Psalm 51 Poem

 

Have mercy on me God, according to Your unfailing love,
I've committed unthinkable acts, I've never dreamed of.
With Your great compassion, blog out my transgressions,
Wash away all my sins, hear my humble confessions!

 

I've sinned against you God, done evil in your sight,
You can justly judge, to condemn You would be right.
I've always been sinful, even from the beginning,
Fear of God through wisdom, warns me to stop sinning!

 

Cleanse me with hyssop, make me whiter than snow,
Hear my joy and gladness, from Your grace that over flow.
Hide Your face from my sins, blot out my iniquity,
Make my heart pure, oh my, what a Victory!

 

For You restored my salvation, now I'm fully prepared,
To teach the lost Your ways, so many souls to be spared.
I'll open my lips and mouth, declaring Your Praise,
I'm Your obedient servant, for all the rest of my days!

 

by James Apple Jr.
 

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. (Psalm 51 NIV)

 

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Satan's Beatitudes

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)

Satan's Beatitudes

Blessed are those that have plenty of time to watch sports, movies, TV, and hang out with their friends, but not enough time to spend one hour a week with their fellow Christians in Church — they are my best workers.

Blessed are those that have no time to pray — for they become my prey.

Blessed are those that are easily upset and look for excuses to not go to church — they are my missionaries.

Blessed are those that sow gossip and stir up trouble — they are my beloved children.

Blessed are those that wait to be asked to serve and expect to be thanked — I can use them in my business.

Blessed are you that read this and believe you are not guilty of any of these sins — I've have a reserved room for you at my inn.

For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Help us Lord to remember that we are all sinners and deserve separation from You in Hell. Thank you Jesus for Your love and sacrifice. I know I am a sinner, please forgive me and help me to do better. Help me stay away from Satan's beatitudes and only follow Yours.

By James Apple Jr.

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Homosexuality is a Sin

It's shocking that many so-called "Christians" believe that homosexuality is not a sin. After this debate received national attention because of comments by Phil Robertson, some Christians announced that his comments were wrong. I am assuming that these people are the same liberal-minded Christians that believe abortion is not a sin.
Certainly, there are many subjects in the Bible that can be interpreted differently and are open for debate. But, the subject of homosexuality should not be one of them unless you are reading a different Bible that I am. I cannot understand how anyone could read these following verses and conclude anything other than, homosexuality is a sin!
Lev. 18:22 Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.
Lev. 20:13 If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
1 Cor. 6:9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders.
Rom. 1:26-28 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
After reading these Bible verses, do you see any possible way that homosexuality could be believed to not be a sin? Maybe I am missing something here, but the sinful nature of homosexuality is made perfectly clear in the Bible.
The next time a Christian tells you that there is nothing wrong with homosexuality, just have them read any of these verses and explain how they came up with such nonsense!
Of course, this does not mean that I dislike homosexuals or anyone that believes this act is not a sin. The Bible teaches us to love everyone and I believe this 100%. However, a sin is a sin; just as with lying or cheating. This is not for me to judge, but for God.
by James Apple Jr.

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Thank God For Phil Robertson

It is so hypocritical that the TV networks are so quick to condemn Phil Robertson, a Christian that speaks openly and truthfully about his faith and what the Bible teaches is a sin, but they open their arms wide to a President that has lied to us over and over again for years. They preach acceptance of everyone, but are the first to shut down first amendment speech rights to those that don't follow their so-called politically and socially correct agenda.
If you haven't heard, Phil Robertson, one of the stars of Duck Dynasty was suspended by the A&E Cable Network because he openly admitted to GC magazine during an interview that he thought homosexuality was a sin. This is the same belief that me and millions of other Christians around the world believe. They act as if this is some crazy nut that is speaking gibberish. The only difference between Phil Robertson and most other people is he has the guts to speak his mind and tell the truth. Most other people would 'sugarcoat' the subject and may at most only say they don't agree with homosexuality.
Phil Robertson quoted the Bible verse that says, "... the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders" (1 Corinthians 6:9).
Phil Robertson also said, "I myself am a product of the 60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior, My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together. However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.”
I believe any Christian that believes the Bible is God's Holy Word and must be interpreted as written; no matter if it doesn't go along with what society believes is "socially correct" must stand with Phil Robertson and let the liberal entertainment industry know that we will not put up with this kind of religious intolerance.
Phil Robertson did absolutely nothing wrong! He had the courage to say what most Christians and many Americans wish they too had the courage to say.
Americans should boycott all A&E programs until Phil Robertson is taken off suspension and apologizes for stomping on his 1st Amendment Rights!

by James Apple Jr.

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Profanity - What Does The Bible Say?

I recently read an article by Hal Lane, the pastor of West Side Baptist Church in Greenwood, SC, that was on the topic of "Christians and profanity." He addressed an issue that I and many others believe is quickly becoming a serious problem for our youth because today's culture makes them believe there is not such a big deal to use profanity. In fact, Hal pointed out that many so-called "cutting-edge" ministries often use profanity in an attempt to relate to and reach others that use profanity.

 

This technique may be effective in some ways, but one cannot just ignore the fact that the Bible teaches us that using profanity is a sin. I think most of us would agree that we (Christians) should not go to the taverns to get drunk to reach the lost alcoholics or have sex with prostitutes in order to reach them. Is there any real difference in using profanity to reach others that use profanity? I don't think so.
Let's take a look at 3 Bible verses that address profanity and you can decide for yourself if using profanity is acceptable for a Christian or not.

 

1. Our words should be pleasing to God.

Psalm 19:14 - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
In Psalm 19:14, I believe God is telling us that not only is Profanity displeasing to him, but any words that come out of our mouths that could be considered offensive to God or man. I believe we sin many times with our words without the use of profanity, so the use of profanity certainly must be disconcerting to our Lord and a sin.

 

2. Christian tongues are not meant to praise God and curse men.

James 3:9-10 - With the tongues we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
Go back and read the first few verses in James 3 and one learns other truths about the tongue other than it is not designed to both praise God and curse man. We learn that the tongue is like a fire and can kindle up anger to the point of causing wars. The tongue causes iniquity and can stir up sinfulness in others. In fact, if Christians are not careful the tongue can defile the entire body and very often leads us into sin. I believe the use of profanity is a sin that also leads us and others into more sin.

3. Every conversation should be full of grace and seasoned with salt.

Colossians 4:6 - Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Salt was very important during the time of Jesus as a man on earth. Not only was salt used to cure and keep food from spoiling, but provided a good taste and made the food inviting to eat. As saints of God, our speech should not only be inviting and pleasing to God, but should always be inviting for everyone else around us. Our speech should always be full of grace and used to attract others, not repel. I believe just the fact of how profanity repels those that believe its use is repulsive alone make the use of profanity a sin because of the foul nature of its use.
Certainly, all of us have sinned many times with the use of our tongues. Let us pray that God gives us the wisdom to recognize when we are saying anything that is offensive to God or others. Personally, I pray for God to give me the patience to think about what I about to say before I say it. Many times I say something without thinking and immediately realize afterwards that what I just said was offensive to God and man.
by James Apple Jr.

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Phil Robertson Abortion Speech

I had just recently started watching the popular TV reality series Duck Dynasty. Not that I have a fascination for watching what many might consider to be demeaning to some of Louisiana's population, but because I had heard on Fox News that the TV show was good wholesome entertainment that focuses on values and even ended every episode with a prayer. After watching a few episodes, I 100% agree! This show has to be one of the best shows I have seen that focuses on morales and values. It's like watching the Walton's, but on steroids! I absolutely loved the show!

One of the stars of this show, Phil Robertson, recently gave a speech that conformed my support for TV show and compels me to believe the people on this show are the "real deal" when it comes to their faith and beliefs. The characters of Duck Dynasty may look rough on the outside, but I think they just may have "hearts for the Lord" and be great spiritual role models.
Here is an excerpt from the Phil Robertson's speech:
"Listen, from the time you started inside your mother's womb, Thomas Jefferson had it right, ... you have the God-given right to life for crying out loud. You're this long (referring to the end of his finger). You're a week old inside your mother. They suck you out of there when you are about like that. You wouldn't be here tonight! And, when you got to be the size of my thumb, they suck you out. You wouldn't be here. Then, you grow a little bigger, like my fist - and finally eight, nine months later you come out ... And we debate whether it's a — some woman's right to tear you out of there a piece at a time! C'mon! You have a God-given right to live. And of all places, inside your mother ... what in the world happened to us?"
Amen brother! It doesn't get much clearer than that! If we don't have a right to live within the womb of our own mother's, then where do we have a right to live? And, what in the world did happen to America and the values our great forefathers founded this nation on? Just like brother Phil spoke of in his fiery speech.

 

I tell you what happened to these values! They were hi-jacked by progressive thinking. It is no longer politically correct to tell anyone that what they are doing is wrong. Even more politically incorrect to label actions such as abortion as a SIN that women will someday answer to kneeling at the feet of their Lord Jesus. The problem is we have stopped identifying and condemning sins and started accepting them as the everyday norm.
The Bible is clear and teaches us this:
Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:4-5

 

The whole debate around the legality of abortion is that a fetus is not a human being. But, God said he knew us before we were born, even in the womb. This tells me that God has a purpose for every life, including the lives that were not allowed to live because of abortion.

 

Abortion is a sin and it is murder. Do not be deceived and start calling abortion what it really is!

by James Apple Jr.

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