by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 30, 2024 | Contemporary Christianity
2 Kings 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power,...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 29, 2024 | Contemporary Christianity, Devotionals
Four times in Exodus 28 the Lord states that Aaron and his sons are to “minister unto Me in the priests’ office”. This entire chapter focuses on the garments they were to wear as priests, which set them apart from the rest of the people. It’s also significant that in...
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 15, 2024 | Contemporary Christianity, Devotionals
The title of this post comes from 1 Thess 5:19. When I read that passage the other day, I ‘flashed’ on another verse, Gal 5:22, where we find that the fruit of God’s Spirit is love. When we act, think, or speak in an unloving fashion, the Holy Spirit is quenched. I...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 11, 2024 | Contemporary Christianity
As long as King Uzziah sought the Lord, God made him to prosper (2 Chron 26:3-5). Joshua was also given some ‘keys to prosperity’ (Joshua 1:7,8). Does God want His people to be prosperous? Yes, He does. However, He does not want us to be like “the ungodly who prosper...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Apr 10, 2024 | Contemporary Christianity
No Christian has been saved to remain an island unto himself or herself. The Lord has work for each and every believer. Misdirected service can be very taxing. A proper understanding of your motivational and spiritual gift or gifts is certainly helpful. Generally...