Proverbs 17

1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.

4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

The True Meaning of Salvation

The three gifts of Salvation. Love.

You hear it all the time. Salvation. Religion is not Salvation. God, loves you so, He set up a way of Salvation. Jesus Saves. If you want to be Saved, get Jesus. People tell you that they have been Saved since...Saved? Saved from what? No seriously. Saved from what? Do you truly understand the true meaning of Salvation?

With Salvation, comes three gifts directly from God. They are Love, Hope, and Peace. Without God, without Jesus, without the Spirit of Adoption, you do not truly have ANY of these in your life. You have a facade. A mimic. A false feeling. You cannot truly receive these without God. Sorry.

"What do you mean. I do not believe in this Jesus. You mean to tell me I do not know what Love is?" Yup. "Wait right there. My Grandma was the most loving person on the face of the earth, she didn't believe in God. How can you say that she did not have love?" No God, no Love. Oh you may feel stuff. You may feel a worldly "Love" towards someone or something. But without Love itself, God, you can not truly KNOW Love.

This is going to be my "First Marriage." If you want to Marry me, sign this piece of paper saying this is MY stuff, and that is YOUR stuff, and when we separate, I keep mine and you keep yours. I sure would like to spend the night with THAT. He makes my heart Jump. She really does something for me. Sex is just Sex. If it feels good, do it. Examples of World Love. Not True Love.

I have a question for you. Talking to the Parents out there. If someone was coming to do your Family harm. Coming to kill your Kids. Would you lay your life down for them? Most would say yes. Most would say they "love" their families so much, or their Girlfriend , Boyfriend, even Brother or Sister. Yeah, you mess with those I love, and I will fight you to the point of my own death. Now that's Love. After all, Jesus did tell us....

{John 15:13, 14-17}

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Jesus told us, He sees those that keep His words, not as Servants, but He called us His Friends.

"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another."

"So? You see? I would do this too. So I do not need to know God to know love." OK. Let me ask you this then. Since you would lay down your Life for your Friends and Family, would you also lay down your Life for those that did come, and did kill, your Child? "Wait, what?"

If someone came, stripped your Child naked, tortured them, and killed them. Would you then, lay down your life, for the person that did such things to your Child? Most would say not only NO but insert expletive here NO!!!

God did.

{Romans 5:6-8}

"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die."

Again, you would die for those you "love." You may even die, for someone you feel is a Righteous Person. A Good Person. That is a Worldly Love. Then you have a Godly Love

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Really think about this. He Created us. He Created all that is, was, or ever will be. Then He Created us. He gave all authority over what He Created TO us. Then we gave that authority away to the Devil in the Garden. From that point on, Man's Heart was, is, and most likely always will be, Evil. The inventions we invent are Evil. The things we do are Evil. We became so Evil, that God repented that He made us in the first place. He sought to destroy us. Presumably, to start over. However, because of one Faithful Man, Noah, all of Mankind was not totally destroyed.

Yet, following this, God discovered that Man's Heart is STILL continuously Evil. He told us the Truth. We did not Hear Him. So He gave us the Law. We ignored it. He sent forth Prophets and Truth Sayers. We abused and killed them. Leaving Him with no other Choice, He laid down His Godhood, came to Earth as a helpless little Baby, lived His live Sin Free, and then allowed us to Strip Him naked, torture Him, and Murder Him. Even for those that were in the middle of doing this, He said this...

{Luke 23:34}

"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

We were, and still are by the way, wretched, vile, disgusting, evil, creatures. Devising plans to do evil things. Yet, God so loves us, He does not want ANY to perish. He does not want ANY cast into Hell. He loves us so, that He is patiently waiting, allowing us to do the things we do, in the Hopes that more and more people will hear the Truth, the Truth of His Love towards us, and accept His Gift of Salvation.


{2 Peter 3:9}

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

"not willing that any" Say ANY. "should perish, but that all," Say ALL, "should come to repentance." God is not exclusive. Salvation is not only for this or that "type" or person, or this or that "Religion." God is all INCLUSIVE. He wants ALL to be Saved. No matter how wretched, vile, disgusting, evil, we are.

Love appears in the Bible 310 times King James Version. Other versions even more, such as changing "Charity" to Love, ETC. Such as in this Passage..

{Corinthians 13:4-8}

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 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."

The Word Charity here is Love.

{1 Corinthians 13:13}

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

Jesus gives us a perfect example of the difference between a Earthly Love and a Godly Love..

{Matthew 5:43-48}

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

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

You cannot know true Love, without knowing that God, IS Love. You cannot have true Love, without being Adopted into the Family of God. Without knowing Jesus, you will never understand what Love really is. Oh, Lust is easy. Lust is all over the place. World "love" is available to all. But world love, is not even worthy to be compared to Godly Love. This is why Jesus gave us a new Commandment..

{John 13:34-35}

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Unconditional, indescribable, til death, and beyond, Love. He told us this..

{Luke 6:31-35}

"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 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.

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."

Saying you know Love without God, is like saying you know the Taste of Tiramisu, without ever having eaten it. Saying you know Love without God, is like saying I know the feeling of Winning the Game, having never played it. Oh you might get a concept. You might understand what someone may describe to you. But you cannot KNOW the Feelings and the Experience, without actually having the Feelings and the Experience. But as a Child of God, you will TRULY know what a Godly Love is. Paul tells us, in his letter to those of the Church in Colossae...

{Colossians 3:12-15}

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

With a true and Godly Love, through the Sacrifice of Jesus the Christ, you will also receive Hope, and Peace. Again, we are not talking Worldly Hope and Peace, but Godly Hope and Peace. We will discuss Hope next time. With true Salvation, not some ordinance, nor Tenet, of any Man-Made Tradition called Religion, but the acceptance of God's Gift to us, you will receive these things. Without that, you have nothing more than Worldly Feelings and conceptions of Love, Hope, and Peace. The problem with that is, these are ever changing and evolving, into things that they are never meant to be. Problem is, they are fickle, and in a lot of cases, an outright lie.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Proverbs 16

1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.

3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

11 A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.

12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

Do We Preach a Grace That's Too Small?

Here’s our problem: we suffer from a grace too small. We’ve lined up the chairs in neat little rows and called it grace. We never noticed: it has broken free. Right now it’s running wild in the streets. We suffer from domesticated grace. We think grace is pleasant to receive. We think it’s ours to give, as if we could ladle raindrops from Niagara.

Grace isn’t safe: it’ll wreck your world. Grace assaults and grace subverts. Grace grabbed one man and knocked him off his ass. It rendered him blind and healed him three days later. Grace put him in danger time and again: shipwrecked three times or more, beaten with rods and sticks, stoned and left for dead. Grace used him like a ragdoll, overthrew an empire and saved us all—even him, the foremost of sinners.

Grace assaults us in so many ways we are dizzy and dumb from its constant battering. We seldom see it coming, and after it’s gone we rarely know what, exactly, just happened. Grace whispers and howls at the moon. Grace asks, and it’s the one telling us how it’s gonna be. It binds the strongman.

Grace sneaks into a crackhouse and holds the baby in the crib. It breaks into prison and sets the dealer free. Grace says, “Come, let’s reason together” even when the other side is incapable of true reason. Grace has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.

Grace will pick you up in Kansas and set you down in Oz. You’ll pick up crazy friends along the way and discover the boss behind the curtain is just as screwed up as you are. Grace gives you ruby red slippers stolen off a dead woman’s feet, and they show you the way home.

Grace is a strong man’s game. It’s God’s game. He invented it and plays it full out. Good luck against Him. Grace huddles with the opponent, calls the play and then runs the ball right up the middle. The enemy knows it’s coming, but grace never audibles: it executes the play—just try to stop it.

There’s only one way with grace. Surrender.

Grace is birthed in a stable and though it is homeless, it welcomes whomever celebrates its coming. Grace pulls back the veil between heaven and earth; it turns the night sky into the glory of God. Grace is where shepherds dine with Magi and humble young parents play host to perfect strangers.

Grace wanders; he does not build a house. Grace searches for welcome. Grace calls at every door, but never trespasses. He stands at the door and knocks, ready to bring a feast inside. Vagabond grace is the beggar bearing treasure. We welcome the wretch into our home; he reaches into his threadbare bag and pulls out gifts more precious than gold. His satchel holds love, joy and peace. He bestows patience and kindness. He fills the room with the fragrance of goodness, and leaves behind a map to faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Grace is the subtle hand of God before our very eyes. Grace gives thanks for a humble meal, and thousands sit and eat. Grace never condemns, yet somehow commands us to go and sin no more. Grace walks the pavement and it turns to gold.

Grace supplies our deepest need. We want a deliverer; God sends grace. We want to see power and the glory; God sends grace and truth. We want a king; God sends a Servant. Grace rules the world without title or rank. Grace has legions at his command, and never once calls for their aid.

Grace is never a tyrant—but forever a king.

Ray Hollenbach helps people and churches navigate change. He is the author of The Impossible Mentor, a deep-dive into the foundations of discipleship, and the founder of DEEPER Seminars, weekend retreats focused on discipleship in the local church. A Chicagoan, he writes about faith and culture. He currently lives in central Kentucky, which is filled with faith and culture. You can find him at Students of Jesus, TAKING THE YOKE OF DISCIPLESHIP 

Happy Valentine's Day

Do not forget the greatest THE GREATEST Valentine's Day Gift ever.

Hey folks, 

I saw a Church sign yesterday, that caught my attention. "God wrote the first Valentine with two boards and three nails." Think about that. Valentine's Day is all about showing those you love, how much you love them.

"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." {John 3:16}

Jesus loved us so, that while we were yet sinners, He stretched out His arms and died for us. As we take time out to honor those that we love, and those that we know love us, why not take a second, close your eyes, and say "Thank you God, for loving me so."

You know, Salvation is the Greatest Gift we can ever receive. But along with Salvation, God actually gives us three gifts. I hope you will join us here next week for the start of a brand news series entitled "The True Meaning of Salvation" where we will spend three Sundays in an in depth study of the three Gifts that come with Salvation itself.

Tomorrow, I'm excited about a very special guest, Ray Hollenbach, who will be here with the message "Do We Preach a Grace That's Too Small?" It is a Great message, and I hope you will join us tomorrow. Who is Ray? Ray Hollenbach helps people and churches navigate change. He is the author of The Impossible Mentor, a deep-dive into the foundations of discipleship, and the founder of DEEPER Seminars, weekend retreats focused on discipleship in the local church. A Chicagoan, he writes about faith and culture. He currently lives in central Kentucky, which is filled with faith and culture. You can find him at Students of Jesus, TAKING THE YOKE OF DISCIPLESHIP 

Again, Happy Valentine's Day to ya. I love you, God loves you. Jesus IS Lord. Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and may God be with you, always..

Peter

Proverbs 15

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Do as I Do, Not as I Say

Being Imitators of God

You do realize that your Children learn far more from watching what you do, then anything of what you say? Those of you who are Parents, know this to be true. If the Parent is foul mouthed, the Child will most likely be. An Alcoholic or Drug Abuser, same. An abusive person, physically or mentally, they will be also. It's called the Cycle.

Oh you can tell your kids, "Don't Smoke, Drink," or whatever, but if they grow up watching you do it, they most likely will as well. If you tell your child it is not OK to strike a Woman, yet, they see you hit Mommy, they will "understand" that it is OK. If you constantly say "I love you" yet, you beat them daily, they will grow up "understanding" that Love sometimes hurts, but that's OK.

The same applies with good. If your Child sees you loving their Mother, doing little things for her daily, which you may not even think about, bring her coffee, holding the door, ETC, this they will do as well. I remember a very intelligent piece of advice I received a long time ago, from a very Wise Man. He said, "When you are dating someone, go to Dinner at their House. Watch how the Mother treats the Father, for this is how the Daughter will treat you." Over the years, I have found this to be very true.

Health? If they see you living a healthy lifestyle, chances are, they will as well. If you do not Smoke, Drink, Swear, do Drugs, and you then tell them these things are bad, they will listen. They will come to understand that they are.

The same goes for those who claim to be Children of God. If you tell them God loves them, and wants to save them, and that He will completely change their lives for the better, what do they SEE? Are they listening to you, or watching you? Of course, even if they are listening, they are also watching..

{1 Peter 2:15-16}

"For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God."

Paul wrote to Timothy..

{1 Timothy 4:12}

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

As a Child of God, it is really no longer about you. Oh, God wants to change your life and make you a new Creature. Complete with healings, Blessings, ETC. But also to make you an example of His Love. To show others, that there is indeed, a better way.

However, even as a new Creature, even as a Child of God, we still have Free Will. Like a Man who has been in Prison, once the door is open, has the Free will to walk out it, or walk back into it. God frees us from the Law of Sin and Death. He frees us from all our Sins. He frees us from Death itself. Yet, we still have the Free Will to go back to living the same we did before. Some do so because they think, they now have a License to Sin. All they have to do is say "Sorry" and all will be OK. That is not true.

Paul wrote this to the Church at Corinth..

{1 Corinthians 6:12}

"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."

A little bit later, he wrote this..

{1 Corinthians 10:23}

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not."

Just because you are now Saved, washed clean by the Blood of Christ, does not mean you now have a License to Sin. Paul gives us a strong warning..

{Hebrews 10:26}

" For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"

Some argue that Jesus Himself warned us that we can indeed lose our Salvation in His Parable of the Sower..

{Luke 8:13}

"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away."

Remember, Salvation is a gift. He will never leave us nor forsake us, yet, we have the Free Will to walk away. We have the Free Will to reject it. If we turn away from Him, He will turn away from us. He will have no other choice. Also keep in mind this verse.."Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God," I would rethink that License to Sin thing..

Being Saved also gives you an advantage over the Lost, yet, you need to be VERY careful, that if you find yourself in a Position of Authority, or Power, that you do not abuse it. Peter offers this very strong warning..

{1 Peter 5:1-4}

"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

"Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock." Do not say "Do as I say." But DO what you say to others what they should do. Let them see you living the way you are teaching them to live. Be an example.

James issues this even more direr warning...

{James 3:1}

"My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation."

Do we all Sin? Of course we do. Daily. Am I saying that it would be bad to be a Teacher, Teller of Truth, Sower of the Seed, Shower of the Way? No, of course not. You ARE a Sower of the Seed. Or at least, as a Child of God, you should be. You should be showing others there is a better way. That God Loves them. That there is a difference in walking in the Spirit, and walking in the Flesh.

However, as you own Children will, others will learn more from watching how you are living your life, than they will ever listen to what you are saying. BE the Child of God you are. Follow the Commandments. Live as an example. If you say don't drink? Don't drink. If you say live for Jesus. Live for Jesus. Are you truly SHOWING people there is a better way? Or are you standing on a soap box, judging others, Lording over them, and meanwhile, living in the Flesh? If you are truly telling people, Do as I do, you will not have to say, a word. They will see it. They will do likewise.

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}

Proverbs 14

1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

The Ten Commandments Revisited 9,10

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

Welcome back. Today we will wrap up our in depth study of the Ten Commandments. These are the all but forgotten Laws of God. They are not something little Johnny and Suzy should learn how to say in order in Sunday School. They are not a nice Biblical story. When someone asked you, what are the Ten Commandments, you should not say something like, "Have no other God but God, Uh, don't kill, uh, don't cheat on your Wife. Yeah that's a bad one. Uh, oh yeah, don't steal." You need to KNOW what these are. As a Child of God, these are given to you, not to make your life more difficult, but easier, and to keep you from the snares of the Devil.

Today we will be talking about Commandments 9, and 10

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

Then we will wrap it up, the same way Jesus did at the end. Let's get to it..

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." {Exodus 20:16}

Now first, as we talked about before, with Commandment 6, if you bear false witness against someone, not only can you hurt them, you can also cause them to be put to death. Look at what they did to Jesus.

Let's look at Deuteronomy 19

{Deuteronomy 19:15-20}

"One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you."

We can see all throughout the Word, of those falsely accusing innocent people. Adam accused Eve. Satan accused Job. The Jews accused Jesus. ETC. But False Accusations is not the only way you can bear false witness.

Lets say you overhear someone talking about someone. They say this or that. You now, without knowing if it's true or not, repeat that of which you heard about that person. It's not true. Yet, now that person is hurt or has to deal with the consequences of the lie you took part in.

"Did you hear Sally is sleeping with the Boss?" What you don't know is Sally isn't. You see, the Boss has a medical issue, and Sally has a relative with the same issue, and is very educated in ways to help. They became friends and Sally helps the "Boss" from time to time with his condition. There is nothing wrong or seedy about their relationship.

Now the Rumor get's to the "Corporate Office" and both are fired. Or now the Rumor gets back to Sally's Husband or the "Boss's" Wife, and it wrecks their Families and their lives. Never gossip. Even if Sally is sleeping with the "Boss," it's none of your concern. Deal with each other with love. Would you want others walking around talking about you? Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. {Exodus 20:17}

So why is this important? Isn't "keeping up with the Jones" normal? Maybe. But why does God want you to avoid this. Because of what it can lead to. In...

{1 Kings 21:1-29}

"And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.

And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard. And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth. And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them.

They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.

Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead. And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine. And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord.

Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin. And of Jezebel also spake the Lord, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.

Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat. But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house."

So Ahab coveted Naboth's field, which lead to bearing false witness, with lead to the Murder of Naboth .

In...

{2 Samuel 11:1-27}

"And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered. And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.

But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house. And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house? And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing. And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow. And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were. And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war; And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king, And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?

Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for. And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate. And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord."

So David coveted Bathsheba, which lead to Uriah being killed for the Sin of David. It also cost David the life of his Son. You see, when you start coveting something, it then leads to other Sins. This is why God told us 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 put it to us this way. In....

{Matthew 22:35-40}

"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

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. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

And in....

{Romans 13:8-10}

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

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.

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

Who is your neighbor?

{Luke 10:25-37}

"And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

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. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 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. 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. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

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

I can almost hear some of you saying it now. You mean to tell me, that we could have summed all this up, this now Five Part Series, and all the pages written, explaining the Ten Commandments, we could have summed it all up with..

"Have no other Gods but God."

"Love thy Neighbor as yourself."

Yup.. Then Jesus gave us a new Commandment. A bit of Clarification if you will. "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." {John 13:34} How did Jesus Love us? While we were yet Sinners, He laid down his very life for us.

So now you understand why. If you have no other God before God, you will not worship before Idols. You will not take His name in vain. You will obey His commandments. If you love your Neighbor as yourself, you will treat them how you would want to be treated. You would not steal from yourself, you would not lie about yourself. You would not kill yourself. You would be content with what you have.

You see, the forgotten Laws, The Ten Commandments, were truly NOT given to make our lives more difficult, but they were given to us to make our lives easier, and to keep us from the snares of the devil.

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}