Used to be, people would work 9-5 Monday through Friday. They would go out and do whatever it was that would supply them with the money to live. The Wife and Mother, would stay home to raise the Children. Then after Dad got home, they would all sit around the table and have dinner. Talking, sharing their day's events. Then came the Weekends, where they would spend time as a family.Used to be that the three most important things to most average Families in America, were Faith, Family, Freedom. They would fight to the death to defend all three. Divorce was done, but was shunned. Frowned upon. Not widely accepted. For the most part. Most followed God's Family plan.. Man, head of house. Wife, head of Children. Husbands and Wives saw Marriage as something for life. "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." {Gen 2:24} and "But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." {Mark 10:6-9}
We also did not have the Government, saying that they will meet your every need. There was no welfare. There was no unemployment. There was nothing. You didn't work. You went to Family members and or friends and asked them for assistance. It was not widely thought OK to be lazy and not go out there and find a job. Again, most accepted God's concept of Work. Honest pay, for an honest day's work. They also believed "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." {2 Thessalonians 3}
Then something happened. Work started expanding. Instead of 5 pm now some would be asked to work later. Then "Shift Work" came into being. Do you work 8 to 4 or 4 to 12? Then, why stop at 12. Lets stay open 24-7. Got to make the money. Hey, why not work on Saturdays? It was a trend going so quickly that it ran into the "Blue Law" head first.
The Blue Laws were said to have been started in Colonial Virginia in the 1620s. Similar laws intended to keep the Sabbath {Which they saw as Sunday at the time} Holy, were soon adopted elsewhere in America. This meant, all forms of trade or commerce were outlawed. No public entertainment or meetings were permitted Of course, this did not include going to Church. Even travel on Sunday was banned, except for emergencies. This was done to prevent, outside influences from taking time away from? Say it with me, Faith, Family, Freedom.
But then this one business started to be open on Sunday. Then another. The "Blue Law" is still on the books in many parts of America to this day, but no one enforces it. Here we are. 24-7 society. Even our Banks are open 7 days a week now. People have started working 24-7. This needs to be done yesterday. I need this NOW. If you have to, get another Job. Work two, three. Do whatever you have to. You want the money, you better work.
Now the fact the Government has become Mommy and Daddy, and will pay you to do nothing, is a whole other message. Divorce and Marriage being what it is today is a whole other message. Money being people's God, Banks people's Churches, a whole other message. But what I want to talk about today is this Passage.
I started, and I'm not telling you to do this, but I started reading a Proverb a day. Why? There are 30 Proverbs. Read one a day, in a month, you read through the entire Book of Proverbs. So I'm reading and this stood out to me...
Proverbs 23:
We've talked about this before. God did not create money. God has no use for it. We did. Money and Wealth is a Man-made concept. We chose to say that this piece of paper is worth one dollar, or a hundred dollars. We chose to say that this shiny rock, is worth all this money. Imagine God, looking down from Heaven, when He sees someone open an Oyster's Shell and see a spit ball, and say, "This is valuable." It's is foolishness.
There are still, to this day, places on earth where they do not care about that shinny rock, or that spitball. Go to one of those people and say, "I'll give you this Rock for your land," and they will laugh at you. They have a land where they have Chickens. Their neighbor has Cows. You want eggs? Give me Milk. You want milk? Give me flower from your Wheat field. I have vegetables, if you have fruit. ETC. They are a community. An extended family. They will fight you to the death if you attempt to infringe upon that community. Many will welcome you as a friend and grant upon you all their riches, if you show them kindness.
What do they care about? Faith, Family, and Freedom. It really is that simple. They fish. They work their fields. They supply the NEEDS of their own and community. If one is injured or sick, they all come together and attempt to assist that one and their Family. Now again, why we have this Moral decline in America, Government taking over the Family, and all these other things are whole other messages in of themselves. But the point of the message today is this. None of that really matters. Money does not matter. Not in the long run. In....
Proverbs 2:
4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.New King James Version says "4 Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease!"
5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
We've talked about this before. God did not create money. God has no use for it. We did. Money and Wealth is a Man-made concept. We chose to say that this piece of paper is worth one dollar, or a hundred dollars. We chose to say that this shiny rock, is worth all this money. Imagine God, looking down from Heaven, when He sees someone open an Oyster's Shell and see a spit ball, and say, "This is valuable." It's is foolishness.
There are still, to this day, places on earth where they do not care about that shinny rock, or that spitball. Go to one of those people and say, "I'll give you this Rock for your land," and they will laugh at you. They have a land where they have Chickens. Their neighbor has Cows. You want eggs? Give me Milk. You want milk? Give me flower from your Wheat field. I have vegetables, if you have fruit. ETC. They are a community. An extended family. They will fight you to the death if you attempt to infringe upon that community. Many will welcome you as a friend and grant upon you all their riches, if you show them kindness.
What do they care about? Faith, Family, and Freedom. It really is that simple. They fish. They work their fields. They supply the NEEDS of their own and community. If one is injured or sick, they all come together and attempt to assist that one and their Family. Now again, why we have this Moral decline in America, Government taking over the Family, and all these other things are whole other messages in of themselves. But the point of the message today is this. None of that really matters. Money does not matter. Not in the long run. In....
Proverbs 2:
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
You see, I know some, that spend their entire life, trying to stay one step ahead of the Grave. Problem is, nine times out of ten, that is exactly what puts them there. When you drive your body, 24-7, you deprive it of sleep, food, and even simple rest. Eventually, it will give out. He who dies with the most Toys wins?
God does not want to you worry. Jesus taught us this fact, that as a Child of God, you should not only have no fear of these things, but take no thought of them at all. If we, as Child of God, put our trust in Him, He is faithful and just, to meet our every need. In...
Luke 12:
1 Timothy 6:
"I love traveling the world. I love meeting people. I love walking into the spotlight, hearing tens of thousands chanting my name. I love when I hear this or that little kid, wants to be, just like me. But you know what? I was there when MY kids were born. I was there when they Graduated High School. But I missed the first word. I missed the first step. I did not even know what their favorite color was. I blinked, and all of a sudden, they were real people. Living their lives. I was so busy being "me" that I totally missed everything."
If you had it to do over again, would you?
"Sad truth? Yup. You can not understand the power of fame and the lure of wealth. I guess I'm happy that they are well off. That they will never have to struggle. They have no clue what it means to worry about bills. My Wife, well, second, has to only worry about doing things she wants to do. I have a pretty good life."
But the one thing they never did have? You.
God does not want to you worry. Jesus taught us this fact, that as a Child of God, you should not only have no fear of these things, but take no thought of them at all. If we, as Child of God, put our trust in Him, He is faithful and just, to meet our every need. In...
Luke 12:
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.You know the saying, "You can't take it with you?" This is a Biblical Principle as well. Being a Biblical Principle, makes it an absolute truth.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
1 Timothy 6:
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.There are many people that have "made it." That are "Well off." Many with Riches that most can only dream of. But in the end? What do they have? I know some, that are now in their later life. They are Rich. They are Famous. If I told you their name, you would know who they are. But you know what most of them have told me? When talking about regrets? Here is one example....
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
"I love traveling the world. I love meeting people. I love walking into the spotlight, hearing tens of thousands chanting my name. I love when I hear this or that little kid, wants to be, just like me. But you know what? I was there when MY kids were born. I was there when they Graduated High School. But I missed the first word. I missed the first step. I did not even know what their favorite color was. I blinked, and all of a sudden, they were real people. Living their lives. I was so busy being "me" that I totally missed everything."
If you had it to do over again, would you?
"Sad truth? Yup. You can not understand the power of fame and the lure of wealth. I guess I'm happy that they are well off. That they will never have to struggle. They have no clue what it means to worry about bills. My Wife, well, second, has to only worry about doing things she wants to do. I have a pretty good life."
But the one thing they never did have? You.
Silence...........
Now that you are getting up there, how long will you be trying to do this?
"I don't know. Can't really walk too well anymore. Take Pills and probably drink a bit too much to numb the pain. But I do not know anything else..This is who I am."
You know, when that spot light goes out, and the people go home, and this person is sitting alone in the Hotel room, what do you think they are thinking about? What do you think the people are thinking about? What is more important? Does it matter? In Pro Wrestling, Football, even Baseball, you can be a hero. You can be worshiped. But when you can no longer "go?" All those "fans" will walk away and go to someone else. The "Game" will go on. In Entertainment? When you fade away, or go out in a Blaze of Glory, someone else will step up. In Business, when your Company stops being profitable, another will take it's place. Just the way of the world. But YOU remain you. The real you. What is truly import to you?
As a Child of God, we must cherish His gifts. You are a gift from God. Your life is. Your Spouse is. Your Kids most definitely are. Each day is a gift. Do you travel through it at the speed of life? Or do you slow down and notice everything. Truly experience Life itself.
"Provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." I know. I know. I do not understand. I understand that you feel you have to work two jobs just to meet your needs. I get it. But let me ask you this. Are you trusting in yourself, and your abilities to meet your needs, or are you trusting in God to be true to His Word, that all your needs will be met?
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
Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus IS Lord of all!
Now that you are getting up there, how long will you be trying to do this?
"I don't know. Can't really walk too well anymore. Take Pills and probably drink a bit too much to numb the pain. But I do not know anything else..This is who I am."
You know, when that spot light goes out, and the people go home, and this person is sitting alone in the Hotel room, what do you think they are thinking about? What do you think the people are thinking about? What is more important? Does it matter? In Pro Wrestling, Football, even Baseball, you can be a hero. You can be worshiped. But when you can no longer "go?" All those "fans" will walk away and go to someone else. The "Game" will go on. In Entertainment? When you fade away, or go out in a Blaze of Glory, someone else will step up. In Business, when your Company stops being profitable, another will take it's place. Just the way of the world. But YOU remain you. The real you. What is truly import to you?
As a Child of God, we must cherish His gifts. You are a gift from God. Your life is. Your Spouse is. Your Kids most definitely are. Each day is a gift. Do you travel through it at the speed of life? Or do you slow down and notice everything. Truly experience Life itself.
"Provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." I know. I know. I do not understand. I understand that you feel you have to work two jobs just to meet your needs. I get it. But let me ask you this. Are you trusting in yourself, and your abilities to meet your needs, or are you trusting in God to be true to His Word, that all your needs will be met?
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
Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus IS Lord of all!
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