Additional Outreaches

Over the past few weeks, I have been sharing some outreaches of New Jerusalem Ministries. I shared about some changes that will impact this ministry this year as well New Jerusalem Singers and Happy Times Variety Show.  

In this blog post I would like to share a few other outreaches we have that many may be unfamiliar with. We will look at them one by one. 

Needless to say, if you are reading this you know I write a blog. Well, I have been on hiatus with some of these things for quite a while, but I am slowly making my way back to being active in these things as the Lord leads. I recently resumed blogging. My blog will consist of me sharing my thoughts on a variety of topics on, what I hope to be, a weekly basis. Be sure to check back and check out my blog. I would encourage you to take some time to go back in time to read some of my previous blog posts as well. 

I also started a Vlog some time back. I don't have many posts but I look to start posting more vlogs in the near future. I will be sharing thoughts on my vlog from time to time. I will share inspirational thoughts as well as words of encouragement. I would encourage you to subscribe to my vlog and you will be notified when I post a new vlog. 

Check out my vlog at www.youtube.com/@rayspellbrinkvlog9423 

My YouTube channel has my preaching and teaching in various settings such as churches, home, outside or even sitting my favorite chair. You can access my YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@RaySpellbrink .

My podcast will cover a variety of topics and will include personal thoughts from my own journey as well as interviews with others on a wide variety of topics. You can access my podcast on a variety of platforms. You can check out my podcast using this link: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ray-spellbrink 

Another outreach of NJM is a ministerial fellowship. Our ministry motto is Encourage, Exhort and Edify. That is what we do with NJM Ministerial Fellowship. We work with ministers, ministries, churches, singers, organizations or anyone who may need encouragement, counseling or advise on the various aspects of ministry. This is a free service that we offer however there may be federal, state or county fees associated with legally setting up a Corportation or ministry. 

We host an online Bible Study every other week on Mondays at 7 pm. We host this via Zoom. This is an interactive Bible Study where we encourage everyone to participate and share. We generally go for an hour or so and this includes prayer time at the end of the Bible Study. If you are interested in receiving a link to the Zoom Bible Study, send us your email address and we will add you to our email list when a link is posted. This is also simulcast on my personal Facebook page.  

There is so much associated with ministry, and we try to be available as needed. We are able to serve communion to those who are shut in or may not have a church home. If a loved one is in a senior retirement environment, we can go to them. 

We are able to baptize those locally who have believed on Jesus as their personal Savior and desire to take that next step and be baptized. 

We also perform weddings as well as funerals. 

There may well be other things we do and other services we provide that escape my memory. We love God and love what He has called us to do. 

After reading the last several blog posts, you should have a pretty good understanding of what New Jerusalem Ministries is all about. In a nutshell...IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS!

Please feel free to share this blog post with others who may be interested in NJM and what we offer. We stand ready to serve. 

Until next time, 

Enjoy the journey!

Ray

rayspellbrink@gmail.com

Feel free to friend me on Facebook

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New Jerusalem Singers

I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some information regarding the part of New Jerusalem Ministries (NJM) that has been active the longest. In fact, this particular facet of our ministry is older than even NJM, itself.  

While Cindy and I have been singing all of our married life (and even before we got married), we didn't formally form the singing ministry until June of 1988. It was at this time we formed New Jerusalem Singers (NJS). We got our start singing in nursing homes, hi-rises, retirement homes, reunions and at just about any other event we were allowed to sing at. 

We started off as a quartet. My brother-in-law, Paul Summers, sang bass and played bass guitar with us. In fact, while trying to figure out a name for the new southern gospel group, it was Paul who suggested New Jerusalem Singers. We all liked it and it stuck. 

The group has been a quartet, trio and duet. We have utilized keyboard, and at time even two keyboards. We have utilized rhythms with the keyboards until I was able to learn how to play bass. Our son, Matthew, began singing at age 5 and played drums with us when he was 6 or 7 years old. We had electronic drum pads he played for some time. An older preacher friend told me, "That boy needs a drum set". He asked us to research how much a new drum set would cost. He generously purchased a drum set for Matthew to play. At another time we had a full band which included, keyboard, bass, rhythm guitar, lead guitar along with drums. The group currently consists of Cindy and me. Cindy plays rhythm guitar and piano/keyboard and I play bass. We do invite others to join us from time to time, as well. 

As previously mentioned, we started out singing southern gospel music. We have also sung country gospel music as well as traditional gospel music. Currently we are more of a blend of country gospel and traditional gospel music stylistically. We love singing old hymns and old songs of the faith whose messages have stood the test of time. These songs are never out of date. 

Without a doubt, we sing primarily to senior citizens. Even the churches we sing at are primarily attended by seniors. We travel thousands of miles each year singing and sharing the gospel message through word and song. Each song is a sermon, in and of itself. 

We recently purchased a new keyboard for the ministry and will begin bringing back some keyboard playing in some of the places we go. Cindy will also continue using her guitar at many of the places we sing. 

God has blessed us through the years as we have traveled singing for His glory. We continue to sing to seniors in various settings, churches of various denominations and affiliations, fairs, festivals and any other events where gospel music is desired. We rarely turn down an opportunity to share the gospel through song. We believe God will continue to open doors for us as we are faithful to Him. 

Our goal is to encourage, exhort and edify God's people where ever they may be or however they may meet. 

If you are interested in scheduling New Jerusalem Singers to come and sing at your church, facility or event give Cindy a call at 217 652-0423 or email newjerusalemsingers@gmail.com and give us the information regarding your event and we will check out schedule and get back to you. Check out our website at newjerusalemsingers.org for additional information about NJS.

I will share another aspect of New Jerusalem Ministries in my next blog post. 

If you know of someone who may be interested in this post or interested in New Jerusalem Singers please feel free to share this blog post with them. Thank you. 

Until next time, 

Enjoy the journey!

Ray

rayspellbrink@gmail.com

Feel free to friend me on Facebook

www.facebook.com/rayspellbrink

A Couple of Changes

In my last blog I mentioned that some changes were on the horizon. I want to take a moment to share a couple of changes that have been made. 

One change we have made is I have shut down my personal website that I have had for many years. We have folded the things from my personal website into our ministry site at www.newjerusalemministries.net . I would encourage you to check out our ministry website. You will find the various ministries and things we are doing at the present time. You will also find some book recommendations (Good Reads) as well as some links that will not only encourage you but may very well challenge you, as well. I hope you will check it out. 

The second change we have made is we are cutting our travel. Please note, this does not include churches or church gatherings. We have sung for decades in retirement homes, supportive living facilities, and nursing homes. Some of our travel has taken us from Central Illinois to other parts of the state. While we are still traveling to some of these distant towns to sing in these facilities, we have cut back on the number of times per year we do this.  

It's not that we don't love doing this but through the years singing 20-25 times most months has taken its toll on us physically as well as vocally. These have not been easy decisions for us to make but we do feel they are necessary ones. These are not spur of the moment decisions but rather these are decisions we have talked about, thought about and most importantly prayed about.

We have found that as we are backing off some things that other doors are opening for us. We will continue singing and serving in whatever capacity God would have us to. Nothing has changed there. 

In upcoming blog posts I will share the various aspects of ministry and service we are involved in. The future is bright, and we remain excited for what God has in store for us. 

Until next time, 

Enjoy the journey!

Ray

rayspellbrink@gmail.com

Feel free to friend me on Facebook

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It's A New Season

Wow. It's been a long while since I made my last blog post. November 4, 2021 to be exact. It was my intent to resume blogging in January of 2022. Yet I did not do that. 

What happened, you may wonder?  In a nutshell it was due to health reasons as well as our schedule. Prior to that November, we were still in the COVID -19 Pandemic. Yet we carried a heavy schedule. In 2021 we sang 115 times, did 3 sings via Zoom, preached 14 times filling pulpits, conducted 2 church services at a supported living facility, sang with Cindy "Live from our Living Room" via Facebook Live 26 times, I taught a Fruit of the Spirit Series via Facebook Live that went 9 lessons, I taught a series on The Names & Character of God that went 14 lessons, I taught a series A Closer Walk With God that went 14 lessons, we jointly did a Bible Study via Zoom for a supportive living facility 19 times, we hosted a Zoom Bible Study 19 times, I blogged 44 times, did a vlog 3 times, did 40 podcasts, we did 12 variety shows, performed 4 baptisms and 1 funeral. Cindy and I did these things on top of the health issues we were dealing with. We remained busy in 2022 and added even more things in 2023. 

I didn't share all of this for accolades. Trust me we do not want, nor do we need them. We do what we do because we love to do it. However, at that time to be quite honest I was feeling overwhelmed. Something had to be put on the back burner for a while. 

Fast forward and here we are in January of 2024. Where did all the time go? We have taken some time to reevaluate the various things we are involved in. 

In the Bible, even Solomon (known as the wisest man to live) told us "To everything there is a season, and a time for to every purpose under the heaven". So, there are seasons for things. That is, some things run their course. They are a part of our lives for a season - for a time. After they have run their course or time and purpose then there comes a time to step back and reevaluate.

We are now in this phase. Some decisions have been made. Some changes are on the horizon. There is even a new ministry door that has opened for us to do some one-on-one ministry. 

One thing I felt strongly about was that I wanted to resume blogging. It is something I enjoy...even if no one reads these posts. I find that it is good for me. I hope to resume blogging once a week but if not, it will be every other week. 

We also feel at this stage in our lives we need to slow down on some things. Take time to smell the roses, so to speak. Slowing down and taking time for self could very well improve quality and longevity of life. 

There is always a need and there is much to do. We would love to see others catch the vision and get involved in serving. If you have a desire to serve let me know. Contact me and we can arrange to get together and share some opportunities that are open right now. 

As our season is ending in some things perhaps your season is about to begin. Serve strong. Serve well. The harvest is ready. Just need laborers. Will you be a laborer for Jesus?

Until next time, 

Enjoy the journey!

Ray

rayspellbrink@gmail.com

Feel free to friend me on Facebook

Don’t Look Down Your Nose At Others

Far too many people have preconceived notions of what a Christian is. They even have ideas in their minds of what a Christian should look like. Some will even take Scripture out of context and tell you what you should or should not wear. In all honesty it gets pretty ridiculous. No wonder many people want no part in what passes as “church” these days. 

We look at how a person looks in regard to their outward appearance. God looks at the heart of the person. People can dress the part. They can look holy yet be far from it on the inside - where it matters. 

I have had people say to me, “You don’t look like a preacher.” I then usually ask them, “What does a preacher look like?” That tends to throw them off guard. If they do respond, it generally has something to do with the outward appearance such as me not wearing a suit and tie. Not wearing a suit and tie is becoming more of a norm these days. For the record, I had a wide array of suits I used to wear. However, my jacket would be off before the service began and my tie would be, at the very least, undone or even off as the service progressed. I deem it to be just man-made expectations. I currently only own one suit. I call it my combination wedding/funeral suit.

Certainly we should be modest in regard to what we wear. After all we are ambassadors of God representing heaven. The Bible teaches modesty. Let me also say here if you dress up because you want to that is fine. I have no problem with that so long as you don’t think you are better than others who do not dress up.

 

Oftentimes these people who hold to these man-made rules or traditions look down their noses at those who don’t meet or measure up to their standards. 

I have no reason to look down my nose at anyone. I am but a sinner saved by God’s amazing grace. I’m thankful for Jesus’ redemptive work at Calvary. 

I pray this particular blog post gives you something to think about and consider.

Until next time...enjoy the journey,

Ray

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Life Is Only Found In Jesus

People, today, are searching. They are searching for something that is true and genuine. They are searching in many different places and through many different means.

Many are searching for truth. They are searching in books, religious teachings even in institutional church services. Oftentimes they look to the Bible as a text book to find truth instead of looking to the One who is truth.

John 14:6 CSB

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

We must keep the Main Thing the main thing. While there is nothing inherently wrong with authors who write about Jesus, books written about Jesus, speakers who speak about Jesus and Bibles that point you to Jesus we must keep in mind these things are not Jesus. 

There is but one Jesus and He is the Living Word. 

John 1:1-2 CSB

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning.

John 1:14 CSB

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

As I have said often in my blog it comes down us having a relationship with the Living Word - Jesus. Relationships take work. Communication is a huge key to all successful relationships. We speak to Him in prayer and He speaks to us through the Bible as well as by way of the Holy Spirit who indwells believers.

Of all the relationships we cultivate none is more important than our relationship with Jesus. As important as our relationships are with our spouse, children, extended family and even friends there is no relationship more important than the relationship between us and Jesus. 

Jesus loves us unconditionally. He laid down His life for us. That’s love! The very least we can do is live for Him. 

It’s all about Jesus!

Until next time...enjoy the journey,

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

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It’s All About What You Are Made Of

Have you ever asked someone how they are doing and they respond, “I’m doing okay under the circumstances”. “Circumstances is defined as “facts or conditions connected with or relevant to an event or action”.

I believe character and integrity is extremely important. I also believe our faith and trust in God is vital to the believer. 

Let’s face it, we all face challenges on our journey through life. How we respond to these challenges - whether they be trials, valleys, heartaches, tempatations or whatever else it may be - will be determined by our character and integrity. The means we use in responding to these things is our faith and trust in God.  

You may very well encounter some things on your journey that will soften your heart to a particular situation or person. On the other hand you may encounter some things that harden you or toughen you up. It’s ironic, as the above saying tells us, the same things that soften us can also toughen us. Both are needful in the life of every believer. 

I encourage you to look for the lessons God has for you when you are facing things you’d rather not face in your life. Don’t throw yourself a pity party and become so eager to get out of the tough times that you overlook and miss the lesson.

Keep your chin up and your focus on Jesus.

Until next time...enjoy the journey,

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

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Messed Up People

Have you ever crossed paths with someone professing to be a Christian who thinks they are better than others? Yeah, me too.

They don’t want to be bothered with “messed up” people. They are “religious” people who often look down their noses at these “messed up” people. They tend to only want to be around people much like themselves.  

It makes you wonder what Jesus would say about this behavior. Well, actually, we do not have to wonder. Jesus took on this subject head on.

There is a great analogy of this found in a New Testament parable Jesus shared.

Luke 10:25-37 CSB

[25] Then an expert in the law stood up to test him, saying, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" [26] "What is written in the law?" he asked him. "How do you read it?" [27] He answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind," and "your neighbor as yourself." [28] "You've answered correctly," he told him. "Do this and you will live." [29] But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" [30] Jesus took up the question and said, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead. [31] A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. [32] In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. [34] He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him. When I come back I'll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.' [36] "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" [37] "The one who showed mercy to him," he said. Then Jesus told him, "Go and do the same."

Here we see Jesus illustrates this quite simply. The religious leaders crossed over to the other side of the street to avoid having to deal with a “messed up” person. They didn’t want to take the time or put forth the effort to deal with this messy situation. In essence, they did not want to get involved. 

It was the Samaritan who had compassion and stopped to help the distressed man. Keep in mind Samaritans we’re considered “half-breeds” and were looked down upon by the Jews of the day. Yet it was the Samaritan who seen a need, stopped to help plus payed what was considered two months wages to the innkeeper. Upon his departure he told the innkeeper to take care of the man and he would settle up any other expenses when he came back through  

How about us? Do we take time for “messed up” people? If our paths crossed someone in need will we stop and tend to them? Will love them and be Jesus to them? It brings to mind a chorus to a song:

Oh to be His hand extended

Reaching out to the oppressed

Let me touch Him, Let me touch Jesus

So that others may know and be blessed 

  

Until next time...enjoy the journey,

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

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Leave The Drama Behind

 We live in a day of division.  Bitterness and anger run rampant among friends, families, co-workers, churches and even countries. We are certainly seeing more than our share of it in the USA. I have never seen a more divided time than what we are experiencing today. It’s heartbreaking and sad to see what is going on and how this division is impacting all those involved.

People and people groups get their feelings hurt far too easily these days. Political correctness is running amuck. It’s crazy! Everywhere you look there is drama. Sometimes it even turns dangerous and deadly.

I do agree with the above. I have never been one to like drama. I don’t like it in families, work places, churches or my country. Frankly, I don’t see the point. I am aware of the old adage, “The squeaky wheel gets the greased”. Many start drama and carry on until they get their way. How sad. What a miserable life they must have.

I learned a long time ago to walk away from drama and the people who start it. I still love and care about these people but I want no part of the lifestyle of drama they have chosen for themselves. 

I choose, rather, to be around people who are a positive influence. People who bring a smile to my face. People who make me laugh. People who are there to lean on when times are tough. You know, people you enjoy being around.

As for the drama queens, I will certainly pray for them that they, too, will be free from their self imposed bondage. If you are one of them, come and walk with me - away from the drama. Life is, indeed, too short to be anything less than happy. 

Until next time...enjoy the journey,

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

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Modern Religion Vs The True Gospel

There is much emphasis on numbers these days. This is especially true in churches. Actually, it has been this way in institutional churches for as long as I can remember. It’s all about the numbers. If a group of pastors gather at a meeting or conference it’s going to come up in conversation in short order. “How large is your church?” Or “How many do you have in your church?” I’ve been asked this question every time I attended a pastor’s meeting. 

We like to say numbers are important to the extent that each number represents a soul who will spend eternity in heaven or hell. I agree wholeheartedly with this statement. However, I do not believe I was asked this question, at least in most cases, for such a noble reason. My observation was more along the lines of importance and ego. The more people a particular pastor has in his church the more important he is and the greater his ego. The fewer people you have the less important you are to the work of God.  

I like what AW Tozer said here. I believe he hit the nail on the head. Today’s modern religion has been brought down to mere numbers. Oftentimes in order to get the big numbers it entails a watered-down version of the gospel, worldly music and antics and celebrities. By compromising they can fill a building. 

Preaching and teaching the true gospel to receptive hearts will fill people with God. This is substance for tough times. This will give them victory. This enables them to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. This looks different than the “big worldly churches” that so many flock to. 

I so enjoy the free expression of God’s church in whatever shape or form it takes and wherever it happens. Remember, WE are the church. When we gather, wonderful things happen. It matters not if you gather in a dedicated building, a park, a restaurant, someone’s home or backyard. It’s also important each person gathering has the opportunity to have input should they so desire and be moved by the Holy Spirit to do so. 

I believe, without a doubt, God’s church is an “outside the box” group of believers who love God and love one another. This group of believers desire more of God and to grow in His grace. This group of believers has the true gospel that emphasizes filling others with God. 

Don’t be fooled by modern religion. Don’t become complacent by the modern gospel. Rather, let’s make Jesus the center of all we do. Let’s give Him place to work on us and through us. Let’s put forth the true gospel and see others filled with God. Let’s do it for the glory of God. 

Until next time...enjoy the journey,

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

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Running People Away From Church

I wonder how many times people attending an institutional church are made to feel unwelcome? Maybe they don’t know all the man-made rules and regulations. Perhaps they say something that’s wrong but they are unaware of it. Maybe it’s the way they dress. They don’t measure up to others’ expectations. 

How many times have you had someone look down their nose at you? I’ve been on the receiving end of this. I had not been saved too long. I was a product of the church bus ministry. I didn’t look right, act right or even smell right. I won’t even mention how I dressed in those days. I grew up poor. We didn’t even have a car. Many saw nothing worthwhile in me. To some I was just a nuisance. Thank God I didn’t allow people to deter me. My faith and hope was in Jesus.

I could have given up. I could have said, why bother? There are many others in institutional churches all over who can relate to me. There are those who have experienced the same things I have - or even worse - where they worship.

“Church folk” are notorious for running people off from church. This is a sad truth. If they don’t repent of this they will have to give account for each person they ran off. 

Another sad truth is some find far more camaraderie and fellowship from the world than they do the church. The world can be far more forgiving than the institutional church with its legalistic ways. 

Sure it would have been good if the man in the above story had turned his phone down before the service began. It was an accident. He simply forgot. He even felt bad about it. Plus the people “beating him up” over it. Was that really called for? I’ve been in church services where phones have gone off. The attitudes of those in that so-called group of church people chased this man away and right into the accepting arms of the world. 

Take a moment to read the “Lesson” again in the story above. Don’t let this be said about you. I pray it is never said about me. 

Until next time...enjoy the journey,

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

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Six Reasons Why You Should Trust God

 

We often have difficulty trusting God. Sometimes we can trust Him for the little things. We say we trust Him for the things we control in our lives. It’s like we do things that are within our wherewithal and then give God credit for them. Here’s a news flash - God doesn’t need us to “fix” things for Him so He can have the credit. He doesn’t need us to make Him look good.

He simply wants us to trust Him. All we need to do is trust Him! And before you ask, yes it really is that simple. To prove this point let’s go over these “Six Reasons Why You Should Trust God”.

First, God knows you by name. How cool is that? The King of the universe - the God who created all there is knows you by name!   

Isaiah 43:1 CSB

Now this is what the LORD says- the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel- "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.

Second, God will fight for you. He doesn’t leave you to struggle on your own. He will fight for you if only we learn to let him. That includes keeping quiet at times. 

Exodus 14:14 CSB

The LORD will fight for you, and you must be quiet."

Third, God thinks about you often. He knows where you are. He understands what you are going through.

Psalm 139:17 CSB  

God, how precious your thoughts are to me; how vast their sum is!

Fourth, God has plans for you. I have said for years that God has a plan for each of us whether we are young, old or anywhere in between. Sometimes it’s hard for us to see and understand how God can and will use us. However, rest assured, God has a plan for you - and His plans are good. In fact, they’re the best!

Jeremiah 29:11 CSB 

For I know the plans I have for you"- this is the LORD's declaration - "plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Fifth, God is your refuge - your shelter in the time of storm. The storms of life will definitely come. Even as a Christian you will face these storms. But like the old hymn says, “The Lord’s our Rock in Him we hide, a Shelter in the time of storm”. As a believer, you have assurance God is there for us no matter what comes our way.

Psalm 62:6-8 CSB

[6] He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. [7] My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. [8] Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge. Selah

Sixth, Jesus is always with you. Once you believe on Jesus He has promised to be with you until the end of the age. I’d say that’s a pretty good promise from a reliable source - Jesus, Himself. What more could a believer ask for?

Matthew 28:20 CSB

…And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Now take and reread these reasons why you should trust God. Become familiar with these Bible passages. They will come in handy in the future. Feel free to come back and reread this blog post during those trying and challenging times you face in your life. Learn to trust God more each and every day. Doing so will change your life forever.

Until next time...enjoy the journey,

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

Check out my website at www.rayspellbrink.com

God Uses Broken Things

 

In this world, broken things are despised and thrown out. Anything we no longer need or want we simply throw away. Damaged goods are rejected, and that often includes people. The world is full of people with broken hearts, broken spirits and broken relationships. 

Who among us hasn’t felt broken in some area of life at times? The Bible has some things to say about brokenness.

Psalm 34:18 CSB

The LORD is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit.

God keeps Himself accessible to the broken-hearted and is always on hand to rescue the crushed in spirit. There is something about reaching a breaking point that causes us to seek God more sincerely.

King David was once a broken man, and he prayed:

God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me…The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God (Psalm 51:10,17 CSB).

The Believers Bible Commentary puts David’s thoughts from these two verses this way, “Looking back, I realize that the trouble all started in my mind. My thought-life was polluted. I entertained evil thoughts until at last I committed the sins. So now I ask that You create in me a clean mind. I know that if the fountain is clean, the stream flowing from it will be clean as well. Yes, Lord, renew my entire inner self so it will be steadfast in guarding against future outbreaks of sin. I come to You with a broken heart - that is the sacrifice You require. You will not despise this shattered and contrite heart that I bring to You.”

There are some things in our lives that need to be broken. Things such as pride, self-will, stubbornness, attitudes and sinful habits, for example, all need to be broken and removed from our lives. When we are broken, God responds accordingly.

Isaiah 57:15 CSB

For the High and Exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this: "I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed.

The God who dwells in the high and holy place also dwells in the humble and contrite heart. When we humble our hearts to God in genuine brokenness He hears us. He revives us and brings us back to a useful place in Him.

It’s wonderful to know that God has a history of using broken things as well as broken people. If, like me, you feel there are times in your life you feel broken for one reason or another - have hope. You are never too broken where God can’t find all the pieces and put you back together. You are something special in the eyes, mind and plan of God. He specializes in taking the broken and making something beautiful.

Until next time...enjoy the journey,

Ray

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Joy Suckers - People

 

There are people in this life who will cross your path that will suck the very life out of you if given the chance. They can suck the joy right out of you by their words, attitudes and deeds. These people, in general, are not happy people. They lack the joy of the Lord in their lives.

Nehemiah said, “...Do not grieve, because the joy of the LORD is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10 CSB). We know there is nothing quite like having the joy of the Lord in our lives. It’s powerful. There is great strength in the joy of the Lord  

I first heard the term “Joy-Sucker” at a pastors’ meeting in St. Louis over 20 years ago. The proverbial light bulb popped on as the speaker began to talk about people who are joy-suckers. It really resonated with me. I had been dealing with people like this. The challenge was very real.

Let’s look a little closer at what a joy-sucker is. They are people in life who have opinions about everything - negative opinions, that is. These people will tell you why it can’t be done and generally suck the joy out of every endeavor you set you hand to do. They squash dreams, plant doubt and make us want to run in the opposite direction as fast as we can.

Dealing with joy-suckers can certainly be challenging. This is especially true if it is a friend or family member. I pretty much dismiss the joy-suckers I encounter on social media. It seems social media is a breeding ground for them. 

Don’t be an enabler! Don’t give someone the wherewithal to suck the joy and life out of you. Life is too short to walk this path. You control this. Don’t allow it to be done to you. This may entail having some serious conversations with the joy-suckers in your life. It could even come down to severing these toxic relationships in your life.   

I believe it is equally important that we search inward to see if we have become a joy-sucker. No one needs a joy sucker in their life. I have determined I don’t want to be a joy-sucker myself. I desire to have the joy of the Lord in my life. I want to be an encourager to others. Not a joy-sucker. 

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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Mother’s Are Special

 

Mothers are special. If there was ever a people group that deserved special recognition along with their own holiday it is mothers.

Have you ever wondered about the origins of Mother’s Day as we recognize and celebrate it here in the United States?

Mother’s Day is a holiday in honor of mothers that is celebrated in our time throughout the world. In its modern form the holiday originated in the United States, where it is observed on the second Sunday in May. Many other countries also celebrate the holiday at this time, while some mark the observance at other times of the year. 

“All that I am or hope to be , I owe to my Angel mother.”

- Abraham Lincoln 

Anna  Jarvis of Philadelphia, whose mother had organized women’s groups to promote friendship and health, originated Mother’s Day. On May 12, 1907, she held a memorial service at her late mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia. Within five years virtually every state was observing the day. In 1914 U.S. President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day a national holiday. Although Jarvis had promoted the wearing of a white carnation as tribute to one’s mother, the custom developed of wearing a red or pink carnation to represent a living mother or a white carnation for a mother who was deceased. Over time the day was expanded to include others, such as grandmothers and aunts who played mothering roles. What had originally been primarily a day of honor became associated with the sending of cards and the giving of gifts. In protest against its commercialization, Jarvis spent the last years of her life trying to abolish the holiday she had brought into being. 

Mother’s Day Fact - More phone calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year. These holiday chats with mom often cause phone traffic to spike by as much as 37 percent. 

 

If your mother is still alive you are blessed. When is the last time you had a chat with your mother? How long has it been since you spent some time with her one on one time together with her?

“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in it’s path.”

- Agatha Christie 

I encourage you, today, to put forth that effort to let your mother know she matters and she is important to you. Pick up the phone and call her. Better yet, why not take her out and spend some quality time with her over a meal or even soft drinks? It’s not so much what you do. It’s about taking the time to be with her and letting you know you love and appreciate her.

Yes, mothers are special. Don’t wait until she’s gone to let your mother know how much she means to you.  

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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Why So Many Denominations?

We Are living in unprecedented times. The division. The hostility. Apathy is running rampant. Times are challenging. 

This is true not only in the country but in the church, as well. In reality there has been division in the church world as long as I can recall. Even Paul spoke of division in the church when writing to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 1:10-14,16-17 CSB

[10] Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. [11] For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by members of Chloe's people, that there is rivalry among you. [12] What I am saying is this: One of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." [13] Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul's name? [14] I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, [16] I did, in fact, baptize the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't recall if I baptized anyone else. [17] For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.

Division is the reason we have so many denominations. We have denominations that splinter off and form new denominations. This happens for a variety of reasons. Some valid and some not so much. 

Dr. Todd M. Johnson, Professor of Global Christianity and Mission at Cornwall Theological Seminary, observed several things regarding the institutional church world. “We estimate that Christians are now found in nearly 45,000 denominations.” Think about that - 45,000! These range in size from millions of members to fewer than 100 members and are listed for each of the world’s countries.

Why so many denominations? Throughout the history of Christianity, followers of Christ have struggled to express solidarity and unity. Jesus’ prayer in John 17 was an indication that divisions just might be a problem in the budding Christian community.

While multiple expressions of Christianity have existed from the earliest days of the church, the most serious disagreements resulted in splits that propelled different traditions of Christianity in various directions. 

The earliest splits occurred over culture, doctrine, and theology. Later splits seemed to be based in the idea that each Christian should decide for themselves what “church” should look like. 

A story of a man stranded on a deserted island illustrates one of the issues. After many years, a ship sails close by the island and the man is rescued. The ship’s captain comes ashore, notices three huts that the man built, and asks, “Tell me about these huts.” The man replies, “The first hut is my home, and the second hut is my church.” The captain asks, “What is the third hut?” The man replies, “Oh, that is where I used to go to church.”

We have such a skewed view of what “church” truly is these days. Many want to be the “one in charge” or “the big shot”. They have the attitude “If I can’t get my way or if things don’t go my way I’m leaving. I’ll find someplace else to go. I might even start my own church and do my own thing.”

Whatever happened to church and Christianity being all about Jesus? Our relationship with Jesus is what matters. We need to keep our focus on Jesus. Life would be so much better if we would do this. 

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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