Faith is talked about quite frequently but it is also often misunderstood. It is hard to put our arms around what faith truly is, how we experience it or acquire it. If what we believe is to make any difference, then it has to change the way we live. However, at times we don’t take faith seriously but take it for granted.
Just the thought of what must be believed for one to become a Christian is a tall order. We believe that we are created by God, but we sinned (offended Him). God is holy, and therefore sin must be punished. Jesus Christ came into this world to atone for our sin. His righteousness was imputed to us, and the condemnation of sin and guilt was swept away so now we are counted righteous in God’s sight. This results in the glorious truth that to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:5-8), and death is not an end to the believer but the beginning of a new reality of spending eternity with Christ. We cannot see any of this. None of our physical senses can apprehend or measure any of this. We simply have to believe it.
In Hebrews 11:3 we are told the universe bears evidence of God’s formation, that He commanded it into existence, and the current conclusions cannot explain the origins of the universe away. Without Christ, everyone is morally, spiritually, and scientifically blind to the truth of God the Creator. To put your faith in the power of reason is a dead end. Therefore, without faith, one cannot be accepted by God, nor can one know or please God (v 6). The story of Cain and Abel is mentioned in verse 4. There are many questions that are unanswered. For example, what are their ages? What was their upbringing like? Why did one become a shepherd and one a farmer? However, what we can surmise is that the difference between the two offerings was in the heart. Abel had faith (he believed God) and Cain did not. God is always first interested in the man or woman and then in the offering. God always looks at the heart first. When he looked at Abel’s heart, he found faith and rewarded it.
Pascal said there is a God-shaped vacuum inside every heart. That vacuum, when not filled with God, will fill itself with trash. It is the trash of the world that has made us unhappy, unfulfilled, unstable, divisive, and uncommitted. That is why Augustine said: “O Lord, you have made us for yourself. Our hearts are restless until they find rest in you.”
Faith
October 2, 2022 • Pastor Ben Hiwale • Hebrews 11
But Thou O Man of God
June 18, 2023 • Pastor Ray Viola • 1 Timothy 6:11–12
The apostle Paul writes these words in 1 Timothy 6:11, "but thou oh man of God” to his son in the faith, Timothy. These words are so necessary today for all men claiming to be followers of Jesus Christ. They are so pertinent to every father reading this devotional. Being a man of God in our modern culture had come under attack, especially if you are a father who takes his walk with Jesus and role in the home as the spiritual head seriously. The casualty rate of men of God in the church today is alarming. Pressures to conform to this fallen world system's ideology and worldly standards has caused many Christian men to cave in, with the consequences felt not only in the home, but in the church as well. Not all men who profess faith in Christ are men of God. Men of God are men who are confronted with the common temptations and trials of other men, but, by the grace of God, they choose to stand and fight the good fight of faith. Fathers, dads (and I’m speaking to myself as well), what are you teaching your children about loving your wife, their mother? What are you teaching them about the importance of reading the Scriptures and prayer? What are you teaching them about the importance of assembling together with the saints at church? Is your home Christ centered and driven or culture centered and driven? I believe that Jesus is calling ALL men of God, and in particular fathers to rise up and hold up biblical standards of marriage, gender and biblical fatherhood. It has been said that any generation of the church is only one generation removed from extinction. Yes, the gates of hell cannot prevail against the church, but the church can indeed implode if men of God fail to heed the clarion call of Joshua, but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. May that cry of Joshua be the cry of our hearts, my fellow man. And may it be the prayer of every man’s heart to be men of God not only for our life and children's sake, but most importantly for the glory and honor of the Name of Jesus Christ, to whom all praise and glory belongs. Our heavenly Father, who is the only perfect Father and husband, is our role model, brothers. May the Holy Ghost grant unto each one of us the power, passion and desire to be a man of God. And may the love and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ enable us to rise up and be the kind of father and husband that is a witness of Jesus Christ in an ungodly and unholy world. Love you brothers. Rise up oh man of God!! Selah
Portrait of a Virtuous Woman
May 14, 2023 • Pastor Ray Viola • Proverbs 31:10–31
Today is a day that our nation has set aside to honor mothers. Scripture exhorts children to honor their mothers and fathers in The Lord. So, let’s look at a biblical portrait of a woman who honors and fears The Lord God. In this case, a mother, a wife, who fears God and lives a life totally devoted to Him. Even a casual glance at this mothers lifestyle would reveal how womanhood today has drifted far from the biblical pattern, which is self driven. Beauty driven. Career driven. As you read these verses today, would you not love to have this kind of a woman for your mother? Your wife? Sadly, the consensus of our culture would look at such a devout and dedicated wife or mother as someone who was being trapped by some archaic religious mold that smothered her from freely expressing herself. On the contrary, this woman is the wise woman who builds her house because she defines freedom as serving God and pleasing Him. She is the godly mother who teachers her children by precept and example what it means to be a lover of Jesus Christ. She is the kind of wife that a husband boasts about because of her tireless expression of Christ like loyalty to him and their children. Her tongue is filled with the law of kindness. Not cutting. Condemning. She is industrious. Hard working. Others minded. She is frugal. She is a true homemaker in the truest sense of the word. She would fit the description of the godly woman in Titus 2.3-5. Motherhood is a high and holy calling. Biologically, women can have children, but only a virtuous woman can make a home that produces GOD fearing children and support a God fearing husband. The Holy Spirit declares, Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. So today, I want to thank my Lord and Saviour for a GOD fearing wife, daughter, and the many of you dear mothers and wives who make your homes a place where Christ is honored and His love and heavenly hospitality is put on display 24/7. Fellow husbands and children, Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Amen and Amen. SELAH
The Resurrection Changes Everything!
April 9, 2023 • Pastor Ray Viola • 1 Corinthians 15
There are six English words recorded in the bible that changed everything not only on planet earth, but throughout the entire creation of God. Those words are “It Is Finished” and “He is Risen”. Therein lies the gospel of Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, He has risen from the dead, and has ascended to the right hand of The Father where He now dwells as our Advocate and High Priest. But the work of redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ is not applied to anyone until they repent and believe in Him as Lord and Savior. The hinge upon which the gospel rests is the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The bodily resurrection of the Jesus Christ from the dead means that He is a Living Savior. The bodily resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ from the dead means that The Holy Spirit now dwells within and is poured out upon all those who call upon His Name. Faith in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead changes everything. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead we too shall one day rise from the dead (John 11:25, 26). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we are justified in the sight of God (Rom 4:25). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead we have access to the throne of grace and mercy for help in time of need (Heb 4:14-16). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we are new creatures (2 Cor 5:7) and can walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we can walk in the power of The Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we have been delivered from the fear and power of death (Heb 2:14, 15). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we have been delivered from the power of darkness (Col 1:13). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we will one day be given a new body (1 Cor 15:49-54). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead we have assurance of His presence (Matt 28:20; Heb 13:5, 6) and peace (John 14:27) in this fallen world. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we have victory and can abound in the work of The Lord (1 Cor 15:57, 58). Reader, do you believe that It Is Finished and that Jesus Is Risen? Repent and believe on The Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. SELAH