selfishness

Blog for Podcast #50 (Selfishness)

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Intro

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

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

Discussion

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

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

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

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

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

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

Revelation 3:17 – You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

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

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

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

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

1 John 3:17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

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

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

Matthew 19:16-30 Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” 21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” 27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” 28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew 22:36-40 – “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

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

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

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

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

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

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #14 (The Many Faces of the Selfish god [part 2])

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Intro
Welcome again and I am Dreamwalker1960
Discussion

As we continue to look into 2 Timothy 3 verses 1-5. We look deeper into the different facets of the selfish heart.
Now why did I say heart? Even though Jesus was talking about eating at the time. His key point of what within us causes sin was the heart.
Matthew 15:19 – For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.
This is why it is important for us to have an active part in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ in our spiritual life.
Last week I keyed in on selfishness itself, and I have already explained in past lessons how we should deal with money in our lives. (“How should a wealthy Christian live?” Parts 1 and 2)
So we will continue further into verse 2 of the third chapter of 2 TImothy. As a reminder here is verse 2:
“For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.”
“They will be boastful and proud”
a. Boastful – G213 0 – alazon – braggart – boaster [Strong’s]
a1) braggart – someone who proudly talks a lot about himself or herself and his or her achievements or possessions
b. Proud – G5244 – hyperephanos – appearing above others (conspicuous), i.e. (figuratively) haughty [Strong’s]
b1) haughty – unfriendly and seeming to consider yourself better than other people.
b2) conspicuous – very noticeable or attracting attention, often in a way that is not wanted
“Scoffing at God” – blasphemers – G989 – blaspjemos – scurrilous, i.e. calumnious (against man), or (specifically) impious (against God) [Strong’s]
a. Scurrilous – expressing unfair or false criticism that is likely to damage someone’s reputation:
b. Calumnious – false and damaging to someone’s reputation:
c. Impious – showing no respect, especially for God or religion

Now it is important to realize as I tried to make clear in the last podcast that selfishness has many faces, thus the title of these broadcasts. In the three items I just described we get a deeper look into these aspects of this sin which in my personal opinion is a core element that lead to sin. Due to our carnal nature we focus on our own wants and desires. As is shown with being boastful. The person repeats all their personal achievements for all to know that they are of import and have something to offer to the world.
I am also reminded of Adam and Eve. After eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge. They became aware of their own nakedness. They become ashamed as they noticed how they looked. See the focus there, it was upon themselves. Their own selfish desire not to be seen naked. Their own wants.
But to get back on track we turn to pride. As the word proud is defined in this verse it is someone that wishes to draw attention to themselves because they think they are greater and better than anyone else. In other words they see themselves as a type of god. We see these many times a day upon the news. Congress people and actors as a couple of examples. I could name names, but that is not within my job description.
Anyone who considers themselves greater than another human being. Is actually showing their ignorance of not only the Bible. But the laws within most of the civilized nations they live within. And sooner or later the bill will come due for their actions. This is something that we learn from the Bible, for it is where the golden rule came from. To do unto other as you would have done unto yourself. If you wish to be respected, you must give all others respect.
Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
Which brings us to the blasphemers. The three lovely big words I gave the definitions for a bit ago. Words that say volumes and in a way tie in with being prideful. To go about saying that those that are Christian are racist. That their beliefs create division and destruction. The second oldest religion in the world. The first being Judaism, which is also smeared with the same derogatory descriptions and comments. If Christianity and Judaism are so evil how have they exited so long? Why have so many countries throughout history embraced this religion that follows the teachings of a carpenter? If Christianity is so evil then there should be no country that follows any part of it teachings within their laws, yet most laws that govern most nations have their foundation found within the Bible and the laws and teachings that are within it.
Yet still we have those that scoff at God. Because God does not like how they want to live their lives, because their lives go against the very laws that are within the Bible and make up the majority of laws they see they are forced to follow. Because how they live their lives is their right to live as they so deem to live it. Sounds very selfish doesn’t?
Disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful –
a. Disobedient – G545 – apeithes – unpersuadable, i.e. contumacious [Strong’s]
a1) contumacious – refusing to obey or respect the law in a way that shows contempt:
b. Ungrateful – unthankful – acharistos – thankless [Strong’s]
It is our parents that try to instill into us the need to obey. Usually they lay restrictions upon us for our protection as we grow toward adulthood. More and more we hear of parents that do not do this. Why? Because their parents surrendered their responsibilities to the state. Basically allowing the schools to be their true parent. As a result the children have no true respect for their natural parent. So they don’t listen to them and are disobedient. These children grow into adults that have no respect for anything. Especially the laws of the land, because all that is important to them is their own lusts and desires.
Many times the parents did the right thing or the best they could because of making a broken home due to their own issues. The children then grow into adulthood and blame the parents for all their problems. Most of which were not created by the parents, but the children themselves now adults and so blaming the parents falsely do not thank their parents for what they at least attempted to do.
Both descriptions I just gave you are the now typical examples of most households within the United States. These attitudes lead to the last description of verse 2.
They will consider nothing sacred – unholy – G462 – anosios – wicked [Strong’s]
a: wicked – morally wrong and bad:
What are morals?
1) Morals – standards for good or bad character and behavior:
Where did these “standards” come from in today’s society?
They came from the books of Exodus, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus. Then they were enhanced and modified by the teachings of Jesus Christ and His disciples. As Christianity spread throughout the world these standards went with it. We only have morality because of the Bible and the belief in a Creator of the universe who is our God.
We are in the last days. That is what the very first verse of 2 Timothy states we are to look for the signs that will show us that this is true. I have only just now finished breaking down the second verse of this chapter in which how people will behave in that end time act.
As I am showing at the core is selfishness. Which in turn causes people to look after their own wants and desires through the money they shall seek after for this is the focal point. They can only satisfy their own desires if they have the money to accomplish this lust.
They will sing praises of all their accomplishments to show to the world that they are great. At the same time hiding their true lusts which cause destruction to any that get in the way of their first desire, themselves. They will look upon everyone else as less than themselves. Seeing that they are the only ones that are right and all other views are evil and corrupt, for it does not fall in line with their lusts and desires. All the time demeaning anything to do with God and those that follow God as less than human. For they are the greatest beings upon this world for they are the true enlightenment. While at the same time parading children about as if they are adults ready to accept sexual encounters.
Does any of this sound familiar?
I have just described the last seven days since the last podcast. These are all events that transpired upon the Television and the Internet as well as Social Media. Does this not describe the last days?
For the return of the Lord Jesus Christ is near. More near than at any other time in history. For the entire world is included this time. Every nation throughout the globe is seeing these events transpire. At no other time in history as this ever happened upon a global scale. The United States was the last stronghold of God. It is under siege and it is falling. When it does woe unto the world. For that will most likely be the last straw that breaks that back of humanity.
But we are promised an escape from those horrific times. We must turn to the one who died in our names. Then on the third day rose from the tomb and walked amongst humanity for forty days. Preparing those of us that came after this great event for a way to escape the destruction that is described in the book of Revelation.
All we need do is accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and learn of the teachings within the Bible. Then to follow them and accept a moral life and to honor our fellow humans as our equals, be they sinner or saint.
God Bless.

Blog for Podcast # 13 (The many faces of the selfish god)

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Intro
Welcome to another podcast. This is Dreamwalker1960.
Discussion
In this past week I have continued to run into different encounters with a type of selfishness. Each different according to who was involved, but still a type of selfishness. To confess there are even times when I suffer from this affliction. I was led to this verse as I asked the Lord for His guidance with these encounters.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 – You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
Does any of this sound familiar? Unless you live in a glass bottle it should. The very first example Paul gave to Timothy was that people would be selfish. The thing is the other examples he gives aren’t independent items. They are basically definitions of selfishness. They are selfish behavior. They are the spawns of selfishness, and since we are told to avoid those that live this way they are obviously living in sin.
In one encounter I had recently had the person said that in essence since God was in him then he was a god. Now in 1 Corinthians the Bible does say this.
Chapter 6 Verses 19-20 – Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
This verse is telling us not to treat our bodies in a way that will not sully God. By entering into any sin we make ourselves unclean and since the Holy Ghost is within us when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Our bodies become a temple unto to God.
Why was the temple made?
For humans to have a place to interact with their Creator, God. This interaction is facilitated with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is like a cellphone to God, and since God is Holy the Spirit with which He uses to commune with us is holy.
When Christ died for our sins upon the cross the veil that divided the Holy of Holy’s from all of humanity was torn. So now we all have access directly to God through Jesus Christ who then sent to us the Holy Ghost. (John 15:26)
In our part of this relationship with God through His Son Jesus we are to actively seek Him out through prayer and understanding that can be found within the Bible, as well as to follow all the teachings that are within it. The Holy Spirit is who imbues us with this knowledge. As we grow in our relationship with God through the blessing of the Holy Ghost. God helps us in our everyday life.
As an example. Me, in my everyday job have to do some stuff that at times is difficult to accomplish. Yet I pray and suddenly I am given insight into a way to accomplish the goal in an easier manner. This is God speaking to me through the Holy Ghost that is within me.
I do not think I am god because I suddenly received this method to accomplish my goal. Yet as I mentioned before there are those that do think they are god or that god is within them and so they think they are greater than anyone else because of it.
That is not God that is ego, which is selfishness.
The very first commandment is not to place any other god before God. Yet on a daily basis that is what millions of people do. Many of which profess they are Christian. The moment someone beliefs that god is within them and in turn get a swelled head over it, they are breaking that commandment. As reflected in 2 Timothy 3:4.
Paul makes it clear that those that keep the faith and belief that God is God and that His Son is our Savior, who then sent us the Holy Spirit through His Father to allow us to commune with Him and His Father with the Holy Ghost, will suffer. And those that are false and selfish are the truly evil they will flourish. For only those of the world are rewarded of the world, and those of God are rewarded their due when God ordains. Some rewards may be here, but we are to strive to make it that the majority is in the eternal life we are promised by seeking not to be selfish in this reality we now live within.
This is what Paul instructed the Philippians:
Chapter 2:1-4
1 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.
Our focus of our lives shouldn’t be around ourselves. We are to be humble never high-minded thinking we are greater than any other human in existence. For those that consider themselves greater than another human being are in actuality crowning themselves their own god. Placing themselves upon a throne made of straw that will burn into ashes when the time comes to stand before the Lord God Almighty who is the true God and only God, our Creator.
Time and again we are told within the Bible to not place ourselves first in anything we do. But to have the concerns of our fellow humans before our own. That is why it is so easy for those that live the lives as described in 2 Timothy, as they try to take advantage of those that try to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and His disciples.
They are so wrapped up in their own lives that they are blind to the Truth. They see everything through their perspective, which is tainted with their lusts, desires and hatreds. They believe that all think as they do and find it impossible to think that others believe and think differently. Does any of this sound family?
That is not how those that have accepted salvation through Jesus Christ think.
I will end with this:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

God Bless

The “I” syndrome

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re-post
This is something that the Bible teaches over and over again to avoid.
“I” want this.
“I” want that.
“I” want to have sex because it feels good.
“I” don’t have time for a baby so “I” will abort it.
Selfishness the core to all sin. From the word “I” comes lust. A lust for power, a lust for pleasure, a lust for possessions, a lust to control.
“I” is what we are told time and again to turn from, to avoid. We are told to humble ourselves. To place others needs before our own. To place God first which means to ignore the word “I” when seeking to do God’s works.
The greatest commandments:
1) Love and honor God above all else and all others.
2) To treat our neighbors as we would desire to be treated.
Then the rest of the Ten Commandments follow these two.
The Ten Commandments, the preamble to the laws given unto Moses upon Mt. Sinai. None of which say to place yourself first in anyway shape or form.
We must learn not to please the “I” but to please God. To be truly humble is to never place yourself before anyone or anything for as long as you place the “I” above all else you are guaranteed to fall short of God’s glory.
So remember the next time you say to yourself “I” wish to do this or that it would be best that you didn’t do it at all, most likely.
James 4:6 – But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
James 4:10 – Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Matthew 23:12 – And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

What is the difference between pride and selfishness?

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re-post —- originally posted in 2/15 and shows reference to then President Obama
The other day I had a discussion with someone and I stated that I believed selfishness to be the ultimate sin. They replied stating no it is pride.
Now I will not argue that in the Bible it does implicate that it is pride, but let’s take a good look at that word.

Pride a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc. Per Dictionary.com
This SELF-glorification and believe that you are better then all others. Is this not a selfish, self-serving mentality? Yes it is. So to me there is absolutely no difference between these two words. In fact they seem to complement each other.
In Luke 14 Jesus states this: “For whosoever exalteth (be prideful) himself shall be abased (be brought low); and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. “
Jesus also states that those that wish to lead need to be a servant unto those that you wish to lead (Mark 10:44). This again is humility and the lack of pride and selfishness. Most in some type of leadership roll these days are not humble. They are prideful and many are selfish and self-serving.
We need to seek out leaders that are reluctant to lead, but still capable of doing so. Ones that seeks the true good for all, placing all others before themselves and their own personal agenda.
“But there is no such person!” you shout out. That is a possibility, but still we must seek one out and support such people, for if we do we can fix more than has been fixed in the last decade. Most of this last decade has had a person in the White House that is petty, selfish, self-serving and only wish to place forth ideas and doctrines that have resulted in a nation in crisis.
All because there is no true understanding of the Bible by most of those that live in the United States for they are “too busy” to take the time to learn what is right, what is pure and what is holy. For only some that fully reads and understands the Bible can hope to achieve what is glorious in the sight of God, and they can only accomplish this through humility.

Selfishness the ultimate sin

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re-post
Why would someone say selfishness is the ultimate sin? When you think on it, you will realize that it really is. From selfishness, there is theft. From selfishness, there is strife between people and nations. From selfishness, there is even murder and war.
Jesus I believe knew that selfishness was this bad as well. Why I say that is how he framed the statement “Do unto to others, as you would have others do unto you.” You see he framed the wording to come from a selfish person’s perspective. Why? Become he was talking mostly to the sinner. How YOU wish to be treated is how YOU should treat others and if YOU do so, YOU will receive it.
This is a major point in what I post on these blogs. I mention selfishness many times. I mention that we are not to be selfish and are to do as the gold rule states. If we truly practice this type of behavior everywhere every day this world would truly be a better place.
Just take for example an everyday event like going through the drive through window at a fast food restaurant. I will give you two examples and you decide which is selfish and which is not.

Person A gets into line then places their car in park to save gas. Cars in from of them move up as other cars behind them pull in to get food. The person parked lets three car lengths open before them and then decides to look up from their cellphone to see the that line has moved. They then slowly move up. They then place their order, taking several minutes to do so. Then they finish and the line in front of them moves up to three car lengths again. They then again look up from their cellphone and slowly move up, stopping a full car length behind the person in front of them. When they finally arrive at the window, they get their food and then set there several minutes examining their food. They attempt to give back the food but it is given right back since it is what they ordered. They then pull away from the window slowly. (This is an actual occurrence I witnessed)

Person B pulls in the line in the drive thru. The car in front of them moves up and so move up with them. The person in front of them gets to the point to order their food. Person B looks at the menu from where he/she sets and decides what they wish to order. The person in front moves forward and they move up and quickly order their food then proceeds to move up behind the person in front of them allowing the person now behind them to order their food. Person B keeps the line moving. When they get to the window they have their method of payment ready and receive their food then pull away.
The selfish person’s actions can cause others about them to become angry. They do not care, for all that is important to them is themselves. When people only care for themselves then they are not thinking of God first and so are not truly Christian if they profess to be one. Actions speak louder than words. It is these actions, which we are all to stand to account for on the day of final judgment. Who will get to live an eternity traveling the universe and who will live forever in an uncomfortably warm place?

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.

Assumptions to Absolutes

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This is what I learned this week. Most people in a so-called informed society are in actuality not informed. Now to be honest this is not something I learned just this week. It is something that I have known for some time, but this week it actually being a solid fact. In a way you could say I was living in the assumption of this reality, but had to have true solid evidence to support my belief in this matter, well now I have it.
I encountered a group that live this reality and they form an ever growing group. It is growing because this is what todays educational system is causing to happen. The requirements for true intellect has been removed and so more and more grow accustomed to taking things at face values thus assuming. They refuse to analysis what is being said or done, especially if what they say falls within a certain context that fits what they have been told to assume in previous encounters.
Here is an example. “Global Warming” or as it is now called “Climate Change.” The name itself and the need to change in itself prove of my point. It was called “Global Warming” for decades. Why? Because the earth was on a normal and natural as well as documented warming trend that happens every fifty years. The thing is, is that a group decided it was something to push, to push for more regulations which would then require more money to be taken for the public at large and then spread between the few. Thus making the rich richer and the poor more subservient. This hit a major speed bump about three or four years ago. You see as I stated it is a fifty year cycle, the cycle ended and so the northern ice cap began to expand. Then suddenly out of nowhere a new term came into existence “Climate Change.” Why? For two reasons. First saying the globe was warming could no longer be support because of an increase in not only the polar ice cap, but also rougher winters. So “Climate Change” was born, which speaks loudly of how people assume and brings us to the second point. That those speaking to them know of what they speak because they have an air of authority, and so it becomes an absolute fact, even though in reality it is not. No matter that their own senses and other data says it is not so, they ignore what is before their very faces and allow others to say it is bad, so it must be horrible. Here is the thing, the climate…. it changes, that is a fact of nature. The climate changes every single day and is never the same. This new name also speaks to the ignorance of the common person that believes these statements and listens with inspired awe to those in power that spew out these unsupported statements. Because the climate changes they must be right. It is truly sad.
It is from this group that people like Napoleon, Lenin, Marx, Stalin, Mao and Hitler arise. For people are so willing to believe these people under the promises of great rewards that will come to them personally. These rewards have been promised throughout the centuries, and yet for some strange reason it never ever reaches the common person and only those in power gain from it.
One of the core elements that helps to identify these groups is that they take something unsubstantiated, thus an assumption and through repetition proclaim it to be fact, the absolute. Anyone and I mean anyone that disagrees is evil and hates all humanity. Yet those that truly are the haters of humanity are they themselves, but they are so engulfed in the desire for self-gratis faction that they are blinded to the truth until it is too late in many cases and the damage is already done. This damage can be seen in bloodshed that results from things like the Crusades, the French Revolution, the Russian Revolution and the Holocaust. Even now those that flock to ISIS are repeating this same blind believe that they shall be reward.
Here is the kicker though, the ultimate goal is bloodshed, and it is a path The United States is now fully involved in tumbling down. However, it is not just in the Unites States that you see this trend, it is also being manifested in groups like ISIS as I mentioned before, and in areas where people are being forced out of areas their families have lived in for ages. Just because their views do not mesh with those that are seeking true and fully adulterated avarice. The rewarding of one personal desires no matter who it hurts, because it is not they that are being trampled upon but are those doing the trampling for they are right and all others are wrong.
But who is the group within the United States? Those on what is called the “left,” the liberals those that say we must take from others for give to us. It is from these that such great people as those listed above arose (please note sarcasm) and will arise again unless they awaken before it is too late.
Will it happen though? I seriously doubt it. All that will change it now is the understanding that only one thing is absolute and not an assumption. That will be when the shout is heard throughout the skies and thousands if not a few million people vanish in an instant, and yes I stated a low number on purpose for far viewer are ready to meet Christ in heaven today than at any other time in history, even though the population of this planet is the highest it has ever been. This is called the Rapture and it will show all that Jesus is real and so is His Father, God the creator of all.
It will only be when this event takes place that millions if not billions will awake to the truth and as a result must die a horrible death to stand firm to their new found faith and believe in God and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. It is better now to find salvation then to wait for the Rapture. For as the resurrected Christ told Thomas.
John 20: 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Those that sin really want to live that way

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I have stated in the past that selfishness is the ultimate sin. The core of all other sins. Today in a way I was given an affirmation of this believe I have come to so ardently hold to.
I have been reading “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel. Within this book he goes and interviews leading theological scholars on Jesus and how He is shown within the Bible. In his interview with D. A. Carson, Carson makes several observation about humankind and sin:
“They’re consigned there (hell), first and foremost, because they defy their Maker and to be at the center of the universe….. It’s filled with people who, for all eternity, still want to be at the center of the universe and who persist in their God-defying rebellion”
This is selfishness manifest. Dr. Carson also states, and I’ll paraphrase here, that if God totally removed His presence from the earth, humankind themselves would turn this planet into hell all on their own. I have to totally agree with this assessment.
Today, as those in power push God further out of the place He started at in this nation, this nation falls further into depravity. Mass killings are on the rise, the willful dissection of babies not allowed to fully develop for greed and profit. While those causing the slaughter and hacking up of these innocent lives sits in a hearing twisting the words of those that oppose their actions to make their actions against these children as if it is nothing at all. Then we have those that demand to bring their sins which were hidden in the shadows and bring them into the light, and force others to acknowledge their acts by demanding they be formalized with a document. Not realizing that this legitimization is actually them thumbing their nose at God and telling him “see we can sin and you must accept us in our sin now,” while God in return is saying that they have damned themselves deeper into the pit.
So yes it is true as God is removed this place becomes more and more like a living hell. Reflect that which these rebels so want and desire to come to pass. So who is to blame that when the time finally comes for the judgment of these people by God Himself to arrive? Who is really sentencing them to hell, God? No. They are casting their own judgment against themselves, not God, nor His Son Jesus Christ.
My first encounter with this believe came when I was a child and would watch John Wayne in “Angel and the Badman” (1947). In it the Quaker family had a saying on the wall:
“Each human being has an integrity that can be hurt only by the act of that same human being and not by the act of another human being.”
In the movie it was attributed to violence, but it can be applied to any act of rebellion otherwise known as sin against God.
God. The being that created all and all humans. God. A being that deserves for His creation to honor this creation and thus bow down and acknowledge that His is God. Is this so much to ask for He who cause us to be?
Yet all those that sin be it murder through mass killing. Be it murder through abortion. Be it murder through the rejection to reproduce as God design all life to reproduce. It is a selfish desire to place oneself over God. So as a result of this selfish self-serving desire and an unwillingness to turn from these sins. It is those that live this way and wish to dominate other human beings that the result will be an eternity in hell. That is how it is described in the Bible. I didn’t say it, nor am I condemning or judging any. They that are living in these sins are doing that to themselves.
Genesis 38:8 – And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. 9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. 10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.
Deuteronomy 27:25 – Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Revelation 21:8 – But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Proverbs Chapter 6 – 16 These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Leviticus 18:22 – Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Mark 7:20 – And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

You cannot change a world through policies

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It can only change if you change the way someone thinks.
But how is this done?
In the book of Mark it is made clear that the heart of humans is corrupt and that only evil can come from it.
Then how can you change the way someone thinks if only corruption can be found within them?
They must be willing to ask something better than themselves into their hearts, but what is it that can be better than a human?
Other people? No, for all humans are corrupt.
Laws made by humans? No, for it came from humans.
At this point many say then there is nothing left.
Sorry, wrong answer.
God is real, His teachings are real, His Son is real and He walked amongst us so that He could first hand understand just how corrupt we humans are.
He never sinned even though He felt their temptation. He died in our place. For every single person that wishes to accept Him as their Savior, and once they have done so we change. We are born again. Not into a new body, but within our very soul.
No longer is the self the top priority, but those about us are and only after God. For placing God first we understand that we must place all others before ourselves and when doing so the self becomes unimportant.
And so the world can start to change.
What is sad is that more and more refuse to listen to this. More and more embrace their own desires, their own lusts and so in some cases terrible thinks to place. Murders, theft, the killing of the innocent. All because most only think of and care only for themselves.
Selfishness is as the core of all the evils humans are capable of, and only Jesus Christ can change that and thus the world.
Turn from your sins, repent and turn away to live in sin no more and learn how to think in a new and glorious way that give honor unto the creator of everything — God.