Taking our physical temperature has been a common practice in society over the past few years. In the natural realm, an elevated temperature indicates that there is something going on that needs medical attention. Twice we find the phrase “stir up” in the New Testament. “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6) “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:” (2 Peter 3:1) In both of these cases, the objective of urging the people of God to stir something up indicates a cause of concern over the apparent lack or absence of fire in the usage of either a spiritual gift or the application of gospel truth. In either case, there would be in medical terms an issue that needed to be given immediate attention to avoid any further loss of health spiritually.
In our study this morning, The Risen Jesus is addressing the church at Laodicea, and He point blank declares unto them as The Great Physician, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15,16) If you were to ask the church at Laodicea how they felt spiritually, they would have said, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;” to which Jesus replied, “knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (v 17). Obviously, there was a great difference in the evaluation between Jesus and the Laodiceans over their spiritual condition. What this compels each of us to ask ourselves is this: What is your spiritual temperature? Hot? Cold? Lukewarm? Those are the only three temperatures indicated in this letter, and only one is acceptable in the eyes of The Lord Jesus.
Having given this blistering account of their spiritual condition, does Jesus just write them off? On the contrary, listen to His appeal to them: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” (Revelation 3:19) In other words, stir up the gift that is in you. Return to your first love. Reignite the passion that you once held for Me. Amazingly, it is possible for someone to be in the church and unaware that they are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23,24)
The devil can have a heyday when a message as such is given, and we certainly should be aware of his desire to condemn or guilt us as we evaluate where we are with Jesus today. Let the Great Physician probe your soul today. Let His Spirit reveal anything in you that is “sick” or out of order. May each one of us open the door to our hearts to The Lord in a fresh way today and pray as the old hymnal said, “Have Thine own way Lord” Change me. Correct Me. But please do not allow any of us to remain cold or lukewarm in our fellowship with You. Selah
What's Your Temperature?
September 25, 2022 • Pastor Ray Viola • Revelation 3
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