Ray and Carol Keen

06/01/2026

“Adversity No More” - ‘There’s a great deal of adversity in our country in this day and time. Political division, cultural division, racial division, hatred and anger division. We see it in the news. We witness first hand in our society. Road rage. Violence. Cruelty. Assaults. Thefts. Disrespect for law and order. It’s everywhere and it’s almost non-stop. Concerned people are worried about the future of this country, and well they should be. This should be a matter of great prayer for all of us. We need God on our side. We need all this division to stop. But on a more personal note, if you’re facing adversity in your life right now you may be finding it difficult to be at peace. There’s family diversity, with all of its angst and heartbreak. Taking sides becomes the norm, and these people like those people but those people don’t like the others and families split apart for years. You know it’s true.

In times of adversity, peace is just what we need. It sure is. If you love God, you know you have a promise, that "All things work together for good to them that love God." Romans 8:28. It may not seem that it’s working for us in our lives but if we maintain our faith we will see his hand of mercy at work and we’ll know he’s still in charge and will take care of things for us. Our Lord can make it well with your soul even when it’s not well all around you. Don't look at the now with all it’s troubles; wait for the later, when Jesus shows up and takes over! Isaiah 59:19. It's not what it is; it's what it’s going to be. As he told his disciples, so it applies to us today: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you," John 14:27.

It’s his peace; a peace like no other, and it can envelope your very soul and bear you through whatever you may be facing right now. Not peace like the world has; His peace, which "passes all understanding.” Philippians 4:7. Peace in the face of adversity is just what the Great Physician ordered! Hearts can and will be soothed, by his presence. What seemed to be impossible will be made possible and adversity will fade from view. It’s as simple as this: "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27. Stand your ground. Don't back down. Your time of peace is waiting for you. Rush to the Savior's waiting arms and adversity will be no more! Do it, now!' – God bless you and keep you. – In the love of our Lord, Rev. Ray and Carol, 6/1/2026.

06/01/2026

05/30/2026

A Good Quote!

05/29/2026

Today's Song!

05/29/2026

“First In Line” - ‘When the Lord enters into our hearts and lives, he places a calling on us to do as he wills in our lives. God doesn't save people so they can be 'bench-warmers.’ None of us are called to sit on the 'seat of do-nothing.' I assure you, we're to come into agreement with this simple fact; we can do all things, my friends. All things! "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. Again we read, "With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26. So let's get this straight: We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and with God all things are possible. If that’s the case, and I’m sure it is, we shouldn't shirk anything that God wants because we'll always succeed if we're where we should be in him!

No matter what difficulties we might face along the way, the Lord is there always, and he will always bear us up above the situation so we can live our lives effectively despite the difficulties that arise. "God Himself has said, "I will never leave you; I will never forsake you," Hebrews 13:5. If God said it, we need to believe it and never doubt or question it but follow his leading! He'll always be there for us, and he'll always bear us up. Up above the difficulties. Up above the problems. Up above the frustrations. Up above anything we might face. Don't become discouraged and don't home in on the feeling that you're all alone and it's all up to you. The Lord will help you.

He's a constant companion, our Lord. “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20. Not just for a minute or two. Not just for a day or two. Not just for a week or two. Not just for a month of two. Not just for a year or two, but always! Right now, tomorrow and on into the future and even beyond this life, he’s with us and near us and loves us! Talk to him. You can gain great comfort and assurance from that. Speak to the Lord plainly about your feelings and he'll renew your vigor, increase your stamina and encourage you in one and the same instant to press on! We understand he’s there and always has been there, as the song says, ‘He was there all the time, He was there all the time, Waiting patiently in line, He was there all the time.’ Anytime, any place, all the time, he’s always there and waiting only for us to place him first in line. Do it, today!’ – God bless you and keep you. – In the love of our Lord, Rev. Ray and Carol, 5/29/2026.

05/28/2026

Today's Quote!

05/28/2026

“The Hands Of The Lord” - ‘It does no one any good whatsoever to angrily hold things against others in our hearts. We will at times hurt one another, whether intentionally or not. Stuff happens, doesn't it, but learning to be forgiving towards one another is the key to our own forgiveness. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive others, and God will forgive you." Luke 6:37. The verse says don’t judge others and you won't be judged! It says don’t condemn and you won't be condemned! Again it says forgive others and God will forgive you! It's true that we can hold things in our hearts if we choose to do so, but this is what’ll happen if we do. They'll only burn inside us like a fire, consuming us as they grow ever larger every time we think about them.

Or we can let them go; a great idea, that!, and in the love and mercy of the Lord gain release and closure. It is the best possible scenario for all concerned. Just listen to what that'll do for us! We'll find that our health and well-being are much improved. Our mind-set will be clearer and our attitude towards everyone will improve, too. Now those are some great things and you and I both know that we need them. But if we're being honest with ourselves, there's something else we have to deal with. Even if we deceive ourselves and say, 'These things aren't going to affect us,' in reality they will affect us, and those around us, too! How we affect others is of great importance to our Lord. If we’re harsh to others, we’ll receive the same from him. That in itself is more than enough reason to not be harsh to anyone, ever!

He wants us to bear in mind that we’re to: “If it be possible, as much as lies within you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18. It’s something to strive for, in accordance with the Word. Judging others isn’t living in peace with them. Neither is condemning them or being unforgiving to them. What happened, happened. That’s something we can’t change, but what’s happening now lies within our reach and it’s what we do with now that’s most important to our Lord Jesus. Will we move on from there and look for better days ahead or will we dwell on past pains and hurts and other things that will serve only to pull us and others down with us? We know what to do, don’t we. It’s time to forgive, leaving judgement and condemnation in the hands of the Lord. Let him deal with whatever it is.’ – God bless you and keep you. – In the love of our Lord, Rev. Ray and Carol, 5/28/2026.