To Live is Christ, Stand Firm

No matter what comes your way

 This is going to be a message that you really need to fully get. A message that is going to become more accurate as time goes on. A message that you, as a child of God, not only can, you NEED to stand firm. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His Word is the same yesterday today and forever. Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever. Stand firm.

Society and God used to agree, that the slaughter of the most innocent of all life is murder and wrong. Society changed. Thankfully society is changing the other way back. God never changed. Abortion is murder. Stand firm

Society and God use to agree that marriage is between one man and one woman. Society changed. God has not. Stand firm.

Society, Science, Biology, and God all agreed that if you were born a man you were a man or a woman and you were a woman. Society changed. This does not however change science, biology, and God. It also doesn't change the truth. Stand firm.

Truth is on God's side. ALWAYS. It does not matter what society says. It does not matter what the general consensus says. It does not matter if you agree or not. What God says is absolute truth. Stand firm.

Does this mean they will be angry with you? Yup. Stand firm. Does this mean they will hate you? Yup. Stand firm. Jesus tells us that this will happen.

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 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. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours." John 15:18-20

Trust me, I can give you my testimony of people I considered friends and even family who have literally come to hate me for no other reason than I believe in the Truth and God and His word. I posted a meme on Facebook that showed a picture of a rainbow. It said, "The rainbow is a symbol of God's promise to never flood the whole earth again. It is not a symbol of some of the sins that provoked the flood." This is simply the truth. You can find this truth in Genesis 9, well, here it is.

"I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”" Genesis 9:11-17

Yet, society has taken this symbol and literally call it a symbol of Pride. A symbol of the LGBTQ etc community. They put it on tee shirts, flags, and just about everything. They say display it with pride. Pride in what? Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning. Homosexuality. Which God clearly calls sin. Leviticus 18:1-5, 22-24, 29, Leviticus 20:13, Ezekiel 16:49-51, Romans 1:18-32, just to name a few places in the Word.

I simply posted the mem with the Rainbow and what it said and I was "unfriended" by a friend who claims to be sin free even though she believes she is gay and a witch. I was "called to task" by some friends and family members. This, in their eyes, was hateful and hurtful; and I should never treat anyone like this. That we need to love all people regardless of their life choices and beliefs. Some tell me that Jesus would accept them as they are and love them. I was told that what a god that they do not believe in thinks of them, does not matter. I was told that my truth is not necessarily their truth and I should keep mine to myself.

Sorry, not sorry. I stood firm. I will stand firm. Even though society says all these things, even though some of our "churches" have started to get away from the bible and have started to accept homosexuality and gay marriage as normal and acceptable, we cannot. We must be careful, child of God.

"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." Colossians 2:8-10

Stand firm. Love the sinner. Accept the person who may be struggling with this or any kind of sin. But therein lays the key, struggling with. Attempting to overcome. Jesus did accept sinners, He did love all. But He also said, "Go and sin no more." One clear warning was in John 5:1-15

"Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him." John 5:14-15

Of course, we know about the time when the woman was caught in the very act of adultery and they brought her to him to have her stoned. After He forgave her, He said?

"Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” John 8:10-11

In saying, “Go and sin no more,” Jesus was not speaking of sinless perfection. He was warning against a return to sinful lifestyle choices. His words both extended mercy and demanded holiness. Jesus was always the perfect balance of grace and truth.

As the country, and the world for that matter, continue to move away from God and His Word, it becomes more and more important for us to stand firm. As children of God, we are the sowers of the seed, tellers of the truth, and showers of the way.

Does it go against the world? Yup. Will you be hated? Yup. Will it become more and more difficult as time goes on? Yes.

"Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved" Matthew 10:21-22

Let me ask you this. If people look at you, what do they see? Do they see a difference in you and the world? Do they see a better way? In Jesus's "Sermon on the Mount" He gave us the "beatitudes"

" And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

“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 5:2-12

Can you say that these "beatitudes" describe you? Do they describe how you are living your life? Are you poor in spirit, meek, humble, and are you hungry for righteousness? Do you have a pure heart and are you trying to love others? Are you standing firm? Are you trying to show people that there is a better way even in the presence of persecution and hardships? If you are a child of God, that means He, the Creator of the universe, created you, called you out, and wants to prepare you for something very particular to you and His plan. Stand firm. He also wants to Glorify those He called out. Endure to the end. In truth? Nothing else matters.

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