Ask, Seek, Knock, Knocking

We Asked, Sought, why Knock? 

Seriously. What is the difference? Why did Jesus say this in Matthew 7:7?

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

I Asked. I am Seeking. So what is the difference? Why did Jesus include knocking? Did you notice the three different Senses being considered here?

1- Asking is Verbal.

2- Seeking is Mental.

3- Knocking is Physical.

Christians are to use their Mouths and Petition God for their needs and desires. Remember there is power in Words. God Spoke the Universe into existence. He tells us all throughout His Word things like,

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." {Proverbs 18:21}

And

"Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him."{Mark 11:23}

Also this one.

"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." {Romans 10:9}

The Word tells us we call things into existence {Romans 4:17}. That we can bind and lose things with great power as Children of God {Matthew 18:18}. Jesus also included Seeking, which would be done in the Mind. In the Heart. To greatly desire knowledge of God. To put God before all else. {Exodus 20, Matthew 6:33}, To renew our way of thinking. To trust in God {Romans 8}.

But then there is still one left. Knocking. To knock involves Physical Movement. A Person that wants to Knock on a door, has to take action. Although Asking and Seeking are, without a doubt of great importance, they would be incomplete without Knocking. If a person needs something from someone behind a door, the most natural thing to do is Knock. Most keep Knocking until the door is opened and the Desire is met.

Jesus said he was going to be coming and knocking on our Door. Revelation 3:20

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."

He pleads with us to be in a time of ready when this happens. Luke 12:36

"Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks."

How do we do this? By Asking and Seeking. If we are not ready, it could be very bad for us. We could be left behind. Our Lord will simply move on and Dine with those that are ready.

"But Jesus told us to knock. Not that He was going to knock. What Door are we to be knocking on?" Actually, He said both, but what Door are we to be Knocking on? HIM. He is the Door. John10:7-10

"So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Keep this in mind also though. He will not always be available. There will come a time when He will shut that door for good. Luke 13:25-27

"Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.'"

Think about this. Jesus Sought us out. He Knocked on our Door. He called us out and Asked us to follow Him. All we had to do was open the Door. Now He wants us to Ask, Seek, and Knock. He wants us to Love Him as much as He Loves us. He wants us to know that He is there for us. This is why He told us this.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

Are you Asking, Seeking, and Knocking? Are you receiving from God? More importantly, are you sure that you are ready when He comes and Knocks on your door?

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 92

Psalm 92

1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:

2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

3 Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.

4 For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

5 O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

6 A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.

7 When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:

8 But thou, Lord, art most high for evermore.

9 For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

11 Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.

12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

13 Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

15 To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Ask, Seek, Knock, Seeking

You Asked, but are you Seeking? 

Last time we talked about this Promise of God. God tells us this.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." {Matthew 7:7}

Next, you are to seek Him. God loves it when you to explore His Word, spend time with Him Himself. Spend time learning His ways through spending time with other Saints. He promises as you Seek Him, you will find Him. He Promises that if you Seek Him and put Him first in your life, all things will be added to you. Remember Jesus told us directly in Matthew 6:31-33

"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

As a matter of fact, this concept is not really a concept at all. It is the first Commandment God gave us in Exodus 20

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me."

God requires that we, once dead in our Sins, yet now alive in Him, that we put Him First, above all. He means all. God should be first, before Wives, Husbands, Mothers, Fathers, even Children, Jobs, Hobbies, without doubt, Money, or anything else.

"Wait. Did you just say God is to be before Family itself?" Yup. Why? Because Family can be used as tools of the Devil to keep you from doing God's Work. Jesus even warned us about this. He said this in Matthew 10:34-39

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Why would Jesus tell us this? Because not all will repent and accept Him. Those who do not, will, in turn, Hate those who do. They will Hate those who they feel are leaving them behind, or choosing God over them. They will feel that those accepting Jesus will now see themselves as better than they, or something to this effect, and they will Hate them for it. Jesus warned us of this in John 15:18

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you."

This is why Jesus told those who chose to follow Him that they should not go back. Not to say goodbye to their Families or even bury one's Father. {Luke 9:60, Luke 9:62 } Jesus knows that this is a hard thing. When Peter asked Him what there is to gain from leaving all behind to follow Jesus, Jesus said this in Luke 18:29-30

"And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life."

If God does not want you putting your Family before Him, do you really think He wants your job to be your god? Or your Bank Account to be your Gospel? The sad fact is that today seems like the Money is most peoples god. Banks and the Stockmarkets have become Churches. Jobs are a means to fill these for self-gain. Psalm 34:8-10

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing."

Money cannot save you. Cannot make you happy. Cannot satisfy your deepest needs. Money is a tool. Not something to be worshiped, or feared. Jesus warned us that we cannot love Money and God. Remember what He said in Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

God is enough. God will ensure that you have the Money and means, to get whatever you need to live, and to serve Him. This should not even be much of a thought with us as His Children. The World Hating us, should not even be much of a thought with us as His Children. Even a Family member leaving us should not even be much of a thought with us as His Children. We should be Seeking Him first, above all things, and we should be putting Him first, above all things.

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." {James 4:8}

Simply put, Seek first God. Whatever you do, wherever you go, Seek God. Trust in Him. Are you waiting for an answer? Did you ask? Are you truly Seeking God? Ask yourself these questions. You may want to re-evaluate your Priorities.

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 91

Psalm 91

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Ask, Seek, Knock. Asking

God is there.

Love this.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." {Matthew 7:7}

Or this one.

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." {Mark 11:24 }

Think about this. This is God's Word. God's Promise to His Children. He makes it pretty clear.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." {Matthew 7:7}

It is a Promise. God cannot lie. So what He Promises He ALWAYS delivers. So? What is the problem? Why does this not seem to be true? Have you ever felt like you keep Asking, Seeking and Knocking, and you are getting nothing in return? Do you need more of an answer than just this? "Ye ask, and receive not because ye ask amiss."

This is what we will be talking about the next three times we get together. Oh, He DOES keep His Word and He does answer those who Ask, Seek, and Knock. but do you really know what that means? We will start Today with, Asking.

First, do you even know who God is? In Hebrews 11:6   We read this.

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

You must spend time deepening your relationship with God so that you can hear His Instruction. As you hear His voice, the answer will be given to you. It is True, that so many people receive a "No" answer because they DO ask amiss. What does that mean? They do not really know God, His Will or His Ways, and they are asking simply for themselves. In the ESV, we read it this way. James 4:3

"You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."

If you are Praying to God to hit the Lottery, there is a good chance you do not have Him or the Kindom in mind. Oh I know, you are going do so much good with that money. After you buy a new House, Sports Car, Take a Cruise, or whatever. You know. No, I do not. Nor do you, to be honest. What is that phrase? "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions?"

God knows your Heart. He knows what you are going to or not going to do in the future. He is already there. If it is not in His plan for you and your life, you will never hit the Lotto. Save your money.

Let's look at John 14:13-14

"Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

Wait. Jesus just said, "If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it." That sounds just like Mark 11:24. However, you must completely understand the Context. "that the Father may be glorified." By you winning the Lotto and buying that Big House, Sports Car, Boat, or whatever, does that Glorify God? I do not care if you paint Jesus loves you on the side or get a Bumper Sticker, the answer is most likely "No."

John 15:7 declares this.

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."

Read that again. There is an "If" there.

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."

If, Then. If, you walk in the Rain, Then, you will get wet. If, you stay inside, Then, you will stay dry. If, you touch the hot stove, Then, you will get burned. If, you do not touch the Hot stove, Then, you will not get burned. If, you call on the name of our Lord, Then, you will be Saved. If, you do not, Then, you are not Saved. If, Then.

If - on (the) condition that, provided (that), providing (that), presuming (that), supposing (that), assuming (that), as long as, given that, in the event that.

Then - after that; next; afterward.

You see, If, is you. Then, is consequences of your actions. The second part of a Covenant, between you and someone else. If, you do this, Then, I agree to do that. If, you work for me, Then, I will pay you. ETC.

God says "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you," THEN "ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." See, this IS a Promise of God, but it is required that what you are asking is for the furtherment of God's Plan, The Kingdom Sake, and or, for someone else's benefit. God never tells you to Pray for, "Ask for" things for yourself. Actually, Jesus told us this.

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." {Matthew 6:26-33}

Do you have a Child? If you do, you know they need all the things necessary for Life? Right? Do they have to ask you to feed, cloth, house, or anything else, for themselves? Or do you know they need these things, and you supply for them, these things? How much more will God provide for His Children?

Now, will you give your Child everything they ask you? No of course not. Especially if it is harmful or dangerous for them. No matter how many times they ask, you are going to say "No." So is God. Believe it or not, He is Wiser than us. He really DOES know better than us. Yes, He loves us. Yes, He answers us. Yes, sometimes that answer is "No." Jesus said this in Matthew 7:11

"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

We may think we know what we need and what would be good for us, but He knows better. Then again, serving God is not about us or our needs. This is not what it means to be a Child of God. 

In 1 John 3:22 we read this.

"And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him."

Also in 1 John 5:14-15

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."

If, Then. Again, if you are asking something from God and you are not receiving it, are you sure that what you are asking falls into this category? Is it something to build the Kingdom, help you serve God, and or, build up someone else? Or are you asking for something "to spend it on your passions." If you are asking for something and God is saying "No." you may want to reexamine the question and or the reason you are asking. Remember, God said "No." to Jesus Himself. Think about that. Jesus actually asked the Father to spare Him from the Torture and Crucifixion {Matthew 26:39}. The Father said "No." Why? Because that is what Jesus HAD to do for God, the Kingdom and all of us. That was the whole reason He was here. Think about that. God's first Son heard "No." Why do you think you may not?

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 90

Psalm 90

1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.

4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.

6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.

7 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.

8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.

12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

13 Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.

16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.

17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

Desiring to Be God. Man

The Original Sin

Last time we talked about Lucifer. Lucifer wanted to penetrate the kingdom of the Infinite God. He wanted his own Throne from which he could exercise final authority and make all decisions and rule over all the Angels. He desired to sit or be Enthroned in the Highest Place, with all submissive to him. He desired to be the center of attention and to be Idolized. Lucifer coveted God’s Glory for his own. He wanted to be EQUAL with God and to take God’s place as Possessor and Ruler of all. He wanted to be responsible to no one.

Yet he failed. God cast him out and cast him down. God then started over, if you will, and made us. Mankind. He Created all there is FOR us. For Mankind. He then gave US domination over all His Creation. Genesis 1:26-28

"Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”"

Satan was not having this. He hated everything about this. He hated and still does, by the way, us. God Creating us and giving us the Authority over all. Knowing that he cannot defeat God, he had to find another way to gain power. So, he came to Adam and Eve and tempted them with what filled himself. Pride and the Desire to BE God. Genesis 3:1-6

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate."

Listen to the Temptation. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." You will be God. You will need nothing. You will be in total control. You will be as wise as God Himself. As Glorious as God. You can be GOD!

Remember, this is always, even to this day, the way Satan works. He tempts you with,

Physical needs
Pride
Greed for Power

The sad thing is most fall with the first temptation. This is where addiction comes into play. People can become addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, yes even food. It is a need of our Body to feel pleasure. It is a need for our body to feel full. It is a need for our body to be happy.

Are you addicted to Drugs? That is now a Physical Need. You have to have them. Alcohol? Sex? These are obvious. Sometimes though, it is not as obvious. When you have not eaten in a while, you become physically weak and can be easily tempted. When you are hungry or become addicted to Drugs and Alcohol, you will do just about anything to get food or more. Even to the point of Lying, Stealing, Cheating, and even up to Murder. Physical Needs can become a powerful tool of Satan. All he has to do is remind you that you "need" something, and convince you that there is nothing wrong with getting what you "need."

If you pass this Temptation, the next way Satan attempts to get to you is Pride. The Devil will tell you, you are Great, Beautiful, Successful, and Admirable, especially when you are really in those positions. He will attempt to even try to convince you that you are the reason you are. No one else. Or he will attempt to tell you that if you want to stay in those positions, you must do this or that.

He will use Pride to keep you from God. Who needs God? Why would you want to go to Church with those Backwoods Hicks? Do you really want others telling you what you can and can't do? The World says there is no God. Your Neighbors do not believe.Your Family members do not believe. They are gonna think you are weird. They are going to think you are stupid. Look around you, God is nothing but an outdated and false belief system. Religion is for stupid people. You are not stupid. Why waste your time?

He can also use your Faith to tempt you. Does it not say that you can do anything you want and God must forgive you? Think about that. That means you have a free ticket to do anything. All you have to do is say sorry, and all will be well.

Then comes the final Temptation. The one he went straight to with Adam and Eve. Greed for Power. Or the desire to be God. He even tempted Jesus with this. "All the Kingdoms of the World." You see, Satan could tempt Jesus with this because they belong to Satan already. He was saying, you know what is coming. These people you are here to Save will turn on you. They will abuse and kill you in a horrible way. Forget God. Kneel before me, and I will make you god of this world. You can rule over them however you see fit. You do not have to die at their hands. You can live a long life in total and complete control over these talking monkeys. Thankfully, this did not work with Jesus.

It did work, and the reason he COULD tempt Jesus with this, with Adam and Eve. God gave them, Adam, complete control over the whole of His creation. Adam rejected God's Word and accepted the Devil's. Therefore, he gave his Authority over to Satan. Satan is referred to as the “god of this world/age” (2 Corinthians 4:4), “Prince of this world” (John 12:31), and “Father of lies” (John 8:44).

Ever since then, we see this desire to be God or a God-like being, over and over throughout History. Take the Tower of Babble. Genesis 11:1-9

"Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth."

"Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves," Sound familiar? This is where we get all the different Races and Language by the way. There are no mysterious "Other People" at the time of the Flood. Just a side note.

It may very well be Human Nature to desire to be God or God-like. However, as Children of God, it should not be this way with us. Mark 10:42-43

"And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,"

God is in charge. He is the head of Man. We, as His Children, should seek out Him. Forget what the World says about this or that. We have the Wisdom of God at our fingertips. Proverbs 1:7

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Then in 1 Corinthians 1:23-25

"But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

Also in 1 Corinthians 3:19 we read this.

"For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”"

We can not even find God. Forget attempting to BE God. Let God be God. Know, you are His Child and there is nothing more important or rewarding than that. You are an Heir and will inherit all that God has Created. Forget those who claim to be God or Godlike. There is only one God and He is your Daddy. Worship and Serve Him and Him alone.

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 89

Psalm 89

1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,

4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?

7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

8 O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?

9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.

11 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.

12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.

13 Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.

14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.

16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.

17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.

18 For the Lord is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.

20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:

21 With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.

22 The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.

23 And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.

24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.

25 I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.

26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.

29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.

30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;

31 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;

32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.

33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.

35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.

36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.

37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

38 But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.

39 Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.

40 Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.

41 All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.

42 Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.

43 Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.

44 Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.

45 The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.

46 How long, Lord? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?

47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?

48 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.

49 Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?

50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;

51 Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O Lord; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.

52 Blessed be the Lord for evermore. Amen, and Amen.

Happy Easter to You 2018

Happy Resurrection Day!

Today is Easter, do your children know the reason we celebrate this? More importantly, do you?

{John 3:16}

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

{John 1:1-4,10-14}

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

So Jesus came into the world and healed the sick, raised the dead, and gave sight to the blind. Then, He fulfilled His main purpose of coming. He was killed for our Sins. He went to the Cross to pay the price for all Sin and shed His blood for us all. He did so for YOU.

If you allow His blood to be your blood, His payment for all Sin to be your payment for your Sin, and His death to be your death, you will have everlasting life of peace and happiness with Him. Easter is the day we have set aside to remember what happened.

{Luke 24}

"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.  And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him,

Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;  And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.

But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen."

This is what Easter is all about. The greatest gift you will ever receive. The gift of forgiveness and Salvation. The gift of eternal life. He did all these things, and suffered all things, so that you can enter into Heaven. So that you will not die, but have everlasting life. He paid the ultimate price so you do not have to. The greatest and final sacrifice, ever.

Happy and Blessed Easter to all of you. Is there anything wrong with painting eggs? No. Not really. Anything wrong with Chocolate Bunnies? No. Not really. But just make sure that if you do these things, you take time out to actually teach your kids the REAL reason for the Holiday. Teach them that this is a Holy Day, and that it AIN'T about the Bunny.

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..