downsize

Blog for Podcast #238 (Why and How to Downsize) Part 2 [Conclusion]


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 to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I start today’s lesson with this verse for a reason. I will follow it up with these verses.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 NKJV – Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Now, gathering earthly treasures. Objects that can be destroyed by moths that when exposed to the elements can rust and be worn away. Look about you.

How many earthly cities that existed in the times that Jesus Christ walked this earth still stand as they did then? I will give you the answer. None. Sure, Rome still stands. Sure, the Colosseum still stands… sorta. But, in no way as it was two thousand years ago. It had been destroyed by fire due to Nero. It had been ransacked due to the Vandals and the Germanic tribes as they conquered that city. Look at the Maya, Inca and Aztec civilizations. Covered in jungles or paved over.

But enough history. You get the point. It doesn’t exist anymore.

Now let’s get back to the topic of downsizing. We all know. Houses can burn in fires. Be destroyed in hurricane and tornado. As well as multiple other things can occur.

Now, we have this imagery established. Let’s look into the lives that most now live. They have grown up and been told that to seek after and own their own home is the ideal. To have multiple cars is a sign of status. How they dress. How they decorate. How much money they earn and spend.

BUT you must give God your 10% and the other 90% is yours to do with as you please. Now it is true that the entirety of chapter seven of the book of Hebrews teaches to give those that minister to us ten percent of your income for this belongs to God. I will never challenge this. In fact, in actuality helps in what I am trying to teach.

Most that profess to being “Christian” don’t even give this mandatory 10%. What’s worse is what was said in 1 Timothy earlier. So, I will restate it once again.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 AMP – [And it is, indeed, a source of immense profit, for] godliness accompanied with contentment (that contentment which is a sense of inward sufficiency) is great and abundant gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything out of the world; But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content (satisfied).

We are to be sufficiently satisfied with being able to eat and to have clothes on our bodies. That means to seek after and expect nothing else from God. However, millions think God gave them something to store on earth. That their Savior put in their hands something that will be destroyed by moths. That will rust away. AKA be destroyed in time.

What does the Bible say about receiving earthly things.

1 John 2:15-16 NLT – 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. 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.

Let’s look at this from another angle.

The majority of people leave school, at whichever point they leave their education. They go into the world and start getting a job or jobs. They begin to seek after their personal wish list. It can take any form. However, the key element that constitutes all that do this is that they use the majority of their earthly wealth to accomplish fulfilling their wish list.

I look about me at those that call themselves “snowbirds.” They have two houses. Or a house and a fancy RV. Some have even more. Boats, multiple vehicles. Fancy clothes. They go to a building called a “church” every Sunday. Sing a few songs. Go home and then do as they please for the rest of the week. Caring for their possessions and adding to them.

As we have heard from the Word of God. This lifestyle. That most that have ever lived this way. Live in sin. A sin that does multiple things which makes it that they will never be welcomed into the service of God.

It makes them an enemy of God.

James 4:4 NKJV – Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

It turns them into the lukewarm.

Revelation 3:15-17 NKJV – “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

It makes it so their names are removed from the Book of Life.

Exodus 32:33 NKJV – And the LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.

Why? because they cherish that which is esteemed by the world.

Luke 16:13-15 NKJV – “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Mammon is defined as riches, money, possessions and property just so you can understand.

For they have turned themselves into a follower of the antichrist. For as I have taught and shown to be called an abomination equates to being equal to the antichrist.

Yes, you heard that correctly. Most that have lived and died seeking after their lifelong wish list using most their money is equal to the antichrist and have been vomited out of the Body of Christ and had their names removed from the Book of Life. Therefore, their fate is what?

Revelation 20:15 NKJV – And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Let me read again from the letter to the Laodiceans in the last letter to those that follow Christ in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 3:18-21 NKJV – I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.”

This lesson is the rebuke. How you that are listening or reading to this will respond shows if you wish to chasten.

Chastening is what you are hearing today. What you are to do. Like I said. Downsize. I live in a small RV. Don’t have a ton of clothes. I use a motorcycle to get around when parked. I live a needs-only lifestyle.

I don’t have multiple homes in different states. I don’t have multiple vehicles. I know what it takes to downsize. I know it can take time. Time we are quickly running out of.

You must act now. You must make choices that glorify God and not your personal well-being. It is made clear in the Word of God. We are not to seek anything except to be clothed and fed. Therefore, if you have multiple homes. One must go. If you have tons of possessions, they must go. Don’t whine or complain that these things are precious. Your eternal life is what is precious. Not an object. Not an extra house. Not the extra vehicle.

Three time the story of the young rich man is told. It is told three times in three gospels over and over for a reason. The reason for this is for we are to learn and not be that young man. The young man that professes to follow God then refuses to do the one thing required. Selling off all your possessions and not keeping any of it as profit and then spread the Word of God.

This is required by all who profess to being a follower of Jesus Christ. It is mandatory. It is demanded by God. It is demanded by Jesus Christ.

It is not a suggestion. Yet I know extremely few that even attempt to do it. This is because they have watched those about them. That those for generations have been seeking after keeping most their earthly wealth unto themselves was the norm.

The norm for the world, but not the norm for those that profess to following Jesus Christ. That is why the few find their way into the presence of God. Because most befriend the world by turning themselves into the lukewarm. Those that are vomited from the Body of Christ and have their names removed from the Book of Life.

Therefore, sell off your worldly possessions you have used most your earthly wealth to gather unto yourselves and don’t expect money in return. Give it away to those in need. Share and spread the Word of God. This is what the young rich man was told to do. Yet he refused and turns his back upon his own salvation. Are you really the young rich man? Because you are sure acting like it.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #237 (Why and How to Downsize) Part 1


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 to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

Romans 6:15-23 NKJV – What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I was reminded of these verses by the music lyrics of the song “Bittersweet Symphony” by the Verse. In that song this line is heard:

“Tryna make ends meet You’re a slave to money then you die.”

Returning to the Bible Christ teaches this:

Matthew 6:24 NKJV – “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Mammon is defined as riches, money, possessions and property.

This is what most especially those that profess to being “Christian” make their master. This is who they are enslaved to. This is the way it has been for thousands of years. We even see it on display in the Word of God. I will give you an example that most should take to heart at this very moment.

Luke 12:13-34 NKJV – Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ‘ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The core element to this teaching is found at the very end of these verses.

“Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

“Sell what you have and give alms.”

This is a commandment from Christ.

You see you have been a slave to mammon. You have too much that is earthly as noted here in these verses from 1 John:

1 John 2:15-16 NLT – 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. 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.

We are to be content with clothing and food as shown here:

1 Timothy 6:6-8 NKJV – Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Therefore, all who profess to being a follower of Jesus Christ is commanded to downsize. They do this by getting rid of their mammon which they have accumulated showing all they live in and are slaves to the sin of materialism.

When you get rid of these accesses do not seek profit from them. Give them to charities. Goodwill, Salvation Army or any thrift shop that shows they use their income to help those in need. For to seek to gain profit from sin is tainted due to the fact that they come from sin. Expect to loss money for money is sin.

Do not seek to own property unless you can use said property to help those in need. Look to the second chapter of Acts.

Acts 2:44-47 NKJV – Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Measure the size of your household. If you have children, then find a place large enough to give them shelter as well. However, once the children leave. Find someplace smaller that suits the needs of you or if you are married you and your other half. Never own or seek to own. Give away all your earthly goods that are not a necessity. Truely live a needs-only lifestyle.

If you have a special need due to a medical condition that is a need. However, don’t use it as an excuse to own or accumulate mammon as many do.

Christ makes it very clear more than once we are not to seek mammon. We have already shown two so far. However, we will add to this.

Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 16:13-15 NKJV – “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Seeking after mammon is what is highly esteemed amongst those of the world. As I have taught in the past. Those that seek what is esteemed are seen as an abomination in the sight of God. Being seen as an abomination is being seen as an equal to the antichrist. Someone that is destined for the lake of fire.

This is why it is so important to downsize. And expect no earthly profit as you do so. This is why Christ says this to the young rich man:

Mark 10:17-21 NKJV  Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,’ ‘DO NOT MURDER,’ ‘DO NOT STEAL,’ ‘DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER.'” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

However, what is the response to this command by Christ Himself to this man.

Mark 10:22 NKJV – But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

This is how most now act and respond. Many even believe it is not required by them. This is because Christ is soon to return. What most don’t realize is the seven letters in the second and third chapter of Revelation are not just concurrent but are also chronological. The first represents those of the early church. While the last letter, the letter to Laodicea is how those that professing to being “Christian” at this very moment act and behave. Therefore, let us hear this letter.

Revelation 3:15-19 NKJV – “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—“

To be zealous and repent is to downsize quickly and seek no profit from you living in sin. For to profit from sin is to seek damnation in the lake of fire. Instead of storing up treasures in heaven. Get rid of your mammon and do not seek to profit from it for it is evil and a sin.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #220 (Needs-Only)


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 to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

Needs-only.

How is this defined Biblically?

1 Timothy 6:6-8 NKJV – Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV – Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Mark 10:17-21 NKJV – Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,’ ‘DO NOT MURDER,’ ‘DO NOT STEAL,’ ‘DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER.'” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

This is made clear by Jesus Christ Himself:

Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

How do you, the reader or listener think how you are living?

Well that I will define. Most chase after more wealth. Seek to have more possessions. Seek to become prominent. This is not needs-only, and since it goes against Christ command given in Matthew six, it is sin.

For those that just started having a hissy fit. Thank you for verification that you live in sin.

Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV – Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 John 2:15-16 NLT – 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. 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.

What those that seek after money, possessions and status are seeking is to serve the world and not God. Who is in charge of the world at this time?

2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT – Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

This is why we are to live a needs-only lifestyle if we profess to being a follower of Christ. The smaller our financial footprint the closer to God we are as made clear by Jesus Christ.

Therefore. No Lexus. No BMW. No Porche. No Corvettes. The cheaper the vehicle the better.

If you need a large house due to families. Fine, but once they leave the house. Sell the house for a smaller one. Never seek multiple homes. By the way. An RV is a house, and would qualify as a second house. This opens another door.

Recreation vehicles. Boats, jet skis, things used for your own personal pleasures. These should never be purchased. Sure, rent them, but never own them.

Why?

This money is not your money. It is God’s money. If you truly live a needs-only existence. You can live on ten to twenty percent of your earthly income. Then we are to give the clergy ten percent. The rest is to be given to the poor and to help in the spread of the Word of God. This is made clear in the Bible verses given here.

This is the True calling of the followers of Jesus Christ, for those that profess to being called “Christian.” However, most refuse to live this way. As was made clear with the young rich man. That man who abandoned his eternal life because he has many possessions.

Yes, he renounced his salvation. So, the moment someone says they rather keep their possessions and seek after more they too abandon their salvation. This mentality has sent millions over the last two thousand year not to heaven, but to death. Not to be risen in the Rapture, but have to stand before the Great White Throne Judgement. Jesus knew this and made it clear.

Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV – “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

By denying the order to downsize. Most become the lawless. For they say their wants are greater than their salvation. Therefore, just as those before them. They abandon their salvation.

Millions have gone to the grave expecting to be risen in the rapture. They will say but we did this or we did that in your name Jesus. And His reply will be simple.

“I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”

The book of their works will be opened. And they will be judged by their works. Pray there is more spiritual gold than chaff burned away. For only then will they see that their name is still written in the Book of Life.

Revelation 20:11-15 NKJV – Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

One of these works is to downsize. As we have already established. Once again there will be those having a hissy fit over the word “works.” The thing is we have just heard from the Word of God. I will say them again:

“And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”

“Judged according to their works.”

This is not the only time this is said within the Bible. This shows that we are to have works for God. This shows that those having their hissy fit follow the false teachings of OSAS and faith alone. They are upset because they have been called liars. Well, that is because they are. For they just called the above verses a lie. So. I ask the question. Is the Bible True? If you follow Christ the answer is simple. Yes it is. Then those that follow OSAS and faith alone teachings follow a liar. Who is the ultimate liar?

John 8:44 NKJV – You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

It is now that you must embrace Truth. This can only be accomplished by repenting and downsizing then following all the commandments that were not removed by the cross. Just so you know only those laws governing sacrifice were removed. All others are still in effect. Like for example not to get tattoos. One in every four people upon this planet have tattoos. Many profess to being “Christian.” This means they live in sin. That is unless they repent and do not add anymore. Now many have repented and must live with their sin upon their skin. Unless they can remove them. Most cannot.

Very soon the first rapture will occur and most that now follow faith alone and OSAS will find themselves still standing here within this temporal plain of existence. Shocked that God abandoned them.

Right there is the problem. Them thinking God abandoned them. This is part of the great lie. The Truth? They abandoned God. Which is why God left them behind, because they were never one with Him.

They are lawless, because they refuse to follow the commandments. One of which is to downsize.

John 14:15 NKJV – “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

God Bless