Anger, Righteous vs Fleshly,

 Anger 

Do you see that picture above? Sadly, that is me. When I allow my anger to get the best of me. My kids tell me, my wife tells me, others who have witnessed it tell me, that if I allow the anger to grow inside me, it can and does from time to time, turn into rage, and I become like a scary monster. Like the Hulk.

I'm a three hundred and five-pound man. 305. I am strong. Not bragging, just stating a fact. Years of going to the gym and working out and years of hard physical labor on the job have made me this way. I eclipse most people when I stand next to them. A neighbor friend of mine nicknamed me "Planet Pete."

Now I say all that to say this. Imagine if you will, a 305 pound, exceedingly strong, blind rage-filled monster looking at you, as the source of the rage? I have destroyed a few things over the years. Including a cast iron fry pan. including many phones. Including a car.

Now imagine you are a child. You know pretty much nothing more than Daddy is there to love you. To protect you. To keep you safe and to provide for you whatever you need. What if, just think about this, what if, the one that is supposed to protect you from the monsters, becomes the monster. Where is the hope?

an·ger

noun
1 a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility:
verb
1. fill (someone) with anger; provoke anger in:

Is anger not normal? Is it not OK to get angry? I mean, one of my favorite quotes of all time comes from another green fellow,

"Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering" Yoda

I mean? He is not wrong. But what about righteous anger? Did you know Jesus got angry? Let's look at a few. One may surprise you depending on which translation you are using. The first is pretty well known.

"So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves, he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”" John 2:15-17

Jesus got angry. He made a whip, yelled, turned over tables. Jesus smash. But why? Because He loves the Church and we, people, turned the church into a flea market. Into a shopping center with most likely loaded scales as well.

Here is another time we see Jesus get angry.

"Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”" Luke 13:10-16

Remember this "But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant " Jesus got angry with him and yelled "You hypocrites!"

Here? Mark 7:33-37

"And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Jesus "Sighed" He was annoyed. Not at healing the man. Do not misunderstand. He knew what healing the man would bring about. This is important to keep in mind.

He was angry over and over with those "Holier than thou" Religious Leaders. Just a couple of examples. Matthew 23:25-32, John 8:33-47. Then here.

"The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side." Mark 8:11-13

Here is the one that many chose to change. Only a few translations use this word. Many change it. Here it is. Mark 1:41-45

"Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead, he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere."

Jesus was indignant. Like that ruler of the synagogue. So what is "indignant."

"feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as an unfair treatment"

Now many translations and many "scholars" have changed this one word to "Had or Showed compassion on the man." Jesus would not be indignant for having someone ask Him to be healed. He wasn't. Why did He sigh before? Why was He truly indignant here? Because He knew what it would lead to. Here, read this with me.

"And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it."

And here. Read this with me.

"Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead, he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places."

Jesus knew, that once He heals some of these people, they would not be obedient, and remain quiet about it, but would go and shout from the rooftops all about Jesus, in turn, hinder Jesus from continuing to do what He planned to do.

"As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places."

God gets angry. Jesus got angry. He still gets angry. Look at this prophetic passage in Psalms.

"Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him." Psalm 2:12

You do not want Jesus to be angry with you. Look at this in Revelations. This is Jesus talking to the earthly churches. Look what He says here to those that were not producing fruit.

"I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." Revelations 3:15-16

Jesus got, and gets, angry. God got, can you say flood? and gets angry. So shall we then determine that anger is ok? What about Yoda?!? What about all the destructive results of anger? Destruction of innocents and families are torn apart? Murder even. No. There is a major difference between God getting angry and when we get angry. Jesus? God? He never sinned. That is the difference. More on that next time.

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

Jesus in the Old Testament, Joel

Jesus in Joel,

Jesus said this.

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

We come now to the Book of Joel. This is another one of those seldom read, or taught on, Books in the Bible. It is only three chapters long. Joel unfolds and develops a new concept, ''the Day of the Lord,'' as do the Prophets that follow him.

To fully understand the mass destruction that is to come, you have to understand that this was the "Land of Milk and Honey." This land had rolling hills filled with Fig and Olive Trees, Trees of various kinds of fruit, and they had vibrate and full Vineyards. It was a truly beautiful and greatly desired land. Think about the Garden of Eden.

Joel 1, because of their Sins.

"Be ashamed, O tillers of the soil; wail, O vinedressers, for the wheat and the barley, because the harvest of the field has perished. The vine dries up; the fig tree languishes. Pomegranate, palm, and apple, all the trees of the field are dried up, and gladness dries up from the children of man."

Joel sees all this destruction and calls his People to Repent.

"Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Go in, pass the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God! Because grain offering and drink offering are withheld from the house of your God. Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord. Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes."

When God created everything, He created Man, us, and gave us authority over everything. The whole Earth was perfect and beautiful and there was no Sin, nor Death, nor Sorrow nor Pain. Yet we gave all of our authority over this beautiful land to the Evil One, and we set a Day of the Lord, a day of destruction, to come.

We have had many, many Prophets rise up and warn us, that the Day of the Lord is coming.

"Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" Revelation 6:15-17

Jesus Himself tells us of this Day. His Day.

"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 7:22-23

And again here in John 12:48

"He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day."

Jesus tells us that this "Day of the Lord." refers directly to Him and His return to judge the Earth and all that is in it, each according to their own deeds.

In Joel 2 we see the coming of The Day of the Lord.

"Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; it is near, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness, there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations. Fire devours before them and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but behind them, a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them. Their appearance is like the appearance of horses, and like war horses they run."

Again, read Revelations and you will see the Vision that John had matches this pretty clearly of the End Times. From Locast to Horses. From Wrath to Plages and Food and water drying up and becoming blood and useless.

Jesus came to warn us all that this day was coming and He wants us to return to Him and to become Children of God. Look at this passage from Joel. Joel 2:12-13

"“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."

Then look at this in Joel 2:

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days, I will pour out my Spirit."

Look at Acts 2 and you will see this come to pass.

"For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’"

We receive who? what? The Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit? God. We literally receive into ourselves, the Holy Spirit that is Jesus, God, who endows us with great Power and the Freedom over even Death itself.

The only thing you have to do, the only thing you can do, is to accept God's Plan for you and your Life. Accept Jesus's Sacrifice for you. Repent your Sins, and Believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. Then you can rest assured that you will receive the forgiveness of God and not the/Wrath to come. You can rest assured that in "The Day of the Lord" you will rejoice and not run. Celebrate and not cower. Free yourself from the bonds of this Earth, and not fear the destruction to come.

As Joel saw the beautiful land destroyed and the people slaughtered who did not repent, the entire earth will be suffering the same Wrath of God. The "Day of the Lord" is coming. Are you ready? Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will heal you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is just that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.{2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh, Wrath

Wrath

Now here is one of those "The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh," that I, and many others, KNOW, we have eaten from, and one we all know we must avoid. This is one that I'm still working on. I have always known growing up, that I have this inside me. I was a Loner. I have really only had a handful of friends my entire life.

I was a quiet kid. I played with our "neighborhood gang" and tried the whole Boy Scouts, Sports Team, stuff. Mostly for my Grandma or Mom. I tried not to get into trouble. I really preferred to just keep to myself. I was always happiest when I was alone.

If some kid decided to attempt to pick on me in School, actually, to tell you the truth, that only happened once. This kid was making threats and acting like a tough guy. I stood up and took my outside Flannel Shirt off and he sat down and never said a word to me again. He saw something in my eyes.

See, I was quiet. Polite. Always concerned with how others were more so than myself. I was a good kid. But I could feel it. Then one day, something did not go as planned. I could feel this thing stirring within me. Then, how I can only describe as growing inside me. Then??? ROOOAAAARRRR!!!!!!!!

That's right, the Big Green Guy, who lives in some of us, decided to come out. Now I understand that the "Incredible Hulk" is a Comic Book, TV, Movie, Character. David / Bruce Banner's alter-ego. Mild mannered man who turns into an 8 to 10 foot giant green monster that destroys stuff without much thought. However, I got news for ya. In some of us? The Hulk is real.

Now I'm 244 pounds. I go to the gym. I work out. I have an extremely high tolerance to pain. My Wife tells me all the time, that she doesn't think I know my own strength. Now imagine, couple all that with a blind, unthinking, RAGE, with one purpose. Destroy whatever is the target of that wrath. Oh I've destroyed many inanimate objects. From Household items, to cell phones, to cookware, even a car. Not joking. Over the past 10 years, yes, I have scared my Wife. I have scared other family members. My kids, if they were to be honest, will tell you, Daddy is scary when he gets angry.

Speaking of this, as a side note. Something that helps me keep the Wrath under control around my kids? Let me share this with you, because I truly believe it came directly from God. It was my Boy Eli. He is a mini me. He is one STRONG and FEARLESS Kid. He fell into a coffee table and cut his face at a Birthday Party and just wiped the blood away and went back to playing. When the Host asked him to allow her to clean it up and recommended that he may have to go get looked at, this little 4 year old boy, at the time, looked her in the eye, and said "It'll heal." Off he went.

So one day, I got angry with him. I sent him to his room and went in after. I was yelling a bit, and I could feel the stir inside. Then I looked into his eyes. I saw true, pure, fear. Then I got this in my Spirit. I'm it. Think about that. I'm it. I'm his Alpha and Omega. I'm his love. I'm his Provider. I'm his Protector. I'm his Comforter. Yet, here I am, scaring him because he knows, there is no hope. There is nothing higher than Daddy coming in to save him. Are you following me?

Whenever there is a Ghost in the Room. Monster under the bed. Bogyman in the Closet, strange knock on the door, Stranger when out somewhere, where do your kids turn? YOU. You are their safe haven. Just like how we should see our Heavenly Father, they see us. So what happens when it is YOU who is coming after them? Where is the hope?

So that has helped me. Being a Child of God, is helping me. I read things like...

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." {Romans 12:19}

I have read that. I have claimed that. I have seen that work in my life. It does not matter what ANYONE does to you. NOTHING can compare to what God will do to them. There surely is nothing you can do to them that is worthy to be compared to what God will do. I remember being used and abused in a former job. I could have attacked the person. I could have Sued the person. I could have done a lot. But I claimed the above Passage, forgave them, and within a year of leaving? The Business was sold, and the one abusing me? FIRED. God wiped out everything. I just forgave and lived on.

This is why when we become a Child of God, we must get the right mindset. Will we still get angry? Of course. Will bad stuff still happen? Of course. But we no longer need to worry. We have a better way..

"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." {Ephesians 4:26-31}

King Solomon warns us..

" Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end." {Proverbs 29:11}

Again, what can you do? Someone abuses you. You attack them? You may go to jail. You may lose your job. Your Family will suffer. You try to sue them? You lose money and time. Others are hurt and effected. What can you do? Forgive them. Give them to God. Trust me. All you need to do is live on.

James tells us...

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." {James 1:19-20}

Wrath, even if justified, is pointless. It does not produce anything positive. Also think about this aspect. What does it do to your health? People get extremely sick holding onto long lasting anger and hate. Scientific Evidence suggests that holding onto Anger, and or frequent angry outbursts, may increase the long-term risk of everything from Heart Attacks and Strokes to Poor and Slow Healing and a weakened Immune System.

This is why The Word tells us...

"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." {Ecclesiastes 7:9}

We do not have to dwell on Anger. We do not have to give into Rage. We have a better way. We have a release. Besides all that. Let me point out the obvious. Going back to that big green guy again. If your Phone is not working. Or your car doesn't start. Or something else goes wrong, and you allow that Rage to come out and have it's way. There will no longer be ANY chance of fixing it. Also, if you hurt yourself, destroying, oh I don't know, say your Car, because it won't start? Well, now you are hurt, and STILL have a busted Car. There really is no point.

No Child of God, be careful of the "The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh," called Wrath. It may smell good. It may even taste good. But it's end result is anything but good. Do not be mislead. Claim this Passage with me..

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." {Romans 12:19}

And learn to just simply forgive, and live on..

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

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord..