The Secrete Society of FOG

Are you a COG?

You've heard of the Illumanity? They are very real. They were founded on May 1, 1776 to oppose what they saw as mere superstition. They fought prejudice, religious influence over public life, abuses of power by Government. They even supported Women's Education and sought out Gender Equality. They were said to be disbanded in 1785, yet many believe that they are still very much alive and well.

You've heard of the Free Masons? The Knights Templar? The Bilderberg Group? What about the Boy Scouts? What about Scientology? These are all, and there are many more out there, private, often secret, societal groups. If you were to become a member, there are rules and regulations you must follow. If you are not part of these groups, you have no idea what they are or why they do the things they do.

FOG is the same. The Psalmist writes "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net." The Secret of the Lord? What does that mean? What does it mean when Paul wrote "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." Or when Timothy wrote "Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness."

We will be looking into this matter over the next couple of meetings. Let's start by how you join. If you are a member of this group, you are considered a COG. Just like these other groups, there is only one way to join. You must first be selected. Just like these other groups, there are secret signs and gestures that signify you are a legit member. Just like these other groups, those that are not part of it, have no idea what you are talking about. They have no idea what you do. They truly have no idea.

Now many say Religion itself is, in itself, one of these societal groups. This is true. However, so is actually living for God. Following Christ. Finding and fulfilling God purpose and plan for your life. You will know fellow COGs and you will know those who are not. Are you a member of FOG?

FOG, Family Of God, is just as private, and often secret, as these other groups. Being a member makes you a COG Child Of God. We are NOT all Children of God. Contrary to popular belief. We are all God's CREATION, but we are NOT all God's Children.

I know some of you become offended at this. But that does not change the fact it is true. Remember what Jesus told the Priests, Scribes, and Rulers of the Synagogues? He called them Children of the Devil.

John 8:

37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Remember, these are Priests. These are Scribes. These are Rulers of the Synagogues. These are "Holy" Folks. Those that have dedicated their entire lives to "serving God." Most went to them daily, because, just like today, most feel that they were the only mediator between them and God, and they felt that since they were the Priests, Scribes, and Rulers of the Synagogues, then they must know much more than they.

However, Jesus calls them the Children of the Devil. He tells all of us, that they cannot even hear Jesus's Words because they do not belong in the Family of God. Therefore, they cannot accept the things of God. So we are not all Children of God.

Just like these other groups, there is only one way to join. You must first be selected.

John 6:

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

In Jesus's Prayer He said this.

John 17:

1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

How many times does Jesus say "thou gavest me"? Jesus even said in this Prayer "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine." Think about this the next time someone tells you we should pray for World Peace. Or that we should pray for World Health. Or something to this effect. Jesus said He does not pray for the World, yet rather, God's Elect.

I cringe every time I hear someone say "Have you found Jesus?" You couldn't find Him if you wanted to. You have no idea where to look. Better question would be "Has God chosen you?" Again, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him." There is no other way.

The simple Truth is, you are not reading this by accident. Last night, you did not end up on that TV Preacher when you were Channel Surfing, you did not end up at the Red Light next to the Street Preacher, by accident or coincidence. There are no such things. You are reading this, because God chose for you to read this. You really need to get this Truth. You did not go into the bathroom in the Supermarket last week, and find a Track that someone left there, by accident or coincidence. God put it there FOR you.

Remember, God knows who you are before you were even born. He sets up a plan and purpose for you and your life. He calls you. He leads you to Jesus. Then it's up to you to accept or reject. Now you can click off this site and go somewhere else. You can keep surfing, put the window up, or never pick up the Track. You can easily go on with the rest of your life. God is calling you, but you, can always say "No." Freewill is your's.

But let's say you say "Yes." You really need to get this. Fully understand this. God selected YOU. He is calling YOU. He wants an one on one relationship with YOU. If you say "Yes," then you must go through the process. You accept Jesus's Sacrifice for you. You Confess this, and be Baptized in the way Jesus tells us. Then you have officially joined FOG. If not, then you are not a member. If not a member, then you have no idea what being a member means.

This is why, when you try to talk to some, they give you that look. That glazed over look and some even become angry. It is not that you are saying or doing anything wrong, it's simply the fact they are not called, nor are they Children of God.

Paul tells us that the simplest things, are impossible for those who are not COGs, to understand.

1 Corinthians 1:

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

Organized Religion is nothing more than an extension of the Wisdom of the World. It is based on the Wisdom of Man. Not the Wisdom of God. Man takes and changes the Wisdom of God to fit into their perspectives, concepts, and ideals. However, many times they forsake the Wisdom of God, for their Traditions. Jesus told them this point blank.

Mark 7:

6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

This is why FOG is a secret society. That is why Jesus spoke in Parables. Why Jesus, now the Holy Spirit, teach you the mysteries of God, that the World cannot receive. Jesus told us this.

Matthew 13:

10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

Joining FOG, The Family Of God, and becoming a COG, Child Of God, is a private, and even a secret, choice, that everyone that is called, must make. It is not about eating, or not, Meat on Friday. It's not about washing Pots and Pans. It's not about wearing lipstick. It's not about putting on Robes, or the watching of the Sun, Moon, or Stars. It's not about celebrating this or that Holiday. It's not even about going to Church. It's all about an one on one relationship with God.

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

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

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

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

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

God Is The Electorate

Kings, Rulers, and Presidents. God chooses them all.

Yes, ALL. The good, bad, and ugly. This is a message that WILL offend some. It is a message you may have never heard before. I may get nasty Emails, you may never return to read this Blog again. However, this will never change the fact this is absolute Truth, and this IS what the Spirit is leading me to share today.

I cannot turn on Talk Radio, certain News shows on TV, or even talk to some of my friends, without them bring up how horrible they feel, when they look around at the State of our Country and see a President, who seems willfully, destroying it.

The question is asked often, how can God allow these things to be. How can God allow people like Vlad III, Stalin, or Hitler rise to power? He didn't allow it. HE raised them up. HE gave them power. HE, God, appointed them.

"Wait. Using this philosophy, are you saying that God justified the Holocaust? How in the world do you make that statement. That is what you are saying. God raised up Hitler and put him in power. Therefore, God arranged the Holocaust?"

Let me ask you this. We know 6 million Jews died in the Holocaust. 6 million plus others. We know this because it is recent history. How many Jews died under Pharaoh? How many were tortured, enslaved, and slaughtered? I'm not sure there is a number out there. I'd be willing to bet you it was more than 6 million. Does that mean God wanted this? What does The Word say? "What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth." {Romans 9: 14-17}

Actually, let's look at,,,,

Romans 9:

18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

God raised up Pharaoh to bring about HIS power and HIS glory. If Pharaoh was never to be, what would Moses have to do? There would be no Exodus. There would be no "Chosen People." The World would be totally different. We do not always need to know at the time why, All we need to know is God is in charge. All we need do is accept that "stumblingstone and rock of offence" which is Jesus, and trust in Him. Daniel put it this way.

Daniel 2:

20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

Nothing is ever hid from God. We are not in charge. God is. We do not need to fear anything. Paul put's it this way,,,,

Romans 13:

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

We are to be Subject to God. His Will and His Way. If those in the World are doing things contrary to God and His Will, we must obey God first. If we are ever oppressed, abused, or even Killed, for His Sake, GREAT is our reward. We need not worry. We need not fear.

Now look at Hitler. What happened. A Christian Nation, founded on the Word of God. Founded on Religious Freedom. Founded in the name of God. We go to War with the enemy of God. The Evil that was Hitler. We won. We freed the Jews, and look at America from that point on. We became the greatest Superpower EVER. We became that shining city on the hill. We became the place all others in the world wanted to come to and be like. We were blessed beyond comprehension. Seriously, from the Great depression to laser beams and Space Travel. What made us different than any other nation? God, Family, Freedom.

One Nation under God. In God we trust. United we stand. Freedom to worship God without restrictions. Then what happened? We started slowly, and deliberately, removing God. That is a whole other Sermon. But we did. We removed God and replaced Him with Government. Need I remind you of 1 Samuel? The similarities are incredible.

God brought His chosen people out of bondage. He set them free. They said to God, "Give us a King." God said Why? You are a Free People? I am your King. Why are you asking for a King? They said "Give us a King." So God tried to warn them.

"This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the Lord will not hear you in that day." 1 Samuel 8: 11-18

They said "Give us a King." So He did. He gave them Saul. God gave us Pelosi, Reid, and Obama. God gave us Boehner, Graham, and McConnell. He gave us people that WANT to rule over us. He gave us people who believe that Government is the Answer for all things. We are going down the road WE chose.

You cannot ask why God allows people to rise to power. You have to ask why God raises people to power Himself. The answer is simple. We ask for it. Or it is part of His Plan and Purpose. As a Child of God, you must never forget what The Word tells us in Romans 8: 28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." It doesn't matter who is King. It does matter who is President. It doesn't matter our circumstances. Just understand and accept, God is in charge. He will be with His Children, always.

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

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

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

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

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

The Church

By RC Sproul

The church refers to all the people who belong to the Lord, those who have been purchased by the blood of Christ. Various other images and expressions are also used to define or describe the church. The church is called the body of Christ, the family of God, the people of God, the elect, the bride of Christ, the company of the redeemed, the communion of saints, the new Israel, among others.

The New Testament word for church, from which we get the word ecclesiastical, means "those called out." The church is viewed as an assembly or gathering of the elect, those whom God calls out of the world, away from sin and into a state of grace.

Because the church on earth is always what St. Augustine called "a mixed body," it is necessary to distinguish between the visible church and the invisible church. In the visible church (consisting of those who make a profession of faith, are baptized, and enrolled in membership of the institutional church), Jesus indicated there would be tares growing along with the wheat. Though the church is "holy," it always, in this age, has an unholy mixture within it. Not all of those who honor Christ with their lips honor Him with their heart as well. Since God alone can read the human heart, the true elect are visible to Him, but in some measure invisible to us. The invisible church is transparent but completely visible to God. It is the task of the elect to make the invisible church visible.

The church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. The church is one. Though fragmented by denominations, the elect are united by one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. The church is holy because it is sanctified by God and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The church is catholic (the word catholic means "universal") in that its membership extends across the earth including people from all nations. The church is apostolic in that the teaching of the apostles as contained in sacred Scripture is the foundation of the church and the authority by which the church is governed.

It is the duty and privilege of every Christian to be united to the church of Christ. It is our solemn responsibility not to neglect the gathering together of the saints in corporate worship, to be under the nurture and discipline of the church, and to be actively involved as witnesses in the mission of the church.

The church is not so much an organization as it is an organism. It is made up of living parts. It is called the body of Christ. Just as a human body is organized to function in unity by the coworking and codependence of many parts, so the church as a body displays unity and diversity. Though ruled by one "head"—Christ—the body has many members, each gifted and endowed by God to contribute to the work of the whole body.

What Has Jesus Done For You?

Life.

Just a few weeks ago, my church did things a bit differently. The Pastor, "shut up," and turned over the hour and a half to the Congratulation. The concept was simple. "What did Jesus do for you?" It was a pure Testimonial Service.

As I sat back and watched, I was amazed, touched, moved, and even brought to tears on a couple of occasions. A couple were as you would expect. "God saved me from Drugs and Alcohol." "God saved my Marriage." "God saved a loved one." "God healed me." ETC. All moving. All great testimonies.

A couple moved me even more. One held a sign and said "I am worthless." Then went on to explain how she found purpose through Jesus. How she found self worth through Jesus. Another, "I am alone." Went on to explain how they no longer feel that way through Jesus. It was an incredible Service.

So me? My response? To tell you the truth, I thought about my story the whole time. What is my answer? How do I respond to this question. To my surprise, my response is one Word. One Word I wanted to share with you all today. Life.

Growing up, as a kid, in a small town, me and my friend Billy did stuff all over the place. Different time and all that. We were never worried about some stranger coming and taking us away of anything like that. One day we were walking on the Tracks. There was this Trestle in town that we always walked on. It was old and missing some planks. A Neighbor fell through it once and broke his back. It sits very high over a rocky river. One day we were walking on it, and I fell through. But I didn't fall. There I was, feet dangling, wondering what just happened, when I found myself being pulled up by, well, "nothing." I was fine.

Fast forward, later in life, I'm driving down the road in my 77 Toyota Celica GT Limited Edition Sports Car. I'm coming back from picking up my Girlfriend at the time, Katrina, from School. I fall asleep and hit a tree airborne and rolled it down the road. We find ourselves standing outside the pile of twisted metal. I remember being ticked off, looking at the wrecked car, when the Police arrived. I will never forget the look on the Cop's Face when he said "Good thing she wasn't in the car." I told him she was, and he pointed out that the battery was embedded in the Passenger Seat. He said we should both be dead.

There are a few more times I know, beyond any doubt whatsoever, I should be dead. But that's not the "Life" I'm talking about.

Fast forward a bit further, while working as a Mall Security Guard, I meet two men. Both claiming to be Christian, both claiming to be "Born Again." But both telling me two entirely different things. Which started me off on my quest for the Truth According to God. Whole other sermon. I always knew God. Now I know, God always knew me. But I really had no concept of Salvation until I was like 20. Oh, I knew God was real. I even Prayed to Him. I knew the Ten Commandments. Learned them in Sunday School. But I did not understand "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Nor did I understand "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 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." {John 3:16-18}

I read "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." But I had no idea "If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." {John 14:6&7}

I had no idea that Jesus said "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers." 

Or "Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." {John 10 1-5, 7-11}

So I learned that there is no other way. There is no other Truth. There is no other key. You can be as Religious as you want, but without accepting Jesus's Sacrifice, you are not His. You are NOT a Child of God. I learned that this simplistic, and open invitation to accept Jesus's Sacrifice, was made open and simple to ALL. Available to all. The fact that all can come to the Cross. It is not exclusive, but INCLUSIVE. Available to all who seek the Truth. So I did, and was Baptized the way Jesus told us to be.

But this is not the "Life" I'm talking about.

No. The Life I'm talking about is the reason I am here to begin with. I breath. I exist. I am here, because God loved me first. God looked down from Heaven and saw three people. The first was a Man named Percy. The second was a Woman named Dianna. The third was a Man named ??? Let's call him John Smith. He, on an appointed time, on an appointed day, whispered in John's ear. "Buy this land. On this land, build a building. Call that building 'The Store.' In that store place selves in this manner, and place these products on these shelves." So John did. Then on an appointed time and appointed day, God whispered in Percy's ear, "Go into 'The Store,' go to isle 3, and buy Peanut Butter. " Then He whispered in Dianna's ear "Go into 'The Store,' go to isle 3, and buy Peanut Butter. " So they did. They met, fell in love, hence, here I am.

Now God wrote in The Book, you will be this tall. You will have this build. You will have Brown eyes and Brown hair. You will have this plan and purpose for your life. You shall be called Peter. Now my Mother and Father never really got along. He left when I was 13 months old. But that's OK. It was not his job to raise me. It was his job to bring me about. I'll say that again. I feel someone needs to really get this. It was not my earthly Father's job to raise me. It was not really my Mother's job either. It was my Grandmother's. It was my Father and Mothers job to bring me into the world.

Now my Father wanted me to be called Livingstone Steven Carlock. I kid you not. He was not there at my Birth. When the nurse came in and asked my Mother "What shall we call him?" My Mother, to this day has no idea why, said "Peter." Here I am. As God wrote in His Book, and exactly the way He planned me to be.

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" {Psalms 139: 13-17}

There are five steps in EVERY life. Every life, of every person, to ever walk the earth. They are these.

1 Foreknowledge
2 Predestine
3 Call
4 Justification
5 Glorification

In Romans 8:

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.

God foreknows you. He fashions you as He Wills. He then sets up a plan and a purpose for you. A Destiny if you will. Then He calls you which is where Free Will comes into play. You can say no. You can live the rest of your life on your own. Or you can say yes. If you say yes, then God will show you His plan for your life. He will Justify you and prepare you to do it. He will make the way. If you stay in God's presence and fulfill His plan, He then will Glorify you.

However, if you are never born, this can no longer happen. This is why Abortion is so evil. Why it is also accepted by the flesh as no big deal. Imagine though if Mary, pregnant out of Wedlock, not Joseph's, decided to abort? What if MLK was aborted? What if one of our Presidents were aborted. What if YOU were?

You are here, because God loved you first. He created you in His own imagine, fashioned you in His own way, and even set up a destiny for your life. You were raised the way you were. You have received the reaps you have sown. You have experience the things you have, based on the things you have done. Now God calls you and you must decide if you want to say Yes or No. Now it's up to you, if you chose to go it alone, or fulfill your God given Destiny. The Choice is yours. He gave you Life. Now chose how you are going to live it.

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

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

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

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

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

Be More Sponge and Less Rock

By Max Lucado

You will never go where God is not. Envision the next few hours of your life. Where will you find yourself? In a school? God indwells the classroom. On the highways? His presence lingers among the traffic. In the hospital operating room, the executive boardroom, the in-laws' living room, the funeral home? God will be there. "He is not far from each one of us" (Acts 17:27).

Each of us. God does not play favorites. From the masses on the city avenues to the isolated villagers in valleys and jungles, all people can enjoy God's presence. But many don't. They plod through life as if there were no God to love them. As if their only strength was their own. As if the only solution comes from within, not above. They live Godless lives.

But there are Josephs among us: people who sense, see, and hear the presence of God. People who pursue God as Moses did. When suddenly tasked with the care of two million ex-slaves, the liberator began to wonder, How am I going to provide for these people? How will we defend ourselves against enemies? How can we survive? Moses needed supplies, managers, equipment, and experience. But when Moses prayed for help, he declared, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here" (Ex. 33:15).

Moses preferred to go nowhere with God than anywhere without him.

Do likewise. Make God's presence your passion. How? Be more sponge and less rock. Place a rock in the ocean, and what happens? Its surface gets wet. The exterior may change color, but the interior remains untouched. Yet place a sponge in the ocean, and notice the change. It absorbs the water. The ocean penetrates every pore and alters the essence of the sponge.

God surrounds us in the same way the Pacific surrounds an ocean floor pebble. He is everywhere – above, below, on all sides. We choose our response – rock or sponge? Resist or receive? Everything within you says harden the heart. Run from God; resist God; blame God. But be careful. Hard hearts never heal. Spongy ones do. Open every pore of your soul to God’s presence.

Creating God in Our Imagine

God is too big for your little box.

"So what God to you believe it? The God of the Jews, Christians? What about the Muslim God? What about the God of the Mayans? What makes you think your God is any better than theirs? What makes your's the one to follow? The way I see it, God is whatever you believe God to be and all else is nonsense."

No. Not really. God IS. He, just like you, just is. You look the way you look. Your nature is the way it is. You are you. If someone comes to me and says something that you did or said, that is out of your Character, I will know that it was not you. Because someone else wants to form you into something you are not, does not change the fact, you are you.

I accept you for you. I believe in you. Others do as well. Does this make you "ours?" Nope. We just accept you as you are. Can you be "other's"? No. They can accept you for who you are, or they can change who you are into a lie. Either way, it in no way, changes you are you.

God is God.

Genesis 1:

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

2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

He created all that is, was, or ever will be. Then He created us.

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

We are created in God's own imagine. He is NOT created in ours. He created you.

Psalm 139:

12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Really think on that for a second. You are you, because God said so. You are white, black, blonde, red headed, short, tall, male, female, whatever, because that is what God wrote in the Book of Life. God had a blue plan, if you will, for who you would be. He also set up a Destiny for you and your life.

Jeremiah 1:

4 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

6 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

7 But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

Just like Jeremiah, God knew who you were before you were born. He has a plan and a purpose for your life. It's out there for you to fulfill. Blessed are those who find it. Jesus was there at the beginning as well.

John 1:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

That same Jesus, is now abiding in you, as a Child of God. Without this, you are none of His. It really is this simple. God created Man. Man reject God. God sent Prophets, gave Man Commandments. Man ignored the Commandments and killed the Prophets. God laid down His Godhead and came to earth to die for our Sins.

In this act, God opened up Salvation for ALL. Not a select few, but ALL. All you have to do is accept His Gift. Allow His blood to be your blood. His sacrifice to be your sacrifice. His death, yet rather Resurrection, to be your death and payment for your Sin. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." {Romans 6:23}

It really is this simple. There is no other way. There is no other Truth. There is no other God. One God, one way, one Truth. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." {John 14:6}

Some become offended by this. As the Word tells us, this is done on purpose. Yup. On purpose. "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." But just because you may become offended, doesn't mean it not Truth.

However, because of this perceived offense, and because of the Pride of Man, we reject the Truth. We attempt to change the Truth to fit our desires. If you chose to believe in God, yet do not wish to believe He came to earth, then you accept some of The Word, but change the fact Jesus is God, to that He was simply a good Teacher. If you chose not to accept "Thou Shalt not Murder." You simply leave that out, or say it means something else. If you chose to accept The Word is true, but only for a time, then you are free to live as you will. Get the point?

But God cannot be fooled. He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore, because He is "I am." He IS God. He sees every aspect of us. None of us can hind from Him. No matter how we chose to see Him, He does see us.

Hebrews 4:

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Just like God, The Word is absolute. It IS the final authority and answer to all things. It does not care if you accept it as such or not. It IS what it IS. God is who He is. Regardless of your acceptance, or point of view, or desire to be justified in your ways, God IS God. He is too big to fit in your little Box.

The problem come in when we attempt to lump being a Child of God, into Religion. When we start seeing being a follower of Christ, THE Christ, as nothing more than man-made Traditions, like all others, called Religion. Then we create confusion. Christianity has become a Religion in of itself, but was never meant to be. God wants a one on one relationship with you. He does not care if you are a good little {Insert Religion here}or not. This is why Jesus spoke out AGAINST Religion more than He ever did praise it. Paul gave this speech in Acts.

Acts 17:

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

It was never intended for the Disciples of Jesus, to become like all other man. We are to be separate. We are to be Sowers of the Seed. Show-ers of the Way. Tellers of Truth. We are to live as Children of God. Not create a bunch of laws and rules and regulation which make those seeking The Truth burdened with the Traditions of Man.

God is the same God of all. Regardless of whatever Box you attempt to put Him in. There is only one way to find Him. There is only one way to accept His Gift. There is only one Way, Truth, and Life. His name is Jesus.

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

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

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

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

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

Don’t Throw the First Stone!

Don’t Throw the First Stone! by Special Guest Pastor Rod Lindemann

In the Gospel of John we read about a woman who by law should be killed for her adulterous actions. Surrounded by cold hearted men who were determined to trick Jesus, they were anxious to apply the law to the full extent. But before they can apply the law Jesus gives the men a test. He says, “Let the first among you be the first to throw a stone” (John 8:7). Jesus implies the men are correct, this women does deserve death! However, the message is clear – you too need to die! Each of us, sinners against our Heavenly Father, deserves death.

Filled with sin themselves the men slowly walk away realizing they could not condemn the adulterous women. Did the woman deserve death? Yes, but Jesus offers us something money can’t buy – His Grace. With powerful words he says, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11). The woman is set free! Grace – God’s free gift of forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. Jesus does not condemn but saves those who trust and believe in him as their Lord and Savior.

We all sin, we all deserve to be stoned, and we all deserve to die. There is Good News, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17). God did not sit high upon his throne watching us die a miserable death; he stooped down to our level by sending Jesus who experienced the same pain and temptations we face. Jesus fully knows our struggles, our heartaches, and our failures. God could have easily thrown the final stone and ended it all. But instead The Father sent Jesus, the Corner Stone, which now builds and saves.

As followers of Jesus our role is not to condemn the world, but to be God’s instruments of his grace and mercy. We are not to cast the first stone. We are to love our neighbors as Christ loves us – unconditionally. We go out into a world filled with sin sharing the words of Jesus, “Women, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said “No one, Lord,” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.”

Seven Truths Every Child of God Must Know. 7

An Uncommon Seed will always produce an uncommon harvest.

If you want Tomatoes, you plant Tomato Seeds. Corn? Corn. Flowers? Flower Seeds. You Reap whatsoever you Sow. It is really not that difficult to understand. There is no mystery. If you want blueberries to make a Pie, you would not go out and plant Sunflowers. If you want Corn, you would not go out and plant Tomatoes. It is an absolute, truthful, easy to understand, fact.

This is the same Truth in the Spirit, as it is in the Flesh. If you want money, planet Money Seeds. Blessings? Blessing Seeds. What you receive, depends totally on what you do. What you harvest, depends entirely on what you plant. "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap" {Galatians 6:7} It goes on to say...

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Now we are going to look at three such Spiritual Seeds.

1- Forgiveness
2- Blessings
3- Money

Forgiveness

Offense will come.

Luke 17:

1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

People WILL offend you. They will tempt you to Sin. They will abuse and misuse you. Jesus tells us this. But He also tells us we ought to forgive them. Even if they do it multiple times. He also tells us this is the reason.

Matthew 6:

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

There is enough Sin in your life already. You have Sinned against, and offended God Himself. How can He forgive you, if you do not forgive those that Sin against you? That is a sign of a true Child of God. we see this from time to time. Man even so much as takes the life of a loved one, and there they are, on TV, saying "I forgive him." People think they are nuts. "They are a better person than I. I would hunt down and kill that bastard for what he did to my family." That is what make Forgiveness an uncommon seed.

Besides all that, there is nothing you can do that is WORSE than forgiving them. Nothing. Zero. Why?

Romans 12:

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.

When you truly forgive one for their Sin against you, you turn them over to God. You let it go from your power, and give it and them, into God's Hands. What could you possible do to them that would be worthy to be compared to what God Himself can do? Plant the Uncommon Seed of Forgiveness.

Blessings

Isaiah 58:

1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?

6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.

9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:

11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

What is it that God is telling His people here. He is telling them, that they are praying, Selfishly. They are not doing what they should. He tells them, yes, you are Praying. You are Praying the way I instructed you. You are Fasting the way I instructed you. However, I will not respond to your Prayers, because you are Praying Selfishly.

Are you feeding the Hungry? Are you clothing the Naked? Are you giving shelter to those without? Are you still sinning in your everyday life? As long as you are not being a blessing to others, forgiving those that are against you, then I cannot Bless you. Do the things you ought, and THEN "thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in." "Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."

Are you Praying Selfishly? Do you understand what God is telling you? Whenever you Bless others, you are planting an Uncommon Seed. You are opening up the Heavens for God to Bless you. Let me share with you a story.

Back in the day, I was a Hotel Auditor. I worked the overnight shift. I got so good at doing the Audit, I actually wrote the book on it. Literally. I got so good at it, I would be done with it in like two hours tops. I spent the rest of the night reading the Word. Debating God with "Big Gene" one of the Security guys, and trying to stay awake.

Every morning a homeless man would come in and use the bathroom and wash up a bit. One morning, I was told in the Spirit, "Give him your Bible." "What?" "Give him your Bible." "But I don't wanna. It's my Bible. Why should I give it to him?" "Give him your Bible. Not only that, you have $20.00 in your pocket, put that in there as well, and give him your Bible." So when he came out of the restroom, I called him over. I said "I do not mean to offend you. I have no idea why. But I'm being ask by God to give this to you." So I did. He looked at it, then at me, he said thank you, put it in his pocket, and left. I never saw him again. Ever.

Now do I know what happened? Nope. Perhaps God was calling him home that day and wanted him to have The Word. Perhaps the $20.00 was a bus ticket. Perhaps he OD'ed on the Drugs he bought with the $20.00. Who knows? God does. I have no idea. But I know I was obedient, begrudgingly, but I Blessed him. In turn, I was RICHLY Blessed in doing so.

Seriously, I do not mean to be dismissive about the Bible here at all, obviously, but Bibles are a dime a dozen. You can get one for free if you ask. I just went to the local Fair last February and the Gideons were there. I got three free Bibles. At the Fair. One for each of my Boys, and one for me. So if God tells you to give yours to someone? Just do it. What is the Price for their Life? What is the Blessing you shall receive from God for Blessing them with His Word?

Blessing others in any way, is planting an Uncommon Seed, and allowing God, to Bless you. 

Money

Let's start with the Commandment.

Malachi 3:

9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

Notice it does not say Money. However, not too many of us have Sheep and Cows, and Lambs in our back yards anymore. In....

Deuteronomy 14:

22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

23 And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.

24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the Lord thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the Lord thy God hath blessed thee:

25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose:

The only reason God asks you to give Ten Percent of you income, is because that is your income. Back then, your income WAS Corn, Animals, ETC. Now it is Money. So Ten Percent of your Money is your Tithe. You make $1000.00? Tithe is $100.00. A million? A hundred Grand. ETC. But the reason is the same. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house."

Jesus told us...

Luke 6:

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

"But I can't pay the bills now. There is no way I can give $100.00 to the Church. Besides, I'm not sure that the Pastor is using it the right way anyway." First, it does not matter. It does not matter if the Pastor, or those at the Church are misusing the Tithes or not. That it totally between them and God. Trust me, you do not want to be involved in that one. Once you give, that's it. Your good. You will be Blessed.

As for the Hundred Percent not paying the Bills as is, then uh, what's your point? "My point is I cannot pay the Bills with the Hundred, and you are trying to tell me that I will be able to with the 90 percent? Sorry, the math just doesn't add up." Well, let me tell you a story I'm sure you already know. 5000 people. 5 loves of bread, and two fish. Just saying.

Point is, that 90 percent WILL go a lot farther than the 100 percent every day. Then again, that is just sticking with obedience. Imagine the Blessings you will receive when you start giving love offerings on top of that. Tithing and Offerings are Uncommon Seeds.

No matter what Uncommon Seeds you plant, remember this..

2 Corinthians 9:

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

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

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

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

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

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

Seven Truths Every Child of God Must Know. 6

If you insist on taking what God did not give, God will take back what he did.

Let me tell you a true story, in the hopes, that you are never foolish enough to do the same. I was just Saved. I was a big fan of the TV Show "Kung Foo" I really enjoyed watching David Carradine wondering the Earth, getting into adventures, and helping people. I thought to myself, well, why not. I know, I was young and stupid. So I took the Bible, put it on my passenger seat, and said something to the following.

"God, I give you all the praise and glory. I give this day to you. I pray that you guide me wherever you chose and lead me to someone you want me to help. This is your day." So I pull out of my driveway, and find myself in the next town. I decided it was a good time to stop and get coffee. So I did. Then I decided it was a good time to do this. I did. Then that. I did. Before I knew it, it was 12 pm.

I will never forget, I pulled into a parking lot and the car just died. Completely dead. I ended up having to walk nearly four miles home. Needless to say, the day I promised God, I took back. So? In turn, God took from me, three days. It was that long before a friend of mind could go look at the car. Simple fix, but I was without a car, for three days. Do not EVER promise God something you cannot deliver on. The one day I "gave" God already belongs to Him. He gave it to me first. But since I took it for myself, God took Tree more away from me.

You see, EVERYTHING belongs to God. He gives you EVERYTHING. He asks so little in return. Ten Percent of your finances. Ten percent of your time. Follow His Commandments. Have a Relationship with Him. That's it. It is up to Him to decide what He gives you. Let Him, and be obedient to His Will and His Plan for you and your life. Or He will take back what He did give you.

In

Deuteronomy 32:

39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

God is in charge. God told us this in....

1 Samuel 2:

6 The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

7 The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them.

9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

Of course, one of the most quoted verses of all time is found in Job...

Job 1:

21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Sometimes we forgive that it is not us in charge, but God alone. We feel "holy" if we Tithe and give offering. Yet rather, we should feel obedient. God gave us the whole 100 percent, He only asked 10 in return. He gave us life. He only asks us that we have a relationship with Him and follow His Commandment which Jesus summed us in two. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." {Mark 12: 30-31}

We see things happen and the World and we ask, why would God allow that? How did this person come to power? Why are we suffering under this man's hand. God did not allow it. God ARRANGED it.


Romans 9:

17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

We may not always understand why God does the things He does, but make no mistake about it, God IS very much in charge. It is this lack of understanding that so often leads us astray. The enemy even whispers in your ear, "God doesn't care." "God allowed this, it must be right." "There is no God."

So once we understand that God IS God and IS in charge of all things, we should start to obey Him. You see, God gave Adam and Eve the Garden, they took the Tree. God took back the Garden. God gave Israel Freedom, and chose to be their Only King, They took upon themselves a Man as King, God took back the Freedom He gave them. God gave Favor of Israel to Saul. Made him King. Saul took spoils from the Amalekites, so God took back the Favor of Israel. God repented that He made Saul King. If we insist in taking what God did not give, He will take that of which He did.

Look at what Jesus told us.

Matthew 25:

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Trust me when I tell you, that ninety percent will go a lot farther than that one hundred percent ever will. God cannot be fooled. He cannot be trick. Nothing is hidden from Him. If you forget He is the one in charge, and you try to go it on your own, He will let you. But He will take back that of which He gave you to begin with.

There is much favor in Obedience. There is a cost in disobedience. There are consequences for all actions. Who are you relying on in your own life. Man? Society? Government? Yourself? Or are you relying on God? Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

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

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

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


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