Book of Isaiah, Chapter 12

 Chapter 12, 

The Lord Is My Strength and My Song

1 You will say in that day:

“I will give thanks to you, O Lord,

    for though you were angry with me,

your anger turned away,

    that you might comfort me.

2 “Behold, God is my salvation;

    I will trust, and will not be afraid;

for the Lord God is my strength and my song,

    and he has become my salvation.”

3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day:

“Give thanks to the Lord,

    call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples,

    proclaim that his name is exalted.

5 “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;

    let this be made known in all the earth.

6 Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,

    for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

BEING a Child of God, Works

Work because of what God did, not to receive, what God did. 

I know you have heard it said over and over, works will not get you to Heaven. There is nothing you can do to earn your way to Heaven. They quote Ephesians 2:8-9. But wait? Another Christian comes along and says this is nonsense. They say you must do works to enter Heaven.

So which is it? According to the Bible.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Then it also says this.

"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.." James 2:17

So? Which is it?

There are NO contradictions in the Bible. No not one. There are misinterpretations, misunderstanding of Scripture, and willful twisting of Scripture. But there are NO contradictions. Also? They are actually both correct. It is not either-or. Here is where the misunderstanding comes in.

First.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

According to Hebrews 11:6

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

If you have heard the word, "God so loved the world, He sent His only begotten Son," the gospel, and do not believe that Jesus came to earth and lived the way He did and died the way He did, and more importantly, raised from the dead as He did, then you cannot possibly accept His sacrifice for you and your sin. You have to first hear and accept these things on faith that they are true.

"and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" You cannot do anything, or be good enough, to earn your way to Heaven. It does not matter what you do. It matters what you believe. God gave the gift of salvation to all that asks Him. It is all-inclusive and very defined. Accept Jesus and live, reject Jesus and die.

"Not of works, lest any man should boast." Not of religion. It does not matter what religion you claim. It does not matter if you are a good little Muslim, Jew, Christian, It is not about religion. It is about a relationship with God through Jesus the Christ. It does not matter what man says about anything. It is simply faith that you are saved by the grace of God.

Now after you are saved? Then this applies.

"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.." James 2:17

Go to James 2. Start at verse 14

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." James 2:14-17

What good does saying you have faith in a loving, caring, saving God, if you have means to love, care for, and lead others to salvation, and yet, you CHOSE to do nothing? Well, I have compassion?

Compassion = Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

We must have compassion for others. But what does that actually mean? What it most definitely does not mean, is good intentions. Or, saying you have compassion without doing anything about it. What do I mean?

"I have compassion for the poor." OK? And? "What do you mean?" So you have compassion for the poor? That's good. But? What do you do about it? "Wait, what do you mean? What are you implying? That I do not care? How dare you. I care. I understand. Something needs to be done to help the poor in this or that area." Again. What are you doing? "Don't turn this around on me. YOU hate the poor. YOU are evil. Look at you. Judging me. You arrogant, close-minded, racist. After all, who is the poor? Yeah, minorities. You hate them because you hate anyone that does not look like you. At least I care."

This is the world we live in today. So Joe liberal cares about the poor. Cool. But when you look at his bank account, and or, the sum of his ACTIONS towards the poor, we see the truth. There is nothing. Zero. Oh, he, sorry, my Six Years of politics sometimes creeps back, he may propose a Bill increasing the sales tax a penny, with the proceeds going to build a homeless shelter. Or he may suggest something needs to be done to clean up the downtown area and set aside somewhere where the homeless can be safer. Then he can go home feeling good about himself that he is trying to do something for the poor. He can even brag that he is trying to do something.. But? What is HE actually doing?

Jesus said this,

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits." Matthew 7:15-20

When someone looks at you and your life, can they tell the difference? Seriously. Look in the Mirror, I'm talking to children of God here, look in the mirror. Do you see any difference between you and the world? Do others? How are you living your life? What fruit are you producing?

Back to James 2

"But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way, was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead." James 2:18-26

Even devils know there is a God. Think about that. Satan was there in the beginning. He knows God is there and real. He has seen Him face to face. He was there when the Bible was written. He can quote it word for word. Does this make him good and is he saved? God gives us many examples of Faith in Hebrews 11. Noah building the Ark on a Sunny day, Abraham going out, Sara becoming pregnant in old age, ETC. I encourage you to check out Hebrews 11.

Jesus gave us a way of escaping Sin and death. He gave us Eternal Life. He set us free. However, He also gave us The Great Commission.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

We do not do works, or we should never try to do works, to get God to do something for us. We do good works BECAUSE of what God already DID do for us. It was never meant for you to believe, "I got mine, I'm good." The word declares that you died with Him. You died with Jesus. Now you have risen with Him, 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} It is not now nor has it ever been, about you.

You cannot be saved without faith. There is nothing you can do to inherit Eternal Life. However, once you are saved, you must not be content with merely that. Remember, Jesus even warned us that we will be judged by what we do.

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’." Matthew 25:31-45

Be careful, child of God, that not only do you believe and accept your salvation but that you also have works to show for your faith. Be the good tree. Be the child of God you are. Once you are truly saved, you should have a desire to do good works. Now go forth and do them. If you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior, maybe you are just hearing this today for the first time. Then say this prayer with me now.

"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 believed 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 you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall 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!!

Book of Isaiah, Chapter 11

 Chapter 11

The Righteous Reign of the Branch

1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,

    and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,

    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

    the Spirit of counsel and might,

    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,

    or decide disputes by what his ears hear,

4 but with righteousness, he shall judge the poor,

    and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;

and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,

    and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,

    and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,

    and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,

and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;

    and a little child shall lead them.

7 The cow and the bear shall graze;

    their young shall lie down together;

    and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,

    and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.

9 They shall not hurt or destroy

    in all my holy mountain;

for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord

    as the waters cover the sea.

10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

11 In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea.

12 He will raise a signal for the nations

    and will assemble the banished of Israel,

and gather the dispersed of Judah

    from the four corners of the earth.

13 The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart,

    and those who harass Judah shall be cut off;

Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah,

    and Judah shall not harass Ephraim.

14 But they shall swoop down on the shoulder of the Philistines in the west,

    and together they shall plunder the people of the east.

They shall put out their hand against Edom and Moab,

    and the Ammonites shall obey them.

15 And the Lord will utterly destroy

    the tongue of the Sea of Egypt,

and will wave his hand over the River

    with his scorching breath,

and strike it into seven channels,

    and he will lead people across in sandals.

16 And there will be a highway from Assyria

    for the remnant that remains of his people,

as there was for Israel

    when they came up from the land of Egypt.

BEING a Child of God, The Tongue

Words have power

We are talking about BEING the child of God He calls us to be. Last time we talked about the fact you are no longer a citizen of earth. Not even close. You are now a citizen of Heaven. God is now your Daddy. You are now His child. Be very careful, child of God. You have more power than you might think.

When Jesus came. He came to save and restore. When you accept Jesus's sacrifice, you are adopted into the Family of God. God is IN you. So you receive that authority. You have that power. YOU can speak things into existence when they do not even exist. The power to curse, and the power to bless, are yours and they lay in your tongue.

Ever say to the person that just cut you off "God damn you!"? Or to that tool that was not working the way it should, "God damn it!"? Do you have even a remote concept of what you are actually doing and saying? Oh, it's just a figure of speech. NO, IT IS NOT! You, as a child of God, are PRAYING. God is always with you. You are walking into the very throne room of the Creator of all there is, including Hell itself, and asking Him, "Daddy, please send this person to the everlasting lake of fire, so that they may be tormented and suffer. Send them to hell daddy. They cut me off." Remember what Jesus told us?

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.." John 16:23 

Think about that.

Yes, as a child of God, you can curse others and things. Look at what Jesus did to the Fig Tree.

"In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 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.

When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”." Matthew 21:18-22

Just words? Just a phrase? Means nothing? Are you so sure?

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

Jesus said

“Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

You have the power. You can do this. Are you sure you want to? You also have the power to do good. The power to bless. Which chose you?

Some say, that Jesus healed people through His touch. This is not true at all. Look at Matthew 8:5-13

"When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant,‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And to the centurion, Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.”

Jesus healed the servant from miles away without so much as seeing the servant. He spoke his healing into existence. We have the same power. We have the same spirit. We have God as our Daddy. He is in us. Words MEAN something. They are power. Jesus warned us in Matthew12:34-37

"You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned."

James 3:5-13

"So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With it, we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and saltwater? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water."

It's not just a "phase" or "a figure of speech." They are not just words. The spoken word created all that is, was, and ever will be. The spoken word created you. Adopted you. Saved you. The spoken word is power. It is in your tongue. What are you using your words for? A blessing, or a Curse. Think about this the next time you say "It's going to be a bad day." Is it? Or did you just curse the day into being a bad day? "I'm sick." Are you? Or are you healed? "Drop dead.""Go to Hell." 'God damn you." Do you really mean that? Think before you speak. Understand the power of the spoken word and the authority of which you speak it. Especially if you are a child of God.

Next time we will be discussing what you should be doing as a child of God. Hint, it is not sitting there thinking "I got mine, all is good."

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 believed 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 you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall 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!!

Book of Isaiah, Chapter 10

Chapter 10,

 

Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees,

    and the writers who keep writing oppression,

2 to turn aside the needy from justice

    and to rob the poor of my people of their right,

those widows may be their spoil,

    and that they may make the fatherless their prey!

3 What will you do on the day of punishment,

    in the ruin that will come from afar?

To whom will you flee for help,

    and where will you leave your wealth?

4 Nothing remains but to crouch among the prisoners

    or fall among the slain.

For all this, his anger has not turned away,

    and his hand is stretched out still.

Judgment on Arrogant Assyria

5 Woe to Assyria, the rod of my anger;

    the staff in their hands is my fury!

6 Against a godless nation I send him,

    and against the people of my wrath, I command him,

to take spoil and seize plunder,

    and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

7 But he does not so intend,

    and his heart does not so think;

but it is in his heart to destroy,

    and to cut off nations not a few;

8 for he says:

“Are not my commanders all kings?

9 Is not Calno like Carchemish?

    Is not Hamath like Arpad?

    Is not Samaria like Damascus?

10 As my hand has reached to the kingdoms of the idols,

    whose carved images were greater than those of Jerusalem and Samaria,

11 shall I not do to Jerusalem and her idols

    as I have done to Samaria and her images?”

12 When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the speech of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the boastful look in his eyes. 13 For he says:

“By the strength of my hand, I have done it,

    and by my wisdom, for I have understanding;

I remove the boundaries of peoples,

    and plunder their treasures;

    like a bull, I bring down those who sit on thrones.

14 My hand has found like a nest

    the wealth of the peoples;

and as one gathers eggs that have been forsaken,

    so I have gathered all the earth;

and there was none that moved a wing

    or opened the mouth or chirped.”

15 Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it,

    or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it?

As if a rod should wield him who lifts it,

    or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!

16 Therefore the Lord God of hosts

    will send wasting sickness among his stout warriors,

and under his glory, burning will be kindled,

    like the burning of fire.

17 The light of Israel will become a fire,

    and his Holy One a flame,

and it will burn and devour

    his thorns and briers in one day.

18 The glory of his forest and of his fruitful land

    the Lord will destroy, both soul and body,

    and it will be as when a sick man wastes away.

19 The remnant of the trees of his forest will be so few

    that a child can write them down.

The Remnant of Israel Will Return

20 In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean on him who struck them, but will lean on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. 21 A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. 22 For though your people Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. Destruction is decreed, overflowing with righteousness. 23 For the Lord God of hosts will make a full end, as decreed, in the midst of all the earth.

24 Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts: “O my people, who dwell in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrians when they strike with the rod and lift up their staff against you as the Egyptians did. 25 For in a very little while my fury will come to an end, and my anger will be directed to their destruction. 26 And the Lord of hosts will wield against them a whip, as when he struck Midian at the rock of Oreb. And his staff will be over the sea, and he will lift it as he did in Egypt. 27 And in that day his burden will depart from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck; and the yoke will be broken because of the fat."

28 He has come to Aiath;

he has passed through Migron;

    at Michmash he stores his baggage;

29 they have crossed over the pass;

    at Geba they lodge for the night;

Ramah trembles;

    Gibeah of Saul has fled.

30 Cry aloud, O daughter of Gallim!

    Give attention, O Laishah!

    O poor Anathoth!

31 Madmenah is in flight;

    the inhabitants of Gebim flee for safety.

32 This very day he will halt at Nob;

    he will shake his fist

    at the mount of the daughter of Zion,

    the hill of Jerusalem.

33 Behold, the Lord God of hosts

    will lop the boughs with terrifying power;

the great in height will be hewn down,

    and the lofty will be brought low.

34 He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an ax,

    and Lebanon will fall by the Majestic One.

BEING a Child of God, Now an Alien

 Stranger in a strange land. 

You are now a child of God. You have said this prayer,

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed 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!"

What now? Seriously. What now? Do you just walk out of here today, or turn off the computer, or put your phone in your pocket, I know the last one is almost unthinkable to some, {pause} and walk into your routine like nothing happened? You go off to work. Go hang out with friends. Do all the things you did. Say all the things you have always said. Live the way you have always lived? What now?

Do you know what it means to truly be a child of God? This is what we are going to be talking about. First, today, you need to understand, that you are no longer a citizen of this world. Yeah I know right? You should not even claim to be a citizen of this world.

What country were you born in? What state? What county? Where do you call home? Chances are, you have something in your wallet, purse, or pocket, that identifies you are a citizen of that land. Many have left their birth land and have moved to another. America is made up of those who did just that.

From time to time, you are required to show proof of citizenship. Many have pride, and pull out their ID with a smile, and present their "papers" to prove they belong. They have pride that they are a part of their country. Many, that have just come to America, can't wait to show their proof of citizenship. They worked hard to get it.

You are not a citizen. Not of the earth. Not anymore. Not even dual citizenship. You are now a stranger in a strange land. But I am not talking about the country you live in. I'm talking about the whole world. Remember what Jesus told us?

"If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:19

In his Prayer, Jesus said this,,,

"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." John 17:14-18

Notice He said, twice, "they are not of the world." However, He did NOT say you will be taken out of the world, but that He was sending you into the world. This is where that popular phrase "In the world, not of it." comes from. We are no longer OF the world and this is why the world hates us so.

Once you accept Jesus, once you receive the spirit of adoption, once you become able to call the Alpha and Omega, The beginning and the end. The Creator of all that is, was, or ever will be, Daddy, you are no longer a citizen of earth.

"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are 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 8:14-17

Paul wrote to the Church in Ephesus

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,;" Ephesians 2:19

You are a citizen of Heaven. The Lord of lords, and the King of kings, is your Daddy. You are a Prince or Princess of HEAVEN. It doesn't matter who you are, or rather who you were,

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28

We are all the same. We have all been washed clean with the blood of Christ. The blood of Jesus. We have all been adopted into the Family of God. We are all now citizens of Heaven. This is why we are not to be conformed to this world.

"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

We are not to do the things they do, but we are to be the NEW creatures God changes us to be. His children. James warned us about being a friend of the World.

"You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." James 4:4

Let the world be the world. Its fate is sealed. Let the dead bury the dead. Their fate is sealed. Let them love money, their fate is sealed. BE the child of God HE called you to be. Be a Prince or Princess of Heaven. Be an Ambassador. Be a sower of the seed. Teller of the truth.

If someone asks you to show them your papers? Show them your works. As James told someone who asked for proof.

" But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."James 2:18

Jesus said,

"Thus you will recognize them by their fruits." Matthew 7:20

What fruit?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

If someone claims that they are fellow citizens, and yet, you see they are producing fruit that is as these.

"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21

You know they are lying. They are of the world and NOT of God. Have nothing to do with people like this. Do not Pray for, conform to, or become as, the world. You are above all that. God is your Daddy. You have citizenship in Heaven. Your treasure is in Heaven. Your reward is in Heaven. Work on your 401 E. You are on your way HOME. Be the child of God you are. Produce good fruit. Do your Father's Will. Keep Jesus's sayings. Rest in the fact, you are now a stranger in a strange land. Your home is not here. It is waiting for you to come.

Are you a Citizen of Heaven? 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 believed 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 you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall 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!!

Book of Isaiah, Chapter 9

 Chapter 9

For to us, a Child Is Born

9 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.

2 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.

3 You have multiplied the nation;

    you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

    as with joy at the harvest,

    as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

4 For the yoke of his burden,

    and the staff for his shoulder,

    the rod of his oppressor,

    you have broken as on the day of Midian.

5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult

    and every garment rolled in blood

    will be burned as fuel for the fire.

6 For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

    and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and of peace

    there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

    to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

    from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Judgment on Arrogance and Oppression

8 The Lord has sent a word against Jacob,

    and it will fall on Israel;

9 and all the people will know,

    Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria,

    who say in pride and in arrogance of heart:

10 “The bricks have fallen,

    but we will build with dressed stones;

the sycamores have been cut down,

    but we will put cedars in their place.”

11 But the Lord raises the adversaries of Rezin against him,

    and stirs up his enemies.

12 The Syrians on the east and the Philistines on the west

    devour Israel with open mouth.

For all this his anger has not turned away,

    and his hand is stretched out still.

13 The people did not turn to him who struck them,

    nor inquire of the Lord of hosts.

14 So the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail,

    palm branch and reed in one day—

15 the elder and honored man is the head,

    and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail;

16 for those who guide this people have been leading them astray,

    and those who are guided by them are swallowed up.

17 Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over their young men,

    and has no compassion on their fatherless and widows;

for everyone is godless and an evildoer,

    and every mouth speaks folly.

For all this his anger has not turned away,

    and his hand is stretched out still.

18 For wickedness burns like a fire;

    it consumes briers and thorns;

it kindles the thickets of the forest,

    and they roll upward in a column of smoke.

19 Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts

    the land is scorched,

and the people are like fuel for the fire;

    no one spares another.

20 They slice meat on the right, but are still hungry,

    and they devour on the left, but are not satisfied;

each devours the flesh of his own arm,

21 Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim devours Manasseh;

    together they are against Judah.

For all this his anger has not turned away,

    and his hand is stretched out still.

Why the Bible is Truth, The Future

What is to come.  

Today we will be wrapping up the series "Why the Bible is Truth." We are talking about just a handful of the 1,817 prophecies, some 26 percent of the Bible are prophecies, and proving beyond any doubt, that the Bible is Truth. You see, if someone made a bunch of prophecies, and got none right, it would prove that person false. If they got over half right? Then perhaps we would need to take a closer look. But if they were to get 100 percent right, 100 percent of the time, there is no question about it. They are to be believed as the absolute truth. The Bible is right 100 percent of the time.

So far we talked about these topics of prophecies and proven beyond any doubt, they have been proven true.

General Prophecies
Science
Jesus
Today's society and times

Today we are going to be discussing the future. Now I really want you to think about this. If, all these prophecies that we have discussed have come true, then what the Bible says about the future MUST be believed.

First I want to start off by saying this. well, not I but the Word says this.

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Matthew 24:36

If I or anyone else tells you, on XYZ day, at XYZ time, Jesus is coming back, do not believe them. Do not believe me. Could the world end tomorrow? Yup. Could Jesus descend from heaven, open that door in the back, walk down that aisle before I'm done speaking today? Yup. Could He return a thousand years from now? Yup. See, the truth is, we have no idea. Jesus even told us we have no idea. However, the Bible does tell us this.

"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." Luke 17:26-30

The Bible also tells us this.

"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!." Luke 12:37-38

We could spend all day talking about the end times. Armageddon. Revelations. The return of Christ. Oh, we could spend weeks breaking it all down. It WILL happen. It is coming. However, when it does? It will then be too late to do anything.

Remember, it was not raining, nor even cloudy, when Noah started building the Ark God told him to. All those people who died waited until the last minute. But when the flood came, it was too late. In Sodom, the same. They continued to live in their routines. In their Sins. They went about their daily lives. Then the fire fell from the sky. Too late.

The Bible says it is coming. So the question is not, will it come, or what do we do when it comes. The question is, what do we do now? Like I said, we could talk for weeks about the end times. We could talk for weeks about the Antichrist. We could look around and see the decline of America. The slaughter of Christians all around the world. We could talk about the hatred of Jews. The cashless society. The one-world government. We could talk about all the signs and wonders that are depicted in the Bible. We could question, are we in the End Times?

However, none of this would be all that helpful. What is the best thing for us to do? We should do what the Bible tells us we should. "Occupy till I come." Luke 19:13 In the ESV version, it is said this way, "Engage in business until I come" "Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes."

Remember 2 Timothy 3:1-5 says this.

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."

That last part? You can use the word "religion" here. This move to include the sins of mankind with the teachings of God. In some cases, doing away with God, to justify man. Turn away from such. Do not be sucked into believing that compassion and compromise have ANY place whatsoever, in the teaching of the truth according to God.

So what should we, as children of God, be doing in these times? Should we become recluses? Should we lock ourselves away and wait? No. "Occupy till I come." Live your life, "Engage in business until I come" but be watchful and ready. We must not join in with the world but be separated from the sins of the flesh. Jesus told us this.

"If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:19

In Isaiah, we read this.

"but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

You see, even though we know that this end time is coming. Even though we know, that even the very world we as we know it, will indeed pass away, we also know that WE are children of God. Look at this in 1 John 3:2

"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be, has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him because we shall see him as he is."

It doesn't matter if the world sees us as anything special. It doesn't matter what man says at all. It doesn't matter what they believe. We should all be living our lives, on a daily basis. Then one day, tomorrow or a hundred years from now, Jesus will return. People will be going to work. Or perhaps coming home. People will be eating dinner. People will be sleeping. People will be planning out the next few days, weeks, months, years.

Then the sky will grow dark. The clouds will form. Jesus will ascend in the clouds. "we shall see him as he is." Oh, He will not be coming as the lamb this time. He will not be coming to tell you that you must accept all people no matter who or how they live. He will not be coming to remind us to turn the other cheek. No, no, no. He will be coming as a lion.

People will run to Him and fall on their faces. "I did not believe. But I do now." Too late. Jesus could ask them, "Why did you mock me?" Their answer? "I did not believe. But I do now." Too late. "Why did you persecute My people?" "I did not believe. But I do now." Too late. "Why did you kill My people?" "I did not believe. But I do now." Too late. Why did you not believe them when they warned you this was coming?" "I did not believe. But I do now." Too late.

The Religious will run to Him. However? It will not be well for all.

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’" Matthew 7:21-23

Too late. We do not need to hide. We do not need to fear. We need only to wait on the Lord. Now while there is time. Today. We need to tell people the truth. We need to be sowers of the seed. We need to BE the children of God we claim to be. Share the Gospel. Especially, with those you love. Let them know that although these dark days are coming, and they ARE coming, we have no reason to worry. This same Jesus that will be coming to destroy everything, will also be coming to bring us home.

Live your life. "Occupy till I come." Be watchful and ready. "When he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." Even though it will happen "as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all." We need to be assured, that we have nothing to fear. They can have nothing to fear as well. All they need to do is say a Prayer.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed 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 you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall 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!!

Book of Isaiah, Chapter 8

 Chapter 8

1 Then the Lord said to me, “Take a large tablet and write on it in common characters,‘Belonging to Maher-shalal-hash-baz.’ 2 And I will get reliable witnesses, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah, to attest for me.”

3 And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the Lord said to me, “Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz; 4 for before the boy knows how to cry ‘My father’ or ‘My mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the king of Assyria.”

5 The Lord spoke to me again: 6 “Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, 7 therefore, behold, the Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks, 8 and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.”

9 Be broken, you peoples, and be shattered;

    give ear, all you far countries;

strap on your armor and be shattered;

    strap on your armor and be shattered.

10 Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing;

    speak a word, but it will not stand,

    for God is with us.

Fear God, Wait for the Lord

11 For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: 12 “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. 13 But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14 And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.”

16 Bind up the testimony; seal the teaching among my disciples. 17 I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him. 18 Behold, I and the children whom the Lord has given me are signs and portents in Israel from the Lord of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion. 19 And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? 20 To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. 21 They will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry. And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will speak contemptuously against their king and their God, and turn their faces upward. 22 And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness.