by Ray Viola | Jul 1, 2022 | Selah
There was a time when prayer and fasting were the key resources for godly men and women. Nehemiah was a man of action, but he was a man of action, because he was a man of prayer. We would do well to follow Nehemiah’s example today instead of trying to jump in and fix...
by Ray Viola | Jun 30, 2022 | Selah
Nehemiah was secularly employed as a cup bearer to a Gentile king. Nevertheless, because he made himself available to God, the LORD was able to use Nehemiah in a mighty way. Any great work of God and for His kingdom begins with God doing a great work in somebody...
by Ray Viola | Jun 29, 2022 | Selah
True repentance is a change of heart that produces a change of action and a change of direction. For example, it’s one thing to say, “I’m sorry.” It’s quite another to say, “I’m sorry. I will stop doing it, and I’m going to live differently now.” This is exactly what...
by Ray Viola | Jun 28, 2022 | Selah
After praying and fasting, Ezra charged the people of Judah to separate themselves from the Gentiles living in the land and from their foreign wives. True revival can only come on a personal, congregational, or national level when God’s people are willing to confess...
by Ray Viola | Jun 27, 2022 | Selah
Prayer and confession always go hand in hand. Ezra’s sorrow and remorse greatly impacted the people of Judah. Ezra’s prayer was more productive than a sermon, for when the people saw him praying, weeping, and in mourning, they realized the severity of their sin....
by Ray Viola | Jun 24, 2022 | Selah
As Ezra prayed, he reflected on God’s remarkable goodness and grace, because He brought back a remnant of His people from exile, and He had allowed them to live in the Promised Land again. Once again, Israel had a safe position, a standing in God’s favor and in His...