Serving Others

Are you a good little "Christian."

I know people, I was one of them, that thought that being a good little "Christian" meant Praying to God, going to Church every Sunday, and saying Amen. A good little "Christian" knows the Tenets of the "Christian" Religion. Oh, they know the stories of the Bible. They can tell you where to, and in what order, you can find the Ten Commandments. They can tell you what their Denomination declares is the most Righteous way to Worship God.

OK. So? What have you actually done lately? Huh? No seriously, what have you done for God lately? Go to Church? Worship Him? Sing Songs? Dance? Feel Good? Remember what Jesus answered the Rich Man?

"And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich." {Luke 18:18-23}

You see, the Rich Man had it all right, save one thing, he was not serving others. Remember one of the scariest things, I think, in all the Word, that Jesus says is this...

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:" {Matthew 7:21-24}

What does he mean by this?

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." {Matthew 25:31-46}

This is why Paul writes to the Philippians...

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." {Philippians 2:3-4}

It is our Job to serve others. It is what being a "Christian" is all about. Remember, being a "Christian" has nothing to do with Religion. Christianity, TRUE Christianity is NOT a Religion. It IS a way of life. It is a one on one relationship with God as your Daddy. Jesus as your Savior? Yes, but also as your Friend. The Holy Spirit to fill you up to sing and dance on Sunday? Now to commune with your Spirit and teach you all things, bringing to your remembrance all the things Jesus teaches us.

Remember the argument between the Saints on who would be the most important in Heaven? Jesus told them this simple Truth,

"But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve." {Luke 22:26}

It has never been, nor will it ever be, about US. God calls you out, He sets up a plan and purpose for your life, then He calls you to accept it. He trains, equips, and prepares you. He does all this for you to serve Him in serving others. Never forget that Child of God. Never forget that. You want to be a good little "Christian?" Make sure you are spending your time, serving others, and not just taking for yourself..

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

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 14

Psalm 14

1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.

5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.

6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge.

7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Denying Jesus The Christ

How strong is your Faith?

"Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended... Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee." Simon Peter

Remember what Jesus told us??

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." {Matthew 10:32-33}

So my question is to you, How strong is your Faith? I know I know, you may feel just like Peter. You may feel that you would never Deny Christ. That you would never deny Jesus. Especially if you have just been Saved. But are you sure about that? Remember, Peter was.. Here is the whole Conversation...

"Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples." {Matthew 26:31-35}

We all know what happened after right???

"Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly."{Matthew 26:69-75}

Now there are actually Three ways that you can, and some do, Deny Christ..

Remaining Silent
Outright
Denying His Godhood

First, you become Saved. You become Adopted into the Family of God. You become a Child of God, yet you say nothing. This is the most common. For various reasons, some count this as a Secret Occurrence, or Agreement. A Private Matter. Something that should never be shared. They do so for various reasons..

Fear of what others may think of them.
Fear of offending someone.
Assuming that they do not know enough to share anything.
They are told that they had better NEVER talk about this sort of thing.
Fear of Persecution.

So here you are. You have the GREATEST GIFT you could ever, that ANYONE could EVER receive, and you are keeping it to yourself. Think about that. You are watching some of the people you actually LOVE the most, head straight to the Gates of Hell because you are afraid of offending them or what they may think of you?

This is like saying that my Son Josh loves to playing in the Street. I don't want him to think of me as an old fuddy-duddy or I do not want to infringe on his "Right" to make up his own mind and do as he will, so I say nothing. Then when a Truck comes speeding down the road and takes him out? What? I can throw may hands up and say "Well, it was his Choice."

But was it? Was it an informed one? I knew the Truth of what could happen, yet I did not share it. He died in his ignorance and I allowed it to happen. Is there someone you love, playing in the Traffic of Life? The truth is really simple as we have been discussing lately. Accept Jesus and Live. Reject Jesus and Die. It really is that simple. No more complicated than that.

"But I know nothing of the Bible. I couldn't possibly talk to anyone about it. I have no Idea who Nebuchadnezzar was, or what Revelations say. I'm not even totally sure where to find the Ten Commandments.. I'm not a Pastor. There are people far more knowledgeable and they care talk on these things."

Again, Accept Jesus and Live. Reject Jesus and Die. Learn and memorize these couple of passages.. John 3:16-18. John 10:1-21, John 14:6, This is all just one Book in the Bible. But it is the Simple Truth.. Accept Jesus and Live. Reject Jesus and Die. There is no other way.

WAIT!!!! You cannot talk about that. What is wrong with you. You are Hate filled and a narrow minded, disgraceful person. You mean to tell me EVERY other Religion is wrong? You mean to tell me, that ANYONE who does not accept your little Jesus, is going to hell? Jesus may have been a great Teacher, but so was Mohammad and so was Buddha. Who are you to judge me, or anyone else. My little old Grandmother who never did anyone any harm, never accepted your Jesus. You telling me she is in Hell? You Arrogant, Racist, Bigoted, Chauvinistic, Homophobic Hick..

Sorry. First, I have no idea what was in your Grandmother's Heart. God does. It is all about a one on one relationship with Him. Second, I do not judge anyone, I have Sinned so much I deserve to go to Hell. It is solely but His Grace that I am Saved. I judge no one. However, lastly, to answer your question about other "Religions" Religion is not Salvation. No Religion is Salvation. Again, it is about a one on one relationship with God that you can only have through Jesus. Sorry if this offends you..

What about those who will persecute you? Jesus told us this.. First he told us that they WILL.

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me." {John 15:18-21}

This is why Jesus made this Statement..

"Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say."{Luke 12:8-12}

You see, Peter tried to remain silent. That did not work. They he outright denied Jesus out of Fear He was about to be tortured and killed with Him. Jesus restored him in the End. He can and will restore you. However, if you deny the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Adoption, it cannot Adopt you. In other words, it cannot come into your life and make you a new Person. You reject the Power of God. You turn away His only plan of Salvation. That is the total outright rejection that cannot be forgiven.

So be careful Child of God. Remember Romans 8:14?

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Do not be afraid. Do not be ashamed. Do not be silent. BE the Child of God you are..

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

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 13

Psalm 13

1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

TWOML Your Life

So the right ones can come

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

Your Life...

We all live our lives and come to a point where we hear the Truth, accept it, and become Children of God. Now of course I am talking TO Children of God here. Once you receive the Spirit of Adoption, you become a new Creature. You are washed clean of Sin, by the Blood of Christ. You are now in total control over the Flesh, because you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you and with you.

However, you still have free will. You still have a choice. You can learn and grow in Strength and Holiness. Wisdom and Righteousness. Or you can decide to stay in, or go back to, your old ways. To go back to your old Routine. Go back to hanging out with your old friends. Remember, Jesus told a couple of people, to forget all things, and follow Him.

Matthew 8:22

"But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead."

Luke 9:60

"Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God."

Then when Peter said to Him that they have gave up all to follow Him, He told Peter, not to worry about that.

"Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,

But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." {Mark 10:28-30}

It is extremely important, that now as a Child of God, you get founded in the Truth of God. For many will come and say it's nothing but Fiction. Many, some may be old friends and family members, will try to tell you that God doesn't exist. and there is no reason to believe any of it. Just live and let live.

Peter wrote about these people in his Second Epistle.

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. {2 Peter 2:1-3}

These are false Religions and false Teachers. Those that attempt to get you to follow anything other than God, and or Jesus. Continuing, Peter said this...

"These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." {2 Peter 2:17-22}

Continued in the next chapter..

"This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." {2 Peter 3:1-4}

I'm willing to bet you know someone like this. Especially if you are a new Child of God. Once you were just like them. Doing the same things they did. Now, to them, you seem to think you are better than they are.

They may even say things like, "What makes you think your "Religion" is any better than all the others out there?" "Who died and made you better than me?" "You can keep this Jesus stuff to yourself. I do not have time for this nonsense. The Bible has been talking about the end of the World for thousands of years. We're still here." One of my favorites? "Look at me. I have money, I have a job with power. I have everything I ever wanted. You? What has your God done for you?" Or "I do not believe in this book, written by a bunch of men, in the desire to control people's lives and actions." "There is no God."

You see, it's simple. No God, no Devil. No Devil, no Sin. No Sin, no need of a Savior. just live as you will. These are those that have no clue as to what Reality is. What Truth is. If you are not founded in the Word, spend time with your Father, and you do not strengthen yourself in the ways of God, you can easily be mislead. You can easily be lead astray. Especially by those you actually love and care about.

"For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Could God bring about the end of the world as we know it tomorrow? Of course He could. Why is He waiting? He waits because HE is"not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." He wants as many to find the truth as possible. He wants as many to accept His gift as possible. He doesn't want to destroy you. He wants to save you. But He will not wait forever...

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. { 2 Peter 3: 5-18}

This is why it is important, that when you first get adopted into the Family of God, you leave behind your old Self. Let the dead bury the dead. You leave behind the old you. You need to lay up for yourself a solid Foundation. You need to continue to grow in Faith. You need to understand the Truth.

You have a choice to make. Just like an addict. You can put yourself in an atmosphere of Hope, or despair. You can surround yourself with others of like mind, or you can run with those that are already Condemned. You can place yourself in a place where you continually get fed and replenished with Righteousness and Grace, or go right back to the things of the Flesh. 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 of all!

Psalm 11

Psalm 11

1 In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

5 The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

TWOML Leadership

So the Right Ones Can Come

Do you remember what TWOML stands for from last time?

"The Wrong Ones Must Leave, So the Right ones can come."

This was a message I was given to deliver directly to a Pastor of a failing Church.

As we talked about last time, I thought it was intended to him as a comfort, some really good {Worldly Sense} people had left the Church. Some people he considered to be friends. Needless to say, he was not really in a good place. He was sad and hurting. We all were at the time. Watching a Church slowly die is not an easy thing..

So I shared the Story of how it dropped down to like 20 people a week, and even I leaving right before the Pastor finally decided to step down. Then we talked briefly about the New Pastor arriving, me returning, and the Church starting to grow again. Then one day at lunch, I repeated this message to him, the new Pastor, that I gave to the Old Pastor..

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

Then I shared with you this revelation

"Wait, was that meant for the Pastor? You know, the old Pastor that would not listen? Was it meant to be about the People who left the Church? Wait, is it about the People in you own very Life? And God said...... "Yes."

So this is what we will be talking about today and the next two Sundays.

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

Last time we talked about the Church itself. Of course if you have a bunch of wrong people in a Church, God will not be able to use it for His plans and His Purposes. Just to touch a bit, if your Church, does NOT have Jesus as a Foundation. If it teaches ANYTHING other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, RUN!!!! It is NOT a True Church of God. It really is that simple to tell...

If your Church is filled with people who are more concerned with Gossip and how they feel, they are not serving the Lord. Also, if you are NOT following the Great Commission.... YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME!!!!!!

However, here is the thing. Just like Bad People, or the Wrong Ones, can ruin the Church,"A Bad System can destroy Good People" Gary Mottershead. I know, you have no idea who that is. He is a business Coach and someone that has been there, watching Bad Leaders set up BAD Systems that the People are forced to follow..

Remember that ep of Seinfeld a while back? It may have been another show. But He had to go to the DMV because the Computer said he was dead. Something to that effect. He was standing there and the worker said "sorry, since the computer says you are dead there is nothing I can do." Clearly he is not dead, but the system is bad.. Get the point.

Bad Leaders, in Business, in Sports, and yes even in Churches, can destroy well, Businesses, Sports, and yes, even Churches.. Remember the story of King Saul? God said....

"Go and attack the Amalekites! Destroy them and all their possessions. Don’t have any pity. Kill their men, women, children, and even their babies. Slaughter their cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys." {1 Samuel 15:3}

Wait, WOW. Read that again.

"Go and attack the Amalekites! Destroy them and all their possessions. Don’t have any pity. Kill their men, women, children, and even their babies. Slaughter their cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys." {1 Samuel 15:3}

Imagine for as second, YOU are King Saul. God made you King. He blessed you mightily. Now he is telling you to go kill Women, Children, and Babies? God tells you to even wipe out all their Cattle. Remember, back in this time. Cattle, Sheep, Camels, and Donkeys, were what? Wealth. Money if you will.

So Saul goes out and orders his Army to do this. He did. He wiped them all out EXCEPT for the King Himself, and the Cattle.

"Every Amalekite was killed except King Agag. Saul and his army let Agag live, and they also spared the best sheep and cattle. They didn’t want to destroy anything of value, so they only killed the animals that were worthless or weak." {1 Samuel 15:8-9}

That is not what God said is it? It goes on to tell us that because of Saul's disobedience, God chooses David to be King..

God has a Purpose and a Plan in everything. He most definitely has a Purpose and Plan for His Church. However, if the Leaders He appoints will not be obedient, then His, God's, Purpose and Plan may be compromised.

God was so angry that Saul disobeyed Him, the Word actually says this "Saul has stopped obeying me, and I’m sorry that I made him king."Actually, think about this for a second. Want to talk about a bad Leader???

Adam. Yup. Adam was Created to rule over all the Earth and all of God's Creation. He named all of it. He would never have to do much of anything but tend to God's Creation and live in Peace and Happiness. Yet, we all know what happened. He chose a different way. He chose to disobey God. A little bit later what did God say about Man?

"And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart." {Genesis 6:6}

Talk about a leader that messed up a totally perfect plan???

See, it does not matter if we are talking about a Leader in Business, Areas, and or Countries, or even in our Churches. If they set up bad systems, or create a bad atmosphere, it can and will "destroy Good People"

A Business can make millions and be successful for a while, but if the Leader is milking the Company or using his authority wrongly, it will not last. It will also create other employees who become corrupt and start using the System for their own gain.

Leader of an Area or Country can and will destroy that area and Country if they attempt to turn it into a Dictatorship which is all about them. The People who can, will also use the System to profit from it..

A Church? Yup. A Leader can also set up a System in the Church itself, where few Profit from many contributing and start to follow Their own Traditions and Rules and Regulations and never even know who the True God is.

Again, because it is SO VERY IMPORTANT.. If your Church, does NOT have Jesus as a Foundation. If it teaches ANYTHING other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, RUN!!!! It is NOT a True Church of God. It really is that simple to tell...

The right Leaders in the Right Positions are so very important.. If they are NOT the Right Leaders?

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

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

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 10

Psalm 10

1 Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.

4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.

6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.

9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.

11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.

12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.

13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

16 The Lord is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.

17 Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

The Wrong Ones Must Leave Intro, Church

So the Right ones will come.

A while back, I received a message from God. It was during a Church Meeting with the Core Members of the Church. Now not to go into gossip nor too much detail, the Church had been torn apart. Nearly over night, over half the people left the Church.

Now this was a Good and Growing Church. It had paid positions in Worship, Child Care, ETC. The Pastor was not Rich, but He was doing OK. More importantly, the Church was reaching the Community in positive ways.

Then the Pastor decided something that changed EVERYTHING. It was a poor decision, yet, the Pastor would not listen to his Core Group. After the Mass Exodus, a slower but steady falling away took place. Every Sunday seemed to see less and less people. The Paid Positions became unpaid. Even Core Members were leaving.

So, here we are, talking about Saving the Church and what to do in helping it to Grow again. And God put this message in my Spirit to speak to the Pastor.

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

So I spoke this to the Pastor, and there was Amens, and Hallelujahs, Praising and Praying. But you know what? The Pastor refused, for whatever reason, to listen to ANY of the advice given to him by the Core Members. Then I myself was called out of and away from this Church. When I left, there were about a steady 20 people or so, on Sundays.

In a short time, the Pastor Himself, again, for whatever reason, decided to step down. I received Messages that He had left and a New Pastor was coming. I needed to return to this Church. I was a little hesitate. But I was urged to at least meet the New Pastor.

So I did. It was amazing. It was as if I never left. I said to the Pastor that I was Peter, a former Elder and Usher at the Church and would continue if He would have me, and He said, "We will have you." The Church started to Grow nearly over night. Slower than all of us wanted of course, but growing none-the-less.

So this message came up again at lunch with the New Pastor. We were talking about former members coming back verse new people coming and the Message dropped into my Spirit again.

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

So wait??? The Lunch continued and we discussed other things, but in my heart and head, in my Spirit was still this Message.. Over and over again..

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

Wait, was that meant for the Pastor? You know, the old Pastor that would not listen? Was it meant to be about the People who left the Church? Wait, is it about the People in you own very Life? And God said...... "Yes."

So this is what we will be talking about today and the next two Sundays.

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

Church
Leadership
Lives

You see, it is pretty simple, yet can be hard to accept. But it is an absolute Truth..

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

God has a purpose and a plan for everything.

"Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain." {Psalm 127:1}

His Church is of course one of the things God takes VERY Seriously. God puts it into Writing, His Command for His Church. Structure and such..1 Timothy 3, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-14, Just a few places..

First Jesus put it this way..

"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}

He did not say Churches, Denominations, Religions, isms, sects, ETC. The word "Church" is singular. But he did say...

"And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them." {Luke 21:8}

First and foremost, if your Church, does NOT have Jesus as a Foundation. If it teaches ANYTHING other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, RUN!!!! It is NOT a True Church of God. It really is that simple to tell...

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for 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 from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error." {1 John 4:1-6}

That is number one in importance. If the Church you are going to does not have Jesus, you are in a Club and NOT true Faith in the ONE, and ONLY, Living God. I do not care how "Holy" or "Rightous" you may "feel." YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME!!!!!!

Second, if you are NOT following the Great Commission.... YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME!!!!!!

" And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." {Matthew 28:18-20}

The Church is not now, nor has it ever been, a Building. It IS now, has always been, will always be, until the great Return, the People. Us. WE ARE THE CHURCH. We are to be a Family. 24-7. We are not to tear each other down, rather lift each other up. We are not to gossip and hurt, but Preach and Heal. We are to BE the Children of God that God chose us to be. If not?

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

God will not allow the Wrong Ones to ruin His Church and His Plans. 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..