Month: August 2021

Blog for Podcast #66 (Jesus the heretic?)

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

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

Why call a study of the Bible “Jesus the heretic?”

This goes back to a discussion I had in a group that states it is dedicated to following Jesus Christ and calls itself “Christian.”

Well, I was actually having two discussions at one time on different threads. On the one hand I had someone accusing me of having too much faith in God and Jesus. While on the other hand I had one saying I had no faith at all.

It is the latter of these two which leads us to the title of this podcast.

I know where I am with Christ. I know my calling. I know I must strive to get the True Gospel out there, and cause people to think where they are in their faith walk. For as I say time and again. Do not take the word of others, or me. Study the Bible for yourself to get the True Gospel. And when I say “study.” I do not mean just read the Bible. I mean get into the core of the meaning of the words within the Bible by seeking after their original meaning when they were written in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic.

That can only be done with the use of a concordance at the least. I also use the multiple volume Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. However, there is also one for the Old Testament.

This is the way to truly study the Bible.

Now back on topic.

In one of the afore mentioned discussions the person was insistent that it is through faith alone that salvation is kept and that is all that is required.

There comes a time when a line is crossed in these situations. Consequently, the Lord just says to me. “Allow My Word to speak.” So, I just stick to the Scriptures, and add as little as possible if at all when I reply.

This is how I did this with this person that was so insistent that it is by faith alone. I will let you know which verses I was led to post and let them speak for themselves.

The first was:

James 2:14-26 – What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? 21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. 25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

This is all I posted, and this set this person off to debating me.

I did some replies trying to break down these verses to simplify the issue. The person was still relentless.

So, I was led to go to the greatest example. The words of Jesus Christ Himself.

 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.

A simple directive by Christ. Keep Him within us by obeying and following the commandments. Now for the benefit of those that have not listened or read my past lessons. The “commandments” is not limited to the Ten Commandments. It is all the commands given to us in the books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus that were not made invalid by Jesus dying upon the cross. Which is 90% of the commandments are still in effect to this day. Like for example not to get tattoos.

Matthew 5:17-20 – “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

This statement made in verse twenty is specifically aimed at those that insist in faith alone by the way. Another important point in these verses:

“But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

“Anyone who obeys.” This is an action.

An action is defined as this from Dictionary.com: An act that one consciously wills and that may be characterized by physical or mental activity.

This is deeds, works, fruit.

This is a more elaborate response than the one I had given to the person that was resolute in their stance that it is by faith alone.

Therefore, I was led back to James again, but not all the verses, but the core element verses:

James 2:17-20 – So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

I did not add to this reply. I let the Word of God speak. This was the reply I got:

“That is heresy!”

I was dumbfounded.

I said I use the words of Jesus Christ and of James. You just called our Savior a heretic. And I suggested the person ponder that in silence and not to make any more replies.

They did reply. I never responded.

What is a heretic?

Answer per Cambridge Dictionary: Someone who has beliefs that are against the principles of a particular religion.

Yet I quoted from the Bible. Word for word, which makes them the principles of a particular religion. And yet this is called “heresy?”

This sounds familiar.

In Matthew 23:1-36 Jesus had his great confrontation with the Pharisees and Sadducees. He showed them how they had taken the teachings of the laws given to the tribe of Israel in the books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. How they had added these visual rituals and procedures that went beyond the sacrifices and the laws of the afore mentioned books of the Bible. He stated that no one should call another human a “rabbi,” a “teacher,” or “Father.” Yet at this time millions do just that.

What was the core of Christ’s issue with these men? They were not living their lives with works called for within the Bible, but things which would make them look great and better than those they were called to help to find the Lord God. Their behavior actually caused Israel to turn against the Son of God when He finally appeared and came to fulfill the laws and the prophets. Because their faith alone was not the faith God calls upon us to have in Him through His Son Jesus Christ. All that was required is that they do the sacrifices called for. Not to govern and command, but their lack of faith in God led to works of hypocrisy. Which ultimately led to the destruction of the second Temple.

Which happened thirty-seven years later in 70 A.D.

In the very next chapter of the book of Matthew begins the Olivet Discourse. Jesus Christ gives a list, which if you wish to hear or read see podcasts #25-30, of the things to look for of His soon return. In verse 34 of that chapter, He says this:

Matthew 24:34 – I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.

So, understand this. When those that profess, they are “Christian,” and call our Savior Himself a heretic. Know that we are in the end times.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #65 (The Haughty)

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

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

In recent days I have tried to expand my ministry, by reaching out to some groups on Facebook that state they are for my fellow Christians. Which forums I will not say, for I find it best not to do so. What I found there in some cases shocked and saddened me at the same time.

Yes, there were many that did seem to be seeking true fellowship with other Christians. However, there was a minority that made me decide to make this podcast.

So let us begin:

Romans 12:16 – Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits. (Amplified Bible Classic)

As you can see here the word “haughty” has three words that describe it here. We will look at all four so people can start to understand the issue.

Haughty – in the Greek there are seven different words that equate to being haughty. (G5187; G5246; G5448; G5252; G5244; G5229 and G5308.) What the various definitions boil down to is: Disdainfully or contemptuously proud; arrogant and overbearing.

a: disdainfully – in a way that shows that someone does not like someone or something and thinks that they do not deserve interest or respect.

b: arrogant – unpleasantly proud and behaving as if you are more important than, or know more than, other people.

c: overbearing – too confident and too determined to tell other people what to do, in a way that is unpleasant.

Snobbish – snob – a person who respects and likes only people who are of a high social class, and/or a person who has extremely high standards who is not satisfied by the things that ordinary people like.

High-minded – having very high moral standards of behavior.

Exclusive – excluding others from participation.

As I think back through my life I remember how “Christians” were portrayed in many movies and TV shows, especially in the most recent decades. The descriptions shown above met this imagery portrayal in these mediums.

But if you listened to what I said at the beginning of this study. I stated that those I encountered that behaved in this manner were in the minority.

There are two things that is sad about this. First off that those that made these scripts actually think that true Christians behave in this manner. Second is that those that do beave in this manner actually believe they are right with God.

The last part of the twelfth chapter of Romans deals with showing how we are to behave within the body of Christ:

Romans 12:9-21 – Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

The theme? To care and love for one another and to consider all to be your equal. But the question comes up. What does God think about those that think they are greater than others?

James 4:5-6 – 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.”

Proverbs 3:34 – The LORD mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble. (The scorner [mocker] is proud and haughty)

Scorner – scorn – a very strong feeling of no respect for someone or something that you think is stupid or has no value.

Mocker – To treat with ridicule or contempt; deride.

a: deride – to laugh at someone or something in a way that shows you think they are stupid or of no value.

God is against those that deride, scorn and mock others. So, if God is against this what does this make those that behave in this manner?

2 Timothy 3:1-5 – You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

The key verse we are discussing today though is the second verse so we will look at it in the Amplified Classic:

“For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.”

Scoffing – scoff – an expression of scorn, derision, or contempt

               a: derision – If you treat someone or something with derision, you express contempt for them.

               b: contempt – lack of respect or reverence for something or someone.

So, these people belittle others. Thinking themselves as greater. Verse five ends with this command”

“Stay away from people like that!”

Therefore, when these are encountered, we are told by the Bible to cut these people out of the Body of Christ. Which makes them the enemy of God.

James 4:4 – 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.

Consequently, these that are an enemy of God are in actuality of the world. If they are of the world then it could be said they are not bearing fruit upon the Vine who is Jesus Christ.

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 must also remember that Jesus Christ said that there were two commandments that are the greatest of them all:

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.”

The second is to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Would you ridicule yourself? Would you scoff at yourself? Would you seek to make a mockery of your own life? Would you have contempt for yourself?

Proverbs says this:

Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

And what is this fall to which is being referred here?

Hebrews 6:4-6 – For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— 6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.

Those that believe that they are greater. That they are perfect. That they are better. Are leading themselves to their own destruction. For the only person able to remove a person from God is themselves. And part of that journey is by being haughty.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #64 (How we should live)

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

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

I have learned an important lesson over the years. A key element of many hardships in my live had one major factor playing into them. A true and nearly complete misunderstanding of what is within the Bible. In the following verses I am going to take us through some verses that boil down to divided loyalties, and how we should seek to be one with God through Jesus Christ.

To begin this, we must remember something extremely important. These verses were from letters sent to those people that had become saved. That had asked Jesus Christ to be their Savior and those that had taught them made sure that they had received the Holy Spirit.  There can be no question that those hearing these letters were people that wanted to go into heaven and even believed that they were.

James 4:1-3 – 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.

1 John 2:15-17 – Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

How many that call themselves “Christian” seek after status. Expensive clothing, expensive cars, and housing. Taking pride in their achievements and reveling in it. Seeking after and being prideful of themselves and caring only about their status. When they have none of it, they seek after it and hate those that do instead of them. Yet still they call themselves “Christian.”

James and John were telling those that received these letters to end their sin. Now as I said those that received these letters called themselves followers of Jesus Christ. This is extremely important to come to this truth. This is why we have these letters within the Bible. To teach us how to act as what we call ourselves: Christian. These are our works, our fruit we must bear in the service in God. To know when we are living in a sin which will lead us away from God.

When you look to the Old Testament the lessons presented within them are the same. How God wishes those who chose to follow Him are to act and behave. Then the result if we do not. This has not changed in either Testament.

Why?

Because of human freewill. Which shows that we all have an active roll in our salvation before and after asking Jesus Christ to be our Savior.

James 1:12-17 – God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. 16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

These verses paint a clear image of how we are to live our lives and who it is that causes us to falter in our faith and belief in God through Christ. We humans tempt ourselves. Which causes us to leave the narrow path which leads to eternal life. Instead, when entering into sin we allow sin to grow within us. This will “give birth to death.” The opposite of enteral life is death, which clearly states that salvation can and will be lost if we do not keep to the narrow path unto the Lord.

Part of keeping on the narrow path in the service of God is listening to those that reprove, rebuke and exhort. (2 Timothy 4:2) For they are working within the guideline of the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

When someone uses the Bible, and we study the scriptures given to us as our reprove. And we find they are accurate and biblically sound in their argument towards our actions. Then we must accept that this is not coming from the human, but from God using the person as His messenger.

This is extremely important and something very few wish to hear or accept. Why? Because they at times cannot accept that they are living in sin. However, if the Bible clearly states that something is a certain way then that means we must accept and strive to make ourselves right with Jesus Christ, or as was shown above. Head ourselves down the wrong path which does not lead to salvation, but instead damnation.

We must never think of ourselves as better or greater than any other person, be they sinner or saint. (Matthew 23:12; Romans 12:3; James 4:6)

1 Peter 5:1-6 – And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.

Philippians 2:1-11 – Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In these scriptures we see just how highly important it is to seek after humility. A true and honest humility in which we do not see ourselves as greater than any. For by being humble we exalt He whom we have dedicated ourselves too. Christ the human form of God was the ultimate example of humility.

The moment someone thinks themselves better than another they show a lack of belief in God. They place themselves not only as greater than another human, but greater than God Himself. Allow that to sink in for a moment.

One of the most important things we see in the Bible is to test ourselves against the Word of God to see if we are living a righteous life. This is one of the greatest works a person can perform in their lives upon this earth if they profess to be Christian.

Galatians 6:1-9 – Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. 4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct. 6 Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. 7 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. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

In these verses we see a basic summary of today’s Bible study.

In verse one we see the need to reprove, rebuke and exhort. There are those out there that have slipped away from the true path and accuse you of “judging them.” Since we are told to help them how can this be judging? If we use the Word of God as we are instructed it is the Scriptures placing the burden upon them not those giving them the help they need. So, if they accuse you of judging it is actually they that are judging you. If they reject your help that is their burden, you have stived to do your best. Pray for them and allow God to handle the rest. You have fulfilled your duty to God.

Next, we are not to think we are better or greater than anyone. For as the verses show we are fooling ourselves, we should instead acknowledge that only Christ and His Father are greater.

Look to our own lives and see if we are truly seeking after the will of God. If we know from the Bible that we are living within the Word of God, then we know we will receive our treasures not here on earth but in heaven where it belongs.

Understand that if we insist upon living in sin, we may not make it into heaven for as the verses says: “Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature.”

But what is it their own sinful nature pursues?

1 John 2:15-17 – Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #63(God’s Time)

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. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

When I post my podcast. I place a link to it on Facebook. As you may know, you can advertise here as well, which I do. Well one of these times someone asked why they are being contacted by the ad. My reply?

“……… people may be performing the actions. But God does the targeting. Maybe he is trying to get your attention?”

They replied with this:

“You seem to have forgotten that a person paid for this ad to target me. Someone’s imaginary friend didn’t pay for it.”

My final reply was this:

“………. To be accurate the targeted audience was “Bible” and “Bible study (Christian)” Due to your response I return to my reply ‘people may be performing the actions. But God does the targeting. Maybe he is trying to get your attention?’ So, since you do not include yourself in this group. My ‘imaginary friend’ targeted you and IS trying to get your attention. Have a good day.”

This is the Bible verse I was led to:

2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

It has nearly been two thousand years since the stone was removed from the tomb and Jesus Christ walked out of it fully healed save for the nail holes in His wrist and angles. As well as the wound in His side where the spear was pushed into Him to verify that He was dead upon the cross only a few days earlier.

As I have shown in other studies on this podcast that the Bible is true history. Since it is true history. It verifies that Jesus Christ is real and thus God is real and the Creator of everything.

So, when by chance “my imaginary friend” causes someone to read something about Him it is not an accident. For as the verse shows God does not wish anyone to destroy themselves through living in sin. Also, that we are all under His timetable. Not our own.

If for some strange reason you find yourself confronted with something from someone’s imaginary friend. That happens to speak of not living in sin. Of living an eternal life. It is not by chance or mistake or accident. It is God trying to show you He is real. It is God wishing for you to seek salvation. It is God talking to those that belief in Him. However, they are not living a righteous life. They need to fix their relationship with He who deserves our loyalty and worship.

To those that have listened to people that insist they are in the right. Yet they deny the existence of God. Saying that belief in God is a belief in a myth. Scholars have established that a myth does not begin until one hundred and fifty years after a person dies. Why? Because no one is around that lived when the person the myth is created about is around to counter said myth. While the letters that became the New Testament started to appear in under twenty years after the crucifixion and resurrection. Many could have countered the letters, but none could. Not even the Pharisees or Romans. So, my imaginary friend is not imaginary, but real.

Colossians 1:15 – 20 – Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. 19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

Yes, it is through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice that all of humanity has a chance at salvation. However, they must know of Him. They need to listen to themselves and not what others tell them. They need to study the Bible and learn for themselves what it is to seek after salvation. As well as eternal life. Not for our children’s, children’s, children. But for everyone that is alive now. Something those that call God and His Son a myth cannot offer.

Why? Because they live the myth. The fiction.

1 Timothy 1:4 – Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.

Colossians 2:8 – Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

As you can see from these verses God has always known that there were and would be those that only lived for the here and now. For this temporal world of existence. They would call things they could not accept or see a myth, a fantasy. They do their best to diminish and disqualify things that show the events found within the Bible to have happened. To have been real events called history.

Jesus Christ told us that when it was near time for His return those that believe in calling the truth a myth would grow. We are also told that in this time would be the time of the last letter given to the seven churches in the second and third chapter of the book of Revelation. Most of those that are called the “church” would be seeking after worldly wealth, leisure, and pleasure. Called the “lukewarm” and seen as worse than those that believe in myth more than truth.

It is due to this that those that deny God. That defy God grow and have such control over all. It is due to this that we know we are in the end times. It is due to this. When the truth is finally revealed uncountable amounts of people will acknowledge that God is real and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and willing die to stand before the throne and He who sets upon it.

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.

It is their removal from the world that will allow the antichrist to finally be revealed and desecrates the Holy of Holies in the third temple that has yet to be built.

2 Thessalonians 2:7 – 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.

Those of the world have released stories. Have released myths, fantasies. In these stories they take from the story of reality, the Bible. When it is darkest, when it is midnight, it is then that the light of salvation will return. It is then that Jesus Christ will return.

We are living in the night now. For as I mentioned before the signs of the end times. The signs that we are in the darkness. The signs that we are approaching midnight are all about us. Both within and outside the church.

God will address those outside the church. However, it is up to those that profess to being of the Body are required to help address those that call themselves Christian. I do this through my blog and these podcasts. It is up to you the listener to acknowledge and help or change your ways.

I mentioned the last letter in the book of Revelation as the warning to those that live in this time of darkness. I will now read it. So, you can hear. So, you can hear the words of the Glorified Jesus Christ:

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.”

Let us look at the KJV of verse nineteen:

Revelation 3:19 – As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Christ makes it clear that He loves those within this current church. He makes it clear that due to this love He will rebuke and chasten us if we have not listened.

Rebuke means to admonish, convict, convince, to show the errors we live within.

Chasten means to train up to educate through punishment and discipline.

So do as the Glorified Jesus Christ commands you to do. Have the strong desire to fix the errors of your ways and leave the riches of the world behind for the riches that can only be found in the presence of God. The riches that will cleanse your dirtied garment clean once again. By bowing to your Savior and begging forgiveness for not following the true path of salvation. Surrender those things of the world for those things Jesus Christ tells us to seek after in these verses. The purification of our souls which is the purified Gold. To be clothed white again in our salvation before it is torn from us and taken for ever away from us. Then be filled with the ointment which is the Holy Spirit which allows those that receive it the ability to see the truth.

God Bless