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Kingdom of the heavens suffers violence"
Gina:
Aw man, Rene, I thank God every day for Ray. Every day I think about Ray and Bible-truths.com and Dennis and all of you all and I thank God and I know that the only reason I can smile half as much as I am able is because of that. No, I'll never forget that it was God Who deserves the praise for raising up L. Ray Smith.
And how do I praise God and give Him the glory? I try to learn and obey the teachings of God as L. Ray Smith taught me.
I personally believe God is not the least bit offended that we love Ray as much as we do. I didn't love or respect him nearly enough when he was alive. And it was because people kept coming up to me going -- He's just a man, he's just a man, he's just a man... I'm aware that Ray was just a man. He was a very special man and without God leading me to him, I'd be probably still in church.
newgene87:
--- Quote from: Rene on September 06, 2012, 09:04:32 AM ---
--- Quote from: Gina on September 06, 2012, 12:38:15 AM ---L. Ray Smith. :)
--- End quote ---
Yes, Ray was a gifted teacher, but please let's give praise and glory of greatness to only one, our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.
Rene'
--- End quote ---
Tis true. Unless he's the ONLY person that teach these truths....Jesus is still my Great Teacher. I'm thankful for this VITAL step in my walk but as of lately God reveals SO much more
Gina:
And moreover, Jesus said that whoever wants to be greatest in the Kingdom of heavens must be servant of all. I think that Ray was the greatest servant I've ever seen. He served and served and served. He never stopped serving us. He served us till the day he died and then he stored up things for us to keep on in our walk. He truly walked the talk.
I believe that God is pleased that we are cognizant of Ray's obedience to Him.
Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
2 Corinthians 2:17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.
Luke 10:16 "He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
John 13:20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
Matthew 10:40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.
Thessalonians 2:13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
Gal 4:14 And my trial which was in my flesh you despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
Ray was not looking for praise, which is why I rarely praised him when he was alive. I rarely wrote him and told him how much his material meant to me after I first came to the site because I was torn and tossed to and fro between trying to please people who kept saying he was "just a man" and between obeying and respecting him as someone who was sent by God. But I'm done kicking myself for that.
And I'm gonna shut up about that now. Thanks for listening tho. :)
John from Kentucky:
--- Quote from: Rene on September 06, 2012, 09:04:32 AM ---
--- Quote from: Gina on September 06, 2012, 12:38:15 AM ---L. Ray Smith. :)
--- End quote ---
Yes, Ray was a gifted teacher, but please let's give praise and glory of greatness to only one, our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.
Rene'
--- End quote ---
Hey Rene',
Right on, Right on, Right on. Go girl. You said the truth! We have only One Master and Commander and Teacher. All praise and glory only to Him.
Like Ray, I don't fully understand the scriptural teaching on women teaching. But, if Jesus ever asks me, I'm going to suggest that He give you a preacher's license. ;D
John
Gina:
All praise and all glory ONLY to Him? You mean I need to line through these verses of scripture?
(James 1:12) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, HE will receive the CROWN of life that God has promised to those who love him.
(1 Peter 5:4) And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, YE shall receive the CROWN OF GLORY that fadeth not away.
(1 Thes 2:19) For what is our hope or joy or CROWN OF BOASTING BEFORE OUR LORD JESUS at his coming? Is it not YOU?
That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you unto his kingdom and GLORY. (1 Thessalonians 2:12)
(2 Corinthians 4:6) For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in OUR hearts to give US the light of the knowledge of the GLORY of God in the face of Christ.
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, so that we may be also GLORIFIED together. (Romans 8:17)
(2 Cor. 1:14) as also ye did acknowledge us in part, that are YOUR GLORYING, even as ye also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
(Phil. 1:26) that YOUR GLORYING may abound in Christ Jesus IN ME through my presence with you again.
( 1 Thes. 2:20 ) Indeed, YOU are our GLORY and joy.
Am I not supposed to boast of another? Is that sin? Let's see here....
Prov. 12:8 A MAN IS PRAISED according to his wisdom, but men with warped minds are despised. (You can say that again!)
For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I BOAST of YOU to THEM of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and YOUR ZEAL has PROVOKED VERY MANY. (2 Cor. 9:2)
2 Cor. 7:14 I had BOASTED to him ABOUT YOU, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our BOASTING ABOUT YOU to Titus has proved to be true as well.
(2 Cor. 5:12) We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take PRIDE IN US, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.
Would a married woman do well to rethink their role as the wife to their beloved? Should she not be looking at her husband as any kind of "lord"? Well, what do we have here:
(1 Peter 3:6) like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and CALLED HIM HER MASTER. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
(1 Corinthians 16:18) For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. SUCH MEN DESERVE RECOGNITION.
Ray loved God a LOT. "... and I love the scriptures." ~from Ray's letter to Hagee/Kennedy.
(John 15:13) GREATER love than this hath no one, that any one his life may lay down for his friends;
Ray laid down his life for us -- well, he did for me and a few others.
His bible-truths cards that he gave me to hand out say: Unlike any other site on the internet."
Even Ray knew he has something pretty special and wasn't ashamed to admit it. I believe it too.
God bless everyone and thanks for hearing me out.
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