor Ray cautions you today to be careful who you’re following, and why. Leadership, and those in...

So many things are hard to understand…especially when it comes to what God allows - things that are different than what we think is best. As you’ll hear today, Pastor Ray discusses a situation where King David had a hard time seeing what God was doing. But God was protecting and defending His holiness, and all He was asking for was obedience in the process. Do you find yourself being angry or frus...

Have you ever had a situation where you sense that someone’s watching you, but you’re not sure? What you may not realize is that every day in your life, there are people watching, and observing how you live. Do you represent Jesus well? What do you invest most of your time doing? Who or what is your god? These are real and relevant questions to ask yourself today, as you listen to Pastor Ray’s tea...

Fire is mesmerizing. It can be warm and inviting, but it also has the ability to destroy, to consume what’s been put before it. In today’s teaching, Pastor Ray speaks about coming before God in confession, putting things before this fire that can and will consume everything that’s not supposed to last. So as you listen today, think about what those things might be in your life. Things that need to...

Maybe you’re familiar with those game shows, where there are 3 doors. Behind each one is either an appealing or unappealing result. There might be an attractive person to date behind one. Another might have a vicious animal waiting to attack you. The third might be some destination that could be good or bad. What Pastor Ray is getting at today is that when it comes to eternity, this is no game. Th...

If you were to see Jesus in His earthly setting, you wouldn’t think much of Him. He was common, ordinary, and didn’t stand out in any way. It’s no wonder why people from His hometown were extremely doubtful about Jesus being anything other than a simple carpenter’s son. Jesus purposely chose to live a common and plain Jewish life, so that He could relate to you in your common, ordinary life. Pasto...

Have you ever met someone who’s good at everything? What if you met someone who was a heart surgeon, but also was a certified counselor - on the side? As you’ll hear today, Pastor Ray wants you to acknowledge that it’s God who can change your heart. It’s God’s wisdom and counsel that’s worthwhile to listen to! The next time you’re tempted to seek out worldly people and counsel, remember that God’s...

You may think it’s perfectly ok to believe in God, trust that He’s saved you from your sins, and carry on with your life - just as you did before you knew Jesus. But in today’s message, you hear a different take on this. Pastor Ray expresses the idea that your life shouldn’t be a cocktail of what the world deems right, but then throw in some Jesus faith too. No, there’s a need to take a stand, and...

When you look in a mirror, you expect to see your reflection staring back at you. It would be strange to glance at a mirror and see something that’s hideous and different than what you know you look like. In today’s teaching, Pastor Ray helps you realize that you’re called and expected to reflect what God’s beauty and glory are! There were things in the Old Testament that represented God’s glory,...

When you picture an indigenous people, and they have these tribal rituals and traditions, you notice a raw, warrior-like way about them, and it’s kind of inspiring! The leader is someone you look up to, as an example to follow. Now think of God as your tribal warrior, fighting the battles for you and knowing the victory is His! Today, Pastor Ray asks you to walk in that line of thinking, allowing...

There’s only so much you can do on your own. You’re fighting a battle on the ground, but little did you know - that someone on your side of the battle launches an air strike, and takes out the enemy in one fell swoop. This couldn’t have been done by your meager efforts. This was a bigger operation that you had no control over! Do you realize that it’s the same with God in your life? Pastor Ray rem...

It’s intriguing when you hear about a special operation that the Navy Seals have been assigned. You don’t know about it until after the fact, but you’re curious about it! It’s a bit dangerous, a bit heroic, and a whole lot of courage. What you’ll hear about today from Pastor Ray is that just like God orchestrated a special op with Abraham, God’s the One in control of your life. He’s aligning all t...

You can’t add to the work of Jesus Christ. He’s already done everything needed to save you. Following the Ten Commandments down to the letter – which is impossible on an internal, spiritual level – still fails to measure up to the perfection God requires to dwell in His presence. No sacrifice is perfect enough to fill the void between your imperfect soul and God – except for the one that God imple...

The system of sacrifices we read about in the Old Testament was complicated and incomplete. It offered a representation – just a crude symbol – of what was to come in Jesus. As Pastor Ray will point out in today’s message, our flesh predisposes us to wander and disobey God. Even after you experience His salvation, the remnants of that nature will distract and draw you away. But, don’t be afraid, t...

Have you ever thought of your faith like a muscle? There are quite a few similarities. If you neglect to exercise your body or eat foods that supply healthy nutrients and proteins, your muscles will weaken, and you’ll find yourself lacking in strength when you need it. As Pastor Ray will explain in today’s message, you need to be disciplined about seeking God’s guidance and stepping into it daily....

Criticism can be hard to take, even when it’s given in a kind, constructive way. When you hold Scripture up in front of you, it offers a kind of spiritual mirror, giving perspective on the state of your soul that’s deeply personal. Add in the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and it’s not too surprising that many would rather just avoid reading the Bible altogether. As Pastor Ray will challenge us in...

Do you ever feel stuck in your mistakes? Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything in your power to move on, but with no results? In today’s message, Pastor Ray wants you to know that the only way to move on from the mistakes that you can’t let go of is through the power of God’s grace. It doesn’t matter what you’re struggling with or how long it’s been an issue, He wants to wipe your slate cl...

Have you ever done something so awful that you just wanted to hide from the world forever? Have you ever felt unworthy of forgiveness because of past mistakes? In today’s message, Pastor Ray wants you to know that because of God’s perfect gift of grace, there is nothing you can do that He won’t forgive. Get rid of your shame and guilt by simply asking for God’s forgiveness. He has never stopped lo...

In our passage today the believer in Christ is called, invited, to come before the Lord and

In our passage today the believer in Christ is called, invited, to come before the Lord and