by Pastor Ray Viola | Aug 13, 2025 | Selah
Peter exhorted us to live lives of separation from carnal lusts and worldly systems. For example, we should not behave as worldly people that give more honor to the rich, beautiful, or educated than those who were endowed with less. However, we are oblidged to submit...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Aug 12, 2025 | Selah
Jesus is the Stone that saves some and causes others to stumble. To the Christian, He is the Precious Cornerstone of our faith, but to the world, Jesus is not precious at all. One cannot use popular opinion to judge something’s value. The world was wrong about Jesus...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Aug 11, 2025 | Selah
In Peter’s first letter to the scattered, persecuted followers of Jesus, he reminded them of who they were in Christ to encourage and refocus them. Back in the 60’s, the hippies were constantly trying to “find themselves.” Many sought the “help” of psychedelic...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Aug 8, 2025 | Selah
A person going through hard times is vulnerable to Satan’s lies. Too many times, people just throw up their hands in frustration, and say, “What’s the use?” Then they try to comfort their flesh, rather than feeding their spirit. Instead, mature Christians should...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Aug 7, 2025 | Selah
Peter viewed suffering Christians as people in a battle. Suffering is a weapon that can be wielded for good or evil, depending on who holds the sword. In the enemy’s hands, it is a heat-seeking missile sent to destroy us: Suffering seeks to disorient us so that we...
by Pastor Ray Viola | Aug 6, 2025 | Selah
Scripture tells us that the ways of this world, many of which seem right to carnally-minded men, end in destruction. However, you can have living hope in Jesus Christ, because He rose from the dead. If you abide in Christ in this life, your eternal destiny is certain...