Pastorvirgil.com

They are no more defined by the world Than I am defined by the world. Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth.
John 17:16-17 MSG
I've been stuck on this one for a few days. Jesus prayed this for us because we need it. The world makes every effort to tell you who you are and what you should do. That's not you. I like this paraphrase because it highlights the necessity of the word of God in transforming us into who we are designed to be. The Word of God is a consecrating, sanctifying force, but it can't do its work in you unless you seek it and Him with your whole heart. www.pastorvirgil.com

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Why Do We Anoint with Oil? Anointing the sick with oil has been practiced for millennia. Have you ever wondered why? I did. Turns out it’s a very important part of our healing tool kit.

Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.
(2 Corinthians 7:2-3 ESV)
This prompted a little heart check when I read it this morning. Paul was writing to a church that was in the process of pulling away from him. He was able to write with boldness that he had done them no wrong, and that he was committed to them, to live and die with them. Question: Can I say this with a straight face to the people I have been called to serve? Am I a missionary or a mercenary? Selah. www.pastorvirgil.com

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Consult the Author God intends for you to read His Word. The fact that we have a book written by God to reveal Himself to us is truly marvelous. Even more remarkable is the presence of His Spirit within us, helping u…

And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean." And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."
Acts 10:13-15 NKJV
I think this might help someone else. As I read this passage this morning, the Holy Spirit prompted me that I need to watch what I call myself. When I make even the smallest error or forget any minor detail, there's a little voice in my head that says "Virgil, you idiot!" That voice needs to be corrected every time it pops up. Don't call yourself names. www.pastorvirgil.com

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Healing the Weary Sometimes life is just plain tiring. When sickness is piled on top of that, it’s hard to fight the good fight of faith. We all need help occasionally.

And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of meeting, and came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. (Leviticus 9:23-24 NKJV)
I see the description of worship in the Old Testament when they got it right. Then I consider the description of worship in the Book of Revelation, where “all the angels, the elders and the four living creatures stood around the throne and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God” (Revelation 7:11). This makes me wonder what it is supposed to look like when a group of people cleansed by the blood of Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit of God gather together to worship.
Peter said we are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
Paul calls each one of us a temple of the Spirit (1 Corinthians:6:19). He refers to the church as the temple of God (2 Corinthians 6:16) or a dwelling place of God (Ephesians 2:21-22).
Peter sums it up nicely in 1 Peter 2:5 when he says, “you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
I’m not sure what all that would look like if we actually let Him be God. But let's not settle for a professionally produced rock concert powered by electronics and enhanced by digital technology, or for a prim, proper and predictable motivational seminar.
I want a place where leaders have been in the presence of God, where the gathering is marked by the glory of the Lord, the cleansing fire of the Spirit, and a gut-level holy awe. Paul calls it “a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing” (Ephesians 5:27). If the Presence is real and the Word is preached and the saints are taking their places, the blessings will surely flow.

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Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me. You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full. Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the LORD’s house for the rest of my life.
(Psalms 23:4-6 NET)
This translation really blessed me this morning. No matter what the situation, I have a God who is with me. I have the privilege of entry to His presence where He prepares for me a lavish feast, and allows my enemies to see it just to rub it in. When I look behind me, I don't see the hounds of hell, I see Him as He is personified in goodness and faithfulness. Thank You, Jesus! www.pastorvirgil.com

Entonces las iglesias tenían paz por toda Judea, Galilea y Samaria; y eran edificadas, andando en el temor del Señor, y se acrecentaban fortalecidas por el Espíritu Santo. (Hechos 9:31 RVR60)
La fórmula para el crecimiento de la Iglesia: Vivir en el temor del Señor y en la comunión del Espíritu Santo. www.pastorvirgil.com

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