Book of Isaiah, Chapter 16

 Chapter 16

Send the lamb to the ruler of the land,

from Sela, by way of the desert,

    to the mount of the daughter of Zion.

2 Like fleeing birds,

    like a scattered nest,

so are the daughters of Moab

    at the fords of the Arnon.

3 “Give counsel;

    grant justice;

make your shade like night

    at the height of noon;

shelter the outcasts;

    do not reveal the fugitive;

4 let the outcasts of Moab

    sojourn among you;

be a shelter to them

    from the destroyer.

When the oppressor is no more,

    and destruction has ceased,

and he who tramples underfoot has vanished from the land,

5 then a throne will be established in steadfast love,

    and on it will sit in faithfulness

    in the tent of David

one who judges and seeks justice

    and is swift to do righteousness.”

6 We have heard of the pride of Moab—

    how proud he is!—

of his arrogance, his pride, and his insolence;

    in his idle boasting, he is not right.

7 Therefore let Moab wail for Moab,

    let everyone wail.

Mourn, utterly stricken,

    for the raisin cakes of Kir-hareseth.

8 For the fields of Heshbon languish,

    and the vine of Sibmah;

the lords of the nations

    have struck down its branches,

which reached to Jazer

    and strayed to the desert;

its shoots spread abroad

    and passed over the sea.

9 Therefore I weep with the weeping of Jazer

    for the vine of Sibmah;

I drench you with my tears,

    O Heshbon and Elealeh;

for over your summer fruit and your harvest

    the shout has ceased.

10 And joy and gladness are taken away from the fruitful field,

and in the vineyards no songs are sung,

    no cheers are raised;

no treader treads out wine in the presses;

    I have put an end to the shouting.

11 Therefore my inner parts moan like a lyre for Moab,

    and my inmost self for Kir-hareseth.

12 And when Moab presents himself, when he wearies himself on the high place, when he comes to his sanctuary to pray, he will not prevail.

13 This is the word that the Lord spoke concerning Moab in the past. 14 But now the Lord has spoken, saying, “In three years, like the years of a hired worker, the glory of Moab will be brought into contempt, in spite of all his great multitude, and those who remain will be very few and feeble.”

Being a Child or God, Reward?

 What are you working for? 

Today we are going to wrap up our current series, "Being a Child of God." We have talked about so very much in this series, I encourage you to go back into the archives if you missed any of it. Last time we talked about your needs here on earth being met, and you should have no fear. But it truly is so much more than that. So very much more.

Remember Jesus told us this.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10

It is God's will to give His children, not only life but a life abundant. Now please do not misunderstand what we are talking about here. This is NOT the Prosperity Gospel. God is NOT an ATM. or a Genie in a Bottle. He is the Alpha and Omega. The Begining and the End. He is the Creator of all that is, was, and ever will be. He is now your Daddy.

Look what Jesus told Peter. when Peter asked Him about all the stuff they gave up to follow Him.

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

What does He mean by this? You have been adopted into the family of God. Everyone who has is now your brother, or your sister, or your mother. Look what Jesus said on the Cross.

"When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home." John 19:26-27

This is a very deep and meaningful statement Jesus makes here. See, as a church, this is who we are. We are brothers and sisters, mothers, and even earthly fathers or father figures. We have but one Father and that is God. We are all one family. We should act like it. It is our job to take care of each other. 

Before this, when Jesus was teaching, and His mother and brothers came to see Him He said this.

"But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”" Matthew 12:48-50

When Jesus tells us if we lose even family members, for His sake, or people turn away from us, we should not worry, we will gain so many more in the family of God. If we lose a Job? Seriously? If we lose a house? We have a room in a mansion waiting for us. Money? Seriously? What are you working for? Jesus taught us in Luke 12:16-21

"And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”"

Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Oh, time may tick on for everyone else, but you? Think about 9/11. 3000 people got up on a normal, boring, Tuesday, and they never made it home. They had no idea that this was their last time waking up. Last time eating breakfast. Last time kissing a loved one goodbye.

Jesus tells us this in Matthew 6:19-21

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Have you ever thought about that? "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also?" Sounds like this. Does it not? Matthew 6:24

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

There will be a very distinct difference in rewards. But there will be a reward. Look at John 5:28-29.

"Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment."

Wait. Have you ever heard it put this way? "those who have done good to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment." There will be a resurrection for all. Some translations say "Rise" "Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment."

We will all "rise." We are all eternal beings. There IS a resurrection for every man, woman, and child. What are you working for? Are you storing up for yourselves treasures in heaven, or, are you trying to build barns?

According to 2 Corinthians 5:10

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

John gives us a sneak peek at this in Revelation 20:12-13

"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done."

Jesus promised various rewards for those who faithfully serve Him on earth You can read these in Matthew 5:12, 1 Corinthians 3:14, Revelation 22:12. Some of those rewards are in the form of Crowns as seen in James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4, Revelation 3:11.

However, I really want you to think about this. Turn to Revelation 4:10–11

"the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”"

I mean, seriously think about this. What reward, or treasure, is even worthy to be compared to the sacrifice Jesus did for us? A crown will seem but an insignificant gift to present to Jesus, who gave His life for us. We are heading to heaven. God is our Daddy. Jesus is our big bro. What could even remotely possibly be of any kind of significates to that fact alone?

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

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I 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 15

 Chapter 15,

An oracle concerning Moab.

Because Ar of Moab is laid waste in a night,

    Moab is undone;

because Kir of Moab is laid waste in a night,

    Moab is undone.

2 He has gone up to the temple, and to Dibon,

    to the high places to weep;

over Nebo and over Medeba

    Moab wails.

On every head is baldness;

    every beard is shorn;

3 in the streets they wear sackcloth;

    on the housetops and in the squares

    everyone wails and melts in tears.

4 Heshbon and Elealeh cry out;

    their voice is heard as far as Jahaz;

therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud;

    his soul trembles.

5 My heart cries out for Moab;

    her fugitives flee to Zoar,

    to Eglath-shelishiyah.

For at the ascent of Luhith

    they go up weeping;

on the road to Horonaim

    they raise a cry of destruction;

6 the waters of Nimrim

    are a desolation;

the grass is withered, the vegetation fails,

    the greenery is no more.

7 Therefore the abundance they have gained

    and what they have laid up

they carry away

    over the Brook of the Willows.

8 For a cry has gone

    around the land of Moab;

her wailing reaches to Eglaim;

    her wailing reaches to Beer-elim.

9 For the waters of Dibon are full of blood;

    for I will bring upon Dibon even more,

a lion for those of Moab who escape,

    for the remnant of the land.

Being A Child of God, Needs Met

 Do not worry.

We are currently talking about being the child of God God calls you to be. We have talked about many things. Last time we started talking about why we need to do our Father's business. Or the fact that we need to do good works. One of the excuses, I know I know, but I'm using the word, excuses that some people give is that they are afraid to lose their job. They are afraid that somehow their financial stability will be shaken and they will lose everything.

Look at Covet 19. Look at the state of our world today during this pandemic. People have lost businesses and jobs left and right. The Government has started to mail people free money. Ever receive a large financial gift? Perhaps tax time rebate? Perhaps your stimulus? Something that you did not have nor counted on. Now, you look at your bank account, and instead of worrying about the next bill, you have peace of mind. Why? The account has more than enough to cover everything. The problem is, this is usually a temporary situation. God is not temporary.

Sometimes we forget who we are, and we fear. But God says, fear not, your needs will be met. As a child of God, adopted by the Spirit of God, an heir to all things that is, ever was, or will be. The God that created all, is now your daddy. Romans 8 declares:

"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 8:16-17

Just a little later we read this.

"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 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 8:32-39

We are now children of God. As a child of God, nothing can separate us from the love of our Father. NOTHING! However, we still live in the world. From time to time, we allow the things of the world to creep in. During this pandemic, we have added stress and worry. Used to be we would start concentrating more on how we can get ahead, or make more money in our Jobs. Now we fear for our jobs. So many companies and businesses closing for good. We worry about paying the rent or mortgage. We worry about paying the electric bill. Can we afford that new car? ETC. Where is our next meal coming from?

We get so caught up in the stuff of this world, that we forget our Father is GOD. When you forget that very important fact, you can allow the same fear that everyone in the world has. What is next? What will tomorrow bring? How will things work out? What must we do?

You have been adopted into the family of God. You have received the same Spirit that was in Jesus, and are now equal to Jesus. You are a child of God. Whenever someone does something against you, they do not truly know what they are doing, or whom they are doing it to. We are to do His Will.

Why are you worried about your neighbor saying something that is most likely not even true about you. Or why worry about your co-worker playing games trying to get ahead. Why are you worried about losing a job where you are making someone else rich? You do not rely on mankind. You rely on God.

Do you not realize that God, is more than capable of getting you that promotion, as long as it fits into His plans? There is nothing that your neighbor, co-worker, and even boss, can do that will affect God's plans. You are part of those plans now. So why worry? Everything in this world is temporary anyway. All your "stuff." It is all temporary.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

You could even say it this way?

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

God is not really all that worried about how much "stuff" you have. He is more concerned with you and your soul. He is more concerned with how you treat others. Are you sharing the Gospel? Are you sharing His word? Are you doing His work?

If we try to do it on our own, we may succeed in a worldly sense. We may become successful. We may get a lot of stuff. But remember what Jesus warned us of in Luke 12:15

"And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Jesus tells us that we should not worry about such things. Again, Your Father knows what you have need. He said this.

"And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

The world doesn't like the fact we are God's children. They do not like the fact we do not have to worry. Jesus said a few times, that the world hated him, therefore, being a child of God, and doing our Father's Will, will make the world hate us as well. But we must not take thought of what the world thinks. We are in the world not of it. We need to rely on God Himself. He will meet our needs. Mark 11:22-24

"And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

Think about that. This is a promise, given to us by Jesus himself. And in Luke 11, Jesus says it this way.

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

We have nothing to fear folks. Zero. As long as we are doing the right thing. Seeking first the Kingdom of God. Seeking God. Seeking Jesus. Doing His work. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God.

How do you seek first the Kingdom of God? How do you get to know who God really is, and how do you learn who Jesus really is? How do you grow in Faith? Simple. Read God's Word. Get a Bible if you do not have one. Read it. Ask God to show you what he wants you to see. Find a Church that is teaching the truth, and producing fruit. Ask God to lead you to one. The one he wants you in.

Get knowledge. Feed your spirit. Grow in faith. Then ask God, what would you have me do? It may be helping out in a food pantry. It may be as simple as sharing the word. It may be that you should become a Pastor. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Everyone is different. But God knows who you are. He knows what you are capable of. He already has a plan and a purpose for your life. Find out what it is.

As for all this other stuff? God knows what you have needed before you do. He knows before you ask. The same Spirit that raised Lazarus from the dead, is in you! Do you really think that the Spirit is unable to find a way to feed you? To make sure you have a roof over your head? Do you think, as Jesus said, we know how to give good things to our children, and we are evil, imagine how much more God, being Love itself, will give his children?

Fear not. Be of good cheer, God is your Daddy. Your needs will be met. Next time we will be discussing the fact that there is a reward waiting. How big? Well, that depends on you.

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 14

 Chapter 14

For the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land, and sojourners will join them and will attach themselves to the house of Jacob. 2 And the peoples will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them in the Lord's land as male and female slaves. They will take captive those who were their captors, and rule over those who oppressed them.

Israel's Remnant Taunts Babylon

3 When the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve, 4 you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:

“How the oppressor has ceased,

    the insolent fury ceased!

5 The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked,

    the scepter of rulers,

6 that struck the peoples in wrath

    with unceasing blows,

that ruled the nations in anger

    with unrelenting persecution.

7 The whole earth is at rest and quiet;

    they break forth into singing.

8 The cypresses rejoice at you,

    the cedars of Lebanon, saying,

‘Since you were laid low,

    no woodcutter comes up against us.’

9 Sheol beneath is stirred up

    to meet you when you come;

it rouses the shades to greet you,

    all who were leaders of the earth;

it raises from their thrones

    all who were kings of the nations.

10 All of them will answer

    and say to you:

‘You too have become as weak as we!

    You have become like us!’

11 Your pomp is brought down to Sheol,

    the sound of your harps;

maggots are laid as a bed beneath you,

    and worms are your covers.

12 “How you are fallen from heaven,

    O Day Star, son of Dawn!

How you are cut down to the ground,

    you who laid the nations low!

13 You said in your heart,

    ‘I will ascend to heaven;

above the stars of God

    I will set my throne on high;

I will sit on the mount of assembly

    in the far reaches of the north;

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;

    I will make myself like the Most High.’

15 But you are brought down to Sheol,

    to the far reaches of the pit.

16 Those who see you will stare at you

    and ponder over you:

‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble,

    who shook kingdoms,

17 who made the world like a desert

    and overthrew its cities,

    who did not let his prisoners go home?’

18 All the kings of the nations lie in glory,

    each in his own tomb;

19 but you are cast out, away from your grave,

    like a loathed branch,

clothed with the slain, those pierced by the sword,

    who go down to the stones of the pit,

    like a dead body trampled underfoot.

20 You will not be joined with them in burial,

    because you have destroyed your land,

    you have slain your people.

“May the offspring of evildoers

    nevermore be named!

21 Prepare slaughter for his sons

    because of the guilt of their fathers,

lest they rise and possess the earth,

    and fill the face of the world with cities.”

22 “I will rise up against them,” declares the Lord of hosts, “and will cut off from Babylon name and remnant, descendants and posterity,” declares the Lord. 23 “And I will make it a possession of the hedgehog,[e] and pools of water, and I will sweep it with the broom of destruction,” declares the Lord of hosts.

An Oracle Concerning Assyria

24 The Lord of hosts has sworn:

“As I have planned,

    so shall it be,

and as I have purposed,

    so shall it stand,

25 that I will break the Assyrian in my land,

    and on my mountains trample him underfoot;

and his yoke shall depart from them,

    and his burden from their shoulder.”

26 This is the purpose that is purposed

    concerning the whole earth,

and this is the hand that is stretched out

    over all the nations.

27 For the Lord of hosts has purposed,

    and who will annul it?

His hand is stretched out,

    and who will turn it back?

An Oracle Concerning Philistia

28 In the year that King Ahaz died came this oracle:

29 Rejoice not, O Philistia, all of you,

    that the rod that struck you is broken,

for from the serpent's root will come forth an adder,

    and its fruit will be a flying fiery serpent.

30 And the firstborn of the poor will graze,

    and the needy lie down in safety;

but I will kill your root with famine,

    and your remnant it will slay.

31 Wail, O gate; cry out, O city;

    melt in fear, O Philistia, all of you!

For smoke comes out of the north,

    and there is no straggler in his ranks.

32 What will one answer the messengers of the nation?

“The Lord has founded Zion,

    and in her the afflicted of his people find refuge.”

BEING a Child of God, Peace in The Storms

Peace in the Storms,

We just got done talking about the fact that BEING a child of God means doing God's Work. Not just saying "hey, I got mine, all is good." But doing the Will of the Father and obeying what He said. Salvation is not free. Oh, you did not pay for it. You could never afford it. Jesus paid for it for you. Then He said this.

"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 were never meant to simply say the prayer of salvation and be content on living our lives the way we always have, in sin and ending in death. Life is FAR more than working for someone for hours on end and getting paid to pay bills. This is not life. When you accept Jesus, you accept the one who said this.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John10:10

How does serving God, and doing good works, equal a more abundant life? We are going to look at the three most predominant ways this manifests itself in the lives of children of God.

1 - Peace,
2 - Your needs meant,
3 - Rewards, Retirement.

One of the first things you need to understand is this. There is a storm coming. This is a sad reality. You just came out of, are in one now, or there is a storm coming. Jesus said this during His famous Sermon on the Mount.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:10-12

James even goes as far as to tell us to be HAPPY when trials and tribulations come In James 1:2-12

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds."

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

"for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

Now, this next part is very important. James went on in verse 13 to say this,

"Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will, he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."

This is why it is so important to be doers of the Word and not hearers only.

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1

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. To step out of the world and the norm, so to speak, and serve God. However, make no mistake about it, just because you are now a child of God, and you have set your mind to do His works, you are not in for a smooth and free ride. Want proof?

Let's look at Paul. Seriously? Paul was Saul before he was converted. Equal to a jihadist in every way. 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? Did he have storms to face in his life in doing God's work? I guess you could say that.

Put in prison, over and over. Faced death, over and over. Received 39 lashes from the Jews 5 times. Beaten with rods 3 times. Stoned one time. Shipwrecked 3 times. Spent a day and night in the sea. And was in continual danger from rivers, robbers, his own people. Was always in danger in the city, in the country, at sea, from those he thought to be brothers. Often hungry and thirsty, cold and naked. I guess you could say he had some trials and tribulations. You can find his account in one of his letters to the Church at Corinth. 2 Corinthians 11:23-28

However, Jesus told us this as well.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. " John 14:27

What does He mean? He explained it to us in John 14:18-24

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 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. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?”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. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me."

Now notice a couple of important points here. Jesus said, "In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." I in you. Jesus in you. Then He said, "I will love him and manifest myself to him." Again who? Jesus. Then this "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. OUR home with him. Who? Jesus., the Holy Spirit, God Himself. They come to you, manifest themselves, or Himself, to you. Picture this.

"One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?" Luke 8:22-25

You are in the boat. He told you to go forth. There is a storm. He is not somewhere far away, He is right there with you. He has all authority and all power and control over all things. Why worry about the storm? The one who calms storms by a command is right there in it with you. He is so unconcerned He decided to take a nap. What are you worrying about?

Is He in the boat with you? 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 13

 Chapter 13

The Judgment of Babylon

1The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.

2 On a bare hill raise a signal;

    cry aloud to them;

wave the hand for them to enter

    the gates of the nobles.

3 I myself have commanded my consecrated ones,

    and have summoned my mighty men to execute my anger,

    my proudly exulting ones.

4 The sound of a tumult is on the mountains

    as of a great multitude!

The sound of an uproar of kingdoms,

    of nations gathering together!

The Lord of hosts is mustering

    a host for battle.

5 They come from a distant land,

    from the end of the heavens,

the Lord and the weapons of his indignation,

    to destroy the whole land.

6 Wail, for the day of the Lord is near;

    as destruction from the Almighty it will come!

7 Therefore all hands will be feeble,

    and every human heart will melt.

8 They will be dismayed:

    pangs and agony will seize them;

    they will be in anguish like a woman in labor.

They will look aghast at one another;

    their faces will be aflame.

9 Behold, the day of the Lord comes,

    cruel, with wrath and fierce anger,

to make the land a desolation

    and to destroy its sinners from it.

10 For the stars of the heavens and their constellations

    will not give their light;

the sun will be dark at its rising,

    and the moon will not shed its light.

11 I will punish the world for its evil,

    and the wicked for their iniquity;

I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant,

    and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless.

12 I will make people more rare than fine gold,

    and mankind than the gold of Ophir.

13 Therefore I will make the heavens tremble,

    and the earth will be shaken out of its place,

at the wrath of the Lord of hosts

    in the day of his fierce anger.

14 And like a hunted gazelle,

    or like sheep with none to gather them,

each will turn to his own people,

    and each will flee to his own land.

15 Whoever is found will be thrust through,

    and whoever is caught will fall by the sword.

16 Their infants will be dashed in pieces

    before their eyes;

their houses will be plundered

    and their wives ravished.

17 Behold, I am stirring up the Medes against them,

    who have no regard for silver

    and do not delight in gold.

18 Their bows will slaughter the young men;

    they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb;

    their eyes will not pity children.

19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms,

    the splendor and pomp of the Chaldeans,

will be like Sodom and Gomorrah

    when God overthrew them.

20 It will never be inhabited

    or lived in for all generations;

no Arab will pitch his tent there;

    no shepherds will make their flocks lie down there.

21 But wild animals will lie down there,

    and their houses will be full of howling creatures;

there ostriches will dwell,

    and there wild goats will dance.

22 Hyenas will cry in its towers,

    and jackals in the pleasant palaces;

its time is close at hand

    and its days will not be prolonged.

Happy Easter, 2021

 Happy Resurrection Day!

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

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Jesus, also known as The Word of God, has been around since the beginning.

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

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:1-4,10-14

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

If you allow His blood to be your blood, His payment for all sin to be your payment for your sin, and His death to be your death, you will have everlasting life of peace and happiness with Him. Easter is the day we have set aside to remember what happened. Luke 24

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words,  and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles,  but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.  But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 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.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,  saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.  And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,  and were continually in the temple blessing God."

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

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

 Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will 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 you shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you 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!