rich

Blog for Podcast #88 (A new level)

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

Discussion

Last week with the release of “The Harsh Message” I entered into a new level of my podcasts. Most of my podcasts up until then had been Bible studies. The showing of the True Word of God for those willing to take the time to listen or read them. All taken from the Bible. All deliberately done for the true meanings found within the Scripture for those willing to truly study the Bible as we are instructed to do by God Himself. Because of His love for all of us humans that walk upon this planet. Few listened. Not only to these podcasts, but to the Bible itself.

Now, I will reduce my studies to actually giving messages mostly. Will people be willing to listen? I don’t know. What I do know is that it is not me I wish to glorify, but God through His Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Not many knows my true name, and that is as it should be. For we are not here to glorify ourselves, but our Creator God through Jesus Christ.

I, at times, personally do not feel worthy to be the teacher of His Holy Word, but that is the calling I have been given.  There is something that needs to be placed into the light. Is any who seek glory. Any who give their names and say they are doing this or that for the sake of Jesus Christ. To me, personally, I believe they are seeking to steal the limelight from the only being worthy of being worshipped. That being is the one who humbled Himself so greatly that He not only put on the skin of a mortal but died a death that is seen as most vile. This death that is seen this way throughout the world from cultures that had never heard of God or of His Son Jesus Christ until these nations came into contact with those cultures that had heard of them. Yet they still saw that being hanged or strung up upon a tree the ultimate sin.

Do you actually think this was by chance? That they think the same type of death is seen as so demeaning and the ultimate insult to the person it is happening to? This was by design. The design of the Creator of this universe and the new universe yet to come.

Recently I released I list of what is truth within the Bible. A thing that many wish to deny and not hear. Many out there wish to continue to live their lives as they feel is important to how they wish to feel. They seek to live in comfort. They seek to continue to think of what is important to them and those they choose to let into their lives.

Simply the world revolves about them.

That is opposite the teachings of the Bible.

However, many that do this. Call themselves “Christian.”

Yet the Bible tells us to imitate Christ. To humble ourselves. To place all others before ourselves. To do this the desires of the person should become unimportant to themselves. Their focus should be on pleasing first God through Jesus Christ, then all others.

Philippians chapter two says this:

Philippians 2:3-8 – 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.

When Christ calls upon us to follow Him in His service. He tells us to surrender all.  This is seen in the story of the young rich man seen in Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31 and Luke 18:18-30. This is also explained to the large crowd that followed Christ in Luke 14:25-33.

How many that are reading or listening to this right now can actually say they have surrendered all?

I know the answer. I see the answer everyday, or any time I enter into the buildings called “churches.”

I see Mercedes, BMWs, and many other expensive vehicles. As well as fancy clothes and adornments. Yet they protest and complain I that am in the wrong and they are in the right.

But does it not go completely opposite of what Jesus Christ Himself said.

“Oh, but that was a different age. That does not apply to us.” Comes the words from many out there.

They don’t even realize they just denied Jesus Christ.

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

“I didn’t deny Christ” they scream and shout in anger.

I will quote from the story of the young rich man.

Mark 10:23-31 – Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, 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!” 26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” 28 Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. 29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. 31 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”

Two key statements that bear repeating:

“Yes, and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution.”

And the 2nd:

“But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”

Simple translation: the rich will be poor, and the poor will be rich in Godly treasures.

So, Jesus Christ makes it very clear to not seek after worldly possessions and riches, yet millions professing to be “Christian” do just that. What is another name for that?

Oh yea, Hypocrites.

What does the Bible call hypocrites?

James 4:4 – You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

Consequently, they are the enemy of God, all because they seek after the world as seen in 1 John 2:

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.

This is what labels those that keep or seek after worldly wealth and possession: hypocrites. And thus, their denial of Jesus Christ.

I did not say this. I am no one. I serve God. I am guided by the Holy Ghost, and I write what He guides me to write and speak. I am a voice in the wilderness. Crying out to cause you to awaken to the truth.

Therefore, if what I am guided to say is not me. Then it is the Holy Spirit saying this. Not me and I seek no glory or reward for making people feel uncomfortable. If they suffer discomfort, it is the Holy Spirit saying that what they are hearing is the truth being stated here. For it is just that. For it comes from the only truth. The Word of God.

Christ makes it very clear. You wish to follow Him. You must give everything away. Not seek after more and more of the world, but to reject the world. To seek after that which only the Father through His Holy Son can give us.

And where are these rewards?

1 Timothy 6:17-19 – Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

How can they be ready to share with others if they are driving most of their money or living in most of their money. How can they share with a hundred people in need a 72’ screen TV? Or cloth a thousand with their $150 each pair of a rack of shoes in their closet.

As long as they live in luxuries on this earth, they store no treasures in heaven, they have shown they hate God and His Son our Savior Jesus Christ.

Matthew 6:19-24 – “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.

Christ is soon to return. Which side of the wedding feast door do you wish to be standing upon? Matthew 25:1-13.

God Bless

If you are rich you should be humble

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re-post
These are the words of James. He says that if we are poor we should be boosting for God has honored us. There are many ways to take this but I am reminded of Matthew chapter 6 myself. In which Jesus makes it clear that we are not to store up riches here on earth for our reward is in heaven. Jesus also states that those that seek their reward here on earth are receiving the reward here and not in the eternal live to come. This is why those that are rich should be humble.
Then why are so many that are rich not humble? Could it be they do not know or accept Jesus Christ as their Savior? This is a possibility, but it is not my place to say yes or no to that question. Do I have the right to ask the question? By all means yes I do. For when we see those that say they are “Godly” yet their manner and actions bring this into question, then the question needs to be asked.
Jesus stated that we are to be a light unto the world and we are to reflect His life. Jesus was the walking embodiment of the Bible itself. He never sinned. Humans do not have that, so we must ever seek to chip the sin out of our minds, and bodies. Does the fact that someone not being humble when they are rich mean they are not following Christ? The answer is in what else do they do? Do they lie? Do they curse? Do they know the Bible?
These are only three questions, but they are many more that we can get from the Bible and apply to them. Even in the Bible there are many questions asked of us to see if people are working toward the glory of God. Many of these questions are directed straight at us the reader.
As we look at those that do things that are not within the Bible and are in actuality opposite the Bible we can form an opinion. We are even told to use this opinion, to either help this person back to God or even to the point of avoiding them.
Jesus even states that there are those that will be like swine. You cast the love of Christ at their feet like pearls and all they will do is trample them then turn and tear you to pieces.
If people do not follow God, those that do follow God should not follow them. We cannot change them no matter how much we hope we can. They are lost and it is their own doing. The road to hell is wide, but the road to heaven is narrow and difficult. There is no easy way and any that offer an easy way are most likely offering damnation.
So remember when you see a boastful rich person to eye them carefully and do not allow them to lead you away from God.

What are your goals?

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What are the goals that you seek to accomplish in this time you have upon this earth?
Become rich?
Become famous?
Well look at these goals from a Biblical point of view.
So you desire to be rich.
Biblically the more you desire riches the harder it is to get into to heaven. So on a scale of “one” being poor biblically and “ten” being rich biblically, becoming rich is a “one.”
Matthew 19:23 – Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
Now if all you sought was that which allows you to get your daily bread. That is a “ten.” In fact it is part of the Lord’s Prayer.
Okay seeking fame. Most that become famous become haughty. That then again becomes a “one.”
Proverbs 16: 18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
God desires us to be humble. That is a “ten.”
1 Peter 5:5 – 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.
So a low score gets you into the pit of fire. A high score heads you in the right direction.
So for becoming rich and famous the score is “two.”
So being content with your daily bread and humbling yourself that is a score of “twenty.”
Personally I do not want rewards of this temporal plain of existence. For they will be eaten by moths and rust away. I seek after the eternal rewards that will be with me for billions upon billions upon billions of years.
Matthew 6:19 – “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.

Fables

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Yesterday I re-posted an article I had written last year and felt led to expound upon what these “fables” are.
First and foremost they are made to look like Jesus Christ, but they are not Christ. Humans will use His name in vain for their own glorification and think they are “Christian” when that is the furthest thing from the truth.
What to look for when humans use the name of “Jesus” and are actually teaching fables.
They will tell you to seek out your rewards within this temporal plain we now live within. Saying it is all for you to receive your rewards and riches here and now. This is totally opposite the words of Jesus Christ and ANY that promise rewards on this earth are of the one who runs the earth at this time, that being Satan.
Matthew 6: 19 “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.
Another fable is that Christ is ALL love and ALL are welcome into heaven. Yet Christ spoke more of the fires of the pit of fire than He spoke of Love. The Bible makes it clear that there are those that will never be allowed into heaven if they continue to live in their sins. Yet those that listen to the fable say that “love” is all there is and Jesus will welcome all. This is a twisting of the truth. Taking the truth and turning it to suit those that would rather live in sin than place God first and foremost in their lives.
The truth is yes Jesus Christ will welcome all, BUT you MUST repent of your sin. True repentance means to leave your sins behind and never do them again. This is what many refuse to do and so these that refuse to leave their sins in truth have not accepted Christ as their Savior and so will be partakers of that which Jesus Himself spoke more of, the pit of fire. Let me get you to understand by revisiting the story of Christ and the young rich man. For most would consider being rich not a sin, but as was shown in the verses above it is. So if being rich is a sin how much more of a sin is those things that are clearly called out in the Bible as not being allowed entrance into heaven?
The young rich man told Christ he followed all the commandments and what else would guarantee he makes it into heaven. Christ told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor and then to follow Him, which meant to follow all the teachings Christ has been giving to all. The young man turned away disheartened and despondent for he desired the world and his riches more than he did God and His Son. He chose eternal death instead of eternal life. Yet Jesus looked at him in love and kindness even as he turned his back upon Christ. Christ loves all of humanity, but He had given us a measurement to stand by to gain complete and open access unto Him. That being we must not seek that of the world, this earth, this time, but live as if we are already His eternal servant and placing His Father first in ALL that we do.
Mark 10:17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, 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!” 26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” 28 Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. 29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. 31 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”

Confessions of a screwed up middle aged man: snobs

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Occasionally I like to go for Sunday drives with my wife. We both enjoy doing them. I try my best to go the back way whenever possible so as to enjoy the scenery of God’s creation.
Usually these little outings go well. This last Sunday however did not have the usually enjoyment. It wasn’t due to either of us or the scenery about us. This day’s enjoyment decreased as we started getting into an area filled with large houses and massive acreage being used for nonproductive matters.
As we entered into this area and stayed within it for nearly an hour we encounter other drivers that did not follow the laws of the road. Not staying in their own lanes and doing things that obstructed traffic. Once we stopped at a small convenience store and as I started to turn into the parking spot the driver side door of an expensive car suddenly flung open blocking the parking spot. Nearly a minute after this a woman decided to exist this vehicle and with a haughty look, looked upon both my wife and myself with disdain since our car was not on the same par as hers. She then slowly closed the door and walked in the middle of the parking spot I wished to pull into as she headed to the same store we wished to visit.
Shortly after this within another store we decided to go into we over hear an encounter between a customer and someone in the pharmacy. Apparently the employee was inconvenienced to walk ten feet and the customer was in turn bothered to accompany the employee the same ten feet to get what she was requesting.
So we get back onto our little adventure and still encounter poor driving habits that in one instance endangered my wife and myself.
When finally free of this area of expensive houses and ritzy stores suddenly we were able to once again relax and enjoy the country side and beauty of the sunny day.
As I was able to relax once again I started reflecting on the previous hour I had just encountered and was saddened. It is amazing how the Bible is not being taught correctly to the point that people that see themselves as a higher quality of humanity than of anyone else. Yet the Bible teaches us that we are all the same.
This also reminded me how the Bible again is not being taught correctly. Many times The Bible says to love one another, but here is what many do not realize. It is not a love for all humanity, but for those that are like us that have asked Christ into our lives and seek to be a reflection of Him.
Does this say that those that call themselves “Christian” should behave as those I encountered this last weekend? No it does not. In fact the Bible encourages humility. The act of placing all others before ourselves. Yet this is not the mentality of those we encountered this last Sunday. Their mentality is that all must bow and worship them for they are wealthy with the riches of the world.
They do not realize that in reality they are to be pitied. For they have embraced the temporal rewards of this world.
Mark 10:17 – As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, 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!” 26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
James 4:4 – You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 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.
Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.