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There is a Price For Freedom, Peace & Rest

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

6 days ago
2 min

There is a Price For Freedom, Peace & Rest

Genesis ends with an abrupt halt. The Israelites were in Egypt. The promise for Abraham's seed had been re-emphasized for four generations. Now they are stuck. As Exodus begins there is a new hope. Moses emerges to lead them out of Egypt into the promised land. The Law is given to the people (Leviticus) and they are headed into the Promised Land! But... then we see in Numbers that this hope was cut short. The spies gave a bad report. Aaron dies. Moses is refused entrance into

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God Rewards Those Who Diligently Seek Him

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Aug 1
3 min

God Rewards Those Who Diligently Seek Him

Why do you serve the Lord? I believe that our desire should be to seek the presence of God and glorify His holy name in all things. Would you agree? But, why do we do it? What is our motivation? I am reminded of that popular passage that tells us when we seek God, He rewards us (Hebrews 11:6). Think on this: (1) He promises to give new strength, energy, and life to those who seek Him. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mo

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Somebody Needs An Attitude Adjustment

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jul 25
2 min

Somebody Needs An Attitude Adjustment

My parents used to threaten me with an "attitude adjustment." Have you ever gotten one of those? Have you ever felt like you needed an attitude adjustment? Philippians 2:14 says to “do everything without complaining and arguing so that you may become blameless and pure.” Paul reveals that one of the keys to having a joyful life is starting with the right attitude. You can approach a task with enthusiasm or frustration. It’s all up to you. Our attitude doesn't change the task

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What’s Up With Millennial Christians?

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jul 21
3 min

What’s Up With Millennial Christians?

**This blog was published in the Magnolia Messenger.** www.magnoliamessengermag.com It’s a common joke among older people: “What’s up with these millennials?” We’ve always had generational conflicts in the church, but it seems to me that contentions are increasing in this current age. Maybe I’m just sensitive to this issue after 25+ working with young church leaders, but I recognize that tensions are unusually high. So, I did a little reconnaissance. During the month of Janu

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Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jul 11
3 min

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

Do you judge a book by its cover? I've been guilty before. Time and time again, even though I know its foolish, I have purchased a book or magazine because of the picture or the title of the book. It is nothing more than clever and strategic marketing. Imagine what would happen if people judged the Bible simply by the cover. If you take a look at my study Bible it is worn, the spine is broken, the pages are torn and the concordance in the back is ripped free from the cover

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Freedom Over Socialism

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jul 4
14 min

Freedom Over Socialism

Happy 4th of July! I hope you are planning to enjoy this holiday. I've always loved Independence Day. Grilling hot dogs and burgers outside. Ice cold coke cans out of cooler. Watermelon sliced on the picnic table. Fireworks. And, an opportunity to think about freedom. In America, we really need to pause this year and think about this freedom we enjoy. How we received it. How we can keep it. Those who have suffered, bled, and died for this freedom. I usually remain relatively

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God Keeps His Promises

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jul 3
2 min

God Keeps His Promises

Earlier this week I did an online devotional on II Peter 3:9 which says, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." I noted that God made promises to Adam & Eve, Noah's family, and eventually to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That's what He does. He makes promises and keeps them. One could look no further than the rainbow in the cloud to see the

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Be Careful on Social Media

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jun 29
2 min

Be Careful on Social Media

The apostle Paul must have had supernatural knowledge of the internet and social media. I love how he says things like... "Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character" (I Corinthians 13:35) and "let no corrupt communication come out of your mouth" (Ephesians 4:29). I also love how he says, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17). Social media is a necessary evil. We n

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Roe vs. Wade is Overturned: What's Next?

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jun 27
2 min

Roe vs. Wade is Overturned: What's Next?

This blog is from the Summerdale Church of Christ blog page and posted with permission (www.summerdalechurch.org). Nearly 50 years ago the Justice system of our country decided that human life was regulated to life outside the womb. It elevated the life of the mother over the life of the child. Clearly the Bible teaches differently (Genesis 2:7, Exodus 21:22-25, Leviticus 17:14). Today our newsfeeds are flooded with highlights of the Supreme Court’s decision. It has also prov

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The God Above All Others

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jun 20
3 min

The God Above All Others

God makes a promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). That promise is passed on to Isaac, then Jacob, and eventually through the line of Judah. The Israelites didn't know much about God, but they knew He was above all others. The New Testament echoes the same timeless truth. There is one God who is above all others and the Father of all people n the earth. The promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was one of an inheritance. However, I've always wondered why God would promise Is

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Age Is Just A Number

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jun 19
1 min

Age Is Just A Number

I wrote a poem for my dad this year on his birthday (1/24/22). His bday card had a rough draft, but this is the final work. I wasn't going to post it online because my poetry is very personal. Poetry often shows a depth and raw nature filled with emotion. However, this one is light and encouraging. Enjoy! They say age is just a number, as precious time ticks slowly by. I'd like to slow the clock, but it moves ahead no matter what I try. So instead of worrying about my days a

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Is God Out To Get You?

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jun 13
2 min

Is God Out To Get You?

Do you picture God gavel in hand? Behind His giant throne? Condemning you for everything you do that is wrong? With lightening bolts in His hands? Just waiting to catch you when you slip up? Is God out to get you? Let me help to settle those anxious thoughts. That's not the image the Bible paints as the True & Living God. God does judge us but He’s not against us (Romans 8:31). His judgment is always fair and full of mercy. God is NOT out to punish us. In fact, He places op

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The Wooden Bowl

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jun 6
3 min

The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. We must do something about Gran

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Don’t Worry, It Gets Better

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

May 20
2 min

Don’t Worry, It Gets Better

Life is tough. The roads are rough. There are mountains, deserts and valleys. We get knocked down. We don’t want to get up. Then when we do get up… we get knocked down again. Praying for deliverance seems to fall on deaf ears. We get anxious or depressed trying to find a silver lining. I have often had people tell me it gets better. Honestly, I am confident that things don't always get better. Things don't always work out. People don't always choose to be rational and civil.

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Death: Our Graduation Day

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

May 13
2 min

Death: Our Graduation Day

I wrote this poem to be read at my Grandfather's funeral. He always spoke of death as a Graduation Day. I wanted to honor him at the service. Today we celebrate Jim Green’s Graduation Day. We realize that he has gone to see the Father. He only joins us here in spirit today. He would want us to know that he is somewhere greater. Today we celebrate Jim Green’s Graduation Day. We’ll miss his kind words and prayers during his life. We’ll miss his bass voice at church on Sunday. A

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Mother’s Day Reflections

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

May 8
11 min

Mother’s Day Reflections

It may seem like just a picture. A mom hugging her two little boys. All smiles. Picture perfect. Probably taken right after church on a Sunday morning. Pure joy and happiness. I look deeper. Longer. Because I see something else. I see the calm before the storm. I see a woman who was about to experience the ugly side of Lupus. I see a woman who would have decades of pain, pills and procedures. Chemo. Radiation. Therapy. A year in the hospital. Dozens and dozens of doctors. Her

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Godly Leaders: The Prophet

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Apr 18
3 min

Godly Leaders: The Prophet

Elijah is one of the great leaders of the Bible. There is no question that His leadership was respected for many generations. His position in history is one of extreme significance. But what made him a great leader? (1) Elijah Was Dedicated To God - The great mount Carmel event is one of the greatest in Israel’s history. At that time Ahab was the king of Israel (I Kings 16:29-34). He was married to Jezebel, arguably the most wicked woman to date. Jezebel allowed 850 prop

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Godly Leaders: The King

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Apr 11
3 min

Godly Leaders: The King

David is one of the great leaders of the Bible. There is no question that His leadership was respected for many generations. His position in history is one of extreme significance. But what made him a great leader? (1) David Knew The Need For Revival - I hope you remember the story in II Samuel 12. It is one of the saddest occasions in David’s life and in the history of God’s people. David was the king of Israel and had just succeeded king Saul, a vicious and unruly man.

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A New Life & A Fresh Start

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Apr 6
2 min

A New Life & A Fresh Start

Do you want a fresh start? A clean slate? What if I told you… Anyone can have a fresh start in Christ Jesus! No matter what you've done, no matter where you've been, no matter how far you have fallen, you can come back again! II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Romans 8:1 provides great hope when it confirms there is “no condemnation” in Christ Jesus. You can ha

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Godly Leaders: The Lawgiver

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Apr 4
3 min

Godly Leaders: The Lawgiver

Moses is one of the great leaders of the Bible. There is no question that His leadership was respected for many generations. His position in history is one of extreme significance. But what made him a great leader? (1) Moses Prayed For The People - There are three prayers of intercession by Moses in the book of Exodus (Exodus 32:11-14, 32:30-35, 33:12-17). In each of these occasions God gave Moses what he requested. Moses knew that if revival was to come he would have

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