Bold for Christ 2

 Losing your job. 

We read things like this.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:12-13

We read things like this. Yeshua, or Jesus, said this

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they keep my word, they will also keep yours.” John 15:18-20

In His famous “Sermon on the Mount,” He told us this.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12

"Rejoice and be glad?" "Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ WILL be persecuted." The World WILL hate you and you WILL be persecuted. This is the Word. This is a warning of things to come. This will happen and I, God, am warning you that it is coming so you are not caught off guard. So that you are not surprised.

Peter warned us of this too.

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good if that should be God's will than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:14-17

One of the biggest risks and fears people all have is losing their jobs. There are people where you work that are lost, that are going to hell, that need a Savior. You are a child of God. You have the keys to the Kingdom and Hell, death, and the grave. Your Father, God, gave them to His Son, and He gave them to you. All you have to do is tell people about Yeshua, or Jesus, and His sacrifice for them and the fact all they have to do is believe in Him and they too can be saved.

Their response? “I cannot do that. My boss is not a believer, and we are not allowed to talk about religion or politics. I could, {say it with me} lose my job.”

Now I know we are going to cover some of the things we have talked about many times, but this is a reality that you, as a child of God, really need to learn and take for yourself and know, this is a fact told to you by Yeshua Himself. If you have your Bible, turn to Matthew 6, starting at verse 25

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than them?”

You need to get this child of God. He is talking directly to you.

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

God does this. Not man. Not “Mother Nature.” God.

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.”

If everyone needs these things, God knows you need them, then how do you guarantee you will get them? How can you guarantee that your daily needs will be met?

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:25-33

This is a fact. It is not your job that sustains and blesses you. I will say that again because someone needs to hear it. It is not your job that sustains and blesses you. Even though some people look at their j.o.b. as their g.o.d. It is not. In the “Our Father Prayer” Jesus even included this aspect of God’s love to us. 

“Give us this day our daily bread,” Matthew 6:11

Is your job in charge of your needs? The company or organization you are working for is at the mercy of profit. If they do not make money, they can not afford to pay you. Due to economic situations, you may go to work on Monday, and find you no longer have a job. They need to find ways to keep the company going, and if that means cutting you, you will be cut. Now, do they do this for a personal reason? No. It just happens. You were costing the company or organization more than they could afford to pay you. I understand it is hard not to take it personally. But for the most part? It isn't.

Here you are, driving home, fearful of the future. I know some that go to work every day, fearful that it is their last. Is there anything you could have done to stop the loss of your job? Probably not. Is there anything you can do driving home, to change the fact you lost your job? Nope. So why worry about it?

You have an unfair advantage. You really do. Remember, you are a child of God. Remember, God promised you that your needs will be met. The God of gods, the King of Kings, the Creator of all that is, was, or ever will be, is your Daddy. Do you think He will not meet your needs?

Think of a rich man. Would he not give all he has to his son or daughter if they became in need? Of course. God is far richer than the richest man. So you do not have to fear the loss of a job. As a side note. You also do not need to kill yourself trying to make that next dollar.

Our Lord tells us.

“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice on that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.” Luke 6:22-23

“Leap for joy.” “Rejoice.” I love that. "Sorry, Pete, you are fired.” No. I’m not going to try to leap here. But I will rejoice. {laughing} My leaping days may be over. But it took me a long time to get this. I’m going to tell you a story that is going to be hard for you to understand. May even be hard for some to accept. However, you can research it yourself and find it true.

One of my first jobs was working in Mall Security. I started overnight. In the first few months, I became a sergeant. Things were going along just fine for the first 3 years. Then a new Mall Manager took over. He was not such a nice guy. He used and abused not only his staff but some of the tenants of the mall as well. He also used the mall as a personal storage area for his things. Now this was right in the middle of me discovering salvation and receiving a deeper understanding of the Word and God's Way.

Now, Dwight, and I, one of the instrumental people in getting me into my quest for Truth, decided to go to this man and ask him if he knew Christ. His exact answer was "I don't have time for that nonsense." Then he stole my file from the files, and asked my boss, Dwight, for it. Needless to say, it was not there. So I got blamed for stealing my file. Turns out, he had it the whole time and then fired me. He also fired Dwight and a few others. I, to my surprise, remembered this Passage

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:

for it is written,

I will repay, saith the Lord."

I forgave him. A few months later, I heard that he was in the center of the mall when the owners came in and fired him. Right there in the center of the mall, in front of so many people, he was abusive over the years he was there. He received the same treatment that he dished out. I hear he did not handle it well.

There was nothing I could have done to him, to equal what happened to him. Nothing. However, God did not stop there. If you go to the Newburgh Mall in Newburgh NY, you will find a shell. It no longer exists.

This was the first time, not the last, I have seen, firsthand, entire places disappear. A child of God wronged, and not soon after, the entire business was gone. You can do nothing in comparison to what God can do. Why stress out over it? Forgive them, and allow God to take it from there.

I worked as a manager for a major hotel brand. One in Newburgh and one in Stuart Florida. Both Holiday Inns. I built two award-winning teams in both and everything was going along just fine. However, my mentor in Newburgh was an alcoholic and abusive. He caused me employees and a lot of problems but I was also learning the trade and I toughed it out for seven years. Then due to personal matters, I ended up moving to Florida. I forgave him and continued my career in the Holiday Inn of Stuart. I worked there for three and a half years. I was fired based on a lie, and false allegations. Sound familiar? I forgave them. Skip ahead to today? The drunken mentor? Dead. The Holiday Inn in Newburgh and Stuart Florida? Yeah, they no longer exist.

Am I someone special? YES! I am a child of God! If you are, you are special too. The most powerful words you can possibly say to someone who wrongs you? “I forgive you.” The hard part is meaning it. "I forgive you." Why? Because you take them out of your hand, and you give them to God.

So what happened each time I got fired? I got a better job than I ever had before. God blessed me richly. I never had a fear or a lack of food. The bills were paid. Nothing happened to me. I do not even believe I had even a week off of work before I started a new Job.

Paul says this in Philippians

“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, so that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8

Remember, Jesus called the rich man building barns a fool. Why? That very day, his soul was required. In other words, he was dying that day. Then whose stuff does all that become? You come into the world naked and you go out the same way. You do not take it with you. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. So why worry about it?

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:11

Be bold for Christ. What would happen if you lost your job? “Leap for joy.” “Rejoice.” Blessed are you. Forgive those you ought to and allow God to take care of it. There is nothing you can do that is worthy to be compared to what God can and will do.

Are you a child of God? If you have not already done so, and if you truly want to have Yeshua come into your life and set you free from Hell, death, and the grave, having the ability to be bold, then say this prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be, say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Yeshua's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Yeshua, Amen!"

That's it. It is that simple. Now tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Yeshua, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Yeshua is Lord!

Biblical Heart Check, Love of Money

Love of possessions.

We are about to dive deep into this Prayer that David prayed to God and challenges us to do the same;

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Pslam 139:23-24

As we discussed last time, it is scary for us to pray because of the answer that God may give us. We may be going to church. Some may even be reading their Bible all the time and praying daily. However, are there distractions in your heart? We read things like this.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

We read things like this.

“And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

Yet we are told that the heart is evil. Without Yeshua or Jesus, it is. Without the Holy Spirit in you, it is nothing but a flesh-loving heart. It is easily distracted and this is what we will be talking about today. Here is one of the first and biggest distractions of a flesh-loving heart.

Love of money and possessions. The Bible warns against the dangers of materialism and the temptation to prioritize wealth over God. For example, Matthew 6:24 says

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

Why? Because Jesus knows the human heart. He even told us this.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Why? Our love of money and our love for possessions. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” But I thought there was nothing wrong with wanting more. I thought keeping up with the Joneses was normal and a good thing. It helps you to desire to be better. Right? Wrong. Jesus helps you to be better. The Holy Spirit helps you to be better. God changes your heart, and HE makes you better.

What you are talking about is covetousness. Jesus said this.

“And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15

Why?

“Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.” Proverbs 11:28

Remember the story of the rich man and his barns?

“And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry."'

But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21

Jesus goes on to say this.

“And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.” Luke 12:22-23

I have known workaholics. I have been a workaholic. I worked two full-time jobs and slept every other day or so. It only lasted about 7 months until something had to give. The sad thing is, that some people are so afraid of losing stuff, that they spend half their lives trying to stay one foot ahead of the grave, which puts them in it. You can only go so far on empty until you simply stop going. What is Jesus’s answer for us? His answer for us to have our needs met?

“And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:29-32

You are a prince or princess of Heaven. The Alpha, and The Omega, The Beginning and the End, The Creator of the Universe is now your Daddy. Are you going to worry about the electric bill? The cable?

If having a TV is a worry, you may need to rethink your priorities. If you cannot put food on the table, but you can watch your favorite show, you may want to rethink your priorities. If you cannot go to Bible Study, because you cannot miss your favorite show? Somebody say amen. If you cannot put food on the table because you have a $700.00 a month car payment, you may want to rethink your priorities. If your kids are wearing worn-out clothes and eating scraps, but you can afford those cigarettes and that alcohol, you should check your priorities. I warned you this series was going to sting some. We are doing a heart check. How is yours?

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” 1 Chronicles 16:11

We are going to end today with this. 1 Peter 4

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this, they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does”

Talking to you child of God

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter: 1-11

We do not know what tomorrow will bring. The rich man died on the eve of completing his bigger barn. Tomorrow is nowhere to be found. Jesus tells us that the morrow will worry about itself and is filled with evil. James tells us this.

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”, yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” James 4:13-16

What is your heart's desire? Is it money and stuff? Or are you doing what God said to do?

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

Be the child of God, that God calls you to be.

Have you been adopted into the Family of God? Would you like to be? It is simple. Say this prayer. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

Email if you wish to contact me, it's truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Jesus, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Isaiah, Chapter 41

 Chapter 41

Fear Not, for I Am with You

1 Listen to me in silence, O coastlands;

    let the peoples renew their strength;

let them approach, then let them speak;

    let us together draw near for judgment.

2 Who stirred up one from the east

    whom victory meets at every step?

He gives up nations before him,

    so that he tramples kings underfoot;

he makes them like dust with his sword,

    like driven stubble with his bow.

3 He pursues them and passes on safely,

    by paths his feet have not trod.

4 Who has performed and done this,

    calling the generations from the beginning?

I, the Lord, the first,

    and with the last; I am he.

5 The coastlands have seen and are afraid;

    the ends of the earth tremble;

    they have drawn near and come.

6 Everyone helps his neighbor

    and says to his brother, “Be strong!”

7 The craftsman strengthens the goldsmith,

    and he who smooths with the hammer him who strikes the anvil,

saying of the soldering, “It is good”;

    and they strengthen it with nails so that it cannot be moved.

8 But you, Israel, my servant,

    Jacob, whom I have chosen,

    the offspring of Abraham, my friend;

9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth,

    and called from its farthest corners,

saying to you, “You are my servant,

    I have chosen you and not cast you off”;

10 fear not, for I am with you;

    be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

11 Behold, all who are incensed against you

    shall be put to shame and confounded;

those who strive against you

    shall be as nothing and shall perish.

12 You shall seek those who contend with you,

    but you shall not find them;

those who war against you

    shall be as nothing at all.

13 For I, the Lord your God,

    hold your right hand;

it is I who say to you, “Fear not,

    I am the one who helps you.”

14 Fear not, you worm Jacob,

    you men of Israel!

I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord;

    your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

15 Behold, I make of you a threshing sledge,

    new, sharp, and having teeth;

you shall thresh the mountains and crush them,

    and you shall make the hills like chaff;

16 you shall winnow them, and the wind shall carry them away,

    and the tempest shall scatter them.

And you shall rejoice in the Lord;

    in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory.

17 When the poor and needy seek water,

    and there is none,

    and their tongue is parched with thirst,

I the Lord will answer them;

    I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

18 I will open rivers on the bare heights,

    and fountains in the midst of the valleys.

I will make the wilderness a pool of water,

    and the dry land springs of water.

19 I will put in the wilderness the cedar,

    the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive.

I will set in the desert the cypress,

    the plane and the pine together,

20 that they may see and know,

    may consider and understand together,

that the hand of the Lord has done this,

    the Holy One of Israel has created it.

The Futility of Idols

21 Set forth your case, says the Lord;

    bring your proofs, says the King of Jacob.

22 Let them bring them, and tell us

    what is to happen.

Tell us the former things, what they are,

    that we may consider them,

that we may know their outcome;

    or declare to us the things to come.

23 Tell us what is to come hereafter,

    that we may know that you are gods;

do good, or do harm,

    that we may be dismayed and terrified.

24 Behold, you are nothing,

    and your work is less than nothing;

    an abomination is he who chooses you.

25 I stirred up one from the north, and he has come,

    from the rising of the sun, and he shall call upon my name;

he shall trample on rulers as on mortar,

    as the potter treads clay.

26 Who declared it from the beginning, that we might know,

    and beforehand, that we might say, “He is right”?

There was none who declared it, none who proclaimed,

    none who heard your words.

27 I was the first to say to Zion, “Behold, here they are!”

    and I give to Jerusalem a herald of good news.

28 But when I look, there is no one;

    among these there is no counselor

    who, when I ask, gives an answer.

29 Behold, they are all a delusion;

    their works are nothing;

    their metal images are empty wind.

Being A Child of God, Needs Met

 Do not worry.

We are currently talking about being the child of God God calls you to be. We have talked about many things. Last time we started talking about why we need to do our Father's business. Or the fact that we need to do good works. One of the excuses, I know I know, but I'm using the word, excuses that some people give is that they are afraid to lose their job. They are afraid that somehow their financial stability will be shaken and they will lose everything.

Look at Covet 19. Look at the state of our world today during this pandemic. People have lost businesses and jobs left and right. The Government has started to mail people free money. Ever receive a large financial gift? Perhaps tax time rebate? Perhaps your stimulus? Something that you did not have nor counted on. Now, you look at your bank account, and instead of worrying about the next bill, you have peace of mind. Why? The account has more than enough to cover everything. The problem is, this is usually a temporary situation. God is not temporary.

Sometimes we forget who we are, and we fear. But God says, fear not, your needs will be met. As a child of God, adopted by the Spirit of God, an heir to all things that is, ever was, or will be. The God that created all, is now your daddy. Romans 8 declares:

"The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8:16-17

Just a little later we read this.

"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died more than that, who was raised who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake, we are being killed all day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:32-39

We are now children of God. As a child of God, nothing can separate us from the love of our Father. NOTHING! However, we still live in the world. From time to time, we allow the things of the world to creep in. During this pandemic, we have added stress and worry. Used to be we would start concentrating more on how we can get ahead, or make more money in our Jobs. Now we fear for our jobs. So many companies and businesses closing for good. We worry about paying the rent or mortgage. We worry about paying the electric bill. Can we afford that new car? ETC. Where is our next meal coming from?

We get so caught up in the stuff of this world, that we forget our Father is GOD. When you forget that very important fact, you can allow the same fear that everyone in the world has. What is next? What will tomorrow bring? How will things work out? What must we do?

You have been adopted into the family of God. You have received the same Spirit that was in Jesus, and are now equal to Jesus. You are a child of God. Whenever someone does something against you, they do not truly know what they are doing, or whom they are doing it to. We are to do His Will.

Why are you worried about your neighbor saying something that is most likely not even true about you. Or why worry about your co-worker playing games trying to get ahead. Why are you worried about losing a job where you are making someone else rich? You do not rely on mankind. You rely on God.

Do you not realize that God, is more than capable of getting you that promotion, as long as it fits into His plans? There is nothing that your neighbor, co-worker, and even boss, can do that will affect God's plans. You are part of those plans now. So why worry? Everything in this world is temporary anyway. All your "stuff." It is all temporary.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

You could even say it this way?

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

God is not really all that worried about how much "stuff" you have. He is more concerned with you and your soul. He is more concerned with how you treat others. Are you sharing the Gospel? Are you sharing His word? Are you doing His work?

If we try to do it on our own, we may succeed in a worldly sense. We may become successful. We may get a lot of stuff. But remember what Jesus warned us of in Luke 12:15

"And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Jesus tells us that we should not worry about such things. Again, Your Father knows what you have need. He said this.

"And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

The world doesn't like the fact we are God's children. They do not like the fact we do not have to worry. Jesus said a few times, that the world hated him, therefore, being a child of God, and doing our Father's Will, will make the world hate us as well. But we must not take thought of what the world thinks. We are in the world not of it. We need to rely on God Himself. He will meet our needs. Mark 11:22-24

"And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

Think about that. This is a promise, given to us by Jesus himself. And in Luke 11, Jesus says it this way.

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

We have nothing to fear folks. Zero. As long as we are doing the right thing. Seeking first the Kingdom of God. Seeking God. Seeking Jesus. Doing His work. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God.

How do you seek first the Kingdom of God? How do you get to know who God really is, and how do you learn who Jesus really is? How do you grow in Faith? Simple. Read God's Word. Get a Bible if you do not have one. Read it. Ask God to show you what he wants you to see. Find a Church that is teaching the truth, and producing fruit. Ask God to lead you to one. The one he wants you in.

Get knowledge. Feed your spirit. Grow in faith. Then ask God, what would you have me do? It may be helping out in a food pantry. It may be as simple as sharing the word. It may be that you should become a Pastor. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Everyone is different. But God knows who you are. He knows what you are capable of. He already has a plan and a purpose for your life. Find out what it is.

As for all this other stuff? God knows what you have needed before you do. He knows before you ask. The same Spirit that raised Lazarus from the dead, is in you! Do you really think that the Spirit is unable to find a way to feed you? To make sure you have a roof over your head? Do you think, as Jesus said, we know how to give good things to our children, and we are evil, imagine how much more God, being Love itself, will give his children?

Fear not. Be of good cheer, God is your Daddy. Your needs will be met. Next time we will be discussing the fact that there is a reward waiting. How big? Well, that depends on you.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He raised from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

God IS in Charge, Your Daily Needs

God IS in charge of your needs.

Is your job in charge of your needs? The company or organization you are working for is at the mercy of profit. If they do not make money, they can not afford to pay you. Due to economic situations, you may go to work on Monday, and find you no longer have a job. They need to find ways to keep the company going, and if that means cutting you, you will be cut. Now, do they do this for a personal reason? No. It just happens. You were costing the company or organization more than they could afford to pay you. I understand, it really is hard not to take it personally. But for the most part? It really isn't.

Here you are, driving home, fearful of the future. I know some that go to work every day, fearful that it is their last. Is there anything you could have done to stop the loss of your job? Probably not. Is there anything you can do driving home, to change the fact you lost your job? Nope. So why worry about it?

You have an unfair advantage. You really do. Remember, you are a Child of God. Remember, God promised you, your needs will be met. In Luke 12:22-31

"And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you."

You see, as a Child of God, The God of gods, the King of Kings, the Creator of all that is, was, or ever will be, is your Daddy. Do you think He will not meet your needs? Think of a rich man. Would he not give all he has to his Son or Daughter if they became in need? Of course. God is far richer than the richest man. So you do not have to fear the loss of a job. As a side note. You also do not need to kill yourself trying to make that next dollar.

When you think about what reality really is, and you come to the recognition of who you are as a Child of God, a job is nothing to worry about. What about those who worry about war? World peace? Famines in other parts of the world? Worry about the end of the world? What about those who worry about what others think of them? Worry about crime. Worry about sickness. Worry about the choices their loved ones make?

None of this really matters. You do not control world governments. You do not control sickness and disease. You can not make the decisions your loved ones need to make on their own. Even your kids. You do not control crops. You do not control the world.

Truth is, what is important for you to think about, is who you are. Learn who your Father is. Did Noah control the flood? Nope. He built an Ark to ride it out. He obeyed God. Did Job worry about losing everything, including his health? Nope. He endured it. Did Jesus Himself control His torture and Crucifixion? Nope. He endured it because He knew it must come to pass.

But people think I'm weird and I am ignorant. They say trusting God to meet my needs is foolish and I need to grow up and fend for myself. This whole Faith thing? People call people who have Faith names and think that they are stupid. I do not want to be thought of this way. Remember what Jesus told His Disciples, He is telling you also, that many will not hear His Word.

"Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word." John 8:43

But that is no excuse for not telling them the truth. In. Luke 10

"After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town."

God is your Daddy. In most cases, He is NOT theirs. Who is smarter? You are a Child of God. As Romans 8 declares.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died more than that, who was raised who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Nothing any other human can do can separate you from the love of God. There is nothing anyone can do to you. including the taking of your life. Remember what Jesus said about fearing those that can take your life? Matthew 10:28

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

This is because, once you become a Child of God, you become an Heir to the Kingdom. I use Colossians 3:10 when I give the "Prayer of Salvation" because it makes it clear. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." The new you is immortal. You will be in a far better place. You will be in Heaven. With the Lord. So who wins?

Temptations will come. The devil will tempt you. Bad things will happen. These things will happen, if you believe them or want them, or not. But God knows who you are. He knows your heart. He will strengthen you. He will comfort you. He will forgive you. But do not think that as a Child of God, you will not have to face trials and tribulations. No. Greater than you did before, you will now. Don't worry about them. You can't change them. All you can do is endure. Learn from them. Strengthen others afterward.

People worry about the silliest things. We really do. What is not in our control, we should not worry about. We must trust in God. He knows our hearts. He knows our minds. He knows what is going on in our life. He knows more about it than we do. Do you know, right now, there are two coworkers of yours, talking on the phone, and plotting how to get you into trouble, because of whatever reason?

Did you know that your car is about to break down? The computer chip is going to fail today on your way home? God does.

Did you know the devil is going to meet you today and tempt you with something that sounds incredible? God does.

Do you know if you will give in to the temptation? God does.

Do you know right now that there are Governments plotting and planning attacks on each other? God does. God is God. He knows all things always. God does.

Some things in life, some moments in time, are completely fixed. They MUST come about, for whatever reason. You can't stop them. You can't change them. You cannot even avoid them. They will happen. How you choose to deal with them, will affect you more, than the events themselves. Why worry about the things that you cannot change?

Trust in God. He is your Father. Have Faith in Christ. He is your Savior. Listen to the Holy Spirit. He is in you. You are a blood-bought, duly cleansed, Child of God. Worry? "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Some things are not ours to change, but for us to endure. Why worry about them? But as a Child of God, endure if you can.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will heal you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He was raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is just that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, comment, questions, give testimonials or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.{2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

I Am Who HE Says I Am, Now

Who Are You NOW?

Last time we talked about who you really are. Who God sees you as. Remember? A Wretched Sinner. The Good News is simple. You do not have to stay this way. Remember the Prayer?

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. When you leave here today, go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

Now you have been Adopted into the Family of God. NOW and only NOW, after saying that Prayer, are you a Child of God.

2 Child of God.

Let's go back to Romans 8 starting at verse 9

"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

Now, remember, you once walked in the flesh. Doing the deeds of the flesh, because that is Human Nature. Now that you are of the Spirit, you are no longer bound by the flesh. You are now a completely new Creature.

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

Before you accepted the Spirit you were NOT a Child of God. But the Good News is, if you have accepted Jesus, you are now. Here is the Good News you should rejoice in.

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

Think about that for a second. Seriously. Imagine a Worldly Royal Family. You have the King, Queen, and the Kids. Who are the Kids? Prince and Princesses. They are Heirs to the Throne. All that their Family is, have, and Rule over, is theirs. They are next in line to inherit.

Now think about God. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He is the Alpha and the Omega. The Beginning and the End. The Creator and Ruler of all things. You have just become His Heirs. You are now part of the Family that is God. Your Daddy is the King of Kings. Think about that. Just let that settle into your Mind and Heart.

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

This you really need to get. Highlight in in your Bible. Write it down. Memorize it. Know that this is the Absolute Truth. This is who you are now. No matter what the World may say. No matter what anyone else may say. No matter what you may see happening at this present time. This is the Absolute Truth. Take comfort in knowing this.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

Think about that. The only reason you heard about God, Jesus, perhaps even stumbled upon this Blog, is because God CALLED you. I'll say that again. The only way you can find God, is if he CALLS you. He who he called, he sets up a plan and a purpose for their lives. Need more good news?

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Neither Death, nor Life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor Height, nor Depth, nor any other Creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. NOTHING! There is NOTHING that can steal away your Salvation. NOTHING can separate you from God from this point on. So why worry about your Neighbor? Why worry about your Boss and what they might think about what has just happened to you today? Why worry about much of anything?

You were once "dead man walking." Now you are a Child of God. You once were under the Law. Now, there is no Law. The Lord of Lords and the King of Kings is your Daddy. Rejoice and be glad about that. If you do not have a Bible, go get one. If you do not have a Church, Pray that God, your Daddy, leads you to one He wants you to be part of. Get to know Him. Get to know all the Good news and promises that now apply to YOU.

Jesus gives us, even more, Good News about being a Child of God. He says that as a Child of God, we should have no Fear whatsoever. He tells us this in Matthew 6:25-33

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

You are now a Child of God. He is your Daddy. You have nothing to fear. Nothing whatsoever. All you have to do is remember who your Daddy is. This is so very important now. Why? Because now you are a Stranger in a Strange Land. You are now in the World but no longer of it. More on this next time.

Remember, go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You are now Adopted into the Family of God. You are now His Child.

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord.

Psalm 56

Psalm 56

1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.

3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.

8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

10 In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word.

11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Psalm 27

Psalm 27

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

We Become What We Think About.

Turn off that Movie Theater of the Mind.

Or at least change the Movie. As Earl Nightingale, an American Motivational Speaker and Author, known as the "Dean of Personal Development," declared, "We become what we think about." Not only is this true, but it is also Biblical. 

What happens when bad stuff happens in our lives? Loss of a Loved One. Loss of a Job. Breakups. Discovery of Sickness. Whatever it may be. We, as Humans, have a tendency to go to that most famous of all Movie Theater in the World. We go to the lobby. We get our Popcorn and big Soda, we sit in the not so comfortable seats, and we watch the Movie. We watch the events unfold over and over again. Oh, we may throw in there some "What Ifs?" and "If Onlys." But we play the events over and over again.

Our friends and Family try to help. They say things like "It is what it is." Or "Life goes on." Or "Time heals all wounds." ETC. But there we sit, watching it over, and over, and over, again.

Sometimes, we find ourselves angry that we are where we are in life. We look around and we see others doing so well, and we are struggling to pay our bills. We can't go on a Cruse whenever we want. We can't buy that new toy for our kid. We can't live in a Million Dollar Mansion. It's not fair. So we play the "Woe is me" Movie, over and over, again.

Sometimes, it does not even have to be a catastrophic, or life changing event. Sometimes, everything seems to be going right. Good Job. Great relationship. Money in the Bank. Yet, you are depressed. Sometimes when all is well, you are worried that it will not last. "What If?" "What if it all ended tomorrow?" So the Movie you are watching is what you feel will happen if it all goes away.

Time to change the Movie. Why? "We become what we think about." Like I said, this is not only true, but it is also Biblical..

{Philippians 4:6-8}

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

C.S. Lewis told us "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither." What do you mean? I'm not suppose to think about things that are happening right now in my life??? I'm not suppose to worry about the bad stuff?

{Isaiah 43:16, 18-19}

"Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

If you are a Child of God, you can also claim this in Romans 8

"28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Oh we may not understand it at the time. Every situation is different. But if we set our mind, and vision on things above, as the Word declares us to..

{Colossians 3:1-3}

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."

Trust God, and He will take care of whatever it is. Who is in charge of your life? Circumstance? Others? You? Or is God? Do you call God "Daddy?" Yet you have decided to do whatever on your own? God is bigger than ANYTHING in your life. Who are you trusting in?

But it's not only focusing on the negative stuff that happens in your life. Sometimes, it is when we focus on things we should not, that causes negative things TO happen in our lives. You have heard it said, as it is written...

{Galatians 6:7}

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

But thinking about something is not Sin? Right? No. But thinking about something can LEAD to Sin. This is why the Tenth Commandment is this..

{Exodus 20:17}

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's."

This is why Jesus told us..

{Matthew 5:28}

"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

Why?

{James 1:14-15}

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished bringeth forth death"

You want the right kind of Life? You must have the right Mind. If you want to "get over it", "Move on," "Stop hurting?" You want God to truly Bless you and your Life? You must shut down that Movie Theater, or you must at least, change the Movie. If you think on the negative, then negative is what you will receive. If you think on Godliness, then Godliness is what you receive.

You have the power to change your Life. You have the power to overcome. Through the Blood of Christ, through the Holy Spirit, YOU have the ability to bring forth Blessings or Curses into you life, simply by what you spend your time thinking about. You are a Child of God. Do you not think that your Daddy is bigger than anything in your life? Do you not think He only wants what is best for you? Jesus put it this way...

{Luke 11:11-13}

"If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

STOP WATCHING THE MOVIE. Stop thinking of what happened. Stop worrying about what might happen. Stop worrying at all. God is your Daddy, and He has your back. Simply trust in Him. If we become what we think about, and we do, then be mindful of what you are thinking.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord..

Psalms 37 Part Two

Study of Psalms 37 continued...

Welcome back. Last time we started an in-depth Study into this amazing Psalm.We ended last time on Verse 20. In just those 20 Verses, we learned about being a Child of God, means fearing no man. We learned about Gods desire that we should not Covet. That we need not worry about evil people, and what the end result of the pursuit of Riches is. We learned that we need to trust in the Lord, His Word, and His Way.

So let's pick up where we left off....

Psalms 37

21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

What does this have to do with me? You may be asking this. Well, Jesus told us this..

"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."{Luke 6:35}

Why? Because you are a Child of God. He said so. Just like when our Parents tell us something we may not understand at the time, God says to us, "Because I said so." Jesus was talking about how we should be as Children of God. Turning the Other Cheek, Loving our Enemies. Showing Mercy to them. Forgiveness. Judge not. Then He told us this...

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."{Luke 6:38}

Jesus is telling us that we need to be different than those that are not Children of God. We ARE different. Jesus tells us we need to BE different. Continuing in Psalms

22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

Pretty simple to understand. Is it not. You accept His Gift of Adoption and live. Do not, and, well, do not. It really is not a complicated concept. Be Blessed of God, or be cut off. Without the Key, you can in no way enter into Heaven. Without following God's plan you can not receive God's Reward.

Let's continue to the end of Psalms 37, because there is one overriding theme here.

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

40 And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

So what is David telling us? He is telling us that as long as we are under the auspices of God, we are Blessed, Protected, Loved, and we will receive the ultimate reward. We will be Blessed if we are a Blessing. We will receive, if we give. We will live forever with God, while those that do evil, will be cut off.

He is telling us that we need not to Envy or Covet what they are, and what they have. As Jesus told us of the Rich Man in Hell {Luke 16:19-31} the Rich man who built bigger Barns {Luke 12:16-21}. David also told us this in Psalm 39.

"Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them."{Psalm 39:6}

We also need not fear the evil ones. Why? Because that worst that they could possibly do to you, is end your time here on Earth. I know, that sounds pretty bad. But really think about it. That's all they can do. Once they do that, you will stand before God and He will say to you,,,

"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master."{Matthew 25:23}

Jesus told the Thief that was Crucified with Him,,

"To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."{Luke 23:43}

Wait, what? This guy is a Thief. A Bad Guy. One who was found guilty and was being put to death. Why would Jesus say that to him? Because he recognized who Jesus was, and repented his Sins to Him, Perhaps the very first person saved through the Sacrifice of Jesus's Blood. Think about that. The first one Saved through the Death of Jesus, was a Sinner worthy of death.

When your Life is ended on this Earth, YOU will stand before God. But so will they. Only they will hear a totally different statement. They will be cast out. It will not be a good day. Oh they may have a big house. They may have many cars. They may have a pocket full of money. But YOU are a Prince or Princess of Heaven. You are a Child of God. An Heir according to the Promise. What do they have that is even worthy to be compared. Our life here is but a Vapor. Here today, gone tomorrow. But you will live on forevermore.

We must seek God's Wisdom. Not the Wisdom of the World. For..

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." {Psalm 111:10}

For the Wisdom of this World?

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."{1 Corinthians 3:19}

Jesus warns us that once you come out from them, you must be careful. You are not immune to falling away. Jesus said this..

"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation."{Matthew 12}

You become the company you keep. If they Drink and Party, chances are, so will you. If they Lie, Cheat, and Steal, chances are, so will you. If they Pray, Praise God, and do His Will, chances are, so will you. Who do you want to hang out with? Those that can take you down a path of Destruction? Or those that can help you, build you up, and love you for being you. Do you want to be with those that will use you and abuse you? Or do you wish to be with FAMILY. Family of God.

When you read Psalms 37, or any of God's Word, do not just scan over it. Eat it. Digest it. Fully understand what it is you are reading. Pray about it. Learn it. Love it. It IS the Wisdom of God. It IS the Word of God. It IS absolute. It WILL change your life.

"And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure."{Isaiah 33:6}

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}