Psalm 45

Psalm 45

1 My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.

6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

9 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.

10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;

11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.

12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.

13 The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.

14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.

15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.

16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.

17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

Pitfalls of Pride, Singleness

The Sin of the Devil.

The fall of Man. Both are the same Sin. Both caused a massive falling away, Death, and Destruction. So WHY do we still fall for this Sin? Why do we not see the Pitfalls of Pride? Is there such a thing as good Pride? This is what we will be talking about today, and the next two times we come together.

First, is there Good Pride? Paul did say this after all in 2 Corinthians 5:12

"We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart."

Some translations say "be proud of us," "boast about us," " to glory on our behalf," Also in 2 Corinthians 7:4

"I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds."

Again, other translations say " have great pride in you, "great is my boasting on your behalf." "great is my glorying of you."

So wait, is Pride a good or evil thing? The answer is simple, yet, sometimes hard for some to understand. Let us simplify it like this, There is always a difference between Pride that does not produce division and Arrogance that does. It is OK to take Pride in your accomplishments and or take Pride being one of the Chosen of God and Called according to His Purpose. It is totally different to become so Prideful you become Arrogant and that is when you fall into Sin.

There are three clear Pitfalls of Pride. What we are talking about today, is "Singleness ." Then you have what we will continue with next time, "Closemindedness." Lastly, and the most deceitful, "False Humility."

So what is Singleness, and why is this so wrong and Evil? How does Pride cause this condition? Well, let's look at the word itself.

Singleness. As a noun, Aloneness. Synonyms? Detachment, Emptiness, Isolation, Loneliness, Lonesomeness, Quarantine, Reclusiveness, Seclusion, Separateness, Solitariness, Wilderness, Withdrawal.

All the way back in the beginning, God JUST created Man, He said this

"Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”" {Genesis 2:18}

It is NOT GOOD for Man to be alone. Why? Detachment, Emptiness, Isolation, Loneliness, Lonesomeness, Quarantine, Reclusiveness, Seclusion, Separateness, Solitariness, Wilderness, Withdrawal.

This is not what God has planned for us. He does not want us to be alone. He does not want us Isolated and Lonesome. Now do not get me wrong here. We all need some "me" time. Or some alone time. I get that. We need to go somewhere and simply spend time with God. I get that, But to be alone all the time, or try to do a Job, alone, all the time is NOT healthy mentally or physically.

So how does Pride put us into this Position? Pride tells us, we are the best. Pride tells us, we need no one else to do whatever it is. Pride tells us that we need to answer to no one. Now, this last one is important. We need to answer to no one.

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." {Isaiah14:12-15}

So why did Lucifer, "The Son of the Morning," the fairest of all the Angels, God's FIRST Creation, fall so far and so hard? Pride told him that he did not need God, that he was God. That he was as smart as and as important as, God Himself. He "said in thine heart," "I will be like the Most High."

He did not feel he needed to answer to God. He tried to become God. You know the rest of the Story. God smacked him down to the Earth, He took from him any authority He gave him and cursed him forever.

Then God made Man. He gave Man, all the authority over the Earth God had made and gave to him. He made Man even more important than Angles themselves. This did not sit well with Lucifer, who even had his name stripped from him and became Satan. How did he cause the fall of man? Pride.

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." {Genesis 3:1-5}

Notice what Satan told her was the reward for disobedience. He told her "ye shall be as gods." What goes through your mind when you hear something like this? You no longer answer to anybody, You are the most important thing in the World. You are better than anyone or anything else. You are the best and the greatest. You are now, number one.

So when Adam and Eve heard this, oh, by the way, Adam was right there with her.

"She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat." {Genesis 3:6}

They disobeyed God why? To become as gods. They did it for the same reason Satan did. The only difference is that Satan thought it up in his own heart and Adam and Eve had to be tempted with it. It is the SAME SIN. Pride. What happened? Detachment, Emptiness, Isolation, Loneliness, Lonesomeness, Quarantine, Reclusiveness, Seclusion, Separateness, Solitariness, Wilderness, Withdrawal. Satan fell to the Earth. God removed Himself from us and from the Earth.

Pride will also tell you that you are the only one, and yours is the only way. It will close your mind and make you feel like you are the only one able to do whatever it is you do. More on that next time. It will cause division and strife with those around you. If left unchecked, this kind of Pride will lead to Destruction and Death.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18)

As a Child of God, we must NEVER rely on ourselves. We must always remember that without Faith, which includes learning from and Trusting in God, we cannot please God. Without our Family, we can do nothing. The Word declares that we are simply a part of a bigger Picture. We are all parts of the Same Body.

"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." {1 Corinthians 12:14}

Take Pride in what God has called you to do, but never forget, it is NEVER about you. It is ALWAYS about God and increasing His Kingdom. Remember there is a difference between Pride that does not produce division and Arrogance that does.

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.

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 44

Psalm 44

1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

2 How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.

3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.

4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.

5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.

7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.

8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.

9 But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.

10 Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.

11 Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.

12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.

13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.

14 Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.

15 My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,

16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.

17 All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.

18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;

19 Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.

20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;

21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.

24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?

25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.

26 Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.

Stepping Out, Regardless of Trials and Tribulations.

Oh they WILL come.

I have no idea, where this concept came from. The concept that once you become Saved, you will live the rest of your Life in Peace and everything will be Rainbows and Lollipops. That you will coast through Life without a care in the World and you will not have to worry about a single thing. Perhaps it is the thought of what is to come mixing in with what is still here? I'm not sure. There is also this concept that as long as you are in God's Plan, you will have nothing to worry about as well. Are you sure about that?

Lets look at Paul. Seriously? Paul was Saul before he was converted. Equal to a Jihadist in every way. Then Jesus appeared before him and asked him to follow Him. He said "Yes" and became Paul. So great a Saint that HE wrote a lot of the New Testament that we read today. Did he have Trials and Tribulations? I guess you could say that.

Let's see, 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 Rivers, Robbers, his own People. 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. I guess you could say he had some Trials and Tribulations. Here is his account. This was one of his letters to the Church at Corinth. 2 Corinthians 11:23-28

"Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches."

You see, no matter what was going on in the negative sense to Paul, his first concern was always the Church. Was always God and His Will. Now Paul is the extreme example, but look at any in the Bible. Noah, Moses, David, Job, the Saints, from Peter to Simon. Even Judas for a time. What all these have in common is this. In the middle of their Trials and Tribulations, they never lost sight of the goal. They never lost faith. They understood, that if they did not chose to forsake God, and His Will, God would never forsake them. They did not respond to the Trials and Tribulations by the flesh. But by their Spirit.

James even goes as far as to tell us to be HAPPY when Trials and Tribulations come In James 1:2-12

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;"

Wait....Did he just say count it all joy? Yes. Yes he did. He said call it all joy when Trials and Tribulations come into your life. Why?

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

Job received much more than he lost. Peter became the Rock on which Jesus said He would build His Church, and Paul, wrote a lot of the New Testament. However, none of these things are worthy to be compared to that of which awaits us in Heaven. Here is something that you may have been taught incorrectly. God does not tempt you. James went on in verse 13

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

So again, we learn that it is important, for one to not only hear the Word but to do it. To seek out God's Purpose and Plan for your life. To Step out of the World and the Norm, so to speak, and Serve God. What does it profit a man to receive a great gift, then not use it? Truth Faith is not being Religious. It is not about going to Church once a week and hearing God's Word, singing Hymns, and going home to live as you will. True Faith is not simply following the Traditions of Man, but having a one on one relationship with God Himself. With Jesus. Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you in all things. James even talks briefly about religion here. in Verse 26 on

"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

Doing the Will of God. Being a Sower of the Seed. A Shower of The Way. A Teller of Truth. Once you become a Child of God, it is up to you to follow Jesus or not. It is up to you to allow the Spirit to Guide you or not. Do not think for a second that God doesn't know who you are. Do not think for a second, that you can not accomplish whatever it is that God instructs you to do. Do not think for a second that you can not overcome the Trials and Tribulations that may come into your life. Do not think for a second that they will NOT come. Make no mistake about it, they WILL come.

Think about this, if you are not doing anything to further the Kingdom of God, or, lead others to Salvation, then why would the devil be concerned about you? Oh, he will still hate you because you are now of God, but attempt to stop you from doing what?

Truth is, if you are doing God's Will, God is on your side. If you are lead by the Spirit, the Spirit is with you. If you are following Jesus, Jesus is with you. If God be with you, who can be against you? Who can succeed in stopping you from doing what God has Ordained you to do? Truth is, no one can. Nothing can. There is nothing greater than God. While you are living for Him, and doing His Will, there is no longer anything or anyone, greater than YOU.

Trials and Tribulations will come. Jesus himself told us this. Rejoice and be glad when they do, for in these times, is when God is closest to you. Trust in Him. Rely on Him. Never lose Faith. Never respond to these things in the Flesh. But remain in the Spirit. Allow God to show you the way through. All you need to do is Step Out, and follow Jesus. Be obedient to what God calls you to do, regardless of anything else. Put God first in your Life, and He will be with you always.

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 43

Psalm 43

1 Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

2 For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Stepping Out, Serve God Regardless

What Man thinks, does not matter.

It is perhaps, one of the strongest Human Attributes, that is hardest to overcome. "What are 'They' going to think about me?" Who is they? Any and everyone. They can be, and are Family Members, Loved Ones, Friends, and yes, even perfect and complete Strangers. "What are 'They' going to think about me?"

If I say this? "What are 'They' going to think about me?" If I do this? "What are 'They' going to think about me?" If I don't do that? "What are 'They' going to think about me?" If I try and fail at this or that, "What are 'They' going to think about me?" Then you get into this whole area of thinking. "Are they still going to like me?" "Are they still going to think I'm cool?" "Will they still invite me to the cool stuff?" "What if they chose to cut me off?" ETC.

This is one of the main reasons that some new Children of God NEVER step up or out. Fear. Fear of "What are 'They' going to think about me?" Fear of being rejected by some that we love the most. Remember, some of them WILL come to hate you. Let's get that out of the way right off the bat. Some of "They" WILL come to hate you. Some of "They" may even be the ones you have loved the most. This will happen. Jesus even told us it would.

Two primary reasons for this? First, they knew the old you. They know the you that use to be right there with them doing the same things they were doing. Now you are no longer doing those things, but trying desperately to teach them that there is a better way. Yet, they still WANT to do those things, and they do not need you, who seems to be Holier than thou now, telling them they are doing wrong.

Second, is as simple as this. They are not of God, therefore they cannot hear God's Word. Jesus told the Religious Folks this in John 8:39-47. He even called them the Children of the Devil. Not because He was trying to be mean, but because that is the simple Truth. If you are not of God, you cannot hear Gods Word. "They" your "They" are still of this World and doing the things of the Flesh, therefore, not knowing how to hear and see in the Spirit, they are blind and deaf to God and His Truths.

You know what? Step out and Serve Him regardless. Why? It does not matter what "They" think or say. Isaiah 47:10-11 declares this.

"You felt secure in your wickedness and said, 'No one sees me,' Your wisdom and your knowledge, they have deluded you; For you have said in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one besides me.' "But evil will come on you Which you will not know how to charm away; And disaster will fall on you For which you cannot atone; And destruction about which you do not know Will come on you suddenly."

This is why God made it simple. In 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

"Or the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, 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."

Why? God will destroy the Wicked and He will do so by their own hand. Remember, God IS smarter than "They" are.

"For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”" {1 Corinthians 3:19}

In his Pastoral Epistle to St Titus, Paul wrote this Titus 1:15-16

"To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work."

We are pretty much living out Romans 1 right now as we speak in this Country.

"For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures." {Romans 1:21-23}

So you see, and it is EASY to see, it does not matter what Man thinks or says. It does not matter what Man likes or does not like. Does or does not do. You were once there. You were once just like them. However, you are no longer there. You are not even the same person you were once. 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}

You are NOW a New Creature. Not a fallen, Flesh pleasure seeking, condemned Wretch. You are now a Child of the Most High God. The Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the end, The Great I Am is now your Daddy. It also does not matter what "They" may think, say, or do, about or to, you. You simply say or do, whatever your Daddy says. Whatever God tells you to do.

"Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." {Matthew 10:27-28}

Stepping out of your bubble, or Comfort Zone includes serving God regardless of the consequences. Regardless of Trials or Tribulations more on that next time. Regardless of what "They" may or may not think of you. You must step out and allow God to use you in whatever way He sees fit.

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.

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 42

Psalm 42

1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

8 Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Stepping Out

Burst your Bubble

I want you to think about something. Here is Peter, and his Brother, and Father, on their Family Fishing Boat. Here they are minding there own business, going about their business and daily routine, when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, came this Raggedy Man.

There was James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a Fishing Boat. Here they are minding there own business, going about their business and daily routine, when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, came this Raggedy Man.

There was Matthew, sitting at the Table of Customs, in the middle of his Work Day, minding his own business, going about his business, and daily routine, when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, came this Raggedy Man.

The Raggedy Man simply said, "Follow Me." They all followed. Think about that. Seriously think about that. They stopped what they were doing, they "quit" their Jobs, just walked away, leaving behind, well, EVERYTHING.

They Stepped out. They burst their Bubble. They left what they knew, for that of which they knew nothing. Remember, this is Jesus walking with them. They did not have the Bible. They could not skip to the end to see how it all turns out. They did not have Jesus telling them things like John 3:16 or John 14:6 yet. Jesus did not share with them that HE is the Christ, yet. He did not promise them anything yet.

Yet? They followed Him. You see, WE have the Bible. We know Jesus is God. We know that there is no other way. We have God's Word to tell us...

"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."

WE have the Word telling us.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

WE have the Word telling us

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you." {John 15:16}

The Word giving us this assurance as well.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;" {James 1:5-7}

No. They had none of this. This Raggedy, homeless, guy, shows up and as Peter proclaimed to Jesus in Matthew 19:27,

"Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?"

What happened after? Jesus sent them off into the World. Into strange lands to Preach to them that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Notice this also, the first time Jesus sent them out, He told them to not even bring two outfits. Seriously. He said no bread, no bag, no money. Nothing. He sent them out with nothing.

"And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics." {Mark 6:7-9}

The problem that you are having is that we live in a LARGE Comfort Zone. Seriously. This Country is one big Comfort Zone. You woke up this morning with running Water, Electricity, Turned on the TV to see what was on, listened to Music, ate Breakfast. Talked or Texted on your Phone. Surfed the Internet. Came to Church in an Air Conditioned Building. When you leave here? Take the Kiddies for Ice Cream? Pick up Bagels? Whatever. Monday comes and you head back off to Work, and so the Cycle goes.

Now, look at pretty much any other Country. No Work. No Money. No Eat. No AC. No Home. No Electric. No running Water. Parents watching their children die of Starvation. No cloths to wear. Nothing.

So you see, we live in a LARGE Comfort Zone. So large as a matter of fact, not trying to guilt anyone, just stating a fact, when a Preacher Preaches on Tithes and Offerings, some get offended. "I cannot possibly give the Church 10 percent of my hard earned money. I gotta pay the Cable Bill. I can't miss my Shows."

In his letter to Titus, Paul wrote this. {Titus 1:15-16}

"To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work."

I have tried. I cannot find one instance where Jesus set someone free from the Bondage of Sin and Death and told them to continue to live on as they were. Nope. Cannot find one example of that, However, I find many examples where Jesus said to live and "Sin no more." Or to TRULY Repent is to turn away from Sin. Not to continue in it. Salvation is no license to Sin.

Jesus gave us ALL the great commission,

"And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”" {Matthew 28:18-20}

Now Jesus also goes into detail to tell you that once you DO step out and start being a Sower of the Seed, that the World will start to hate you, and you WILL have Trials and Tribulation, and even some of your own Family will come to Hate you. What do you do? Serve God anyway. More on all that next time.

Before you can do that, you must take the first step. Step out of your Comfort Zone. Burst your own bubble if you have to. The last thing you should do is receive the greatest Gift you can ever receive, Salvation, and keep it to yourself. But in order to do what you should be doing, you need to step out. You have been Born Again. You now have a totally new Journey to partake. A Journey that will not only take you a thousand Miles, but into Eternity itself. Just like any Journey, it all starts with a single step. Have you stepped out?

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.

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 41

Psalm 41

1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.

2 The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.

3 The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

4 I said, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.

5 Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?

6 And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

7 All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.

8 An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.

9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

10 But thou, O Lord, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.

11 By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

12 And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.

13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.