The Well

Is your Well full?

What is a Well? A big hole in the ground. Some, as in this imagine, have a bucket attached. Some, you need to bring something with you. When they are empty, they are nothing more than a big hole in the ground. However, when they are full, they are Life saving, Life sustaining, source of Water.

Did you ever think about this? Probably not so much. We flip a handle and water comes out. Gone are the days of going outside and cranking up the Water from the ground. But what if you flip that handle, and nothing happens? Oh no. No Water. You learn quickly, that, that of which you take for granted, Water, is so very important to you in so many ways..

Did you know that YOU are a Well? In the Old Testament, we read Passages like this..

"The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook." {Proverbs 18:4}

And this..

"Therefore you will joyously draw water From the springs of salvation." {Isaiah 12:3}

Jesus tells us HE is the Well of Living Water..

"Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." {John 4:13-14}

Jesus used this terminology of Water, and Bread, to illustrate that without Him, we will Spiritually Starve and Die. He also said this...

"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." {John 7:38}

Now remember, when we are Adopted into the Family of God, Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit will descend upon us, and live in us. He also said that as we marvel at the Works He did, we should know that WE, will do greater...Wait, Greater than Jesus? That is what He said...

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." {John 14:12}

See, we are nothing more than a big Hole in the Ground. If we are filled up, then we are also a source of Life saving, Life sustaining, Water. Spiritual Water. The Gospel, The Word of God. The Truth according to God. When you are filled, you are Holy, and Pure. You are a Well that people will learn to come to to draw from.

This is why it is so very important to fill up. To go when it is raining Living Waters. Go into Prayer. Go into the Word. Go to Church. Fill up. Be also consciousness of this, it is what comes out of you mouth, that either Defiles you, or Justifies you. Jesus said this..

"Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." {Matthew 15:11}

Why?

"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man." {Matthew 15:18}

King Solomon even wrote,

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." {Proverbs 18:21}

We as Children of God, have power. It is in the Tongue, and comes out our Mouths. Ever hear the Phrase Garbage in, Garbage out? It is true. If all you do is Watch the latest TV Shows, or do the latest App. Or spend all your time doing anything, this is what will be first on your Mind. In your Heart. and coming out your Mouth. This is what you will be talking about and sharing with everyone..

"Did you see that show? Little Suzy dies and Billy was sleeping with Jenny." "Did you see my picture on Social Media of my Dinner Last night?" {I still do not get that one.} "Did you catch a spiny butted flopping Fish?? I caught three of them."

You are going to Die. What happens when you die? "Huh? No no no. I ain't got time for that. I'm on the trail of a Blue Spotted Bayowl." You are already dead. "Great, leave me alone then.."

See, if the Well runs dry, or, it is never filled, or, if it is filled with the wrong stuff, it will NEVER produce anything Positive. It will NOT be a source of Life saving, Life sustaining, Water. Spiritual Water. The only way you can give out, is if you have something to give out. You need to make sure that you keep your Well filled. Not only filled, but filled with the right stuff..

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..

A True "Christian" Life, Glorification

The End Prize

Hey Folks, we are discussing the Five Steps in a true "Christian" Life. Romans 8:29-30

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

The Steps are as follows, Foreknowledge of YOU, Predestination or a Plan and Purpose for YOUR Life. {You are not here by accident.} Calling {God calls you. This is where things change.} Justification. Glorification..

We already discussed, Foreknowledge, Predestination, Calling, and Justification. We wrap things up today with the last and most incredible step, Glorification.. God will Glorify YOU..

Now all through the Bible, we are taught how to Glorify God in all we do. That we need to do this. However, in the end, it will be God who Glorifies US. Remember, all life starts the same. God knows who you are. You are Created the way God wishes you to be. He sets up a Plan and Purpose for your life. He calls you to accept Him. If you say no, you are on your own. You live your life and die. If you say yes, He equips you with the tools you need to do the Job. He grants you a time of Preparation, and Justifies His Calling on your Life. Then it is up to us to stay firm and continue to grow in Faith.

You see, we have been adopted into the Family of God. Romans 8:15-17

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

WE are no longer part of this World. As the saying goes, we are now, as Children of God, in the World, but no longer part of the World. We are Prince and Princesses of Heaven. We are now Strangers in a Strange Land. Jesus told us this...

“If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:19)

A little later in His Prayer, Jesus said this...

“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”(John 17:14)

So as John tells us, we are now Children of God, and we are to remember this...

"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness." {1 John 3:2-4}

This is why it is so important, that we stay in God's Presence? This is where we need to be. With our Father. We need to Pray continually. Read the Word continually. Spend time with other Children of God continually. We need to always be alert and always be prepared. God called us into His Family. He wants to be our Father. Our Daddy. 24-7. We need to be His Children, 24-7. The Word declares,,,

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." {1 Corinthians 9:24-27}

You are no longer of the World. The World hates you now. Sorry. Jesus told us that it would. It hated Him first. The World may even come after you. Sorry. It Crucified Him. However, just as He rose from the Dead, so shall we. When the time comes....

"Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." {Philippians 3:21 }

Even though the World itself will pass away, we have something more glorious to look forward to. According to Revelations....

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”" {Revelation 21:1-22:21}

That Person that hated you? That Person that spitefully used and abused you? That Job? That company? That????? Gone. They are no more. Do you care if an Ant looks at you cross-eyed? Of course not. Why? They are an Ant. They are here for a bit, and then they are gone. They mean nothing. They can run on you. They may even bite you. But you know what? With a single step, they are crushed and completely destroyed. This is how we should see those that are not of God. They are nothing more than Ants, standing in the Shadow of God's Foot, as it is preparing to come down. What are they to you?

Remember Child of God, God Created you. He Created a Plan and Purpose for you and your Life. He Called you to accept it. He did, or will, depending on where you are in your journey, Justify you and prepare you for what He wants you to do. There is coming the time that as all things as we know them are crushed and completely destroyed, at the same time, YOU? You are being Glorified by God Himself. God Himself "will wipe away every tear from" YOUR eye. Are you His Child? Have you accepted His Call? 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..

A True "Christian" Life, Justification

A time of preparation

I'm going to go out to become a Pastor. I'm going to be an Evangelist. Uh, I'm going to be like Cain in the old TV Series, were the lead Character, simply roams the earth, helping people and getting into adventures. But here is the thing, are you prepared?

God seems to have a very specific pattern of training, especially for those He wishes to put into a leadership position. First, He calls you to accept a Plan and Purpose that HE has for you. It is HIS Plan not yours. Second, He is going to justify you, or prepare you, to do whatsoever He needs.

First, He usually separates you from your old life, in order to mold you into the Creature, or NEW Created Being, that He wants you to be. Congratulations, you just died to the World and was re- or Born Again, or yet another way of saying it, you were just ADOPTED into the Family of God. This mythical, magical, conceptual, idea of an all powerful, all knowing, Creator of the Universe, is now your Daddy. If you want to have the best of what your new Daddy has, you cannot continue to live as you once did. Sorry. You cannot hang out all day and drink, or do drugs, or pursue sexual relations, or even work two jobs, where you no longer have time for anything else, and expect to grow in God..

Next, there is usually a time of solitude. God often brings Leaders into a time of solitude in order to speak to them without other distractions. Paul was sent to Arabia for two years for a time of solitude. Joseph spent years in the solitude of Prison. Moses spent 40 years in the Desert.

This is also where, if you are looking, you will find the Gifts that God wants you to have. Remember, Not all of us are Teachers. Healers, Prophets, ETC.

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all." {1 Corinthians 12:1-6}

It really goes back to the fact that God created you for a reason. He foreknows who you are and who you will be. He knows your Strengths and weaknesses. He is not going to put a recovering Alcoholic into a Bar. Or someone that is gifted as a Healer into a solitude type of Job. It goes on to say this..

"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." {1 Corinthians 12:8-11}

The Spirit? Who? The Holy Spirit,, God, "dividing to every man severally as he will." If you are a Square Peg, you can try as hard as you want, but you are never going to fit in that round hole.. Sorry. But God knows you are a Square Peg, He knows where the Square Hole is. He is going to make sure you are ready to fit.

"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." {1 Corinthians 12:12-14}

It goes on to talk about how one Body needs feet, hands, eyes, ears, etc. And that not all are the same, yet, all together, we are ONE Body. Totally relying and depending on each other so the body runs smoothly. Operates the best, to serve Him and to benefit others..

Now I do not want to scare you, but I do not want you to be ignorant either. There is another common
Characteristic of God's Preparation for Leaders. It is discomfort. Yup. Discomfort. The setting in which the Preparation takes place, is usually is not a place of Coziness and Comfort. Abraham traveled through the difficult Deserts. David lived in Caves fleeing Saul. Paul was frequently Persecuted. Seriously look at Paul..

Put in prison over and over. Faced death over and over. Received 39 lashes from the Jews 5 times. Beaten with rods 3 times. Stoned one time. Shipwrecked 3 times. Spent a day and night in the sea. And was in continual danger from robbers, and even his own people. Paul was always in danger in the City, in the Country, at Sea, from those he thought to be Brothers. Often hungry and thirsty, cold and naked. {2 Corinthians 11}

That does not really sound like Saturday morning Cartoons while sitting on your Couch eating a bowl of Cereal now does it? So why? Because Reality is far harder and far scarier than most people realize. Most people live in their happy little Houses, drive their happy little Cars, and live their Lives in a happy little Bubble. Most have no idea what Reality actually is.

You see, before you became Adopted, you belonged to the Devil. He did not care about you. He already owned you. But once you left??? Now you are a problem. Now you are a threat. The truth of the matter is that there is a War being fought, right now. Right now, you are on one side or the other. Oh desire to participate is irrelevant. Either you accept Jesus and are Saved, and you are fighting on the Winning Side, or you chose not to, and you are still a Child of the Devil...

"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}

No sorry, there are not other ways to be Saved. There is one. Either you accept Jesus, or you are "condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Remember, it was the Religious Folks, not only Religious, but the Rulers of the Synagogues, the Leaders of Religion, that Jesus called Children of the Devil.

"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." {John 8:44}

They thought they knew everything, but without accepting Jesus, they knew nothing. God is not about Religion, He is about Relationship. He is not concerned about how much you know about this or that ty or ism, but how close you are willing to get to Him. Are you willing to step out? Are you willing to stand up? Are you willing to allow God to prepare you for what HE has in store for you?? Are you sure?

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..

A True "Christian" Life, Calls

He IS Calling YOU..

Hey folks. We are talking about the Five Steps of a True "Christian" Life. In your Bible, you can find them listed in Romans 8:29-30

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

The Steps are as follows, Foreknowledge of YOU, Predestination or a Plan and Purpose for YOUR Life. {You are not here by accident.} Calling {God calls you. This is where things change.} Justification. Glorification..

Last time we discussed the fact that all lives start out the same way. Yes, your Mother and Father come together and you are conceived. But there is much more than that. See, you are here, and you are the way you are, because God said so. He knew you before your Mom and Dad even knew each other. As a matter of fact, YOU might even be the reason God brought them together in the first place.

Think about that. God needed Peter, John, Luke, and yes, even Judas. If their Mothers and Fathers never came together, they would have never been. So think about that. Who is Peter, the one that walked on water with Jesus, who are his Parents? We do not know. We know his Father was a Fisherman, but that's about all the Bible tells us. Why? It's not important. Yet, had they not come together, Peter would have never been there to hear Jesus say...

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." {Matthew 16:18}

So it is not that far fetched to think that God brought your Mother and Father together to bring forth YOU. We also talked about the fact that you are the way you are because God wrote you that way in His Book. You have blonde, brown hair. Blue, brown eyes. You are this tall. ETC. Even the very hairs on your head and numbered.

Then we talked about the fact, you are not here by accident. That your life is more than going to work 9-5 and paying bills. That there is SO MUCH MORE to life than this. That God set up a Plan and a Purpose for you. Now yes, the sad thing is, most will never figure out what that is. Most will not even pass this next Step. You see, this next Step is where EVERYTHING changes...

God Calls YOU..

Now first, to be sure, God is NOT calling you into a Religion. This is why I rarely use the term, or put it into quotations when I write it, "Christianity." Or being a "Christian." You see, "Christianity" is NOT a Religion. Wait What? I said, "Christianity" is NOT a Religion.

Being a "Christian" is NOT just like being a Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, or Jedi even. Being a "Christian" is not suppose to be your involvement in this or that Denomination, or this or that man-made Tradition, called Religion. It is a way of Life. It is "The Way." There is no other.

It was at Antioch, and most likely in a derogatory manor, that the believers were first called "Christians."

"And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." {Acts 11:26}

Before this, it was simply called "The Way." The Way of God

"And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem." {Acts 9:2}

Jesus Christ said He is "The Way" to the Father.

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'" (John 14:6).

"The Way" God has called us to is challenging. It is not just a hobby, but a total way of life.

"Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14).

Now understand this. God wants a 24 -7 relationship with you. He is not looking for a Good "Christian." He is not counting perfect attendance in Church. He is not looking to see if you eat meat on Friday. He wants to be your Father. More importantly, He wants to be your Daddy..

See, just like your earthly Father, He wants to be there everyday. He is there when you go to sleep, and when you wake up. He is there to laugh with you, to cry with you. He is there to protect you, teach you, comfort you, and love you. He is there always. He wants you to be thee too. Not out of obligation, but because you love Him this much. We already know, how much He loves us..

Now we may have turned "Christianity" into a Religion, but it really is not. The Bible is NOT just another "Holy Book" that goes along with a Religion. You are a Child of God. He is your Daddy. The Bible is the very LIVING Word of God. There are no contradictions nor mistakes in it either.

So the first thing you need to understand, is that God is calling you into a relationship with Him. He is Adopting you..

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." {Romans 8:15}

"Abba Father?" Daddy. He wants you to talk to him all the time. Share your hopes and dreams, ask Him questions. Seek what He has waiting for you. He will be there always and never leave you.

Second, He is calling you to accept His Plan and Purpose for you and your life. Oh, by the way, think about this. What did all the Followers of Jesus do? They FOLLOWED Him. In other words, they did not stay where they were and keep doing the same thing. Peter did not keep Fishing Fish. Matthew did not keep collecting Taxes. They actually got up, out, and moved on. Simply put "You cannot go with God and remain where you are." I have no idea who said that, but it IS true.

Now, will it be evident what God wants you to do? Will you know instantly? Maybe. God told Noah to build the Ark when it was Sunny. He told Moses in a Burning Bush to lead His people out of Egypt. He told Saul to keep going to Damascus, all be it for a VASTLY different purpose than Paul have planed.

Then again, it may NOT be as evident. It may not be as immediate. He may want you to spend some time in Preparation. He will Justify you. Think about this also, There are patterns of preparation that are common among most of God's chosen Leaders. First, there is a time when the leader is separated from his old life. Think Moses, Joseph, Abraham, and Paul. In order for God to mold and shape them into the "New Creature" that God wants them to be, it appears that He had to remove them from the life they knew and in most cases, a life of comfort. This, and the other steps, is what we will talk about next time..

Now as I said, this is where everything changes. If you chose to reject the Call, then you will live on. You will live this life as you will, and you will die as you will, and come what may after. If you DO accept the Calling, GREAT, 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}

Now find out what God has planned for you. He does have a Plan. 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.

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..

A True "Christian" Life, Foreknows, Predestine

Every Life Starts The Same.

There are Five Steps of a True "Christian" Life. In your Bible, you can find them listed in Romans 8:29-30

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." 

The Steps are as follows, Foreknowledge of YOU, Predestination or a Plan and Purpose for YOUR Life. {You are not here by accident.} Calling {God calls you. This is where things change.} Justification. Glorification..

God Foreknows who you are..

" 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}

God knows who you are, before your Mommy and Daddy even meet. He may have arranged it, so YOU would come into being. "Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned..." In other words, God said, you would have blonde hair. You do. God said you would have brown eyes. You do. Whatsoever God wrote in His book, was the way you were fashioned, or created. Jesus even tells us this..

"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." {Matthew 10:30, Luke 12:7}

So the next time you are feeling a little down, or think that God does not even know who you are, remember, you are YOU because God said so...

So wait.. Does this mean that God allows imperfect People, Born without limbs, Handicapped, Mentally Retarded, YES that IS an actual medical term, so on and so forth, to be born? Do I feel He does this on purpose? In some cases, YES.

Now, be assured, that even though God knows who we are and writes in His book, all our "members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." this doses not negate our Mother's Free Will. It does not negate our environmental impacts. Outside influences. ETC.

What do I mean? Abortion. A Mother can chose to end her Pregnancy, in which case, chose to kill her Child, which would end all the future Plans God could have had for that person and perhaps even the Mother. Or the Mother could be careless and Smoke, Drink, or do Drugs while Pregnant. Or she could go somewhere that is polluted or toxic, that could have an effect on the Baby. A Nurse or Doctor that works around X Ray Machines consistently ETC.

However, does God sometimes bring forth someone who is "Imperfect" on purpose? I believe so, Why? I have no idea. However, I have see who a man with no legs, that never had them from birth, saved a young Soldier who lost his legs in War. I have been around and felt the love of an Autistic {Down Syndrome} Person. Why would God make an "Imperfect" Person? Last I checked, none of us are Perfect..But He DOES have a Purpose and a Plan for EVERY Life..

"Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure';" {Isaiah 46:10}

You see, God sets up a Plan for YOUR life. He knows who you are and has a plan for who you are. It is called Predestine, or a Destiny.

Now here is something that is misunderstood a lot. God also knows the person that you are to become. He knows all the Good, Bad, and yes, even the Ugly. He knows your Gifts, He gives them to you. He knows your ways, if they are inline with His or not. He knows, and can see your whole life.

So wait. Does that mean there is no Free Will? No. Not at all. Just because God knows what we will chose to do, does not mean we do not have to still chose to do it. If I put a bowl of Candy out next to a bowl of, say, Brussels Sprouts, even I being imperfect, and Human, can pretty much rest assured I know what my kids are going to chose. Now can they chose the Brussels Sprouts? Yup. Will they?? Doubtful. So did I make them? No. I just had foreknowledge of what they would do.

God is the same way with us, He knows what we are going to do, what we are good at what we are not so much, so He lays out a purpose and a plan for our lives. Think about this also, He Chose Judas. Remeber, The Word declares...

"this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death." {Acts 2:23}

God Chose Judas to betray Him. He chose Pontius Pilate. He chose every man that was there that day. He chose the Man who would drive the Nails through His Hands and Feet. Are you following?

Remember, God told Pharaoh

"And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth." {Exodus 9:16}

God Told Jeremiah....

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." {Jeremiah 1:5}

Believe it or not, God has a Plan for you. He has a Purpose and a Plan for EVERY Life. You may be doing what you are doing because it is God that needs you to do it. If I need a tough guy to do something, I have my Boy Eli. If I need a sensitive guy to do something, I have Joshua. If I need a Princess, I have Maya. Now when they grow a bit older, will I lay out my hopes and dreams for their Lives? Maybe. But they will grow up and be who they are. They will make their own choices.

So far we see that EVERY Life starts out the same way. God foreknows and creates you exactly the way you are. He then sets up a Purpose or Plan for you and your Life. Next time we will talk about the next step. He calls you..This is where EVERYTHING changes..

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..