Endurance, Run the Race To Win.

Endure till the End.

Ever see one of those long Marathons. There are videos all the time of those who drag themselves over the Finish line. They are all beat up. Broken down. Physically exhausted. The last thing they really want to do is keep going.

No. Wait. That is actually ALL they want to do. Nothing else matters. Not the exhaustion. Not the Pain. Not the physical suffering they are feeling at the moment. They know they must finish the Race. It is all that matters.

It is the same in a Christian Life. We are in a Race. Paul tells us this is Philippians 3:12-14

"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

All Paul cared about is God, Jesus, and the Gospel. Even though he was...

"Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure." 2 Corinthians 11:24-29 

Yet? Still? All he cared about was God, Jesus, and the Gospel. He could have quit. He could have given up. Yet he never would. Not to take anything you or I may be going through lightly, but how does it compare to the things Paul was suffering through for no other reason than the Gospel?

This is why he tells us this in Hebrews 12

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

You may have thought Paul's suffering for Christ was bad, think of Christ Himself. As His followers, or Servants of Christ, we may face Suffering. We will face Hatred. Persecution. For no other reason than our Faith in Jesus. Jesus told us this. He warned us ahead of time. Yet, we need not worry about that. About them. We ARE Children of the everlasting God. The time is coming when He will call us home, and all those that hate Him, and us, for His sake, will be Judged according to their own deeds and cast into eternal Damnation.

Think about that for a second. Whatever your view of Hell. Eternal Suffering in whatever form you can imagine. "Where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched." {Mark 9:48} "Fiery lake of burning sulfur."{Revelation 21:8}"Blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." {Matthew 13:50} "Everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might." {2 Thessalonians 1:9} Whatever you choose to believe, or all of it, think about this. What could you EVER do to anyone, that is worthy to even be compared to what they will face in the End Times? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. This is what God tells us this.

"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”" Romans 12:19

So what are we told to do? Simply endure. Do not grow weary. No matter what. Even if you are going through a time of Correction from the Lord Himself. Yes, He does Discipline His Children.

"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,nor be weary when reproved by him.For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,and chastises every son whom he receives.”

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

No matter what your State. No matter what reason you may feel beaten down. The World coming against you, or perhaps you are in a time of correction from your Heavenly Daddy, I love this. Read on in Hebrews 12:12

"Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

We have nothing to fear. Not even, and even up to, Death itself. As long as you have accepted Jesus, you are a Child of God. He is your Daddy, and one day, He will call you home. Just Run the Race. Endure to the End. Nothing else really matters.

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 heal 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 and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. 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!

Jesus in the Old Testament, Lamentations

Jesus in the Book of Lamentations

Jesus said this,

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

Following the book of Jeremiah is Lamentations. Lamentations is a Poetic Work by the ''Weeping Prophet,'' AKA Jeremiah. It is another of those of which is full of Instruction yet, is seldom Read or Preached on. The first two Chapters have 22 verses each and are an Acrostic; that is to say, starting with Aleph, the first word of each verse begins with the subsequent letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. The Third Chapter of Lamentations has 66 verses, and each three Verse Segment begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. The Fourth Chapter is arranged like the first two. Chapter 5 also has 22 verses but is not in Acrostic Arrangement. The structure of Lamentations is so amazing that some Critics have said that Jeremiah could not have been the Author. They claim that they feel he didn't have the ability it took to write it. Perhaps they are right? Perhaps he didn't have the ability, but they ignore Divine Inspiration. Remember,

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," {2 Timothy 3:16}

Lamentations is an unveiling of the great loving heart of God for His people. He chastens them, yet He loves them. God's sorrow and love are demonstrated through the Heart Expressions of Jeremiah.

As we did in Jeremiah, we can clearly see Jesus in the Suffering of Jeremiah. We can see all Mankind, AKA the World, in rebellion and without God. Lamentations 1

"How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow has she become, she who was Great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become a slave."

John 8:34

"Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin."

No matter what the World tells you. They will tell you to forget Religion. Forget having Faith in a God that they do not believe in. Do whatever makes you feel good. Do whatever you want. You are free to do anything. 2 Peter 2:19

"While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. "

Jerusalem forsook God and His ways and became a Slave to Sin and was heading to Death and Destruction. Remember as we pointed out last time. Even Jesus Himself cried out for Jerusalem.

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" {Matthew 23:37}

In Chapter 2 we see the Lord's fierce anger destroying His Creation and showing no mercy. This is why Jesus had to come. He had to come to be destroyed for us. As our Substitute.

"All who pass along the way clap their hands at you; they hiss and wag their heads at the daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?” {Lamentations 2:15}

Jesus came as our Substitute. He even told us what was going to happen. He said this. John 2:19 

"Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

They did that. They tore down the Temple, Jesus. They thought they completely destroyed it. Look who the people acted. Matthew 27:39-43

"And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God."

In Chapter Three, we read this.

"He has made my flesh and my skin waste away; he has broken my bones; he has besieged and enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation; he has made me dwell in darkness like the dead of long ago." {Lamentations 3:4-6}

Think about Jesus and the Beatings and the Torture He endured. Think of how he was made to "dwell in darkness like the dead of long ago." Right before He Raised from the Dead itself.

Because of this we know, that no matter what is going on in our lives. He is ALWAYS Faithful and Just. His Love will never leave us.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”" {Lamentations 3:22-24}

We see that even though Jesus came to pay the Price. The World continues to Sin uncontrollably and there will come a time when the Lord Himself will return to destroy.

"The Lord himself has scattered them; he will regard them no more; no honor was shown to the priests, no favor to the elders." {Lamentations 4:16}

Jesus is Coming back and He is no respecter of Persons. If you chose not to accept Him and His Sacrifice, you will not be gathered with Him but will be gathered as the Tares or Weeds of the Earth to be Burned.

“The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the Sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear." {Matthew 13:36–43}

Lamentations wrap up with a call of Restoration.

"Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us, and you remain exceedingly angry with us." {Lamentations 5:21-22}

We know that Jesus came to Restore and to even Increase our Relationship with our Father God. We cannot do it ourselves. God has sent Messengers. We ignore them, abuse them, and even kill them. He gave us His Word. The Holy Scriptures. We reject them. He gave us examples to see what happens when we do not follow Him. We ignore them and say it cannot happen to us.

God was left with no other option. Jesus HAD to come and Pay the Price for us all. It is only through Him and His Blood that we can be Restored. We can be reunited with God. We can be Saved. However, it is ONLY by Jesus. There is no other way. Simple, yet some find it complicated. All-inclusive. Yet some find it exclusive. The ultimate act of love. Yet some find it offensive.

The Truth is the Truth. Accept Jesus and Live. Reject Jesus and Die. There is no other option. 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 and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. 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!

Do Not Fear, Nor Doubt

He is with you always.

Hello. Welcome, today. We just finished talking about how Jesus is coming back. Make no mistake about it. He IS coming back. We did not go into the whole Tribulation thing, nor do we really even need to. However, it will be getting worse for those who chose to accept Jesus and become Adopted into the Family of God.

Truth is? It already is bad for some. It will get worse. One of the very first things Jesus taught us, is we will be Persecuted. During His "Sermon on the Mount," He said this. Matthew 5:

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

He said this as recorded in John 15:18

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."

2 Timothy 3:12 declares this.

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

I truly believe that we are living in Romans 1 time. Read this carefully. Think about all that is currently the "Normal" in this Country. 18-32

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen."

Because of this. Think "Pride." Because we have done these things. or as the Bible tells us,

"For this reason, God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."

I dare you. Not really. But I dare you to Post ANYTHING negative about Homosexuality, or any kind of Trans anything on Social Media, talk about it with someone in Public, or simply quote a Bible Verse that tells how God feels about it. There is more than a good chance that you will be attacked. You will be called names. You will be Shunned. You will be told that it's 2019 and it is Legal, Protected by Law, and normal. You are the one with the problem. You are filled with Hate. You may even lose some Family and other Loved ones over it. They WILL Hate you.

That is today. It is going to even get worse. According to Jesus Himself, His words folks.

“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Why? Not because Jesus wants us hating our Families, but rather, He knows what is going to come about. He knows that there will be some who accept the Truth and accept Him as the Only Way, Truth, and Life, and others who, not only will not, but will hate those who do.

It really is simple. You are either with Jesus, or you are against Jesus. There is no grey area. Either you are Saved through Faith in Him, or you are Condemned already. John 3:18

"Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."

However, I DO have good news for you. God tells all of us that chose to accept Him and His Truth, that we should have no fear of anything. Isaiah 41:10

"fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Jesus tells us, that even though it is going to get so much worse if we just endure, we will be Saved.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

Jesus tells us that Man is nothing to fear. He said this as recorded in Luke 12:4-7

“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows."

Paul proclaims this in Romans 8. I think he makes it pretty clear.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;  we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

No matter how bad it may be, no matter who bad it will become, you have nothing to fear. Jesus is with you. God is with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. You are His. 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 and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. 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 and Be a Blessing to another. Jesus IS Lord!

Jesus in the Old Testament, Jeremiah

Jesus in Jeremiah

If you are just joining us, we are currently going through the entire Old Testament in light of this Statement by Jesus.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,” {John 5:39}

We just finished Isaiah and will be going to the Book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah began his ministry about 60 years after the death of Isaiah. The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah when he was very young, and he was active through five different Reigns. About 40 years. It was not a happy time. As a matter of fact, some call Jeremiah the "Weeping Prophet." Jeremiah was constantly crying over Isreal and their Sins. His love for them was so great. Remember how Jesus lambasted them? Matthew 23:37

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"

Let's jump right into Jeremiah 1:5

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Now God knew Jeremiah and all the things he would do before he was even formed in the Womb. Look at Matthew 1:18-21

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:"

Both were known before they were Conceived. Both were called from the Womb. As we see Elizabeth exclaimed in Luke 1:42-43

"and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

Both knew the Father's Call before they reached Adulthood. Jeremiah 1:7

"But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak."

Luke 2:42-49

"And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

Jeremiah is called to rise up because Israel had forsaken the Lord their God. Jesus had to come and Raised up because this entire World had forsaken the Lord our God. Jeremiah right from the beginning and over and over, again and again, called Israel to come to Repentance. Jesus called and continues to call us, everyone to come to Repentance. Jesus first Command was this in Matthew 4:17

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The whole reason that God Created Jeremiah was to be a "Savour" of God's Chosen people. To teach them about Sin and to Call them to Repentance. The whole reason Jesus came here was for this very same purpose. However, as Jeremiah was to Israel, Jesus was for God's chosen and is now for all.

As we see in Chapter two on, God's people chose to forsake the Lord their God, reject His Truths and go it on their own. Sound familiar? All Man is Evil. This is our very Nature. Look at the very beginning.

"The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." {Genesis 6:5}

As Jeremiah was formed to come to Earth for God's Chosen People, Jesus came to Earth for God's Chosen People and those that God drew to Him. That would be me and you.

As we continue to read through Jeremiah, we see over and over again, Jeremiah faithful to God and His message, People reject and refuse to Repent. We see Jeremiah warn and teach over and over about Sin and the end result of Sin being Death and Destruction.

Jesus not only came to Teach about Sin and the end result of Sin being Death and Destruction. Jesus came to be THE better way. He is the ONLY Way.

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." {John 14:6}

Both were Mocked Jeremiah 20:7

"O Lord, you have deceived me, and I was deceived; you are stronger than I, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day; everyone mocks me."

Matthew 27:31

"And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him."

Both were accused of being mad. Jeremiah 29:26

"The Lord has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, to have charge in the house of the Lord over every madman who prophesies, to put him in the stocks and neck-irons."

John 10:20

"Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?"

Some more similarities?

Both were Hated, Suffered for their Message. Few have ever suffered for doing good as much as Jeremiah. He was Imprisoned again and again. Chapter 20:2, tells us that he was put in Stocks. Chapter 38 records that he was lowered by ropes into a Cistern. He was accused of Treason and opposed by False Prophets and Religious Leaders of the day. He was surrounded by his own people who were crying out for his Death.

"And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, “You shall die!" {Jeremiah 26:8}

We can clearly see that his suffering at the hands of his own People is a type and picture of the agony of Jesus.

Just as a little side note, I thought this was interesting. Read this with me. Jeremiah 8:13

"When I would gather them, declares the Lord, there are no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree; even the leaves are withered, and what I gave them has passed away from them."

Now look at Matthew 21:19

"And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once."

Jeremiah gives "Nor Figs on the fig tree" as a sign of impending loss, Jesus acted out the sign. Just thought that was interesting. Never really thought too much about the Fig Tree. Yet here it is. A Link if you will, between the Old Testament and Jesus.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. 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!

He Will Return

Jesus IS coming again.

Is Jesus actually coming back? Is he just hanging out in Heaven, watching all this garbage going on for nothing? They have been telling us for a long time, actually, since Jesus died, that He was coming back. Where is He? over 2000 years? Be good or else? Where is this Jesus? Why should we even care?

First. The definitive answer is "YES!" Yes, Jesus IS coming back. Yes, He is coming back to collect His Saints and to DESTROY Sin and the Wicked. So to answer the last question? YES, you BETTER care.

Jesus tells us in Luke 17:22-37

"And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first, he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation."

Stop there a second. You will not miss it. Anytime you see or hear anyone say, Jesus is here, or He is there? There is a good chance they are lying. There will be no mistaking it. All will see Him coming and all will KNOW He is here. You are not going to sleep through it.

"Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed."

Jesus is coming in a time when least expect it. He is coming tomorrow? The day after? A year after that? Jesus tells us this in Mark 13:32

"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Forget all the"Prophecies" about the year 2000. 2012, August 18, 2020, when the Planets are all lined in this way. On a rainy day in the middle of September at half-past 3. It is all nonsense. Look around. See the signs. They are there. But to say it is going to happen Tuesday? Sorry. No one can tell you that.

Simply put, we will be doing whatever it is we are doing. Living our lives. Life will be simply moving on. Ever forward. Day after day. Until the appointed time. Then? Well, then, there is nothing you can do. THEN it is too late to change the Path you are on. Back to Luke 17

"On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.”And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather."

Let's go to question number 2. Is he just hanging out in Heaven, watching all this garbage going on for nothing? Why? Would a Loving God really want to see Evil in the World? Bad and Evil People hurting Good and Decent? Hurting those who claim to be His Chosen?

The answer is "Yes." Why?

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

God IS a loving God. He IS delaying His return because He Loves us so much. 2 Peter 3:9

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

He does not want to send anyone to Hell. He is not some bearded old guy sitting on the Throne, waiting to cast people into Hell. He wants all, or at least as many as possible, to come to repentance, accept His Plan of Salvation, and Live.

However, this is not going to last forever. His Patients will expire at some point. He will fulfill His Promise. He will return. In that day, the Weeds, or the Evil People will be gathered, bound, and burned. His Words folks. the Wheat, or those who have accepted Jesus, will be gathered into His Barn, or accepted into Life Eternal.

How do you know the Weeds from the Wheat?

"By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother." {1 John 3:10}

Also

" And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him." {1 John 2:3,4}

Please, Child of God, choose Wisely. Never make the mistake of thinking He is NOT coming back. That God just no longer Cares. Or that we are free to do whatever we want. Well, you are free to do whatever you want, as long as you are ok with the consequences.

God is Patient and He is Kind. He is Gracious. He IS Love. He is coming. Are you ready? Once He arrives, it will then be too late. Are you ready? 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 and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. 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 and be a Blessing to another. Jesus IS Lord!

Jesus in the Old Testament, Isaiah

Jesus in Isaiah

Welcome. We have been examining this Statement by Jesus. 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,"

We have gone all through the Old Testament to this, The Book of Isaiah. We have seen Jesus Clearly, and maybe not so Clearly, in every book so far. I do not believe that there can be any doubt that you will see Jesus, as to be no one else, in Isaiah. We could spend the next few weeks in Isaiah. In the interest of time, we are going to hit just the clearest Passages.

Let us start in Isaiah 6:9–10 Isaiah warns us that Jesus and His Teachings, will not be heard or understood, even though many would be present.

"He said, 'Go and tell this people: "Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

We can clearly see this fulfilled in Matthew 13:13

"This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”

Now we get to one of the most famous, and undeniable, Prophecy that can only be fulfilled and has only been fulfilled by Jesus.

Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Remember, this was written about 700 years before Jesus was born to Mary, the “Son” will not only be born of a Virgin but is “Immanuel,” which literally means “God with us.” It Matthew 1:18-25.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”

Every other “Messiah,” “Religious Leader,” “Prophet,” including Isaiah himself, be it Muhammad, Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, whoever, all others other than Jesus, have an Earthly Mother and Father. Jesus is the ONLY one born of a Virgin.

In Isaiah 9 we see this. Isaiah 9:6-7

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

We have received the Son. His throne is forever. In Revelation 19:16.

“On his robe and on his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

How about this in Isaiah 8:14?

“He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to Stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.”

Jesus IS the Cornerstone. He Himself told us this.

“Jesus asked them, Have you never read in the Scriptures: The very Stone which the builders rejected and threw away has become the Cornerstone; this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” {Matthew 21:42}

Paul tells us that even though some in the World consider it Foolishness,

“but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles” {1 Corinthians 1:23}

We see in Isaiah 9:1-2 His Ministry would begin in Galilee.

“But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”

We see this come about in Matthew 4:12-17

"When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

'Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darknesshave seen a great light;on those living in the land of the shadow of deatha light has dawned.'

"From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near'"

We see that not only would the Jewish Messiah come for God’s Chosen People, but would also draw Gentiles to Himself. Isaiah 11:10

"In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious."

In John 12:18-21 we read this.

"Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, 'See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!'

Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. 'Sir,' they said, 'we would like to see Jesus.”

We see in Isaiah 22:22 That the Messiah will have all Total Authority over Judgment.

"I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open."

In Revelation, we read this.

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open" {Revelation 3:7}.

I know we are going fast, and we haven’t even gotten to Isaiah 53 yet. But bear with me. In Isaiah 25:7-8 we see The Messiah will conquer Hell, Death, and the Grave.

"On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. the Lord has spoken."

1 Corinthians 15:54

"When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory'.”

In Isaiah 35:5–6 we see that Jesus would do miracles.

"Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert"

When John sent his disciples to see if it really was Jesus who is the Messiah, Matthew 11:4-6

"Jesus replied, 'Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Speaking of John? Isaiah 40:3–4

"A voice of one calling: 'In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.”

John 1:23

"John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, 'I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, "Make straight the way for the Lord.”

Almost there. Isaiah 50:3-6 is like it. The Messiah will be Mocked and Abused

"'I clothe the heavens with darkness and make sackcloth its covering.' The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.”

We all know this story well. Matthew 27:27–31

"Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. 'Hail, king of the Jews!' they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.”

And here we are. Isaiah 53 Whole Chapter applies here. Just picture Jesus when you read these words. There is no other. Remember this is 700 or so years before the Birth of Jesus.

“Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yett he bore the sins of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.”

We see in Isaiah 61:1 that Jesus will set the captives free.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”

We read this in Luke 4:16–21

"He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

'The Spirit of the Lord is on me,because he has anointed meto proclaim the good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisonersand recovery of sight for the blind,to set the oppressed free,to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.'

"Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them,

'Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Again, we just hit on a few of these in Isaiah. There is no other that could possibly fulfill all these. Just Jesus 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 and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. 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!

The Compassion Trap.

Is it true Compassion?

You and a loved one are waking down the street. They are someone you love with your whole heart. You come to a place where there is a sign saying "Play with these." You look and see that "These" are long wooden Matches. They are resting on a Gasoline container. Your loved one gets so excited and wants to play with the Matches. You try to say "No. Please don't." But you see how happy they are to do it. So perhaps you take a step back.

Someone come up at this point and says, "Why are you so sad?" You say, "Because my loved one is playing with Matches next to Gasoline." The Stranger says "So?" "So? They could die a horrible fiery death if the Gasoline ignites." The Stranger says "Look. Look how happy they are. Have they ever seemed happier to you? This is their choice. Not yours. Who are you to dictate how your loved one finds happiness? Besides, how does this affect you? Just keep your opinion to yourself and walk away. They even say that this is safe now. There is no threat. No danger. Gasoline will simply turn everything into beautiful lights and pretty pictures. Have some Compassion will ya? You say you love them. Have some Compassion and let them be happy. Celebrate that they have found something that makes them happy and just love them for who they are. They were not happy not playing with Matches. Now they have found their true Happiness. Stop being so angry, and just be happy for them."

What is TRUE Compassion in this case? IS true Compassion letting them play with the Matches on the Gasoline Container? Even though you KNOW that it may ignite and your friend may be burned to death? Or is true Compassion trying to stop them from doing this and warning them with all you can to stop?

"Keep your 'Religion' to yourself. Have Compassion for those who do not see things like you. Live and let live. Compassion says you shut up and allow all to be happy with whatever they seem to be happy with. It's 2019 after all. All those things you call 'Sin' are pretty much legal or even celebrated today. You are the one with the problem. Not them. What is wrong with a Woman choosing what to do with her own body? What is wrong with a long-lasting loving relationship? Who are you to say that anyone should believe in 'Your Jesus'? Have some Compassion man. There is nothing wrong with any of it. There is no such thing as God or 'Sin.' Get over yourself."

Here are some Verses that you really need to read for yourself. Abortion? Exodus 20:13, Exodus 21:22-24, Psalm 139. There is no Compromise. There is no Compassion in the Slaughter of the most Innocent of all Lives. Homosexuality? Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Ezekiel 16:48-51, {Think America} Romans 1: 18-32. There is no Compromise. The Word is crystal clear that Homosexuality is both an Abomination and Sin to God, and against Nature itself. As a matter of fact, God destroyed entire Cities because of it. It is not Compassion to tell someone, go ahead, you are as equal and right, like everyone else. While you know, they could very well be on their way to Hell.

Jesus IS the only way to Heaven? John 14:6, Matthew 7:21–27, John 6:63, He promised that those who believe in Him will have Eternal Life John 3:14–15. He is the gate of the sheep John 10:7; The Bread of Life John 6:35; and the Resurrection John 11:25. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.

There is no Compassion in not telling someone that God is real and He loves them. There is no Compassion in telling someone that they have their life to decide. Time is ticking.

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." {Isaiah 55:6-9}

Time is ticking. Jesus IS coming back. There will come a time when time runs out. Even that Stranger that is trying to convince you there is no Sin will kneel before God.

"for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” {Romans 14:11}

Sin is real. Sin brings forth Death.

"Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death." {James 1:15}

Eternal separation from God. Hell. This is a horrible Eternal Existence that your loved one may be facing. How much do you TRULY love them? Enough to have 'Compassion' and allow them to do whatever they want even though you know what is about to happen? Or is true Compassion trying to warn them to stop and to change the course they are on now, while there is still time? There is a better way.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. {Romans 6:23}

Now you do need to keep this in mind also. This is all you can do. All you can do is inform. Warn. Let them know the Danger they are in. We all have Free Will. They either accept what you are trying to tell them. Or they do not.

After you tell them the Truth, they say, "I do not believe in God." Or "I do not believe that you have to accept Jesus to get to Heaven." Or "Religion is for Idiots." Something to this effect. Have you failed? Have you not communicated properly? Are you responsible for the fact that they will now die, not accepting Christ, and forever be cast out?

The simple answer is NO. You have fulfilled your Obligation. You are now free and clear. You have told them the Truth. You are not responsible for their decision to accept or not.

"When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." {Ezekiel 33: 8-9}

It is TRUE Compassion, and even your Responsibility, to tell people the Truth. It is TRUE Compassion and even your Responsibility to live as God commanded us to live. It is NEVER true Compassion to allow people you claim to care about, continue unabated in a Life that will lead to destruction and death.

No matter what, you should at the very least ask? 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 and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. 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!

Jesus in the Old Testament, Song of Solomon

Jesus in The Song of Solomon

Here is a Book that you may have never heard of. Or one that you have no idea what it is about. It is only 8 Chapters and maybe two and a half pages long. Some have called it “Perverted." Some say that the Song of Solomon is just a love song and therefore has no place in the Bible. If you just casually read it through you may also come to that conclusion. Depending on what your definition of “Perverted” is.

However, we are going to go through it in this light. Remember, Jesus said this.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,” {John 5:39}

So? Do we find Jesus in The “Perverted Love Song” of Solomon? Of course, we do.

First, Man cannot truly claim He knows Love, True Love, without being Married to a Godly Woman, and Vice Versa. Jesus said this about Marriage.

''For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh'' {Matthew 19:5}

Once you are Married, you are no longer two, but one. You cannot get closer, nor can anyone come between. Jesus continued by saying this.

“So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” {Matthew 9:6}

Ephesians 5:22-33

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

Now, remember, we are called the Bride of Christ. We are His Bride and He is our Bride Groom. So now when you read The Song of Solomon, read it in this light.

As we begin in The Song of Solomon, we see the Bride, think us, Confessing her love toward her Husband, think Jesus, and her Human Nature.

“I am very dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. Do not gaze at me because I am dark, because the sun has looked upon me.”

Isn’t that us? We are born into Sin. We are dark. Our Hearts are Evil.

“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” {Genesis 6:5}

However, our Bridegroom so loves us, that He came and died for us while we were yet Sinners and sees us like this. Song 4:7

“You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.”

In Chapter 5, we see the Bride is Sleeping while the Bridegroom Knocks.

“I slept, but my heart was awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking.“Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one, for my head is wet with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.”

In this present time, Christ is away. We are to stay awake for we never know when He will return.

“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” {1 Thessalonians 5:2}

Jesus tells us Himself that He will come and Knock.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” {Revelation 3:20}

We see that the reason the Bridegroom went away was for preparation for his Bride. Chapter 6

“My beloved has gone down to his garden to the beds of spices, to graze in the gardens and to gather lilies. I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine; he grazes among the lilies.”

Jesus tells us this.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” {John 14:3}

A little bit later we see them come together. They come together and delight in each other. One day, Jesus will return and bring us with Him. as with a Marriage, we will become one. See John 17:23

“I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

The Song of Solomon is a Love Song. It talks of the Blessed Love between a Bride and her Groom. It talks of how even though she, or we, may sleep and make excuses {Chapter 5} our Bridegroom, Jesus, still loves us and is preparing a place for us.

He will one day come back and Knock. Will you be ready to answer? Are you looking? Are you waiting?

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” {Luke 12:35-40}

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 and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. 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!

The Confusion of Simplicity

So simple, it's complicated?

No. Not really. More like so simple we have to complicate it. It is in this Simplicity, that so many good people get lost. You can accept it. Reject it. Analyze it. Dissect it. Study it. Teach it. Speak about it. Think about it. Ignore it. Hate it. Whatever you choose to do. But it remains what it is.

Look at Gravity. Truth is, Gravity is real. It exists. It is what it is. You can Accept it. Reject it. Analyze it. Dissect it. Study it. Teach it. Speak about it. Think about it. Ignore it. Hate it. Whatever you choose to do. But it remains what it is.

Gravity is no respecter of persons. It does not care if you are Black or White, Male or Female, Rich or Poor. It does not even care if you Accept it. Reject it. Analyze it. Dissect it. Study it. Teach it. Speak about it. Think about it. Ignore it. Hate it. Whatever you choose to do. It WILL affect you, me, and everyone else the exact same way.

We go up to a high place. Gravity says, "Do not step off. You will fall. You will get hurt or even die." If you chose to obey this "Law of Gravity" you will not step off. You will be just fine. If I choose not to obey it, I step off, what happens? I fall. I get hurt. Or I die. Why? Because I did not obey the "Law of Gravity." I did not Accept it. I rejected it.

Now some questions. Did Gravity kill me due to my lack of Obedience? No. Did Gravity choose to kill me because I did not accept it? No. Because you chose to accept it, does that make you a better person than me? No. Simply put. Gravity is. This is Truth. You accepted it. You live. I did not accept it. I died.

God is the same way. He is. He said to tell His people His name is "I am." He just is. You can? Say it with me, Accept Him. Reject Him. Analyze Him. Dissect Him. Study Him. Teach Him. Speak about Him. Think about Him. Ignore Him. Hate Him. Whatever you choose to do. But He remains who and what He is.

"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons" {Acts 10:34}

He does not care if you are Black or White, Male or Female, Rich or Poor. He does not even care if you were born into this or that Religion. He IS. I got good news for you. It also doesn't matter if you Accept Him. Reject Him. Analyze Him. Dissect Him. Study Him. Teach about Him. Speak about Him. Think about Him. Ignore Him. Hate Him. Whatever you choose to do? God Loves you. He does. He does not want you to die. He has written all of us a Love Letter. He has given all of us a Manual for Life itself. All can read it. All can understand it. All can and have to, decide what they are going to do. Accept it. or reject it.

God knows we are weak and we cannot Save ourselves. So He made that way simple too. John 3:16-18

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."

That's it, Folks. It is just this simple.

"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. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” {Romans 10:9-11}

Period. End of story. There is nothing else. There is no confusion. There is no complication. This is Truth. Accept it and Live. Reject it and Die. There is no Hate. There is no Judgment. There is only Truth. Simply put. Easy to understand. Jesus said, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already" Why? "because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."

That is it. "What makes you think your Religion is better than all others?" Not talking about Religion. Jesus is NOT a Religion. He is the ONLY way.

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." {John 14:6}

Everything else is Man-made Traditions that we call Religion. If your Religion does NOT have Jesus as the Cornerstone? Does not have Jesus raising from the Dead so that you do not have to? You are in a useless and pointless Man-made Tradition that will lead to death. Sorry. Not sorry. I am telling you the Truth.

So many people take this and try to twist it around and say that this is Hateful. They say it is too exclusive. That by saying Jesus is the only way we are "insulting" other Religions. First, I do not care about how Man-made Traditions receive the Truth. Two? It is not exclusive at all. It is totally INCLUSIVE. Remember, God loves YOU. ALL of you. It does not matter who you are. Why do you think He is letting all the stuff going on? Why do you think He hasn't come back yet? 2 Peter 3:9

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

Read that again. "not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

God is being patient with us in the Hopes of Saving as many as possible. We have to decide. We are the ones in control of our Destiny. Jesus even said this in Matthew 12:30

"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."

The Truth is simple. Easy to understand. Believe and Live. Reject and Die. Step off that high place and fall, or chose not to. Chose to accept the Truth, and Live. It is what it is. He is Who He is. Not a Religion. Not a Story, or Concept, or Ideal, but The Truth. The Whole Truth. There is no other.

Remember, you do not have to do anything to be Condemned and on your way to Hell. You do not have to commit Murder. You do not have to Worship the Devil. You can even eat meat on Fridays. All you have to do to be Condemned and on your way to Hell is? Not believe in Jesus. Remember, you are "Condemned already". No matter how good the World may say you are. No matter what your Religion says. No matter who else you may try to Pray to.

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” {Acts 4:12}

It is simple. It is easy. It is what it is. It is Truth. Do not get lost in the Simplicity. Just accept it. There is nothing else you can do. There is no other Way, Truth, or Life. There is only Jesus.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. 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!