Pastor Ray Bentley Of Maranatha Chapel

Today we'll see how we're brought together, brought near to the Lord through the shed blood of Jesus. Pastor Ray titled today's study Made nigh by the blood. What's the significance? We'll find out as pastor Ray begins Ephesians 2:8

Oftentimes, we're known more for what we're against than what we're for, more for what we refrain from doing than what we set out to do. Well, today, pastor Ray shows us how we can be doers of the word and show the world with a love of God. Ephesians 2:8-10

Our needs and desires come as no surprise to God. We can't forget that he created us. What's more, he knows how to meet those needs and he knows how needs that go unmet temporarily in build character. And that shapes us into who he wants us to be. More on that today from pastor Ray. Ephesians 2

We all want to be loved even though we can sometimes feel so unlovable. Yet God loved you enough to send his only son to give his life so that God can spend eternity with you. It's the greatest love story ever. But we'll see that love is more poignant when we realize he loved us when we were his enemy Ephesians 2

If we choose to, we can add another fear to our collection. If you follow the news, listen to a small talk at work, or just speak with a neighbor, you can find something new to bring anxiety. Today, pastor Ray says God has a better idea. Trust in him and his love and providence will sustain you. Ephesians 2:1-3

If you had a treasured antique, you might have it appraised, but the only real way to know its worth is by the price someone is actually willing to pay. Well, to God, you're worth the price. Jesus paid at Calvary. Your worth is beyond measure. More on that today. As pastor Ray points out, that we're God's treasure. Ephesians 1:15-23

We sometimes expect this life to be a bed of roses, but often feel nothing but the thorns. As Erma Bombeck put it, if life is a bowl of cherries, what am I doing in the pits? Today, as pastor Ray continues our studies in Ephesians, we'll get good counsel for tough times from Paul, the prayer warrior. Ephesians 1:15-23

Wouldn't it have been a thrill to experience the Garden of Eden creation just the way God intended? Well, one day the earth will return to its former glory. It's part of God's plan for the last days and beyond. And today, pastor Ray takes us to the book of Ephesians and reveals some of those surprising facts. Ephesians 1:67-9

The disciples have run every which way. Finally he shows up to them and for 40 days he shows them, look, I'm alive. It's really me. I'm alive, I am risen! So they gather together. And now what is on the disciples minds? Acts 1:6

God knew from the beginning of time that we would fail, that we would sin. And so his plan from the very start was to redeem us, to rescue us from the death sentence of our sins. And today, pastor Ray brings us the whole story of God's salvation plan and how we each must respond. Ephesians 1:6