Psalm 49

Psalm 49

1 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.

3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.

13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;

17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.

18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.

20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

Faith and Works Reward

Why Works?

"Why bother. It's not like we are getting paid to do these things. We are not Priests. We are not certified in Ministry. Why would we do these things? Not to mention what people are going to think of us?"

The last one first. Who cares? Seriously, Why do you care? You have just become a Child of God. You are no longer part of this World. The Word declares in 1 Peter 2:11

"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul."

In Hebrews 11:13

"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth."

Once you become a Child of God, some in this World WILL hate you. They will fight against you. They may discriminate against you. They may abuse you. Why? You no longer belong to the World, but you now belong to God. James warned us this in James 4:4

"You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

Jesus Himself warned us of this in John 15:19

"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."

He also told us this.

"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!" {Luke 12:4-5}

So we should no longer have any concern over what anyone thinks of us. We answer to only one. That is God. Most that will fight against you are already lost and condemned. You should more likely feel sad for them than be afraid of them.

Also, think about this. Are you afraid of those you love the most, thinking bad of you? So in this case, you decide it is a good idea to remain silent about the Fires and Sorrows of Hell that awaits them?

No, no, no. Do not dismiss this. The person you claim to love is walking right to an open Pit. A Fire that will burn the flesh from their bodies. Not once, but forever more. You say nothing? You just watch? Do you let your Kids play in traffic? Do you let them play with Matches? Do they sometimes think you are mean and over protective? Why? Because you love them and want to keep them safe. You do not care what they think at the time. At least they are safe. How much do you TRULY love those you are afraid will think bad things about you?

As for this "We are not Priests." Actually? We are. Turn to 1 Peter 2:5

"You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Continue in Verse 9

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Believe it or not, you ARE a Priest. You ARE a Sower of the Seed. You ARE a Teller of Truth and a Shower of The Way. You ARE an Ambassador of Heaven to the World of the Lost. So this IS what you should be doing.

What about "We are not getting paid." Actually? That is not true either. According to the Word, we are not only going to have our needs met, but we will also have an abundance of reward. If not here and now, most definitely in the time to come. However, Jesus did say this in John 10:10

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

What happens if you lose something for Jesus's namesake?

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life." {Matthew 19:29}

So we have nothing to lose. Not really. Not in the long run. Forget for a second the fact that we are talking about Salvation and being Saved from the Pits of Hell and eternal suffering. That alone should be enough for us to WANT to try to Save as many of those we claim to love, that we should feel so grateful that we should WANT to do God's Good Works while we are still here, let's talk about Reward.

First, God DOES see you. He DOES see the Work you are doing. Hebrews 6:10

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."

WE are so concerned with our Worldly Jobs and ensuring that we have enough Money to reach an age, where we do not have anything to worry about. Three Problems with this thinking. One, and the biggest, Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Jesus addresses this very topic in Luke 12:16-21

"And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Jesus told us that we should rather store up Treasures in Heaven.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Too many People spend their entire lives working and saving, trying to stay one step ahead of the Grave and that is in part, what actually puts them there. They miss so much that this life has to offer. I have never heard of a Deathbed confession of regret for not making more money. Rather many crying out for more time with Loved Ones, and time to spend just loving Life itself.

Remember, Jesus takes it PERSONALLY, every time we do or do not, serve others. He told us this in Matthew 25:34-40

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"

So to answer your question, YES! You DO get rewarded, or paid, for your good works. YES! You ARE a Priest. YES! As a Child of God, you are REQUIRED to actually DO Good Works. Then again, why would you not WANT to? Look what God did for you, why would you not want to help others to get to understand the Truth, there is most definitely a better way. His name is Jesus.

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 48

Psalm 48

1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

4 For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

5 They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.

6 Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.

7 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.

9 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.

12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.

13 Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.

14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

Faith and Works

You must do both,

Is it true that all you have to do is believe and you are Saved? The Short answer is, Yes. You have to believe that God so loved the World that He laid down His Godhood and came to earth as a Man, lived His life Sin Free and was killed only to Rise again.

All you have to do is accept Jesus's Sacrifice for you. His Blood for your Blood, His death, yet rather His Resurrection, for your payment of Sin. All you have to do is believe in your heart, and do not doubt, say this Prayer

"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 is it. You ARE Saved. Now you should go tell someone what God just did for you because Jesus said,

"So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven," {Matthew 10:32}

As well, you should find a Church and be Baptised the way Jesus said to be Baptised because you are a new Creature and have just been Born Again. However, now what? You see, NOW is when you should be thinking about God's Work. What is it that God wants you to be doing? Oh, make no mistake about it. He DOES have a Purpose and a Plan for you and your Life. Why would you not want to find out what that is and do it?

James tells us in James 2:14-17

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Have you ever thought about it this way? You were lost. You were on the road to Hell, someone, or something, lead you to hear the Gospel. God called you. Jesus Died for you. Now? What? You simply accept that and continue to live as you will? There are so many people in this World that are where you were and worse. James continues in James 2:20-24

"You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”e and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone."

Jesus even told us, that if you believe in Him, you WILL do the same Works He did.

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

What Works did Jesus do? Spread the Gospel. Teach the Lost. Heal the Sick. Love us no matter how vile we were, and still are. Laid down His very Life for us so that we do not have to. Again, He just said "whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do" AND that "greater works than these will he do because I am going to the Father."

Greater Works than Jesus? Yes. Because of the Holy Spirit, but that is a whole other Message. Now I am not saying that you need to go to the local Cemetery and try to raise the dead, but, what ARE you doing? Are you visiting the Sick? Feeding the Homeless? Tithing to your Church so that they can reach out to others? Are you sharing the Gospel? Are you even telling anyone that you are Saved? What are you doing?

Jesus warns us about the "Religious Folks" who may or may not be Saved. He said this in Matthew 7:15-20

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits."

You SAY you are a Christian. You SAY you are a Child of God. You SAY lots of things. However, what are you actually producing? What are you doing? Do you realize that there is far more to life than working 9-5 for someone else and coming home to pay bills?

God Created the Heavens and the Earth, and all that in them, for YOU. He put you here for a REASON. God is not the Author of Daily Routines. We are. God did not invent Money. We did. God did not Create Debt. We did. God is not concerned with what time your Show comes on, or if you can make your Sports Car Payment. If you got one Tie or twenty. Or none.

Oh, and while we are being real here? God's idea of Retirement is when HE calls us home. AKA, when we die.

"for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his." {Hebrews 4:10}

It was never God's intent for us to hear the Word, accept Jesus, and continue on living as we always have. He has a Work for you to fulfill. One that can only be fulfilled by you. Pray about it. Find it. Do it. The Word declares in Hebrews 6:10

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."

God knows the Works you do and will reward you for them, even if they do not seem all that important to you, they are to Him. More on that next time.

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 47

Psalm 47

1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

2 For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

5 God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

Pitfalls of Pride. False Humility

Yes, faking being Humble is Pride.

There is, without a doubt, a difference in true and false Humility. There is a simple way for you to figure out which you are engaged in. First, what is False Humility? Plainly put, it is being Humble in front of someone for gain. It can be a gain of Respect. Admiration. in some cases even Profit.

Profit?

How does that work? Ever see a "Homeless Person" holding a sign begging for Money? Sometimes they truly need help. However, be careful, in most cases, they are pretending to be humble to get free money. They do it because it works. In some cases, they will say they are Military Veterans, in some cases, they will have Children with them claiming to be a whole Family devastated. After all, who can turn down little helpless Children?

What about Admiration and Respect? Remember what Jesus told us how we, as Children of God, should act?

"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." {Matthew 6:1-5}

I have known some people that would go nuts in Church during Worship. Throwing themselves around, dancing and yelling "Praise Jesus." Halleluiah" and "God is GREAT!" Then you see them later that day or on the next and they are, uh, more worldly than the unsaved masses. I mean, they are cursing up a storm, gossiping, drinking, etc. Then you realize, that Church? Yeah, that was a mere show for others benefits. They wanted everyone to "know" how Holy and Righteous they are. However, they really do not mean it. Please be careful. These are those that Jesus warned us about.

"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." {Matthew 15:8}

Are you always doing things so others will see you? Are you always speaking of yourself? Are you seeking for others to be impressed with you? Back to Matthew 6, starting at Verse 16

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Do you feel it is important to tell others your Status? Your Accomplishments? How about the Important People you may have served or simply know? Do you serve someone with one hand twisted around your back while attempting to Pat yourself?

Yes. Religious Folks CAN and WILL Fake Humility in the hopes of gaining Admiration and Respect. Turn to Colossians 2, starting at verse 18

"Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence."

Do not think for one second, that just because you are a good little {Insert Religion here}, you are also being a Faithful Child Of God. Just because you are doing things that may appear to make you seem Humble, does not necessarily mean you ARE Humble.

As a matter of fact, projecting False Humility is actually a product of Pride. The "Look at me" effect. "See how good I am?" "See how Righteous I am?" "See?" "I'm a better {Insert Religion here}than you are." Religion is not Salvation and God couldn't care less that you are being a good little {Insert Religion here}, or how well you are following Man-Made-Traditions. He wants you to BE Humble. He wants you to BE His Child and He wants you to be Faithful to Him.

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 46

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Pitfalls of Pride, Close-Mindedness

Pitfalls of Pride, Close-Mindedness

"If you want something done right, do it yourself." You have heard that. Some of you may have said it. Some of you may actually believe it. "If you want something done right, do it yourself." No one else could possibly do it as good as you. Most could not even do it the right way, according to your standards of course. "If you want something done right, do it yourself."

How is this Pride? How does Pride put us into this Position? Pride tells us, we are the best. Pride tells us, WE are the only person that can do it. Pride tells us we are the best and no one else can possibly do it the way you know is the best way to do it.

You become arrogant, rude, and refuse to even consider, that someone else may have a better way of doing whatever it is you are trying to do. You close your Mind off to anything other than your belief, plans, and ideas. In some cases, you may even work yourself to death while disallowing anyone else from helping.

Let's look at Pharaoh. In Exodus 5 we see the first time Moses goes before Pharaoh. Pharaoh refused to listen to Moses. He did not accept that God was bigger or of more importance than him. He refused to even listen to Moses. Instead, he doubled down on how HE thought things should go. He is Pharaoh. There is no one wiser, more important, than he.

You know the story. Water turned into blood, fish died. Frogs. Biting Insects. Wild animals. Livestock Disease and Boils. Hail of Fire. Locusts. Darkness. The Plagues of Pharoh. Moses kept trying to tell him there was a better way. Simply Obey God and Let God's People go. Pharoh remained Close Minded until the very end, costing him a huge price.

Now you do not have to be a Pharoh. A King. Or someone in a high place of Authority. The Word warns us in Proverbs 18:13

"If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame."

And in Ephesians 4:17-18 we are warned that we need to open our Minds to God, and not to follow the things of a failed world.

"Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart."

Why?

"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." {Romans 8:6-8}

We must not be Closed Minded toward God and whatever He or His Word says. Forget the World. Forget what MAN says. We must always be listening to God. We do not know better. We do not even know what we do not know. We do not understand the reasons of the Universe. God does. He has a purpose and a plan for everyone in it. That includes you.

1 Corinthians 2:14 puts it this way.

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."

The World will tell you that there is no Hell? No Hell, no Devil, no need of a Savour. Live as you will. Oh, we still tell people not to harm others, but other than that, pretty much anything goes. Homosexuality, Abortion {Although that MURDERS the most innocent of life}, Any God at all, or No God at all, just try to be a good person.

People LOVE the World and all the pleasures in it. WE are after all, simply Fleshly Beings that operate in the Physical and Material World. Someone comes along and says, no, you cannot do this or that, because God says so, or, this or that is Sin, or, Jesus is the ONLY "the way, the truth, and the life" and that Jesus tells us that "No one comes to the Father except through me." Some people close their minds while accusing the Child of God of the same. They do not hear the Truth. Why?

"As it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.”" {Romans 11:8}

This is why Jesus spoke in Parables.

"Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given . . . . And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive, for the heart of this people has grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their heart and turn, so that I should heal them'" (Matthew 13:11,14,15).

Even if we are the absolute, and undisputed, best in the World, at something, we must never allow ourselves to become Prideful and Close-Minded. Remember, God can use others to teach even the best and most powerful of all people. He can and will still teach us all things. We must learn to be Wise, and open our minds to the possibility that God has the better way already laid out. We are not in this by ourselves. We are not in it FOR ourselves. We are here to serve the Most High God and our Fellow Brothers and Sisters. Never forget the Wisdom of this little piece of advice found in James 1:19-20

"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."

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!