by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 21, 2024 | Devotionals
When Ananias was told by the Lord Jesus to go and seek out Saul of Tarsus, it was revealed to him the reason he was to do so was because Saul was a “chosen vessel” for the Lord. He would be called to bear the name of Jesus in the world, and he would also suffer for...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 20, 2024 | Contemporary Christianity
Worship is mentioned initially in Scripture in Genesis 22:5 when Abraham is taking Isaac up to Mt. Moriah. Interestingly enough, worship and sacrifice go hand-in-hand. The last Biblical reference to worship is found in Revelation 22:9 where we are told to worship God....
by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 19, 2024 | Devotionals
A person who has trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation is “justified” by God. As Spurgeon wonderfully wrote, “God will never accuse me of owing for a debt that has already been paid.” “But the just shall live by his faith.” This concept, first stated in Habakkuk 2:4,...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 18, 2024 | Communion Messages, Devotionals
A very important part of any communion service is self examination. Of course, it is only by the power of God’s Spirit that we can perform this task. We can very easily “cruise” in our Christianity. By that I mean that it can become a mechanical duty, as opposed to a...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 17, 2024 | Contemporary Issues, Marriage
“… And a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) In Ephesians 5, we find a beautiful picture of a Christian marriage. One man and one woman, filled with the Holy Spirit, “submitting to one another in the fear of God.” Thus, if we are encountering...