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=> General Discussions => Topic started by: Ninny on July 10, 2009, 11:57:11 AM
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After reading all those emails to Ray and the update on his condition the word WOW! Is an understatement! I know everyone had to have been soaring as I was when reading!! God has truly blessed us and He has blessed Ray Smith as well!! It is my prayer that Ray will be raised up and be able to get on with what he loves!
Dennis, Thank you for being such a good friend to Ray. I know he appreciates and loves you very much! Thank you for sharing those emails with us! Very uplifting!! :D
Kathy ;) :-*
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Wow indeed!!!!! Yes Kathy and for him to be making arrangements reserving a room to speak, WOW again!
meee
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Thanks to Ray and Dennis for the update and for posting the emails. Many of the emails on the forum are the critical ones so it's a blessing to see how many lives have been touched by God's truth through brother Ray and how Ray is not only enduring the trials but stepping out in faith for the future. One thing I know is that any additional teachings that have come through this time will be powerful as they have come through the crucible of the firey trials the scriptures talk about. I'm glad that Ray also admonished us not to place him on a pedestal. But I'm thankful for a living example of grace under fire.
It's also noteworthy a few of the emails from the detractors. They are full of hate and spite and acrimony with no mercy whatsoever offered and taking delight in the pains of another. I suppose that if the christian 'hell' was real that they would be standing over the fire holding a weinee roast cheering the pain and suffering of the damned. They know not what they do nor what they say. To them the mercy of God extends only to the end of this physical and carnal life and then they think that God will turn with a vengence upon his enemies and they will certainly feel smug to see the masses get what they consider to be their just punishment.
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Loved reading the note from Ray and the wonderful e mails. Awesome!
Boy, the detractors do show the "love of Christ" don't they!! NOT!!! How can they hate a brother in the Lord or any body and say they know/love Christ?? they are the deceived!
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Rays letter to the forum was just awsome! I love his closing statements!
I don't know if i will ever live to see another man like ray in my lifetime. He is trully blessed by God!
Brother ray, you are not my idol, but you certainly are a man who gave me back my faith! Though it were God who done it, somehow.. i just really want to thank you for that. Because Faith is the greatest gift to ever own!
God bless,
Alex
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dang some of these emails and to see ray and really think about his condition just makes you want to ball eyes [aka cry.]
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You're right, Alex. It makes you want to cry your eyes out for sure. To see how hard Ray works to get others to know a God who is just and fair and loving beyond measure and yet Christians are the first to spew the hatred and disdain for the very God who gave them life!! God knows what He's doing and He is in control!!
Kathy :'(
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Yes, WOW, indeed. Very awesome to see that Ray is 'active' again. I pray God continues to raise him back up out of his sufferings.. and I so hope that he is able to do another conference... I won't be able to travel there myself, but can't wait to listen to the audios. Whatever he will have to say, I know will be AMAZING!
Daywalker. 8)
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WOW! For over a week now the Lord has me reading and reading the first Chapter of Philippians.
I have often thought of these verses wondering how teaching out of envy and strife could be good.
Last, night it was like a light bulb turned on. After, reading Ray's Letter to the Forum. It comfirmed what the Holy Spirit was telling me is the truth to this scriptures. I will not write out the whole chapter. But, I feel Ray's chains are the advancement of the Gospel. Just like Paul's were to others.
Philippians Chapters 1 verse 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouratged to speak the word of God more
courageously and fearlessly.
verse 15 It is true that some preach sChrist out of envy and rivalry , but others out of good will.
verse 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for defense of the gospel.
17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while
I am in Chains. But, what does it matter? The important thigs is that in every way, whether from false motives or true,
Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
18 Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened
to me will turn out for my deliverance. (some bibles say salvation)
I just love this whole chapter. But, last night God spoke to me. I wondered how it was good to preach Christ out of envy and strife. Well, he kept having me read it over and over.
It is good for us because we can see Babylon teaches out of envy and strife and selfish ambition. If, I ever had a doubt I am on the right path, it is gone.
After, reading Ray's letter and seeing the love Ray has for all of us and humanity. I have never seen anything like this in any church of Babylon. I was ill two years out of my church of many years. I only had two non members and a paralized girl contact me. My family was presecuted by our minister. He preached we might die cause he did not think we tithed enough. He said, God might let us die. The congreagation did not know who he was talking to, but we do it was the amount we gave and that I had just been saved from death.
I am glad for that presecution it led me in here. So, now I see these verses can confirm we are on the right path. I never seen such hate filled letters like Ray received. Well, I saw hate in my pastors eyes when he preached his tithe sermon. He new who he was directing it at. It made it easy when God led me in here to know I had found the right place.
I see now, that God has used Babylon for his purpose. The elect, will be led to truth and god will confirm it when we are presecuted for Christ. There is much good out of this. Even if in strife and selfish ambition . It is all Good because I believe, it helps us to discern that there is no love in truth in Babylon. Hopefully, we can share with others the truth of Gods Love. It is good that Babylon teaches Christ , because since God calls us out some will see through this and come out of her. God never lets me forget what I came out of. This also, give me compassion for the ones who are blind. I once was them.
I love my family in here. When, you hurt I hurt. When, you laugh I laugh. We have all been blessed to have Ray as a Brother. I loved how Ray believes that his suffering is to teach him how to love humanity. We have a suffering world that do not even know why they are going through this.
In His Love,
Marlene
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okay one very important item that is being ignore here is how Ray is getting better. I believe it would help everyone here to open up their eyes and see this. He change his diet and started a slow form of detoxing his system. Its really simple to do but our appetites get in the way. ( this is true spiritually too) When i cure myself of breat cancer i did the same. The program is the same, diseases differs. Feed your body live foods. if your are sick depending on how sick you are how slowly you have to detox and give your liver the time to replenish. I believe and I know i will get criticism from this but eating unhealthy is of the carnal nature because it causes death to your cells and major organs and then body. Look at God diet in Genius coke was not growi g on trees well enough hope some of you see a little clearer what Ray did to fight this cancer and take heed. with love peggy
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okay one very important item that is being ignore here is how Ray is getting better. I believe it would help everyone here to open up their eyes and see this. He change his diet and started a slow form of detoxing his system. Its really simple to do but our appetites get in the way. ( this is true spiritually too) When i cure myself of breat cancer i did the same. The program is the same, diseases differs. Feed your body live foods. if your are sick depending on how sick you are how slowly you have to detox and give your liver the time to replenish. I believe and I know i will get criticism from this but eating unhealthy is of the carnal nature because it causes death to your cells and major organs and then body. Look at God diet in Genius coke was not growi g on trees well enough hope some of you see a little clearer what Ray did to fight this cancer and take heed. with love peggy
...and yet ALL WAS STILL OF GOD!!
I don't see why anyone would be offended by what you say, you give great advice. Thanks, Peggy. ;)
- Christopher. 8)
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Peggy no arguments from me! I am all for natural everything!! Thanks, girl!
Kathy ;)
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I agree, Peggy it is good advice. But, I like what daywalker said,"and yet ALL WAS STILL OF GOD! Ray on his main page believes his healing will all come from God.
Why is it children are dying so young . Where, do these brain tumours and such come from. Why is my Mother In Law a two time cancer survior and why do others dies. It is up to God it is all his purpose and plan
I am a diabetic, have kidney stones and try to take good care of myself. Do, I ever mess up. Yes, but for the most part I give it my all. Many medications I take cause you to crave sweets and food. Ray has even mentioned this. The cost of healthy foods are expensive. We, grow a garden but many of the elderly cannot do it and some other people. We do have a nice place that sells hormone free meats, nuts and other healthy foods. But, they are way out of sight.
Gluttony, is another sin that many people battle. I use to eat years ago because of my not able to have children. God delivered me from the depression and the overeating.
I have seen som really thin people eat way more then I ever have. I really, think it is all about environment factors, genetics and such. Any thing good that we can do like eating healthy may help us some to live a longer fuller live. But, then again it is all up to God.
I am not offended I agree. But, I also know many people die from diseases . Even exercise is good for a little. But, I know my spiritual health is most important. When, food becomes just about our appetites it is carnal. Just, another sin to overcome.
In His Love,
Marlene
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I agree with Peggy's statement as well. My mother had fibromyalgia for years and was getting worse and worse. She finally said "ENOUGH" with the doctors and drugs and switched to herbal/natural remedies. She went from being hardly able to walk to exercising weekly and working full time again [for the first time in years!]
I haven't been to a doctor or taken any medicine in seven years. That is also when I stopped eating fast food, soda, candy, "junk" food, etc. ;D
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Yes eating natural food is better, but many who have eaten nothing but junk all their living days, suffer no damage. We need to be careful when statements are made about healing ourselves, not possible even with totally pure and organic everything. Or we can just toss out everything we have learned and let the beast within take over now.
If we heal, it is because GOD Causes Healing, just as HE Causes deseases to teach us Spiritual Truths. There is not a human being who can do the littlest thing to heal themselves, unless GOD Wills Healing.
Or do we make GOD a liar when we contradict These Scripture:
Act 11: 3-10 (GNB)
3 "You were a guest in the home of uncircumcised Gentiles, and you even ate with them!"
4 So Peter gave them a complete account of what had happened from the very beginning:
5 "While I was praying in the city of Joppa, I had a vision. I saw something coming down that looked like a large sheet being lowered by its four corners from heaven, and it stopped next to me.
6 I looked closely inside and saw domesticated and wild animals, reptiles, and wild birds.
7 Then I heard a voice saying to me, 'Get up, Peter; kill and eat!'
8 But I said, 'Certainly not, Lord! No ritually unclean or defiled food has ever entered my mouth.'
9 The voice spoke again from heaven, 'Do not consider anything unclean that God has declared clean.'
10 This happened three times, and finally the whole thing was drawn back up into heaven.
Ecc 3: 1-22 (Rotherhams)
1 For, every thing, there is a season,—and a time for every pursuit, under the heavens:—
2 A time to be born, and a time to die,—A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal,—A time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh,—A time to wail, and a time to dance for joy;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to heap up stones,—A time to embrace, and a time to be far from loving embrace;
6 A time to seek, and a time to give up as lost,—A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew,—A time to be silent, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love and a time to hate,—A time of war, and a time of peace.
9 What profit hath he that worketh, in that wherein, himself, hath toiled?
10 I looked at the employment which God hath given to the sons of men, to work therein:
11 Everything, hath he made beautiful in its own time,—also, intelligence, hath he put in their heart, without which men could not find out the work which God hath wrought, from the beginning even unto the end.
12 I know that there is no blessedness in them,—save to be glad, and to do well with one’s life.
13 Though indeed, that any man should eat and drink, and see blessedness, in all his toil, it is, the gift of God.
14 I know, that, whatsoever God doeth, the same, shall be age-abiding, unto it, there is nothing to add, and, from it, there is nothing to take away,—and, God, hath done it, that men should stand in awe before him.
15 That which was, already, had been, and, that which shall be, already, shall have been,—but, God, seeketh that which hath been chased away.
16 Then, again, I saw under the sun, the place of justice, that there was lawlessness, and, the place of righteousness, that there was lawlessness.
17 Said, I, in my heart, Both the righteous and the lawless, will God judge,—for there will be a time for every pursuit, and concerning every work—there.
18 Said, I, in my heart, as concerning the sons of men, That God was minded to prove them,—and that they might see, that they were beasts, of themselves.
19 For, as regardeth the destiny of the sons of men and the destiny of beasts, one fate, have they, as dieth the one, so, dieth the other, and, one spirit, have they all,—and, the pre-eminence of man over beast, is nothing, for, all, were vanity:
20 all, go unto one place,—all, came from the dust, and all, return to the dust.
21 Who knoweth the spirit of the sons of men, whether it, ascendeth, above,—or the spirit of the beast, whether it, descendeth, below, to the earth?
22 So I saw, that there was nothing better than that a man should be glad in his works, for, that, is his portion,—for who can bring him in, to look upon that which shall be after him?
My point, is that ALL GLORY And CREDIT Belongs to GOD, our CREATOR, none to us HIS Creation.
Jesus Christ said:
Joh 5:30-31 (GNB)
30 "I can do nothing on my own authority; I judge only as God tells me, so my judgment is right, because I am not trying to do what I want, but only what he who sent me wants.
31 "If I testify on my own behalf, what I say is not to be accepted as real proof.
george :).
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Bless you George
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The good that I want to do I don't do..... since last Aug. I lost 35 lbs! Felt great yada yada....now I am sabotaging myself...I am eating whatever I want! And what I want is NOT healthy!
I know the right way to eat...mentally you have to want to eat right....I hate that about me!!! cuz right now I am not!
I don't want cancer to make me eat right, but even that isn't enough motivation right now...
don't mind me...I am just venting
maybe if I see it in black and white I will get back on the right track food wise! (Ooooops! didn't want to hijack the thread)
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Joy Joy Joy! What I'm feeling after reading through the emails and hearing about how Ray is doing. All Praises be to God.
Larissa
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i dont agree with peggy because all i ever eat is junk food!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH LOL
im a pig............ OINK :D
but i <3 peggy so don't worry :) :) :)
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After reading all those emails to Ray and the update on his condition the word WOW! Is an understatement! I know everyone had to have been soaring as I was when reading!! God has truly blessed us and He has blessed Ray Smith as well!! It is my prayer that Ray will be raised up and be able to get on with what he loves!
Dennis, Thank you for being such a good friend to Ray. I know he appreciates and loves you very much! Thank you for sharing those emails with us! Very uplifting!! :D
Kathy ;) :-*
To the original intent of this thread, WOW .
Sorry Ninny,
It was not my intention to highjack your post, just had to point out some pretty important Scripture Truths that we all need to understand and remember. None of my post was directed to any one particular member, but is most certainly pointing out Truths that Scripture repeats over and over.
GOD Has made it possible; for Ray to be here for us at this hour, GOD, Will Hold Him Up as long as HE (GOD), Wills. WOW indeed that we can be here, and actually understand what is happening.
Rom 1: 16-17 (CLV)
16 For not ashamed am I of the evangel, for it is God's power for salvation to everyone who is believing - to the Jew first, and to the Greek as well."
17 For in it God's righteousness is being revealed, out of faith for faith, according as it is written: "Now the just one by faith shall be living."
Great post Ninny, again my apologies for taking the attention from it.
Love Joy Peace Humility, In GOD And our Lord Jesus Christ.
george. :)
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No problemo!
Someone may have needed to hear those scriptures!!
Kathy ;) :-*
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Lord bless this forum and help us all to know your wisdom and truths. IN Jesus name and by His blood. Amen
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PRIASE GOD on the WOW factor sweeping the forum and the believers that meet here. Thank you in the name of Jesus for blessing each and every one of us with today. I pray that we have a tomorrow to wake up too. Continued healing and growth in Ray's life. Peace and Grace
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I know and believe that L. Ray Smith is an inspired teacher. I pray for his health, his well being, in the end as we all know it is up to The Father and Creator. My Bro. Ray is in the best of hands; my
prayer is that he will be healed, go in the record books for the Glory and Praise of the Lord, but that
is me.
I visit other sites, and as Craig said I try to change minds and reason and thinking, I kid myself; only He can CAUSE the change. But I also know if the Lord leads, then someone heard. Actually, sometimes Id rather dig in a deep ditch all day long in 100degree heat, than talk to bros. and sisters on the religious sites who just will not see that HE IS the whole thing.
Peace and Love Through Jesus
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Ok....so it seems like I'm always late reading and posting, but I agree..........WOW!!! Ray has been on my mind so much lately that I feel inspired to pray constantly for him and his family. I was pleasantly surprised to see the update, even though Ray's medical condition is still guarded. Tears of love and thanksgiving streamed down my face as I read all the emails to Ray. My heart is overflowing with love for our Father and his vessels...1 year ago I found it difficult to feel ANYTHING but dispair and now my cup runneth over!!! Thank you, Lord Jesus, for leading me to these people (ya'll) and for all the love and encouragement shared between members of this forum.
Ray stated that he was going to step out on faith regarding the Conference and it reminded me of something I read that was stated by Martin Luther King, Jr. "Take the first step in faith.....you don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." (my rendition, of course). I too am taking a step in faith and will try desperately to save enough to take my daughter and I to that Conference, Lord willing. Hope to meet many of you there!
May the Love,Peace, and Truth of Christ be with us all.
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Hi, Peggy
You will get no criticism from me about what we eat. i believe that our temples where not meant for most of the cooked/processed foods we eat in this day and age.
Our bodies are amazing and I believe our brother Ray will/does have an awesome testimony about respecting what Yahweh has created.
Charrie
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Ahhh, just read the update, and, yes, all I could say is WOW!! That is awesome!!! It makes me want to go fly over to his house, charge into his room and hug him... Okay, minus the charging part... But it makes me so happy to see that even when Ray is going through this hard time with his body, his spirit is still strong and he still has such great faith in God. ;D Sadly I can't go for that Conference since it's halfway across the world, but I'll be following the recordings when it comes out.
Get well soon Ray!! (too bad he doesn't visit the forum...)
P.S. on diet: I've been trying to stay away from Mcdonalds, but I still eat it way too often than I like. It's a miracle that I'm not obese... D;
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Have there been any updates about the possibility of a conference? I really want to go. I have used up all vacation time but I think I can take time without pay. My husband wants to go too but more because he wants to go to Mobile. But whatever it takes. :)
Eileen
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Wow indeed.
I cannot get over the evil curses of the so called "elect of God", so they think.
Honestly, I have been studying the truth of universal redemption for almost 12 years now. I have been studying bible-truths website for about 5 of them and I still do not consider myself the elect of God. God has blessed me with some knowledge (how little I have) but I know myself my nature is not what it should be. In this knowledge I humbly realize just how special I am not.
How can people who say they love God ever portray such a selfrighteous nature to judge another with such blasphemous terms, and still consider themselves children of God? Do they seriously believe that this judgmental evil carnal nature is that of the Father or His Son?
I am absolutely sickened by the words of these pride induced naysayers and selfproclaimed judges over Gods people. SICK!!!
All of this causes me to look into myself and see that same nature toward them. I am forced to bow to God in humility as I am sickened by my own nature as well. As Paul said "who shall deliver me from this body of death?". I am no better than they and any knowledge I have been blessed with is but only knowledge until it is accompanied by wisdom and understanding. I have a long way to go and do not believe there will ever come a day while in my flesh I may claim such a royal title as "THE ELECT OF GOD".
God Bless, Dave
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Hi Eileen,
Ray is determined to have this conference in November. Now anybody that wants to go ahead and make arrangements to attended can do so. Ray is already committed to having this conference and his condition... well some things have improved, I guess you could say he's stable. I think that diet he's on is making all the difference in the world and he is totally committed to it. He would not have mentioned the conference in his letter to the forum if he did not think he would be able to carry through with it. The way I see it, I would rather make the plans necessary and have to cancel them at the last minute, than to miss this conference. We just don't know if there will be another one. I just hope everyone who can will try to attend, these conferences are such a blessing.
mercy, peace and love
Kat
p.s. Dave none of us can claim that title now, hang in there though it's not by our own ability that any will make it, but throught Christ living in us that will bring any to the first resurrection.
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i made my hotel room reservation at the ashbury suites just to make sure i had a room where the conference would be. i haven't made my plane reservations yet, but am planning on doing that once ray posts that we can register with him that we will be attending the conference. stepping out in faith that our Loving Father will bring this conference to pass. leaping out in faith actually. big ole' giant leaps ;D ;D ;D
claudia