God IS in Charge, Your Daily Needs

God IS in charge of your needs.

Is your job in charge of your needs? The company or organization you are working for is at the mercy of profit. If they do not make money, they can not afford to pay you. Due to economic situations, you may go to work on Monday, and find you no longer have a job. They need to find ways to keep the company going, and if that means cutting you, you will be cut. Now, do they do this for a personal reason? No. It just happens. You were costing the company or organization more than they could afford to pay you. I understand, it really is hard not to take it personally. But for the most part? It really isn't.

Here you are, driving home, fearful of the future. I know some that go to work every day, fearful that it is their last. Is there anything you could have done to stop the loss of your job? Probably not. Is there anything you can do driving home, to change the fact you lost your job? Nope. So why worry about it?

You have an unfair advantage. You really do. Remember, you are a Child of God. Remember, God promised you, your needs will be met. In Luke 12:22-31

"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."

You see, as a Child of God, The God of gods, the King of Kings, the Creator of all that is, was, or ever will be, is your Daddy. Do you think He will not meet your needs? Think of a rich man. Would he not give all he has to his Son or Daughter if they became in need? Of course. God is far richer than the richest man. So you do not have to fear the loss of a job. As a side note. You also do not need to kill yourself trying to make that next dollar.

When you think about what reality really is, and you come to the recognition of who you are as a Child of God, a job is nothing to worry about. What about those who worry about war? World peace? Famines in other parts of the world? Worry about the end of the world? What about those who worry about what others think of them? Worry about crime. Worry about sickness. Worry about the choices their loved ones make?

None of this really matters. You do not control world governments. You do not control sickness and disease. You can not make the decisions your loved ones need to make on their own. Even your kids. You do not control crops. You do not control the world.

Truth is, what is important for you to think about, is who you are. Learn who your Father is. Did Noah control the flood? Nope. He built an Ark to ride it out. He obeyed God. Did Job worry about losing everything, including his health? Nope. He endured it. Did Jesus Himself control His torture and Crucifixion? Nope. He endured it because He knew it must come to pass.

But people think I'm weird and I am ignorant. They say trusting God to meet my needs is foolish and I need to grow up and fend for myself. This whole Faith thing? People call people who have Faith names and think that they are stupid. I do not want to be thought of this way. Remember what Jesus told His Disciples, He is telling you also, that many will not hear His Word.

"Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word." John 8:43

But that is no excuse for not telling them the truth. In. Luke 10

"After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town."

God is your Daddy. In most cases, He is NOT theirs. Who is smarter? You are a Child of God. As Romans 8 declares.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died more than that, who was raised who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Nothing any other human can do can separate you from the love of God. There is nothing anyone can do to you. including the taking of your life. Remember what Jesus said about fearing those that can take your life? Matthew 10:28

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

This is because, once you become a Child of God, you become an Heir to the Kingdom. I use Colossians 3:10 when I give the "Prayer of Salvation" because it makes it clear. 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." The new you is immortal. You will be in a far better place. You will be in Heaven. With the Lord. So who wins?

Temptations will come. The devil will tempt you. Bad things will happen. These things will happen, if you believe them or want them, or not. But God knows who you are. He knows your heart. He will strengthen you. He will comfort you. He will forgive you. But do not think that as a Child of God, you will not have to face trials and tribulations. No. Greater than you did before, you will now. Don't worry about them. You can't change them. All you can do is endure. Learn from them. Strengthen others afterward.

People worry about the silliest things. We really do. What is not in our control, we should not worry about. We must trust in God. He knows our hearts. He knows our minds. He knows what is going on in our life. He knows more about it than we do. Do you know, right now, there are two coworkers of yours, talking on the phone, and plotting how to get you into trouble, because of whatever reason?

Did you know that your car is about to break down? The computer chip is going to fail today on your way home? God does.

Did you know the devil is going to meet you today and tempt you with something that sounds incredible? God does.

Do you know if you will give in to the temptation? God does.

Do you know right now that there are Governments plotting and planning attacks on each other? God does. God is God. He knows all things always. God does.

Some things in life, some moments in time, are completely fixed. They MUST come about, for whatever reason. You can't stop them. You can't change them. You cannot even avoid them. They will happen. How you choose to deal with them, will affect you more, than the events themselves. Why worry about the things that you cannot change?

Trust in God. He is your Father. Have Faith in Christ. He is your Savior. Listen to the Holy Spirit. He is in you. You are a blood-bought, duly cleansed, Child of God. Worry? "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Some things are not ours to change, but for us to endure. Why worry about them? But as a Child of God, endure if you can.

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 was 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, comment, questions, give testimonials or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 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!

I Am Who HE Says I Am, Now

Who Are You NOW?

Last time we talked about who you really are. Who God sees you as. Remember? A Wretched Sinner. The Good News is simple. You do not have to stay this way. Remember the 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 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. When you leave here today, 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}

Now you have been Adopted into the Family of God. NOW and only NOW, after saying that Prayer, are you a Child of God.

2 Child of God.

Let's go back to Romans 8 starting at verse 9

"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

Now, remember, you once walked in the flesh. Doing the deeds of the flesh, because that is Human Nature. Now that you are of the Spirit, you are no longer bound by the flesh. You are now a completely new Creature.

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

Before you accepted the Spirit you were NOT a Child of God. But the Good News is, if you have accepted Jesus, you are now. Here is the Good News you should rejoice in.

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

Think about that for a second. Seriously. Imagine a Worldly Royal Family. You have the King, Queen, and the Kids. Who are the Kids? Prince and Princesses. They are Heirs to the Throne. All that their Family is, have, and Rule over, is theirs. They are next in line to inherit.

Now think about God. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He is the Alpha and the Omega. The Beginning and the End. The Creator and Ruler of all things. You have just become His Heirs. You are now part of the Family that is God. Your Daddy is the King of Kings. Think about that. Just let that settle into your Mind and Heart.

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

This you really need to get. Highlight in in your Bible. Write it down. Memorize it. Know that this is the Absolute Truth. This is who you are now. No matter what the World may say. No matter what anyone else may say. No matter what you may see happening at this present time. This is the Absolute Truth. Take comfort in knowing this.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

Think about that. The only reason you heard about God, Jesus, perhaps even stumbled upon this Blog, is because God CALLED you. I'll say that again. The only way you can find God, is if he CALLS you. He who he called, he sets up a plan and a purpose for their lives. Need more good news?

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Neither Death, nor Life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor Height, nor Depth, nor any other Creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. NOTHING! There is NOTHING that can steal away your Salvation. NOTHING can separate you from God from this point on. So why worry about your Neighbor? Why worry about your Boss and what they might think about what has just happened to you today? Why worry about much of anything?

You were once "dead man walking." Now you are a Child of God. You once were under the Law. Now, there is no Law. The Lord of Lords and the King of Kings is your Daddy. Rejoice and be glad about that. If you do not have a Bible, go get one. If you do not have a Church, Pray that God, your Daddy, leads you to one He wants you to be part of. Get to know Him. Get to know all the Good news and promises that now apply to YOU.

Jesus gives us, even more, Good News about being a Child of God. He says that as a Child of God, we should have no Fear whatsoever. He tells us this in Matthew 6:25-33

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, 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 of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

You are now a Child of God. He is your Daddy. You have nothing to fear. Nothing whatsoever. All you have to do is remember who your Daddy is. This is so very important now. Why? Because now you are a Stranger in a Strange Land. You are now in the World but no longer of it. More on this next time.

Remember, 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 are now Adopted into the Family of God. You are now His Child.

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.

Five Most Common Regrets in Life, 2

2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.

We have been talking about the Five most common regrets of life, that Nurse Bronnie Ware, has compiled over the years. The article by Bronnie Ware, first appeared on inspirationandchai.com via @ Real Farmacy. This next one is one we have talked about in the past. However, this statement she makes is one that may be surprising to some of you. She said this. "This came from every male patient that I nursed." Read that again. "This came from every male patient that I nursed." EVERY? She went on to say this.

"They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence."

Again she said "All of the men." Used to be, people would work 9-5 Monday through Friday. They would go out and do whatever it was that would supply them with the money to live. The Wife and Mother, would stay home to raise the Children. Then after Dad got home, they would all sit around the table and have dinner. Talking, sharing their day's events. Then came the Weekends, where they would spend time as a family.

Used to be that the three most important things to most average Families in America, were Faith, Family, Freedom. They would fight to the death to defend all three. Divorce was done, but was shunned. Frowned upon. Not widely accepted. For the most part. Most followed God's Family plan.. Man, head of house. Wife, head of Children. Husbands and Wives saw Marriage as something for life. "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." {Gen 2:24} and "But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." {Mark 10:6-9}

There was something else that was not so predominate. Government involvement in our lives. It was a pretty simple concept. "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." {2 Thessalonians 3} If something happen, and due to no fault of your own, the Man could not work, or the Man died, then it was up to Family, Friends, and Church, to help out. Not the Government. There was no Welfare. There was no Unemployment. No Food Stamps. There was nothing. Not really. Not like today when over HALF the American Population collect some sort of Government Assistance. If you did back then, it was a cause of shame.

Then something happened. Work started expanding. Instead of 5 pm now some would be asked to work later. Then "Shift Work" came into being. Do you work 8 to 4 or 4 to 12? Then, why stop at 12. Lets stay open 24-7. Got to make the money. Hey, why not work on Saturdays? It was a trend going so quickly that it ran into the "Blue Law" head first.

The "Blue Laws" were said to have been started in Colonial Virginia in the 1620s. Similar laws intended to keep the Sabbath {Which they saw as Sunday at the time} Holy, were soon adopted elsewhere in America. This meant, all forms of trade or commerce were outlawed. No public entertainment or meetings were permitted Of course, this did not include going to Church. Even travel on Sunday was banned, except for emergencies. This was done to prevent, outside influences from taking time away from? Say it with me, Faith, Family, Freedom.

Then some started asking, Why? Why not open on Sundays? Everyone is off. Perfect day to make more money. One stayed open. The "Laws" were ignored. Then another said, Hey why are they open? Look at the money they are making. So they started opening. Now we even have Banks open seven days a week. Money is becoming people's God, Banks people's Churches. Stuff is what people crave. The only way to get Stuff, is to have the money you need to get it. "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom." {Proverbs 23} New King James Version says "4 Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease!"

God does not want to you worry. Jesus taught us this fact, that as a Child of God, put our trust in Him, He is faithful and just, to meet our every need. In...

Luke 12:

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

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

33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

You know the saying, "You can't take it with you?" This is a Biblical Principle as well. Being a Biblical Principle, makes it an absolute truth.

1 Timothy 6:

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

There are many people that have "made it." That are "Well off." Many with Riches that most can only dream of. But in the end? What do they have? Remember the conversation with the Rich and Famous Person?

"I love traveling the world. I love meeting people. I love walking into the spotlight, hearing tens of thousands chanting my name. I love when I hear this or that little kid, wants to be, just like me. But you know what? I was there when MY kids were born. I was there when they Graduated High School. But I missed the first word. I missed the first step. I did not even know what their favorite color was. I blinked, and all of a sudden, they were real people. Living their lives. I was so busy being "me" that I totally missed everything."

If you had it to do over again, would you?

"Sad truth? Yup. You can not understand the power of fame and the lure of wealth. I guess I'm happy that they are well off. That they will never have to struggle. They have no clue what it means to worry about bills. My Wife, well, second, has to only worry about doing things she wants to do. I have a pretty good life."

But the one thing they never did have? You.

Silence...........

Now that you are getting up there, how long will you be trying to do this?

"I don't know. Can't really walk too well anymore. Take Pills and probably drink a bit too much to numb the pain. But I do not know anything else..This is who I am."

You know, when that spot light goes out, and the people go home, and this person is sitting alone in the Hotel room, what do you think they are thinking about? What do you think the people are thinking about? What is more important? Does it matter? In Pro Wrestling, Football, even Baseball, you can be a hero. You can be worshiped. But when you can no longer "go?" All those "fans" will walk away and go to someone else. The "Game" will go on. In Entertainment? When you fade away, or go out in a Blaze of Glory, someone else will step up. In Business, when your Company stops being profitable, another will take it's place. Just the way of the world. But YOU remain you. The real you. What is truly import to you?

As a Child of God, we must cherish His gifts. You are a gift from God. Your life is. Your Spouse is. Your Kids most definitely are. Each day is a gift. Do you travel through it at the speed of life? Or do you slow down and notice everything. Truly experience Life itself.

"Provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." I know. I know. I do not understand. I understand that you feel you have to work two jobs just to meet your needs. I get it. But let me ask you this. Are you trusting in yourself, and your abilities to meet your needs, or are you trusting in God to be true to His Word, that all your needs will be met?

Do not let, overworking yourself to the point you miss life itself, be one of your end of life regrets. 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}

The article by Bronnie Ware, first appeared on inspirationandchai.com via @ Real Farmacy

Fear

Fear is a powerful emotion.

Fear can bind you. Fear can make you Lie, Cheat, and Steel. Fear can cause you to commit Murder. Fear can give others power over you. Fear can enslave you. Fear can rob you of your very life. Fear is very real. In the Psychology Field, Fear is so predominant that they have named it a Phobia. From Arachnophobia, to Acrophobia {Fear of heights}, all the way to Pantophobia. One of my favorite lines, EVER, in Doctor Who is this "That's what it's called. Pantophobia. Not fear of pants though, if that's what you're thinking. It's fear of everything. Including pants, I suppose. In that case... Sorry. go on."

But Fear is a very real and very powerful force. I will never forget back in the days when I was a Hotel Manger, I met this Woman and her soon to be Husband. They were asking me to host their Wedding Guests and the Wedding itself they wanted to have in the Lounge. Well, that's not possible I told them because the Lounge is a Night Club and we would not be able to shut it down for a Private Function, and I offered to show them other Rooms and put them in touch with my Sales person.

Well, the Woman said, "I really need to speak with you privately." So we went into my office and she told me that her Sister has been Diagnosed with Agoraphobia, Anthropophobia, and Ochlophobia. I said, understandably, "What?" So she explained it to me. Agoraphobia - Fear of open spaces, Anthropophobia - fear of people or the company of people, and Ochlophobia- Fear of crowds. She believed that she also suffered from Xenophobia - Fear of strangers. Now setting aside my wondering how Anthropophobia, Ochlophobia, and Xenophobia, are any different, and what would that difference really matter, I said "Please go on."

She said, "Well, the lounge has that Green House Dinning Room attached that can be seen from the Rooms, and my Sister could stand outside it and watch the wedding. This way she would not miss it." So I agreed. She is going to have the Wedding in the Lounge. But she was not done. "Can I ask you a HUGE favor?" I thought, "You already did." But what I said was "Sure." Then she said, "I need you to meet my Sister. She cannot go outside by herself, and she really wants to see me get Married. If you meet her and spend some time with her, she may trust you enough to go outside and stand with you for the Ceremony." "Uh, OK."

So I did. I met her. Through the door. I went to the room often for two days. She eventually opened the door. To my surprise, here is this absolutely stunning young lady. I mean it. She was Beautiful. I kinda pictured an Igor looking person. I know, I know, not nice. But it's the truth. I thought she would be homely, and mousy. But here stood this Model looking young lady.

At first, she would not make eye contact. But we talked and I spend time listening to her. Then she asked if I would bring her something to eat. So I did. After sometime, she looked up and into my eyes. "Will you come and get me right before the Ceremony?" "Of course I will." Was my response.

So there it was, time. I went and got her. She opened the door and was all dressed up. She was wearing what she would wear if she could go in. It took her a little bit to step outside. I had to remind her that the Ceremony was about to start. To my absolute shock, and even startled me for a second, she took my hand. We walked together to the outside of the Greenhouse and she watched her Sister get Married. She asked if we could stay a bit longer so she could watch the dancing and stuff. To my surprise and without thought, I said "We can stay here all night if you want." She smiled. We only stayed for about 30 minutes and she felt she needed to go back to the room. So we went back and I brought her some food and cake from the Wedding with her Sister.

I saw first hand, call it what you will, how Fear can rob you of your very life. This absolutely beautiful Woman was a prisoner to her Fear.

However, you, as a Child of God, have NOTHING to fear. Seriously.

Fear of Death? Death itself is nothing.

Ecclesiastes 3:

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Death itself is as natural to life as living. Death is not a punishment. It just is. It is only appoint for us to die one time.

Hebrews 9:

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

This is why Jesus tells us...

Matthew 10:

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Then Jesus tells us that He will be there to greet us. He tells us that all will come before Him..

Matthew 25:

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

It tells us of this time in,,,,,

Revelation 20:

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

"Wait right there Pete. You see, this is one of those contradictions that fill that book you love so much. You just said it is appointed onto man to die once, and now you say this is the second death. So? Which is it."

When you leave this world, that is not truly death. As you just read, when you die in the flesh, you stand before Jesus Himself. If you have accepted Jesus and been adopted into the Family of God, you allow Him to be your substitute. He died for you. You died already. If not, then you truly die. You are cast into the lake of fire. That is your true death. Most see our departure from here on earth as death. So if you are rejected by Jesus after, many see this as your second death. But it really isn't. You only truly die once. Either here and now, so that you may live, or then, after you made your choice. However, if you are a Child of God, then you have been there and done that. Your life is no longer yours to give, nor, anyone's to take. So why fear?

Fear losing your job? Your needs will be met. {Matthew 6: 25-34}
Fear anything else related to it? Bills, Debt, Food? Same thing. Your needs will be met.
Fear God? He is now your Daddy? {Romans 8}
Fear the Devil? He has no power over you. Look at Job.

Job 1:

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

Again....

Job 2:

1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.

2 And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

3 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

4 And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

6 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

Remember Peter?

Luke 22:

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

Satan can do nothing to you without permission from God. He cannot take your life. He can do nothing. He can only whisper, encourage, entice. The Sins you fall into are by your own hand. Job remained faithful and was restored so much better than before. Why fear Satan?

So if we should have no fear of Death, our needs being met, God, or even the Devil himself, then what is left to fear? Open spaces? There is nothing in them that can harm you. Strangers? They are fields you should be attempting to Sow in. Or, they are people who have made their choices and there is nothing they can do to you. If the Devil himself cannot touch you without permission from God, what can Joe Schmo do to you?

Fear is completely irrational, and has no place in your life, when you come to the full realization of who you are as a Child of God. Who your Daddy now is. Do not allow the fear of anything to place you into Bondage. To rob you of your very life itself. "Greater is He in you, than in all the World." {1 John 4:4}

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

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus IS Lord of all!

The Fear of Tomorrow is Bondage Today

The Bondage of the Fear of Tomorrow.

Last time we talked about Yesterday. How the things in our Past, the good, bad, and the ugly, can put us in bondage of the fear of them repeating, or by attempting to recreate them. Dwelling on Yesterday, and fearing Tomorrow, makes us lose our Today.

As we started to discuss, it is not totally our fault. Some of the fear and worry of Tomorrow has been taught us from Birth. We have been conditioned to fear Tomorrow. There are people who make a lot of money, stoking that fear.

Now, some of the things we are going to discuss today, may upset some of you. You may become offended. You may become angry. You may not agree. That's because we have been so conditioned that it has become the Norm. It's just what we do. In a way, it makes perfect sense. However, you need to think about one thing. One very important thing, that is always left out of the equation. Lets look at some of the Norm.

Car insurance? We pay money every month to a company that claims they will be there if we have an accident. Lets say you pay them $100 a month. In a year, you paid them $1200. Ten years? $12,000. Now lets say you have an accident. What do they do? In most cases, pay out, maybe, a couple hundred, or say the car is only worth a grand and total it out. They have armies of Lawyers looking for any reason whatsoever to pay you as little as possible.

Life Insurance? You are paying people to take care of your family if something happens to you. There are so many loopholes and small print, that some do not even pay out at all. If you die your family get's A Million Dollars. If you die during a Snow Storm, in July, wearing a blue hat and pink underwear.

College Funding? Putting money away for your kiddies to go onto higher education. Do you know they are going to? Do you know they are going to become something that NEEDS a college degree?

Retirement? Saving money your whole life, so that you can quit work, sit on the couch, and do nothing all day. I know people that work two jobs just to save for Retirement. I now know people that work two jobs just to pay for Car, Health, and Life Insurance. What if you lose you Job tomorrow. What then?

The fear of the loss of a Job can cause Bosses and Corporations to become abusive. If they think you fear the loss of your Job, they may start taking advantage of you. I actually once had a Boss tell me "A Trained Monkey can do your Job." In other words, you are not important, if you do not do what I say, there are a hundred people waiting to take over. He was demoted and moved out of our Department shortly after.

Fear of Death? That's a big one. Some fear tomorrow, because they fear what Tomorrow may bring. Lets deal with this one first. Once you lose your fear of death, does anything else TRULY matter? You see, last time we talked about the things of your Past are gone. Once you have been adopted into the Family of God, and God Himself becomes your Daddy, you become a New Creature. All that Good, Bad, and Ugly stuff is gone. Blotted out. Forgotten. You are no longer the person that did, or, lived them.

Romans 8:

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

And,,,,

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Now?

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

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Lord Himself tells us, as His Children,,,,

Isaiah 41:

10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

So if we have God promising us, "I am with thee", and we now know that "tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword, death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God", Then we need not worry about Death.

Think about this. What is Heaven?

Luke 23:

43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

John 14:

2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

Revelation 21:

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 22:

1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

So I ask you. Which is better? That to which we go? Or this of which we leave behind? If death is no longer something to be feared, then WHY fear anything else? "But Pete, it's not the dying that worries me, it's the living. What if I can't feed my family? Pay my Rent or Mortgage. What if?" Jesus Himself answered this on the Sermon on the Mount....

Matthew 6:

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

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

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

You see, this is why Jesus tells us these things. Our needs will be met. Rely on God and stop relying on ourselves. With us, we can doing nothing. But with God, all things are possible. Who do you trust more? You? Or the Creator of all things? "But Pete, I have to work. I have to save for the future." Why? "Why? What do you mean WHY? This is what we do. We work now, save for later. If not, how are you going to live?"

Luke 12:

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Jesus tells us plainly "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Tomorrow is NEVER guaranteed. Think about that. Jesus says "But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee." What if, this morning was the last time you ever ate Breakfast? The very last time you ever had coffee. The very last time you ever took a shower, got dressed, and kissed your Loved Ones goodbye. The last time. You go out the door, and a truck has a blowout and crashes into you. A plane flies into a building. You have a Heart Attack. Just because the World may not end today, doesn't mean this is not your last day on it.

Did you know that Retirement is a man-made concept. Nowhere in the Bible does it talk about saving for the future and so you can stop working and take it easy. Nowhere. I have known many people that live for Retirement, and they get there and Retire, only to die shortly after. Their kids now inherit that car, house, and all that money they, in some cases, kill themselves obtaining.

Jesus tells us to "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth." "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Jesus tells us that if we truly want to save for the future, we should do so by doing the Will of the Father. Store up treasures in Heaven. Add jewels to your crown in Glory.

Am I telling you to cancel all your Insurance Policies? Of course not. Car and now Health Insurance is now the Law of the land. You MUST have them. I'm not telling you to violate the Law, I'm saying start relying on God. Trust Him. Believe what He tells you. Remember, Jesus said "for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." And...

Luke 11:

11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

We must "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added" on to us. We must not live if fear. We must trust in Him. Would God really allow you and your family to starve to death if you lose your Job? Whatever that Job may be? Do you really think God will allow your Family to lose everything if He calls you home today? Do you really think that God, the Creator of all there is was or ever will be, in unable to get you a Car if needed? Seriously? How big is your God? Do you see Him AS God? I ask you again, of whom do you trust more? God, or yourself?

Tomorrow is coming. The things that are in it, are coming. There is NOTHING you can do to change it. NOTHING you can do to prevent it. Nothing. It's coming. It's here. It's gone. Another Tomorrow is coming. Will you be in it? It's not even a guarantee. Why worry? Why fear? God is with you. Stop worrying about the Creation, and start trusting in the Creator.

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

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus IS Lord of all!

Do Not Overwork Yourself For Riches

There is something even greater.

Used to be, people would work 9-5 Monday through Friday. They would go out and do whatever it was that would supply them with the money to live. The Wife and Mother, would stay home to raise the Children. Then after Dad got home, they would all sit around the table and have dinner. Talking, sharing their day's events. Then came the Weekends, where they would spend time as a family.

Used to be that the three most important things to most average Families in America, were Faith, Family, Freedom. They would fight to the death to defend all three. Divorce was done, but was shunned. Frowned upon. Not widely accepted. For the most part. Most followed God's Family plan.. Man, head of house. Wife, head of Children. Husbands and Wives saw Marriage as something for life. "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." {Gen 2:24} and "But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." {Mark 10:6-9}

We also did not have the Government, saying that they will meet your every need. There was no welfare. There was no unemployment. There was nothing. You didn't work. You went to Family members and or friends and asked them for assistance. It was not widely thought OK to be lazy and not go out there and find a job. Again, most accepted God's concept of Work. Honest pay, for an honest day's work. They also believed "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." {2 Thessalonians 3}

Then something happened. Work started expanding. Instead of 5 pm now some would be asked to work later. Then "Shift Work" came into being. Do you work 8 to 4 or 4 to 12? Then, why stop at 12. Lets stay open 24-7. Got to make the money. Hey, why not work on Saturdays? It was a trend going so quickly that it ran into the "Blue Law" head first.

The Blue Laws were said to have been started in Colonial Virginia in the 1620s. Similar laws intended to keep the Sabbath {Which they saw as Sunday at the time} Holy, were soon adopted elsewhere in America. This meant, all forms of trade or commerce were outlawed. No public entertainment or meetings were permitted Of course, this did not include going to Church. Even travel on Sunday was banned, except for emergencies. This was done to prevent, outside influences from taking time away from? Say it with me, Faith, Family, Freedom.

But then this one business started to be open on Sunday. Then another. The "Blue Law" is still on the books in many parts of America to this day, but no one enforces it. Here we are. 24-7 society. Even our Banks are open 7 days a week now. People have started working 24-7. This needs to be done yesterday. I need this NOW. If you have to, get another Job. Work two, three. Do whatever you have to. You want the money, you better work.

Now the fact the Government has become Mommy and Daddy, and will pay you to do nothing, is a whole other message. Divorce and Marriage being what it is today is a whole other message. Money being people's God, Banks people's Churches, a whole other message. But what I want to talk about today is this Passage.

I started, and I'm not telling you to do this, but I started reading a Proverb a day. Why? There are 30 Proverbs. Read one a day, in a month, you read through the entire Book of Proverbs. So I'm reading and this stood out to me...

Proverbs 23:

4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

New King James Version says "4 Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease!"

We've talked about this before. God did not create money. God has no use for it. We did. Money and Wealth is a Man-made concept. We chose to say that this piece of paper is worth one dollar, or a hundred dollars. We chose to say that this shiny rock, is worth all this money. Imagine God, looking down from Heaven, when He sees someone open an Oyster's Shell and see a spit ball, and say, "This is valuable." It's is foolishness.

There are still, to this day, places on earth where they do not care about that shinny rock, or that spitball. Go to one of those people and say, "I'll give you this Rock for your land," and they will laugh at you. They have a land where they have Chickens. Their neighbor has Cows. You want eggs? Give me Milk. You want milk? Give me flower from your Wheat field. I have vegetables, if you have fruit. ETC. They are a community. An extended family. They will fight you to the death if you attempt to infringe upon that community. Many will welcome you as a friend and grant upon you all their riches, if you show them kindness.

What do they care about? Faith, Family, and Freedom. It really is that simple. They fish. They work their fields. They supply the NEEDS of their own and community. If one is injured or sick, they all come together and attempt to assist that one and their Family. Now again, why we have this Moral decline in America, Government taking over the Family, and all these other things are whole other messages in of themselves. But the point of the message today is this. None of that really matters. Money does not matter. Not in the long run. In....

Proverbs 2:

1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.

19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

You see, I know some, that spend their entire life, trying to stay one step ahead of the Grave. Problem is, nine times out of ten, that is exactly what puts them there. When you drive your body, 24-7, you deprive it of sleep, food, and even simple rest. Eventually, it will give out. He who dies with the most Toys wins?

God does not want to you worry. Jesus taught us this fact, that as a Child of God, you should not only have no fear of these things, but take no thought of them at all. If we, as Child of God, put our trust in Him, He is faithful and just, to meet our every need. In...

Luke 12:

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

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

33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

You know the saying, "You can't take it with you?" This is a Biblical Principle as well. Being a Biblical Principle, makes it an absolute truth.

1 Timothy 6:

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

There are many people that have "made it." That are "Well off." Many with Riches that most can only dream of. But in the end? What do they have? I know some, that are now in their later life. They are Rich. They are Famous. If I told you their name, you would know who they are. But you know what most of them have told me? When talking about regrets? Here is one example....

"I love traveling the world. I love meeting people. I love walking into the spotlight, hearing tens of thousands chanting my name. I love when I hear this or that little kid, wants to be, just like me. But you know what? I was there when MY kids were born. I was there when they Graduated High School. But I missed the first word. I missed the first step. I did not even know what their favorite color was. I blinked, and all of a sudden, they were real people. Living their lives. I was so busy being "me" that I totally missed everything."

If you had it to do over again, would you?

"Sad truth? Yup. You can not understand the power of fame and the lure of wealth. I guess I'm happy that they are well off. That they will never have to struggle. They have no clue what it means to worry about bills. My Wife, well, second, has to only worry about doing things she wants to do. I have a pretty good life."

But the one thing they never did have? You.

Silence...........

Now that you are getting up there, how long will you be trying to do this?

"I don't know. Can't really walk too well anymore. Take Pills and probably drink a bit too much to numb the pain. But I do not know anything else..This is who I am."

You know, when that spot light goes out, and the people go home, and this person is sitting alone in the Hotel room, what do you think they are thinking about? What do you think the people are thinking about? What is more important? Does it matter? In Pro Wrestling, Football, even Baseball, you can be a hero. You can be worshiped. But when you can no longer "go?" All those "fans" will walk away and go to someone else. The "Game" will go on. In Entertainment? When you fade away, or go out in a Blaze of Glory, someone else will step up. In Business, when your Company stops being profitable, another will take it's place. Just the way of the world. But YOU remain you. The real you. What is truly import to you?

As a Child of God, we must cherish His gifts. You are a gift from God. Your life is. Your Spouse is. Your Kids most definitely are. Each day is a gift. Do you travel through it at the speed of life? Or do you slow down and notice everything. Truly experience Life itself.

"Provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." I know. I know. I do not understand. I understand that you feel you have to work two jobs just to meet your needs. I get it. But let me ask you this. Are you trusting in yourself, and your abilities to meet your needs, or are you trusting in God to be true to His Word, that all your needs will be met?

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

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus IS Lord of all!