Happy Thanksgiving 2019

Thank God Daily.

As we are coming up on Thanksgiving, you know, that one day a year that we have set aside to remember to give God thanks. Oh, we will all, I included, say Grace at the big Dinner with Family and Friends and when people ask me what am I thankful for, I will answer this...

My life, for without Him, I would not even be here in the first place.

My Wife. Without Him, I would not have been so blessed with a Woman that supports me in any and every way. One that loves me no matter what. One that serves with me. One that I truly love.

My three beautiful children. Joshua my firstborn Son. Elijah, the Second, and of course, my Baby Girl the Princess, Maya.

My Home, when so many have lost theirs.

Truck in the Drive.

Food on the Table.

Pretty much anything and everything.

The Word of God declares...

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

However, I do have a question for you. If you are like me and are truly thankful to God for, well, everything, then why do you only give Him thanks once a year?? Also, is giving Him Thanks in the method of speaking, merely saying it, enough, for all He has done for you?

The Word also declares this.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

What does this mean? It means you are a Child of God. He is your Father, yet rather, He is your Daddy. He is your Daddy 24-7 7 Days a Week, 52 Weeks a Year, from the time you were Adopted til the Day you leave this Earth to go to be with Him. Not a Day a Week, if you feel like going to Church, and not one day a year.

See, God wants a one on one relationship with you. Oh yes, of course, He wants to be invited to Thanksgiving Day Dinner, but He wants a one on one, daily, relationship with you. He wants to be there when you get up. He wants to be there when you lay down. He wants to be there in everything in-between. The Good Times. The Bad Times. He wants to meet your needs, Comfort you, Laugh with you. He wants you to BE His Child.

But here is the thing, He wants you to be in His Way. Fulfilling His Plan and Purpose for your Life.

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

See we should be those people that other people look at and go, "Wait, what?" Seriously, we should be those people that we have all known or have known of. Always seemingly happy, no matter what is going on. Always ready to serve others. Always with a kind word and a warm embrace. Open and honest. Loving.

We need to also always be ready to explain WHY we are the way we are.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!" 1 Chronicles 16:8

Peter put it this way.

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15

Am I saying that we should not celebrate Thanksgiving? Of course not. I will be. I do it right every year. Get as stuffed as Turkey and pass out in my Chair attempting to watch something on TV.

What I AM saying is, don't forget to give thanks to God the other 364. He is not only God then, but He is God always. HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you all!!!

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.

House of God, Building the Temple, Walls

Walls of Faith.

Jesus tells us that He will come to us, and dwell in us. {John 14:23} Paul teaches us this in his letter to the Church at Corinth.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;" 1 Corinthians 6:19

Last time we talked about the importance of building a solid foundation. Jesus Himself taught us that this is important because storms will come.

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."

Jesus teaches us here that storms will come. His message of the Sower, He taught us that those who have no foundation, will fall in these Trials and Tribulations. {Matthew 13:20-22}Why is this? Because the Walls have no grounding. When the Storms, Trials, or Tribulations come, they "blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."

It is an absolute necessity to have a solid foundation. However, it is also an absolute necessity to build Walls. Now I know some of you are thinking "How do we build Walls?" You, or should I say WE, and Human Kind, do it all the time. Most of the time, the Walls are not a great thing.

Ever hear that old classic Pink Floyd song "Another Brick in the Wall?" It is all about dealing with the negativities in life by building a Wall. Losing loved ones, bullied at school, deep depression. I know right? Great Family Song. But it is true. We do build Walls all the time. Someone or something hurts us, we build a Wall to make sure that no one, or nothing like it, will ever get close enough to hurt us again.

Walls, however, like many other things, are not evil or good by nature. They just are what they are. Tools. Protection. Saftey. They are where you visit from time to time? Nope. They are where you live. I actually really enjoy rainy stormy days. Why? If my family is home with me, we get to stay inside and spend time with each other. If they are not home, I love taking a nap from time to time.

Let it storm. Let the rain and wind blow "and beat against that house," I am so safe I can actually go to sleep. Remember that story of Jesus sleeping during the storm?

"And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”" Mark 4:37-40

He was sleeping why? He was tired. Also, He did not worry about the storm. Why? He knew it had no authority whatsoever on Him or those with Him or His Mission. He was in total control.

We are now, I hope you have accepted Jesus, children of God. We can claim Romans 8:28.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

That storm in your Life? {ALL THINGS}
Trial and Tribulation?     {ALL THINGS}
Loss of Job or Home?     {ALL THINGS}
Death of a Loved One?   {ALL THINGS}

What does that mean? It means individually, all these things are bad. Of course, they are. However, when God gets involved, He can use these things, added with other things, to bring about GOOD, for you. HE IS IN CHARGE!. God is in charge at all times, in all situations. He knows the outcome. The big picture. All we can see at the moment, is what? The moment. The Storm or the Tribulation. All His Disciples could see was the Storm. They were so fearful that they cried out "we are perishing." Jesus responded to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”" If they had Faith, they would have most likely slept through the whole thing.

Nothing has changed. All things are the same. God is in charge of all things. Jesus knows the outcome and He tells us to simply have faith. Romans 8 ends like this.

"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." Romans 8:35-39

That storm in your life will come and it will beat against your walls. The wind and rain or negativity, or even outright evil, may swirl around you and beat on every side of or house. It does not matter how fierce it may be. Trust in God. Know that God is right there in it with you and He is so unconcerned that He is sleeping. Why are you now following His lead?

Remember God chose you. He called you out. He called you to Christ Himself.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

Never forget or doubt this simple fact.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

There is nothing, no matter how dark or strong the storm maybe, if you have walls of Faith erecting in the Foundation of Truth and Righteousness, you, or you as the Temple or House of God, will not fall. EVER.

Next time we will talk about the last step, the roof of the Temple. The Ceiling of the House. This one is not even really up to you to build.

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 just 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!

House of God, Building the Temple, Foundation

You must have a solid foundation. 

We just talked last time about the fact you are home to something. Not just you, but you are an actual House to something with you. Since you have, or I hope you have or will, accept the Spirit of Adoption, and become a Child of God, you become a House of God. Or the Temple of God.

Remember,

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;" 1 Corinthians 6:19

Paul writes this in his letter to the Church in Rome.

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." {Romans 12:1-2}

So what do we have to do? We have to rebuild the Temple. We have to build up the House of God. I believe that there are three steps to this process.

Laying the Foundation.

Building up the Walls of Faith.

The Covering, or Roof, of Grace, and Love.

We are talking today about the Foundation. After all, how can you have the Right Mind if you know nothing of God, Jesus, The Word, etc? You truly can't. First, you must have a solid Foundation. What is Spirit? Who is God? Who is Jesus? Is this stuff real? Did Jesus REALLY rise from the dead? Without a Foundation, you will never grow in Faith.

Jesus tells us that there are very few types of people. We all fall into one of these categories. When giving us the Parable of the Sower of the Seed, He explained this.

"Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." Matthew 13:18-23

As a Child of God, you are a Sower of the Seed. However, what were you before? You see, you will meet all these types. Of course, the Wayside people are those that don't have any time or desire to even hear what you have to say. Theses are the mockers, and theses are those that want you to just keep your "Religion" to yourself. These are those that fight to keep God out of public life. The sad truth is, they cannot hear God's Word because they are not of God. If you have your Bible, turn to John 8:42-47

"Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."

They are there. These people are in your life. It does not matter who these people in your life might be. Sadly in a lot of cases, they are your Family members and Loved Ones. They may be your best friends. They are in all our lives.

Remember, when you first become a Child of God, those nearest you, remember who you were before. You Sinned right there with them. You used to do all the things they are still doing. More importantly, they see nothing wrong with continuing to do. Now you are a New Creature, but they are the same as they have always been. Some of them will come to hate you. I know, I know. But they truly will come to hate you. Why? Because now they think, you think, you are better than they. They have no time for that "God nonsense." Jesus literally tells us that the devil himself comes and steals the Word away from them.

Then you have those that are the Stony Places and the Thorns. Truth is, this describes many Christians and may even describe the way you were in the beginning. Many hear the Word and receive it with great joy. They get on fire for God. They want to go out there and tell everyone about Him and Jesus, and Salvation. But they know little. They have not set for themselves a Solid Foundation. They are like a Soldier that just becomes a Soldier and wants to go out into battle. So they put on their Helmet, and run into the battle. The problem is, besides that Helmet, they are naked. They do not have any other Armor. No Protection. No Weapons. No backup. Nothing.

These are those that will go out and attempt to tell others about God, but when the others confront them and ask them questions, they have no answers and they themselves may become confused. Then, when they see this not workings, or they start questioning the "Contradictions" and the concept that the Bible was simply "written by men." they fall away. Or, the cares of the world, the love of money and stuff, come in and the little knowledge they had received dies.

If you are not well Founded in the Word, in God, in Faith, you are not being filled., replenished, you will fall away. Only with a Solid Foundation can you be filled and grow in Faith. Only then, can and will you understand that there are NO Contractions in the Bible. There are however many misunderstandings by some that read it. I could read a book on quantum physics, but I will not understand much of it. I have no foundation in that area. Get the point?

We are talking about building up the House of God. Actually trying to build up a Temple. Jesus tells us this.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27

The importance of the knowledge of Truth. If you do not know the Truth, if you do not have a Solid Foundation, you will believe a lie. As long as something sounds right? A whole lot of people will believe it. You want to know one of the biggest lies straight from the evil one? "We are all God's Children." Sounds right? Sounds just? Sounds fair? "We are all God's Children. So who are you to judge? Let them alone. What is right for them, might not be right for you, but we are all God's Children. So just accept all, and love all."

There is no compassion in the acceptance of Sin. The only way you are a Child of God is through the Adoption of the Holy Spirit. The only way to be Adopted is if God calls you to accept Christ. As a Child of God, the only way you can be Righteous is by doing the Will of God.

YOU build for yourself, a solid foundation. YOU do. God is not going to do it for you. YOU build yourself a solid foundation by reading the Word and doing the Will of the Father. YOU build your house either on the Sand or on the Rock. Depending on what YOU do, decides what happens when the storms of life come. It is only by The Word, and spending time with God, allowing the Holy Spirit to commune with your Spirit, that you may build a solid foundation for yourself. The Word gives you peace. The Word answers all your questions. The Word gives you Hope. Romans 15:4 declares.

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

Do you want to be that "Good Ground" that Jesus tells us will bring forth a mighty harvest? Do you want to be at peace with whatever may come into your life? Do you want to be sure, that you can overcome all things, and all your needs will be met? Do not run into battle wearing nothing more than a Helmet. Put on the Whole Armour of God. How do you do that? Build a solid foundation.

From this solid foundation, we must build up Walls of Faith. More on that next time.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will 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 just 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!

House of God, You ARE a House for Something

House of God

Goodmorning. When someone says, "House of God," most people picture this above. Big beautiful buildings with Stained Glass and Crosses all over. But this is NOT "The House of God." Here is a more accurate picture of the "House of God."

Do you see it? Look in the Mirror. 

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;" 1 Corinthians 6:19

I know I know. I hear some of you right now thinking, "Wait! That is where I draw a line. I have always been told that this is MY BODY! I can do whatever I want to it. I have the 'RIGHT' to do whatever I want. I can smoke, drink, get an Abortion, Plastic Surgery, whatever."

This is true. "Wait!? What? You agree with me?"

Yup. You have free will. But make no mistake about it. You ARE a house to something. Something lives in you. You do not reside in your body alone. Either you are a House of God, or you are the House of demons. "WHAT?!?!? Are you serious?"

Yup. Jesus said this.

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.” Matthew 12:43-45

This is real folks. I know some have a hard time believing in or understanding Spiritual things. But Jesus does not teach against things that do not exist. Nor does He warn against things that are not real.

Remember, we are born into Sin. This means we are born into the dominion of Satan. Our bodies are mere shells. This is not who we are. We are Spiritual Beings. This is our Home. According to the Word, it is also the home of something else.

You have free will. You can indeed do whatever you chose. There is a famous saying that goes like this. "You are free to do anything, as long as you are willing to accept the consequences." This is true. You CAN Rob a Bank if you are willing to go to jail if caught. You CAN play Russian Roulette as long as you accept the fact the one bullet may go off on you.

Yes, you can do whatever you choose. However, do not ever make the mistake in believing that you are your own. You are either a Slave to Sin. Or you are a Slave to God. You are either an Agent of Evil or a Child of God. You either house a demon, or possibly many, or you house the Holy Spirit. Who is that? God. John 14:15-20

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."

Read that again. "You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." Who? The Holy Spirit. Then Jesus says this.

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

Wait. Who? "I" Who is talking? Jesus. "I {Jesus} will come to you." Then?

"Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you."

Who is in you? Jesus. The Holy Spirit. GOD. More proof? Go to Verse 23

"Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

"We will come." Who? Jesus and God the Father. "WE" Then "and make our home with him." "Make OUR home." Who? Jesus and the Father, along with the Holy Spirit. Why? They are all the same person. GOD.

Any Doctor Who fans? You are the TARDIS. You are bigger on the inside. Some of you got it. But it is true. God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit all come and make their home with you. Remember what Jesus said about the evil spirits? "Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there"

Look at this account of Jesus casting out evil spirits.

"And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many." Mark 5:6-9

"Legion, for we are many." You know the story, Jesus allows them to enter the Swine feeding nearby and they ran off a cliff into the sea and drown. There were 2000. So that would indicate that there were 2000 evil spirits living in that one man. You are bigger on the inside. You are home to something. You, and something else. Evil spirits or God Himself. Which do you claim?

If you believe in Jesus, and asked Him to come and set you free from the Slavery of Sin and Death, and you believe He raised from the Dead, you are saved and the demon spirits are evicted. They are cast out. IMMEDIATELY, God comes to you and enters in.

Now stop there a second. We are going to get into building the Temple next time. But think of this. Jesus comes to your house and opens the door. He looks around and sees all the garbage and trash leftover by those that used to party in it. He grabs the freeloaders and evil spirits and casts them out and comes in and CLEANS the House and better than new. Jesus said, "empty, swept, and put in order."

So what now? Now a wise person starts to build on this. A wise person now starts to build God's Temple. From the Foundation of Wisdom and Knowledge, Walls of Faith and Ceiling of Grace and Mercy. As a child of God, you are also the House of God. Time we start to look like it. That is what we will be talking about next time.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will 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 just 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!

Pockets, Part 3

Trials and Tribulations

Now you are in God's Pocket, there is no longer anything to worry about. Yet, this does not mean you will coast through life without a care in the world. This is simply not the case. Since God came and plucked you out of the Devils Hand, Satan will be angry and will attempt to attack you and keep you down and to keep you from leading anyone else away from him.

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." Matthew 5:10-13

I can hear someone now saying, "Wait a second. I don't get it. I understand the whole concept of Salvation. I get that. I get that Jesus died for my sins. That I allowed His blood to be mine, Him suffering all Sin that was, is, and ever will be for my Sin, and His death so that I may live. I understand that the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, is now in me. I read Jesus said...

"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Matthew 17:20

And again.

"And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you." Luke 17:6

You talk about the power we possess now we are Children of God. So please, explain this to me. Why is it now, that I'm a Child of God, is my life to become more difficult?"

OK. Trials and Tribulations. The answer is really simple. As we talked about before, God Creates Heaven and Earth, all that is in them, gives authority to Adam. All and total authority over everything to Adam. Adam, in turn, falls. He gives domination over to Satan. Now Satan has become the lord of the Earth.

God was so angered by this, He was prepared to wipe out all of His Creation, and start over. But then He found one. Yes. One {Noah} to be totally faithful. So He did not wipe out all of His Creation a second time. Every time you look up in the sky and see a Rainbow, you are looking at an actual, tangible, sign of the Covenant between God and Noah.

However, God found Man's heart was continually evil and the inventions of, as well. So He sent Prophets, Teachers, Showers of The Way. All were rejected and in many cases, even put to death. So He decided that there was only one way. Lay down His Godhood, and become flesh. He did so. His name is Jesus. Now all mankind has to do is accept Jesus's sacrifice for them. His blood for theirs, His overcoming all Sin for their Sin. His death that we may live.

But in all this, one thing remains. This World is dominated over by the Devil himself. The World hates God. Therefore, the World may very well hate you for His sake. It really is not more complicated than that. When you are of the World, and you are doing the things of the World, the World loves you. But now you are no longer "of" the World. But you are still in it. So the World HATES anything that has anything to do with God.

Look at Job.

"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught? Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord." Job 1:2-12

You know the story. Job lost everything. Money, Property, Family, Friends, and lastly, his very Health. Talk about Trials and Tribulations? The story goes on that Job was always faithful and never cursed God. Not only did he receive all he lost, but many times more. And, we are STILL talking about him to this very day.

Did the Devil ask to tempt the Drunk? The Prostitute? Did he say he wanted to tempt the King? The Leader of the Synagogue? No. He wanted a guy named Job. Why? God said, "that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil." He was a Child of God. Before we could receive the Spirit. That's saying something. He knew God well, and God loved him. Therefore the Devil hated him.

Look at Peter. The only other one in history to walk on water. The one Jesus told was the rock on which He would build His church.

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18

This is one of the most powerful Saints to ever live. He became so powerful, that his very Shadow would heal people.

"And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one." Acts 5:14 -16

But this did not protect him from Trials and Tribulations on his way of getting to this position. I would have loved to see Peter's face when he and Jesus were sitting around and Jesus said to him this...

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:31-32

You know the story. Jesus told Peter that Peter would deny any knowledge or association with Jesus three times before the Rooster crowed three times. On the third, Jesus looked at Peter, and Peter ran away.

Let's look at Paul. Seriously? Paul was Saul before he was converted. Then Jesus appeared before him and asked him to follow Him. He said yes, and became Paul. So great a Saint that HE wrote a lot of the New Testament that we read today. Did he have Trials and Tribulations? I guess you could say that. I love this Passage. This was one of his letters to the Church at Corinth.

"Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." 2 Corinthians 11:23-28

You see, no matter what was going on in the negative sense to Paul, his first concern was always the Church. Was always God and His Will.

What all these have in common is this. In the middle of their Trials and Tribulations, they never lost sight of the goal. They never lost faith. They understood, that if they did not choose to forsake God, and His Will, God would never forsake them. They did not respond to the Trials and Tribulations by the flesh. But by their Spirit.

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Galatians 6:7-8

I think one of the easiest explanations on how to deal with things that will pop up in your life, is by James. In...James 1

"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;"

Wait...Did he just say count it all joy? Yes. Yes, he did. He said to call it all joy when Trials and Tribulations come into your life. Why?

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

For let, not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

Again, Job received much more than he lost. Peter became the Rock on which Jesus said He would build His Church, and Paul wrote a lot of the New Testament. However, none of these things are worthy to be compared to that of which awaits us in Heaven. Here is something that you may have been taught incorrectly. God does not tempt you. James went on.

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

So again, we learn that it is important, for one to not only hear the Word but to do it. To seek out God's Purpose and Plan for your life. What does it profit a man to receive a great gift, then not use it? Truth Faith is not being Religious. It not about going to Church once a week and hearing God's word, singing hymns, and going home to live as you will. True Faith is not simply following the traditions of man, but having a one on one relationship with God Himself. With Jesus. Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you in all things. James even talks briefly about religion here.

"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

Doing the Will of God. Being a Sower of the Seed. A Shower of The Way. A Teller of Truth. Once you become a Child of God, it is up to you to follow Jesus or not. It is up to you to allow the Spirit to guide you or not. Do not think for a second that God doesn't know who you are. Do not think for a second, that you can not accomplish whatever it is that God instructs you to do. Do not think for a second that you can not overcome the Trials and Tribulations that may come into your life. Make no mistake about it, they WILL come.

I know a Pastor that use to Preach that you should be happy when Trials and Tribulations come because that is evidence that you are doing something right. I suppose there is some truth to that. If you are not doing anything to further the Kingdom of God, or, lead others to Salvation, then why would the Devil be concerned about you? Oh, he will still hate you because you are now of God, but attempt to stop you from doing what?

Truth is, if you are doing God's Will, God is on your side. You are in His Pocket always. If you are lead by the Spirit, the Spirit is with you. If you are following Jesus, Jesus is with you. If God is with you, who can be against you? Who can succeed in stopping you from doing what God has ordained you to do? Truth is, no one can. Nothing can. There is nothing greater than God. While you are living for Him and doing His Will, there is no longer anything or anyone, greater than YOU.

Trials and Tribulations will come. Jesus himself told us this. Rejoice and be glad when they do, for in these times, is when God is closest to you. Trust in Him. Rely on Him. Never lose Faith. Never respond to these things in the flesh. But remain in the Spirit. Allow God to show you the way through.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? Do you have the comfort of the knowledge that God is with you? 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 believe you raised Him 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 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} Now seek out God and His Purpose and Plan for your life. Be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer only. Do not fear or fret when the Trials and Tribulations come. As James said...

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Until next time, be blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord!

Jesus in the Old Testament, Malachi

Jesus in Malachi

Well? We made it. If you have been with us from the beginning of this Study, you know we have been searching out the Scriptures of the Old Testament in light of these words 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 started in Genesis, and have gone all the way through to today, where we wrap things up in Malachi. This is the close of the Old Testament, and a period of time, about 400 years until we see the opening of the New Testament. Malachi means "'the messenger of the Lord.'' Like some others before him, his main concern was for the Spiritual Condition of Israel. Or rather the lack of it.

We start out seeing that the People of Israel are so far gone and so far removed from God, they are not even truly aware of how far away they have become. Much like many people in America today. Sadly, even some "Christians." God tells them through Malachi that they are asking questions, that God is going to answer.

“I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” Malachi. 1:2

Jesus told us exactly how much God loves us.

"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." John 3:16-18

Question Two,

"A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’"

We do this all the time. "Keep your Religion to yourself." "Any god is equal." "There is no God." Etc. Not only do we have people in this country that do not want you to even say the word "God." They actually hate and despise the word.

Question Three,

"By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord's table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil?"

Sadly this one is still common with Christians. They go to Chruch, but give nothing of their time outside of Church. If they Tithe, more on that in a bit, but they do not even give the Ten Percent. They toss a couple of dollars, or maybe a Twenty into the Offering, even though they made a Thousand.

Question Four,

"What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it,"

God is Patient and Kind. His Grace abounds much more than our Sin. Peter said it this way.

"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."

Jesus told us a Parable of a Farmer and Wheat and Tares {Matthew 13:24-52} But make no mistake about it. God will grow Weary of us and our Sin. Although He is Patient so as many as possible will repent and be saved, there is a coming time where it will be too late.

"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 13:41-43

"You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking,"

Question Five,

“Where is the God of justice?” Malachi 2:17

Think about this. Whenever you may be tempted to think this question, think to yourself, Is the God of Justice NOT coming for you as well? Have you not Sinned and come short of the Glory of God? Are you not worthy of Death and Eternal Punishment? This says that asking God this question actually wearies God because you are worthy of His wrath also and you may not even know it.

Question Six?

"How have we robbed you?" Malachi 3:8

Here is one that is so very hard for Pastors to teach. It is hard for three reasons.

1- Failure to understand the concept.
2- Greed
3- Fear

Here is the total Passage.

"Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts." Malachi 3:8-11

1st, WE, not God, we created a monetary system. WE, not God, we say this paper is worth this or that, and WE, not God, set up a reality of which you need money to survive. Sorry to let you know this, but the Church needs money too. If you want lights on? AC? You want the Pastor to be able to Pastor? You want the Church to Feed the Hungry, Clothe the Naked, and set Captives free? They need MONEY. Where to they get the money from? YOU.

God says YOU give Ten Percent of your Salary. This means if your Salary is $1000,00, Your Tithe is $100.00. No more, no less. Not $20.00. Not $5.00. Not $200.00. Your Tithe is $100.00. This is what God says you need to give. Anything more than $100.00 is a gift. An Offering for whatever personal reason you may have. But that $100.00 belongs to God.

Some do not give the full Ten Percent simply because they do not want to. They want to keep it. Remember the Story of Ananias and his wife?

"But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge, he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last" Acts 5:1-5

First, yes, this is the New Testament. For those who say Tithing was Old Testament only. Second, Ananias and Sapphria did not have to lie. They could have simply not sold the land. Not gave anything. But they did lie and did try to steal from God. They both end up dead.

What about those who simply fear? They will not have enough to Tithe. They have to pay bills and they have to live. They just cannot afford the Tithe. I submit to you that you cannot NOT afford to Tithe. After all, look at what God says here.

"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need"

That 90 percent will go FAR further than that 100 percent ever will. Try it and see. We are clearly living in a time described in Malachi. Look at Romans 1 and think of America today.

"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.

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."

The only answer to this is simple. The only answer to this is easy. It is Jesus. This is why Jesus came. Without Him, we will all be destroyed in the coming "Day of the Lord." Malachi 4. Without Jesus, there would be no Old Testament. He IS The Word.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

This concludes our study of how Christ is reflected in the 39 books of the Old Testament. As we visited each book of the Old Testament weekly, we found that this statement is true and it brings reading the Old Testament into a new light. New Understanding. It is all about Jesus. Along with this Statement above, Jesus also took time following His ascension from the Grave, to do what we just did, with His Disciples.

"And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:25.

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 just 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!

Pockets. Part Two

God's Pocket

If you were with us last time, if not go check out Part One, we talked about the fact that you do not have to do anything. You do not have to go shoot up a Mall, or Rape or Murder, invoke the Devil's name, join a Cult that worships him, or anything else. All you have to do is be born. That's it. Be born. When you are born, you are born into the family of the Devil. You are born into his pocket.

We did not end there though. Thankfully. We do not have to. No, God, Himself came and plucked us out of the Devil's hand. Remember, you did not choose Jesus. He chose you.

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you." John 15:16

Jesus said this in this recorded Prayer.

"I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake, I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth." John 17:14-19

We are no longer "of" this world, yet, we are still in it. Do not confuse the two.

"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." 1 Peter 2:11-12

We are no longer like them. So stop being like them. We are no longer Prisoners, or Slaves, to Sin and the Devil.

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2

We are now Children of God.

"and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8-17

I know we have talked about this a lot here over the years, but you really have to get this. You have to learn this. Accept this as Fact and Truth. If you can truly get this, you can no longer have ANY fear whatsoever. What is left to fear? You are now in God's Pocket.

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 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." Romans 8:31-39

Again, this is not something you need to learn how to do. It is not something you need to learn, practice, get better at. You will not be in this position because you are a good little {Insert Religion Here}

 No. God sees you in your Sin. He comes and Plucks you out of the Hand of the Devil and He puts you in His Pocket. Just like you were born into Sin, you are Born Again into life and Salvation. You simply have to accept the Method. All you have to do is believe that Jesus came to earth and died, yet rather raised from the dead, for you. That's it.

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:" {Philippians 3:20}

No longer are we in the Devil's Pocket. Now we are in God's. Stop walking in the flesh.

"Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:5-8

Thankfully this is no longer you. You are no longer in the flesh or under control of and in the possession of the Devil. God took you from him. You are now in God's Pocket. Even though the Devil can no longer take you back, he can and will attack you. You WILL have Trials and Tribulation. More on that next time. But you do not have to worry. You ARE in God's Pocket. Have no fear.

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 just 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, Zechariah

Jesus in Zechariah

Jesus made this Statment.

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

As Haggai Prophesied about the Temple and the "religious state" of God's chosen people, Zechariah's main concern was for the Jew and the coming Messiah. Some call the Book of Zechariah the ''Revelation of the Old Testament." He also saw the future of Israel and the Gentile Nations, to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the establishment of His Millennial Kingdom.

Now, this can be a difficult Book to understand with all the Symbols. In the first six Chapters, Zechariah recorded eight visions he had seen. All of which were about Israel. Let us try to briefly go over some of the Symbols.

A rider on a Red Horse among the Myrtle Trees depicts Israel in dispersion but not forgotten.
The four Horns were the Four World Empires that have attacked and scattered Israel
The four Carpenters represented the destruction of Gentile control and supremacy over Israel
The Measuring Line represented Israel's future prosperity
Joshua standing before God and Satan hurdling accusations, Israel cleansed and restored
The Candlestick? Israel as God's Light-bearer.
The flying Roll was illustrating the reign of Divine Law on the earth.
Finally, the four Chariots, showing the coming judgment upon the earth.

Chapter Seven opens with a Call Justice and Mercy.

"Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”

Jesus said this to us when someone asked Him the greatest of all the Commandments.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

Read that Passage from Zechariah. It can be summed up quite nicely with "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Then in Chapter Eight, We read this.

"Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."

What is the man's name in that Robe? Jesus. In Chapter Nine, we read this.

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." Zechariah 9:9

Stop. We saw this fulfilled here.

"Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”" Mark 11:1-10

We go on in Zecharaiah to read how Jesus will come and end all Sin and War, and He will Save His people.

"Then the Lord will appear over them, and his arrow will go forth like lightning; the Lord God will sound the trumpet and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south. The Lord of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones, and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar.

On that day the Lord their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land. For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women." Zechariah 9:14-17

Remember when Jesus told us the Parable of the Wheat and Tares? He later explained it this way.

"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 13:37-43

Look at this. Are you ready? Look at this.

"So it was annulled on that day, and the sheep traders, who were watching me, knew that it was the word of the Lord. Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord, to the potter."

Remember, it was 30 pieces of Silver that were the cost of betrayal. It was exactly 30 pieces of Silver. Then when Judas regretted it, he threw the Silver back to the Priests, and what happened?

"But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury since it is blood money.” So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day."

Then go to Chapter Thirteen.

"“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the Lord of hosts. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones."

This is a clear picture of the night Jesus is betrayed.

"And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. And they laid hands on him and seized him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” And they all left him and fled." Mark 14:41-50

Then we wrap up Zechariah with the coming of the "Day of Our Lord." The return of Christ.

"And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one." Zechariah 14:9

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 just 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!