Psalm 26

1 Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide.

2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.

4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.

5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.

6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O Lord:

7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:

10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.

11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.

12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord.

Mislead Through Starvation

True Faith Means Continued Growth

We have been talking about Spiritual Food. We have been talking about the fact that in order to have True Faith, you must continually feed your Spirit. Starting with Milk, and then leading to more substantial and meaningful nourishment. When you are born, you start out with the Milk in your Mothers Breast.Then as you grow, you start eating Pureed Foods, then Mechanical Foods {all chopped up}, then finally Solid Foods.

The same is for those who are Born again, in the Spirit. You are not going to start off by learning who Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are. It really doesn't matter to your Salvation. No, you will not need to understand how long a Sabbath Day Journey is. You do not yet have Eyes to see, Ears to hear, and your Spirit is an infant. Not yet capable of understanding such things..

But what happens if once you are Born, you stop eating all together? Yup. Not only with you fail to grow, but you will die all together. So you must continue to eat. However, WHAT you eat, is just as important as eating in of itself. Just like our Bodies, if we fill our Spirit with Junk Food, it will not be as healthy as it would with a Healthy Diet. Garbage in, garbage out. If you fill your Spirit on a daily bases with the things of this world, and even with things of Religion, you may find your Spirit sick, starving, and you make even Spiritually die.

Just like our Bodies, if you eat a pound of Bacon for Breakfast and Lunch, washing it down with a two litter of Soda, then for Dinner washing it down with a Six Pack of Beer, having say a pound or two of candy for desert, you will not be healthy..

This {Holding up the Bible} Is Fruit, Vegetables, Meat we need to grow our Spirits Strong, Healthy, and make us Wise. This is Holy Food. Or WHOLE Food. This {Holding up the Bible} is the perfect Food. Any time I even walk into a Church, if they hand me anything other than this {Holding up the Bible}, I know that there is an issue with that Church.

What is this? "This is our Book. This tells you what to eat, wear, what time to go to bed. The days you have to observe, the way you need to Pray. This is our Book. It tells you all about our Founder, and his Vision of this Church. We will talk about the Bible of course, But we will be discussing things in our Book as well.. "

Now I understand, that in some cases, that is like candy. Oh it is SWEET, tasty, and oh so good. You can get caught up in learning all about that particular Church. You may find it fascinating.You may even feel it makes sense. But if you do not have a Solid Foundation, or you fail to continue to eat WHOLE Foods that is this {Holding up the Bible}, you can become misled.

I had a friend. Very devoted Woman of God. She was not shy. Problem is, She became whatever Church she was going to at the time. In other words, she came in and told me "Never wear the color Red. It is the Color of the Devil." It is? "Yes, and women should NEVER wear Pants." OK. Then for whatever reason, she would leave that Church and go onto another. She then showed up wearing bright Red Lipstick. Wait, huh? She then told me "You are listening to Devil Music. Any Music that has drums in it is of the Devil because Drums are make of Snake Skins.." I thought they were made of Calfskin or synthetic materials, but OK. Then drums were OK, but I had to eat nothing but nuts and berries. You get the point..

Remember Jesus warned us against such things as well.

"Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition."

Think about that for a second. That IS Religion. We take the Word of God, and we pick and chose what we want to follow and what we want to ignore. Then we create Religions to teach these things. Remember, He is talking to religions folks here. Priests, and such.

"Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

Teaching for doctrines, the commandments of men. Just because you may be following the traditions of men, doesn't mean you are following God's Word. Or HIS Teachings. {Matthew 15:1-9}

Paul, in a rather fiery Letter to the Church in Galatia, writes this..

"Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." {Galatians 1:7-9}

Then a little bit latter Paul makes this statement..

"O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?"{ Galatians 3:1}

Basically, in a nutshell, the Galatians heard the Gospel, accepted it, Started a Church based on it, but then, for reasons unknown to Paul, started to teach things NOT in the Gospel. Instead of teaching Salvation by Faith, they were teaching that you not only could, but HAD to, WORK your way to Heaven. Their emphasis was on what they were doing, rather than on God's work in them. Their focus was on things dealing with the senses. The senses are that of the Physical and NOT Spiritual. They had more faith in themselves, in their own works, to save them than they had in Jesus's Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Intercession. They did not see or know God clearly enough, and the absence of Him in their lives created a void that was quickly and easily filled by these false ideas.

The word that Paul used, "foolish," means unintelligent or unwise. He was not trying to insult them, well, maybe, but he was telling them, they know no better. They should, but they do not, know what they are doing is wrong. Remember, in Paul's letter to Timothy, he warned him this...

"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself."{1 Timothy 6:3-5}

Remember Jesus warned us that if we do not know the Truth, WE could be misled...

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." {Matthew 24:24}

What does this mean? YOU are the elect. You did not stumble upon this Blog, or just by happenstance, end up watching that TV Preacher, or come to this Church by accident. You were called out. You were chosen by God. He led you to this message. He led you to this or that Church. He called you out of the World. He fills you with His Spirit. He gives you to Jesus. You have little to do with it save saying "Yes." "I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me." Now if that is all you do, and you do not eat the Bread of Life. You do not feed your Spirit with Whole Food {Holding up the Bible}, you will remain a Child, or worse, you can fall away altogether.

The simple truth is, if you do not know the Truth, you will believe the lie. Your Spirit is hungry. It wants something to believe in. It wants to be filled. If you do not allow God to fill it with good and whole Food, it will be filled with junk. Know the Truth. Then it will not matter how charismatic, or smooth tongued, or even how right it may sound, you will never fall for the Lie. Do not be mislead through the starvation of your Spirit.. Eat up..

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

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

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

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

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

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

God's Sheepdogs: Goodness & Mercy

Special Guest Max Lucado

Our moods may shift, but God's doesn't. Our minds may change, but God's doesn't. Our devotion may falter, but God's never does. Even if we are faithless, he is faithful, for he cannot betray himself (2 Tim. 2:13). He is a sure God. And because he is a sure God, we can state confidently, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."

And what follows the word surely? "Goodness and mercy." If the Lord is the shepherd who leads the flock, goodness and mercy are the two sheepdogs that guard the rear of the flock. Goodness and mercy. Not goodness alone, for we are sinners in need of mercy. Not mercy alone, for we are fragile, in need of goodness. We need them both. As one man wrote, "Goodness to supply every want. Mercy to forgive every sin. Goodness to provide. Mercy to pardon."

Goodness and mercy -- the celestial escort of God's flock. If that duo doesn't reinforce your faith, try this phrase: "all the days of my life."

What a huge statement. Look at the size of it! Goodness and mercy follow the child of God each and every day! Think of the days that lie ahead. What do you see? Days at home with only toddlers? God will be at your side. Days in a dead-end job? He will walk you through. Days of loneliness? He will take your hand. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me -- not some, not most, not nearly all -- but all the days of my life.

And what will he do during those days? (Here is my favorite word.) He will "follow" you.

What a surprising way to describe God! We're accustomed to a God who remains in one place. A God who sits enthroned in the heavens and rules and ordains. David, however, envisions a mobile and active God. Dare we do the same? Dare we envision a God who follows us? Who pursues us? Who chases us? Who tracks us down and wins us over? Who follows us with "goodness and mercy" all the days of our lives?

Isn't this the kind of God described in the Bible? A God who follows us? You have to go no farther than the third chapter of the first book before you find God in the role of a seeker. Adam and Eve are hiding in the bushes, partly to cover their bodies, partly to cover their sin. But does God wait for them to come to him? No, the words ring in the garden: "Where are you?" (Gen. 3:9). With that question God began a quest for the heart of humanity that continues up to and through the moment you read these words.

Feeding Your Spirit To Grow

True Faith Means Continued Growth

Have you eaten today? Did you have a big Breakfast? Or did you have a huge Dinner last night. So you are good right? You do not need to eat again. Right? Good luck with that.. No, you really do need to eat again. If you do not, all that energy and nourishment that you put into yourself , will be spent, and if not filled up again, your body will shut down and die..

Just like your physical body will starve and shut down with the lack of food, your Spiritual Body needs food continuously or it will shut down and die. Remember when Jesus was being tempted by the Devil? The very first temptation was physical.

"If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread."

Remember, Jesus had not eaten in 40 days. What was Jesus's response?

"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

You can read of this exchange in Matthew 4.. What Jesus is talking about here is that Life is more than physical food. When Jesus was telling us about our needs will be met {Matthew 6:26} He said this..

"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"

Just like you when you were an infant, you have to start out with the Milk. You are not ready for solid food yet. You need to understand that Jesus is Lord. You need to understand that He came and died for you. Yet rather, that He resurrected to overcome Death, Hell, and the Grave, so that you do not have to. You need to understand John 3:16. You need to understand the Love of God. You need to believe..

"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 understand the Basics. As Jesus told us...

"He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." {John 12:44-48}

You see, you are not going to eat a Steak fresh out of the Womb. You are not going to understand some of the Mysteries of the Word, and of God, right from day one that you are Born again. But just like the fact you grow physically, you start eating food of more substance, you need to eat Spiritual Food of more Substance. Paul put's it this way..

"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." {Hebrews 5:11-14}

Paul is saying to them, you should know this. But we cannot talk to you about these things because you will never understand them. He said, instead of them being Sowers of the Seed, Teachers of Truth, and Showers of the Way, they need someone to teach them the Basics. He even list some of them.

"Repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment." {Hebrews 6:1-2}

Paul warns that if we, as Children of God, fail to grow, fail to continue to learn, we can fall into a trap. We fail to lay for ourselves a solid foundation, we can be misled and fall away from God's Plan and Purpose for our lives. If we, as Children of God, fall away from the Truth, he warns us, that we will be worse off than them who have never been Saved. Paul puts it like this..

"It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace."{Hebrews 6:4-6}

If there was any doubt, Paul later states this...

"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"{Hebrews 10:26,29}

Then this...

"Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"

Wait, Are you saying that you can lose your Salvation? Well, some say "Once Saved always Saved." But then we would not have Free Will. Right? If you come to me, and say, please adopt me into your family. I agree. However, I tell you to be a part of my family, I will require from you the same as I would require from all my children. If you are a faithful and good Child, you, as with all my children, will inherit part of my vast estate and fortune.

However, you have Free Will. Lets say you decide to stop coming to my house. You decide to go off and do your own thing. You decide to forsake me and my family. That is totally your choice. By doing this though, you are disqualifying yourself from all my blessings and promises. I can not bless you, help you, or even love you, if you are no longer with me. As in all things, the choice is yours.

This is why it is so very important, I believe now more than ever, for you to feed your Spirit EVERY DAY. If you feed from The Word, your Spirit will grow older, stronger, and wiser. Jesus warned us that...

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." {Matthew 24:24}

We will discuss this more in detail next time. The bottom line is, our Spirit needs food to grow, become strong, and stay healthy. Just like our Bodies, if we fill our Spirit with Junk Food, it will not be as healthy as it would with a Healthy diet. Garbage in, garbage out. You must Read God's Word. You must Pray. You must go a Church that God leads you to and become an active member. Not just a Pew Warmer. But an active member.

As you grow, you will need Spiritual Food of more substance and Spiritual Benefit. Instead of Milk, you will be eating Steak and Potatoes. However, do not forget this fact, if you do not feed your Spirit, you will not, nor can ever, grow. Your Spirit will never grow, mature, and become healthy. Do not starve your Spirit. It would not be a good thing..

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

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 91

Psalm 91

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

True Faith Means Continued Growth

Never stop learning..

Hey folks,

I want to spend a few times we get together to explain a concept, that is in essence, the whole reason TAG exists. You see, I am not all about finding the lost, and leading them to Salvation. I will. Of course I Pray that people that have never heard the Truth will find it. Of course I Pray for an unlimited number of Salvations daily. Of course I end every Message with this.....

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}

But this is not the main reason TAG exists. The main reason TAG exists is to feed Christians with the Truth According to God. To help Children of God, find nourishment in The Word of God. To help Children to grow Spiritually. If someone that does not know God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, finds the Truth through TAG, GREAT. All the Praise and Glory be to God in the Highest..

However, it is EXTREMELY important, Vital even, that you never stop learning. Never stop growing. Never think for one second, you know it all. Trust me, you really don't..

Just like your Body, you have a Birth. You grow. You mature. Your Spiritual Life is the same. You have a Birth. You grow. You mature. Or at least you should. Remember, Jesus said this..

{John 3}

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Now this is a confusing statement. This is not today. Today we say it all the time. Today there are whole Religions that call themselves "Born Again Christians." But this was the very first time anyone heard the phrase "Born Again." So Nicodemus asked Jesus what He meant by this..

"How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"

Then Jesus answering him said this..

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."

We will be discussing this Truth for the next few times we come together. We will start with this, "Birth." Then we will be talking about the food we need. Then we will wrap it up with what comes next.

So Jesus continues in John 3...

"And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

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. 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. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

Jesus tells us that HE is the only way, that we must believe on Him to be Saved. The Word put's it this way..

{1 Peter 1:3}

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"

Paul writes this....

{Romans 6:3}

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?"

And...

{Colossians 3:9-11}

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

So what happens when you become "Born Again" is that the old you dies off. The old you, full of Sin, is Crucified, and the new you is born into the world..

Think about this for a few seconds. How many of you out there are Parents? I will never forget the Birth of my first Son, Joshua. The Pregnancy. The trips to the Hospital for "False Alarms." The Labour of my Wife. The actual Birth and the first time I saw my baby Boy. All loving and fond memories.

I did all the right stuff. I went and made sure I had the right Car Seat. I made sure the house was "Baby Friendly." I even had a Nurse check to see if the Car Seat was correct. They wheeled my Wife out and a Nurse is holding our Baby Boy and I help my Wife up out of the Wheelchair. Then the Nurse turns, hands me this Baby and says, "Congratulations Dad. Good luck." Then she walks away...

Wait. What? Here I am holding this perfect little Human. This completely helpless, and precious, little person. The little Child who can do NOTHING for itself. This little Child who knows NOTHING. I am hold him in my arms and I have just become, his FATHER. Now what? I actually remember asking my Wife, "Did you get the instruction manual to go with this?"

Jesus said,,,

{Matthew 18:3}

"Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Why? Because as newborn children, we know NOTHING. We can do NOTHING. We need our Father to teach us. We must, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" {1 Peter 2:2} You have to drink the Milk. Be led by the Spirit. Allow yourself to be molded into that of which God wants you to be..Totally innocent, ever learning, never doubting, God and His Authority.

As much as I may have wanted to, give Joshua Prime Rib, or a Five Course Meal every night, I could not. Why? He was just a baby. He did not even have any Teeth yet. He was unable to eat Red Meat. The same is true for Babes in Christ. Paul put it this way..

{1 Corinthians 3:1}

"But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ."

Why did he made such a statement? Because it is true. You see, once you become a Child of God, you know NOTHING. You will not know, nor understand who Gabriel is. You may have no idea what King David did to Uriah the Hittite. Or even who the Holy Spirit really is. You may not understand that Jesus is coming back as a Conqueror and Destroyer. Or that the World is heading for self destruction. But you know what? None of that even matters. What does? You learn the simple things. Who is Jesus? What did He do for YOU? Repentance of Sin. ETC.

You must learn and lay for yourself and solid foundation of truth.. However, God never intends for you to stay as Babes. Just like the Milk, the simple things, God wants you to take in as much as possible "that ye may grow thereby:" You will not understand all things in the beginning. But you are not really meant to. However, you cannot stay a Baby forever. We will be talking more about growing up in Christ next time.

If you said this Prayer....

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

You have been Born again. You have been adopted into the Family of God, through the Adoption of the Holy Spirit, through the Sacrifice of Jesus. Take to the Nipple. Enjoy the Milk. Open your eyes and look around. Explore your new World and understand that you will need to Grow Up before you know it..

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..

Jeremiah 10

Jeremiah 10:

1 Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.

8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.

9 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.

10 But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

13 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

14 Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.

15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

16 The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The Lord of hosts is his name.

17 Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress.

18 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find it so.

19 Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous; but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.

20 My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.

21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.

22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.

23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

24 O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

25 Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.

The Holy Trinity Explained

Three yet one.

I was told, we should not discuss this. I was told that this is too controversial. People may become offended. People will not get it. Just stay away from this topic. Well, I do not think so. Will people find it hard to understand? Maybe. Will people get offended? Yup, you bet ya. But who said that this is a reason to NOT tell people the Truth? They were so offended at Jesus Himself that they Crucified Him. Did He not tell them the Truth regardless?

What is it that offended them at the time the most? The thing that offended them the most was that Jesus from Nazareth, this poor, uneducated, Son of a Carpenter, from a little, insignificant town, considered Himself equal to God. He made statements like He is the only "Way, Truth, Life." Statements like "No man cometh onto the Father, But by Me." Statements like "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

So how is it that Jesus considered Himself, equal to God? Because He IS God. I know I know. A lot of people out there, including a lot of Religions out there, Consider Jesus to be the "Son of God." A created being that, just like us, was born into the World, and just like other Prophets and great Teachers, He was the best. Or that He was someone to follow because He was so close to God. They argue, "Who was He talking to when He prayed? Who was He talking about when He talked about God the Father? Was He talking to Himself? No they are two separate people."

Well? What about the Holy Spirit? He was not created until Jesus left the Earth. He was as Jesus told us, "Another." He did not come here until after Jesus. That is if some of them even believe in Him at all. Most do not recognize that the Holy Spirit is a REAL Person and IS also God Himself.

So how can this be? Well, we are going to attempt to explain it. We will start with God. I do not think there is much disagreement here.

{Gen 1}

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

God is, was, and ever will be. HE is Eternal. He created Time and Space. He created you. We have a beginning, middle, and end. All created things do. We are born, we live, and we die.

{Ecclesiastes 3:1-8}

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

But this does not apply to God.

{2 Peter 3:8}

"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."

You see, God created all things. Including Time itself. We sometimes have a hard time understanding this, because we are confined to Time and Space. We are here on this earth, for a relatively short time. As a matter of fact, The Word declares..

{James 4:14}

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

So we find it hard to accept Eternity. We find it hard to understand God always being here. Our minds try to grasp the concept. Perhaps this is one of the many things about God, that is truly just too overwhelming, that our minds cannot grasp it.

So we all agree that God is eternal and always here. Well? So was Jesus. Wait, huh?

{Colossians 1:12-20}

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."

This is talking about Jesus. "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: " Of course we have discussed John 1 several times..

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."

"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."

Again, we are talking about Jesus. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Then something really unbelievable happened, "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us."

Why? Because He came into the Physical Realm. We live in a Physical Realm. In order to pick up that Coffee Cup, you need Hands. To be able to do whatever we need to do, we need Physical Body to operate in the Physical Realm. So God, knowing He had to come to Earth and give all mankind an opportunity to be Saved, needed a Physical Body. The Flesh of God. The "Son" if you will, birthed into the World. Jesus is that Flesh.

Although He has been always, He became Flesh for but a time. He came to die for the Final Price, for us all. Then we have the Holy Spirit.

{Gen 1}

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

Again, in the Beginning, there He is. The "Spirit of God." So in the Beginning, the Spirit, the Word, and God, all existed. They we all there. Who do you think God was talking to when He made this statement...

"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.

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

He was talking to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Think about this. We are fashioned after God Himself. Our Mind, Wisdom, ability to think and learn, teach, ETC, fashioned after God the Father. We live in the physical realm of which God made, so we need a physical body. Our Flesh. Fashioned after the flesh of God, Jesus. And who we actually are, our Soul, Spirit, the thing that will live on for an eternity, fashioned after the Holy Spirit. Three, completely different beings, yet one.

Think about this. We do not need our bodies to be working, to use our minds. Look at those who are Paralyzed. Their bodies may not work, yet they can still be brilliant. We have seen that the body, can, and sadly does, sometime live on long after the mind has left. Then you have the fact that when we DO leave this physical realm, we no longer need the physical body. We are going to a Spirit Realm where we will live as Spirits. Are you following???

So then you have Jesus telling us about the Holy Spirit. He tells us this...

{John 14}

"If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

Read and understand..I pray you have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a Spirit to understand.."He shall give you another Comforter" Who? The Holy Spirit."I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. " Who? Jesus. " I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. " Jesus. "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." WE? Who? God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit. "And make our abode with him." OUR?? God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

THEY are all looking to make their abode with you. The Spirit "shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." The Spirit bares witness with our Spirit. WE are three yet one, God is three yet one.. We all have different parts to play of the same plan. We all have a Job to do.

The Trinity is not a difficult concept to understand. Three yet one, one yet three. They want to come and live in us. All we have to do is welcome Them in. Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 139

Psalm 139

1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

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.

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

21 Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.