2 Peter 1, Part 7

 Godliness

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Welcome. We are currently going through 2 Peter 1. We are doing this in-depth study nearly word for word. If you have been with us you know we went through the greetings and the "For this very reason" or the reason we need to listen to what Peter is telling us here. Last time we talked about steadfastness. If you are following along it looks like this.

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness,

We talked about the reason why, faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, and standing firm. If you missed anything up to now you can go back in the archives and get caught up if you so choose. Today, we are going to talk about godliness.

What does that even mean? The world says this

Godliness = the quality of being devoutly religious; piety: "a man of great godliness"

What does the Bible say? It tells us there is a vast difference between being godly and worldly.

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." Psalm 1:1-3

What it is saying here is that you have choices to make. You can go along with the world, agree with the world and live the worldly way, or you can pick this up {Holding up the Bible} and read it. Live the way God tells you to. Look here.

"If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in their minds and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, " 1 Timothy 6:3-6

This is why it is so very important that you never take what anyone, even me, or your local Pastor, says as absolute truth and facts. Look it up yourself. Read this {Holding up the Bible} If I or anyone else tell you something that is not in here, or it does not go along with what this says, it is a lie.

Not to pick on anyone here but some examples? Don't eat meat on Friday. Not here. Praying to this or that Saint? Not here. Worshiping Mary? Not here. Killing non-believers? Not here. Keeping women down as lesser people? Not here. Racism? Not here. Any other way to God or heaven without Jesus? Most definitely NOT here. Accepting sin and living to let live? Not here. Not doing anything following your conversion? Not here.

Simply put, if you read the Bible, pray, and spend time with God, you will know the truth when you hear it. You will be able to test the spirits.

"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."

We have entire churches today, TV Ministries, local churches, and secular outlets, all agreeing that sin is good and good is sin. They talk with beautiful words that are designed to make you "feel" that they are right and compassionate, and good. Do not fall for the lies.

"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

Please do not misunderstand. Being "godly" or living a life of godliness is NOT being holier than thou. It is not attempting to force your will or beliefs on others. This is not what it is about. It is about your one-on-one relationship with God. It is about a relationship with your daddy. As a matter of fact, we are warned against even dealing with people like that.

"Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." 2 Timothy 3:5

Before you can be concerned with anyone else, you have to get right yourself. Pray, read, and spend time with God.

"I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1

Does this mean we should not share the gospel? Of course not. We should share the gospel as often as God gives us the opportunity. That is our obligation, at least one of our obligation, as a child of God. However, if you are not prepared? I would not recommend it. Look here.

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," 2 Timothy 3:12

That does not say "may." That does not say "some." Read that again.

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," 2 Timothy 3:12

If you are not prepared and well equipt, you may fall for lies and attacks and become unfruitful for the kingdom of God. You would be like those that Jesus calls "rocky grounds," or those amongst the thorns.

"As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful." Matthew 13:20-22

Being godly, or living in godliness, is all about you and your relationship with God. Does this mean you are perfect? No. Of course not. Does it mean you are better than anyone else? No. Of course not. Does it mean you are holier than others? No. It means you got yourself right with God. You spend time in preparation and you spend time with God. You learn and grow and try to keep yourself unstained from the world. Then you can follow through with the next thing Peter talks about here.

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection,"

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

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

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

If you want to tell me, comment, 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.

Talking to God

 Our Father Prayer

Welcome today, come in. Good to see ya.

Congregation arrives...

Please stand...

Congregation stands...

"Goodwill to you, goodwill to me, goodwill to all, peace on earth. Amen." "God be with you."

Congregation "Also with you."

Please be seated.

Today I want to talk about the Church's teachings on women wearing pants. In 1860, our great leader, Father Notta Real Person, said women need to honor their husbands and God. They shall wear dresses and cover their heads. Men should wear trousers, and honor their wives. So saith the Lord. Please stand...

Congregation stands...

"Goodwill to you, goodwill to me, goodwill to all, peace on earth. Amen." "God be with you."

Congregation "Also with you."

Congregation sits.

I understand that we have gotten away from these traditional teachings of Father "Person", and society may see things differently. But we know that God doesn't care about society. If you follow what the Church says on this manor, you will be just fine. You are all absolved of your sins. May you have a great week.

Congregation stands...

"Goodwill to you, goodwill to me, goodwill to all, peace on earth. Amen." "God be with you."

Congregation "Also with you."

Congregation leaves, shaking hands on the way out...

Back to Football, BBQs, shopping, life in general...Until next week.

What just happened? "What? What do you mean? I went to church." Really? "Of course. I went to church and learned about God, and I feel good. I was forgiven for my sins. I prayed. What do you mean what just happened?" What did you actually learn? What Bible passage did you actually read? You prayed? "Yes of course I prayed. Grace to you, grace to me, grace to all, peace on earth. Amen. What are you not getting here? I'm a good person. I go to church every week."

Do you know people like this? Have you been people like this? You have people that go to church every week. They do what Jesus said to do. They Pray the "Our Father Prayer" three times. They go home. Again, it seems nothing works out. Why? They are saying the prayer that Jesus Himself taught us to pray? Right?

Well, no. Not exactly. Did Jesus give us the "Our Father Prayer?" in Matthew 6? Of course. But what was He actually telling us? You see, He was teaching us how to Pray, by teaching us the formula. He was giving us an example of HOW to Pray. He never meant for us to simply repeat it, in the hopes that we would be heard by God, and God will do whatever we asked Him. As a matter of fact, right before He gave us this example, He said THIS.

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."

He goes on to say, not, pray this prayer, but

"After this manner therefore pray ye."

He tells us that this is the formula. This is an example. "After this manner" or, to resemble in appearance, character, behavior, etc. or, to follow as an example. Keep in mind, He just said, "when ye pray, use not vain repetitions." So was Jesus telling us, Say the "Our Father Prayer" and all will be good? No. He was saying, this is how you should pray.

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:"

But what does it mean? Let's break it down, shall we? First,,,

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

Stop. Have no other God before God. Jesus tells us when we pray, we should start off, recognizing God, first as our Father, our Daddy, and we need to recognize His Godhood. We should praise Him. Thank Him. Honor Him. Let Him know we understand that it is not about us, but His Will. Put Him first in our lives.

See the very first Commandment is "Have no other God before God." Jesus tells us we should "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." So of course it makes sense that Jesus tells us the very first thing we should do when we pray, is worship Him and give Him the honor He deserves.

"Give us this day our daily bread."

Stop. Jesus is telling us that we must rely on God, and not ourselves, to meet our daily needs. He just tells us right before this prayer example that, "for your, Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him." Jesus then goes into great detail explaining this truth.

"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? 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?

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 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?

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Again, He tells us "for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." Fear not. Your Daddy will meet your needs. Know that He is with you always. Thank Him for meeting those needs. Have faith He will.

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

Stop. What is He saying here? Forgive those that have sinned against you. Those that have abused you. Mistreated you. Used you. Forgive any that you have a cause to forgive. Why? In explaining the prayer example, Jesus starts out with this.

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

Be careful child of God. Jesus tells us plainly.

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

Remember, when Peter asked our Lord, in Matthew 18:21-22

"Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

And in Mark 11:25 

"And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

As we have discussed before, there is absolutely nothing you could possibly even dream up, that is worthy to be compared to what God can do to these people. The most powerful words you could ever use against them are "I forgive you." Why? because then they are in God's hands. You are forgiven of all those Sins you are worthy of Hell for, and they are out of your hands, and control, and are now God's. Never forget...

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

If you give in to your anger, it can lead to hate. You could lust after the desired end of another person. "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." Do not let it take you. Forgive. Besides all that, what have you, or what do you, still do, daily, that is worthy of damnation? Trust me. There is a list. Mine is REALLY long. Do not fool yourself.

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:"

Did you know that God will never test you with Sin? We read this in James 1:12-15

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

What Jesus is in essence saying here, is ask your Father, to protect you from yourself. What He is saying is that you need to strengthen yourself in truth and righteousness. Strengthen your spirit, to overcome the temptations of the flesh.

The devil never screams. He whispers. He reminds. He allows you to feel. Were or are you addicted to Porn? Have you overcome it? Now, you are walking through the Mall with your Family, and right there in front of you, is a teenage girl in one of the skimpiest little outfits you ever saw. Now you can't get the image out of your head. Or recovering from Drugs? All of a sudden, out of nowhere, you smell it. You taste it. Perhaps you have a dream about doing it. What happens? Now you can't get that image out of your head. If you give in, you may go right back into the bondage of the sin you have overcome. Did the devil make you? Nope. You did it. All by yourself.

So Jesus tells us to be ever vigilant. Spend time with your Father. Ask Him to give you the strength to overcome. To be steadfast. He wants a relationship with you. Walk with Him. Talk with Him. One of the best things you can do next to reading the word is prayer. 

Sometimes, people think about prayer as this holier than anything, grand procedure, that one must be skilled with the knowledge of how to do it. Well, no. Not exactly. All we need to do is follow Jesus's own formula. God already knows what you are going to say before you say it. More on that next time. 

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

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

That's it. It really is 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 your heart that God has 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!!

True Religion

Religion is not Salvation

First, let's talk basics. Religion is not going to save you. Being a good little "Insert religion here" is not going to save you. Sorry. It is just the simple truth. Religion is a man-made concept and most of the time has nothing to do with the true God and or, His plan of salvation. 

Simply put, Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6 Jesus is the key to Salvation. It is simply, accepted by you or not, a fact, that without Him, you can not enter into Heaven. It is simply a fact, again, accepted by you or not, that "neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12

God made His plan of salvation simple and easy for all to obtain.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." John 3:16-18

First, notice this. Jesus does not say "If you eat meat on Friday, or don't eat meat at all, or walk a half a mile on the Sabbath day, or if you say ten "Hail Marry's"" No He says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Whoever. This means? Whoever. Anyone. Everyone. All you have to do is accept Jesus and believe He raised from the dead, and you shall be saved. Romans 10:9.

It also says this. "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." Does it say "If you murder someone, or if you do not follow this or that tenants of said religion, or if you do all sorts of evil?"  No. It says "but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." Whoever? Whoever. Anyone. Everyone. That simply? "has not believed" is? "Condemned already." There is nothing you need to do accept not believe in Jesus, and you are condemned already because He is the only true way to Heaven. He is the Door, the Gate, the Shepard. He and the Father are one. John 10, Romans 10:13 says “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

So any religion that does not have this simple truth, Jesus IS Lord and He is God, is a false religion. Paul said this in 1 Corinthians 12:3

"Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit."

Jesus puts it plainly as recorded in Mark 9:40 "Whoever is not against us, is for us." Which also works the other way.

You see it really is that simple. You accept the gift. You receive the key. You are adopted into the family of God, and He becomes your Father. He tells us, that, His people are a family. That being a child of God, you are now heirs.

"and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8:17

How many of you are parents? You have a child and all of a sudden, nothing else really matters. When the child is a baby, you have to treat it as a baby. Feed it, burp it, change it. Do everything for it. As it grows, you teach it. As it gets older, it will make its own choices. You still love him or her, no matter what choice they make. However, once they reach a certain age, they will decide the direction of their life. Either they will follow what you have taught them, or they will go out on their own. But you are still their parent, and they are still your children.

God is the same way. He wants you to get to know Him. He wants to spend time with you. You with Him. He wants to teach you all things and the ways you should go. Religion comes in and attempts to teach us God's Will. However, Religion IS Man. Organized Religion is a man-made tradition. Man-made beliefs. Man-made rules and regulations. What to do. Not to do. What to eat. What to wear. How to speak, etc. Religion for Religion's sake is pointless and can actually do more harm than good. If the Religion that you belong to, does not have the Key, what's the point? If the Religion you belong to, tells you things that are NOT in the Word of God? What's the point? If you are mindlessly following traditions of men, in the hopes of feeling holy, just, or even simply forgiven, if God is not involved, you accomplish nothing.

Look at Acts 4, Peter and John are arrested and brought before the council and they are put on trial. They see that a man had been healed and they see that Peter and John are doing good works, and they tell them to stop? Nope. They did not tell them to stop doing good works, but they did tell them to stop teaching the name of Jesus.

"So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus." Acts 4:18

Then they threatened them more and let them go. They had no problem with "religion." After all, Peter and John were Jews and the same "religion" as those on the council. They did not have a problem with the "good works:" that they were performing. No. What they had the problem with is Jesus. It is still this way today, in many places around the world.

What did Jesus himself say about Religion?

"Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”" Matthew 15:1-9

Teaching for doctrines, the commandments of men. Just because you may be following the traditions of men, doesn't mean you are following God's Word. Or His teachings. Jesus warns us of false prophets and false religions.

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits." Matthew 7:15-20

Wonder about a religion? First, do they have Jesus? Second, look at what they are doing. Are they going out to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give peace to those in need? Are they using the Tithes and Offerings to help others? Is what they are telling you actually IN The Word? Are they producing anything? Are people being saved because of them? That is the sort of thing you should look into before committing to becoming a member of that religion or even that Church. Remember what Jesus said? Remember he was talking to the Priests and Rulers of the Synagogues, The Religious folks.

"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” John8:44-47

What Jesus is saying to these people, is that they are so caught up in the following of their man-made traditions, called Religion, that they could not see the Truth, when it was right there in front of them. Many times we do this. When we get so caught up in religion, politics, culture, whatever, that we become blind to anything else. We become so focused on the "Me" factor, that we fail to see anyone or anything else. If you are a black man, you can not possibly believe anything a white man says. If you are a Jew, you can not possibly believe anything a Christian says. If you are a Democrat, you can not possibly believe anything a Republican says. ETC. We get so caught up in following the traditions of those that came before, we can not hear anything that may be new to us. We can not believe that what we have always believed, may not be the truth.

I remember a story I heard once. There was a flood. A Man and his family were forced to go up to his roof. The water kept rising. A boat came by and said to the man, "Get in." The man said. "God will save us." Water rises more, and another boat comes. "Get in." The man says "God will save us." Now the water is on the roof. A third boat comes and says, "You will die here. Get in!" The man says, "You know not what you are saying. We are a family of God. God will save us!" He and his family die. They go to Heaven. He says to God. "Why did you not save us." God says, "I sent you three boats."

Jesus is the Boat. He is the Truth. He is the Way. He is the Life. We are wading around in the flood of iniquity. We live in sin. The flood rises every day. Jesus is saying to you, "get in." What say you? Now hear these words by Paul. Remember Paul? He was a murderer until Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. He, in essence, said "follow me" and Saul said "yes." Saul became Paul. In Galatians 1:11-17

"For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus."

This is very powerful. Paul is telling them here that he once killed and enslaved God's chosen people. He received great profit and praise, received high positions of power in his religion. He was "great" in the eyes of his religion. Yet, he found that he was wrong. He stopped listening to the teachings of his religion, he started to learn from God himself. You can too. It's called a one on one relationship with God. Read His Word. Ask Him to teach you. Learn from the Spirit. In 1 Thessalonians 2:13-17

"And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. For you, brothers became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!"

Again, you see that it is not about religion. You know, I was once told by a Hasidic kid "I am not supposed to talk to you." Why not? I asked him. "Because you are not clean. You are beneath me." I asked, do you believe that? He didn't know. We ended up playing paper football on the Front Desk in a Hotel, where the Boy was attending a religious ceremony.

Religion teaches of a loving God, yet, we must hate and shun those that are not like us? Religion teaches salvation, but not for all? Religion teaches us to murder those that are not like us. Yes, religion teaches us many things. But do you REALLY know who God is? Do you have the Key? Are you doing God's Will or the Will of man? Are you making the Commandments of God of no effect, in the keeping of man-made traditions? These are the things you really need to ask yourself.

Learn from God. He will teach you the truth. Have faith in Him. In His Word. Seek out His Will, His plan and purpose for you and your life. If someone tells you something that is not in the Word, they are lying to you. If they tell you something that is not of God, they are telling you things of man. Or worse. Get to know the truth. For if you know the truth, you will not fall for a lie. God is the truth. His Word is the truth. Everything else is the traditions of men. Even the Chruch of Christ can fall into the trap. More on that next time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus in the Old Testament, Song of Solomon

Jesus in The Song of Solomon

Here is a Book that you may have never heard of. Or one that you have no idea what it is about. It is only 8 Chapters and maybe two and a half pages long. Some have called it “Perverted." Some say that the Song of Solomon is just a love song and therefore has no place in the Bible. If you just casually read it through you may also come to that conclusion. Depending on what your definition of “Perverted” is.

However, we are going to go through it in this light. Remember, Jesus said this.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,” {John 5:39}

So? Do we find Jesus in The “Perverted Love Song” of Solomon? Of course, we do.

First, Man cannot truly claim He knows Love, True Love, without being Married to a Godly Woman, and Vice Versa. Jesus said this about Marriage.

''For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh'' {Matthew 19:5}

Once you are Married, you are no longer two, but one. You cannot get closer, nor can anyone come between. Jesus continued by saying this.

“So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” {Matthew 9:6}

Ephesians 5:22-33

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

Now, remember, we are called the Bride of Christ. We are His Bride and He is our Bride Groom. So now when you read The Song of Solomon, read it in this light.

As we begin in The Song of Solomon, we see the Bride, think us, Confessing her love toward her Husband, think Jesus, and her Human Nature.

“I am very dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. Do not gaze at me because I am dark, because the sun has looked upon me.”

Isn’t that us? We are born into Sin. We are dark. Our Hearts are Evil.

“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” {Genesis 6:5}

However, our Bridegroom so loves us, that He came and died for us while we were yet Sinners and sees us like this. Song 4:7

“You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.”

In Chapter 5, we see the Bride is Sleeping while the Bridegroom Knocks.

“I slept, but my heart was awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking.“Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one, for my head is wet with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.”

In this present time, Christ is away. We are to stay awake for we never know when He will return.

“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” {1 Thessalonians 5:2}

Jesus tells us Himself that He will come and Knock.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” {Revelation 3:20}

We see that the reason the Bridegroom went away was for preparation for his Bride. Chapter 6

“My beloved has gone down to his garden to the beds of spices, to graze in the gardens and to gather lilies. I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine; he grazes among the lilies.”

Jesus tells us this.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” {John 14:3}

A little bit later we see them come together. They come together and delight in each other. One day, Jesus will return and bring us with Him. as with a Marriage, we will become one. See John 17:23

“I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

The Song of Solomon is a Love Song. It talks of the Blessed Love between a Bride and her Groom. It talks of how even though she, or we, may sleep and make excuses {Chapter 5} our Bridegroom, Jesus, still loves us and is preparing a place for us.

He will one day come back and Knock. Will you be ready to answer? Are you looking? Are you waiting?

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” {Luke 12:35-40}

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 and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is 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!

Foul Weather Child

When all is going Good???

Death in the Family? "GOD?!?!?" Loss of a Job? "GOD?!?!?" Loss of a House? "GOD?!?!?" Sickness and Disease invades your Home? "GOD?!?!?" Dark clouds coming?? "GOD?!?!?" Trying to walk on water, and start to sink? "GOD?!?!? SAVE ME!!!!"

All is going well? Everyone healthy? Got that new Job? Got Married? Birth of a Child? Healed from Sickness? Beautiful Sunny Days? Where is your cry to God? Where is God?

Oh He is there. Where are you? Seriously. Do you have Fair Weather Friends in your life? You know, those that are your best friend whenever all is going great, or whenever they need something from you. However, when all is growing dark, and you become in need of help, they disappear? We have all known or know people like this. Most of us do not have time for Fair Weather Friends. So I have a question for you. Are you a Foul Weather Child of God?

{1 Thessalonians 5:16-18}

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

"REJOICE EVER MORE!!!" "PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!!!" Not just in the bad times. Rejoice evermore. Not just in the dark times. Pray without ceasing. When God answers you Prayer? Do not just go away. Celebrating. Don't forget to give Him Praise and Glory. Don't forget to give Him Thanks. Remember the ten Lepers?

{Luke 17:12-19}

"And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests.

And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."

Did you know, that the one that came back and gave Praise and Thanksgiving to God, the ONLY one, he was a Samaritan? The others only got the outward cure. They were Physically healed. He alone got the Spiritual Blessing. Why? In the middle of their Darkest hour, they all Cried out "GOD?!?!?" But when they were healed, only one, the Samaritan, remembered God. Gave Him Praise and Glory..

See God is always there. If you are His Child,,,,

{Zephaniah 3:17}

"The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."

He is there with you in the Good times. He wants you to celebrate WITH Him. He wants a one on one relationship with you. Just like your Earthly Daddy. He wants to be your Heavenly Daddy. Just like your Earthly Daddy, He wants to be there to celebrate Life's good times with you. He will be there in the Bad Times. He will be there when you lay down. He will be there when you get up. If you are His Child, He will be meeting your needs everyday. He will Heal you when you are sick. He will Bless you daily. He will teach you, lead you, love you, always, in all things...

{Philippians 4:4-7}

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Have you ever been touch by that "peace of God, which passeth all understanding" If not, there is no describing it. There is nothing to compare it to. You have to actually experience it yourself. I have been touched. I have experienced it. Better than any amount of alcohol. Better than any kind of drugs. It just is the Peace of God. The Joy of our Lord. You can find it no other way, save spending time with God.

Instead of just calling out "GOD!?!?!?" in the bad times, why not trying listening?

{James 1:19}

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:"

Your Daddy is talking to you. He is trying to get your attention. He is trying to show you something. Are you listening? Are you looking for Him? Are you waiting on him? He wants that relationship with you. He wants to call your name and you go, "Here I am." He wants you to be able to call His name, and He goes "Here I am." He wants to laugh with you. He wants to celebrate with you. He wants to cry with you, comfort you. Guide you. Watch you grow up in Faith as His Child.

Do you know people like this? They really agitate you. They use to me as well. They could have sickness and disease in their lives. A Foreclosure notice taped to their door. Their car breaks down. Bombs could be going off all around them. Yet? They always have a smile on their face. They always seem so happy. Why? They KNOW that God is their Daddy. They know that God is always with them. They know, that....

{Romans 8:18}

"the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

They have claimed this. They also know that as a Child of God..

{Romans 8:28}

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

No matter what is going on in their lives??

{Romans 8 37:39}

"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."

So why worry about anything? Why not celebrate the good times with God. Not just cry out in the bad times. Know that God is with you always. Just like when you come home and share the great things that happened to you with your Earthly Father, share them with God. Just like when you want to make your Earthly Father Proud of you and show him your accomplishments, you should be doing the same with God. Just like when your Earthly Father blesses you with this or that, think Christmas Morning, must have gift, Thank God daily for His Ultimate Gift to you. Everlasting Life with Him..

Don't be a Foul Weather Child. Be His Child always. He is not just there in the Bad Times. He is there always. Are you His Child? 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..

Running On Empty, Spiritually

What does the Sower of the Seed need?

I remember this like it was Yesterday. Here I am, just recently Saved, working, minding my own business, when a Professional Boxer friend of mine came to me and said, "I want to know about God." I thought to myself. OK. Cool. Then he said something that I just didn't get. "James told me to come see you."

Now for those of you who may not know, James was one of two Men that were very instrumental in leading me on my Spiritual Quest. I remember thinking to myself, "ME???? James sent you to ME??? Wait. What? Here is a guy that has been going to Church. He reads The Word. He told me about Jesus. He told me what I needed to do to be Saved. Why is he sending you to ME??? Who am I??"

What I said was, "Well, OK." We set a date for him to come to my home. The day came, and here we are. I thought I would simply start with the basics. All I knew anyway. He asked about the Ten Commandments. I found that I did not even know where to find them. Seriously. I had no clue. Here I am in the Kitchen trying to come up with them. While he was sitting in the Living room waiting for me to bring drinks and a snack.

Long story short, I found that day, to the lost, the simple things are not so simple. The "Basics," are not so Basic. What I thought was my infantile understanding of God, Jesus, and The Word, was actually, at that point in time, the most powerful and important knowledge in this young man's life.

A bit later, a week or so, he came to me again and told me he accepted Christ as his Savior, on top of a Mountain, at like Five in the Morning. Point is, it was as much a learning experience for me as it was him. A day I will never forget. I was a Sower of the Seed? Yup. Even though I only had a couple of, what I thought were meaningless Seeds, A new Creature was born. A Sinner became a Saint. A lost person was Adopted into the Family of God. Because, even though a had so little, I still planted them.

However, none of this could have ever happen if I had none. Seriously. Look at this in the Natural. If you go out and dig your Garden, if you have no Seeds, what is the point? Why are you wasting your time? You can dig all day. You can lay a foundation all day. You can plan out all day. But if you have no Seeds, nothing will ever grow. Your Garden will be nothing but dirt.

Sad thing is this. Most people fall into one of two categories. When Jesus was talking about being a Sower of the Seed, He said this..

Matthew 13:

5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

He explained it here..

Matthew 13:

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

In other words, those that hear The Word receive it immediately, and with great joy. Why not? It's a brilliant story. It's the greatest Story ever told. God, loves us so much, that He laid down His Godhead, and came to Earth as a Baby, {Who doesn't love Babies?} and lived His Life walking among us. Teaching us good things. Showing us God Loved us so much He wants to Adopt us. Then Jesus suffering all He did for YOU. He died {Good news, you do not have to} so that you may Live. {You will never die}

They hear that Jesus said

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." {John 14:3}

Who would not want to go to a place like Heaven?

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."{Revelation 21:4}

However, because that is as far as they go, they become Spiritually empty quickly. Someone comes up to them and says, "You are one of those? Tell me why I should accept this Jesus? Are you really that stupid?" ETC. They become offended and decide to reject that of which they heard, so they do not have to be ridiculed. They deny the Truth, and they accept the Lie.

Then there are those that receive it, but that is as far as they go. They do not take the time to fill up. To get to know what it all means. They love the Story, but then they leave that Spirit Filled Place called "Church," and they have messages from Bill Collectors. Their Power is shut off. They still have abusive people in their lives. They forget what they just heard. They mean well, but they let the "care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." They go to Church and sing songs, then go Home and worry about Tomorrow. Instead of actually following what Jesus told us.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 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."{Matthew 6:33-34}

In order to be a Productive Child of God, and to be able to grow in Faith, you must not let yourself become empty, Spiritually. How do you do this? Read His Word. Fellowship with Brothers and Sisters. Pray. Spend time with God. Peter tells us that as a Brother or Sister in Christ, as a Child of God, we must always be ready to answer those that may come to us. Think my Boxer Friend. 

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" {1 Peter 3:15}

Paul tells Timothy 

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."{2 Timothy 4:2}

Remember, in order to give, you must have something first. I know Pastors that run on empty Spiritually. You can always tell. You can feel it. Oh, they may get up every Sunday and stand in the Pulpit. They may put on their best Suit. They may have worked hard preparing what they wanted to talk about. But if they have not taken the time to Pray, Read, Spend time with God, They are Spiritually Empty. There is no power in their words. No power in the Message. They are simply going through the motions.

Think about this, look at all those in the Word, that God spoke to directly. Noah, He was the most Faithful at the time, Saved Mankind and a lot of God's Creation. Moses, saved God's Chosen People. Ananias, Healed Saul and helped in the Conversion to Paul. So on. God can and will speak to you directly and audibly, keep in mind though, when He does, He wants you to change the World. God will also, and most likely, talk to you in various ways.

Most predominantly through His Word.
Through the inner still, small voice of Holy Spirit.
Through the advice and counsel of your fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Through Dreams.
Through Visions.
Through Angels.
Through Circumstances.
Through a simple sense of knowing. {Think inner peace.}

Jesus tells us that we need to always be ready as well. 

"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."

Jesus is telling us to be Faithful always 

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."{Matthew 24:42,44}

Luke 12:

35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

If you allow yourself to run on empty, you will not be prepared. As we discussed before, running on empty Physically can make you sick, and even kill you. Running on empty Emotionally can also make you sick, and can also kill you. Running on Empty Spiritually, will drain you both Physically and Emotionally, and make you completely unproductive as a Child of God, and may even miss God speaking to you, and you will not be ready when He comes. Never forget to take time to recharge, Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually, and always be ready.

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

How To "Have Church"

Religion is not Salvation. A Building is not a Church.

You have heard it Preached here that Religion is not Salvation. You have heard it said, a Building is not a Church. That God desires for a personal, one on one relationship, with you. We just discussed that you already HAVE all the answers you will ever ask, right there in the Book, in your hands. So is there a need to actually go to Church? What is a Church? Is it important?

The word "Church" as written in the New Testament comes from the Greek term "ekklesia." "Ekklesia" is formed from two Greek words meaning "an assembly" and or "called out ones." The word Church is another way of saying, "Family of God." "Children of God." "Adopted ones." "Anointed ones." A Church is the People. Not the Brick and Mortar building with a steeple and stained glass windows. But simply, the people.

Ephesians 1:

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

"And gave him" Who is Him? Jesus. "To be the head over all things to the church," What is "The Church?" "Which is his body." Simply put, the Church is a group of believers, but more importantly, Saved Ones, or, Those God has called out. Those that He sent the Holy Spirit to for Adoption, and those that have accepted the Adoption and have become Children of God.

Now many interpret Jesus's Statement to Peter "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." {Matthew 16:18) as Jesus appointing Peter as the First Pope. We know this not to be true as Peter brought the message of the Resurrection to the Jews, and it was Paul, of whom Jesus commissioned to be the one to bring the message of the Resurrection to the Gentiles. So what was Jesus really talking about? Here is the exchange...

Matthew 16:

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 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.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

What did Peter, declare? "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said, "thou art Peter." However, read the next very carefully. Jesus said "and upon this rock." Was Jesus calling Peter the Rock? Or was Jesus calling Peter's deceleration that Jesus is the Christ, and the only way to Salvation? Notice Jesus did NOT say, Peter, you are THE Rock I will build my Church on. He said "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 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." So what is the Rock? The Only way to Salvation. Jesus, the Resurrection. The Adoption. The deceleration that Jesus IS Lord. Just like Peter, ANYONE who shall confess, Jesus is Lord, is part of the Church.

You see, without that corner stone. Without that foundation. All you have is Man-Made Traditions. You cannot be adopted into the Family of God, without first believing in the Rock. The Way, The Truth, and then you get The Life.

Jesus also told us "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." {Matthew 18:20}So if we take this as fact, then we must understand that two or more are more powerful and are more Holy, than just one.

In,,,,,

Hebrews 10:

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

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.

In simple terms, we are to come together as a family. We are to encourage each other. Comfort each other. Strengthen each other. We are to morn together. Laugh together. Celebrate together. And yes, even to keep each other in check. There is a real reason for discipline in our Church. It is for our own good. To help keep each other from falling. The area's you may be strong in, I may be weak. The areas you are weak, I may be strong. We are to gather together to lift each other up.

In,,,,

Colossians 3:

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

You are the Church. You are the Body. When you come together, you are to CELEBRATE The Resurrection and The Life. CELEBRATE God. It is not suppose to be a choir. It is not meant to be something you are forced to do. God couldn't care less about your following of Man-Made Traditions.

If you are attending a Church that seems to you to be run more as a corporation than and celebration, then I pretty much just have one word for ya. Run. Never go back there. If your Pastor is not teaching you the Word of God, run. If your Pastor is more interested in what you are putting in the offering, and if you are eating meat on Fridays, than he is about the condition of your sole? RUN.

We are to come together and learn the Truth according to God. Not Man. We are to "Provoke one another unto love", and "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." If your "Church" is not doing this, you are in the wrong place.

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}

Creating God in Our Imagine

God is too big for your little box.

"So what God to you believe it? The God of the Jews, Christians? What about the Muslim God? What about the God of the Mayans? What makes you think your God is any better than theirs? What makes your's the one to follow? The way I see it, God is whatever you believe God to be and all else is nonsense."

No. Not really. God IS. He, just like you, just is. You look the way you look. Your nature is the way it is. You are you. If someone comes to me and says something that you did or said, that is out of your Character, I will know that it was not you. Because someone else wants to form you into something you are not, does not change the fact, you are you.

I accept you for you. I believe in you. Others do as well. Does this make you "ours?" Nope. We just accept you as you are. Can you be "other's"? No. They can accept you for who you are, or they can change who you are into a lie. Either way, it in no way, changes you are you.

God is God.

Genesis 1:

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

He created all that is, was, or ever will be. Then He created us.

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

We are created in God's own imagine. He is NOT created in ours. He created you.

Psalm 139:

12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Really think on that for a second. You are you, because God said so. You are white, black, blonde, red headed, short, tall, male, female, whatever, because that is what God wrote in the Book of Life. God had a blue plan, if you will, for who you would be. He also set up a Destiny for you and your life.

Jeremiah 1:

4 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

6 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

7 But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

Just like Jeremiah, God knew who you were before you were born. He has a plan and a purpose for your life. It's out there for you to fulfill. Blessed are those who find it. Jesus was there at the beginning as well.

John 1:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

That same Jesus, is now abiding in you, as a Child of God. Without this, you are none of His. It really is this simple. God created Man. Man reject God. God sent Prophets, gave Man Commandments. Man ignored the Commandments and killed the Prophets. God laid down His Godhead and came to earth to die for our Sins.

In this act, God opened up Salvation for ALL. Not a select few, but ALL. All you have to do is accept His Gift. Allow His blood to be your blood. His sacrifice to be your sacrifice. His death, yet rather Resurrection, to be your death and payment for your Sin. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." {Romans 6:23}

It really is this simple. There is no other way. There is no other Truth. There is no other God. One God, one way, one Truth. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." {John 14:6}

Some become offended by this. As the Word tells us, this is done on purpose. Yup. On purpose. "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." But just because you may become offended, doesn't mean it not Truth.

However, because of this perceived offense, and because of the Pride of Man, we reject the Truth. We attempt to change the Truth to fit our desires. If you chose to believe in God, yet do not wish to believe He came to earth, then you accept some of The Word, but change the fact Jesus is God, to that He was simply a good Teacher. If you chose not to accept "Thou Shalt not Murder." You simply leave that out, or say it means something else. If you chose to accept The Word is true, but only for a time, then you are free to live as you will. Get the point?

But God cannot be fooled. He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore, because He is "I am." He IS God. He sees every aspect of us. None of us can hind from Him. No matter how we chose to see Him, He does see us.

Hebrews 4:

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Just like God, The Word is absolute. It IS the final authority and answer to all things. It does not care if you accept it as such or not. It IS what it IS. God is who He is. Regardless of your acceptance, or point of view, or desire to be justified in your ways, God IS God. He is too big to fit in your little Box.

The problem come in when we attempt to lump being a Child of God, into Religion. When we start seeing being a follower of Christ, THE Christ, as nothing more than man-made Traditions, like all others, called Religion. Then we create confusion. Christianity has become a Religion in of itself, but was never meant to be. God wants a one on one relationship with you. He does not care if you are a good little {Insert Religion here}or not. This is why Jesus spoke out AGAINST Religion more than He ever did praise it. Paul gave this speech in Acts.

Acts 17:

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

It was never intended for the Disciples of Jesus, to become like all other man. We are to be separate. We are to be Sowers of the Seed. Show-ers of the Way. Tellers of Truth. We are to live as Children of God. Not create a bunch of laws and rules and regulation which make those seeking The Truth burdened with the Traditions of Man.

God is the same God of all. Regardless of whatever Box you attempt to put Him in. There is only one way to find Him. There is only one way to accept His Gift. There is only one Way, Truth, and Life. His name is Jesus.

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}