Psalm 84

Psalm 84

1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!

2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.

4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.

9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.

10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

What Is Progressive Christianity? Redefinition

Changing the Unchangeable

Progressive Christianity is attempting to do 5 things.

1- The importance of the Bible is diminished.
2- Historical terms, including some in the Bible, are redefined.
3- The Bible, and other foundational Doctrines are reinterpreted and twisted.
4- Feelings are more important than Facts.
5- The Gospel is no longer taught as Salvation but as a means of Social Justice.

Last time we talked about how they are attempting to diminish the importance of the Bible as the absolute Word of God and final authority to all things. Well, many still see the Bible and other Historical terms and definitions as Truth, so what to do? Redefine.

What is Christianity? Following Jesus and doing God's Will. It is a gift from God.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God," {Ephesians 2:8}

Jesus told us that we had to be born again. John 3:3

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

There is no other way than Jesus. {Entire Bible points to Jesus and Jesus alone, John 3:16-18, John 10:1-21, John 14:6  just a few}

World? Christianity is simply loving all of God's Children and accepting them for who and what they are. There is no Judgment. There is no real difference in Christianity and any other Religion. We must respect all no matter what they believe and how they chose to live. Just be good and you will be ok.

Marriage? Bible tells us God created Marriage. He created it for a Man and Woman.

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." {Genesis 2:24}

Jesus repeats in Mark 10:8-9

"and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."

World? Marriage is, however, you chose to define it. Man and Man, Woman and Woman, Man who used to be a woman with a Woman who used to be a Man. Now there is even a movement where you can Marry yourself. Not kidding.

How about this one. The removal of Masculine Titles in the Bible. Man to Humans. Men to Men and Women. God the Father to God the Heavily Being. ETC. Hense we are all Equal and all God's Children and God is whatever you think God should be.

You see how it really seems like no big deal right? Seriously. I can live with calling God a Heavenly Being. Right? No. I see HIM as my Heavenly Father. I am HIS Child. I have a one on one relationship with HIM. I am a Man. I am a Male. I am a Father. It does not matter how you feel about it. It is what it is. God IS our Father. We are what we are. The Truth is the Truth.

See, once you start down this slippery slope. You open the door. First, OK, God is a Heavenly Being. Then OK, I can see how we should see everyone as equal and we should do away with old titles and stereotypes. OK, who really cares who Marries who? Seriously, if Pat and Jack Marry, how does that really affect me? It doesn't so? OK, I get it, it makes sense. If I have a right to believe how I do, then all should have the same right and who really says I am in the right Religion? Or that my Religion is the one with the Truth. See how this works?

Paul warns Timothy of this in 2 Timothy 4:3

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”

Once you start allowing things to be redefined you end up with Confusion and Stupidity. Sorry, this is Stupidity. There is Male and Female. Redefining Personhood now says there is Male and Female, Male Females and Female Males, Those that go back and forth, and whatever you decide is you. Now we are told to accept this craziness.

So once this becomes normal, what is next? Have you ever heard the term Transracial? Race means what you are born into. White, Black, Indian, Oriental, ETC. But now you can be whatever you chose. IF you are White but feel Black or wish people to see you as Black. It is OK. You should be celebrated for your Mental Disorder.

God is not the author of confusion folks. He also does not make mistakes. If you were born a Six Foot, Black Male, with Grayish Eyes, Guess what? That is how He made you.

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." {Psalm 139:13-16}

Trust me on this one. God is smarter than us. He created all there is, was, or ever will be. He gave us a Manual to live by. His Word. The Bible. We were once intelligent. We were once mostly on the same page in this Country. It used to be that we called things what they are. Right was Right, Mostly in line with what the Bible said, and Wrong was Wrong. It did not matter who you were, where you were from, and how you were raised. We all pretty much agreed on Morals and Common Courtesy.

Progressive Christianity is simply people that want to consider themselves as Religious, yet they do not want to be labeled as Close Minded and Discriminatory as they have labeled those that DO follow True Christianity. It is also a tool of the Devil to keep people from True Christianity.

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 83

Psalm 83

1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:

6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;

7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;

8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:

12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.

14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;

15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.

16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O Lord.

17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.

What Is Progressive Christianity? Bible

 Progressive Christianity

There is a growing movement in the Religious Circles to bring about a NEW Christianity. It is Called Progressive Christianity. In some cases, it is a big hit. Churches are growing by leaps and bounds. The Progressive Message is reaching more and more people. Even some longtime Churches are starting to lean towards this new Doctrine.

So is this a good thing? What could possibly be wrong bringing the Bible and the Truth according to God to the Masses? What is wrong with simply updating the Message a bit to reach more people? After all, it is 2018. We do not need the whole Hithers, and Thous, and such. We do not need to worry about some of "Old Ways" of the Past. It is an updated Message for a new Generation.

It still has Jesus. It still has His Messages. It still teaches us to Love our Neighbors and even ourselves as Children of God. After all, we are ALL Children of God. He Created all of us the way we are, so we must love one another regardless of our differences ETC.

However, the Truth is, it sounds good. Looks good. Feels good. But it is a tool of the Devil. Progressive Christianity is a false Religion brought about by the Devil himself. Do not be mislead. It is NOT the Truth according to God. It IS what Jesus warned us about 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."

We will take the next five weeks to fully dive into this new movement. To fully examine Progressive Christianity. There are five signs, if you will, that you may be in a Progressive Christianity Church, or that your Church is starting to lean in that direction. They are?

1- The importance of the Bible is diminished.
2- Historical terms, including some in the Bible, are redefined.
3- The Bible, and other foundational Doctrines are reinterpreted and twisted.
4- Feelings are more important than Facts.
5- The Gospel is no longer taught as Salvation but as a means of Social Justice.

Today, we will look at the importance of the Bible. In Progressive Christianity, the Bible is not as important as anything more than any other tool in the learning of the faith you are to experience. It is a book written thousands of years ago, by men, in order to shape and in some cases, control, Society.

First of all, the Bible IS the infallible Word of God.

"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward." {Psalm 19:7-11}

IT may be written by Man, but it was given to Man by God Himself. In 2 Peter 1:21

"knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

The Bible, or the Word of God, is all you actually need. In 2 Timothy 3:16

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,"

Second, you cannot separate The Word of God, even the Old Testament, from Jesus. Why? Jesus IS the Word of God. Let's start at John 1

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

A little bit later in John, we read this.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Jesus himself, before there was a New Testament, said this about the Bible. In John 5:39

"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me,"

One of the reasons that Progressive Christianity tries to move away from the Bible is because there are absolutes. There are certain things that God set in stone. Literally in some cases. Sin is Sin, Good is Good. Jesus is the ONLY Way, Truth, and Life. The Word also never changes or "evolves" with the times.

"For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." {Matthew 5:18}

What was Sin then, is Sin now, and may even kill you quicker at that. It does not matter if Society has "evolved" to say there are other ways to Heaven, and all Religions are Equal. There is still only one way, Jesus. It does not matter if Society has "evolved" to say Abortion is about a "Woman's Right" to chose what to do with her Body. God calls it Murder of the most innocent life. {Psalm 139:13-16, Exodus 21:22-25,} It does not matter if Society has "evolved" to say Homosexuality is good and should be celebrated. The Bible still says it is Sin, against God, and against Nature. {Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Ezekiel 16:48-51, {Think America} Romans 1: 18-32.}

Progressive Christianity doesn't like some of the things that the Bible calls out directly as Sin. They do not want to completely do away with the Word, but they want to change it just enough to fit "Societal Changes." But in doing so, you ARE doing what Peter warned us about in 2 Peter 3:15-16

"And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures."

More on that one next time. However, if you are in a Church that has removed the center focus on the Bible, or they do not have a center focus, meaning IT, The Word of God, is that absolute foundation of all they do, you are in the wrong place.

Progressive Christianity wants you to believe that Compassion and Unconditional Love overrides The Bible which is pretty much outdated, to begin with. That Jesus would not only love but accept everyone, regardless of their Sin, or Belief System. That Jesus would simply accept them, love them, and allow them into Heaven just because. That is far from the truth, yet, sounds great. That is where the danger lies.

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 82

Psalm 82

1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

New Year / New Things

New YOU / New Things

New YOU? Yup. Speaking to those of you who have accepted the Truth. Those of you who have heard of Jesus and have received the good news and joy of His Resurrection. I'm talking to those who have made the conscious decision to allow Jesus's Sacrifice to be your Sacrifice. You are 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}

Yesterday, you were dead. Yesterday, you had no hope. Yesterday, you were nothing more than one born to die. Yesterday is GONE. Today is a new day. This is a New Year. A New Beginning. This is Now. This is Today. This is Reality. A Clean Slate.

Remember, God always promises something new. In Isaiah 43:18-19

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

Paul wrote this to the Philippians, Philippians 3:13

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,"

Why is this important? Why did Jesus even tell us these things?

"To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." {Luke 9:59-62}

That seems a bit Harsh. Does it not? Seriously. What were they asking? One asked to go to his Father, who just died, to go to his Father's Funeral. They other? The other simply wanted to go home and let them know that he was OK but was going to be leaving to follow Jesus. What did Jesus say? "No." He said

“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Why? It is like this. You were once one addicted to Money? Drugs? Alcohol? Sex? Pride? If you say you were not you are lying. You were once all about the World. Mostly, what the World can do for you. Your life as you always knew it is still there. Your Friends, the ones you use to do all those things with? All those things? The Routines. The Habits. The Sins. They are all still there.

Another aspect to think of is this. Name me one person in the Bible that said "Yes" to Jesus and then stayed where they were. Did Peter stay on the Boat? Did Matthew stay at the Table of Customs? Nope. They left all to follow Jesus. What happens when you are trying to follow someone and you lose sight of them? Yup. You are no longer following them. If you do not know where you are and trust me, you do not know where you are if you are following Jesus, you can get lost fast and easily.

We can even forget we are a New Creature. Peter warned us this in 2 Peter 2:21-22

"For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

There is nothing for you in Yesterday. IT WAS NOT A BETTER TIME! You were dead and dying. You were separated from God. You were on your way to Hell. Oh, you may have good memories. That is a good thing. You may have fond memories of your Childhood, your old Hometown, your Friends, and Families. But make no mistake about it, these are nothing to be compared to what Jesus has done for you. What lies ahead. Paul wrote this in Ecclesiastes 7:10

"Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this."

Please do not misunderstand. I have incredible memories of growing up. I truly feel, up to being Saved by Jesus, my growing up in Salisbury Mills NY was the best time in my Life. I loved Grandma. I loved growing up in her House. Loved growing up with my best friend Billy. When I became an Adult, Life started to get, eh, well, Life.

However, once I accepted Jesus? I went from being a life that was simply born to die, to living a Life temporarily here, able to enjoy all of God's beautiful Creation that He Created for me, us all, without fear, to a Life Eternal. I no longer have to fear anything. Not even Death itself. Now instead of worrying about what comes after my time is up here, I now KNOW that

"‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children." {Revelation 21:4-7}

I know I will walk on Streets paved with Gold. I will have no more Pain. No more Sadness. No Regrets. No Tiredness. Nothing negative. The very Light of God Himself will illuminate Heaven. I will live for an Eternity in Peace, Love, and Joy. What can possibly compare to this new Truth?

The point is this. If you continue to live in the Past, in your old ways, in your old routine, you cannot follow Jesus. You cannot go where He goes. You cannot see what He has to show you. You cannot receive the things He has to give you. The things you have done will become the things you do. The New Truth, the new Life, the new You will never be. You will be like those that Jesus told us would be Rocky Ground or Thorns. In Matthew 13:20-22

"The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful."

You have a Clean Slate. This is a GREAT time, as we now are into the New Year, to take this opportunity, this gift, to begin anew. Lay the Foundation. Enter into the Word of God daily. Pray Daily. Spend time with God DAILY! Grow into the Person, the Child of God you are.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? Have you been to THE Tree? 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.

Psalm 81

Psalm 81

1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.

5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.

6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.

7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;

9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.

10 I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.

13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.

15 The haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.

16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

The Ten Commandments 2018, The Law of God, 9,10

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet 

Welcome back. Today we will wrap up our in-depth study of the Ten Commandments. These are the all but forgotten Laws of God. They are not something little Johnny and Suzy should learn how to say in order in Sunday School. They are not a nice Biblical story. When someone asks you, what are the Ten Commandments, you should not say something like, "Have no other God but God, Uh, don't kill, uh, don't cheat on your Wife. Yeah, that's a bad one. Uh, oh yeah, don't steal." You need to KNOW what these are. As a Child of God, these are given to you, not to make your life more difficult, but easier, and to keep you from the snares of the Devil.

Today we will be talking about Commandments 9, and 10

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.

Then we will wrap it up, the same way Jesus did at the end. Let's get to it.

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." {Exodus 20:16}

Now first, as we talked about before, with Commandment 6, if you bear false witness against someone, not only can you hurt them, you can also cause them to be put to death. Look at what they did to Jesus.

Let's look at Deuteronomy 19

"One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you." {Deuteronomy 19:15-20}

We can see all throughout the Word, of those falsely accusing innocent people. Adam accused Eve. Satan accused Job. The Jews accused Jesus. ETC. But False Accusations is not the only way you can bear false witness.

Let's say you overhear someone talking about someone. They say this or that. You now without knowing if it's true or not, repeat that of which you heard, about that person. It's not true. Yet, now that person is hurt or has to deal with the consequences of the lie you took part in. 

"Did you hear Sally is sleeping with the Boss?" What you don't know is, Sally isn't. You see, the Boss has a medical issue, and Sally has a relative with the same issue, and is very educated in ways to help. They became friends and Sally helps the "Boss" from time to time with his condition. There is nothing wrong or seedy about their relationship.

Now the Rumor get's to the "Corporate Office" and both are fired. Or now the Rumor gets back to Sally's Husband or the "Boss's" Wife, and it wrecks their Families and their lives. Never gossip. Even if Sally is sleeping with the "Boss," it's none of your concern. Deal with each other with love. Would you want others walking around talking about you? Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's. {Exodus 20:17}

So why is this important? Isn't "keeping up with the Jones" normal? Maybe. But why does God want you to avoid this? Because of what it can lead to.

"And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.

And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard. And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth. And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them.

They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.

Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead. And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine. And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord.

Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin. And of Jezebel also spake the Lord, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.

Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat. But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house." {1 Kings 21:1-29}

So Ahab coveted Naboth's field, which leads to bearing false witness, with lead to the Murder of Naboth.

In 2 Samuel ...

"And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered. And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.

But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house. And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house? And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing. And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow. And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were. And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war; And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king, And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?

Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for. And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate. And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord." {2 Samuel 11:1-27}

So David coveted Bathsheba, which leads to Uriah being killed for the Sin of David. It also cost David the life of his Son. You see, when you start coveting something, it then leads to other Sins. This is why God told us

"Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord." {Leviticus 19:18}

Jesus put it to us this way.

"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." {Matthew 22:35-40}

In Romans...

"Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." {Romans 13:8-10}

Who is your neighbor?

"And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise." {Luke 10:25-37}

I can almost hear some of you saying it now. You mean to tell me, that we could have summed all this up, this now Five-Part Series and all the pages were written, explaining the Ten Commandments, we could have summed it all up with.

"Have no other Gods but God."

"Love Thy Neighbor as yourself."

Yup. Then Jesus gave us a new Commandment. A bit of Clarification if you will.

 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." {John 13:34} 

How did Jesus Love us? While we were yet Sinners, He laid down his very life for us.

So now you understand why. If you have no other God before God, you will not worship before Idols. You will not take His name in vain. You will obey His commandments. If you love your Neighbor as yourself, you will treat them how you would want to be treated. You would not steal from yourself, you would not lie about yourself. You would not kill yourself. You would be content with what you have.

You see, the forgotten Laws, The Ten Commandments, were truly NOT given to make our lives more difficult, but they were given to us to make our lives easier, and to keep us from the snares of the devil.

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!