You Cannot Achieve Love Through Hate

Hate breeds hate.

So many times throughout history, people have attempted to force their idea's and points of views on others. They do so by attacking what the others believe. They do so by attempting to degrade or disparage what they do or say. They even attack those that disagree with them. This never works.

Why? Because inevitably, those that are under these kinds of attack follow a certain pattern. First, amazement and an attempt to ignore or dismiss. Then anger. Then they fight. When someone tells you long enough that you do not accept them or their ideas, out of Hate, then attack you and belittle your beliefs, you, no matter how you actually felt in the beginning, start to resent, and in time, yes, even come to Hate those doing this.

Here's what I mean. You meet a person. The person tells you that you must accept the fact that they have this right to take whatever they want from you. You say, "Uh I don't think so. Have a nice day." Then they come back day after day and tell you, they have a right to take whatever they want from you. You try to ignore them. You try to avoid them.

Then they come to you and say, you will not give them your stuff, because you are greedy, narrow minded, hate filled, and YOU must change your point of view. They may even attempt to twist what you believe around to make it SOUND like you are wrong. "See, the Bible says, give to all those that ask. So you are not following God. You are evil. Just give me your stuff."

Then they start getting aggressive and attempt to get others to join them against you. They attempt to get others to see that they are right. Some may even accept what they say, and turn against you. Now you go from just disagreeing with them, to actually hating them. You want nothing to do with them. If they persist long enough, it will lead to a fight.

Now lets look at this in a real world sense. Hitler, Stalin, Chavez, even some in our own Government today. They have a certain point of view, They believe theirs is the best way. First they try to convince you. Then they start to attack you and force you to accept their way. In the end, Wars have happened. The Utopia that they were trying to create, turns into a nightmare of blood. They actually hate you for not accepting them and their will and way. In turn, you tend to hate them back for attempting to do this.

This is why it is so important to follow what God says here. This is why it is so important to follow how Jesus tells us to share the Word, and do His Father's Will. It is not a get in your face, slap upside the head, threaten hell and damnation, and name calling, message. If you go out there and start telling people, "God hates you because you are a Sinner and you are going to hell or else," they will most likely say "I hate Him right back. Now screw off and leave me alone." Or something to that effect. Why? Hate breeds Hate.

Look what Jesus said on the Mount

Matthew 5:

1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Does that sound like someone who would walk up and get into someones face and yell, "YOU ARE GOING TO HELL YOU SINNER!!!!! DO AS I TELL YOU AND YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER!! OR ELSE!!!" ? Of course not. Is it poor in spirit, meekness, and merciful, to tell people they are hated and if they do not change their ways, they will be tormented forever?

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

That they may see your good works. Jesus did not say, go, get in their face. He said, "that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." But what about those that actually DO Hate you?

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Why does Jesus tell us to love our Enemies and Bless those that curse us? Same reason that He said on the Cross, "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." {Luke 23:34} Truth is, unless you are a Child of God, you truly have no idea of what reality is. Reality is that life is far more than getting up in the morning and going off to work and school, coming home, eating dinner, and going to bed.

Reality is, there is a War going on, and you are on one side or the other. Reality is, there truly is Evil in the World and there truly is Righteousness. Truth is, you are a Child of the Most High. A Prince or Princess of Heaven itself. That life here on earth is but a vapour. A Twinkling of the eye, in the span of Eternity. That death itself is only the beginning of the rest of forever.

He also tells you this, because there is NOTHING, and noone, that can separate you from the Love of God, through Jesus the Christ. NOTHING.

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.

29 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.

30 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.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 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?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 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.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 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.

If it is within God's Will, and for a specific reason and purpose, someone may be able to end your time here on Earth. They may be able to put a bullet in you, stab you, kill you in various ways. But they can no longer take your life. Your life is no longer yours to give or their to take. One of my favorite lines in Star Wars is absolutely true in reality. When dueling Darth Vader, Obi One says this. "You can not win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine."

This is absolutely true when it comes to a Child of God. Imagine this. We have the same Spirit of God in us, that raised Jesus from the dead. Yet, we are confined in the Flesh. our powers are somewhat limited, by our Flesh, earthly mind, and feelings. Imagine being freed from these earthly confines. If someone was to strike us down, we would become as the Angels in Heaven. "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." {Matthew 22:30} Whenever God needed a killing, or a city destroyed, who did He send? You get the point.

Once you understand this as Truth and Reality, why should you fear anything, including death itself? You've already been there and done that. Jesus tells us, that as Children of God, there is only one thing we should fear.

Matthew 10:

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Those that Hate you, and Spitefully use you, have no clue what they are doing. The have no clue as to who you are. What you are. They also have no clue as to what awaits them. There is nothing you can possibly do to them, that is worthy to be compared to what will simply happen to them in the end time, because of who they are. Remember this?

John 3:

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

By those who simply do not accept Jesus, or God, or His Word, they are condemned already. Read it again if you have to. "He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." There is nothing you need do. Nothing God need do. They have already lost the battle and the War. They are already condemned. You are not. Who wins? Why hate them? Why fear them. We should rather pity them.

Jesus went on to say, forgive, do not Judge.

Matthew 7:

1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Be more concerned with the Sin in your life, than you are with the Sin of others. Even though you are a Sower of the Seed. There is a way to go about it. Remember what Jesus said to the Twelve, when He sent them out Two by Two?

Mark 6:

7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:

9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

In Matthew, Jesus tells His Disciples how to approach someone. "And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet." Did He say, "Get in their face?" Did He say "Threaten them with Hell?" "Did He say argue with them?"

Nope. He said, "If they will not hear you, depart." He said, simply, leave. Let them be. Do not worry about them. Simply, move on. It really is this simple. If you start telling someone about the Truth, and God, and His Word, and they tell you they are not interested in what you are saying, then stop talking. Just change the subject or leave them alone. They may very well have already made their decision and there is nothing you are going to do to change that.

You see, most learn by watching. Most listen to what people say, to a degree, but they watch what they do, even more. If you tell someone you can walk on water, you better be able to, so they can see it. If you tell someone that they had better not do drugs, they better not see you smoke. Drink Coffee. ETC. Do as I say, not as I do, NEVER Works.

Remember the story of the Checkout Girl? If I had walking in there and got in her face, how do you think that would have gone? But I didn't. I was simply being me. What about the people at work that see you every day? You do not have to say a word to them. They know who you are. What are you showing them? Inevitably, some will wonder why you are the way you are. How you can be at peace, and joyful, in the face of troubles? How you seemingly achieve things that should not be able to be achieved? ETC. They will ask, and then you can share.

You cannot, nor should you ever try, to force someone to accept the Truth. You can not get people to love you and what you are, by force. You cannot achieve Love though Hate. You must first Love, and forgive, then others will come to love and forgive. You must DO the Will of your Father, for others to seek out the Will of the Father for themselves. Love is perfect and kind. Love is the most powerful force in the Universe. Be love.

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!

The Healer Knows Our Hurts By Max Lucado

The Healer Knows Our Hurts

February 15, 1921. New York City. The operating room of the Kane Summit Hospital. A doctor is performing an appendectomy.

In many ways the events leading to the surgery are uneventful. The patient has complained of severe abdominal pain. The diagnosis is clear: an inflamed appendix. Dr. Evan O'Neill Kane is performing the surgery. In his distinguished thirty-seven-year medical career, he has performed nearly four thousand appendectomies, so this surgery will be uneventful in all ways except two.

The first novelty of this operation? The use of local anesthesia in major surgery. Dr. Kane is a crusader against the hazards of general anesthesia. He contends that a local application is far safer. Many of his colleagues agree with him in principle, but in order for them to agree in practice, they will have to see the theory applied.

Dr. Kane searches for a volunteer, a patient who is willing to undergo surgery while under local anesthesia. A volunteer is not easily found. Many are squeamish at the thought of being awake during their own surgery. Others are fearful that the anesthesia might wear off too soon.

Eventually, however, Dr. Kane finds a candidate. On Tuesday morning, February 15, the historic operation occurs.

The patient is prepped and wheeled into the operating room. A local anesthetic is applied. As he has done thousands of times, Dr. Kane dissects the superficial tissues and locates the appendix. He skillfully excises it and concludes the surgery. During the procedure, the patient complains of only minor discomfort.

The volunteer is taken into post-op, then placed in a hospital ward. He recovers quickly and is dismissed two days later. Dr. Kane had proven his theory. Thanks to the willingness of a brave volunteer, Kane demonstrated that local anesthesia was a viable, and even preferable, alternative.

But I said there were two facts that made the surgery unique. I've told you the first: the use of local anesthesia. The second is the patient. The courageous candidate for surgery by Dr. Kane was Dr. Kane. To prove his point, Dr. Kane operated on himself!

However, the story of the doctor who became his own patient is mild compared to the story of the God who became human. But Jesus did. So that you and I would believe that the Healer knows our hurts, he voluntarily became one of us. He placed himself in our position. He suffered our pains and felt our fears.

Rejection? He felt it. Temptation? He knew it. Loneliness? He experienced it. Death? He tasted it. And stress? He could write a best-selling book about it.

Why did he do it? One reason. So that when you hurt, you will go to him – your Father and your Physician – and let him heal.

This excerpt is taken from In the Eye of the Storm.

Is The Golden Rule Biblical?

"Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you."

We hear this all the time. They used to teach this in our Public Schools. I was taught this in Sunday School when I was a kid. But is it actually Biblical? The answer is yes. Although it has indeed been contributed to various persons throughout history, it is very much a Biblical teaching. However, this is not all there is to it. Lets look at the entire principle.

First, in.....

Leviticus 19:

18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

Jesus Himself taught us this also..He said..

Matthew 7:

12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

And in...

Luke 6:

31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Then when discussing the Greatest of all the Commandments of God, Jesus tells us that this one can sum up all seven Commandments, following the number one, Love God with all your heart, and put Him first, in all things, in your life.

Matthew 22:

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

So why is this so important? It is really a simple concept. If you love some as you love yourself, you will not do anything negative to them. Paul puts it this way...

Romans 13:

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Makes sense. Does it not? If you love someone, you are not going to cheat on them. Or cheat on them with the one they love. You are not going to steal from them. You are not going to look at the things they got and say, I will take it away from them and I will have it. You obviously are not going to murder them.

Whenever you treat another the way you would want to be treated, you are fulfilling seven out of the Ten Commandments. Love will keep you from violating them. When you practice this Biblical Principle, you will also find that others will love you back. Another Biblical Principle that applies here is that you always reap what you sow.

But this is not where this Principle stops. Now let's look at the first passage again..

Leviticus 19:

18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

"Nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people." Many Churches have taken this passage and twisted it around to say this. "Love your own kind." In other words, don't worry about the guy up the street. He is not one of us. He is not your Neighbour. No you are to only love those that are like you. Those that think as you. Look as you. Act like you. That's who your Neighbour is. But that is not true. Jesus answers this question directly.. "Who is my neighbour?"

Luke 10:

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

You see, anyone can be your Neighbour. Or rather, YOU could become anyone's Neighbour. By feeding someone who is hungry, you have laid a seed. Now when you may become hungry, there will be someone to feed you. When assist anyone with their needs, you are insuring that when you are in need, someone will be there for you.

I have experience this first hand. I'm always the one sending out Prayers and Well wishes when needed. I never expect anything in return. Then one day, I needed others to Pray for my Mother who was facing serious Medical Issues. I was so humbled when I saw the MASS of people willing to stand up for my Mom. To be honest, I was a bit embarrassed at the level of support I got. I was uncomfortable with all these people coming together for ME. But this is the way it works. Treat others as you would like to be treated, and, they will.

But that is still not the end of the message. You see, Jesus took it a step farther. As a Child of God, you need to do the same for your enemies as well.

Matthew 5:

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

In...

Luke 6:

27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.

30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35 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.

36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Then Paul puts it this way..

Romans 12:

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

This concept is what we will be discussing next time. You cannot achieve Love through hate. It is simply not possible. But if you hate those that hate you, what do you get? If you fight evil with evil, you become evil. Jesus tells us that we need to love our enemies. Forgive them. Love them. Do not sink to their level. Bless them. Why? Because by doing so, you may very well convert them. Your enemy may very well become your friend.

If not? Well, when you follow God's plan for these situations, what you are doing is remaining right. Remaining just. You take the situation out of your hands and put it into God's. "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."{Romans 12:19} It is your Command to Love. Let God deal with those that hate you.

So you see, the Golden Rule, is very much a Biblical Principle. However, it has more to do with you, than those of whom you are to be treating. It is all about you living an Anointed Life and showing others how as a Child of God, you can have a peace, even in the face of Hate and Evil, that is indescribable. "Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you." Is commonsense. Is logical. Is Biblical. And a Commandment from God Himself to His Children.

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!

Providence by R.C. Sproul

Providence
In Rhode Island there is a major city named Providence. There is something extraordinary about its name. The name of the city calls attention to the wide gap in thinking that exists between former generations and our present society. Who would name a city "Providence" today? The word itself sounds old-fashioned and archaic.

When I read the writings of Christians from earlier centuries I am struck by the multitude of references to God's providence. It seems as though prior to the twentieth century, Christians were more keenly in tune with the providence of God in their lives than we are. The spirit of naturalism that views all events in nature to be ruled by independent natural forces has made its impact on our generation.

The root meaning of the word providence is "to see in advance or beforehand," or "to provide for." As such, the word fails to convey the deep meaning of the doctrine of providence. The doctrine signifies far more than that God is a spectator of human events. It contains far more than a mere reference to His foreknowledge.

The Westminster divines in the seventeenth century defined providence in this manner:

God, the great Creator of all things, doth uphold, direct, dispose and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, according to his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.

What God creates, He also sustains. The universe is not only dependent upon God for its origin, it depends upon God for its continuity of existence. The universe can neither exist nor operate by its own power. God upholds all things by His power. It is in Him that we live, and move, and have our being.

The central point of the doctrine of providence is the stress on God's government of the universe. He rules His creation with absolute sovereignty and authority. He governs everything that comes to pass, from the greatest to the least. Nothing ever happens beyond the scope of His sovereign providential government. He makes the rain to fall and the sun to shine. He raises up kingdoms and brings them down. He numbers the hairs on our head and the days of our life.

There is a crucial difference between the providence of God and fortune, fate, or luck. The key to this difference is found in the personal character of God. Fortune is blind while God is all-seeing. Fate is impersonal while God is a Father. Luck is dumb while God can speak. There are no blind, impersonal forces at work in human history. All is brought to pass by the invisible hand of Providence.

In a universe governed by God there are no chance events. Indeed, there is no such thing as chance. Chance does not exist. It is merely a word we use to describe mathematical possibilities. But chance itself has no power because it has no being. Chance is not an entity that can influence reality. Chance is not a thing. It is nothing.

Another aspect of providence is called concurrence. Concurrence refers to the coterminous actions of God and human beings. We are creatures with a will of our own. We make things happen. Yet the causal power we exert is secondary. God's sovereign providence stands over and above our actions. He works out His will through the actions of human wills, without violating the freedom of those human wills. The clearest example of concurrence that we find in Scripture is in the case of Joseph and his brothers. Though Joseph's brothers incurred true guilt through their treachery against him, the providence of God was working even through their sin. Joseph said to his brothers, "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive" (Genesis 50:20).

God's redemptive providence can work through the most diabolical actions. The worst offense ever committed by a human being was the betrayal of Christ by Judas. Yet the death of Christ was no accident of history. It was according to the determinate counsel of God. Judas's act of wickedness helped to bring about the best thing that ever happened in history, the Atonement. It is not fortuitous that we refer to that day in history as "Good" Friday.

by R.C. Sproul
Essential Truths of the Christian Faith

May God Be With Boston

May God be with those in Boston. 

Those that were injured. Those that lost loved ones. The first Responders  that will have these images burned into their memory forever. May God be with you all. May you have the peace and comfort you need in this time. You are in our hearts and Prayers. The entire country is with you. You are not alone.  

Jesus Did NOT Come For You

But he is there for you now..

There is a Rabbi, or at least someone who dresses up like a Rabbi, who is growing in popularity on the internet. He is teaching that Christianity is a false Religion and that Paul, or Saul of Tarsus, is the "Abomination of Desolation" spoken of by Daniel the Prophet. That Paul's teaching of Salvation by Grace is a false Teaching and that Jesus did not come for anyone other than the Jews.

Truth is? He is correct. Jesus did not come for you. If you are not of the lost Tribe of Israel, He did not come for you. But does that make Paul's Teachings false? That it is by Grace alone you are saved and not of Works? Did this mean that everything that I and others have told you is a lie? That a large portion of the New Testament is completely false and a lie from Satan himself?

Or could it be as simple as this Jewish Teacher, Rabbi or not, simply being offended with the opening of Salvation onto those who are not of the Jewish Heritage and Faith? Is it jealousy and the refusal to accept that Jesus was indeed God Himself? Or is there truth in what he is saying? Let's look at this more closely...

Matthew 15:

22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Then it is told again in....

Mark 7:

25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

30 And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

First, He completely ignored her. Second, Jesus plainly says "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." In Mark it is recorded as He saying this.."Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs." When Jesus sent out the Twelve, He told them this..

Matthew 10:

5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

So right here, first Jesus said "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.""Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.""Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:" So you see, Jesus did not come for you. He wanted nothing to do with you. He was a Jew, and He came FOR the Jews. He even called non-Jews nothing more than dogs. Is this the Picture of Jesus you have been taught? It is true.

The Jewish People ARE indeed God's Chosen people. They are the most oppressed, enslaved, murdered, abused, people that have ever walked the Earth. They became God's Chosen People when He, through Moses, brought them out of the Land of Egypt. He set them aside from the rest of the World. He gave THEM the Law. The Commandments. They became His children through the Law, and He loved them.

Why? Because they LOVE God. Because they have incorporated the Word of God and His Will into their daily lives. They, for the most part, are the most obedient people to the Commandments of God. The most humble People. However, they became as the Gentiles. In time they started living as others. God sent to THEM, the Jews, the Prophets. They, the Jews, rejected and killed the Prophets. He had no choice. Because of THEIR, the Jews, disobedience, and because of His, God's, promises to THEM, the Jews, He had no choice. He had to come Himself. The Flesh of God, The Word in the Flesh, Jesus, had to come to die for THEM. To Save THEM.

This is all true. It had nothing to do with you. If the Jews accepted God, and remained Faithful, Jesus would have never came and we would not be talking about Him today. But what did the JEWS do? They rejected Him, and killed Him. God knew this was going to happen. So Jesus taught about this in various places. Let's look at a couple.

Matthew 21:

33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.

35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.

37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.

38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.

39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.

40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?

41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Just as plainly as Jesus told us that He was "not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."and to "let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs."and told them "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:" Jesus also said that those He came for, would reject Him. However, those that receive Him would receive the inheritance.

He even told them that He, Jesus, would become a stumbling block. That even those that He came for, would reject Him, YET, it is by Him that Salvation will come. They got so angry and offended at this because they KNEW He was telling them, that since they were rejecting Him, He would open up Salvation to others. Then here....

Matthew 22:

1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

Again, Jesus tells us that although there were indeed, chosen people that He was calling, since they were not worthy, since they refuse to accept the "Invention" or the gift of Salvation which is through Him, that He would call others. Jesus again makes this plain when He said this...

John 10:

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

As for Saul of Tarsus? We have talked about him in depth here. What this Rabbi, or Jewish man seems to forget is that it was Jesus Himself that appointed Saul to becoming the first "Pope" if you will. It was Jesus Himself that saved him, made him a new creature, and it was the Holy Spirit that lead him in all things following that meeting.

Acts 9:

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

It was Jesus Himself that anointed Paul. It was Jesus that appointed HIM the first "Pope" if you will, to the Gentiles. Paul's message is the same as Jesus Himself. That it is not merely by the Law, or by Works, are you saved. That it is both. Faith in Christ Jesus, that he came for, died for, and was resurrected for, you, but also through following God. It is both Faith, and Works, that justifies a Saint.

If it was merely the Law and Works that saved, there would have been no reason for Christ to come. If it was solely Faith in Him, what would it produce? It would produce nothing. You get your's and live out the rest of your life for what? No. It is both, Faith combined with Works that justifies and produces fruit for the harvest.

You see, this Rabbi or Jewish Male who is preaching that no one other than Jews can be saved is simply incorrect. Jesus did indeed come of the Jews, but they rejected Him, therefore He opened it up to us all. Once you become a Child of God,,,,,,

Galatians 3:

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

And

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

And

16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Finally

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

So in conclusion, we can see that, although true, Jesus did not come for anyone other than the Jews, by them rejecting Him, God opened Salvation unto all. If you do not accept "the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." {John 14:6} The Law will do you no good. Yet "faith without works is dead" {James 2:20}You must have a balance in your life. Faith together with Works. And yes, Jesus DID die for you, and is Lord of All.

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!

A Solid Foundation, Children

How to raise a Child God's Way.

Ever wonder why we have such a Moral Decline in this Country, and why this Moral Decline has seemingly sped up to Warp Speed? Ever wonder why Sin is being called good, and good Sin? Ever wonder why things that would have just simply been accepted as wrong, is now either grey, or outright OK? What has happened to our Schools were chewing gum and talking used to be the things of conferences, to where now Rape and Murder is the trend?

The answer is simple. It is the crumbling foundation that used to be taught at home. He who controls the youth, controls the future. It really is that simple. It all starts at home. It all starts with the Parents. It all starts with the success or the failure of the Parents in laying a solid foundation for their kids.

If your kids are taught at home, 2+2=4. They go to school, and someone tells them 2+2=5, they will understand that this is simply not true. They will understand that when someone tells them something that is not true, they need to question it. Reason it. Think about it. Ultimately, they will reject it.

For generations now, the enemy has been working on the Family. He has separated the Mother and Father. He has replaced God's plan for Family, with Government, and worldly things. He has "empowered" Women to "Not need a Man." He has turned Government into Daddy. Mother has more children, Government pays her more money. He has turned our Schools that used to teach Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic, into indoctrination factories to rid kids minds of God, and to instill into them, the acceptance of unholy and unnatural things. He is teaching them to be all inclusive and acceptance of all things and people, no matter what.

The problem comes, when they go to these places, make friends, and they start seeing things as the norm, without any Foundation laid by their Parents, they simply accept it as truth and fact. They grow, have kids, their kids learn the same. Generations later, what is, is truth and right, even if it is false and wrong. They eventually know no better.

The Enemy knows this. Why do you think people call people like me, old fashion, outdated, or just a kook? They do so because they have accepted the lie, and know nothing about the truth. God is not old fashioned, outdated, or a kook. He is not made up. He is not a concept or ideal. He IS God. He IS the same yesterday, today, and evermore. His Word is not open for interpretation or modification. He doesn't change with the times. Sin that was, IS, and will even kill you quicker at that.

How do you protect your kids? How do you bring God back to America again? Lay for them a solid foundation. First, you must teach them the Truth, there IS a God.

Genesis 1:

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

You must teach them that this is an absolute. That even though some like to say "there is no God," Science and Mathematics DISPROVE that evolution could have taken place without Him. Something from something is something, but nothing from or added to nothing is still nothing. So there had to be, and there is, a something, and His name is God. Then, God said...

Deuteronomy 6:

6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

What Words?

Exodus 20:

2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

13 Thou shalt not kill.

14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

15 Thou shalt not steal.

16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

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 anything that is thy neighbour's.

Or as Jesus said?

Matthew 22:

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

You have to teach your Children that there is a God, that through the Adoption of the Holy Spirit, God becomes their Father, and that HE will be with them always. You have to teach them that God's Word on all things is Final and Absolute. No matter what man may have to say about it.

Then as they grow, you need to use the Word of God to answer their questions as often as you can. Why? Because when they grow, they will then fully understand that if something arises in their life, and they have a question about it, they can go to The Word themselves to seek the answers.

"Why did little Johnny break my new toy?" You can take him to The Word, and teach him that Little Johnny may have done this because of covetousness, and use this as a teachable moment on what jealousy can lead to. "Grandma just died. What happens after?" Jesus. You get the point.

If you start early, feeding your Children on The Word of God, it will become part of who they are. They will be ready for the things they may face. It will be as normal for them, as it is for little Johnny to accept the lie. For they will have the Truth to rely on.

Proverbs 22:

6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Generation after generation, the enemy has chipped away at the foundation. He has chipped away at the Family. The Truth. Freedom. And has replaced it all with lies. First it becomes acceptable to doubt the Truth. Then it becomes acceptable to question the Truth. Then it becomes acceptable to consider the opposite. Then in time, the Lie becomes the truth.

It's like this. Homosexuality is Sin and Wrong. No one even questioned this. Then in time, Why? Well my Parents say that it's against God and Nature. But I see your argument Maybe we do not need to tell people it's Sin, but that we just don't accept this. Then, Yeah, my parents don't accept it, but, I don't know, a loving relationship? What's so wrong about that. Then, if you understand it's a loving relationship, then what's wrong with them Marrying? To now, where the Supreme Court of the United States, may very well rule this Sin into Law. Making it acceptable and legally protected. Justifying it.

Abortion? Same thing. Started out as soon as the Mother found to be with child. All the way up to now, some arguing that AFTER BIRTH Abortion could indeed be justified. I kid you not..

"When circumstances occur after birth such that they would have justified abortion, what we call after-birth abortion should be permissible. … We propose to call this practice ‘after-birth abortion’, rather than ‘infanticide,’ to emphasize that the moral status of the individual killed is comparable with that of a fetus … rather than to that of a child. Therefore, we claim that killing a newborn could be ethically permissible in all the circumstances where abortion would be. Such circumstances include cases where the newborn has the potential to have an (at least) acceptable life, but the well-being of the family is at risk."

That is a quote from Alberto Giubilini and Francesca Minerva. In the Journal of Medical Ethics. Chipping away, chipping away. Allowing Sin to evolve to the ultimate conclusion. When there is no longer a foundation. No longer any Truth being taught, the lie will not only be believed, but accepted as well.

Children are a Gift. The most precious gift you could ever receive.

Psalm 127:

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

You must teach them. Instruct them. Lay the Foundation for them. Another thing that is a tool of the enemy is correction of a child. Teachers cannot use red ink. There is no winner in sports. Everyone gets a trophy. Parents, you better understand that your Child is a person and has rights. They have a right to say no to you. You have to consider their feelings. You have to allow them to make mistakes on their own that they may learn from them. You have better NEVER Spank them. That creates emotional scars and you can be arrested.

Proverbs 13:

24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Proverbs 23:

13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

If God chastens us, corrects us, and He does,,,,

Hebrews 12:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Then why would He NOT want us to chasen or correct our children? My boy runs out in the road without looking. I explain the danger to doing this. He does it again, I give him a smack on the bottom. He remembers better next time. If I do nothing, and I let him learn for himself, the next time he may not make it back. There may indeed be a car coming.

If you love your Children, you MUST correct them. Forget all this psychobabble, and feel good garbage. It is a lie straight from Satan himself. God says if you love your child you will correct your child. God does not say beat them for no reason. God is not telling you to be abusive. When talking about the Family, LOVE is the most important aspect.

Colossians 3:

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

"Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged." God's plan for family is simply love.

1 Corinthians 13:

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Love will never lead to abuse. Love will never lead to mistreatment. The greatest gift we can receive or give, is Love. Spankings and corrections out of Love, is not abuse, nor can it ever lead to abuse. You want to lead a happy Family life? Set a solid foundation in yourself. A solid foundation in your Marriage. A solid foundation for your Children. It all starts with God. His Truth. His way.

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!

A Solid Foundation, Marriage

Marriage God's Way.

Why is the Divorce Rate in this country now over 50 percent? Why do most going into Marriage, make statements like, "this is my first marriage?" Is there a God Plan for Marriage? Can you create a solid Foundation to protect yourself and your spouse? Yup. Let's look at Gods Plan for Marriage.

First....

Genesis 2:

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

One flesh. One unit. Not two individuals living together for a common good. But ONE Flesh. God sees a Married Couple as one person. It would be like you saying, Arm, I no longer have need of you, be gone. Your arm is part of you. You have two. You have two eyes. Hands. Legs. Feet. Ears. Are you following this? But they are all you.

Gods plan from the very beginning is that Man and Woman {NOT Man and Man. Or Woman and Woman} are born into the world. They grow. They leave their Mother and Father, and join together as one flesh. For life.

Am I saying there is no acceptable reasons for Divorce? To tell you the truth, there are three ways that The Word declares is acceptable for the release of the obligation of Marriage. Only Three. Only two does Jesus Himself say.

Death
Adultery
Unbelieving Spouse

Death
Pretty much self explanatory. If your Spouse dies, then you are freed from the obligation of Marriage. Makes sense. Does it not? But wait, what about when you go to Heaven. What if your Spouse dies and you Marry another. What then? When you die, who's your spouse? Jesus answered this specific question directly.

Matthew 22:

23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:

26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

27 And last of all the woman died also.

28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Once you pass on to Heaven, you will no longer care worldly stuff. You will be at peace. In a place where there is no sorrows, pain, or Sin. You will be praising God and living in peace. Once your Spouse passes, they will be doing the same. Will you know each other? I believe so. But you will not be Husband and Wife. You will be in TOTAL LOVE and peace that is God. That is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Adultery
Other than Death, this is the only reason Jesus gives as acceptable reason for Divorce. In..

Matthew 19:

3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

So next to death itself, Adultery is the only true acceptable excuse to be released from the life long obligation of Marriage. Jesus even says, "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." No one can separate, or come between what God has brought together.

Think about that. Think about John. Think about Jesus Himself. Think about all the Disciples. They played a powerful part in God's Plan, would you not say? They would have never been, had their Mother and Father not found each other, and fell in love, and Married. Right? So is any "Chance Encounter" REALLY a "Chance Encounter" or is it totally orchestrated. I summit to you that you are not with your Spouse because you just happened to meet. I truly believe that you are together because God brought you together.

Where did you meet? Why? Was it at a Shopping Center? Was it at Work? In a Plane? Cab? Was it at a Festival? Think about this. You are so important to God, that He may have very well put in into the heart of the Store Owner to buy the Store. He dropped a thought of how to lay it out. Or He put it into the heart of the one that hired both of you. Then He used whatever He needed to to bright you two together at a very specific time. Your "Chance Encounter" leads to Love, Marriage, and YOU. Or Your Child. This is why it is so important to seek out God's Plan and Purpose for your Life. He has one.

Unbelieving Spouse
So what happens if you and your Spouse hear the Truth and YOU accept it, and your Spouse doesn't. This is the only way this applies by the way. This does not apply if you are a Believer and you decide to join together with a non-Believer, thinking you will save them, or whatever. The Word warns us about this..

2 Corinthians 6:

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

In this manor, stick to your own kind. You want nothing to do with one that doesn't believe. Nor do they have anything to do with you. Stay Ye Separate. But what if a Married couple hear The Truth together, and one accepts it and one does not? You have become a New Creature. A New Person. They have not. What about this? Paul tells us this. But keep one thing in mind...

1 Corinthians 7:

12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

"But to the rest speak I, not the Lord." Paul makes it crystal clear here that he is giving HIS OPINION on this. NOT relaying a Commandment of God. Again, he said "But to the rest speak I, not the Lord." Then he goes on to say, " For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy." Makes sense. Then he said, "But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace." Again, makes sense. Once you become a Child of God, you are a new Creature. If the unbelieving Spouse no longer wants to be with you, let them go. They no longer have anything to do with you.

Again, however, this is Paul saying it is Paul saying this. Not God. So take it as you will. Make no mistake about it though, this does not apply to you, already a Child of God, that goes out and finds a non-believer, and agrees to Marry them. You invite all kinds of problems in from the start. You CHOSE to enter into this agreement and therefore you are now bound with them.

You are now on your way to a Solid Foundation. Man and Woman, Gods plan. Sorry. The pieces fit. The puzzle comes together. Two halves become one. If you are offended by this? Sorry. Just the truth. Second, If you are a Child of God, you must find a Child of God. Now you have a Foundation to work with. How do you build on that? God. His Word. His Plan. What does that mean?

In every Child of God, the most important of all is God. Yup. Before Spouses, Mother and Fathers, Children, or anything else. God. Deuteronomy 11:13, Deuteronomy 13:3, Joshua 22:5, Matthew 22:37 Mark 12:30 Luke 10:27 " to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul." "This is the first and great commandment." God MUST be first in your life. Yes, before everything else.

Second, Spouse. The most important person on the Planet to you. The love of your life. Your soul-mate. Next to God, they should be the one on your mind. How to make them happy. Tell them you love them. Enjoy life together.

Third Children. Am I saying Children come AFTER God and Spouse? Yup. We will talk more about Children next time. But After these three things, the most important thing in your life, especially if you are the Man, is your Job. Fellas, sorry, but it is YOUR responsibility to provide for the Family. YOURS. Not her's. Not the Government's. Not anyone else. It is YOUR responsibility to provide for the family.

God's plan for a happy Marriage and Family? Man is Head of Household. Woman is Head of Children. Children should be able to be Children, and should be being taught about God and His Commandments and His ways.

Ephesians 5:

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." Now the World comes in here and HATES this simple truth. They have twisted it into something it is not. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing." Does that mean barefoot and pregnant? Does that mean that they should stay in the house and allow themselves to be beaten and Dictated to? Of course not. But this is what the World would like you to believe.

Continuing on? "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh."

How did Jesus love the Church? How did He love us? He came to DIE for us. As men, we are to, say it with me.. "Love, Nurture, Cherish, and Honor" your Wives. You go to work and let them stay home and keep the home and raise the kids. This way the kids are not being raised by strangers with strange ways about them.

Notice how this starts out though. "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;" As a Family. Grace at dinner, every meal, would be a nice place to start. Instead of always sitting on the couch watching violate and inappropriate TV, how about spending a little time reading the Bible? Praying. Enjoying fellowship with God. Allow Him to be part of your home life in deed and not just lip service.

You know another benefit to a happy Marriage? Great Sex. Oh and by the way, did you know God "Commands" you to have sex? Not kidding. 

1 Corinthians 7:

3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

God created sex. He wants to to have sex all the time and any way you can. As long as it's with your spouse. Experiment. Role play. Have FUN! Do whatever you chose. You do not need to go anywhere else. You have God Blessed Sex, right there in your Home, just waiting for you. Are you getting this? Sex is not evil. Sex is not wrong. Done the right way. Sex is for us to enjoy. It is when we allow all the outside garbage in, implanting thoughts in our heads, that it becomes evil. Withholding sex from your Spouse CAN lead to your Spouse seeking pleasure and comfort elsewhere.

Marriage is God created, God Blessed, God Commanded.

Hebrews 13:

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

You want a great, long lasting, loving Marriage? Set yourselves a Solid Foundation. Faith, Family, Work, and all else is after. Nothing else really matters. God, Man, Woman, Children, means to support them. That's it. Oh and great sex. That's God's Plan for a healthy Marriage. Is yours built on a Solid Foundation? If not Married now, if you are wise, you will build it God's way.

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!