Life

Block for Podcast #68 (Pharisees)

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

There are many out there who have become reliant upon this belief that a person cannot lose their salvation. As has been shown throughout several of my podcasts this is not a true doctrine. For Christ Himself makes it clear in John 15:1-10, Matthew 7:21-23, and 25:1-13 salvation can be lost.

Right this moment several are railing against what I have just said.

They need to calm down and think a moment.

I have pointed to three times Jesus said it is possible. Not me. Jesus Christ. So, who is it they are anger with? It is not me. I didn’t say this. Our Savior said it.

I will let that sink in a second.

When you show the words from Jesus Christ Himself, and they still wish to challenge and argue. What does this make those that insist upon doing this?

Pharisees.

In Matthew 23 Jesus confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees about their behavior. How they had changed or made laws to make themselves look important and make it hard for others to come to stand before God. They had created and follow a false teaching.

What does Peter say about false teachers?

2 Peter 2:1-3 – 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.

Let us look at this in the KJV:
2 Peter 2:1-3 – But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

“Even denying the Lord that bought them.”

Therefore, these people knew salvation through Jesus Christ. They turned against the Word of God to preach what was pleasing to their ears. Just as the Pharisees did.

It is here that someone says: “Well they were never saved in the first place.”

Again, the words of a Pharisee.

Romans 10:9-10 – If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

Once anyone does this they are saved. Do they fall prey to those within 2 Peter chapter two?

2 Peter 2:12-22 – These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They scoff at things they do not understand, and like animals, they will be destroyed. 13 Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They delight in deception even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals. 14 They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s curse. 15 They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong. 16 But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice. 17 These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness. 18 They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. 19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. 20 And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. 21 It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. 22 They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”

As you can tell the answer is yes.

But whose fault is it that this happens?

The babe in Christ or those that are mature in the Lord?

       1 Peter 2:1-12 – So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. 4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. 5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” 8 And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. 9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” 11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

2 Timothy 2:14-26 – Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. 15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 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. 19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.” 20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

The answer is both.

Those with the knowledge should help those lacking in the Word of God to know what the True Gospel is. And as noted not to get into arguments over details. However, those that are young in the Lord should be willing to listen. They should as well verify on their own by reading the Bible for themselves. For when you study the Bible you are learning what God desires for all that call themselves “Christian.” That is why it is so important to truly study the Bible. Thus, by learning the Scriptures yourself you will not be dependent upon the flowable humans. Many of which embrace false teachings and due to not studying the Bible for themselves are not aware of it.

2 Timothy2:15 – Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. (Amplified Classic)

Our duties to God through Jesus Christ is to know the Bible. All the Bible.

I have encountered those that say the letters that occur after the book of Acts and before the book of Tribulation are not the scripture. I say this:

2 Timothy 3:16 – 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.

Just think on these words for a moment.

This came from one of these letters. It shows us, just as the verse from the same letter did earlier. That we have an active responsibility in our relationship with God through Christ.

That not only the rest of the Bible, but these letters are useful to teach us how to be a reflection of Jesus Christ and how we are to live our lives. Through our behavior and actions towards others. These are work and deeds referred to in James 2:14-26.

This is how we do not end up being Pharisees, otherwise known as hypocrites. Also known as the lukewarm of Revelation 3:15-16.

Therefore, seek out the Lord by learning the Bible. Not by just reading it but studying it. So, you will know the true meaning of what is written within it.

God Bless.

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 #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 6:1-10 – 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

Blog for Podcast #59 (Riches)

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 Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora, Spotify, Podbean and PlayerFM if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

In this time, we now live in. A time that is shown to be of the last letter to the churches that the Glorified Jesus Christ dictated to John. (Revelation 3:14-22) For what would become the book of Revelation. We are shown that most in the church would be lukewarm. Singing and praising God and His Son Jesus Christ. Yet, living more for the world and its luxuries and pleasures than really and truly honoring God. We need to look at the letter that James wrote, for within are lessons for those that call themselves “Christian” in today’s religious environment.

James 1:2-11 – Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. 9 Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.

In these verses is a key element that needs to be given its due merit. So, I will restate these verses in the KJV:

James 1:5-8 – If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Many do not understand why God does not answer their prayers. This is why. They ask for things of the world and not of those things which God requires from us all. Loyalty to Him and to Him alone. So when asking for wisdom. It should be asking for true wisdom, which grants us insight to His teachings.

Wisdom – insight, skill (human or divine), intelligence.

When asking for wisdom from God. He will give it to those that ask in a great amount and without reprimand. There is a caveat though. When the person asks for this wisdom it must be in full dedication to God Himself and not influenced or tainted by worldly wants or lusts.

Colossians 3:1-6 – 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.

We cannot receive this wisdom if you seek after any of those sins shown in the third chapter of Colossians in the fifth verse.

Returning to James we see one of these sins listed once again, but in a different aspect:

James 1:9-11 – Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Greed and having riches can be said to be one and the same. For having riches can be distracting for those that have wealth. It will make them look to the world and thus be distracted from who they should truly be focused upon: God. It is made clear in James that those with money should feel humility for God actually see them as less than those that are poor.

Most that profess to “Christian” in today’s world though seem to be or seek after riches. Why do they seek to be seen as less in God’s eyes than those that are poor? Yet that is how many do act and behave that call themselves “Christian.”

This in essence verifies that those that profess to be “Christian” are ignoring the teachings of the Bible and would rather gather worldly treasures rather than heavenly ones.

Revelation 3:17-19 – 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.

Let us take a better look at verse nineteen in the KJV on what many in today’s world need to do:

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

The Glorified Christ states clearly that those that seek riches should reject it and turn whole heartedly toward God. To repent of their sin of not seeking for treasures in His house instead of their own.

Will these words be heard?

I have no answer. That is not for me say. That is for those that finally acknowledge they are truly lukewarm, and that they, in Christ eyes, are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. All due to seeking after wealth, leisure and comforts here on this earth.

James 1:12-18 – 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. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.”

When someone sins. It is their own doing for their own wants and desires.

“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.”

When someone worships the world they break the commandments given to Moses:

Exodus 20:3-4 – Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

A house that is bigger than what you need to shelter from the elements is a graven image. A car that costs as much as a small house is a graven image.

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.

This is a very clear statement. Yet millions ignore it in today’s Church. Millions that call themselves “Christian” seeking after wealth, possessions. They have cravings for everything they see like expensive cars, clothing. They are actually taught to seek after pride in their achievements. All the while being told they are a good Christian. When as this verse makes clear that is the opposite of the truth.

Matthew 6:19-34 – “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. 22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! 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. 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? 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.

If someone sees themselves truly as “Christian” then they must do as Christ said. I will end this message with the word of Jesus Christ once again:

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

Blog for Podcast #58 (What does the Bible say about those that seek the world)

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 Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora, Spotify, Podbean and PlayerFM if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

God is disappointed in many of those that call themselves His “Church.”

Why do I say this?

All I see is people that call themselves “Christian” who live in luxury and seek after the pleasures of the world. What does the Bible say about those that live this way?

1 John 2:15-16 – 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.

Then I ask this. Can they in actuality call themselves “Christian?” Again, per the Bible.

James 4:1-12 – 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. 11 Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

So do not think I am judging. This is not me making these assurances.

1 Timothy 5:20 – Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.

The warnings had stopped. So many live in sin. And have come to believe their sins are not sins.

Why? Because they listened to others who said it was okay to seek after darkness. Instead of staying in the light.

Ephesians 5:5-13 – You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them,

I am not acting as judge. I am a servant unto my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Son of our Creator, the Lord God Almighty. Following the directive of our Lord. Shining light upon what is in the darkness. I cannot help it if it makes some listening uncomfortable. They are this way because the light is glowing upon the truth. If the truth hurts them, it is the truth of God that is causing them discomfort. For the true Gospel does not seek to please humanity but God.

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.

When someone tries to make someone pleased and rejects that which causes discomfort, they have made themselves cursed by the Word of God the true Good News. For the true Gospel causes those living in sin to feel uncomfortable and to seek to hide in the darkness. Or they will reject that which is evil and then turn to the light and the true path to salvation that comes from only one source: Jesus Christ the Son of God, who is the lion and the lamb. Who said this to those who choose comfort and luxury:

Revelation 3:15-22 – “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.”

So let us look at the verses that deal with what those that are lukewarm are to actually seek after. So let us look at these verses in the KJV:

Revelation 3:18-19 – I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

“Gold tried in fire.” Is us purified of our sins to become clean and worthy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“White raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” The white clothes we receive when we accept Christ as our Savior.

“Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Obtain the eye salve, which is the Holy Spirit, who allows us to see the truth.

Then Jesus makes it clear that those He loves He will correct and discipline, which is the true Gospel. Not the false gospel that pleases and makes those listening feel good, but instead makes them feel uncomfortable in the luxuries and riches they have clad themselves in because it is appealing to their earthly eyes and worldly desires. A sample of this I witnessed the other day. Was a Mercedes Benz with Christian stickers on the back of it. The ultimate example of a lukewarm person.

Let’s return once again to the Bible:

1 Timothy 6:3-10 – Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. 6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 9 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.

However, most will not listen to these words. Most will have already turned off this message or stopped reading it. Because they have no desire to accept the truth.

So, we must now move on to what Jesus said about the smallest gate into the city of Jerusalem.

Matthew 19:23-24 – 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!”

But to correct this. What must be done? I will end this podcast with these verses:

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!

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #57 ( A study of the verses about Judging one another)

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 Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora, Spotify, Podbean and PlayerFM if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Since I first published this post as a blog in October of 2017 this has been one of the most looked at of all my posts. So I have decided to make it into a podcast, since I have a feeling there will be those in future podcasts accusing me of doing this very thing.

So let us begin today’s podcast:

Discussion

The verses that are shown within the Bible that deals with judging another. Is what millions go about saying to one another when someone confronts another with their misdeeds, and they presume they are being judged by that other person.

Why pursue studying of these verses about judging?

Because those that throw out this one verse in reply have not studied all the verses related to it. They take them out of context. Plus, do not understand the full teachings within the entire Bible. At this time all I can say is those that throw out this one verse in reply are not going to be happy with the results of this study.

Matthew 7:1-5 – Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Now let’s take a more contemporary look at this teaching, then we will actually take a deeper look at the actual verses.

So, in this hypothetical world we have a team of men setting down at a workplace. Someone approaches and says, “Why are you setting when those men are working?” Referring to some of the co-workers that were still doing their assigned tasks.

One of the men turns to the person, and replies.

“We have finished all of our given duties, and as it is, we have new duties we plan on starting shortly. Why do you ask this?”

“Well, this man from another team saw you sitting and doing nothing.” Was the persons reply.

The team of men look to where the person that had made the comment was working. The person was nowhere to be found and most of his work was not done. They looked for the person, that had made the comment and who was in need to complete his own jobs. They found him talking to others pointing again to those that were setting.

They approach the man and ask him.

“Why do you accuse us of not doing our work, when our work is not complete? We looked to where you should be to talk to you and found you missing and your work nowhere near to being done.

The man grew angry and accused them once again of being lazy and failing to help those in need of help. The team of men turned and walked away.

This is the heart of this teaching that Jesus was speaking of when it comes to judging. It shows that those that judge are in fact hypocrites, and have no need to be accusing others of doing a wrong when they themselves commit the sin they are accusing the other of doing.

So let us look in this teaching in its entire context. Now the biggest issue people have to come to understand is the comparison Jesus uses to the issue of judging. The mote and the beam.

Mote – G2595 – karphos – a small particle (a splinter of straw or wood); “a dry stalk; a chip of wood;” something dry and light; a “chip or splinter, of the same material with the beam”

Beam – G1385 – dokos – a large beam (joist) of wood; “a beam of timber;” – “a log on which planks in the house rest (as in the papyri); joist, rafter, plank; a pole sticking out grotesquely;” (figuratively) a huge log (like a plank used in a house) that completely obstructs someone’s vision.

Jesus making this comparison is not by chance. It is specific and pointed out for a reason.

Do not try and take the splitter out of someone else’s eye when you have a beam of wood within your own eye. This means the sins are the same exact sins, as was demonstrated in the situation above. The man accusing those sitting down and resting after completely their work, of having a splinter. Had not done his own work and so had a beam within his eye.

Thus, the statement by Jesus: “You hypocrite!”

Judging deals only with hypocrisy, and is shown as such as the sentence continues:

“First cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

So here Jesus is telling us to first cast out our own sins. Now it is here that people will start to say that Jesus is referring to all sin. Then why the mote and the beam? Why have a particular comparison?

All sin. We are all individuals and so sin in different ways. Yet many that choose not to sin through accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. With His help cast off sins. Not all sins, for we live within corrupted bodies. However, we can cast enough sin from us to live a righteous life with the help of the Holy Spirit. Allowing us to be light into the darkness, which is sin. That is why we have these verses to follow within the Bible:

2 Timothy 4:1-5 – I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

Now let us look at this in the KJV:

2 Timothy 4:1-5 – I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Reprove – G1651 – elegcho – to convince with solid, compelling evidence, especially to expose (prove wrong, connect).

Rebuke – G2008 – epitimao – assign value as is fitting the situation, building on the situation to correct (re-direct).

Exhort – G3870 – parakaleo – (a) I send for, summon, invite, (b) I beseech, entreat, beg, (c) I exhort, admonish, (d) I comfort, encourage, console; (“personally make a call”) refers to believers offering up evidence that stands up in God’s court.

As you can see, when you accept Jesus Christ and then cast out the beam that is within your own eye. We are then taught to help others by showing them with the Bible that it is something that should not be done. To show them that the beam can be taken out. Then to encourage them to remove their own splinter. Why? Because the person talking to them had removed the beam from their own eye with the help of Jesus Christ.

So, the team of workers are free to say for instance to the man in our example: “You must finish your own work, before you can accuse us of not work.”

Now remove the word “work” and replace it with a particular sin. As long as you are not doing this sin yourself and show evidence it is a sin within the Bible. You are not guilty of judging but trying to help someone not to sin.

However, we must realize that not all are willing to accept the truth and so in turn will throw out that they are being judged. In a way they are, but not by those saying they are sinning. But by the Word of God, so as the verse makes clear in 2 Timothy:

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.”

Those that reprove, rebuke, and exhort are not judges, but advocates for the one sinning. They are being their legal defense team. Trying to help them not have this particular sin between themselves and Jesus Christ as He sets upon the Throne of Judgment. Because they themselves, with the aid of Jesus Christ have put this particular sin behind them.

It must also be noted that if we purify ourselves with the help of the Holy Spirit, and at times our fellows in the Body of Christ. That we will be worthy to be accepted into heaven upon the first resurrection:

Revelation 20:4-6 – Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or in their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.

To these that are in the first resurrection will not stand before the Great White Throne Judgement. It must also be noted that they will be in the billions. For there is a direct correlation between these verses and the verses of the seventh chapter of this book within the Bible:

Revelation 7:9-17 – 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. 15 “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. 16 They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. 17 For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

They die during the first part of the tribulation for refusing to deny that Jesus Christ is their Savior and refusing to take the mark of Satan. They will have helped their fellow Christians to come to the truth of their ways of life. Helping them to end the sins within these lives so that they may be made holy in the presence of God. Worthy of wearing the white garments of salvation and accepting their death at the hands of those that rejected God and are accusing those they kill of judging them.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #55 (Misunderstandings and misconceptions)

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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

One of the greatest misunderstandings within Christianity and in fact all of humanity is the knowledge that God’s part of the relationship is complete and eternal. The other part of the relationship. Our part is the problem. This is the mistake.

People lean on the first part of the relationship. They place all upon it. However, most ignore the other part. They assume all is fine due to the first part and do nothing on their part in the relationship. It has been this way before Jesus was born and after He ascended.

Time and again the words “self-control” are seen in the New Testament. This points to the latter part of the relationship. Time and again there are verses that show we can lose our relationship with God.  Nevertheless, people turn to the former part of the relationship saying they are fine and okay with God. All because it states that God’s love is eternal. The Bible clearly states that God’s love is this way. None can argue this. None should.

Due to this though people ignore verses that state we can be separated from God. The most important of this is found in John 15:

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.

Please note the first two verses. The “my Father,” is God. It clearly states that “He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit.” This is a clear statement of separation from God. Done by who? God Himself. Also when asking for anything it must be within Gold’s plan. Earthly wealth and possessions are not in God’s plan for all of this earth will be destroyed. (Isaiah 65:17)

As this chapter continues, we are given a construct that cannot be challenged or denied. Jesus makes it clear that He is the Vine. And if you are saved you are a branch upon this vine. It someone does not follow the laws given within the Bible they are cut from the vine and are cast into the fire.

Another misconception that needs to be addressed comes from those that wish to deny God. Those that are in this group say thinks like: “Why would God allow this to happen?” or “All the terrible things that have occurred was due to Christianity!”

First, I must direct you back to the first misunderstanding. This is the key to it all. People lean on this belief that they can do anything in the name of God. Even ignoring the laws within the Bible. Believing all the time that just because God’s love for all of humanity will cover their sins. No matter how great or more accurately how horrifying their sins are.

Just because someone says they are acting upon their “faith” or in their “god.” For those listening I just used a small “g” for god not a capital “G,” just for the record.

Does not mean they are acting within the confines of “Christianity.” In fact, if someone actually knew the Bible, they would know that acts which destroy are not acts of “Christianity” at all. They are the behavior and actions of humans doing what they wish to do for their own betterment within this short temporal existence we all now live within. Which is directly opposite the true teachings found within the Bible.

The Crusades were not of or commanded by God, but of men seeking wealth greed and riches. The conquest of the South and North American continents was also due to this very lust for treasures here on earth as well as leaving a legacy behind for all of humanity to remember their names. Any who seek after things of this world in the name of a religion are not doing so for their faith but for themselves. Many will say that it is due to Christianity that 30 million people are dead. I can counter with saying nearly 200 million are dead due to people not following a religion, but their own social justice morals known as Socialism. We can play at word games like this all day long.

What is important is coming to understand that a human’s actions that go counter to the teaching that are found within the Bible. Even though they profess to being “Christian.” Does not and never will make them Christian, but what they truly are. Heathens and the basest of humanity. Those that only live for their own wants, lusts, and desires. Those that in reality do not live to serve God, but themselves. Using God as an excuse to justify their own sins in their own eyes. Yet all the time relishing what they do for it makes them feel superior and greater for they are the ones in the right, in their eyes.

Another misconception is that we should seek after wealth here in this temporal reality. This again is the furthest thing from the teachings of the Bible. The other day I was instructed in a dream to once again emphasize the importance that if we profess to being a follower of Jesus Christ that we should shed our worldly possessions from our lives as quickly as possible. Why? Because something is going to happen soon that most are truly not prepared for. The return of Jesus Christ.

As I have discussed in one of my earliest of Bible studies. The letters to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation are also chronological. That being said. The last letter specifically addresses those that seek after wealth. It is made clear that the Glorified Jesus Christ wishes us to realize that those that seek after riches here on earth are actually counted amongst the “lukewarm.” Another name of someone that is lukewarm is a hypocrite. Christ despises hypocrisy.

He made it clear that those that are lukewarm are spit out from His Body. For they are seen as worse than those that deny and hate Him openly. Can you see that comparison? Someone who openly flaunts their sins for all the world to see. Is seen as higher in God’s eyes than someone who is of the lukewarm.

Yet millions live their lives in this very manner and truly believe they are one with God though Jesus Christ. This is how the Pharisees lived and believed as well. And what did they do when they were confronted with the Son of God? They crucified Him, and you wonder why Christianity is looked down upon. All due to those that are in reality the lukewarm.

So, what must be done to correct these misunderstandings? These misconceptions.

First and foremost. To acknowledge that all that do these things are living in sin and not living truly for God and the teachings within the Bible, but for themselves and their own selfish wants and desires.

Next, they must seek true repentance. To repent means to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the improvement of one’s life. Meaning to cast out sin. All sin from our lives. Yet we must accept that we live in sin or be like those mentions in Hebrews chapter 6.

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.

Many will scoff at my words saying they are fine with God for they have known the blessings of His salvation, not realizing they themselves have rejected Him, after having found Him and replacing Him for the things of the world instead. I will let Peter speak now:

2 Peter 3:1-18 – This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory. 2 I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles. 3 Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. 4 They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” 5 They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. 6 Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. 7 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. 8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 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. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. 11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. 14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. 15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— 16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction. 17 You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.

Accept that we can loss our salvation for this is found within the Bible. Accept that people pervert the Word of God for their own glory and lusts for the world for there is prove of this within the Bible. Accept that we are not on this earth to seek after wealth and legacy here in this temporal plain of existence for we are told to shun it within the Bible.

Accept that we are to turn to Jesus Christ as our Savior and to follow ALL the teachings that are found within the Bible that will lead us to our ultimate goal. A goal that is not found here on earth, but first in heaven then finally in the new heavens and earth that is to come. Which we will live within as we live now, but sin free and for billions upon billions of years.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #54 (The mistake of “Faith alone.”)

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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

In 1953 a Biopic was released about Martin Luther. When it comes to movies about this man. It is the best out there, in my opinion.

Why?

Because it also addressed the mentality of not only those in power, but the reaction of the common people as well as those in scholarly pursuit of the truth.

At a crucial point in the movie. What they portray as the culmination of his studies and determination. They announce this one statement.

“It is through faith ALONE!”

Now it is here that I have issue. The worst of all is that this is stated four hundred years after Martin Luther is implied to have stated this.

I understand where Luther is coming from if he did state this. For at the time he makes this proclamation. The duty of Christians to perform works had been perverted beyond that required within the Bible. This was done by those in power of the Catholic Church, which was the only allowed church. Who were more interested in money than the true teachings within the Bible. The selling of “indulgences” and the worshipping of “relics,” were the “works” forced upon those that were kept in ignorance of the true teachings of the Bible. Those in power desiring to control and manipulate the masses to their whims and wishes. Therefore, Martin Luther, making the declaration that is it “through faith alone,” makes total and complete sense.

However here is the problem with this.

There are many out there that say things like: “I believe in God,” “I have accepted Jesus as my Savior” or “I know I am going to heaven.”

These are all statements of faith. A belief in the one and only God, the Creator of the Universe.

We are in a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. We have a responsibility in this relationship. That is why we are call “stewards.”

What is the definition of a “steward?”

The best definition of this is found at dictionary.com: a person who has charge of the household of another, buying or obtaining food, directing the servants.

Stewardship is accomplished by doing works.

But didn’t I just say that works were a problem during the time of Martin Luther? Yes, I did. But I also said faith alone is an issue.

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.

“So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”

“Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.”

Works are not that which is forced upon you by those within power of a denomination. They are the action you feel led to do by your faith in God.

“How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

Our good deeds are not something that is for the world to see or even know about.

Matthew 6:1-4 – “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Many do this in many ways and think all is well with them. Note though how Jesus described those that do this and especially where:

“Don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity!”

Think upon this description hard and long.

Hebrews 10:24 – Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

How is this accomplished? That answer is given in the second chapter of Titus:

Titus 2:1-15 – As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. 3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. 6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us. 9 Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back 10 or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way. 11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. 15 You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.

Truly being “Christian” is a lifestyle choice. To live in virtue and to do the will and teachings of God takes all of what is shown within these verses. Not just part, but all. That is why I said it is a “lifestyle.”

A lifestyle is defined as – “someone’s way of living; the things that a person or particular group of people usually do.”

“People usually do,” is action, is works. So, we are told to do works. We are told to live with both faith and works.

Works that show honor to God. That reflect the teachings of the Bible. Especially those given unto us by our Savior Jesus Christ. We are told to have “self-control.” To live wisely and worthy of respect. To treat our boss with loyalty. A key statement is made in verse twelve:

“We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,” by not living godlessly or seeking after worldly pleasures. However, millions that profess to being “Christian” live godlessly and seek after worldly pleasures. Believing that they are right with God all because of faith alone.

Many are taught that it is through faith alone. As I have shown in the verses in this study this is a lie. A false teaching. Cleaver words meant to deceive and blind those that are not willing to have the self-control required to seek after God through Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Bible.

When living with both faith and works we end sin within our lives with self-control and the grace of God through our Savior Jesus Christ. Who gives us righteousness. (Matthew 6:33, 1 Corinthians 1:30) Especially those sins that the Bible clearly states are transgressions which will not allow entry into the presence of the Creator of the Universe.

Only those that are the true followers of Jesus Christ and the teachings within the Bible will stand before the throne of God. Yet many will think they are followers, nevertheless Jesus Christ will look upon them and in Jewish legalism state that He never knew them.

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.’

Why?

Mainly because they did not pursue both faith and works but relied upon faith alone. Continuing to live their lives according to their true gods: Themselves and their sins.

God Bless

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!