The Fruit of the Spirit, Joy

Joy

{Singing}

"The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy of the Lord is my strength
In the darkness I’ll dance
In the shadows I’ll sing
The joy of the Lord is my strength"

Have you ever felt it? Oh, I'm not talking about being Happy. No,no, no. I'm not talking about laughing. Feeling good. No. I'm talking about that touch of God. That indescribable, unimaginable, experience, that you can only understand through experiencing it. That Peace and pure Joy that comes over you when you are touched by God. When you really realize that God, the Alpha and Omega. The Creator of all things. The Lord of Lord, and King of Kings, is now, as a Child of God, your Daddy.

No.no, no. You need to get this. YOU are a Prince or Princess of Heaven. You are a Joint Heir with Jesus Himself. Your home is in Heaven. You are merely walking through this Earth. This time. Your time is yet to come.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."{Romans 8:35-39}

What do you have to fear? What do you have to worry about. You are in the company of those Jesus was talking to when He made this Statement. He is talking to YOU..

"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." {Matthew 6:31-34}

Now I know that this takes Faith. But you are NOT a Gentile. You are not the Old Man who is forever linked to this World. You are NOW a Child of God.. God is your Father. You have NOTHING to Fear. You have NOTHING to Worry about. You have NOTHING that can stand against you, when you have God standing behind you.

The Feast of Tabernacles is where the Israelites, who had returned to rebuild the Temple, gathered together to hear Ezra proclaim the Word of God to them. Ezra’s preaching resulted in a great revival as the Israelites confessed their Sins and Repented of them. The Word declares ...

"Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength." {Nehemiah 8:10}

It was also during this Feast that Jesus said,

“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7:37–38).

What is it that you really have to Fear? What is it that you really have to be Sorrowful over? Evil?

"For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.

All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. {Ecclesiastes 9:1-9}

Evil exists. Evil is there. Jesus even told us that we need to worry about ourselves, and not others out there. He told us we simply need to be Children of God and allow things that will happen to happen and not worry about them. He said this..

"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." {Matthew 5:45}

When talking about the end times, Jesus went into detail of all the things that we coming, from Sickness and Disease, Natural Disasters, and Wars. People being arrested and Slaughtered from no other reason than they believe in Him, Jesus. Yet, notice what He said??

He did NOT say Pray for this to not happen. He did not say, Pray for the World to repent. He did not say this is going to happen "IF." No. He said,,,,

"And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."{Matthew 24:6}

He said, "see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass." He also told us that we should not be fooled because He told us all these things, including False Christs rising, before they happen. See, We are Child of God. When our time is up here, we will be with our Father. We will be in Heaven. There is nothing to Fear or Worry about..

YOU are those that Jesus told His disciples about that they saw Him, and all He did, so they believed Him, yet there are those, YOU, who do not get to see Him yet believe. Peter put it this way..

"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." {1 Peter 1:8-9)

This is because of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus told us He would send us. It is the Holy Spirit that brings up the possibility of receiving this Joy.

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." {Romans 15:13}

This is why the Word declares:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." {James 1:2-3}

There is NOTHING that can do ANYTHING to you, that your Daddy, GOD, cannot undo, prevent from being done, and yes, even REPAY. It is God who is in charge of your Life. That is, it is God in charge of your Life, if you let Him be. The choice is yours.

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..

The Fruit of the Spirit, Intro, Love

Love

We just got finished talking about the Poisonous Fruits of the Flesh. But just like in Nature, not only is there Poisonous or Bad Fruit, there is also Good Fruit. The Word calls them the Fruit of the Spirit. These are listed as...

Love,
Joy,
Peace,
Longsuffering,
Gentleness,
Goodness,
Faith,
Meekness,
Temperance,

You can find them in Galatians 5 where Paul listed them. He tells us what the Fruit of the Spirit are....

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." {Galatians 5:}

Just like the Bad, or Poisonous Fruit, we will do an in depth study into these, starting today with Love..On this Easter Sunday, we celebrate Jesus raising from the Dead, and overcoming Death and Hell for us all. Why would He do such a thing? Love.

God is Love. Obviously, we could talk every time we get together about Love. In a way, we do. God is Love.

"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." {John 3:16-18}

It was out of Love that God Created us. Out of Love that God Spared us. It was out of Love that Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us. It is out of Love, that Jesus ALLOWED us to abuse Him. To Beat Him. To Kill Him..

Think about this. At anytime, while they stripped Him Naked. Anytime, when they were spitting on Him. Anytime, while they were hitting Him. Anytime, while they were putting Strips on His Back. Anytime, they were beating Him beyond recognition. At anytime, before they drove those Nails through His Flesh to hang Him from the Cross, He could has simply waved His hand. He could have simply asked. Not only would there have been an Army of unstoppable, invincible, destroying every living creature present,,,,

"Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" {Matthew 26:53}

Those destroyed here on Earth would stand before God, who not only is able to kill the Body, but also cast the Soul into Hell and ever lasting Torment..

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." {Matthew 10:28}

No. You really need to get this. Don't just scan over it. Get this. What is a "Legion?"  In Mark 5 the Demon possessed man was healed when Jesus commanded them to come out of him.

"And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many."{Mark 5:9}

We later learn that there were 2000 Swine that became possessed and killed themselves. The word "Legion" is also a Military Term that was taken from the Roman Army. A Legion denoted a group of at least 6,000 Roman Soldiers. That is at least. Although the total number could be higher. This means that anytime we read about a Legion of anything, we can know it always refers to at least 2,000 of something. So if you then do the Math, and if one Legion is 2 to 6,000 Angels, if you simply multiply that number by twelve, you'll discover that twelve Legions of Angels would include a minimum of 24 to 72,000 Angels.

Now, think about THAT. Anytime God needs a Killing, a City destroyed, whatever, He sends an Angel. Isaiah 37:36 records that a single Angel obliterated 185,000 men in one night.

"Then the angel of the Lord went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses." {Isaiah 37:36}

Since a single Angel was able to obliterate 185,000 men in one night, it would mean the combined strength in a Legion of 6,000 Angels would be enough to destroy 1,110,000,000 Men (Just in case you missed it, that is, One Billion, One Hundred Ten Million Men) and that's just the combined power in one Legion of Angels. Not Twelve. Just ONE. In fact, the combined strength in Twelve Legions of Angels could have wiped out the entire Human Race! But Jesus didn't. Why? Because He knew it was time for Him to voluntarily lay down His Life for the Sin of the Human Race.

"No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." {John 10:18}

That is Love folks. That is the Love God has for us.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." {John 15:13}

Remember this also. We did not do anything to earn this Love. We did not do anything that would REQUIRE Jesus to come and do these things...

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." {Romans 5:8}

This is Love. True. Unadulterated. Unconditional. Unshakable. Never Changing. Never altering. Never ending, LOVE. God IS Love. Why do you think the Devil is Hate? He is the Mirror Opposite. He is the counter. He is everything God is NOT.

Therefore, as Hatred is a Poisonous Fruit of the Flesh, Love is the first listed as the Fruit of the Spirit. Love is the Greatest of all the Gifts of the Spirit...

"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.{1 Corinthians 13:4-7}

Why is Love so important?

"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." {1 John 4:8}

It really is that simple. Jesus gave us Three Commandments

"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." {Luke 10:27}

Then He said this..

"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? He laid down His Life for us. He came and suffered and allowed us to hang Him on a Tree, for us. He suffered Hell, Death, and the Grave, for us. He rose again, FOR US. He loved us so. We need to Love each other as such.. Always remember..

"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." {1 John 4:8}

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..

The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh, Revellings

Revellings

I can't wait!!! We are gonna Party like it's 2099. You hear this all the time. Well, maybe not the 2099, but you get the point. Birthday, Anniversary, Graduation, Independence Day, New Years??? "Look at all the Revelers in Times Square in New York City.. "

Wait? Is this Sin??

"Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." {Galatians 5:21}

So it is Sin?

revel /ˈrɛvəl/ verb (intransitive) -els, -elling, -elled (US) -els, -eling, -eled 1. (foll by in) to take pleasure or wallow: to revel in success 2. to take part in noisy festivities; make merry / noun 3. (often pl) an occasion of Noisy merrymaking 4.a less common word for revelry.

Peter brings this up also in 1 Peter

"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." {1 Peter 4:1-8}

Does this mean that all parties are off limits? Not at all. But parties characterized by "lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries" In other words, Gluttony, Immoderate Drinking, Lewdness, or out-of-control behavior of any kind, are antithetical to the work of the Holy Spirit.

Use to be, and still is. when some people Partied, they PARTIED!! Naked, drinking until Drunk. Sex and Orgies. Dancing around Idols and Fires. Use of Drugs and other "helps" to see Visions and dream Dreams. Partying for Partying Sake.

We, as Children of God, need to avoid “Revellings.” We need to see the Works of the, or Fruit of the, Flesh, as Poisonous, and less and less appealing than the Fruit of the Spirit. More on what that is in a few.. In Galatians 5, Paul warns the churches of Galatia to put away all “works of the flesh,” including Sexual Sins, Sins of Hateful Attitudes toward others, and the sins of “drunkenness” and “revellings.” Those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But he also tells us HOW...

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." {Galatians 5:16-21}

Then he tells us what the Fruit of the Spirit is....

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." {Galatians 5:}

We are not to Party Naked, fulfilling the Lusts of the Flesh. We are to be seeking first the Kingdom of God. Not getting Drunk and or Drugged up, have Orgies, and making a bunch of noise, calling attention to ourselves.

Revellings, as well as all the other Poisonous Fruits of the Flesh, are not only non productive, but they are also against God, and Harmful to, not only your Walk with God, but your Health as well. They can kill you. For we know that the end result of All Sin is Death..

There really is a line drawn between the behavior of a Christian and that of a non-Christian. Christ calls us to “to say ‘No’ to Ungodliness and Worldly Passions, and to live Self Controlled, Upright and Godly, lives in this Present Time.

"Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" (Titus 2:12).

Now just like the Apple Tree, Orange Tree, and the Yellow Star Fruit, Elderberries, and The Strychnine Plant, there are Good and Poisonous Fruits of the Human Condition. Of the Flesh Poisonous. Of the Spirit, Good. Again, the Fruit of the Spirit are....

Love,
Joy,
Peace,
Longsuffering,
Gentleness,
Goodness,
Faith,
Meekness,
Temperance,

As we went through the 17 Poisonous Fruits, won't ya join us for the next 9 times we when discuss the Good and Healthy Fruit? The Fruit of the Spirit. The Fruit we should all be desiring..

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..

The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh, Drunkenness

Drunkenness

What soberness conceals, drunkenness reveals

A sober man keeps a guard on his tongue, holding back anything he wishes to hide. Strong drink unseals his lips and he tells everything.

Good advice. Makes sense. It's true. As is this...

Alcohol can ruin you life. IF you give into Alcohol to the point you become an Alcoholic, it can cost you your Licence, Job, even your Loved ones. It can tear Families apart. It can become a vicious cycle of abuse. If you abstain from it, you will not have to worry about all the negative effects..

However, what does the Bible say about Drinking? Is it inherently evil? Should we, as many Churches and many Religions teach, abstain from it at all costs. That we should "Abstain from all appearance of evil." so that...

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." {1 Thessalonians 5:22-23}

I've been there. I've been in Churches that say, "If you want to be a member of this Church, you will sign a Covenant saying that you will not Smoke, Drink, or do anything that this Church disproves of. Oh you can come all you want, but you cannot be a member of the Church or Volunteer in anyway unless you sign this Covenant."

I remember asking, why is this? Where in the Word does it say it is a Sin to Smoke, or even to Drink for that matter? The response was along the lines of "It's not. But I {The Pastor} feel that we as Children of God, MUST adhere to a higher standard. We must even "abstain from all appearance of evil."

Over half the Church left. Overnight. Very few, even the Elders and Core members, would agree to sign this Covenant. People started calling the Pastor and his decision to go this route, Legalistic and Legalism. That it is not about that at all. It should be about Jesus. After all, remember, Jesus drank Wine. His first miracle was that of turning Water into Wine at the Wedding at Cana. It was not Grape Juice by the way. According to Jewish wedding tradition, fermented Wine was always served at Weddings. As a matter of fact, the Water Jesus turned to Wine was better than the Wine they originally served and ran out of..

"and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him" {John 2:10–11}

Wait, that doesn't mean that Jesus drank it. He just provided it. Now of course one could argue that He would not provide something He disapproved of, but He, Jesus, He even told us that He drank Wine..

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!” {Luke 7:33–34}

When we take Communion, remember, we are imitating Jesus. We are doing what He did. We are breaking Bread and Drinking Wine, as a symbol of His breaking His Body for us, and shedding His Blood for us. It was NOT Grape Juice served at the Last Supper.

You see, NOWHERE in the Word does it tell us we must abstain from Adult Beverages. Alcohol. Wine, Beer, Hard Liquor. Over and over again, the Word declares,, "Do not be Drunk."

"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;" {Ephesians 5:18}

The apostle Paul warns repeatedly against Drunkenness. A Candidate for the Office of Deacon must not be addicted to much Wine.

"Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;" (1 Timothy 3:8).

He Admonished members of the Church at Corinth not to keep fellowship with a Member who is a Drunkard

"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat." (1 Corinthians 5:11).

However, it was this very same Paul that told Timothy, and his Brothers and Sisters in Christ, to drink Wine for Medicinal Purposes..

"Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities." (1 Timothy 5:23).

Just like with all things, Science is catching up to The Word. Just like for years it was a Scientific Consensus that World was Flat. However, The Word declares...

"It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:"{Isaiah 40:22}

It took someone sailing a tall ship beyond the Horizon, for Science to catch up to The Word. Study after Study declare that Red Wine is GOOD for you. That a glass a day is REALLY good for you. Yet, we still have Churches that Teach ANY Alcohol is a Sin. This is simply not true.

Now do not get me wrong. Please do not misunderstand. If you cannot have just one. If you cannot control your Drinking, then for YOU, having just one MAY be a Sin. If you are an Alcoholic, then YES, having just one for you is WRONG because it will lead to two, three, etc. Just like me with Smoking. If I ever have one again, I know, that one will lead to two, three, then I will go buy a pack just like I never quit. How do I know? Been there and done that. For me, Smoking ONE is a Sin.

Drunkenness is a Sin. Drunkenness can destroy Relationships, Families, Careers, and even end Life. Drunkenness is a Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh. Not a beer at a BBQ. Not a glass of Wine at a romantic Dinner with your Spouse. Not Drinking in general. But being DRUNK. Losing control of your senses. Having it come in and take over your life. This is Sin. This is what you should stay away from.. Have a Drink, don't be drunk..

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..

The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh, Murder

Murder

So? Pretty self explanatory. It's the Sixth Commandment. Easy to understand.. Right?

"Thou shalt not kill."

First, the translation here is poor. It should be, Thou shalt not commit murder. We kill things all the day long. Weeds, Trees, Mosquitoes, Ants, Animals for food, etc. What God is concerned about in this Commandment, is the taking of a Human life.

"And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.

Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.

Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man." {Genesis 9:1-6}

So you see, God makes a very clear distinction between two things here. First, the killing of anything but man, is OK with God. He gave us all things to meet our needs. He also is the one that set up the Death Penalty. He who sheds man's blood, shall by man, his blood will be shed. That is how important God sees the life of human beings. Remember, in Genesis 1, God tells us this.

"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."

We are made in the imagine of God. Our Mind, the thing that makes us, us. Our intelligence, will, emotions, desires, reasoning, ETC. fashioned after God the Father. Our flesh, after Jesus, the flesh of God. Then our Soul. What lives on when the flesh dies, after the Holy Spirit. Three, yet one.

Now remember, we all sin and come short of the glory of God. We were so evil that God sought to destroy us all and start over, until He found Noah faithful. He sets up this death penalty, this cost for innocent life, AFTER the flood. He, in essence, tells Noah, Hey, I'm not going to destroy Human life anymore, so YOU are not going to do it either. Peter's paraphrase of course.

There are four primary ways to end a human life.

1-Premeditated Murder
2-Justified Killings
3-Accidental Death
4-Abortion,

Yes Abortion is the Murder of an innocent life.

In Psalm 139

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee."

Remember, God made us. He created us. He created YOU. You were fashioned per God's Will. You are, the way you are, for a reason. You are the most important thing on Earth to God. YOU are.

Premeditated Murder

"And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.


But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him." {Numbers 35:16-21}

Pretty clear cut here. If you murder someone intentionally, for the purpose of them dying, you are guilty of Murder, and God says, you should be put to death.

Accidental Death

"But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:

Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments: And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.

But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled; And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood: Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.

So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings." {Numbers 35:22-29}

So God understands, stuff happens. He understand that you may place yourself in a position that you cause the death of another, unintentionally. By accident. So he set up the Trail by Jury system.

"So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings. Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death." {Numbers 35:29-31}

Now whenever I teach this particular Commandment, someone is always curious, do I believe in the Death Penalty. Uh, YES. God set it up. However, do I believe in the Death Penalty in it's current form here in America? NO. There are way too many innocent people being put to death. We are seeing this now, more than ever, with all the advancements in DNA research. People who have been found guilty of Murder, and on death row for tens or more years, are being found innocent. We have gotten away from God's plan.

Videos, photos, and evidence, can be altered and doctored to appear to be something else. Circumstantial Evidence, once disallowed, is more and more being accepted as actual evidence. It is no longer who is right or wrong, but who can tell the better story. The Rich, CAN and DO get away with Murder. Our Justice System is broken. God said, by the mouth of more than one witness, one can be found guilty of Murder. That is also one of the main reasons for Commandment number nine, Thou Shalt not bear false witness. So in our current form? No. I do not agree with the Death Penalty. I say let God be the Judge. However, it is pretty clear where he stands on Murderers.

So what is this City of Refuge thing. Lets say you are driving down the road. A child, say 9 years old, darts out in front of you. You are doing everything right. Going the speed limit. Wearing your seat belt. Being observant. But the child runs right in front of your car. There is absolutely NOTHING you can do. You strike that child with your car, and you kill that child.

Now the Police come, investigate, and find you innocent of any wrong doing. You are not even arrested for anything. There was nothing you could have done to prevent that death of the child. I can not even imagine that. You are indeed innocent. However, the family of that child, may not be forgiving towards you. They may indeed seek to kill you, even though it was an accident. So God set up cities, where someone in this type of situation, could go to escape the wrath of the family of the lost loved ones. If they killed you, would they be guilty of Murder? Of course. You are innocent. So they would be arrested and charged with Murder and would indeed be guilty and worthy of death themselves. That would not change the fact you are dead already.

So God, in His wisdom, set up places that you could go, free from this, some may even say understandable, wrath of the Mother and Father of the child you killed. So you would not be Murdered yourself. In today's world, you may have to take it upon yourself to move. I would. Far away from the family of the child I struck. Even though I would be guiltless.

God understand, and makes a very CLEAR distinction between Accidental Death and Murder. He also lets us know, that the taking of the life of a Murderer, IS a justifiable killing.

Abortion.

Yes, Abortion IS the Murder of an innocent life. I understand some to do not want to accept that. I understand that we had a group of people in Black Robes, in the sixties, say that a woman can "chose" to Murder her child. That doesn't make it right. Just because something is legal in the country, doesn't mean it's OK. No one has the "right" to Murder an innocent child. No one.

God knows you, before you are you. You are YOU, because God said so. Remember the five steps of an Anointed Life? God foreknows you, sets up a destiny, a plan and purpose for you, calls you to accept it, justifies you, and then glorifies you.

We talked about this before. You are fashioned according to God' Will. Remember...

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." {Psalm 139:13-16}

You are created the way God wants you to be. You have blue eyes, brown eyes, you are this tall, you are Right Handed, Left, you are the way you are, because God fashioned you that way for a reason. When does life begin? I say BEFORE conception. No doubt, at conception. You are a plan. Then conception happens, you become physical life.

Think about this. We are all born into sin. We all sin and fall sort of the Glory of God. Now picture that child that has not been born yet. It is Murdered before they get the chance to be born. They are completely sinless. They are PURE. Completely innocent. God takes this very seriously. In Exodus 21, if you have your Bible, turn there now. Exodus 21:22-25

"If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine."

So accidental death of an unborn child is even punishable according to God. Of course, if the intent IS to harm the unborn, then one is guilty of Murder. Here is one of those passages that is constantly misunderstood. In many cases, is taught incorrectly.

"And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe."

God is talking about an unborn child here. God says that if men strive to hurt a woman with child, or does so with the intent to harm that child, they are guilty of the Murder of the most innocent of life. If they interfere with God's plan, then the price is simple. If God said, you will have two legs and two arms, and man interferes with that, causing the child to be born with only one arm, then the one that caused it, is required to give up theirs. That is how important that God sees the unborn. His greatest gift to us, save Salvation itself, is Children. Of course Abortion is Murder. The Murder of the most innocent of all life.

God makes it pretty clear and easy to understand. He sees our lives as precious. He sees our lives as something to be celebrated and protected. He will not kill us without cause, therefore, He set it up so that WE will not Murder each other. After all, we ARE made in His own image...

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..

The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh, Envyings

Envyings

Envy - a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc. An object of such feeling: Her intelligence made her the envy of her classmates. Obsolete. Ill will.verb (used with object), envied, envying. to regard (a person or thing) with envy: She envies you for your success. I envy your writing ability. He envies her the position she has achieved in her profession.verb (used without object), envied, envying. Obsolete. to be affected with envy.

"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}

The Tenth Commandment. 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. When we discussed this in the in depth study of the Ten Commandments, we talked about Naboth and Ahab. We talked about how King Ahab Coveted the vineyard of Naboth, which was adjacent to his own. He offered Naboth a reasonable and just offer of money and or to give Naboth another and better field, yet Naboth was unwilling to sell it to him. Naboth said..

"The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee."

The King became sad and went back to his house and sulked and was depressed. Then his Wife, Jezebel, out of her love for her Husband, said, "Are you not King? Arise and Eat and don't worry about a thing. I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." You can find this story in 1 Kings 21:1-29

"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."

So because the King Envied, or Coveted, Naboth's property, it lead to false Witness against Naboth and lead to the Murder of Naboth.

Then we talked about David and his Coveting Bathsheba, when he saw her naked on the roof, as she bathed herself. You can find this story in 2 Samuel 11:1-27

"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 to Envy someone or Coveting something, it then leads to other Sins. This is why God told us

"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." {Leviticus 19:18}

Jesus put it to us this way.

"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." {Matthew 22:35-40}

Paul put it this way to the Saints in Rome

"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." {Romans 13:8-10}

We all know that famous passage about Love.. In the King James Version is uses the Word Charity, yet the correct translation is Love..

"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." {1 Corinthians 13:4-8}{KJV}

Or

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." {1 Corinthians 13:4-8} {NIV}

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.

Do not become green with Envy. Do not allow yourself to fall for Covertness. It is not harmless. It may be normal, the desire to keep up with the Jones's, however, God calls it a Poisonous Fruit of the Flesh. It can lead to death. Do not do it...

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh, Heresies

Heresies

In the beginning, God. God created all things. God gave us the Law. The Ten Commandments. He sent us Prophets and then was left without choice, He came Himself. He even told us exactly how He was going to come.

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."{Isaiah 7:14}

There is left no doubt about who Jesus is..

"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." {Isaiah 53}

There is no other that fits this, or any other Prophesied Picture of who the Messiah is. Jesus is the only one. Jesus IS The Way, The Truth. The Life. NO ONE COMES TO GOD WITHOUT HIM. No one is Saved without Jesus. There is NO OTHER WAY.

However, as God also foretold us, Jesus, the Corner Stone, The Way, is also a Stubbing Block. One that offends many. One who many hate without cause.

"For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." {1 Corinthians 1:23-25}

However, none of this matters. The truth is the Truth. The Way is The Way. Life comes but by one, Jesus. Anything else is a waste of time, and perhaps even worse, Heresies.

Now I had a whole list of differing Heresies..

Adoptionism, Arianism, Docetism, Pneumatomachians, Sabellianism, ETC. I was going to break them down as follows...

Adoptionism - Belief that Jesus was born as a mere (non-divine) Man, was supremely virtuous and that he was adopted later as "Son of God" by the descent of the Spirit on him.

Or that Docetism is the belief that Jesus' physical body was an illusion, as was his crucifixion; that is, Jesus only seemed to have a physical body and to physically die, but in reality he was incorporeal, a pure spirit, and hence could not physically die

Although it may be interesting, and it is, to learn that Sabellianism is the belief that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three Characterizations of one God, rather than three distinct "Persons" in one God. It is pretty pointless. Here is why. Anything that rejects Jesus, His Godhood. His Sacrifice. The Holy Spirit. God's real nature. Anything that goes against that of which you know, IS HERESY.

Remember,

"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 1:8-9}

There is no other Truth. There is no other Way. There are NOT many Paths to one God. There is one.

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." {Matthew 7:13-14}

This is why Heresies as so Evil. It does not matter what you do, how you live, what you believe. It does not matter how "good" you are. None of that matters, if you leave out the Key, If you leave out Jesus, you have NOTHING. Your Religion is pointless. This is why it is so important that you test what you hear and see.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error,” {1 John 4:1-6}

You see, it is easy to spot. "Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God." Simple. Easy. Not complicated. You do not have to have a PHD. You do not need a Degree. Simply put, Jesus? Good. No Jesus? Bad.

So many have changed God, His Nature, His Word, for no other reason than that of the fact Jesus offends them. They created whole Religions that include EVERYTHING except Jesus. People reject whole Truths of God, they pick and choose what they are willing to follow, and then wonder why their Religion seems to be lacking. Truth is, God is an all or nothing God. Religion for Religion sake is not harmless..

“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” {2 Peter 2:1 }

Heresies are not harmless. It doesn't matter how you feel about this or that. It does not matter if you become offended at this or that. God created all things. He tells us what is Sin is Sin. What is Good is Good. God is God. Jesus is the Way. The Only Way. Anything else is false and pointless. But be careful Child of God. Test the Spirits. Do not be mislead in Heresies. Know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free..

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..

The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh, Sedition

Sedition

The word “Sedition” is defined as Actions or Words, intended to lead or encourage, the overthrow of a person, group or State. Sedition in the Bible is classified as a Criminal Act that undermines the Authority placed by God and Seeking to overthrow it. Sedition is usually not loud, boastful, or obvious. It is whispers, deeds, and secrets. It is being done by those closest to the Leadership in any given Authority.

Now remember, It is God who sets up Authority.

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.

Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." {Romans 13:1-7}

Everywhere you go God has set an Authority Figure or a Head. Be it Ministers, Pastors, The Church, Sound Doctrines. Even Presidents, Kings, and Rulers, ETC. If you do not agree with the Authority, you need to look in the Mirror. You need to Pray about it. You need to research it. You need to understand, that if you simply speak bad about it, or them, and you whisper, and reject their Authority, and become disobedient, you are falling for the oldest Sin there is. Rebellion.

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."{Ephesians 2:1-3}

Rebellion began with Satan, when he rebelled against God and took one-third of the Angels with him, continued with the fall of Man by Adam and Even, and is still very much alive and well today. Today, no one wants to be under Authority because it is a part of our Nature. No one wants to submit to Authority. It goes against our very Human Nature. Our Flesh wants nothing to do with it. Yet, we are no longer in the Flesh, or controlled by the Flesh. Which puts us, as Children of God, into Conflict within ourselves.

Paul describes this inner conflict between the Old Man and the New Man.

"For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I." {Romans 7:14-15}

This is why he goes into great detail telling us how we let the New Man take the lead.. We must walk in the Spirit, and NOT in the Flesh..

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."{Romans 8:1-8}

Paul warns the Ephesians,

"If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That you put off concerning the former way of life the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts." {Ephesians 4:21-22}

But we, as Children of God, are NOT the Old Man. We are the New Man. We are NOT under the Authority of the Flesh, but under the Grace of the Spirit.

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." {Ephesians 4:23-24}

You see, believe it or not, God DOES know better than us. I know, I know. Hard to believe, right? But He really does. He knows all things, Created all things. Understands better than us, the best way, all things work out. He gives us total and complete access to Him, His Authority, and His Ways. He gives us an Owner's Manual. {Holding up the Bible} He gives us His Word.

We do not have to wonder. We do not have to guess. We do not have to assume. We do not need others to tell us God's Will. Our Father, Our Daddy, God, is always here for us. He is always available to us. He is NEVER too busy to teach us, talk with us, spend time with us. He is there. Always. All we have to do is take the time to spend with him. We are His Children.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." {Galatians 2:20}

God set up the perfect Chain of Command.

"Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." {1 Corinthians 11: 2-3}

It does not matter to us, as Children of God, who is in charge. We know that God is ultimately the one in Charge of it all. We, as His Children, have that direct link. We have that Faith. We have that Peace. We do not have to fret or worry. We just have to be obedient.

"Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."{Titus 3:1-7}

God set up Authorities and Powers. God set up Principalities. God has a Plan. It is not for us to question. It is not for us to argue. It is not for us to overthrow God's Will. Remember, it was God who put Pharaoh in Authority.

"For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth." {Romans 9:17}

Jesus said to Pilate...

"You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” {John 19:11}

Do we always understand why those in power are in power? No. Are there bad people in Authority? Of Course. However, God is in charge. We, as His Children, must never loose sight of that. Unless God says to you, "Go and stand before the President, and tell him, God says, 'Let my People Go..' " Chances are, God does not want you messing with His order of things.

Just because you might not understand, nor, like, something that someone in Authority may be doing, doesn't mean that you have the "Right" to commit Sedition. Just simply Trust in God. He does know what He is doing. Trust me..

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..

The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh, Strife

Strife

Once again, we find the concept on unity vs division. The Family of God is to be unified, of one mind, towards one goal. We are all one love, serving one God, in one Way. Through the teachings of Jesus The Christ, and through the Sowing of the Seed wherever we may go.

Anything that interrupts this, or is contrary to this, is NOT of God. This "The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh," is called Strife.. This is not one of those that is complicated to understand. However, sometimes hard to avoid.

"Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, " {2 Timothy 2:23-25}

Strife is conflict. It is someone who either honestly disagrees with something and wants to argue about it, or someone who is PURPOSEFULLY using a disagreement to stir up division and chaos. In some of these cases it can become so bad that the Church itself becomes divided. In some extreme cases, whole other denominations and even entirely new Religions are formed from this schism.

Now there are a lot of examples. Look at the current Strife and schisms in some of our Churches today. The cause? Homosexuality. God is CLEAR on Homosexuality. Leviticus 18:1-5, 22-24, 29, Leviticus 20:13, Ezekiel 16:49-51, Romans 1:18-32, just to name a few.

Factions result from losing sight of God. His Will. Christ and the Gospel. Divisions happen when the Word of God, and the Gospel of Christ itself is compromised. Homosexuality, and those that promote it, have done a GREAT job normalizing that of which was once widely accepted as both Sin and against Nature itself. They made it Hip and Cool. They made it a cause such as freeing Slaves. They succeeded in a World sense. The Highest Court in the Land just Ruled that Gays have a "Right" To Marry. So some of our Churches have decided, either from a false sense of compassion, or out of the leaderships own lustful desires, have started to accept Homosexuality as godly and good. Some even Ordain Gay Leaders.

Here is the problem. GOD DOES NOT CHANGE! HIS WORD DOES NOT CHANGE! SIN DOES NOT BECOME GOOD! GOOD DOES NOT BECOME SIN! THERE IS NO CONFUSION! HOMOSEXUALITY IS SIN AGAINST GOD AND NATURE. God is not going to accept Sin just because we no longer accept His view on it.

"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers."{Proverbs 6:16-19}

Paul tells us that there are many parts, but only one Body in Christ

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." {1 Corinthians 12:12-27}

ANYTHING that disrupts this, is not of God. Someone causing Strive, means, that the Body no long is united and no longer working the way it should. This is why we are told to beware of these things.

"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." {James 3:14-16}

Jesus tells us to make sure that we do not allow even our Brothers to be a cause of Strife..

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." {Matthew 18:15-17}

Jesus is pretty serious here. He gives you steps to reconcile with your Brother, yet if your Brother chooses not to, than we are to disown him all together. That is how much God wants His Family unified.

It has been, is now, and will always be, one of the most effective tools of War. Divide and Conquer. It is a simple concept. If we are fighting among ourselves, or we and not untied in a common front, our enemy has it so much easier to take us out. Yet, if the enemy comes and finds a untied front, with a massive number for people standing arm to arm, ready for whatever they have? United we stand, divided we fall.

We know that there are some that attack us, the Church, attempting to use this very technique. They look for the weak or less knowledgeable. They start whispering questions. The hope is that this will create a ripple in the Congregations. The hope is, that eventually, that ripple with grow into a Schism, and into, Strife.

Do not be mislead...

"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them." {Romans 16:17}

Now I want you to read that one part again. "who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught" "and create obstacles," "and create obstacles." See Jesus said,,,

"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}

We say, as long as you are born into this or that "Religion." Are Circumcised or do not become Circumcised. Eat Meat daily. Don't eat meat on Friday Wear this or that types of cloths. Serve the Leader of the Church in this or that fashion. Follow all the Tenets to the T. Then, MAYBE Then, as long as the Leader of the Church feels you did good enough, you THEN become Saved.

Again, Jesus said...

"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}

Everything else is nonsense. Everything else is pointless. Everything else is Man-Made-Tradition. We are to be one Family. The Family of God. We are to share the Gospel. Anything else can bring in Strife to the unity and peace of the Body of Christ. Don't let it.

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

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

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

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

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

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