Merry Christmas

It isn't fashionable and politically correct to say Merry Christmas these days. Therefore, many will take Christ out of Christmas to keep from offending all the Muslims, Atheists, Hindus, Buddhists, etc. . . that live the USA.

We can see from the way things are today, what happens when Christ is removed from our lives. This nation called, The United States of America, will not be able to stand much longer, because judgment is coming very soon because we have forgotten who we are in Christ and have gone after false gods and idols.

Just as Nebuchadnezzar built a monument to himself, we have built monuments to one another all across this nation. Many of us will take His name in vain one minutes and ask Him for protection the next.

Some will drop the F-bomb constantly, then ask for healing for their body. God is not looking for wishy washy people. He is looking for those who will stand and fight the good fight of faith. Those who can stand the tests of time and endure to the end, those are the ones who will be saved.

Take God at His Word

You know, Gideon was on the mountain top facing unbeatable odds, but God came through for him. With only 300 men, Gideon defeated a mighty army simply because he obeyed God. They broke their pitchers when the trumpets sounded, then shouted, the sword of the Lord and of Gideon. These are the good times.

Sometimes our enemy will be on the mountain top, shouting, breaking pitchers and generally just making a lot of noise, trying to strike terror in your heart. When God is with you, there is no one who can defeat you.

Take God at His word. Believe what he promised and do not forget His benefits. God is not a man that He should lie. His promises are Yea and Amen.

Faith

Jesus said in (John 5:28. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,).

It has been said that if Jesus had made a general command that all the dead from the past would have come back to life. That is the power and authority He has at His disposal! However, to the scoffers who were there, even a greater demonstration of power would not have changed their hearts. This was demonstrated with the Israelites coming out of Egypt. At Mt. Sinai, God showed Himself mightily to them, but that never turned their hearts toward Him.

Miracles of themselves do not produce Godly faith and worship. As Jesus told Thomas later, (John 20:29. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.) Faith is believing without first having to see.

What's Your Excuse?

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

What kind of excuse is Jesus going to accept when people come before Him on judgment day. " Well I didn't know", " No one told me", "I was too busy". None of these excuses will hold water. " I had to support my family", "My wife needs more clothes and my kids need more stuff to play with."

There is really no excuse at all that will hold water. The bible says the grace that brings salvation has appeared unto all men. Lets just keep telling people about Jesus. Lord let us be a light to the lost and dying world that we are in.

Thank you Veterans and Living without God

The United States was founded on principles of the Bible. Men have fought for these principles even at the beginning. They have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. For their sacrifice then and now, I give thanks. I thank them for serving and God for helping us.

To live without God in your life is easy. People do it every day. I know many who are still alive without Him in their lives. The problem is dying without God. When a person dies without God in their life, they end up being tormented continually. (Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. )

It doesn't have to be this way. God made a way of escape for all men and women. Accept Jesus Christ and believe in Him now. Now is the appointed time. Now is the day of salvation come to you.

Love Poured Out

There is a song sung by Natalie Grant which has the line, "Lead me to the cross where your love poured out." This line is the inspiration for this poem. We see Jesus as being crucified so the sins of the world would be forgiven. Though that is a true statement, it was much more than that. Everything that Jesus is and was at the time was poured out. The Scriptures state, "I am poured out like water. All my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax it is melted in the midst of my bowels."

Jesus allowed Himself to be poured out. Even as He did this, they gaped at Him with their mouths. They mocked Him consistently. They hit Him with their hands and with rods. They pulled His beard out by the roots. They tore His flesh with a scourge. In all that he endured, He did not try to defend Himself.

The pouring out of love started in Heaven. The Bible says that God so loved the world that He gave. God didn't take back what He gave the world. He gave it freely and for all. There is a not a man alive who cannot receive this gift.

What God gave is very important. He gave His only begotten Son. I have a son and I do not plan on giving him to anyone. I can imagine how hard it would be to give up your own son.
Why God gave is also important. That whoever believes on Him, (God's Son), should not perish but have everlasting life.
This is a free verse poem with no rhymes.

Love Poured Out

Strength has failed me under this massive charge
My body is like molten wax I can go on no longer
Feet are blistered blood oozes from every aperture
My pain is real and I cannot disregard the reason

In the garden I left my will to do the will of my Father
The salvation of mankind is what He wants
He sent me to do this task knowing what would happen
Man would reject me but I must keep going on

Surely men will love me and long to accept my atonement
Man is barbarous and only the kidnapped need a redeemer
For this cause I give my life to the entire earth
As the spear pierces me and the blood falls

You will see the water and the blood hit the dust
And just as I am about to give up the ghost
I will say forgive them father they don't know what they're doing
And as the spirit leaves you will see my Love poured out.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Copyright © 2011 Virgil Newsome​

Peace of Life

Peace can be found in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. He stated that he is the way the truth and the life. He also stated that no man can come to the Father but by me. Jesus was straightforward in what he said and taught.

People try to work peace out with those who are against them. We see this constantly in the world. Nations rise against nations for no other reason that they are different or believe differently. Wars are going on even at this time, when everyone thinks the nations of the world should be civilized enough to refrain from fighting with one another.

There is such a thing as a false peace. A peace that is false is usually caused by an agreement between two people to not contact one another or refrain from attacking one another. Though they may keep their distance from one another, inside they will be seething and hating on one another. True peace will remove the hate and the anger that burns within.

Peace of Life

Stillness of soul with contentment
Holding to no resentment
Bitterness expelled wrath released
Pleasure of life is increased

Fixated on tranquility
Anger is a liability
Calmness overflows your core
A soothing you cannot ignore

As the heart and mind succumb
Repose at night when sleep comes
Discord clashes with silence
Softness overcomes transience

Buoyant full of happiness
A bosom filled with gleefulness
Not disquieted like strife
Is what can be called peace of life.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Copyright © 2011 Virgil Newsome

Broken

Introduction

Recently something came upon me and I was unable to get away from it for three weeks. It wasn't something of impending doom or something great that is going to happen. I had a vision unlike any I had before. It is my prayer that you enjoy reading this and see what the Lord had shown me.

The Vision

A scripture that has been on my heart for a couple days. I saw people hurting and in agony in my heart. Psa 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

I want to help them. I want to hug them and hold them until the hurt goes away. I cannot reach them but can only see them. God is there for all who will call upon Him. His arms reach out to hold them, hug them and comfort them.

Psa 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Psa 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

You know, we are all poor. None of us deserve anything that God gives us. He gives to us freely by His Grace and Mercy. God is good and His mercy endures forever.

We are the most undeserving of all of God's creation and we are also the least grateful (talking of man in general).

Broken, the Poem

My heart is broken. . . I don't know why
Tears keep falling. . . from my eyes
Too much hurt and too much pain
Too much conviction, guilt and shame

I see a man . . . arms stretched wide
He gives up the ghost. . . does he have to die?
To pay for my sins. . . redeem me from hell
Is it all worth it. . . only time will tell

As I walk I fall. . . I get up to walk again
The Lord is with me. . . He is my helmsman
To guide and direct me to where I need to go
To keep from harm from my enemy and my foe

True life begins. . . when repentance comes
Now I am alive. . . singing the Lord's anthems
I run with patience the course set before me
To help those in need. . . I can't just let them be.

Copyright © 2010 Virgil Newsome

The Lost Cause

This poem is written as a person who has made mistakes in life and finds out that it isn't easy to get out of difficult circumstances. Sometimes the things we do put us in such a deep and dark place that we have trouble finding the light of day. It is at these times that we feel like we are the lost cause.

Jesus was sent to reclaim the lost who are bound by sin. A person bound is controlled in everything they do. Their thoughts are controlled along with their actions. There is a saying, "The mind is the Devil's playground." This is a true saying especially concerning those who do not know Jesus as their Savior.

Back in the medieval days, when a city was attacked the attacking army would siege that city. They would surround it completely to the point no one could leave and no one could go in. When hunger gets bad enough, the citizens would then give up. This was the way nations were conquered. Satan does the same thing today. He brings a siege against individuals trying to force them to give up. This is how he holds them under his power.

Jesus came to remove us from the siege of Satan. You see, every now and then, someone would find a way out of those cities that were under siege. Jesus is that way for everyone today. Though I was once under the siege of Satan, Jesus came and removed the siege. He made me free from the bondage of sin. He pulled me out of the abyss and set my feet on solid ground. He can do the same for you my friend.

I used to make my dwelling among the many miscreants of the world. Drugs were used by me and many things I did that were not good. No one came to me telling me that I was headed down a bad road. They actually encouraged me to keep going the way I was headed.

One day I met Jesus. He called out to me to come to Him. I went to Him. he pulled me out of that life I was living and gave me a brand new life. I just simply had to believe in Him. When I heard the voice of Jesus, I only heard Him calling my name. No one else heard Him calling out to me and I didn't hear Him calling out to another. It was personal between me and Him. This same personal revelation can be yours also. Listen for His voice. He is calling out now.

The Lost Cause

The stronghold of the abyss has captured my mind
Unable to move to limbo I resign
Confined to a cell I made my abode
Excruciating torture with torment overflowed

My spirit is blackened isolated and obscure
Searching for hope unable to find a cure
Needing someone to save me from the pit
Authorize my freedom to Him I will commit

Then I can journey in the ways of the Master
To be with my Lord from here on after
No longer torn with my enemies claws
Never again be designated as the lost cause.

Copyright © 2011 Virgil Newsome

Get Out of the Way

Jas_1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

God will not go against His own Word. To put conditions on God before you serve Him will not work. Those who believe upon Him shall enter in to the Kingdom of heaven.

Rev_3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. These words are in red in my bible.

Also written in red is, John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

To make a choice to heed His call is what we all must do. We can also make the choice to disregard Him. It is an individual decision to make.

As Jesus once said, "You are in the door. If you do not want to go through that door, get out of the way of those that will." (paraphrased)

The Agony of Victory

Introduction

This poem was written fairly quickly. The first line came then the rest just fell into place. After the fourth stanza was done, the title came to me. I started thinking about a show that I used to watch called Wide World of Sports. The narrator would always say, "The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat."

I got to thinking about how athletes train. All the pain and injuries they have to suffer through. The time spent in their training nearly always from the age of about 4 or 5 years old. I also took a good long look at what Jesus went through before he was nailed to the cross. I know that even though there was victory in His death, there was agony before. This is how I got the title, "The Agony of Victory."

This poem is written in couplets which means the rhyming lines are in pairs. The first line end rhyme and the second line end rhyme are rhyming words. Likewise for the third line and fourth line and so forth.

The Agony of Victory

Heaviness sets in as I am overtaken
On unstable ground my soul is shaken
Searching for answers to queries past
I am wearied to the core and will not last

I need a hale hand to raise me up
Even as I dread I drink from my cup
To fulfill the will of Him that sent me
Deep inside my spirit I wail my plea

Is there another way to do this thing
Salvation to the world is what I can bring
Freely given to all souls who obtain
The gift of grace which is what they gain

Three times I asked looking for another way
Sweat fell as blood on the ground where I lay
My followers snooze their flesh is feeble
The spirit is willing ready and able

I am now prepared to take the route
And to give my all to those without
The walk I take is a lonely one
The path of salvation has just begun

I give my life to save the depraved
The widows the orphans and the enslaved
My cross awaits as I journey on
I must keep going or their hope is gone

I commend my spirit into Father's hands
Give up the ghost so you will understand
I died on the cross for you this day
I gave a price that you cannot pay

I redeemed you from sin and the bonds of Satan
All your crooked paths I will straighten
I do this for you so you can see
Salvation for all in the agony of victory.

Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Copyright © 2011 Virgil Newsome

Remission of Sin

“Without the shedding of blood is no remission.”

- Heb_9:22

Life is in the blood. If the blood of the innocent was not shed, the guilty would still be lost and there would be no hope for anyone.

Jesus came to save that which was lost. The lost includes every man woman and child ever born. Man was created in the image and likeness of God and was sinless in the beginning. There was no such thing as death and man was to live forever. What was lost was life when Adam and Eve at the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God had warned not to eat of this tree but they disobeyed God and ate it anyway.

Jesus came to give life back to mankind by giving His own life on the cross and taking all of our sins with Him. He became sin not because he was sinful, but because he loves us so much. Consider how wretched your ways are and give praise to the One who can redeem you.

Have You Thanked Him Today?

Luk 17:12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
Luk 17:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
Luk 17:14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
Luk 17:15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

I wonder sometimes why people refuse to thank God for the blessings they receive. Out of 10, only one was thankful to God for his healing. 1 out of 10 or 10 percent.

It seems in this day and time that many think God owes them something. Similar to the way the people of the US are, they think they are entitled to what others have worked for.

I have news for you, God does not owe you anything. We owe Him everything. There is nothing that you have that did not come from God. it is time to start being grateful for even the little things in life that we receive from Him every day. The Bible says that in Him we live and breath and have our being. The very breath that you have in your body belongs to God.

Lord Forgive Me

Lord, forgive me when I whine
I still have these legs of mine
Others use crutches, walkers and canes
They can still get around, but it isn't the same

Lord forgive me when I whine
I still have these eyes of mine
Others are blind and darkness is what they see
If only their eyes were opened, they could see the trees

Lord forgive me when I whine
I still have these ears of mine
Others are deaf and hear nothing at all
It would be great if they could hear a bouncing ball

Lord forgive me when I whine
For I have you and you are mine
Others are lost and headed to hell
Help me to warn them and to make all things well

Homeless

I saw him under a bridge one day
Attempting to keep dry
The storms of life had blown him away
He merely wanted to die

A cup of coffee was in my hand
I handed it over to him
It's such a shame in this great land
His life would look so grim

I know of a place where you can go
I told him with a smile
The look he gave was one I know
Would be there for a while

Trust is hard to come by
It surely must be earned
I want to be his ally
And show him my concern

I would meet with him
Day after day
Telling him of Jesus
And why He was slain

Jesus died for you too
Is what I would say
Because everyone including you
Has lost their way.

Satan lost the war
On the old rugged cross
Our sins Jesus bore
Satan's work now turned to dross.

Who Am I?

Have you ever asked the question of no one in particular, "Who am I?" I am sure we all have done so. We go through life searching for our place in the world. Sometimes we think we found it only to find later that it is only a stepping stone to something more. I find myself asking that question every so often. Searching for acceptance in a world that does not accept me or who I am.

It seems as though the world hates me and wants to destroy me at times. The Bible states in the book of John chapter three that a man came to Jesus and asked him a question about the way to enter into the kingdom of God. Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again. Many of us are thinking along the same line of though as Nicodemus when he answered Jesus with the question, "Can a man enter back into his mother's womb?" This question was asked of a fleshly or carnal mind.

What Jesus spoke of is a spiritualy experience. The spirit is emnity against the flesh and the flesh against the spirit. They are at war constantly because each wants to take over. The spirit loves God but the flesh hates God. The spirit will help the good man to grow while keeping the fleshly man at bay, only if it is willing.

This constant struggle for power many times brings confusion to the mind and soul. It is at these times that we ask again, "Who am I?" We want to be spiritual but sometimes fail to do so. We fall at times and feel as if we cannot get back to keep going. It is not always an easy thing to do, but we must keep walking on the straight path.

Who Am I?

Who am I that you would give your life for me
Crucified on a hill call Calvary
Torture and torment pain and sufferance
Anguish discomfort to give me life again

Who am I that I should be counted worthy
To gain the love of the Almighty
I am immoral full of guilt and shame
You Jehovah are the One who took the blame

Who am I that you would charge me to come out
From the existence of death and doubt
To bloom as a rose in the midst of thorns
To return unto you and to be reborn

Who am I you hear me inquire yet again
I feel as though we are at the end
As we walk along and time passes by
I ask you My Lord once again, Who am I?

Copyright © 2011 Virgil Newsome

Psalms 23:1

Psalms 23

1. The Lord is my shepherd;

There are many many shepherds out there in the world that would want us to follow them. Drugs can be your shepherd. Alcohol can be your shepherd. Jealousy, envy, stubbornness, idolatry, pride are all shepherds. But there is only one good shepherd and His name is Jesus Christ. I urge everyone to read and study this and really look inside their own hearts and make sure that Jesus is your shepherd.

The Door

According to God's Word, now is the day of salvation. I would venture to say this is the most misquoted scripture in the Bible. Many times I have heard said, "Today is the day of salvation." Gods Word says, "NOW is the day of salvation." This means right now this very moment is the day of salvation. If you wait until later today you may not make it. You may let Satan talk you out of being saved or you may even be in an accident and not have time to repent. The time for decision is now.

It is my sincere hope in God's Word that someone will receive Him after reading this message. God said, "My Word will not return void." God's Word always accomplishes what it is set out to do. I urge you right now to repent and give your while heart to God through Jesus Christ. Lay down the old ways that have kept you in the dark and get into the light. Let the peace that surpasses all understanding flood your soul.

Prayer

Most gracious Father, Your Word is life unto all who receive it. We thank you for your Word and the life that you have given us. My heart goes out to the lost, for once I was lost also. I have been there Lord as you well know. Lord if you can save me you can save anyone, for you are no respecter of persons. I do not find myself to be something great Lord for I feel I am the worst of all your children. Let salvation come to those who read this word that you have given me Lord, in Jesus mighty name, AMEN!!

Grace of God

Even in our failures, God's grace is sufficient. His mercy endures forever and never ends. God claims in His Word that He will have mercy upon whom He will. In order to stop fulfilling the lusts of the flesh we must get closer to God. The only way to get close to someone is to get to know them personally. This is the essence of a relationship between two people. If there is no communication, there is no relationship. God always speaks in a still small voice and that voice is like a whisper. A whisper cannot be heard by a person who is distant from the whisperer. We must be close to God to hear His voice.

Once we get close enough to God to hear His voice, we must then be obedient to Him. (1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. .) Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice and a stranger they will not follow. " How many times have we followed the wrong voice? When Peter walked on the water then began to sink it was because he became fearful. He doubted that he was able to walk on water. This is what caused him to sink. His faith failed him and he started walking by sight. What he saw was not pretty but scary indeed to the flesh.

Until we bring our flesh under subjection to the spirit, we will continue to fluctuate between spirit and flesh. it is like being double minded. The book of James states that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. What it means is that a man can't make a decision. Why do you hesitate between two decisions?

Make a decision right now whom you will serve and serve him with all your heart, mind, body and soul. (Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ) We must renew our way of thinking. We must be conformed to what God wants us to be. This is how we can put on holiness without which we cannot see God.

Unity of Believers

Psa_133:1  A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Eph_4:3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Eph_4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Each of these verses of scripture have one thing in common, the word UNITY.  That word is not found anywhere else in the King James Bible.   It seems to be fashionable these days to disagree with what has been taught for thousands of years.  What once was considered sin is no longer considered to be sin.

God is looking for a church that has not strayed from His Word.  We are to live holy and walk in holiness.  How can we be the righteousness of God when we can't even decide what is right and what is wrong?  Is God divided against Himself?

How can the Light of Christ be shown to the lost when we are not in agreement with God?  How can you call yourself His when you refuse to stand on what is right?

These last few weeks we have heard about a woman, Kim Davis, who stood up for what the Word of God says.  It is expected to get backlash from the lost and those who love the very thing she stands against but it is sad to see many of those she calls brother and sister to come against her.

No matter what anyone thinks, she is not forcing anyone to agree with her.  She is standing on the Word of God even if no one else believes it.  This nation was founded upon the principle of Freedom of Religion.  The federal government should not be allowed to interfere with her beliefs because they are not causing harm to anyone.

How many of us would allow our children, or someone other person's children, to go play in the street or on the highway?  Many people really have no clue as to what is right and wrong.  To not warn them of what awaits them if they do not repent is to say, "I don't care about you at all."  It is the same as saying, "I HATE YOU!  I hope you burn in HELL!"

According to the three verses I posted above, unity must be on our dwelling, in the spirit and in our faith.  Without all three, we have fallen short of what God expects from us and if we are not careful, we will lose out on what God has for us.

My advice to you is, study the Word, stop disagreeing with everything everyone says.  Prove or disprove what is spoken or preached by the Word of God,  Lastly, stand on what is right, not what is popular.  Jesus tells us to come out of the world.  Don't you think it's time we took Him at His Word?

#faith #God #unity  #KimDavis

Spiritual Weight Loss

Isa_58:11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

It seems this day and time we live in, many have gone on diets.  I am sure most who diet have a need to lose weight.  I am one of them, though I am not on a diet.  There are many forms of dieting.  Low Carb diets seem to be the rage at this time.  There are low fat diets, sugar fee diets, even surgery to help you lose weight.

There is another diet that is devastating to the soul.  It is the diet I call Spiritual Weight Loss.  Spiritual weight loss is not a diet of the flesh, but a diet of the spirit.  Many would rather have their spiritual food to be low carb, fat free, or sugar free these days.  They refuse to heed the gospel of Christ and would rather have a watered down version of it.

The problem with the spiritual diet is that when the going gets hard, they will not have the strength to keep going.  They will be weak and unable to resist when the destroyer comes.  Common sense will tell you that the bigger an object is, the harder it is to move it.  We need spiritual giants in our midst to help us stand in these last days.  Better yet, why not become a spiritual giant yourself so you can stand and help others who are too weak.

Do not be like those who would rather grow fat off the land instead of the Spirit.  God is looking for an army of believers who will stand and fight against the wiles of the devil.

Jer_50:11  Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;

9/11

Fourteen years ago, today, two planes flew into the World Trade Center towers, eventually causing both to collapse.  One plane flew into the Pentagon while one other crashed in Pennsylvania.  It was a time of horror, fear, disgust and sorrow.

Two thousand, nine hundred ninety seven people lost their lives.  This includes those on the planes which is numbered at two hundred forty six.  A senseless act performed by those who wanted to make a mark in history.  

People started turning to God singing songs like God bless America, Amazing Grace, America the Beautiful.  They started praying and and many churches started keeping their doors open 24/7.  Healing began in this nation.  

Fourteen years later, we have again forgotten God.  We have turned away from Him even more than before.  Until this nation turns back to God, we will keep spiraling downward to the point of no return.  

You see, there is a line that once it is crossed, there is no turning back.  God's Word tells us of those who have been turned over to a reprobate mind.  He will allow us to believe a lie, and be damned. 

There is still time for most, if not all of us.  The day of salvation is now.  Do not turn away from the very one who can save you.  


John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated.

Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated. I used to watch Star Trek, the Next Generation. The crew of the Enterprise eventually came upon a species called the Borg. The Borg would assimilate whoever they came upon to include them in their collective, which was like a hive. Everyone had their thoughts made for them and followed them.

It is hard to not notice that today, the same thing is happening within our borders. Many have fallen for the lie that a person who works in any government position cannot have an opinion, a belief, or a lifestyle that contradicts what government wants.

Matthew 15:14 says in the last line, "And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Most, or many, of our leaders are blind. Should we follow those who have no real clue as to what is happening?

The Bible tells us to obey the laws of the land but also tells us that we should obey God over any other laws.

The first amendment in the Bill of Rights even says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" We have the right to freely exercise whatever beliefs we hold.

Kim Davis exercises her right according to what she believes. No one can take that away from her in a lawful manner. She is not forcing anyone else to believe what she does. On the other hand, the homosexual community is trying to force their non belief on her.

Most don't seem to know this but there are 120 Clerks in the state of Kentucky. Three of these clerks refused to issue marriage licenses. Kim Davis was the only one targeted, and, yes, I meant to say targeted, by the LGBT community. They are the ones who brought the media to Rowan County.

One couple came from Ohio to get a marriage license, where?, at the Rowan County courthouse. They stayed their going every day until they eventually got their license after Kim was jailed.

Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Those who take pleasure in sin, those who endorse sinful lifestyles, those who refuse to warn people of what awaits them if they do not repent, are worthy of death. The judgment of God has been written. It is there for all to see and read.

Obey God

Act_5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

The Word of God is what gives life and takes it away.  If we do not live by His Word, we are only existing.  The devil will bring up your past but the blood of Jesus has it all covered.

No matter what laws may be passed or endorsed, God's law is always higher and better.   The day is coming, when we will either stand on His Word, or fall away as many have done already.

No one has to fall.  Everyone can make it.  You just need to focus your faith in the right direction.

The Anger of the Damsel's Masters

Act 16:19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

Act 16:20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

When the masters of this young woman found out what happened they were angry. They had lost a great source of income because the spirit that made money for them was now gone. They were angry at Paul and Silas for destroying the works of Satan in this young woman. They arrested them and brought them before their court system to have punishment imposed upon them.

Note how they really did nothing bad. What they did was to cast a devil out of a young woman and the people were angry over this. They would rather the woman keep the devil and do what she had been doing all along. This shows how much the world loves also. They don't care about her. They only care about making money off of her. The masters of the woman told their judges that Paul and Silas troubled the whole city exceedingly. This is a false witness against them. They only troubled those that were making money through this woman.

In this day that we live there are many different systems of belief. They all want to be accepted as being righteous. Satan wants us to accept him as we accept Jesus. If he can get us to accept him he has won the battle against us. We must keep our eyes and focus on Jesus and the Word of God. We do not have time to play with literal hell fire. We have a work to do and that work is to expose evil for what it is and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to all that we come in contact with.

One thing we all seem to have a problem with is letting go of those who refuse this gospel. There is a time that we must shake the dust from our feet and move on to the next place. God has anointed us to do this. We have power over unclean spirits, (Luk 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. ) We do not have to bow down to Satan and his ideas. We do not have to accept the ungodly as our equals. Power is given us to defeat the devil and all his works. For this cause Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners. We love Him because He first loved us.

It is time to join up with the winning side. It is time to stop being defeated at every turn. It is time to gird up our loins and fight the good fight of faith. It is time to hit our knees and pray for those that try to hurt us. It is time to help those that need help. It is time to give up and let Jesus take over. Won't you let the Lord have His way in your life? Won't you come to Him with a repenting heart and ask for forgiveness for your sins?

The Possessed Damsel

Act 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

Act 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

This young woman followed them around mocking them and mocking God also. She wanted them to accept her as their equal. In other words she wanted them to say she was the same as they were in the fact that they believed in God and were saved.

This day and time, we hear lot of talk about tolerance and how all beliefs are equal. People say all gods are the same true God. They say there are many different paths and many different truths. They are deceivers following after their father, Satan, who is the first deceiver. They want to be accepted as righteous, while remaining sinful and unrepentant. So what do we do about them?

Act 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

We are to do what God tells us to do. We are to rebuke them in the name of Jesus. There are unclean spirits at work in these that do these things that are ungodly. These same spirits will deceive many more if allowed to be counted among the righteous of God. We are to "prove" them to be ungodly and expose their sinfulness. When we do this, we do what is right in the eyes of God. We also stir up Satan and make him mad.

Surrounded by the Enemy

Isa 9:12 The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Even while God was angry at us, His hand was stretched out still. Waiting for us to come and give ourselves to Him. Why do you delay in accepting the goodness that God has in store for you? What is worth going to hell over? Hell was created for the devil and his angels. Man was not meant to go into hell. Man has decided to follow Satan and not God. This is why men are going to hell.

Many think we believers want to watch them go to hell. They say this because we tell them about hell. They can't see that we tell them about hell so they will decide not to go there. This is a spirit of rebellion.

They believe we try to control them. This is not the case. We only want to see them in heaven along with everyone else that is there. It is time to decide. How long will you war in a losing battle? Won't you allow Jesus to flood your soul with the light of His Word and forgiveness for your sin?

My Love

“Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.”
- Son_2:10

My Pastor has spoken many times about those who love God. One question he has asked is, "Have you ever tried to be with someone who didn't want to be with you." God calls out to those who love Him, but it seems they are no where to be found. (Lamentations 1:19 I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.) "Where are my lovers?" is what God is asking. They used to meet at the gate and prophesy and proclaim the goodness and mercy of God. They would state how God loves them and that they love God also.

In our daily walks, we must continually praise God and declare Him to be Lord of our lives. We need to be diligent and do not be as those that Jeremiah wrote about.

Soon, Christ will come again and say, "Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away with me, for judgment has come to the Earth." The rapture is imminent and will soon come to pass. We must be ready to meet Him or we will be left behind.

The Devil's Obituary

Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:10 is what I call Satan's obituary. This is the end of Satan and his followers. After this there is no hope left for any of those that are cast into the lake of fire. There is a way in but there is no way out. Many say they are cast into hell and come out after a time to be with God forever.

How can God be just and righteous if He allows those that refuse Him to enter into heaven along with all that entered through the straight gate? Why would anyone want to take a chance like that with their very soul? Why take a chance on going to hell when God states how easy it is to inherit life? for God to allow those who refuse to accept Jesus as their Saviour to come into heaven would make God a liar.

The truth has been told here. God is the absolute truth. There is no other truth. There can only be one truth and God is it. Let God touch your soul right now as you read this. Ask for forgiveness for your sins and accept the King so he can then accept you. He is near to you right now knocking on the door to your heart.

Just as when someone comes to visit you at your house you must open the door and ask Him to come in. It really is very simple to understand. The choice is yours to make. Please make the right choice, your life depends on it.

“The precious blood of Christ.” - 1Pe_1:19

Without the shedding of blood there is no remission. Remission of what? For something to go into remission means it is reversed. The wages of sin is death. Now with remission of sins by the precious blood of Jesus, death is reversed and life is given.

Now is the accepted time, now has the day of salvation come to you. I know some are backsliders and still some are still lost, but the same Word that keeps believers can convict the lost and the backslider alike. That word is the blood of Jesus can cleanse you and reverse the affects that death has upon your life.

Divided We Fall

Division has come to the United States of America.  A lady was arrested and jailed for not going against her own conscience.  Kim Davis, County Clerk of Rowan County Kentucky was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to Homosexual couples.

Division comes in different forms.  The poem at the bottom was written back in 2011 by me.  It is even more relevant today than it was back then.

Introduction

There is a saying that I have heard most of my life. I am sure many have heard it multiple times. United We Stand and Divided We Fall. Many a war has started because of division between two families, two nations, or two beliefs. These wars start simply because of disagreement and pride.

Back in the Old Testament, the nation of Israel was divided. Judah was separated from the rest of Israel. This caused strife among brethren as each portion had it's own king. God did not want them to separate.

King David wrote in Psalms. speaking of how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity. The Word unity appears three different times in the King James Version of the Bible. Each time it speaks of the unity of believers and/or brothers.

Jesus once said, "A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand." The church is an example that proves this statement to be true. The many denominations are the result of disagreements and splits. The Apostle Paul wrote saying that all are baptized into one body. Some were saying they were of Paul while others were saying they were of Apollos.

In Proverbs Solomon writes about how discord is spread by a false witness. This also shows that God is against it because god hates lies. Discord also separates brothers, homes, nations, and the body of Christ.

Don't you think it is time to get back what God wants us to have? Unification is what it will take for the body of Christ to work the way God intended it. The foot needs to stop trying to be the hand. The hand needs to stop trying to be the head. Disagreements will occur, but they do not have to lead to division.

Divided We Fall

BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER AND SON AGAINST FATHER
WE PLUNGE TO OBSCURITY AND STUMBLE BLINDLY
UNITY ESCAPES US AS DIVISION ARRIVES
THE HOUSE CRUMBLES BECAUSE TOGETHERNESS IS DEFERRED

THE LIGHT THAT BURNED BRIGHT HAS NOW BECOME DIM
SOON EXTINGUISHED, REFRAINING TO SHINE AGAIN
DISEMBODIED EGOS IS NOW THE ORDER
WE WILL NOT HARMONIZE NOR WALK TOGETHER

CLASH OF ARROGANCE, WAR OF HAUGHTINESS
THE STENCH OF INIQUITY NOW IN OUR SOULS
THE RANCID AURA PERCEIVED BY THE ENEMY
HE LAUGHS AT CALAMITY. . . KNOWING IT'S ORIGIN

PRIDE OF LIFE BIRTHED BY LUCIFER
HE WAS THE FIRST TO OCCUPY DISCONNECTION
ONCE A MIGHTY ANGEL NOW REDUCED TO THE PIT
KNOWING THE PROXIMITY OF HIS END IS HERE

CAN WE GAIN BACK OUR INDIVISIBILITY?
A WAY BACK TO THE ONENESS WE ONCE HAD?
WHEN SELF IS PUT ASIDE AND HUMILITY RETURNS
THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, WELL DONE MY CHILD

SIN IS WHAT DIVIDES AND SEPARATES US FROM GOD
JESUS UNIFIES AND BRINGS US BACK TO RELATIONSHIP
HE IS OUR ROCK AND HIS JOY IS OUR STRENGTH
HE CAN KEEP US INTACT, LEST DIVIDED WE FALL.

Copyright © 2011 SirDent (Virgil Newsome)

Satan's Goal

The main goal of Satan is get between you and God, between you and your relationship with God, to get between you and your praise, and to get between you and your worship.  His job is also to get people to not believe in God and Jesus Christ.

Those who are possessed by demonic forces will disrupt any and all worship they can.  They will go to Church and cause division among the brethren.  They will cause doubt to come to believers.  They will accuse believers of wrongdoing and try to convince everyone that they are right.

In all that they try to do, they cannot keep a soul from praising and worshiping God.  This is demonstrated when Jesus came upon the man who dwelt in the tombs.  Mark 5:6  But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshiped him.

God in the Midst

Zep 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

The Lord will joy over you with singing. We sing to the Lord all the time at Church. It is what we do. I would love to hear the Lord singing. I get chill bumps just thinking about it.

Our Lord is in our midst, never leaving us. He will save those who want to be saved. He rejoices over those who come to Him and those who belong to Him.

Have a great day in the Lord. To those who are lost, it is not too late. God desires to save you.

The Lord Speaks

Exo 31:1 And the LORD spake

I remember when I was younger, there was a commercial that would come on TV. The main premise of the commercial was "When EF Hutton speaks, people listen."

Wouldn't it be great if people were to listen to God today instead of listening to everyone else? God is always right no matter what others think. He will never lead us astray and His thoughts are always good toward us.

How about we decide to listen to His voice today. Shut the voices of the world out and just listen to God and Him alone.

The Devil's Puppet

Yesterday at Church, the preacher said, "Those who are lost are controlled by the devil. He works them like they are puppets." I agree with what he said. I have come to realize, outside of Christ, there is no life only existence.

Jesus stated, "I am the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6" Jesus is the only way to life there is. All other ways lead to death.

Don't you think it is time to give your heart and life to the Lord? There is no promise of tomorrow for anyone. Now has the day of salvation come unto you.

The End is Death

Pro_14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

The Bible says, "Broad is the way of destruction."  There are many people going the way that seems right to them.  They give no real thought to the ways of the Lord.

Some will say, "It is my truth, though it may not be your truth."  How can real truth be only true to a few?  Either truth is truth or it is not.  Those who say such things are deceived by the devil.  They believe their ways are right for them and because of this, they follow after their own lusts.

Why not consider the ways of the Lord?  His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than ours.  Many will find their way into destruction because they refuse the offer that God has extended to them.

Grace, Mercy and Forgiveness

“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.”

- Isa_44:22

Imagine what it would be like if God remembered all of our transgressions. We would all be miserable wretches. We would all be lost and headed to the very hell that Satan and his angels are going to go to.

I thank God that He would love me so much that He gave His only begotten Son to me and that my transgressions are forgotten along with my sins. They have been "blotted out" by God Himself.

Thank you Jesus for the gift of grace and mercy.

The Blessed and the Broken

There is a song that is sung by a young man named Trevor Morgan. In the song are the lines, "The blessed and the broken the weak and the strong. Will all find rest at the throne of God." The first part of those lines is where the inspiration for this poem came from.
In our day to day lives, we don't realize how much is really going on around us. Things we cannot see are happening constantly as the battle between good and evil continues on. These battles will continue to rage on, even as we are caught unaware.

Jesus did the work that no man could do simple because he remained faithful to God and true to His calling. There is no doubt that he was blessed and broken at the same time. Though none of his bones were broken, his heart was shattered like a glass thrown against a boulder.

Even as he was broken, he knew he was blessed. The Bible says, "It pleased God to bruise him." Many take this to mean God is cruel and was happy simply because Jesus was bruised, but that is not the case. It pleased God because Jesus obeyed his calling and redeemed sinful men from their kidnapper. You see, Jesus was the ransom that was required to pay for the release of man from the bonds of sin.

The Blessed and the Broken

Shards of my heart are exhibited to be seen
My Father in heaven does not intervene
Though I am debased and saturated with pain
It is now the season of the latter rain

Come unto me and I will award you rest
Son of the Almighty you can have the best
Suffering is brief not to last forever
As I saunter along on my endeavor

I will do my work remain faithful and true
To save those who are lost and haven't a clue
Crucifixion awaits begs my arrival
When it is complete I defeat my rival

Blood cascades out onto the thirsty ground
When I give up the ghost I will wear my crown
I descend to the lower parts of the earth
To rescue from prison those of the second birth

I ascend to heaven to sit on my throne
Understand that you will never be alone
To come after me the Word has been spoken
Then you will be called the blessed and the broken.

Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
Copyright © 2011 Virgil Newsome

The Dream

Introduction

First I want to state that I am not a prophet nor a preacher. I am merely a child of God who wants to draw closer to God and do what He would have me to do. I play bass in a group named Judah. This is what I am called to do.

A few months ago I had a dream. The dream was prophetic I believe. It wasn't a dream showing disasters coming to the US or any other nation of the world. it wasn't about impending disaster of any kind. Lately I have been reading about an urgency in the body of Christ and this dream goes along with that urgency.

In the dream I was at a hospital waiting to be taken up to an operating room. I am not sure what the exact surgery was going to be but it had something to do with my heart. I take it to mean that I was there for a heart transplant but I could be wrong about that. While I was waiting to be taken to the OR, I decided I would go ahead and work while I was waiting. I walked outside and hitched a ride with some people I knew. They brought me back to where I live and let me out at a small store that was there in my dream, but actually burned a few years ago. From there I was transported back into an old underground coal mine that I used to work in. For those who don't know about working in coal mines, it is always dark. The only light you have is the light on your hard hat and the lights on the machinery used.

While I was working in the mine, my light went out. I was left in total darkness. Darkness has a weight to it that you don't really know or feel until you are in total darkness. I have been there and know how it feels. I tried it when I did work in the mine. Anyway, it was at this point that I awoke from sleep. The time was 3:30 AM on a Saturday morning. The scripture that came upon my heart upon awakening was, "Joh 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."

Working in Darkness

To work in the dark one must have a light. You cannot see in total darkness without a light to assist you. To work in darkness means you will stumble and trip upon objects that cannot be seen. You will not be able to know what you are doing because you can't see the fruits of your labor. Darkness is coming and it is coming fast. Every day new laws are presented and many are passed that we know nothing about. I heard just a few days ago that in Columbus Ohio there is a law being pushed through that makes it illegal to preach the Gospel on the streets. I recall recently that in Texas sharia law was used to decide a court case involving a divorce between a Mulism man and his wife. Darkness comes disguised as light and cannot be seen by what it actually is without a spiritual eye that has been opened by Jesus Christ Himself.

We who are called, are to expose darkness for what it is. We are to preach the gospel of Christ no matter the consequences.

Conclusion

There is joy in spreading the Gospel of Christ. Even when we are persecuted, there is joy in serving the Lord. Paul and Silas were arrested for preaching the Gospel of Christ. They sang to the Lord while bleeding and hurting from being whipped. It was joy for them to be persecuted for Christ.

This is what our mindsets should be. We should be able to take whatever punishment the world has to offer to us and smile because in Christ we have joy. When darkness overtakes us we are to be a light. When it seems all of hell has come against us we are to remember what the Lord said. "I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Isn't it an awesome blessing to know that the Lord of lords and King of kings fights for us? Unto Him that is worthy to open the books in heaven let our praises ring out loud and clear, let us speak boldly and in truth. Let us do the works of Him that sent us before darkness overtakes us to the point that we cannot work.

War Between Flesh and Spirit

Introduction

In our walks with Christ we are constantly at war. The flesh is against the spirit and the spirit is against the flesh. We fluctuate from spirit to flesh and vice versa. In order to gain a spot in the Kingdom of God we must be holy and acceptable to the Lord. Sin cannot enter into God's kingdom. Blameless, spotless and perfect in every way is what is required of us. Until we get our flesh under subjection, we cannot be perfect in the Lord. To walk by faith and not by sight means to walk in the Spirit.

Adam

Adam was the first man created by the hand of God. Everything else, God spoke into existence, but Adam was formed by God's own hand. God molded and shaped him completely from head to toe. I can imagine God working like an artist sculpting out a statue. Massaging and rubbing getting everything perfect. His head and face created in the image of God. His body in the likeness of God.
We must understand that God is spirit. He has no fleshly form as we do. Man likewise, at the time, had no fleshly form as we have.
Adam also warred against the flesh after he sinned in the sight of God. His sin caused flesh as we know it to come upon him and opened his eyes so that he no longer saw in the spiritual realm, but in the flesh. Knowledge of good and evil came upon him and cause him to be ashamed. He tried to hide from God because of his nakedness. This is the beginning of the war between flesh and spirit.

Cain

Cain murdered his own brother because of jealousy. His sacrifice was not acceptable to God. Some say it is because it was not a blood sacrifice. I can understand what they mean, but I am not sure that is the reason. The Bible states that without the shedding of blood there is no remission. God said to Cain, "Sin lies at the door." Sin was there and Cain had every opportunity to deal with his sin. He chose not to deal with it but to give in to it.

Samson

Samson was a strong man. The spirit of the Lord would come upon him and shake him causing him to have enormous strength like no other man ever had. He did many mighty works against the enemies of God. God had ordained him from birth to be a prophet. With the spirit of the Lord working so strongly in him, Samson still warred against the flesh. Many times the flesh won and eventually became his downfall.

King Saul

Samuel anointed Saul to be the first king over Israel. He followed God's instructions in doing so and Saul was a good king up to a point when he tried to do something that was not his calling to do. Saul failed in walking in the spirit at that time. The flesh has won again.

King David

David was a man after God's own heart. The Bible states that David was the apple in God's eyes. He was a mighty man of war against the enemies of God and worshipped God in spirit and in truth. Even with all that David did for the Lord, he still warred against the flesh and the flesh did win. He saw a married woman bathing from his rooftop one day and gave in to the desires of the flesh.
Simon Peter
Peter was a fisherman whom the Lord called to follow Him. There is no doubt that Peter loved Jesus but many time Peter failed to walk in the spirit. He walked on the water to meet Jesus but became afraid and when the flesh took over, he began to sink. When Jesus was arrested, Peter ran away but followed from a distance. He ended up denying knowing Jesus three times and each time the flesh was prevalent.

Grace of God

Even in our failures, God's grace is sufficient. His mercy endures forever and never ends. God claims in His Word that He will have mercy upon whom He will. In order to stop fulfilling the lusts of the flesh we must get closer to God. The only way to get close to someone is to get to know them personally. This is the essence of a relationship between two people. If there is no communication, there is no relationship. God always speaks in a still small voice and that voice is like a whisper. A whisper cannot be heard by a person who is distant from the whisperer. We must be close to God to hear His voice.

Once we get close enough to God to hear His voice, we must then be obedient to Him. (1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. .) Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice and a stranger they will not follow. " How many times have we followed the wrong voice? When Peter walked on the water then began to sink it was because he became fearful. He doubted that he was able to walk on water. This is what caused him to sink. His faith failed him and he started walking by sight. What he saw was not pretty but scary indeed to the flesh.

Until we bring our flesh under subjection to the spirit, we will continue to fluctuate between spirit and flesh. it is like being double minded. The book of James states that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. What it means is that a man can't make a decision. Why do you hesitate between two decisions?

Make a decision right now whom you will serve and serve him with all your heart, mind, body and soul. (Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ) We must renew our way of thinking.

We must be conformed to what God wants us to be. This is how we can put on holiness without which we cannot see God.

A Broken Heart

 Introduction

Was there ever a time in your life that you experienced a broken heart?

2Ki 20:11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.

Hezekiah had received word that it was time for him to die. He had served the Lord very well and the time had come for his departure. He wasn't ready to die just yet. He wanted to live life for a time longer. The news he received broke his heart. He cried out to God and God gave him fifteen years more to live.

The Beatitudes

The beatitudes found in Matthew Chapter 5, were taught by Jesus on the Mount of Olives. If you pay close attention, each verse deals with something that is painful or hard to bear. Blessed are the poor in spirit, (broken, hurting, beaten down because of the hardships that had fallen upon them).
What Jesus is saying is, "Blessed are those who hurt and are broken."

Fall of Mankind

The fall of mankind started a downward spin that is gaining momentum each and every day. Many times we have to make decisions that are hard and weigh heavily upon us because of the consequences of those decisions. Much of the time our decisions end up breaking a heart, be it our own or another's. It is during these times that we need a comforter.
Until the heart is opened, the bad stuff inside cannot be removed. Envy, strife, jealousy, anger, hate, and malice must be dealt with properly. God is able to remove these from our hearts only when our hearts are broken. These things are nothing we need anyway but it just excess baggage picked up by us along the journey of life.

Lifting Mankind Up

A heart must also be broken in order to put good things inside it. A broken heart can receive all the goodness that God has to offer us. Love, peace, joy, meekness, righteousness, and holiness are all attributes of God Himself. The Bible declares that it is not God's will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2nd Peter 3:9.

After repentance is done, God starts working on the heart. Each time something bad is removed, it is replaced with something good. God continues to work on the heart until it is full of goodness.

Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

A Broken Heart: Poem

My heart is broken, torn asunder
To remove the sins that make me blunder
Malice, envy, hate and pride
You refuse yourself to be denied

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
It must come before entering your Kingdom
Lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes
Evil imaginations, we all surmise

Must be dealt with in a mighty way
To keep sin and the enemy at bey
We draw near, seeking your holy face
We run our course, trying to finish the race

To honor you, we must come clean
White and polished, to a glorious sheen
To be a friend, in relationship with you
Be yours forever, created anew

My heart is broken, torn asunder
To instill the spirit of your awesome wonder
Forever I am yours and you are mine
My Lord, my God, to you I resign.

Conclusion

A broken heart is not the end. Yes, it hurts and the pain seems so bad that you feel you can't makes it at times. Even as we cry out to God, our hurting hearts will keep us from hearing Him at times. There is purpose for everything and a time for every purpose.

If you go to the supermarket and buy a jar of pickles, you can't eat the pickles until they are removed. They cannot be removed until the seal is broken and the lid removed. God takes our broken hearts and removes all the bad things we hold onto for all of our lives, (pride, envy, strife, jealousy, old grudges, hate, malice, etc. . . ). We feel the pain, even as He is doing a good work in us.

After the junk is removed, God will start putting good things into our heart. His love, peace, joy, and knowledge of Him is instilled. Many speak of the beatitudes and how great they are that Jesus would teach them but they fail to realize what is really being spoken. When Jesus spoke Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness, He is speaking of painful things. Hunger and thirst are painful. This is why we must come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

If your heart is broken, fear not nor be dismayed. God is still with you and is with you always, even to the end of the world. David wrote in Psalms 23, Thou prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Thou anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. He also wrote, I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Is Homosexuality Worse than Bearing False Witness, Committing Adultery, and Coveting

All those sins are important to refrain from doing. What I see, personally, homosexuality is thrown up in our faces constantly, therefore, it is what gets talked about most.

Did you ever wonder why they call their parades Gay Pride? That word pride is what really gets me. Pride is what caused sin to enter the world. Satan was full of pride and was booted out.

Now, the Supreme Court of the US decided gays should be able to marry who they want to marry. What's next? Sometimes when a group is allowed legally to do what they want to do, it opens a door for others. Want to marry your dog? Your horse? Your cat?

Bestiality, pedophilia, voyeurism, S&M, B&D are all considered sexual orientation. Sin begets sin. The more sin becomes legal, the more sin will become legal. The downward spiral of a fallen nation is what is taking place right now in America.

EDIT:  Pedophilia is not considered a sexual orientation as I stated.  I apologize for it and recant it.  The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has included pedophilia in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorderssince 1968.

God said, "Live."

Eze 16:5 None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born.

Eze 16:6 And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.

God spoke only one word to Jerusalem in these passages. He must only say that Word and a person can then live. God compared Jerusalem to a child being born and cast into a field with the placenta still attached. The baby wasn't washed and was in it's own blood even.

This is how all of us are before we are saved. We are in our own filth, but then God speaks a Word to us, (live), and we are no longer dead in our filth and blood.

Trying to Outrun God

“But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa.”

- Jon_1:3

Have you ever run from the Lord? If so, did you outrun Him? Jonah ran from the Lord and wanted nothing to do with the task that God set before him. He was unable to outrun God. God knew where Jonah was and where he was going. He was going in the opposite direction that he was directed to go.



God could have just let him go but His love for Jonah was great and he went after him to put him back on the right track. There are times in our walks that we may go against the Word that God gives us and He pursues us to set us back on the right path. We may run out of fear of what might happen or out of our hatred for what we are asked to do.



We must hold to the scripture, "2Co_9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: " God will not lead us to do something that He will not see us through to the end if we obey His voice.

The Supreme Court

Recently, the Supreme Court of the US declared that marriage between Homosexual and Lesbian couples is legal in the eyes of the law.  The decision has affected many people, not only in the US, but around the world.

First, I want to look at what the actual purpose of the Supreme Court is.  The judicial branch of the US government is to interpret laws and make decisions based upon those interpretations.  it is the highest court in the land, no appeals to any higher court can be made, according to the constitution of the United States.

Not every decision made by the Supreme Court is the right decision.  The justices are, supposedly, insulated from the pressures of society.  In other words, no opinion is to influence their decisions.  The justices of the court have their positions for life, unless of course they are impeached and convicted by Congress, or until they retire.

There are very few trials in the Supreme Court like in the lesser courts.  Their main purpose is to interpret law.

When the Supreme Court made the decision to recognize same sex marriage as being legal and right,m they actually overstepped their bounds.  They redefined something that has been between a man and a woman for ages.  It was not a law that was redefined and it actually wasn't about civil rights.

Marriage is not a civil right but a privilege.  Marriage between a man and a woman has always been recognized.  Marriage is not a free for all.  You cannot just marry whomever you want.   There are restrictions placed upon us.  For instance, I cannot marry another man's wife while she is still married.  Brothers and sisters cannot get married.  These are against the law to do.

The privilege to marry is not withheld from those who are homosexual.  They are free to marry as long as it is someone of the opposite sex.

Personally, I believe the Supreme Court judges gave in to pressure.  The LGBT community has been pressuring Congress and the rest of this nation for years to give them the right to marry whomever they want to marry be it of the same sex or opposite sex.  The pressure may have come from within the US government.  I cannot say for sure.

Finally, there is only One True Supreme Court and only One True Judge.  He sits in Heaven at this very moment seeing everything that goes on in the US and around the world.  His Word is final and there is no appeal to any above Him, because there are none above Him.

If you do not know the Supreme Judge, I suggest you get ready, for He is about to judge the whole world.

Rev 1:8  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

From Nobody to Somebody

Gen_6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Who was Noah? Was he a great man that everyone looked up to and revered? Noah was a "nobody" that was never heard about until the time that God is preparing to destroy the face of thee earth with a great flood. Why did God choose Noah to build the ark? Was there something special about Noah? Why didn't God choose someone else to build the ark?

Let's Look at some other "nobodies".

Gen_12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Who was Abram? Was there something really special about him that God would call him out of all the people that were living at the time? Why didn't God call someone else out instead of Abram? There are many many others that have been called from being "nobody" to being somebody. The Bible illustrates one after another that shows us this.

Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samson, Gideon, David, Solomon, were all "nobodies".

The disciples that Jesus called were "nobodies" also. Peter was a fisherman along with his brother Andrew. James and John the sons of Zebedee. Philip and Bartholomew. Matthew and James the son of Alphaeus. Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot. Twelve nobodies that have not been heard of before have been called out by Jesus.

These "nobodies" went on to do mighty works for the Lord in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They went so far not only as to spread the Gospel, but most of them also died in service for the Lord.

These are only a few of the "nobodies" mentioned in God's Word. There is one "nobody" that is mentioned very little but the work that he did was one of the greatest works that a man could be called to do.

Mat_27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

Mar_15:21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

Luk_23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

Seems rather simple doesn't it. This man Simon had to carry the cross of Jesus. Doesn't look like much of a work on the surface does it. But think deeply about this. Was it only a cross of wood that Simon had to carry? Is this all we have to say about this man? Let's go back in time to the Old Testament for a bit.

Lev_4:7 And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Part of the blood of the sacrifice is put onto the horns of the altar. The horns of the Altar had a significant purpose. The blood was put on the horns of the Altar. The horns also held the sacrifice on the Altar to keep it from sliding off.

Now when Simon the Cyrenian carried the cross of Jesus he carried the Altar of the sacrifice. Jesus was the sacrifice for the sins of the world and the nails were the horns of the Altar that held Him in place top keep Him from sliding off the Altar. Simon the Cyrenian went from being nobody to being somebody. Why was it Simon that had to carry the cross? Surely God could have called out anyone to do this small task. God chooses whom He will.

I once was a "nobody". Who has God called? God has called everyone to repentance.

2Pe_3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Why don't you think about it? Meditate upon the fact that God has called you, a "nobody", to be somebody. I know that I have many faults, but I also know who I am in Christ. I used to be a "nobody", but now I am somebody in Jesus Christ. You have the opportunity right now to become somebody. Will you let this moment slip by? Will you let the devil talk you out of the greatest blessing anyone can receive? Jesus waits for you with arms open wide. He loves you so much that the nails weren't really needed to hold Him on the cross. His love for you held Him there.