A Message from Ray

Nourished in the Word Ministries
The Teaching, Writing and Book Ministry of Ray Rhodes, Jr.

Be Thou My Vision is my favorite hymn. We sang it this morning during family worship. What a hymn! What a prayer! What a hope! What a need! In recent weeks I have been thinking about the future of Nourished in the Word Ministries. I am presently re-writing our vision/mission/purpose statement. I want it to be saturated with God!
As many of you know, Psalm 78 has been foundational for our work. We have seen our calling through the lens of Vs. 4, ...tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. (ESV).

I am preaching through the book of Romans at Grace Community Church in Dawsonville, GA. One of my goals in this study is to "mine the gospel deeply." The first seven verses of Romans is saturated with Christ-centered, gospel focused theology. In the midst those verses Paul outlines his purpose statement. Paul was saved and called, to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations...(5). Paul was called to preach the gospel to the nations so that folks would believe and obey the gospel to the glory of God!

Any ministry--that is a true ministry must be gospel focused. It must constantly be communicating the essence of the gospel as well as the application of the gospel to unbelievers and believers alike. Paul was duty bound to preach the gospel, eager to preach the gospel and was unashamed of the gospel (14-17). Paul knew by personal experience that it is through the gospel of God, centered on the person of Jesus Christ--that even the "chief of sinners" can be saved. The good news is that God can and is willing to forgive all of our sins, declare us to be in a right standing with Himself, and make us His own dear children--through the gospel of His Son who was fully man and fully God. We receive this gift by grace through faith.

As I work through the purpose/mission/vision statement of Nourished in the Word--I am compelled and eager to make our statement more Christ-focused and gospel oriented. Why? Because the Bible tells us of the good news and transforming power of the gospel. But there is also a personal reason. As C.J. Mahaney said in a recent interview, "I am C.J. Mahaney. I am the worst sinner I know. I am amazed by the grace of God as displayed through the substitutionary sacrifice of His Son on the cross for my many sins." (http://vimeo.com/6949132).

When I heard that I thought the same thing--not about C.J. but about myself. I am the worst sinner I know and I am amazed by the grace of God in saving me through Christ. I want to think of a thousand ways to communicate through our ministry the amazing grace of our great Lord. I want to know the gospel, preach the gospel, apply the gospel, think the gospel and sing the gospel. I am appreciative to the Lord for C.J. Mahaney and sovereign grace ministries for helping me in this regard (www.sovereigngraceministries.org).

John MacArthur has a great testimony of the recent conversion of his old football coach. The testimony was a reminder to me of several things. 1. The greatness of the gospel. 2. How seed planted 50 years ago can come to fruition years later. 3. How sports is an arena where God can be glorified. Watch the video here: http://vimeo.com/7710183. A great little book that can help you think through glorifying God in sports can be found here: http://www.booksthatnourish.com/products/Game-Day-for-the-Glory-of-God.html
Please consider praying for Nourished in the Word Ministries in 2010. Pray that as I teach on family worship, marriage, suffering--or whatever the topic--that the Lord Jesus and His gospel will be the centerpiece of my teaching.