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..