Month: May 2021

Extremely Urgent that this be read

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I am a dreamer of dreams per Acts 2:17.

I had a dream last night in which I instructed to tell those that call themselves “Christian” and are willing to listen to sell at least half of their worldly possessions, property, and wealth as soon as possible. (Luke 18:24-34; Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-23)

Matthew 6:19-24 -Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Please forward to all those that you love and cherish!

Blog for Podcast #53 (The way to Pray)

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Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora, Spotify, Podbean and PlayerFM to listen to this message. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

For decade I have prayed unto God in the wrong manner. Why? Because I did never knew the correct way to do so. Now I know the Lord’s Prayer. I have said that Prayer for decades as well. However, it is different than truly praying correctly to our Creator through His Son Jesus Christ our Savior. Yet, it is exactly the same.

1 John 5:13-14 – I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) the name of the Son of God [in the peculiar services and blessings conferred by Him on men], so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life, yes, eternal life. 14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. (Amplified classic)

One of the main keys is these two verses is asking for anything that is according to God’s will. God’s will is something that is fully beyond the knowledge of the average person. Nevertheless, we are given clues in other verses. One of the main of these is that we as Christians are to seek after the eternal and not the temporal. This theme is played out time and again in multiple verses.

John 5:24 – “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

Galatians 6:7-8 – Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

These are only two examples. So, this shows the will of God, because it shows that He loves humanity, all of humanity. Because God wishes to have a relationship with all within the human race. The only problem is that most in humanity wish to be their own gods. Living their lives as they see fit to do so. As is witnessed in the verses from Galatians that were just used.

When praying. We should not seek things of the world, but those things that will glorify God and His Son our Savior Jesus Christ. We should pursue those things that give glory to God’s plan. We should seek after knowledge on what to say and how to show the truth of what is within the Bible. Not after wealth and possessions.

Now we have to understand. Seeking a job is not seeking after wealth. So, asking for a job is not the same as seeking after riches. For in today’s day and age we are not all farmers. To receive our daily bread requires money. However, if this job gives us wealth beyond our daily bread and simply comforts. What is extra does not belong to us, but to God.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 – 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. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. 13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

Now we have to remember an important thing. This is seen in the sermon on the mount. For it is here that Jesus Christ explains how we should pray unto our Father the Creator of the universe.

Matthew 6:5-15 – And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

This is the formula given to us by the Son of God. So, this is how we should say all our prayers. Not beyond this. Which is why I said earlier when I first mentioned the Lord’s Prayer. That it was different and yet exactly the same. That is why we need to remember this is not just a template, but it is a pattern that should not be expanding beyond. Yet most of the times in today’s world most do that take the time to pray. I know this without any doubt. For I myself have prayed beyond this.

So let us examine this formula.

First, we are told to pray in secret and not to make a show of it. An example of this can be seen when people insist on praying in restaurants before a meal. They have gotten their reward at that very moment.

Second, we are told not to pray in “vain repetitions.” An example of this repetition is seen when you are within the confessional of those churches. Where a person confesses their sins to a person instead unto God through Jesus Christ and repent of their sins. We then are to strive to end sin within their lives permanently as an alternative to continually living in hypocrisy. As we look further into the word that makes the words “vain repetitions.” In the breakdown of the word in the TDNT we come to this meaning: “to speak futilities.”

Futilities the plural of futility – the fact of having no effect or of achieving nothing per Cambridge Dictionary.

What this boils down to is asking for things of the world. Also doing it constantly and repeatedly. And for things that give the person temporal pleasures, that are fleeting.

Now let us examine the Lord’s prayer.

“Our Father who is in heaven, Holy is Your name.” For God is the Father of all humanity. If they wish to accept it or not. We should always begin our prayers acknowledging our Creator and giving Him what He is due. Our devotion and respect. For He is Holy.

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” Next in we are to ask for the return of Jesus Christ. So that the thousand-year reign of Christ will begin. Where His will, will be done on earth as it is in heaven. This will then lead to the eternal reign of God in New Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:1-8) In the new universe promised by God. (Isaiah 65:17, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1)

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Here Jesus shows we are asking God to provide for our food and comfort. For it is He that provides us everything we are given.

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Or as listed in Luke 11:4 – “And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.” This one took some research because this verse is also known as: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us.” I went through the multiple pages on the topic of “sin” in the TDNT.

When getting into the legal and theological aspect of the word “sin” we come to the word “Transgress.”

Transgress – to break a law or moral rule.

To transgress is akin to trespass.  So, in 1526 when Willian Tyndale released his version of the New Testament. This is the first time the word “trespass” was used and has been adopted primarily by the Catholic Church.

“Debts” is the KJV translation. What it boils down to is sin not actually debts. People have confused the true means of the wording for centuries. In actuality the best translation is “trespass.” For we have trespassed against God by not being loyal to what we are told to do within the Bible. For people do not take the wording of verse fourteen into account, which corresponds with the wording of “trespass.”

“And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Here we are shown we must continually request guidance from our Lord. To in a sense give us road signs that will point us away from those sins that temp us away from God and His ultimate goal for us, which is eternal life. However if we falter, we also ask that He would deliver us form those sins which are evil itself.

Therefore, before we move to the conclusion of the prayer. Let us review how we should pray. Pray in secret. Do not pray repeatedly for the things of the world over and over again, for personal pleasures and desires. When praying give full honor to God showing that He is the focal point of our existence. That it is our wish that God has full dominion over all once again. Understand where our daily food and comforts come from and ask for His indulgence in providing it. Ask God to forgive us for our sins and then willingly forgive those that have sinned against us. As God has done for us through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. Then ask the Lord to lead us away from the temptation of sin. However, if we fail, and falter into sin. We ask the Lord our God to deliver us from the evils of sin.

“For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” We should end our prayers once again acknowledging that God is Sovereign over all existence, and from Him flows all the energies and prerogatives. So, He deserves all the glory. So what does “glory” truly mean.

praise and thanks, especially as given to God per Cambridge dictionary.

Therefore, as you can see. When you truly look into how we pray, we must always make God the true center of not only our heavenly focal point, but as well our earthly focal point. God must be the center of our universe. And all our wants and desires must fit His plans and not our plans and desires. That is the true meaning of how praying should be pursued in all its forms. Not just the Lord’s Prayer as it is called, but all of them. The Lord’s Prayer is just the pattern we must use, that keeps God at the center and not us.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #52 (A Challenge from God)

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Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. Today’s podcast is a milestone. This is the 52nd podcast. Thus marking the one year mark of these teachings. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora, Spotify, Podbean and PlayerFM. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

Today’s message is simple and to the point. Jesus Christ is returning very soon. Stop seeking after worldly pleasures and desires. This is not coming from me. This is coming from God.

Too many seek what is in the world. They also pursue to silence those that seek the truth and try to get the true Gospel out to all that wish to listen.

Too many live lives that revolve around what is in the world. However, they think they are of God. We all need to downsize and give the excess to those truly in need. Jesus Christ makes this clear to the young rich man. (Mark 10:17-31; Matthew 19:16-22; Luke 18:18-23)

This was not the only time Jesus told people that wished to follow Him to surrender all:

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.

Think upon these words as I add this from 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?

Did that strike a nerve? Did that make you uncomfortable? Then that is the True Gospel. The True Gospel is meant to make the sinner uneasy, distressed, to feel awkward. How else will a person decide if they wish to end sin in their life or not?

Those that make you feel good are teaching a false gospel. Those that say the Bible does not say what it says are teaching a false gospel.

The other day I had an exchange with someone that denied the exact wording of the Bible. She said that only 144,000 will rule with Jesus Christ during His thousand-year reign. First off nowhere in the Bible does it state what number will help rule. She then stated that the 144,000 includes both Jews and non-Jews.

Revelation 7:1-8 – Then I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds so they did not blow on the earth or the sea, or even on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel coming up from the east, carrying the seal of the living God. And he shouted to those four angels, who had been given power to harm land and sea, 3 “Wait! Don’t harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.” 4 And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God—144,000 were sealed from all the tribes of Israel: 5 from Judah, 12,000; from Reuben, 12,000; from Gad, 12,000; 6 from Asher, 12,000; from Naphtali, 12,000; from Manasseh, 12,000; 7 from Simeon, 12,000; from Levi, 12,000; from Issachar, 12,000; 8 from Zebulun, 12,000; from Joseph, 12,000; from Benjamin, 12,000.

Let’s look at verse 4 from the KJV:

“And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”

“Of ALL the tribes of the children of Israel.”

This makes it clear. ONLY those that are Jewish will receive the seal. Are the chosen. This is clarified in these verses:

Matthew 24:29-31 – “Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 30 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.

The key point is seen here: “and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth.”

“ALL the people.”

This implies that no human on earth will seek to follow God but hate Him. So they will mourn Christ’s appearance.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 – And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. 7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.

“The one who is holding it back steps out of the way.”

This is the Holy Spirit. As long as the Holy Ghost is present within humanity the antichrist cannot come into full view. How does this help explain what I am talking about? Let’s look at these verses from the book of Revelation:

Revelation 7:9-14 – After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. 12 They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13 Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?” 14 And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.” Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.

In the first half of the tribulation all those that have accepted Jesus as their Savior will be killed or called up into heaven. They are listed as uncountable. To us they will be in the billions. Once the last true believer in Christ as the Messiah is removed from the earth. Then the antichrist will be revealed. Any human left on earth will be of two groups. Those that hate God and those that are of the tribes of Israel. Amongst them will be the 144,000 sealed, the chosen, the elect. Who are only Jewish.  This is why they will morn seeing Jesus Christ in the sky as He begins His return to earth.

Any who imply otherwise are teaching a false gospel. This is their fate:

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.’

There are those this very moment who now argue that they are saved that they asked Jesus Christ into their lives. This is the Bibles answer:

2 Peter 2:1-4 – But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed. 4 For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.

“And even deny the Master who bought them.” Is the key point here.

This makes it clear that they accepted salvation, then turn their back upon their salvation. By accepting teachings that cannot be backed by the True Gospel.

Jesus makes it clear that people can be removed from their salvation:

John 15:1-10 – “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. 9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

We will look at verse six in the KJV:

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

This makes it clear that a person can get saved and then loss their salvation as well as cast into the fire. Otherwise known as hell.

Again, any who say otherwise are teaching a false gospel.

Learn the Bible for yourselves and do not listen to others. If you question my words. Fine. Go to the Bible and learn it for yourself and see what is true. I have no problem with you reading the Bible yourself. Then looking in depth into the true meaning of what is within the Bible. For we shouldn’t just read it, but study it. With the aid of a concordance in addition to aids like the theological dictionary. For truly coming to understand the Bible is a duty to any who professes to go by the moniker of “Christian.” Otherwise, they label themselves as the lukewarm. (Revelation 3:15-16)

We are in the last part of the end times. Jesus Christ is coming sooner than many are willing to accept or admit. Tough times are upon us all. But more so for those that profess to being “Christian.” It is time to decide. Are we to be of the world or of God?

I will leave you the listener and the reader of this to think hard upon this message. Again, if you did not like what you heard. Don’t take it out on me but accept this challenge to see if what I have said is true or false by reading and learning that which God has given all of humanity. The Bible.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast # 51 (Living a basic lifestyle another of the “Money is the true master” episode)

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Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora, Spotify, Podbean and PlayerFM. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

For those listening or reading. This will be one of the hardest teachings to accept. Mainly because the very society that we live in revolves around it. For a Christian it is made simple and direct by Jesus Christ Himself.

Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

Nearly every single person in today’s social and economic structure has this dilemma. Which most fail to address properly in their lives. By the way. I am included in this as well. We all fall short in this area. Most more than they realize. I have hit upon it in the past. But today I will go even deeper and try to show why this is something that those that call themselves “Christian” must find a way to address in their lives and especially their relationship with God through our Savior Jesus Christ. This is what we see about money in 1 Timothy:

6:10 – For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Money is a snare that entraps those that have not been taught that in actuality it is a vice.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 – Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!

1 Timothy 6:9-10 – But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.  10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

As you can tell from these verses. This describes the mentality of most that love money within a wealthy country. It is also the mentality of those seeking this love of money that live outside a wealthy country and make efforts to move to a wealthy county.

Let’s look deeper into the KJV of Ecclesiastes 5:10:

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

Note that here they use the word vanity. 

Vanity – H1892 – emptiness or vanity; something transitory and unsatisfactory

In addition, per Strong’s to quote: “the word represents human “breath” as a transitory thing: Job 7:16 I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity. (literally, but a breath)”

Seeking after money is perceived as pursuing a fleeting existence. Something that will result in sorrow and trouble.

Now before I go further and allow what you have just read and heard to sink in. I wish to share a snapshot of the United States nearly one hundred and seventy-five years ago.

It is 1847. The President of the United States is James K. Polk. Also, at this time a famine was devastating Ireland. A bill was sent through the Senate to spend $500,000 which equates to $15,950,121 in today’s dollars. To send relief to the people of that island nation. Polk, who was of Irish decent, threatened a veto if the bill if it was sent to his desk.

Why?

Because he saw it as unconstitutional to waste the people’s money in such a fashion. He felt that using federal funds was wrong. He did however donate $50 ($1595) to the relief fund that was created following the dying of this bill in committee. He also allowed two war ships to be used to help send the relief supplies to Ireland.

The citizens of the United States as a result started their own relief fund as noted a moment ago. Instead of raising $500,000. The resulting funds raised came to $545,145. $45,145 ($1,440,136) more than the federal government would had allocated. One hundred and eighteen ships sailed with cargo and funds raised to help the people of Ireland. This showed how people respond with their money on their own. Not just $45,145 more than what the government had proposed. However, the mere fact that $17,390,257 was raised. The average income in 1847 was about $120 a year. So, this was a significant amount in that time period.

What does this show about the United States in 1847? That money was not the focal point of the average American citizen. Then what was?

Hebrews 13:16 – And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Proverbs 19:17 – If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD—and he will repay you!

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 last is the most important of these verses, and the question asked is also important. “How can God’s love be in that person?”

What does that say for most in today’s world, even those that call themselves “Christian?” They feel and believe that since they their pay taxes. It is the responsibility of the government to care for those in need. As was shown in 1847, this was not the mentality of those that lived in the United States at that time.

Most in today’s world. Especially in wealthy nations. Let the governments do what President Polk said was not the responsibility of the government. Those with the true responsibility responded above and beyond what the government offered.

Note again that what was donated by freewill was greater than what was demanded through government action.

Isaiah 55:9 – For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Now I have established two points here. One is: that which is blessed by God is always greater than what humans can do on their own. The other point is those that do not follow their responsibility as a person that says they are “Christian.” The question is asked by John. Are they truly Christian?

That is something that all must ask themselves. This is why all must ask who their true master is. Especially those that profess to being “Christian.”

Now I wish to show a verse from a parable that Jesus told when speaking of the end of days:

Matthew 25:5 – When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

What is the common factor that could cause all of humanity? Unsaved. As well as the saved that are wise and foolish to “fall asleep?”

What do they all have in common in today’s world?

Money.

This is the only common denominator that can explain why humanity has fallen asleep. Has forgotten God. Has forgotten the actions of Jesus Christ upon the cross, and His resurrection three days later.

Now just so you understand. In 2013 due to some situations beyond my control I lost all my possessions. Since then, I have continued to live a minimalist life. A life not focused upon money or possessions. I am even now planning to enter into retirement in this same vein. I believe that was God’s plan all along. To help me gain insight into this issue. To lose my focus on possessions, on money, on property. The problem is will you the listener and reader allow these words to sink in.

For those that have been paying attention to the world about them. They will accept and realize that the signs foretold by Jesus Himself. Reinforced by Peter, Paul and John are being seen throughout the world, and on a global scale. So, all of humanity is included.

Plus, as my example which I mentioned earlier the philanthropy that is an earmark of true Christianity is missing from today’s society. Does this not say there is a separation between the Christians in 1847 and the ones today? Does this not give an image of a type of sleeping on the part of today’s humanity? A separation from God?

Do these questions cause you to think to ponder?

Now what do I mean by I “live a minimalist life?” to answer that we must again look to the words of Jesus Christ Himself.

Matthew 6:25-34 – “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

My savings is not very large. I do not have hundreds of thousands of dollars in my 401k. I do not own a house. I live a modest lifestyle. Sure, I have some possessions but not a lot, nor do I wish to have more. In my retirement I plan to have even less. This will be my third downsizing since remarrying in 2015. Let me give you an example of someone I worked with. This person called himself a “Christian.” Yet all he talked about was his 401k, which I might add was worth a million dollars. A few days after he announced that he was finally going to retire. He lost $300,000 of it worth in a single day. It upset him greatly. Why? Because his 401k was his god.

Do I use the systems that are in place within the world we now live in? Yes, I do. Because everything that exists in this world is all part of God’s plan and design. I leave my life in God’s hand. He has fed me. He has given me wife that I love and is my best friend. We share the same likes and desire, as well as the same God.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #50 (Selfishness)

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Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora, Spotify, Podbean and PlayerFM. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Today’s podcast is a continuation of the “Money is the true master” podcast that was done a while back. So let us begin.

Discussion

Selfishness could be considered the ultimate sin. Why would someone say selfishness is the ultimate sin? When you think on it, you will realize that it really is. From selfishness, there is theft. From selfishness, there is strife between people and nations. From selfishness, there is even murder and war.
Jesus I believe knew that selfishness was this bad as well. Why I say that is how he framed the statement “Do unto to others, as you would have others do unto you.” You see he framed the wording to come from a selfish person’s perspective. Why? Become he was talking mostly to the sinners. How YOU wish to be treated is how YOU should treat others and if YOU do so, YOU will receive it.
Just take for example an everyday event like going through the drive through window at a fast-food restaurant. I will give you two examples and you decide which is selfish and which is not.

Person A gets into line then places their car in park to save gas. Cars in from of them move up as other cars behind them pull in to get food. Person A parked lets three car lengths open before them and then decides to look up from their cellphone to see that the line has moved. They then slowly move up. They then place their order, taking several minutes to do so. Because they cannot seem to make up their mind what they wish to order. Then they finish and the line in front of them moves up to three car lengths again. They then again look up from their cellphone and slowly move up, stopping a full car length behind the person in front of them. When they finally arrive at the window, they get their food and then set there several minutes examining their food they ordered. They attempt to give back the food, but it is given right back since it is what they ordered. They then pull away from the window slowly. (This is an actual occurrence I witnessed)

Person B pulls in the line in the drive thru. The car in front of them moves up and so move up with them. The person in front of them gets to the point to order their food. Person B looks at the menu from where he/she sets and decides what they wish to order. The person in front moves forward and they move up and quickly order their food then proceeds to move up behind the person in front of them allowing the person now behind them to order their food. Person B keeps the line moving. When they get to the window, they have their method of payment ready and receive their food then pull away.

The selfish person’s actions can cause others about them to become angry. They do not care, for all that is important to them is themselves. When people only care for themselves then they are not thinking of God first and so are not truly Christian if they profess to be one. Actions speak louder than words.

Selfishness is the biggest plague upon society, as well as Christendom, today. From it stems all the sins that we are to abstain from. It is the clearest validation that we are living within the end times foretold within the Bible. Yet none wish to acknowledge its existence. Even I struggle with this one, and it is something I must constantly remind myself about. For I find myself stumbling back into this behavior. For it is the way we were raised. Without the full structure from the scriptures as it was originally supposed to be taught to all children. From generation to generation. Nevertheless for several centuries all they have been taught is to seek a legacy. To seek wealth. To please only the self.

As it applied to those in Laodicea when the letter was written to them in the book of Revelation. So, it applies to the world today, especially in the largest income countries.

Revelation 3:17 – 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.

One of the biggest pieces of selfishness is the action of wishing to control how our lives proceed. Planning how we are to live our lives. How elegant we are seeking to live. This is selfishness. The Bible makes it clear that we are to relay upon the Lord for everything. From where and how we live to what we eat and how we are clothed.

Matthew 6:25 – “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

Matthew 6:31-33 – “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

If we get to the point of having wealth and property this is what the Bible says:

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?

Think on the last part of that verse. Then look about you and ponder.

These words being said let us now look into what brings us to how we all should think. To start that journey, for it is a journey, we need to look at the young rich man that came to speak with Jesus Christ.

Matthew 19:16-30 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!” 25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” 27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” 28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.

What we first notice is “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Again, we see the wording where the selfish person must note what they desire should be given unto others before the self.

Next is the word “perfect.” It actually translates to “complete.” So, it actually says, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions…” “Complete” means to be made whole. You can only become whole if you stop seeking after the self and seek after your ultimate reward that is not promised in this temporal plain of existence. But in the eternal that is to follow our testing here in this reality. At a one point in the Catholic Church men created a thing called “purgatory.” A place that once you leave this life you were to work off your sins in penance. The thing is a person could say we are living in purgatory right now. We are to decide for ourselves how we should dedicate our lives. Do we wish to live for what is seen as right or what is seen as wrong?

A quote that is used many times also looks into this selfishness. The quote is by Dostoyevsky from “The Brothers Karamazov” – “if there is no God, then everything is permitted.”

When people are selfish all they think upon is themselves. Not God nor the morality that was introduced within the Bible. This is what Jesus Himself said about how people think:

Matthew 15:18-19 – But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.

Without God in our lives there is no way that society can exist. All due to selfishness. This has been proven by the mere fact that of all the religions that have existed throughout the existence of humanity. Only two have lasted thousands of years. Not only that, the morals from the youngest of these two religions have formed the laws of all the nations that followed this belief. A key point of these two religions. They have the same God who gave the same morals to both religions. Within these morals are teachings aimed at not focusing on the self but on our fellow human beings.

Both the old testament or as from the first religion the Tanakh, and  the new testament, what is called the greatest of commandments, which was the name given them by Jesus Christ Himself shows they are greater than the ten commandments.

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.”

“Equally important.” Let that sink in a moment.

Thinking of other as we would think of ourselves is of equal importance as loving God with all our hearts, minds, and souls. Let me restate that. Not being selfish is seen as equal to loving God. Yet millions seek after riches and luxury. Thinking only of themselves and their own wellbeing. Again, I will leave you the listener and reader to ponder upon this a moment.

Jesus taught us not to worry about where we are to be fed or clothed. Yet we know we cannot go without work at all in today’s society. So, this does not mean we are not to work. However, it does imply that we are not to seek after wealth, huge houses, and other luxuries. What it does indicate is that we are not to live in excess. Sure save some for retirement, however not a retirement in leisure and comfort, but enough to get our food and clothes. Anything beyond belongs to God and is for His use. (2 Corinthian 9:6-15)

I did not come to this realization until too late. I am in debt, which we are taught not to do in the Bible. However I did not learn this until later in live. So, it is my problem to solve this. My goal here is to help those listening or reading try and get their life on the right track within the teachings of the Gospel. Which means to live a simple life and once a person has enough to have a roof over their head, eat and clothe themselves. Amongst the non-expensive items that are needed within this world. Not wanted but needed. Then what is left is not for our use, but Gods use. As was made clear in 1 John three. So, I will close this week’s message with the amplified classic version of this verse.

1 John 3:17 – But if anyone has this world’s goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him?

God Bless