Month: April 2021

Blog for Podcast #48 (The world is not for Christians)

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, , , , , , Leave a comment

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. Also, you do not need to download podbean if you wish to listen. You can use Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora, Spotify and PlayerFM. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Today’s study deals with human rituals that humanity says are mandatory, and what causes them. Then we look as how a Christian should behave in this atmosphere of what could be called forced fear.

Discussion

It just amazes me how God makes things go full circle. Not only that. How He points you in a certain direction to do a certain thing. That is the case with today’s study of the Bible. God wishes for this message to be sent out and I hope you listen or read it.

Now I know what is to follow was originally for those practices done by the Jewish people and to some extend it is performed today. But, I want you reading or listening to look past that to the environment we now live within globally, which has resulted in lockdowns and demands to change our behavior. Like to constantly and repeatedly wash our hands. The verses come from Colossians. They begin in the 2nd chapter:

Colossians 2:20-3:6 – You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, 21 “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? 22 Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. 23 These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires. 3:1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. 5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.

What these verses boil down to is not worrying about things that transpire in the world and to have the self-control to end sin in our lives. Our eyes should be upon our life away from this temporal existence. Being concerned about having rituals imposed upon us by those that fear their eternal life, shows a lack of faith in He who died for our sins upon that cross nearly two thousand years ago. Who promised us eternal happiness. When humanity tries to impose things upon us for our safety. We are ignoring the only thing that truly counts: Our life in the eternity that is to come once we leave this temporal plain of existence.

Only those that don’t know where they stand upon the enteral plain, fear what they will find there. Those that distress over death and what lies beyond it. Live in the here and the now. While those that truly follow the teachings of Jesus Christ seek after that eternal reward. So, there is no need for fear.

Philippians 4:4-7 – Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Now if you look back to the verses of Colossians, we are told not to be greedy. So, in the Philippians verses, when it states to “tell God what you need.” It is not referring to earthly goods or wealth, but for health and wellbeing and those things that will lead us to the eternal life that is yet to come. Like comfort and reassurance. Knowing that we are destine for something well beyond events and happenings that take place here on earth. To be afraid of things that transpire here on earth shows a lack of belief in God and His Son Jesus Christ if someone professes to be “Christian.” Yet I hear of this fear on a daily occurrence. Mainly from those that live in the temporal. From these I expect it. But from those that profess to be of Christ I hear it as well.

2 Timothy 1:7-10 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.

Those that say they are of Christ should have no fear of anything that occurs here in this life. No matter its form. Especially if it could lead to death. For death is the open door to eternity. The only exception to this is the return of Jesus Christ when those that are His and are alive will be called up into the sky to meet Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

When people fear death. They fear what is not known. Yet, as is witnessed in the verses that are in today’s study. Those that know God in turn know what is beyond death. Since they have taken the path which leads to the open door that leads to eternity who is Jesus Christ. This means that they should not fear death. However, many still do, why is this?

This can be seen in the verses of the armor of God.

Ephesians 6:10-18 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

One of the key elements that deals with the study we are doing today is verse fifteen so let us look at it again:

“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”

In my research of this verse, I had to dig deep. For I wished to give the best answer to this verse. The meaning of the verse seemed hollow in that represented from Strong’s Concordance. So I read the several pages that was offered for the word “peace” in the TDNT (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament). The core of it boiled down to this paragraph:

“As regards the material use of the term in the NT three conceptions call for notice: a. peace as a feeling of peace and rest; b. peace as a state of reconciliation with God; and c. peace as the salvation of the whole man in an ultimate eschatological sense. All three possibilities are present, but the last is the basis. This confirms the link with OT and Rabbinic usage.”

In other words, “peace” first comes when asking for salvation that comes only through accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior. This leads to reconciliation with God which in turn gives each person a sense of eternal peace. Thus, confirming that to have fear of what is beyond this corrupt temporal life is to not be reconciled with God through His Son. This complex imagery of the word “peace” is what is meant in this verse.

The only way to achieve this peace is by being prepared with the knowledge that comes from an understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ and His chosen disciples. These teachings later were turned into the New Testament. The only way to know what is in them is to fully study these letters and come to know their true meaning. This is accomplished by deep study into the Greek it was originally written in. It is also important not to take the word of others. For this leaves the door open to false teachings. Not even to listen to me. Verify the contents of the Bible for yourself, for all of humanity, even those who are saved are yet still open to corruption. For we will not know perfection until we meet Jesus Christ upon His return.

We are told time and again to have self-control. Is not part of self-control knowing what information we allow into our lives? Without proofing what we are being told is true how can we determine truth? Substantiation only comes from one source. The Bible itself, and this can only be achieved with full knowledge of what is written within it. It is this lack of knowledge that opens the door to false teachers.

This is witnessed by the early centuries of the church. This is witness when a man said that the Bible says men are to go to war over the city of Jerusalem. There is nothing in the Bible that states this. Thus, the popes that said this were false teachers.

This is witnessed when objects called “relics” were worshipped as items from Jesus Christ. Violating the command to not worship carved images. This is shown when all people have to do was pay money to obtain a piece of paper called an “indulgence,” that stated their sins were forgiven. Totally removing the need to ask for salvation from Jesus Christ. Who, the Bible states, is the only way into heaven. Again, a false teaching.

There are modern examples that are present in many religious groups that say things not found within the Bible. Yet people fully accept them as truth and fact. When again it is not found within the Bible. Thus, again a false teaching. But it is not my job to tell you which denominations partake of these false doctrines. They are for you the reader and listener of this podcast. By studying, truly studying, the Gospel is the only way to know without a doubt the truth found within the Bible. By you yourself. For who is responsible for their own salvation? You or someone else?

2 Corinthians 5:8-10 – Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

Even here we return to the very point of this study. That we should seek after our life beyond this temporal existence. Never in fear of its coming but welcome its coming and embrace it when it comes. Not in fright but in anticipation. An expectation of a child seeing the approach of a beloved Father. Who has loved and comforted us in times of sorrow and strife, as well as joined in with our happiness and joyous celebrations of our success in following the teaches of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is only when we reject God and His Son by denying what is found within the Bible. By living in sin and saying it is more important than our Creator. It is then that all must fear death. For it is right to have this dread. For it is made clear that to live in that which is said will not be welcomed in heaven. Since it is not welcome with God it can only be welcomed in one other location. So that is something to fear. That is something you can feel concern about and so desire never to die.

As we all know that is something that none of us can run away from. So how will you the listener and the reader of this study accept what is to come. Will we accept the end of our time in this temporal realm in fear or in comfort and joy?

Philippians 3:17-21 – Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #47 (When you know someone has listened to a false gospel)

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Thoughts, , , , , , Leave a comment

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. Also, you do not need to download podbean if you wish to listen. You can use Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora, Spotify and PlayerFM. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Today’s podcast asks a question and then leads into what causes questions like this come into existence. So, let’s begin today’s study with that question.

Discussion

Is the Rapture a reality?

Why ask this question?

Because there are those that count themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. Yet they deny His words that He spoke.

What words did Jesus say about a rapture?

Well, there are three occurrences of this Luke 17, and Matthew 24:30-31; 24:37-41.

Luke 17:34-37 – That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.” 37 “Where will this happen, Lord?” the disciples asked. Jesus replied, “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.”

Note that in the verses before these, Jesus states that those in the world will be behaving like that of Noah and of Lot. Noah before the flood destroyed the world and Lot before the fiery judgement of Sodom and Gomorra and the cities about them.

Matthew 24:30-31 – And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

These verses ties into Daniel 12:1-3 and Revelation 7:1-8 and is speaking of the last rapture that is solely for the Jewish nation. The key to this is in two parts. The first is that it will cause “deep mourning among ALL the peoples of the earth.” Which says that none are left that honor God or have the Holy Spirit within them. And lastly that “they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world.” The chosen or in other words “sealed.”

Continuing now with the verses where Jesus Christ Himself speaks of a rapture type event:

Matthew 24:37-41 – “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. 40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.

Per the words of Jesus Christ there will be those performing tasks or even sleeping. One person disappears the other stays. He states on His return that angels will gather the chosen which are the sealed as I already mentioned. These are His only true mention of what could be described as a rapture.

When someone says there is no rapture. Are they not denying the words of Christ? If they are denying the words of Jesus are they not in actuality denying Him?

My answer to that question is yes, they are.

Matthew 10:32-33 – “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

This is witnessed elsewhere in the Bible as well.

Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

When I started these podcasts in one of my studies, I showed that the phrase “I never knew you.” Is a Jewish law legalism. It does not mean you were never a part of the Body of Christ. It means that Jesus Christ is stating that those people in these verses that are asking to enter into Heaven have turned away From Him. So, since they have departed from Him. He never knew them. Why? Because they chose their life on earth over following the true teachings of the Bible. Therefore, when they originally joined the Body they lied about their true nature unto the Christ. They jointed the lukewarm whom Jesus spit from His Body in distaste. (Revelation 3:15-16)

So, to get back on track.

The fact that Jesus Christ mentioned people vanishing from the face of the earth. Implies a rapture event. He even establishes what to look for to know that His return is near.

Matthew 24:37-39 – “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. 

Luke 17:26-30 – “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 27 In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 “And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building— 29 until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed.

So, if someone has taught you there is no rapture. Then they are teaching a false gospel.

2 Timothy 2:16-18 – Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.

By the way, the “resurrection of the dead” is the rapture. Therefore, there is mention of the rapture throughout the Bible.

Now back to the topic of false teachings. I once again turn to the first chapter of Galatians:

Galatians 1:6-10 – I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. 8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. 10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

Let’s look at the last verse in the KJV:

“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

It is made clear in this verse that those spreading the false gospel were using teachings that made people joyous to the point of returning to their sinful nature. A life which they had left behind when accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. Joyous not in the true teachings of the Bible, but in themselves and themselves alone. For they were being pleased and not God. This is why those that teach only the parts of the gospel to make people feel good are cursed.

Here is an important thing that people do need to realize. God does love ALL of humanity. But due to this love he wants all to have life. Not life here in this temporal and corrupt existence. But a life filled with true joy. An eternal joy that cannot be found here on earth.

What is also made clear in this verse is that the true Gospel is not meant to only please us. In fact, we are told there will be times with sorrow and pain, as well as suffering.

Let’s look at a verse about pain.

Proverbs 13:24 – He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Those that falsely teach the Gospel hate the people they are teaching it to. Those that teach the true Gospel makes people uncomfortable. Even to the point of feeling like that they have been spanked. When they accept their guilt of their sin they will become emotionally distort. Not with what they heard, but with themselves for living in sin.

This is not me saying this. This is the Bible saying this:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

For it is our responsibility to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Tim 4:2)

Reprove – G1651 – elegcho – to admonish, to convict, convince.

  1. Admonish – to warn someone not to do something, usually in a kind way, or to tell someone to do something:

Rebuke – G2008 – epitimao – to tax upon, censure, forbid.

  1. Censure – to express strong criticism or disapproval.

Exhort – G3870 – parakaleo – to call near, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)

  1. Imploration – earnest supplication

a1) supplication – an act or instance of supplicating; humble prayer, entreaty, or petition.

  • Hortation – The act of exhorting, inciting, or giving advice
  • Consolation – something that makes someone who is sad or disappointed feel better

The true gospel does not accept sin it exposes it and shows its filth for all to see. Causing those that live in these sins to feel discomfort and even pain.

When truly teaching the true gospel, it is not done in harshness, but in love. In compassion. In honest and sincere concern for those living in sin. For those that truly love them wish to see all be welcomed into heaven. But this is only achieved through ending sin in our lives. Which can only be done by surrendering authority of our lives from ourselves and giving that authority unto God.

This can only be done through one door. Asking Jesus Christ to be our Savior from our sins. As well as getting baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Then we are to seek to end sin within our lives, but especially those sins which are clearly shown within the Bible that are not to be allowed in heaven.

For if we embrace sin. We embrace the world.

I will end with these verses for you the listener and reader to think hard upon:

James 4:1-10 – What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. 4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5   Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #46 (The Christian walk Part 2)

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, , , , , Leave a comment

Intro

Welcome to another podcast. Today we finish a two part series on how to see if we are allowing the Holy Spirit to work within our lives. This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. Also, you do not need to download podbean if you wish to listen. You can use Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora, Spotify and PlayerFM. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

The Christian walk

The first steps (part three)
How do you put following the road laws into practice?
As was pointed out at the end of the previous part. A lot of reasons as to why people go about not following the road laws, was given. If you noticed they focused upon one thing. The self.
This is when we need to look what Jesus called the greatest commandment.


Matthew 22:36-40 – “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the Law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”


If you love God with all your heart, soul and mind. How can you think of your own wants and desires?
The road laws state that you are to go a certain speed limit. This increases the time it takes to travel when you do not speed. So, staying up to watch a sports event, or that special show. Staying out with your friends in a bar or at a party. Just because it is what you want. This does not place God as the most important person in your life. You are your most important person. You are your own god.


Exodus 20:3 “You must not have any other god but me.”


Yet this is shown daily upon the road. When you speed you are your own god. When you cut someone off because you are in the lane that is ending, and they have the right of way you are loving yourself over your neighbor. Something that is popular in Pennsylvania, turning across traffic in front of oncoming traffic as the light turns green. Again, this is someone placing themselves above all others, and especially God.
So as you can see just driving a car is a way of reflecting your Christian faith. Common courtesy along with not placing yourself first in any situation is by definition living a Christian life. A Christian walk.
But how is that accomplished?
You stop placing yourself first.
This is not easy. Therefore, following the laws of the road is so important. It actually teaches you to become aware of your Christian walk through life. It shows you when you are being selfish and self-serving. It points out to you when you are placing yourself above others.
It also shows just how difficult the true Christian walk can be and is.


James 4:4-10 – You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

The next step
Seeking after the world as was pointed out at the end of the previous part of this series makes of us that calls ourselves “Christian,” adulterers. Yet the majority that calls themselves “Christian,” go about their lives, living in Christian adultery and don’t even give it a second thought. Many in fact come to embrace this as part of their outward sign that they are in fact “Christian.” As was shown in James 4:4-10, that is the furthest thing from the truth.
Yet what is it that makes people Christian adulterers?
It is how they live their lives.


Revelation 3:14-22 – “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation: 15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. 22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”


“I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!”
The moment we seek after things. The moment we desire to have the biggest, the most expensive. The name brand items. Those special golf clubs, that million-dollar house, that fifty-thousand-dollar car. You no longer serve God but yourself. That house, that car.


Mathew 6:19-21 – “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”


This money you are scrimping and saving just to spend or place yourself in debt for. Could in fact be spent as we are told how to spend by the Bible itself.


1 John 3: 17 – If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?


The answer is it is not?

Matthew 19:16-24 – Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” 21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”


When living a Christian walk. We should not seek the best, the brightest, the most expensive. We are to seek after a live that does not deprive us of some comforts. However, when those comforts become the focus of your wealth then we are not serving God, but the world. Our treasures are not in heaven, but in the temporal. The here, the now. And they are especially not on those in need.
We are to live a modest life and if we are given more than a modest income. Then what is beyond modesty is ALL GODS and no one else’s, not even yourself. That is a Christian walk.

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 – Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

So, as you can see from these verses. When God rewards us with earthly goods. They are not for us to horde, but to give the excess unto others so that God can be glorified. Yet millions that are emphatic that they are “Christian,” are not following this teaching. Many if not most are not even aware it exists within the Bible.

That is why it is important when accepting the Christian walk that we learn the Bible and come to understand it. For by doing so we can actually learn to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and in turn give glory unto God.

So, in summary I have shown through the Bible that there are two areas that can truly show our ardent desire to show our belief and faith. That there is a God and we wish to follow the examples left unto us by Jesus Christ and His disciples.

The first of these to is obey the laws of the land of whatever nation we live within that do not violate the teachings of the Bible. Down to the point of how we drive our vehicles upon the road.

The second is to not live in luxuries while ignoring those in need and giving freely of the excess granted unto us by our Creator. We must be willing to not be like the young rich man, but to truly desire to be a living example unto to the Son of God our Savior Jesus Christ. By not seeking and hording wealth, if it is given unto us. Know that we must surrender that which is beyond our comforts to those in need. Not for our glory, but for God’s glory.

I will end with these verses for you the reader and listener to think and ponder upon:

Luke 14:25-33 – A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. 28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’ 31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

God Bless