Pastorvirgil.com

05/31/2026

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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.

05/28/2026

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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05/27/2026

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

05/25/2026

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

05/24/2026

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05/23/2026

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In our modern western church, the practice of praying over the sick in a persistent, corporate manner seems almost lost. When James said “pray over” the sick, I think he had much more i…

05/23/2026

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:6-8 ESV
Whether motivated by a decision or a disaster, when you become willing to humble yourself and seek God, there’s nothing to stop you but yourself. God gives you grace to do whatever is necessary. No matter how big the challenge or how awful your past, God gives more grace. When you place yourself under the mighty hand of God, the devil has no power to stop you. Resist him and he will flee. When you seek God with all your heart, like the father of the prodigal son, He will immediately move to meet you. It's time to put aside your pride, turn toward home, and ask for help. Now take a step forward and start walking.
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05/22/2026

The LORD All-Powerful said, "Children honor their fathers. Servants honor their masters. I am your Father, so why don't you honor me? I am your master, so why don't you respect me? You priests don't respect my name. "But you say, 'What have we done that shows we don't respect your name?' "You bring unclean bread to my altar. "But you ask, 'What makes that bread unclean?' "It is unclean because you show no respect for the altar of the LORD. You bring blind animals as sacrifices, and that is wrong. You bring sick and crippled animals for sacrifices, and that is wrong. Try giving those sick animals as a gift to your governor. Would he accept those sick animals? No, he would not accept them." This is what the LORD All-Powerful said. (Malachi 1:6-8 ERV)
I'm thinking today about the things I offer to the Lord. Sure, I bring tithes and offerings. I bring myself to the gatherings of His saints. I offer my service to others and to the church. But here's the question: Am I bringing my best or am I just going through the motions? The priests inspected the sacrificial lambs, not because God is a picky eater, but because the condition of the offering revealed the heart of the giver. Today, Lord, I bring you my first and my best, not my leftovers. You have my undivided attention and my best effort. www.pastorvirgil.com

05/21/2026

And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.
Genesis 8:21 ESV
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:2 ESV
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 ESV
I think I see a pattern here. Redeeming love has a beautiful aroma to those who are looking for redemption. Let your presence leave a pleasant aroma wherever you go today. Somebody needs it. www.pastorvirgil.com

05/20/2026

LORD, you give me stability and prosperity; you make my future secure. It is as if I have been given fertile fields or received a beautiful tract of land. I will praise the LORD who guides me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn. I constantly trust in the LORD; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. So my heart rejoices and I am happy; My life is safe.
(Psalms 16:5-9 NET)
Today, I am overwhelmed with the goodness of God. He is merciful and gracious, blessing my feeble efforts and forgiving my frequent failures. He is always with me, and I will not be shaken. He is faithful. www.pastorvirgil.com