by Ray Viola | May 6, 2024 | Contemporary Christianity
No, this is not a new doctrine. This is more of a phenomenon. Its kind of like the strange vanishings published by Time-Life books. While I suspect those vanishings are myths and untrue, the rupture of the church is sadly both real and true. All over our country, this...
by Pastor Ray Viola | May 5, 2024 | Contemporary Christianity
A very fundamental principle of Biblical interpretation is that the meaning of a passage is determined by its immediate context. Today, there is a “Word of Faith” movement. Does the Bible refer to such a thing? It sure does. It can be found in Romans 10:8. In what...
by Pastor Ray Viola | May 4, 2024 | Contemporary Christianity
If we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, He will lift us up. One way that we humble ourselves is by fasting. David said, “I humbled my soul with fasting”. Our bodily appetites are so demanding. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak. Realizing the...
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....