Shout it Out

Spread the News. 

Spread it far and wide. Don't forget this simple fact. You have been SAVED!!! Saved from Death, and Hell itself.

"But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." {Revelation 21:8}

You were on your way.

"They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might" {2 Thessalonians 1:9}

Even Jesus warned us this in Matthew 13:41-42

"The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

This was YOU. YOU have been Saved from this. How? Someone else came before you. Stood before you and the Judgement Seat of God. Said "I accept their Punishment. I accept their beating. I accept their Guilt and Sin. I lay down my Life, that they may not have to. I die for them."

We see stories all the time. Man saved Girl from burning Car. Girl Saved kid from Drowning. Someone pulls Someone out of a Burning House. ETC. They are all over the News. They may even receive some sort of Award. They are deemed Heros.

In the extreme cases, we hear how Someone actually died while Saving Someone else. We see pictures of crying people, makeshift Memorials set up where the incident took place, and great talk of how brave and heroic that person was.

That Someone, that Saved YOU, from the Darkest Pit, Hottest Fire, and Eternal Suffering, is Jesus. Where is His name? Where is His Memorial? Where are you when Someone talks about Him? I'm not trying to guilt you into anything or make you feel bad, but the Truth is, a lot of "Christians" get Saved and then remail Silent.

They remain Silent mostly out of Fear. Fear of what others may think of them. Fear of losing a Job. Fear of losing a Friend. Even Fear of losing a Loved one who decides that if you are going to believe in the Jesus, they can no longer have you in their Life. The sad truth is this. It is possible that all that could indeed take place. You could lose your Job. God can and will get you a new one. You could lose a Friend. They were never truly your Friend. God will give you many TRUE Friends. You may lose a Loved One. A Family Member. God will increase your Family to the numbers of Stars and Sand. Remember what Jesus said when they came to Him and said His Family was looking for HIm?

"Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”" {Luke 8:19-21}

DON'T BE SILENT! Shout it out! Spead the News. Spread it Far and Wide. Jesus tells us plainly in Matthew 10:32-33

"So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."

King David wrote this in one of his Psalms

"I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation." {Psalm 40:9-10}

King David so loved the Lord God that he Dance nearly Naked in the Streets and many found that to be disgraceful but he couldn't have cared less.

"As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart."

"And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants' female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”And David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord—and I will celebrate before the Lord." {2 Samuel 6:16, 20-21}

Jesus SAVED you from Hell. A place of immense and indescribable torture and suffering. He pulled you out of the Pit. He took your place. He Sacrificed Himself for YOU. Why are you even concerned what someone else may think of you Thanking Him for what He did? When you tell others, you are in a way, Thanking God for Jesus, and Jesus, for dying for you. Paul tells us this in Romans 10:9-10

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

This is Good News. This is GREAT News. Peter tells us this in 1 Peter 3:15

"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,"

Don't be silent. Do not keep to yourself. You were nearly killed, rightfully so, for your Sins and own Foolishness. Jesus Saved you. Here is the other thing. Jesus can Save those you care about too. I really want you to think about this. You say you do not say anything or talk about Jesus because you are afraid of what someone you Love may think about you. Please think about this.

Is it Love, to receive the Greatest Gift you could ever receive, and keep it to yourself? Is it Love, to nearly fall into a Fire and be Saved, only to sit back and silently watch Someone you say you love blindly walk right into the Fire? It is Love, watching Someone you claim to love banging on the Gate to Heaven, in extreme Panic knowing now it is all True and Real, watching them be case away, while you stand there with the Key in your Hand?

What happens if someone you care about does reject you if you share with them the Gospel? Well, they make their own choice. You can rest assured of this fact. You did your best. They chose not to listen. You did your part.

Shout it Out! Tell the World! Do not be Silent. Share the Good News, Jesus IS Lord!

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.

The Wrong Ones Must Leave Intro, Church

So the Right ones will come.

A while back, I received a message from God. It was during a Church Meeting with the Core Members of the Church. Now not to go into gossip nor too much detail, the Church had been torn apart. Nearly over night, over half the people left the Church.

Now this was a Good and Growing Church. It had paid positions in Worship, Child Care, ETC. The Pastor was not Rich, but He was doing OK. More importantly, the Church was reaching the Community in positive ways.

Then the Pastor decided something that changed EVERYTHING. It was a poor decision, yet, the Pastor would not listen to his Core Group. After the Mass Exodus, a slower but steady falling away took place. Every Sunday seemed to see less and less people. The Paid Positions became unpaid. Even Core Members were leaving.

So, here we are, talking about Saving the Church and what to do in helping it to Grow again. And God put this message in my Spirit to speak to the Pastor.

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

So I spoke this to the Pastor, and there was Amens, and Hallelujahs, Praising and Praying. But you know what? The Pastor refused, for whatever reason, to listen to ANY of the advice given to him by the Core Members. Then I myself was called out of and away from this Church. When I left, there were about a steady 20 people or so, on Sundays.

In a short time, the Pastor Himself, again, for whatever reason, decided to step down. I received Messages that He had left and a New Pastor was coming. I needed to return to this Church. I was a little hesitate. But I was urged to at least meet the New Pastor.

So I did. It was amazing. It was as if I never left. I said to the Pastor that I was Peter, a former Elder and Usher at the Church and would continue if He would have me, and He said, "We will have you." The Church started to Grow nearly over night. Slower than all of us wanted of course, but growing none-the-less.

So this message came up again at lunch with the New Pastor. We were talking about former members coming back verse new people coming and the Message dropped into my Spirit again.

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

So wait??? The Lunch continued and we discussed other things, but in my heart and head, in my Spirit was still this Message.. Over and over again..

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

Wait, was that meant for the Pastor? You know, the old Pastor that would not listen? Was it meant to be about the People who left the Church? Wait, is it about the People in you own very Life? And God said...... "Yes."

So this is what we will be talking about today and the next two Sundays.

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

Church
Leadership
Lives

You see, it is pretty simple, yet can be hard to accept. But it is an absolute Truth..

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

God has a purpose and a plan for everything.

"Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain." {Psalm 127:1}

His Church is of course one of the things God takes VERY Seriously. God puts it into Writing, His Command for His Church. Structure and such..1 Timothy 3, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-14, Just a few places..

First Jesus put it this way..

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." {Matthew 16:18}

He did not say Churches, Denominations, Religions, isms, sects, ETC. The word "Church" is singular. But he did say...

"And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them." {Luke 21:8}

First and foremost, if your Church, does NOT have Jesus as a Foundation. If it teaches ANYTHING other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, RUN!!!! It is NOT a True Church of God. It really is that simple to tell...

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error." {1 John 4:1-6}

That is number one in importance. If the Church you are going to does not have Jesus, you are in a Club and NOT true Faith in the ONE, and ONLY, Living God. I do not care how "Holy" or "Rightous" you may "feel." YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME!!!!!!

Second, if you are NOT following the Great Commission.... YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME!!!!!!

" And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." {Matthew 28:18-20}

The Church is not now, nor has it ever been, a Building. It IS now, has always been, will always be, until the great Return, the People. Us. WE ARE THE CHURCH. We are to be a Family. 24-7. We are not to tear each other down, rather lift each other up. We are not to gossip and hurt, but Preach and Heal. We are to BE the Children of God that God chose us to be. If not?

"The Wrong Ones must leave, before the Right Ones can come."

God will not allow the Wrong Ones to ruin His Church and His Plans. 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..

Walking Worthy

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to use in edifying"

"Pete, I've said the Prayer. I've been Baptized. I've gone to Church. But here's my problem. I have read, and it is written,,,"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." {Matthew 7: 7-8} 

And again, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." {John 14:12-14}

I'm still hurting. I asked for a new car, for mine was running rough. Needed more work than I could afford to fix. It died. I asked for a raise or promotion on my Job because my pay is not paying the bills. I get laid off. I asked for a million dollars so I no longer have to suffer, yet I'm worse off than I was before. I Prayed for a sick Relative, they died. I'm starting to think this is all BS. There is no God, and if there is, He sure doesn't love me. Can you explain this?"

Yup. You may not like it. But the Truth is the Truth. Let's talk in general first. I have two boys. One decides to go off on their own. Live their life the way they see fit. One stays home with me. Now the one who stays home with me helps and old lady cross the street. He says to me, "Daddy. I helped and old lady cross the street. I really liked helping her. I want to do more. However, the traffic is horrendous. Can you please get me one of those bright yellow or orange vests so that they can see me better?" Of course. You will have it today.

"Daddy, I am helping out in a food pantry. However, I noticed that they are a bit short of supplies. I want to have a fundraiser to help raise funds to supply some much needed food and supplies. Can you help?" Of course. We will have a Car Wash, Bake Sale, or something to that effect. I may even help and pitch in with some funds of my own.

Now the Son that left call on me and says "Daddy, I'm in a strip club. I'm out of money. Can you send me a hundred bucks? All in ones would be nice." Or, "Daddy, I'm on the street and there is this new drug. Can you send me some money so I can try it?" Or, Daddy, "I'm not going to come home. I'm not going to follow your rules. But I have spent all I have. Can you please send me more money?" My response? My Son, I love you. I'm here. You have been told that if you stay under my authority {My roof} you can have anything you ask. But you chose to go off on your own. You chose to live the way you are living. You walked away. I cannot help you. I will not assist you in destroying yourself. Come home and I will restore you as my Son will full privileges. "No Father. I'm not my Brother. I do not feel I have to do the things he does or the things you say. I'm my own person and I will make my own choices. I guess you lied. You said you love me. You don't love me. I'm never going to follow what you say." My Son, I am here. You are there. The choice is yours to make.

Now the time comes, when I, as an earthly Father, that my Soul is required of me. My time has come to pass on. My two Sons come to hear what my last words are to them. The faithful Son hears, Come, enter into my Estate. All I have is now yours. My Wayward Son hears, My Son, I do not know you. Go in peace. You get nothing.

Are you Walking Worthy? You say that you needed a new car and the one you had died? What happened? "Well, I had to get another. It doesn't have as many problems, but it's not new." You said that you needed more money to pay your bills. That the Job you had was not cutting it. You lost your Job? "Yes." How can you get a better one until the one you have get's out of the way? Are you tithing? "No. Can't afford it." Know what Jesus says?

Luke 6:

38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

God says

Malachi 3:

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

If you are not being obedient in Tithes and Offerings, how is God going to Bless you with Riches? Jesus said, "For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." Try it. Trust me. That 90 percent will go a lot further than that 100 percent ever will.

You see, God wants to be your Father. He WANTS you to come to Him, trust Him, and rely on Him, for your every need. But He cannot be with you if you chose not to be with Him. Look at this.

Deuteronomy 30:

1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee,

2 And shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;

3 That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.

4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:

5 And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.

6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

7 And the Lord thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.

8 And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the Lord, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.

9 And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:

10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.

12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

16 In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lordthy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.

19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

20 That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Now this is God's promise to the Jewish People that He chose to set free from Bondage. They chose to be disobedient. He could not longer Bless them until they returned to His Ways. Following His Commandments. He promised them if they returned, if they chose to Walk Worthy, He would Bless them.

Proverbs 3:

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Actually, let's look at all this...

Proverbs 3

1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:

12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

26 For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

32 For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.

33 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

So first God Promises us, "My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee." If we, like my two Sons, live under mine, live under God's Roof if you will, Obey Him, He will be with us always. Our days will even be extended.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Allow Him to direct your paths. Trust in Him and not of your will and desires of the flesh. He made that flesh. He made you. He knows what you have need of before you do. Jesus tells us this also..

Matthew 6:

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.

"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." Again, Jesus tells us this..

Matthew 4:

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

The Word declares:

1 Corinthians 3:

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

Remember Paul's warning?

Romans 1:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

It goes on to tell us that if we continue in these ways, God WILL give us up. He WILL allow us to live as we will, even to the point of our own destruction.

"Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." Tithes and Offering. If you think about it, all that you have is provided by God. He is only asking you for the first Ten Percent. However, if you do not give, it can not be given to you.

11-26 basically says the same thing that Jesus summed up as "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Wisdom and Righteousness can only come from God and His Word. There is no other source for it. Nothing is greater than it. It is there for you.

" Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm." Jesus tells us...

Mark 12:

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

However, He also tells us this...

Matthew 5:

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

And?

Matthew 6:

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous. The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools."To not be conformed to the World or any of her ways. Peter tells us this..

1 Peter 2:

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Jesus, in a Prayer, said this,,,

John 17:

1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

He said, "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine." And then He said this, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." You are not of this world any longer. You are a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood." You are a Child of God and a Prince or Princess of Heaven. The God of Creation, the Lord of Lord, and the King of Kings, is your Daddy. Do not give that all up for the world's sake. Walk Worthy.

Romans 12:

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Paul pleads with us to not enter into confusion...

Ephesians 4:

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Does God answer all Prayers? Yup. However, sometimes the answer is No. Does God answer your Prayer for things that do not benefit you or your role in His Plan and Purpose for your life? Nope. He can't. If you are not Walking Worthy, you are on your own. If you reject God, He has no choice but to reject you. It would be like my Son asking me to lift him up to touch the top of the hot stove. I say No. He finds a way to get himself up there, he burns himself. Did I burn him? Nope.Could I protect him at that point? Nope. He did it himself.

As for your sick Relative? Perhaps it was simply time. There is a season for all things. Perhaps, although YOU are a child of God and wanted God to intervene, they did not. That's something that is rarely ever said. Think about it though. What did all have in common, who was healed, and even raised from the dead? Faith in God. They were all God's Children and all believed that God could and would heal them. I understand some might get offended by this, but it is simple truth. If I'm sick and I know that a Physician is in the next town over, and I fail to go see him, and I die? Is it the fault of the Physician? I did not go to see him? Or is it mine own?

You are only responsible for you. You are only responsible for YOUR one on one relationship with God. You and you alone have to answer for the things you do. All those you read about being blessed by God? They all have something in common. They are Walking Worthy. When they fail to Walk Worthy, they all have to deal with the Correction of God. But again, God cannot help you if you CHOSE to be disobedient. If you CHOSE to walk away.

Are you Walking Worthy? 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!

Newtown Connecticut, God Is With You

There is really nothing more to say.

Friday morning, December 14, 2012, is one of those dates that will live forever. It started out as a day like any other. Parents woke up, made coffee, maybe breakfast, turned on the News. They got their Children up. Got them off to the Bus for School.

Then about 9:30am, a young man arrived at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where more than 600 children from kindergarten through fourth grade, were starting their day. For reasons no one knows, or are saying, the young man walked into a Kindergarten Classroom.

Gun shoots ran out all through the school. In the end, he killed 27 people, Teachers, Principal, and 20 children, most of them kindergartners. Then the he killed himself.

This is the worse school massacre in American History. What can you say? All those Parents that sent their kids off to school, never would have thought, this was their last time to hug them, and say "I love you." They had no idea this was the last time they would ever see them alive. They would never be coming home again.

I have two Sons. I cannot even imagine them going off to school, and never coming home again. What can you say to comfort a Parent with the loss of their five to ten year old child? Nothing. There is nothing to say. This is one of those times where you just know, like you know your name, God is in Newtown Connecticut.

One assurance, and perhaps a bit of comfort, is that there are no Children in Hell. No Child ever dies and is not with God Himself. Children are pure innocents. They have a free ride, if you will, straight to the Father, who embraces them with open arms. I can imagine the shortest verse in the entire Word, applies here today.

John 11:

35 Jesus wept.

May the Families have the Peace and Comfort they need in this very dark time in their lives. May they have the strength to do what they must do. May God be with them.

Your Father Disciplines You

Just like I do with my boys.

We just got done talking about how God is your Daddy, Abba Father, if you have been adopted in to the Family of God, through the sacrifice of Jesus and the receiving of the Spirit of Adoption, the Holy Spirit. We talked about how God, your Daddy, wants to have a daily, personal, relationship with you. He wants you to talk with Him. Walk with Him. He wants you to spend time with Him.

However, just like the example of how my boys need no mediator to talk with me, I also have to discipline them when they are in need of it. Not something I like doing, but it is true. After all, the Bible does say

Proverbs 13:

24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

The Word makes it clear, that if you love your Children, when needed, you MUST Discipline them. You warn them. They do it anyway. You "correct" them so they do not do it again, or if they do, you discipline them again, perhaps even harsher.

We talked about my boys being in the kitchen with me or Laura when we're cooking. I warn my boys not to touch the Stove, for it is hot, and they will get burned. Joshua listened. He did not touch the stove. He did not get burned. Elijah, however, didn't listen. He touched the stove and got burned. Did I burn him? Of course not. I knew what would happen. He did so of his own free will and suffered the consequences of his actions. I warn him again. If I even think, he may do it again, I will banish him from the kitchen while the Stove is on. Why? This way he will not get hurt again.

Now he may see this as I burned him for not listening. I didn't. He may see the punishment of being banished from the kitchen as unfair. Why can Josh be there and he can't? He may see me as being too harsh. The reality is, it is out of love that I do this, to protect him from himself.

God is our Father. He is our Daddy. Of course He is going to "correct" His Children when they are in need. He does so, because He loves us.

Proverbs 3:

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:

12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Let's go to....

Hebrews 12:

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Will your Daddy correct you when you do wrong? Of course. Why? He loves you. He would rather see you suffer for a brief time, or what we may perceive as suffering, than to be condemned to an ever lasting damnation that brings you away from God Himself. In...

Revelation 3:

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Again, Jesus tells us He rebukes those He loves. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten" Yet, He also tells us that He stands at the door and knocks. "if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" So even though He may have to "correct" us, He still says that He will come to us.

God does not discipline out of anger or hate. He is love. He IS our Daddy, and He loves us. He does so for our own good, and yes, in some cases, to even protect ourselves from ourselves. If you need transportation, and you Pray for a Brand New Shinny Red Sports Car, and God knows that you will not handle it well and decides the answer is no, He is doing it to protect YOU. He knows they will have to scrape you off a tree. Or worse yet, take someone else away in an Ambulance, because of you. He may get you a Minivan. He knows you need transportation. He will arrange it. But a Sports Car? You get the point. In...

2 Corinthians 4:

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

So you drive around in the Minivan, and live. You have much greater treasures stored up in Heaven than that Sports Car. But God may correct you, not only to protect you, but to make you better at what He asks us to do. In....

John 15:

2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

If I say to my boys. "I want you to do this." They go out, and one does what I asked. One doesn't. I say to the one that doesn't, "I asked you to go out and do this. You didn't do it. Why?" He says whatever he says. I may give him another chance. I may not. I will then go to the one that did do what I ask, look at how he was doing it, and I may say something to him like, "You are doing good. However, If you do it this way, you will produce more."

Sometimes God corrects us, even if we are doing what He asked. Read that again. "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away," Now again, this goes back to our discussion on Faith being dead without works. That God's main request to His Children to to spread the Gospel. To produce a mighty Harvest. "and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." So you see, God "corrects" every one of His Children. The obedient, and the disobedient alike. Severity differs of course. But our Father will "correct" or outright discipline us, when needed.

If we learn form our mistakes. If we accept the discipline and "corrections," then He is just and merciful to forgive us. Jesus is our advocate.

1 John 2:

1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Understand that God DOES discipline His Children. He DOES correct us when needed. However, it is not out of anger, hatred, or some kind of vengeful feelings. He does so because He loves us. Just like I do with my boys, and you may do with your Children, God will do with us.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Is He your advocate? 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, and Jesus IS Lord of all!

Unconditional Love

God loves you for who you are.

Who among you have Children? I always understood the concept, unconditional love, but I never really fully understood what that meant, until I had my Sons. We throw the word Love around way to freely. We love our family. We love our Friends. We love our outfits. We love our Cars. Homes. Some love our Jobs. We love everything. Movies. Music. Food. Anything we really like, we call love.

We hear this...

John 3:

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

We hear God IS Love. We hear how Jesus loves us. We hear

1 John 4:

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

This all sounds so sweet. So nice. Doesn't it? But then we start thinking about these things in our worldly view. You love your car. But if it breaks down? Not so much. You love your Job, but if you Boss makes you angry, you turn your love to Hate. You love your Friends, but if they do something that angers you, you may just walk away from them and say, they are not my friends anymore. That's not unconditional love. We'll spend more time in 1 John 4 in just a few minutes.

Now for those of you who are Parents. You come the closest to understanding unconditional love. In...

Isaiah 49:

15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

You ARE a Child of God. Just like my boys, they are my Sons, I am their Father, God is ours. I am trying to raise my boys the best I can. Give them good advice, try to impart to them wisdom. Teach them the best way for them to go. I will love them no matter what they chose in the future. Nothing can ever change the fact, they are my Sons and I am their Father.

However, they will get to an age where their choices are totally their's to make. We all pilot our own ships through this wonderful and magical voyage called life. We are all the product of the choices we make. We reap the consequences of the decisions and actions we take. I cannot pilot their ships. I can not force them to do the things I would like to see them do. I cannot even protect them, if they choose unwisely.

Like we have talked about before. If I am cooking, and my Sons come to see what I am doing, I will tell them not to touch the stove or they will be burned. One listens to me, one does not. The one that does not listen, touches the stove and gets burned. The one that did listen, doesn't. Did I punish the Son who did not listen? Did I burn him? Did I reward the Son who did listen? Did I keep him from being burned? Or was the final result, solely the decisions that both boys made? One listened and obeyed the warning. One did not.

God is this way. He tells us He Loves us. He tries to teach us the ways we should go. He loves us so much He made the path and the way of Salvation simple and easy for all to obtain. It's up to us to listen. It's up to us to heed the warnings and listen to the Truth according to God. If not, we can get burned. Is it God that burns us? Surely not. It is ourselves. Let's look at....

Romans 5:

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Stop right there a second. Notice what this just said to you. "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." He died for us while we were yet Sinners. While we were in the middle of our Sins. He did not say to us, you must change your ways. He did not require payment, or classes, or sacrifices from us. We could do nothing to obtain it anyway. No. He died while we were Sinners Sinning.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Remember Saul's entire existence was to murder and enslave God's Chosen People. He was in the middle of doing so,,,,

Acts 9:

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

What are you in the middle of doing right now that you feel disqualifies you from the love of God? Are you perfect? Of course not. Are you a Sinner? Of course you are. But God IS unconditional love. He loves you for who you are, not what you do. He knows what you WILL do. He understands our weakness. He understands our heart and minds. He wants for you, a better way.

Saul became Paul, who wrote what you just read in Romans. A man equal to Hitler in every way but one. Jesus said follow me, Saul said, Yes. He became one of the greatest Saints that ever lived. He became the First Pope to the non-Jews. God knew He would. God knew that even with all the things he was about to suffer for God's sake, Paul would endure til the end.

There is no Sin that can separate you from the Love of God, save one. Rejecting His Son. The only Sin you can commit that you cannot be forgiven of, is the rejection of Jesus Christ. Why? Because without Jesus, the key, you cannot receive the Spirit of Adoption, the Holy Spirit. You cannot become a Child of God. Therefore, if you are not a Child of God, you cannot be forgiven of any Sins. You cannot be blessed and loved by someone you chose to have nothing to do with.

I love my boys. However, if when older, they chose to go their own ways, and they chose to have nothing to do with me, it will be their choice. Will I still love them? Of course I will. Can I still be part of their lives and assist them? Show them love and bless them? Can I protect them from the poor decisions that they may make? Nope. I give them a key to my front door. I tell them if they even need anything, use the key and come in. One takes it, the other says, no thanks. If the one who said no thanks walks away, there is nothing I can do. If he attempts to come into my house after, he will not be able to. Why? He rejected the key.

Let's go back to....

1 John 4:

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Stop right there a second. This is why I always tell people, do not believe everything I tell you without question. Do not believe everything anyone tells you without question. Learn for yourself. The importance of the knowledge of Truth is this simple. Know the Truth, and you cannot be mislead. Understand the Truth, you will know a lie when someone tells you one. It is extremely important to get to know God for yourself. Spend time alone with Him. Talk to Him. Read the Word. Find a Church that He leads you to. Pray often. The Holy Spirit will indeed teach you all things. Trust in Him. Trust in God.

Even with these Messages that are given directly by Him, read, look them up, question, do whatever you need to do to find the Truth for yourself. This is not meant to be your Gospel. That you read this and go out into the world and do this or that because some guy named Peter told you to. I do not want you to follow me. I am Flesh. I am a Sinner. I have nothing to offer you but the Truth. Follow God. Follow Jesus. Learn from the Holy Spirit. If you read something from the Word here, and it guides you into the Word for yourself, then I have done my part. A Shower of The Way. A Teacher. A Sower of the Seed. A Helper of those in need. That is all I am. It's up to YOU to walk the walk. To Learn the Way. To receive the Truth according to God Himself.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Unconditional love is that. Love one another no matter what. If that Son of mine, that refused the key, and went off on his own returns? I shall rejoice as the story of the Wayward Son returning, that Jesus told us about, did the father of his Son. God loves you, not because of what you have done, or even will do, He loves you for who you are. We should attempt to do the same. If we should show unconditional love, being far from perfect, then how much more shall God, being Holy? By showing unconditional love is showing that we are truly Children of God. For those who reject our love, it is on them, for the decision to reject it is solely theirs.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? Are you confident that God is your Father and has nothing but unconditional love for you? 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, and Jesus IS Lord of all.

Is There Salvation for the Saved?

Forgiveness for the forgiven?

Last time we talked about God preparing a way. Even though it may not be clear, perhaps even impossible, God can make a way where there is none. In that message, was included the stories of Noah, Moses, and David.

Some were wondering why, and I'll be honest, I was too, included in that message was the fact that these were not perfect men. That even after they accomplished the things God called them to do, they Sinned. It costed them dearly. Noah's family were thrown into turmoil, which some say is still going on today. Moses was forbidden entry into the Promised Land. David lost his child birthed by Bathsheba. Then this message came to me shortly after.

Is there Salvation for the Saved? Forgiveness for the Forgiven? Can you lose your Salvation?

James 4:

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

If I do not know, that it is a Sin to hold a grudge, and I do, am I Sinning? Yes. However, can it be held against me? No. If I know the truth, that I must forgive to be forgiven, and I hold a grudge, then I am Sinning knowingly, and it is held against me and I am then accountable for it.

As it also says in...

2 Peter 2:

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

In other words, it would be better if you were never saved to begin with. That once you are, you then know and understand the Truth. If you turn away from that Truth, you become even worse off than you were before. In..

John 15:

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

And in...

Revelation 3:

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Also in...

Hebrews 10:

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

In all these passages, God it talking to the saved. He is talking to the Church. The body of Christ. Can you lose your Salvation? It would appear, the answer is, yes. It seems that the human concept of once Saved always Saved, is not a truthful saying.

It does make sense if you think about it. If you come to me, and say, please adopt me into your family. I agree. However, I tell you to be a part of my family, I will require from you the same as I would require from all my children. If you are a faithful and good Son, you, as with all my children, will inherit part of my vast estate and fortune.

However, you decide to stop coming to my house. You decide to go off and do your own thing. You decide to forsake me and my family. That is totally your choice. By doing this though, you are disqualifying yourself from all my blessings and promises. I can not bless you, help you, or even love you, if you are no longer with me. As in all things, the choice is yours. As it says in...

Revelation 2:

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Except thou repent. In...

Malachi 3:

7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Return to me, I will return to you. Let's look at the story of the Wayward Son in...

Luke 15:

1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

There is no need for a celebration for those that are faithful and always there. Doing the right things always. There is cause for celebration when one that was dead, has become alive again. Now some say that this is for all Sinners, not just those already Saved and yet backsliden, but anyone who Prays the Prayer of Salvation.

Even if we go with that. How much more do you think God will throw a Party for one that already IS His Child that repents and turn back to His Will? You have to realize that the story Jesus tells us, He says that the man has two Sons. So he is already his Son. Not a new Son. The Sheep were already part of the flock, and the woman already had the Silver. None of these were new to the people in the stories. So I submit to you that Jesus is talking about the Saved repenting and returning back into the Will of God.

Also in..

Matthew 18:

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”

22 Jesus said to him, I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

If Jesus is telling us to forgive our Brother, seventy-seven times, whenever he repents and asks, then how much more do you think your Heavenly Father may forgive you? Can we fall away through Sin, and lose our Salvation? Yup. However, we can come back also. Repent and ask God to forgive us, and there will be a Party thrown in Heaven. But it is up to you.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, or you have fallen away, 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}Find God's plan and purpose for you and your life. He has one. If you have fallen away, welcome home.

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, and Jesus is lord of all!