Ray Dering Service

We are here today to celebrate the life of Ray Dering.

While I did not know Ray, it sounds like he as full of life. He was known for his “Ray Stories” his love for Louisiana and his love for God and family. He sounds like quite a character because I don’t know many people that alligators were excited to see. He’s the only one in fact!

Today is a tough day. I want you to know that Identity Church is lifting you up in prayer. Death is never easy even though it is a normal part of life. The Bible tells us that man is appointed once to die. No one gets a pass. It is something everyone of us has to face individually as well as for those we love.

When we lose a loved one, we often question God. We don’t understand. We feel like it is unfair.

I want to take a moment today though to tell you that God his hurting with you today. His heart is to comfort you and walk you through this.

John 11:35 “Jesus wept.”

He wept, not because He was sad about Lazarus. He knew He would raise him from the dead. He wept because the people he cared about were hurting. He’s weeping with you today as well.

Psalm 23 “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.”

“Shadow of death”

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13 “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.”

When someone passes from this earth, it reminds us that our time is limited. We won’t live forever and we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. It is important that we live our lives with purpose and with eternity in mind.

Ephesians 5:15–16 “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Romans 13:11 “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”

Prayer