March Newsletter 2018

Blessed are the Pure in Heart

I continue on my teaching from the Beatitudes. Matthew 5:8 says,'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God".

Purity: Not contaminated, cleansed. Freedom from defilement and divided affections. Sincerity, genuiness, singleness of heart.

The heart is not just the center of my emotions, the source of my feelings and sentiments, the central organ of my body somehow occupied by God. It is the citadel of a persons will, where ultimate decisions are made as to what one shall be, where one shall go, what one will do. Choices made with our mind or emotions can easily be cancelled by our will. To be pure of heart does not simply refer to doing the right things, but doing the right things for the right reasons. God wants us to be authentic to the core. God help us to not be like the Pharisees, who were phony. They were big on rules, but little on Godliness. They were big on externals, but little on internals. They were big on appearance, but little on reality. God does not want a show, He wants our hearts! We might fall short at times, but if our desires are right, then we will not allow ourselves to become contaminated with wrong motives and the wearing of masks. We will be the real people God wants us to be.

We shall see God!! We see Him in our daily life. We see how he helps us and protects us. We see God in others, looking for the best in them. We see God in the person of Christ. He is not just an historical character, but the one who saved us and keeps us. We see God in His Word, words that are Spirit and Life. The scripture says we become like him as we behold him. II Corinthians 3:18 says, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord".

Easter is April 1. He is Risen. I trust that all of you will celebrate the Savior who is alive and lives in us. My sermon this month, "Obtaining the Life", is available for you. It is a word that the Lord wants us to receive and enjoy the abundant life that has been provided for us. Here is the link.
https://www.ronaldgrayministries.org/sermondownload.html

Mission News

The mission trip to the Philippines and Cambodia was wonderful. We had three pastors conferences on three different islands in the Philippines. Over 300 pastors were touched as Pastor Dwayne Higgason and myself taught. We had two services in the evening geared to youth. God met us each time. Pastor Joemarie Sulmaca coordinated these events and did a wonderful job.

We had testimonies of pastors who were ready to quit, but felt the Lord give them renewed strength to keep going. One young lady brought us an envelope with an offering and asked us to pray for her family. I was humbled again to realize the opportunities God has given us to touch nations and the people in them. We ministered at four churches on Sunday morning, before we flew to Manila and then to Cambodia. We had to take a boat to one island and immediately went to the pastors conference and began teaching. No time to rest.

The time in Cambodia was filled teaching self defense classes to the staff at Hard Places Community. It was somewhat overwhelming to hear stories from the staff of being beat up, not once, but several times, as they go into the dark places to rescue children from the terrible life of human trafficking. It is difficult for most of us to imagine the darkness these heroes go into on a daily basis. You can go online at www.iom-online.com to read about and find out those missionaries who serve in this needed mission.
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Please remember the planned trip to Italy in July to help Missionary Samuel Kigo renovate a building to use for ministry purposes. I need to hear from about five skilled men who would help in this mission.

Serving those who serve Jesus around the world.
www.iom-online.com

Michael McCarty and I travel to Cuba April 4-10. Michael is the Director of International Outreach Ministries and a great friend. We have spent many hours together in planes, trains, tuk-tuks and various forms of travel. We will be teaching from the Covenant and the Kingdom and also teaching a day from my book. We will be sharing with many pastors and leaders. Please pray for this time of ministry. Originally we were scheduled to go to China, but we needed to change our plans to go later in the year. This opened the door for this visit to Cuba. I will be going back in May to share again. The doors are open and we are going in. Praise the Lord!

Upcoming Schedule

April 4-10: Mission trip to Cuba
April 22: Grace Temple, Hattiesburg, MS
April 29: Servants Hearts and Hands Ministry, Front Royal, VA
May 6: Bethel Church, Orangeburg, SC
May 8-10: CSM Conference, Gatlinburg, TN
May 18-20: Men's Conference, Poland
May26-31: Mission Trip to Cuba
June 4-15: Mission Construction trip to Kitale, Kenya
July 23-30: Mission Team from Georgetown Assembly, Wilmer, AL to Cuba

Ronald's Remarks

I was recently talking to a friend about transitions. Some transitions are easy and things we desire. Others not so much. We ask the Lord to direct our steps and then, He takes us somewhere we were not planning to go. There are always things changing in our lives. We grow in spirit and also in age. I know I have places that occasional hurt in my body, that I did not even know existed. :) The fact is, that to grow into what the Lord wants us to be and do means that we have to transition. Transition may involve moving to a different location or sometimes the change comes to us. Either way we need to operate with a spirit of grace and mercy, and pray that we will find the perfect will of God in our lives.

Now is the time and You are the one who can make a difference. You can partner with us to reach out to the people around the world. We can't change everyone, but we can make a difference in at least one life. Who knows how many that person will touch?

Ronald, I want to partner with you to Reach the Nations. Here is my pledge of support. You can be a partner in the Harvest with any monthly support. Your financial support is a blessing to many.

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Reaching Nations - Changing Lives

Ronald

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