Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes: 9-12 NKJV
It is interesting that part of the definition for the word fellowship is "Friendly association." We've all heard of or been associated with the idea of christian fellowship at one time of another. Some pulpit pounders try to make it sound alot more complicated than it actually is. For when we're talking about fellowship, we're simply talking about a group of like minded people gathering together in companionship. Of course, this can take place with as few as two people as well. There is no special anointing, blessing or training needed for christian fellowship, just making oneself available to interact with others. To share life with others. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that fellowship is not entirely a christian doctrine or practice. For people have been gathering together in groups socially for thousands of years. Where one might consider a church potluck to be fellowship, someone else might engage in fellowship with a few friends at a Saturday University of Oregon football game to watch the Ducks win yet another game (No bias here of course).
As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his freind.
Proverbs 27:17 NKJV
My mother had a great gift for engaging others socially. She would often tell me that she considered this an honor. Whether she was visiting with friends after church, or calling people who were asking for prayer, my mother was often described as a "Prayer warrior." These are people who have a true gift for fellowship. I believe that we all have this desire in our heart. After all, our Lord created us for fellowship with him. It's not that far of a stretch to say that if we were created for fellowship with God, that we have that ability with each other as well. We humans have often been described as social creatures. That craving for the company of others is embedded is us. Unless you're a sociopath, but in that case you probably desire fellowship for different reasons altogether. The point being, we were created for fellowship with God AND each other.
A few years ago, there were a series of Mens Conferences refered to as Iron Sharpens Iron. A definition I ran across for the word Countenance refers to this as the act of "Encouraging, to favor or to approve." Using this definition, we can see how the company of a trusted friend can uplift us in so many ways. It doesn't even need to be men. For my mother had many friends who she fellowshipped with on a regular basis. Whether man or woman, the value of the fellowship of a few trusted friends is priceless. Myself, I have had the honor of the fellowship of a few godly men in my life who have had a great influence on how much I've grown in Christ. For this I am grateful. We should never underestimate the value of a trusted friend.
~Scott~
Monday, February 29, 2016
Sunday, February 28, 2016
The Search For The Nazarene
"I have seen two things which cannot reconcile. A man dead without question, and that same man alive again. I pursue Him, the Nazarene, to ferret the truth."
~Clavius~ From The Film Risen
In the Movie Risen, the Roman Tribunus Clavius is tasked with locating the body of Christ after His resurection. He had seen the Messiah crucified on a cross, but now sought proof to satisfy not only the Jewish authorities of the day, but his own curiosity as well. Who was this Nazarene who, only days before, had been the subject of such hatred at the hands of the Jewish authorities? For if He truly was Gods promised Messiah, would His own people not recognize this? Ironically, there are sects of modern day Judaism who STILL await the coming of the promised Messiah! Who is this Nazarene? For were there not indications while he walked among us that He would ultimately die at the hands of the Jewish authorities?
Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again"
Matthew 20: 17-19 NKJV
This Nazarene, this man so hated by some, had become the hope of so many. Some out of curiosity, others out of obedience to that which was promised by God through the prophet Isaiah so long ago.
He is despised and rejected by men, A man of sorrows and aquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53: 3-6 NKJV
And the search continues for some to this day. Despite the evidence presented to them by scripture, they struggle to believe. For it is by faith that we who know Him in our hearts have accepted Him and the free gift He has provided to all mankind. Not just to Jews, but to all the world. I find it funny how there are those who are so willing to accept other religion as fact, yet struggle when it comes to Jesus. However, despite their reluctance to believe, He still awaits that moment their hearts will turn to Him. This is not the vengeful, punishing God that we have been told of so often by our pastors and church leaders. For these men have done us a great disservice. I believe that it is this belief today that keeps those who still search for Jesus from accepting what He has gien them. That He gave Himself willingly for the forgiveness of all sins past, present and future. If you feel that you are among the only ones who cannot accept this Jesus, I present to you the apostle Thomas.
Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20: 27-29 NKJV
This man Thomas, who walked with Jesus daily, who heard His own predictions of His ultimate betrayal, death and resurection, still doubted when his Lord returned. For it was only when the evidence was placed in front of him that Thomas again believed. As the scriptures tell us, blessed are those of us today who have not seen and yet believe in this man, this Nazarene.
~Scott~
~Clavius~ From The Film Risen
In the Movie Risen, the Roman Tribunus Clavius is tasked with locating the body of Christ after His resurection. He had seen the Messiah crucified on a cross, but now sought proof to satisfy not only the Jewish authorities of the day, but his own curiosity as well. Who was this Nazarene who, only days before, had been the subject of such hatred at the hands of the Jewish authorities? For if He truly was Gods promised Messiah, would His own people not recognize this? Ironically, there are sects of modern day Judaism who STILL await the coming of the promised Messiah! Who is this Nazarene? For were there not indications while he walked among us that He would ultimately die at the hands of the Jewish authorities?
Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again"
Matthew 20: 17-19 NKJV
This Nazarene, this man so hated by some, had become the hope of so many. Some out of curiosity, others out of obedience to that which was promised by God through the prophet Isaiah so long ago.
He is despised and rejected by men, A man of sorrows and aquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53: 3-6 NKJV
And the search continues for some to this day. Despite the evidence presented to them by scripture, they struggle to believe. For it is by faith that we who know Him in our hearts have accepted Him and the free gift He has provided to all mankind. Not just to Jews, but to all the world. I find it funny how there are those who are so willing to accept other religion as fact, yet struggle when it comes to Jesus. However, despite their reluctance to believe, He still awaits that moment their hearts will turn to Him. This is not the vengeful, punishing God that we have been told of so often by our pastors and church leaders. For these men have done us a great disservice. I believe that it is this belief today that keeps those who still search for Jesus from accepting what He has gien them. That He gave Himself willingly for the forgiveness of all sins past, present and future. If you feel that you are among the only ones who cannot accept this Jesus, I present to you the apostle Thomas.
Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20: 27-29 NKJV
This man Thomas, who walked with Jesus daily, who heard His own predictions of His ultimate betrayal, death and resurection, still doubted when his Lord returned. For it was only when the evidence was placed in front of him that Thomas again believed. As the scriptures tell us, blessed are those of us today who have not seen and yet believe in this man, this Nazarene.
~Scott~
Dead To Me
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV
I woke up this morning and for a minute I found myself praising God that I was still alive and breathing. Then, I thought better of it. Yes, I feel good and like I am still alive, but in my heart I know I have died. There is no grave stone to mark this death I have died, just confirmation that it has happened. I know that this sounds wierd to some. Trust me, I struggled accepting this fact as well. However, if we are to believe that Gods word is true and infallible, then we must therefore accept as fact that which is written therein. This is where Galations 2:20 comes into play. I believe it to be one of the most difficult scriptures to grasp, but also one of the most freeing also. For the message from the pulpits of our pastors each and every Sunday continues to be that we are none other than "Sinners saved by our Lords grace." Yes, it is the love and grace of our God that has saved us and delivered us from our sins, but there is more to that story. For not only did Christ willingly give Himself up as a sin sacrafice for all, but He now lives in the body once occupied by our former self. THIS, as the apostle Paul tells it, is that part of me that died on that cross with Jesus that day.
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bbought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are Gods.
1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 NKJV
Ok, so I am not my own? Pauls bold statement here in 1 Corinthians should be wake up call to everyone who ever thought they were in charge of their own destiny! The price that was paid for us was the very life of Jesus! His life, His blood, given willingly for you. A good friend of mine has broached the idea lately that there is only one independent self in all of the universe, which is our Lord God. This idea was also floated by the author Norman P. Grubb in his book No Independent Self. I do tend to agree with this thought, for if we were truly independent, then we would have no need of a creator.
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7 NKJV
Anyone see where I'm going with this? For if we were truly independent, would we truly have need for a creator? It doesn't work too well the other way around. If we trust that the scriptures are Gods true and faithful word without error, then we can only assume that we are not as we once were. But there is one piece that is missing, that old spirit, the OLD Scott.
"For God knows that inn the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desireable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
Genesis 3: 5-6 NKJV
There it is! That moment where, as Gods creation, we all fell into sin. I wasn't there, you weren't there, but this is what made necessary the blood sacrafice of our Lord Jesus. THIS was the old Scott that died with Jesus on that cross. For this is the Scott who is now dead to me!
~Scott~
Galations 2:20 NKJV
I woke up this morning and for a minute I found myself praising God that I was still alive and breathing. Then, I thought better of it. Yes, I feel good and like I am still alive, but in my heart I know I have died. There is no grave stone to mark this death I have died, just confirmation that it has happened. I know that this sounds wierd to some. Trust me, I struggled accepting this fact as well. However, if we are to believe that Gods word is true and infallible, then we must therefore accept as fact that which is written therein. This is where Galations 2:20 comes into play. I believe it to be one of the most difficult scriptures to grasp, but also one of the most freeing also. For the message from the pulpits of our pastors each and every Sunday continues to be that we are none other than "Sinners saved by our Lords grace." Yes, it is the love and grace of our God that has saved us and delivered us from our sins, but there is more to that story. For not only did Christ willingly give Himself up as a sin sacrafice for all, but He now lives in the body once occupied by our former self. THIS, as the apostle Paul tells it, is that part of me that died on that cross with Jesus that day.
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bbought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are Gods.
1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 NKJV
Ok, so I am not my own? Pauls bold statement here in 1 Corinthians should be wake up call to everyone who ever thought they were in charge of their own destiny! The price that was paid for us was the very life of Jesus! His life, His blood, given willingly for you. A good friend of mine has broached the idea lately that there is only one independent self in all of the universe, which is our Lord God. This idea was also floated by the author Norman P. Grubb in his book No Independent Self. I do tend to agree with this thought, for if we were truly independent, then we would have no need of a creator.
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7 NKJV
Anyone see where I'm going with this? For if we were truly independent, would we truly have need for a creator? It doesn't work too well the other way around. If we trust that the scriptures are Gods true and faithful word without error, then we can only assume that we are not as we once were. But there is one piece that is missing, that old spirit, the OLD Scott.
"For God knows that inn the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desireable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
Genesis 3: 5-6 NKJV
There it is! That moment where, as Gods creation, we all fell into sin. I wasn't there, you weren't there, but this is what made necessary the blood sacrafice of our Lord Jesus. THIS was the old Scott that died with Jesus on that cross. For this is the Scott who is now dead to me!
~Scott~
Saturday, February 27, 2016
He Is Risen!
But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? "He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." And they remembered His words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
Luke 24: 2-8 NKJV
I usually don't get into the practice of writing critiques of films. If I like a movie, I'll usually recomend it without giving away too much of the plot to someone who has not seen it. Besides, who wants to go and see a movie where they basically already know what happens? You may as well just wait for the DVD to come out! I will, however, bend one of my own rules in this case. While not giving away too much of the film, I can give a potential viewer a sense of what the film entails. So it is with the recent faith based film Risen. I hate to use the term "Faith Based" when refering to anything, but I guess it's appropriate in this case. For modern day Hollywood has recently done their best to distance themselves from anything having to do with religion unless it was some inter galactic, science fiction form of combat karma. I apolagize to any and all Star Wars fans out there, but your force is NOT religion as far as this discussion goes! With that out of the way, I enjoyed the movie Risen for the most part and felt it remained pretty scripturally accurate. It is my pleasure to recomend it to anyone who wishes to see this take on the resurection story.
I have always enjoyed the passage in Luke 24:5 as a good description of the resurection of Jesus. For the women who journeyed to his tomb that morning were fully expecting to see his body lying there. Imagine their shock when they encountered his empty grave! Add to that the cameo apprearance of the heavenly angels informing them of their Lords resurection. The film does not depict in any way the events of the actual resurection, only the aftermath of the broken seal, torn ropes and rolled away stone. However, one gets the idea the film makers were trying to get across. Most of the film centers around one Roman Tribune soldier who carries out the orders of the infamous Pontious Pilate. One recalls that it is Pilate who, only days before, symbolically washed his hands of the death of Jesus. Now, it is Pilate who seeks the body of the Christ to satisfy the Jewish authorities who fear that his disciples may steal his body and make claim that this self proclaimed messiah has indeed risen from the grave. While adding the usual Hollywood spin, I feel the film stays pretty close to scripture, with a few exceptions.
I've heard it said by a pastor in the media following the release of Risen that it did a good job of delivering the story of the resurection of Jesus to an unbelieving world. With this I agree 100%. However, I continue to question whether most of the world does not believe in Jesus or if it is just more media spin. However, as the physician Luke tells us, why do we continue to seek the living among the dead?
~Scott~
Luke 24: 2-8 NKJV
I usually don't get into the practice of writing critiques of films. If I like a movie, I'll usually recomend it without giving away too much of the plot to someone who has not seen it. Besides, who wants to go and see a movie where they basically already know what happens? You may as well just wait for the DVD to come out! I will, however, bend one of my own rules in this case. While not giving away too much of the film, I can give a potential viewer a sense of what the film entails. So it is with the recent faith based film Risen. I hate to use the term "Faith Based" when refering to anything, but I guess it's appropriate in this case. For modern day Hollywood has recently done their best to distance themselves from anything having to do with religion unless it was some inter galactic, science fiction form of combat karma. I apolagize to any and all Star Wars fans out there, but your force is NOT religion as far as this discussion goes! With that out of the way, I enjoyed the movie Risen for the most part and felt it remained pretty scripturally accurate. It is my pleasure to recomend it to anyone who wishes to see this take on the resurection story.
I have always enjoyed the passage in Luke 24:5 as a good description of the resurection of Jesus. For the women who journeyed to his tomb that morning were fully expecting to see his body lying there. Imagine their shock when they encountered his empty grave! Add to that the cameo apprearance of the heavenly angels informing them of their Lords resurection. The film does not depict in any way the events of the actual resurection, only the aftermath of the broken seal, torn ropes and rolled away stone. However, one gets the idea the film makers were trying to get across. Most of the film centers around one Roman Tribune soldier who carries out the orders of the infamous Pontious Pilate. One recalls that it is Pilate who, only days before, symbolically washed his hands of the death of Jesus. Now, it is Pilate who seeks the body of the Christ to satisfy the Jewish authorities who fear that his disciples may steal his body and make claim that this self proclaimed messiah has indeed risen from the grave. While adding the usual Hollywood spin, I feel the film stays pretty close to scripture, with a few exceptions.
I've heard it said by a pastor in the media following the release of Risen that it did a good job of delivering the story of the resurection of Jesus to an unbelieving world. With this I agree 100%. However, I continue to question whether most of the world does not believe in Jesus or if it is just more media spin. However, as the physician Luke tells us, why do we continue to seek the living among the dead?
~Scott~
Bringing The Message
"So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by he angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torment in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your llifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus received evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those pass from there to us. Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my fathers house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment. Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them.' And he said, No, Father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead."
Luke 16: 22-31 NKJV
I recently saw the new movie "Risen" with a friend of mine. Although it had the usual Hollywood spin, we enjoyed the film and thought it stayed pretty close to scriptures of the resurection of Christ. I made the comment to my friend that there have been quite a few faith based films coming out in the past few years, he agreed. I recall this past year when we were involved with a few screenings of the film Woodlawn, which still ranks as one of the better movies I've seen. It was not so long ago that the liberals in the film industry would have scoffed at the idea of such films celebrating christianity to be introduced to the American public. Funny thing is, when a few film makers finaly decided to brave this situation, the movies became very popular. Why is that? Well, I believe in my heart that these United States are not the christian hating liberals we've been told for so long that we are. No, I believe that there is a hunger out there for people to learn and know the gospel of Jesus. But who will show them?
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Matthew 28: 19-20 NKJV
Delivering the message of Jesus has always seemed more difficult than actually hearing it. However, christianity is not just some exclusive club that is only available to a few select emebers. No, for in Matthew 28:19, in what has become famous as Jesus' great commision, we are instructed to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations." Jesus never discriminated when delivering the good news of his Father in heaven. No, For he brought this message of love and forgiveness to all the people wherever he went. This was part of His calling. Are we also callled to bring that message today? I believe so. It is interesting that the Greek definition of disciple refers to a "student, pupil or apprentice." So, we have been called to make followers of Jesus of all the nations. After all, isn't this what Jesus' disciples were, followers of their teacher? Now, Jesus was telling them to make followers of all the nations! This, my freinds, is how the good news of our Lord Jesus is brought into the world.
Whatever it is that we do to introduce the gospel of Jesus to those who need it, that is our ministry. Whether it be sports, corporate or just in casual conversation, it is we who believe who will help bring Gods message to a world in desperate need to hear it.
~Scott~
Luke 16: 22-31 NKJV
I recently saw the new movie "Risen" with a friend of mine. Although it had the usual Hollywood spin, we enjoyed the film and thought it stayed pretty close to scriptures of the resurection of Christ. I made the comment to my friend that there have been quite a few faith based films coming out in the past few years, he agreed. I recall this past year when we were involved with a few screenings of the film Woodlawn, which still ranks as one of the better movies I've seen. It was not so long ago that the liberals in the film industry would have scoffed at the idea of such films celebrating christianity to be introduced to the American public. Funny thing is, when a few film makers finaly decided to brave this situation, the movies became very popular. Why is that? Well, I believe in my heart that these United States are not the christian hating liberals we've been told for so long that we are. No, I believe that there is a hunger out there for people to learn and know the gospel of Jesus. But who will show them?
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Matthew 28: 19-20 NKJV
Delivering the message of Jesus has always seemed more difficult than actually hearing it. However, christianity is not just some exclusive club that is only available to a few select emebers. No, for in Matthew 28:19, in what has become famous as Jesus' great commision, we are instructed to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations." Jesus never discriminated when delivering the good news of his Father in heaven. No, For he brought this message of love and forgiveness to all the people wherever he went. This was part of His calling. Are we also callled to bring that message today? I believe so. It is interesting that the Greek definition of disciple refers to a "student, pupil or apprentice." So, we have been called to make followers of Jesus of all the nations. After all, isn't this what Jesus' disciples were, followers of their teacher? Now, Jesus was telling them to make followers of all the nations! This, my freinds, is how the good news of our Lord Jesus is brought into the world.
Whatever it is that we do to introduce the gospel of Jesus to those who need it, that is our ministry. Whether it be sports, corporate or just in casual conversation, it is we who believe who will help bring Gods message to a world in desperate need to hear it.
~Scott~
Friday, February 26, 2016
Family Portrait
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Fathers hand. I and My Father are one."
John 10: 27-30 NKJV
Since the passing of my mother I've struggled a bit with the thought of not having much of a family here on the West Coast. See, the familes of my mother and father reside in the midwest, not out west where I am. There is a seperation there. Well, there is that seperation in my physical family that is. For as we know, the family of Jesus is much larger. It is this family that we who follow our Lord Jesus are born into. We are His children or, as Jesus speaks in John 10:27, his sheep. I believe that Jesus used this illustration in order to make his point to those He was speaking to, as He so often did in His parables. Whatever hurts and misgivings which we've experienced from our own families, the family of Christ will always be one gently led by a loving Father. That may be goood news to many who have suffered torn family relationships.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2: 9-10 NKJV
I broach this subject for a reason. Yes, I know that I am a member of that royal priesthood, called by Christ Jesus. Not only that, it is Christ who has done away with my former spirit by his death and now resides within me. Of course, as I recognize this as being true in myself, I must also recognize it as being so in other members of the family of Christ. That, my friends, is where my thoughts for this page began. Some time ago, my freind David challanged me to begin seeing others as God saw them. Well, let me tell you, for someone who has been hurt by another, even another christian, this can be a difficult thing to ask of someone. For once those doors of rejection, hurt and condemnation are opened, the wounds can be pretty deep indeed. Many of us may find that we carry many of these wounds for years to come. Eventually, those wounds may even come to define our perception of ourselves. This is where we get caught in the trap of our spiritual enemy.
It is in 1 Peter 2:9 that we learn that we who follow Jesus are of a holy priesthood and a holy nation. Not just Scott, but ALL who follow Christ. Yes, this includes those who through their actions or words end up hurting us. We may not like thier behavior, but it is ultimately not we who are their judge, only a part of the very same family as they are. For with the same love, grace and mercy that God uses to guide me even in my rough times when I don't follow his direction, he uses that very same love to gently guide that fellow christian who has offended me in some way. It is my own arrogance that sees this love and grace as worthy of being bestowed only upon myself.
~Scott~
John 10: 27-30 NKJV
Since the passing of my mother I've struggled a bit with the thought of not having much of a family here on the West Coast. See, the familes of my mother and father reside in the midwest, not out west where I am. There is a seperation there. Well, there is that seperation in my physical family that is. For as we know, the family of Jesus is much larger. It is this family that we who follow our Lord Jesus are born into. We are His children or, as Jesus speaks in John 10:27, his sheep. I believe that Jesus used this illustration in order to make his point to those He was speaking to, as He so often did in His parables. Whatever hurts and misgivings which we've experienced from our own families, the family of Christ will always be one gently led by a loving Father. That may be goood news to many who have suffered torn family relationships.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2: 9-10 NKJV
I broach this subject for a reason. Yes, I know that I am a member of that royal priesthood, called by Christ Jesus. Not only that, it is Christ who has done away with my former spirit by his death and now resides within me. Of course, as I recognize this as being true in myself, I must also recognize it as being so in other members of the family of Christ. That, my friends, is where my thoughts for this page began. Some time ago, my freind David challanged me to begin seeing others as God saw them. Well, let me tell you, for someone who has been hurt by another, even another christian, this can be a difficult thing to ask of someone. For once those doors of rejection, hurt and condemnation are opened, the wounds can be pretty deep indeed. Many of us may find that we carry many of these wounds for years to come. Eventually, those wounds may even come to define our perception of ourselves. This is where we get caught in the trap of our spiritual enemy.
It is in 1 Peter 2:9 that we learn that we who follow Jesus are of a holy priesthood and a holy nation. Not just Scott, but ALL who follow Christ. Yes, this includes those who through their actions or words end up hurting us. We may not like thier behavior, but it is ultimately not we who are their judge, only a part of the very same family as they are. For with the same love, grace and mercy that God uses to guide me even in my rough times when I don't follow his direction, he uses that very same love to gently guide that fellow christian who has offended me in some way. It is my own arrogance that sees this love and grace as worthy of being bestowed only upon myself.
~Scott~
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Family Ties
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Galations 4: 4-7 NKJV
I've shared before of how, at a young age, my parents were divorced. Of course, this left some pretty deep woulds. How could it not? My father had basically shut himself off from his boys as if to say, "You're no son of mine!" Now, I'm not foolish enough to think that I or my brother had anything to do with the rift between my parents. Sadly, those were choices that my father made in his life. One thing that took me awhile to come to grips with was that I had been adopted by another loving father without knowing it. For where my own father had abandoned his sons, my new father was more than happy to accept me as his own. Had I realized this truth earlier in life, I may have just saved myself more than a few tears. However, as Paul tells us in Galations 4:4, this all happened in "The fullness of time." In other words, when God saw fit, he placed that call on my heart. I believe this is the way it is for all of us. Some of us may make that leap sooner than later, but it is still in our Lords perfect timing.
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."
Luke 10: 21-22 NKJV
It is interesting that the word Abba is a Aramaic term for "Father" that suggests warmth, closeness, intimacy and mutual delight. Therefore, our loving Father has sent his very Son into our hearts to cry out that which we desperately need, the warmth, closeness and intimacy of our heavenly Father! I can think of no better way to describe our Lord. His desire is for intimacy with his children, with us! Where my birth father turned his back on his own son, my REAL Father has promised to never leave me. As I mentioned, I wish I would have known this awesome truth earlier in life. However, as we learn in Luke 10:22, The Son, who intimately knows the Father, wills to reveal the Father to Gods children. The problem we run into, as I did, is that we often transfer the hurts our birth fathers have bestowed upon us to our view of God. There could be nothing further from the truth! For our heavenly Father is waiting for his fullness of time to show you his love and intimacy. We now share an adoption into the family of our loving heavenly Father.
~Scott~
Galations 4: 4-7 NKJV
I've shared before of how, at a young age, my parents were divorced. Of course, this left some pretty deep woulds. How could it not? My father had basically shut himself off from his boys as if to say, "You're no son of mine!" Now, I'm not foolish enough to think that I or my brother had anything to do with the rift between my parents. Sadly, those were choices that my father made in his life. One thing that took me awhile to come to grips with was that I had been adopted by another loving father without knowing it. For where my own father had abandoned his sons, my new father was more than happy to accept me as his own. Had I realized this truth earlier in life, I may have just saved myself more than a few tears. However, as Paul tells us in Galations 4:4, this all happened in "The fullness of time." In other words, when God saw fit, he placed that call on my heart. I believe this is the way it is for all of us. Some of us may make that leap sooner than later, but it is still in our Lords perfect timing.
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."
Luke 10: 21-22 NKJV
It is interesting that the word Abba is a Aramaic term for "Father" that suggests warmth, closeness, intimacy and mutual delight. Therefore, our loving Father has sent his very Son into our hearts to cry out that which we desperately need, the warmth, closeness and intimacy of our heavenly Father! I can think of no better way to describe our Lord. His desire is for intimacy with his children, with us! Where my birth father turned his back on his own son, my REAL Father has promised to never leave me. As I mentioned, I wish I would have known this awesome truth earlier in life. However, as we learn in Luke 10:22, The Son, who intimately knows the Father, wills to reveal the Father to Gods children. The problem we run into, as I did, is that we often transfer the hurts our birth fathers have bestowed upon us to our view of God. There could be nothing further from the truth! For our heavenly Father is waiting for his fullness of time to show you his love and intimacy. We now share an adoption into the family of our loving heavenly Father.
~Scott~
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
The Man In The Mirror
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3: 18 NKJV
Who do you see when you look in that mirror? Well, there was a time when I saw a failure in so many ways. Life position, sin, finance and fitness. When I looked at that reflection, I saw a monster gazing back at me. See, my past failures had found their way into my own image of myself. Eventually, my actions started to mirror this image. However, this wasn't the real Scott at all. More importantly, this was NOT how God saw me. I guess that you could say that the false image I was seeing of myself was just a mirage. For nothing could hhave been farther from the truth. How many of us have faced that same battle I have? I would bet that there are many others who, when they look into the mirror, see only the barren landscape of what used to be. Trust me, this is not somewhere we want to be. The only thing that dwelling on such false images will bring is misery.
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I know live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV
So, what is that true image that we should be seeing of ourselves? Ok, it took me sometime to come to grips with this, so it's still pretty new to me. However, one thing I've found is that old image of myself that I agonized over for so many years was not only holding me back from realizing who I truly was, but it was keeping me from seeing myself as my heavenly Himself sees me. So, how does God see me? Well, when God looks upon me he sees the image of his own son in me! In Galations 2:20 we see a pretty clear image of this. For as Christ was crucified and died, so did I. The trouble I had with this was I didn't recall dying. I'm sure this something one would remember? However, that is just what happened as Jesus gave himself as a sin offering for me. That "old" Scott I feared so much was dead and gone through the willing sacrafice of Jesus. As the apostle Paul tells us "It is no longer I who live, but Christ LIVES IN ME!" Sounds pretty cut and dry huh? Ok, let's face it, I'm dead. Or, the "old" Scott has been done away with. That Scott whose sin and iniquities Jesus gave his very life to cleanse me of. What remains, and that man in the mirror we now see, is the very reflection of Christ in us!
~Scott~
2 Corinthians 3: 18 NKJV
Who do you see when you look in that mirror? Well, there was a time when I saw a failure in so many ways. Life position, sin, finance and fitness. When I looked at that reflection, I saw a monster gazing back at me. See, my past failures had found their way into my own image of myself. Eventually, my actions started to mirror this image. However, this wasn't the real Scott at all. More importantly, this was NOT how God saw me. I guess that you could say that the false image I was seeing of myself was just a mirage. For nothing could hhave been farther from the truth. How many of us have faced that same battle I have? I would bet that there are many others who, when they look into the mirror, see only the barren landscape of what used to be. Trust me, this is not somewhere we want to be. The only thing that dwelling on such false images will bring is misery.
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I know live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV
So, what is that true image that we should be seeing of ourselves? Ok, it took me sometime to come to grips with this, so it's still pretty new to me. However, one thing I've found is that old image of myself that I agonized over for so many years was not only holding me back from realizing who I truly was, but it was keeping me from seeing myself as my heavenly Himself sees me. So, how does God see me? Well, when God looks upon me he sees the image of his own son in me! In Galations 2:20 we see a pretty clear image of this. For as Christ was crucified and died, so did I. The trouble I had with this was I didn't recall dying. I'm sure this something one would remember? However, that is just what happened as Jesus gave himself as a sin offering for me. That "old" Scott I feared so much was dead and gone through the willing sacrafice of Jesus. As the apostle Paul tells us "It is no longer I who live, but Christ LIVES IN ME!" Sounds pretty cut and dry huh? Ok, let's face it, I'm dead. Or, the "old" Scott has been done away with. That Scott whose sin and iniquities Jesus gave his very life to cleanse me of. What remains, and that man in the mirror we now see, is the very reflection of Christ in us!
~Scott~
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Members Only
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostels and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Ephesians 2: 19-22 NKJV
I received a email from a friend the other day with the words "Will make your blood boil" in the subject line. Oh joy, I thought, what now? Well, he wasn't lying, for the story that he linked to in his message indeed got my blood boiling. They weren't exactly fightin' words, but pretty darn close. The article he referenced was one that was going through the pros and cons of our churches requiring membership in their ranks. Now, for those who know me, I'm pretty anti establishment, so this kind of ruffled my feathers a bit. Here was our christian church, that bastion of help in troubled times, advocating for exclusive membership among their ranks. Does anyone besides me have an issue with this? No? Ok, let me list just a few. How welcoming is a church that would require membership? Are they truly interested in advancing the gospel of Jesus or just their income stream? How are the truths of love, mercy and kindness exemplified by a congregation that seeks exclusive membership? I can just see a few pastors drafting papers for my ultimate excommunication as they read this.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the begining, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have preeminence.
Colossions 1: 16-18 NKJV
It is to those pastors in particular that I beg this question, just who gave you the right to determine who holds a right to belong to Christs church? Yes, who's church do we ultimately belong to? CHRISTS! From scanning this article, I found a myriad of conditions for membership in some churches. From 10% tithe contributions to mandatory volunteer hours and classes, these so called men of God have chosen to burden their "members" with more than a few requirements. All of this as membership in our nations churches is declining. Gee, I wonder why. Just take a good look at what our Lord Jesus said of men such as this.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewahed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead mens bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Matthew 23: 27-28 NKJV
Think I'm being too harsh? Well, consider the burdens that these pastors lay upon their flocks. Consider how you would feel if you walked into such a environment where you were expecting acceptance, mercy and fellowship. Then, once you enter, you're told that there are conditions for you being in Christs church! What if you decide that you don't want to partake in such a system? Are you a bad christian? Can you see the condemnation here? Kind of sounds like a exclusive country club doesn't it? Well, relax fellow follower of Jesus, for this is not the church that Christ intended. For what church that has Jesus as its head would place conditions on its own? I have a favorite saying on true leadership that I like to use. Never ask those below you to do something you yourself wouldn't do. So, to those pastors who preach any sort of membership mumbo jumbo to their flocks, make damn sure that you yourselves abide by the same conditions you're asking of those in your congregation! For when you lay undo burdens upon those you claim to be guiding in Jesus, then YOU are that whitewashed tomb.
~Scott~
Ephesians 2: 19-22 NKJV
I received a email from a friend the other day with the words "Will make your blood boil" in the subject line. Oh joy, I thought, what now? Well, he wasn't lying, for the story that he linked to in his message indeed got my blood boiling. They weren't exactly fightin' words, but pretty darn close. The article he referenced was one that was going through the pros and cons of our churches requiring membership in their ranks. Now, for those who know me, I'm pretty anti establishment, so this kind of ruffled my feathers a bit. Here was our christian church, that bastion of help in troubled times, advocating for exclusive membership among their ranks. Does anyone besides me have an issue with this? No? Ok, let me list just a few. How welcoming is a church that would require membership? Are they truly interested in advancing the gospel of Jesus or just their income stream? How are the truths of love, mercy and kindness exemplified by a congregation that seeks exclusive membership? I can just see a few pastors drafting papers for my ultimate excommunication as they read this.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the begining, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have preeminence.
Colossions 1: 16-18 NKJV
It is to those pastors in particular that I beg this question, just who gave you the right to determine who holds a right to belong to Christs church? Yes, who's church do we ultimately belong to? CHRISTS! From scanning this article, I found a myriad of conditions for membership in some churches. From 10% tithe contributions to mandatory volunteer hours and classes, these so called men of God have chosen to burden their "members" with more than a few requirements. All of this as membership in our nations churches is declining. Gee, I wonder why. Just take a good look at what our Lord Jesus said of men such as this.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewahed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead mens bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Matthew 23: 27-28 NKJV
Think I'm being too harsh? Well, consider the burdens that these pastors lay upon their flocks. Consider how you would feel if you walked into such a environment where you were expecting acceptance, mercy and fellowship. Then, once you enter, you're told that there are conditions for you being in Christs church! What if you decide that you don't want to partake in such a system? Are you a bad christian? Can you see the condemnation here? Kind of sounds like a exclusive country club doesn't it? Well, relax fellow follower of Jesus, for this is not the church that Christ intended. For what church that has Jesus as its head would place conditions on its own? I have a favorite saying on true leadership that I like to use. Never ask those below you to do something you yourself wouldn't do. So, to those pastors who preach any sort of membership mumbo jumbo to their flocks, make damn sure that you yourselves abide by the same conditions you're asking of those in your congregation! For when you lay undo burdens upon those you claim to be guiding in Jesus, then YOU are that whitewashed tomb.
~Scott~
Monday, February 22, 2016
True Accountability
Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgement of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgement of God?
Romans 2: 1-3 NKJV
there was a craze in the christian community a few years back in which men would hold each other accountable in their attempts at righteous living. In fact, many of our churches were 100% on board with this idea. What could go wrong? Here was an idea to have men being held accountable to one another as they strove to arrive at Gods ideal behavior of righteous living. Even I was involved in a few of these relationships. However, I soon learned that there were holes in the system. And I wasn't the only one. Not surprisingly, many christian men tried, and failed, in their attempts at being accountable to another. Big shock huh? For anyone who has been invilved in one of these relationships, it might seem like one or the other person comes out feeling like a whipping post! For there are two elements in every accountability relationship that almost always pop up. That would be judgement and condemnation.
There is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. For the law of the Spirit of Life in Chhrist Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh.
Romans 8: 1-3 NKJV
In such a relationship, one or both of those involved agree to open up their hearts and reveal each and every sin, iniquity and dirty thought they've had during the week. Now, here's where things get interesting, the other person, the one not pouring his guts out, is usually the one banging that old condemnation drum! "How can you live with yourself , man?" "You REALLY need to be in scripture alot more, dude!" "What would Jesus think of what you're doing?" Does anyone but me see a problem with this approach? First off, this is a pretty combative approach to someone who is willingly laying open their heart to someone. Yes, the old judgement and condemnation is alive and well here! Now, here is the contradiction to this approach fellow christians. As we see in Romans 8:1, there is now NO condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus! So, fellow christians, why is it that we feel so free to condemn someone who has no condemnation in them at all? Wait, it gets better. For in Romans 2:1, the apostle Paul warns us against judging others. For in whatever we judge another, we condemn ourselves! Does that nulify all accountability relationships? Not at all. For when done right and from a servant led heart, there can be a powerful accountability relationship between two people. To start with, there needs to be a high level of trust between two people even considering such a relationship. For how can one feel totally comfortable with bearing their heart to another unless there is trust that the other side will not judge or condemn them?
I mentioned being led by a servant heart when engaging in a accountability relationship. It is my belief that this is a key factor. For when we are led by a servant heart, we look beyond our own pride and ourselves and look to truly helping the other person we're meeting with. Of course, this kind of trust only comes with knowing someone for a pretty long time. I personally have a very close relationship with four christian brothers in my life. It is these brothers whom I call my "Core four." I know in my heart that I can come to any one of these guys for guidance and trust that it is spirit led. In fact, with the recent passing of my mother, the very first calls I made were to these brothers. Yes, it's taken time for me to build trust and friendship with these men, but today they number among my closest friends. Is accountability dead? Not if it is done correctly.
~Scott~
Romans 2: 1-3 NKJV
there was a craze in the christian community a few years back in which men would hold each other accountable in their attempts at righteous living. In fact, many of our churches were 100% on board with this idea. What could go wrong? Here was an idea to have men being held accountable to one another as they strove to arrive at Gods ideal behavior of righteous living. Even I was involved in a few of these relationships. However, I soon learned that there were holes in the system. And I wasn't the only one. Not surprisingly, many christian men tried, and failed, in their attempts at being accountable to another. Big shock huh? For anyone who has been invilved in one of these relationships, it might seem like one or the other person comes out feeling like a whipping post! For there are two elements in every accountability relationship that almost always pop up. That would be judgement and condemnation.
There is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. For the law of the Spirit of Life in Chhrist Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh.
Romans 8: 1-3 NKJV
In such a relationship, one or both of those involved agree to open up their hearts and reveal each and every sin, iniquity and dirty thought they've had during the week. Now, here's where things get interesting, the other person, the one not pouring his guts out, is usually the one banging that old condemnation drum! "How can you live with yourself , man?" "You REALLY need to be in scripture alot more, dude!" "What would Jesus think of what you're doing?" Does anyone but me see a problem with this approach? First off, this is a pretty combative approach to someone who is willingly laying open their heart to someone. Yes, the old judgement and condemnation is alive and well here! Now, here is the contradiction to this approach fellow christians. As we see in Romans 8:1, there is now NO condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus! So, fellow christians, why is it that we feel so free to condemn someone who has no condemnation in them at all? Wait, it gets better. For in Romans 2:1, the apostle Paul warns us against judging others. For in whatever we judge another, we condemn ourselves! Does that nulify all accountability relationships? Not at all. For when done right and from a servant led heart, there can be a powerful accountability relationship between two people. To start with, there needs to be a high level of trust between two people even considering such a relationship. For how can one feel totally comfortable with bearing their heart to another unless there is trust that the other side will not judge or condemn them?
I mentioned being led by a servant heart when engaging in a accountability relationship. It is my belief that this is a key factor. For when we are led by a servant heart, we look beyond our own pride and ourselves and look to truly helping the other person we're meeting with. Of course, this kind of trust only comes with knowing someone for a pretty long time. I personally have a very close relationship with four christian brothers in my life. It is these brothers whom I call my "Core four." I know in my heart that I can come to any one of these guys for guidance and trust that it is spirit led. In fact, with the recent passing of my mother, the very first calls I made were to these brothers. Yes, it's taken time for me to build trust and friendship with these men, but today they number among my closest friends. Is accountability dead? Not if it is done correctly.
~Scott~
Sunday, February 21, 2016
The Pain Of Giving
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV
I saw a notice on the website of a church I attend on occasion which was promoting a sermon series on generosity. One of the catch phrases of this series was "We are most like God when we are giving ourselves away." Imediately the red flags went up. Ok, so a church is asking me to be generous, what's the catch? Now, personaly I take issue with any church telling me I am more like God when I "Give myself away." For it is Jesus himself who now resides within me. So, each day God is exhibited and glorified through me! I have a instinctive reaction that whenever a church is asking me to be generous, it usualy means they are seeking contributions from the congregation. Of course, that this church offered "Budgeting classes" to accompany this season of being generous only seemed to solidify my point. Now, obviously, the church needs money in order to operate, or does it? I fear being branded a heretic for this line of thinking, but I fear that our churches have become more of an institution than a formal place of worship. In fact, is there scripture to back up the fact that we need a church in order to continue as Gods people?
"However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What house will you build for me? Says the LORD, Or what is the place of my rest? Has my hand not made all these things?'
Acts 7: 48-50 NKJV
Think about that for a minute. Our Lord has made ALL things, does He really need a special building in order for us to gather? Do we need a building in order to worship our Lord? The Isrealites, Gods chosen people, worshiped in the wilderness. No, I think the idea that we need a church building is something man has brought into the equation over the centuries.
In 2 Corinthians 2:9, the apostle Paul gives us in one sentence a more powerful sermon on generosity than any preacher ever could. Far from the call from the modern day pulpits to "Give until it hurts," Paul tells those in Corinth that true charity begins in ones heart. For when we are free to give to those in need around us without feeling like we "Have to," then this is where our Lord can work though us. A willing heart and a loving God working together as one. For it is the modern day church who would call upon it's congregations to open their billfolds and "Give until it hurts," it is not from God. No, everything that we own is a result of Gods blessing of provision upon us! What do you own that God did not provide for? How is it that charity comes about? Is it not from Gods people, with willing hearts and a compassion for those around them, giving from their hearts? I would venture that no preacher in history ever got someone to be a cheerful giver by telling someone to "give until it hurts!"
~Scott~
2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV
I saw a notice on the website of a church I attend on occasion which was promoting a sermon series on generosity. One of the catch phrases of this series was "We are most like God when we are giving ourselves away." Imediately the red flags went up. Ok, so a church is asking me to be generous, what's the catch? Now, personaly I take issue with any church telling me I am more like God when I "Give myself away." For it is Jesus himself who now resides within me. So, each day God is exhibited and glorified through me! I have a instinctive reaction that whenever a church is asking me to be generous, it usualy means they are seeking contributions from the congregation. Of course, that this church offered "Budgeting classes" to accompany this season of being generous only seemed to solidify my point. Now, obviously, the church needs money in order to operate, or does it? I fear being branded a heretic for this line of thinking, but I fear that our churches have become more of an institution than a formal place of worship. In fact, is there scripture to back up the fact that we need a church in order to continue as Gods people?
"However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What house will you build for me? Says the LORD, Or what is the place of my rest? Has my hand not made all these things?'
Acts 7: 48-50 NKJV
Think about that for a minute. Our Lord has made ALL things, does He really need a special building in order for us to gather? Do we need a building in order to worship our Lord? The Isrealites, Gods chosen people, worshiped in the wilderness. No, I think the idea that we need a church building is something man has brought into the equation over the centuries.
In 2 Corinthians 2:9, the apostle Paul gives us in one sentence a more powerful sermon on generosity than any preacher ever could. Far from the call from the modern day pulpits to "Give until it hurts," Paul tells those in Corinth that true charity begins in ones heart. For when we are free to give to those in need around us without feeling like we "Have to," then this is where our Lord can work though us. A willing heart and a loving God working together as one. For it is the modern day church who would call upon it's congregations to open their billfolds and "Give until it hurts," it is not from God. No, everything that we own is a result of Gods blessing of provision upon us! What do you own that God did not provide for? How is it that charity comes about? Is it not from Gods people, with willing hearts and a compassion for those around them, giving from their hearts? I would venture that no preacher in history ever got someone to be a cheerful giver by telling someone to "give until it hurts!"
~Scott~
A Proud People
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Tow men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee nd the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you that I am not like other men - extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all I posssess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!" "I tell you, this man went down to his house justifed rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 18: 9-14 NKJV
We've all met people like this Pharisee in Luke 18 haven't we? Those who, in spite of themselves, seem to have everything under control. Somehow, the message hasn't gotten to them that it is not themselves who are responsible for their success or lack thereof. It is nothhing they have or will ever do that will determine their eternity. No, for each and every day we have is numbered by our sovereign Lord. Yet, there are those who continue to revel in the fact that they decide their own destiny. Whether it be arrogance or pride, the simple fact is that we control nothing of the outcome of our lives.
A mans heart plans his way, But the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NKJV
My friend has brought up the observation recently that there ultimately is no independent self, as some may think. I tend to agree with this. For if we were to have true independence, what need would we have for God? For the scriptures tell us that God created all that we see, including man. Now, if mankind were truly independent, would there be a need for a creator? Of course, when God created the world, there were no humans around to proclaim, "That's ok, God, I'm independent so I can fend for myself." No, for each of us was created in the very image of the living God. I venture to say that the ONLY one with a independent nature is God. For it is God who sits alone as being truly independent.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Begining and the End, the First and the Last.
Revelation 22:13 NKJV
It is God who was there from the begining, and it is God who will greet us in the end. There were none before Him, and there will be none after Him. It is foolish to think otherwise. There is a reason that our Lord resists the proud, for pride denys God. With our pride comes the feeling that we are truly independent and have no need for Him. Yet, God has a way of bringing those who feel they have no need for Him to their knees. It is then that even the most arrogant among us will cry out, "Help me, Lord!"
~Scott~
Luke 18: 9-14 NKJV
We've all met people like this Pharisee in Luke 18 haven't we? Those who, in spite of themselves, seem to have everything under control. Somehow, the message hasn't gotten to them that it is not themselves who are responsible for their success or lack thereof. It is nothhing they have or will ever do that will determine their eternity. No, for each and every day we have is numbered by our sovereign Lord. Yet, there are those who continue to revel in the fact that they decide their own destiny. Whether it be arrogance or pride, the simple fact is that we control nothing of the outcome of our lives.
A mans heart plans his way, But the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NKJV
My friend has brought up the observation recently that there ultimately is no independent self, as some may think. I tend to agree with this. For if we were to have true independence, what need would we have for God? For the scriptures tell us that God created all that we see, including man. Now, if mankind were truly independent, would there be a need for a creator? Of course, when God created the world, there were no humans around to proclaim, "That's ok, God, I'm independent so I can fend for myself." No, for each of us was created in the very image of the living God. I venture to say that the ONLY one with a independent nature is God. For it is God who sits alone as being truly independent.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Begining and the End, the First and the Last.
Revelation 22:13 NKJV
It is God who was there from the begining, and it is God who will greet us in the end. There were none before Him, and there will be none after Him. It is foolish to think otherwise. There is a reason that our Lord resists the proud, for pride denys God. With our pride comes the feeling that we are truly independent and have no need for Him. Yet, God has a way of bringing those who feel they have no need for Him to their knees. It is then that even the most arrogant among us will cry out, "Help me, Lord!"
~Scott~
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Ritualistic Religion
"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater comdemnatiion. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.' Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?"
Matthew 23: 13-17 NKJV
A friend of mine recently made the decision to renew his vows with his wife, and therefore become a member of the Catholic church. Now, becoming a member of the catholic church is no small feat. For there are classes, meetings and considerations before one is found worthy enough to be called Catholic. And for what? Will the salvation of Jesus Christ suddenly become more relevant for a catholic than for any other believer? Please, someone point out for me that portion of scripture where our Lord has instructed those willing to believe in him to sign up for a class! Need I say that there is no such scripture. No, we are only called to believe. This ritualistic idea of religion is just what Jesus condemned the Pharisees for in Matthew 23. For these men required those who worshiped to complete rituals as well. Not only that, but they strived for the prominent places in society!
Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore, whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seat in synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.'; for one is your teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren."
Matthew 23: 1-8 NKJV
This is a pretty strong rebuke by Jesus on the ritualistic authorities of his day. The old adage of absolute power corrupting was not lost on men such as these. In fact, it was men such as these who ultimately called for the crucifiction of Jesus! Of course, Jesus' destiny had to be fulfilled, and so it was that these men were used by God for our ultimate salvation. It is Jesus who saw right through these so called men of God and their unholy behavior. For wherever Jesus went he exemplified the love of his Father who sent him, something not seen in the religious authorities of the day. No, their main concern was public recognition. I submit that men such as this are more akin to polioticians than men of God. Does one need to follow a tradition in order to love and please our Lord? Well, let's take a look at that.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
Interestingly enough, I do not see any mention of a membership class in Hebrews 11:6. So, either the author was not being totaly honest, or all those rituals do absolutely nothing for our salvation and comunion with our Lord. For my part, I trust the written word of God over the rituals of men.
~Scott~
The Politics Of Religion
I wear the black in mourning, for the lives that could have been
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men
And I wear it for the thousands who have died
Believing that the Lord was on their side
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died
Believing that we all were on their side
~Man In Black~ Johnny Cash
The old adage is that one should never argue religion or politics. For in such cases there is no clear winner. Certainly, our nation these days is extremely divided politically. In my lifetime, I have never seen such a divide in this country. Listening to some people, one would think that either you follow their ideology and line of thinking or you are guilty of being stupid, uncaring, rascist or any other vile insult they can throw your way. If one looks up the word Muckraking in the dictionary, the definition may enlighten more than a few people. See, muckraking was a tactic used in old politics and, to some extent, even today where a political candadite would hurl any kind of slander at their opponents. It would seem that the more important the election, the worse the behavior will be. Such is mans lust for political power and influence. We are often told to judge a candadite for office based on accomplishment and character. However, if this were truly the case, we'd have no viable candadites remaining for any type of political office. But what does scripture tell us about politics?
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the devil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is Gods minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is Gods minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are Gods ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Romans 13: 1-7 NKJV
Here in Romans 13 the apostle Paul has some instructions on dealing with those in authority that people today may find intolerable. As Paul tells us, we are to submit to our governing authorities, for they are chosen and put in place by our Lord God. Want a more bitter pill to swallow? Consider that even evil such as Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin and Pol Pot were chosen and put in place by our sovereign God. Of course, this begs the question, how could a loving God appoint such evil? Well, since the scripture is quick to inform us that our Lords ways and thoughts are much higher than our own, it is we who must put our trust in God that he knows what he is doing. Yes, even I stumble at this point. Put my trust in God while a corrupt group of buffoons sits in seats of power? Well, it is God who placed them there! The very same way that God has placed us into situations in our own lives, so be it with those in power.
This is not to say that, as christians that we are to agree with the behavior and policies of those in power, we are only to submit to those who govern over us. For as quickly as the Lord has blessed these servants, he can just as quickly bring his vengence upon them! The question we need ask ourselves is, "Lord, how is it that you are using this person?" For ultimately it is for our Lords perfect plan that all things take place. We may not agree with those who govern over us, but these mere men are not the ultimate judge to whom we must give an account.
~Scott~
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men
And I wear it for the thousands who have died
Believing that the Lord was on their side
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died
Believing that we all were on their side
~Man In Black~ Johnny Cash
The old adage is that one should never argue religion or politics. For in such cases there is no clear winner. Certainly, our nation these days is extremely divided politically. In my lifetime, I have never seen such a divide in this country. Listening to some people, one would think that either you follow their ideology and line of thinking or you are guilty of being stupid, uncaring, rascist or any other vile insult they can throw your way. If one looks up the word Muckraking in the dictionary, the definition may enlighten more than a few people. See, muckraking was a tactic used in old politics and, to some extent, even today where a political candadite would hurl any kind of slander at their opponents. It would seem that the more important the election, the worse the behavior will be. Such is mans lust for political power and influence. We are often told to judge a candadite for office based on accomplishment and character. However, if this were truly the case, we'd have no viable candadites remaining for any type of political office. But what does scripture tell us about politics?
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the devil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is Gods minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is Gods minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are Gods ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Romans 13: 1-7 NKJV
Here in Romans 13 the apostle Paul has some instructions on dealing with those in authority that people today may find intolerable. As Paul tells us, we are to submit to our governing authorities, for they are chosen and put in place by our Lord God. Want a more bitter pill to swallow? Consider that even evil such as Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin and Pol Pot were chosen and put in place by our sovereign God. Of course, this begs the question, how could a loving God appoint such evil? Well, since the scripture is quick to inform us that our Lords ways and thoughts are much higher than our own, it is we who must put our trust in God that he knows what he is doing. Yes, even I stumble at this point. Put my trust in God while a corrupt group of buffoons sits in seats of power? Well, it is God who placed them there! The very same way that God has placed us into situations in our own lives, so be it with those in power.
This is not to say that, as christians that we are to agree with the behavior and policies of those in power, we are only to submit to those who govern over us. For as quickly as the Lord has blessed these servants, he can just as quickly bring his vengence upon them! The question we need ask ourselves is, "Lord, how is it that you are using this person?" For ultimately it is for our Lords perfect plan that all things take place. We may not agree with those who govern over us, but these mere men are not the ultimate judge to whom we must give an account.
~Scott~
Friday, February 19, 2016
A Love For The Ages
For when we were still wothout strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5: 6-8 NKJV
It's a question so many others before me have asked time and again. Aware of our own shortcomings as people, we ask ourselves just how anyone could ever love someone like us. For as a people mankind has been rsponsible for some pretty serious offenses. We often hear of wars and conflicts waged "In Gods name." However, I truly believe in my heart that war is not one of our heavenly fathers desires for his children. Yes, conflicts arise, but I believe these arise out of our own emotions and anger than from anything God has done. And so it goes, down through the ages mankind has tried his best to be the standard of good behavior and failed. It's against this backdrop that many of us initialy feel that God could never love such a imperfect people. However, nothing could be further from the truth! For God knows us and our struggles intimately, which is why He has provided for our redemption in spite of ourselves.
Who shall seperate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to seperate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8: 35-39
It is in Romans 5:8 that we get a glimpse of the undying love that God has for us. For as the apostle Paul tells us, "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." And what of Paul? For this is the man whose purpose it was to bring persecution to the early church and followers of Jesus. Raised in the Jewish religious traditions of the day, Saul sought after those who were of the church to do them harm. Yet, that all changed one day on a road to Damascus. For in due time, God chose a sinner such as Saul to bring his message of love and forgiveness to the world. By his own admission, it was Paul who considered himself to be "chief" amog all sinners. Paul knew his shortcomings, but he also knew of the life changing love that he had experienced through Jesus that day. When we feel the weight of what we have done and feel that God could never possibly love such a sinner as ourselves, we do well to remember that God no longer looks upon a sinner! No, for through the very life of Jesus given for us on the cross, Gods love has made us free of that sin we once carried.
~Scott~
Romans 5: 6-8 NKJV
It's a question so many others before me have asked time and again. Aware of our own shortcomings as people, we ask ourselves just how anyone could ever love someone like us. For as a people mankind has been rsponsible for some pretty serious offenses. We often hear of wars and conflicts waged "In Gods name." However, I truly believe in my heart that war is not one of our heavenly fathers desires for his children. Yes, conflicts arise, but I believe these arise out of our own emotions and anger than from anything God has done. And so it goes, down through the ages mankind has tried his best to be the standard of good behavior and failed. It's against this backdrop that many of us initialy feel that God could never love such a imperfect people. However, nothing could be further from the truth! For God knows us and our struggles intimately, which is why He has provided for our redemption in spite of ourselves.
Who shall seperate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to seperate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8: 35-39
It is in Romans 5:8 that we get a glimpse of the undying love that God has for us. For as the apostle Paul tells us, "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." And what of Paul? For this is the man whose purpose it was to bring persecution to the early church and followers of Jesus. Raised in the Jewish religious traditions of the day, Saul sought after those who were of the church to do them harm. Yet, that all changed one day on a road to Damascus. For in due time, God chose a sinner such as Saul to bring his message of love and forgiveness to the world. By his own admission, it was Paul who considered himself to be "chief" amog all sinners. Paul knew his shortcomings, but he also knew of the life changing love that he had experienced through Jesus that day. When we feel the weight of what we have done and feel that God could never possibly love such a sinner as ourselves, we do well to remember that God no longer looks upon a sinner! No, for through the very life of Jesus given for us on the cross, Gods love has made us free of that sin we once carried.
~Scott~
The Papa Speaks
"Real christians don't build walls, they build bridges"
~Pope Francis~
The comments recently made by Pope Francis in response to Republican presidential candadite Donald Trump have made some big headlines this week. Obviously responding to Mr. Trumps call for a wall along our southern border, the Pontif stuck his foot in his mouth as he interjected himself into the realm of politics. Should one believe that Pope Francis is the sole authority on who is and isn't christian? Do my credentials stack up to the Popes definition of being christian? Forget the fact that the Popes home is surrounded by walls itself. I can find nowhere in scripture where a Catholic Pope has absolute authority over who can be called a follower of Christ. No, we are only called to believe! For my part, I know that I might offend the Pope with my anti christian lifestyle. For I do not worship the Virgin Mary or attend a confession for sins that Christ has already forgiven me for. No, I'm sure that I wouldn't make the Pontifs short list for being christian. Then again, how many of us would? In my mind, the Popes definitiion of being a christian has a high standard.
Is it suprising to know that there are "conditions" for becoming a catholic? From attending mass on a regular basis to having a church "approved" marriage, there is a good sized process to becoming a catholic. This is why I think the Pope would not approve of my lifestyle. For I have accepted my Lord Jesus into my heart without the help of any priest, deacon or Pope! I cannot help but view the Pope in the same way as Jesus viewed the pharisees of his day. For these men burdened people with their religious rules all the while benefiting both financialy and in honor from those they ruled over!
"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kkingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Phariseees, hypocrites! For you devour widow's houses, and for a pretense make llong prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves."
Mark 23: 13-15 NKJV
In my heart I know that Jesus is my savior and that he Himself resides within me. Whether this fits the Popes definition of being a christian is debateable.
~Scott~
~Pope Francis~
The comments recently made by Pope Francis in response to Republican presidential candadite Donald Trump have made some big headlines this week. Obviously responding to Mr. Trumps call for a wall along our southern border, the Pontif stuck his foot in his mouth as he interjected himself into the realm of politics. Should one believe that Pope Francis is the sole authority on who is and isn't christian? Do my credentials stack up to the Popes definition of being christian? Forget the fact that the Popes home is surrounded by walls itself. I can find nowhere in scripture where a Catholic Pope has absolute authority over who can be called a follower of Christ. No, we are only called to believe! For my part, I know that I might offend the Pope with my anti christian lifestyle. For I do not worship the Virgin Mary or attend a confession for sins that Christ has already forgiven me for. No, I'm sure that I wouldn't make the Pontifs short list for being christian. Then again, how many of us would? In my mind, the Popes definitiion of being a christian has a high standard.
Is it suprising to know that there are "conditions" for becoming a catholic? From attending mass on a regular basis to having a church "approved" marriage, there is a good sized process to becoming a catholic. This is why I think the Pope would not approve of my lifestyle. For I have accepted my Lord Jesus into my heart without the help of any priest, deacon or Pope! I cannot help but view the Pope in the same way as Jesus viewed the pharisees of his day. For these men burdened people with their religious rules all the while benefiting both financialy and in honor from those they ruled over!
"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kkingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Phariseees, hypocrites! For you devour widow's houses, and for a pretense make llong prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves."
Mark 23: 13-15 NKJV
In my heart I know that Jesus is my savior and that he Himself resides within me. Whether this fits the Popes definition of being a christian is debateable.
~Scott~
A Faith For The Moment
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat on the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"
Mark 4: 37-41 NKJV
I remember some years back I was on a "short" fishing trip with my friend David on one of Minnesotas 10,00 or so lakes. Now, I need to point out that David was no average "fair weather" fisherman. As a commercial airline pilot, this man seemed to have no fear. No, there was no weather system that he wouldn't brave in order to gather his daily catch. And so it was on this occasion. What had began as a pretty decent Minnesota spring day had abruptly changed into a overcast prediction of rain. Even though I questioned his judgement, we eventually set out once again. As usual, we did pretty good finding the fish, and soon we were on our way back. This is where Davids trust in the weather almost cost us. For no sooner had we pulled in our last fish than a sudden squall came up on the lake we were on. Now, to David, this was just another trip. However, for me, it was possibly my final voyage! Here I was, so young and on the verge of perishing on a fishing trip! Of course, David couldn't help but laugh as I counted off my last moments on earth. In his eyes, this was just another normal approach to some major airport! Eventually we made it to shore, and I swore for the hundredth time never to fish with this man again! However, the next day we were at it once again.
I liken my fish story to Jesus' lesson on faith found in Mark 4:37. Here were these disciples, followers of Jesus being tossed about on the sea of Galilee. Where was their teacher? Calmly asleep in the back of the boat on a pillow! I'm guessing that the disciples were incredulous that, with this storm raging about them, that Jesus was still sleeping. However, it is here that a most important lesson is learned. For with three simple words, Jesus rebukes the wind and the sea. As calm settles around them, Jesus asks them the very same question I'm sure my friend was thinking that day on a Spring fishing trip, "How is it that you have no faith?" Easy for him to say? Where is it that we find our faith in those times when life gets crazy? When we are faced with the choice of trusting in God or what we see in front of us, where do we turn?
We are all impressed with the stories of those who break down the walls of heaven in prayer over a situation. There are plenty of stories out there of miracles that have happened when people gather and pray. This is not surprising, for God calls on us to come to him when we are in need. However, the faith that impresses me is that of those who trust in Gods presence even as the world is coming down around them. The father who trusts in Gods provision even as his job is eliminated. The parents who put their faith and trust in Gods healing as they are told of their childs life threatening illness. It is in these situations where we see trust without a doubt! Not only can our Lord provide, but he will!
Man will say, "Show me and I'll trust you!"
God will say, "Trust in me and I'll show you"
~Scott~
Mark 4: 37-41 NKJV
I remember some years back I was on a "short" fishing trip with my friend David on one of Minnesotas 10,00 or so lakes. Now, I need to point out that David was no average "fair weather" fisherman. As a commercial airline pilot, this man seemed to have no fear. No, there was no weather system that he wouldn't brave in order to gather his daily catch. And so it was on this occasion. What had began as a pretty decent Minnesota spring day had abruptly changed into a overcast prediction of rain. Even though I questioned his judgement, we eventually set out once again. As usual, we did pretty good finding the fish, and soon we were on our way back. This is where Davids trust in the weather almost cost us. For no sooner had we pulled in our last fish than a sudden squall came up on the lake we were on. Now, to David, this was just another trip. However, for me, it was possibly my final voyage! Here I was, so young and on the verge of perishing on a fishing trip! Of course, David couldn't help but laugh as I counted off my last moments on earth. In his eyes, this was just another normal approach to some major airport! Eventually we made it to shore, and I swore for the hundredth time never to fish with this man again! However, the next day we were at it once again.
I liken my fish story to Jesus' lesson on faith found in Mark 4:37. Here were these disciples, followers of Jesus being tossed about on the sea of Galilee. Where was their teacher? Calmly asleep in the back of the boat on a pillow! I'm guessing that the disciples were incredulous that, with this storm raging about them, that Jesus was still sleeping. However, it is here that a most important lesson is learned. For with three simple words, Jesus rebukes the wind and the sea. As calm settles around them, Jesus asks them the very same question I'm sure my friend was thinking that day on a Spring fishing trip, "How is it that you have no faith?" Easy for him to say? Where is it that we find our faith in those times when life gets crazy? When we are faced with the choice of trusting in God or what we see in front of us, where do we turn?
We are all impressed with the stories of those who break down the walls of heaven in prayer over a situation. There are plenty of stories out there of miracles that have happened when people gather and pray. This is not surprising, for God calls on us to come to him when we are in need. However, the faith that impresses me is that of those who trust in Gods presence even as the world is coming down around them. The father who trusts in Gods provision even as his job is eliminated. The parents who put their faith and trust in Gods healing as they are told of their childs life threatening illness. It is in these situations where we see trust without a doubt! Not only can our Lord provide, but he will!
Man will say, "Show me and I'll trust you!"
God will say, "Trust in me and I'll show you"
~Scott~
Thursday, February 18, 2016
The Church
Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this Rock I will build My church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it."
Matthew 16: 16-18 NKJV
I think I've lost count of how many churches there are these days. From Catholics to Protestants, we've somehow managed to introduce a congregation for almost every belief system. I often run into more than a few people from my "former" church who ask which church I'm currently attending. My usual response is to smile and tell them honestly, "Wherever God leads me." In all honesty, I believe that we've made Gods house into something it was never meant to be. However, that's a topic for another day. One of the reasons that I tell my friends that I go to wherever my Lord leads is because it's true. We seem to have this mistaken idea that God is embedded in a building, but nothing could be farther from the truth.
"However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 'Heaven is My throne, and the earth is my footstool. What house will you build for me? Says the LORD. Or what is the place of my rest? Has not my hand made all these things?'
Acts 7: 48-50 NKJV
See, what we view as "Church" is not our Lords physical dwelling place. For if all things were created by his spoken word, then our Lords presence may be manifested through anything he created. No, as Jesus introduced to Peter in Matthew 16:18, Peter would be instrumental in building Christs church. In fact, Jesus refered to this as "My" church! Indeed, when I think of the word Church these days, I think of the congregation of Jesus. For Jesus himself is the head of the church! This is not about which building one chooses to worship in every Sunday, it goes far beyond that. No, the church that Jesus is the head of is an entire world of his followers. There are no special congregations or buildings, there is only Christ Jesus. Jesus IS the church! Many a pastor may try to explain that their congregation is a most accepting, loving and welcoming group. However, no man made congregation will ever be as welcoming as the loving arms of our Lord and savior when he welcomes you into His church.
~Scott~
Matthew 16: 16-18 NKJV
I think I've lost count of how many churches there are these days. From Catholics to Protestants, we've somehow managed to introduce a congregation for almost every belief system. I often run into more than a few people from my "former" church who ask which church I'm currently attending. My usual response is to smile and tell them honestly, "Wherever God leads me." In all honesty, I believe that we've made Gods house into something it was never meant to be. However, that's a topic for another day. One of the reasons that I tell my friends that I go to wherever my Lord leads is because it's true. We seem to have this mistaken idea that God is embedded in a building, but nothing could be farther from the truth.
"However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 'Heaven is My throne, and the earth is my footstool. What house will you build for me? Says the LORD. Or what is the place of my rest? Has not my hand made all these things?'
Acts 7: 48-50 NKJV
See, what we view as "Church" is not our Lords physical dwelling place. For if all things were created by his spoken word, then our Lords presence may be manifested through anything he created. No, as Jesus introduced to Peter in Matthew 16:18, Peter would be instrumental in building Christs church. In fact, Jesus refered to this as "My" church! Indeed, when I think of the word Church these days, I think of the congregation of Jesus. For Jesus himself is the head of the church! This is not about which building one chooses to worship in every Sunday, it goes far beyond that. No, the church that Jesus is the head of is an entire world of his followers. There are no special congregations or buildings, there is only Christ Jesus. Jesus IS the church! Many a pastor may try to explain that their congregation is a most accepting, loving and welcoming group. However, no man made congregation will ever be as welcoming as the loving arms of our Lord and savior when he welcomes you into His church.
~Scott~
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
The Faith Of God
Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away." So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
Mark 11: 22-24 NKJV
How many of us know faith? Who among us has TRUE faith? What faith am I talking about? Let me put it another way. How many of us, when we pray, sincerly believe we will receive what we are asking our Lord for? How often do we accept our prayer requests as fact? In Mark 11 we see yet another valuable teaching from our Lord Jesus, at the expense of a fig tree. The story actually begins the day before as Jesus and his disciples were traveling. Being weary and hungry, Jesus came upon said fig tree, but being out of season, there was no fruit. Now, I prefer to believe that even this episode was one of many teachable moments planned by our Lord. Whatever the case, as Jesus notices the fruitless tree, he declares "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again!" Of course, he spoke these words within earshot of his disciples. Now, the next morning we find Jesus and his followers passing by the very same fig tree Jesus had condemned the day before. Interstingly, young Peter in fact refers to his Lords words as "A curse." It is here where Jesus' teaching begins.
Jesus' teaching in Mark 11 can be invaluable to us today. For it is here that our Lord reveals what I've often heard refered to as "The faith of God." What is this faith of God? Well, I believe simply put it is stating as fact that what we are asking God for will come to be. Jesus describes this faith as someone who "Does not doubt in his heart." I can understand Jesus' line of thought here, for if we ask for something, yet still carry doubts that it will come to pass, then we do not believe that it can happen. Do we trust God to deliver what we're asking, or do we doubt his ability? I believe trust is ultimately the heart of this issue. It's no small coincidence that, when the disciples pointed out that withered fig tree, that our Lords first response was "Have faith in God." For how can we ask anything of our Lord without believing that he can and will provide it? Have we ever came to God with a prayer request by saying, "Lord, if you can help me, I'd appreciate it?" No, for Jesus tells us to ask of God without doubt! I suppose that this approach may sound pretty close to the "Name it and claim it" approach made popular a few years back, but we do well to remember one thing here.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
James 4:3 NKJV
There are those who make a habit of praying and asking God for great wealth, really? Suppose God happened to bless you with that request, just what would your priotities become? I'm guessing that almost all of us would be in danger of putting God on the back burner. The new focus would be extra wealth. I believe this is exactly what James was refering to in James 4:3. After all, does our Lord not know exactly what we need at each and every moment? Long before we speak our requests to him, our loving God is already planning how to best provide for his children.
~Scott~
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Vision Check
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55: 8-9 NKJV
How do we look at the world around us? Do we see just what is in front of us, or do we realize that there may be something else to our life? A good friend of mine recently introduced to me something I believe that he called "Kingdom vision." Where we normaly would see a situation we are experiencing in the view of what we see in front of us, we often have that opportunity to view things from a heaven perspective as well. I will use as a example the recent passing of my mother. Now, even though I still miss her and the grieving process definately must run its course, I've recently come to realize something of this painful situation from a heaven persepctive. For my mother is no longer experiencing the pain which afflicted her in her later years, she is free from that. Also, she is no longer faced with the worries and distress of this world, she is free from that as well. Yes, we who she left behind will miss her terribly, but we rejoice in the fact that Marie is no longer hurting AND that we shall meet her again soon! THIS, dear reader, is seeing things from a heaven perspective.
In Isaiah 55:8, God explains to us something that should be all to painfully obvious to anyone who have ever opened their hearts to the Lord. His ways ARE NOT our ways and His thoughts ARE NOT our thoughts. In other words, anyone who somehow thinks that they can manage a situation better than the creator of all that is seen will end up sadly mistaken. When we set our eyes on seeing only what we see in front of us, without considering our Lords perspective of things, we're not seeing the entire picture. Like walking into a theater halfway through a movie, we miss most of the story that is behind the scenes. Had we taken the time to see our situation from the viewpoint of just what God might be trying to accomplish, we gain a better perspective of what it is we are facing. What is our Lord trying to show us? What is He attempting to do through us? These are questions that we need to be asking ourselves. For our Lord is very capable of using our circumstances not only to grow and mature his children, but to reach others as well. Yes, Gods ways are not our ways. Indeed, His thoughts are higher than our own. However, we do well to realize that our Lord will always have a motive for what he does, and that is the love, nurturing and well being of his children.
~Scott~
Isaiah 55: 8-9 NKJV
How do we look at the world around us? Do we see just what is in front of us, or do we realize that there may be something else to our life? A good friend of mine recently introduced to me something I believe that he called "Kingdom vision." Where we normaly would see a situation we are experiencing in the view of what we see in front of us, we often have that opportunity to view things from a heaven perspective as well. I will use as a example the recent passing of my mother. Now, even though I still miss her and the grieving process definately must run its course, I've recently come to realize something of this painful situation from a heaven persepctive. For my mother is no longer experiencing the pain which afflicted her in her later years, she is free from that. Also, she is no longer faced with the worries and distress of this world, she is free from that as well. Yes, we who she left behind will miss her terribly, but we rejoice in the fact that Marie is no longer hurting AND that we shall meet her again soon! THIS, dear reader, is seeing things from a heaven perspective.
In Isaiah 55:8, God explains to us something that should be all to painfully obvious to anyone who have ever opened their hearts to the Lord. His ways ARE NOT our ways and His thoughts ARE NOT our thoughts. In other words, anyone who somehow thinks that they can manage a situation better than the creator of all that is seen will end up sadly mistaken. When we set our eyes on seeing only what we see in front of us, without considering our Lords perspective of things, we're not seeing the entire picture. Like walking into a theater halfway through a movie, we miss most of the story that is behind the scenes. Had we taken the time to see our situation from the viewpoint of just what God might be trying to accomplish, we gain a better perspective of what it is we are facing. What is our Lord trying to show us? What is He attempting to do through us? These are questions that we need to be asking ourselves. For our Lord is very capable of using our circumstances not only to grow and mature his children, but to reach others as well. Yes, Gods ways are not our ways. Indeed, His thoughts are higher than our own. However, we do well to realize that our Lord will always have a motive for what he does, and that is the love, nurturing and well being of his children.
~Scott~
Monday, February 15, 2016
The Man In The Mirror
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are Gods.
1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 NKJV
Who is it that you see when you look in the mirror? That person who we see looking back at us may ultimately define how we view ourselves in general. There are countless people out there who, when they see their own reflection, see a monster staring back at them. For when they gaze into that mirror, all they see is a recluse, a stranger to God or a sinner deserving of the worst of punishments! I've been in those shoes more than once. For years, I had been taught that I was nothing but a sinner saved by grace. When I looked inn the mirror, the man I saw looking back at me was someone who could never deserve forgiveness. No, I'd gone too far and made far too many mistakes for God to reconcile me. This manifested in the very way in which I viewed myself as a person. I was useless, unforgiven and a evil person. This was the lie which I lived!
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV
One of the most difficult scriptures I've ever had to come to grips with lies in Galations 2:20. It is here that the apostle Paul relates a truth to his readers that may have been as revolutionary in his own time as it is today. As Paul tells it, he had been crucified with Christ already! What? For as Paul wrote this piece of scripture, he was very much alive! How could this former persecutor of Gods church have been crucified with Jesus? See, many people in Pauls day still remembered that scene on calvarys hill when Jesus gave himself as a sacrafice for all. They also recalled, that Saul wasn't on one of those crosses that day. It seems that not too many people got the point. However, the point that Paul was driving home was that Jesus died not only for the redemption of the sins of all mankind, but to eradicate the OLD Paul who's sins had multiplied over time. Of course, when the former Paul was done away with, there still remained the void of his body to fill, which Christ accomplished as well by his death. Shouldering the sins of all mankind, Jesus single handedly removed that sin nature that convicts us! In its place now dwells the spirit of our risen Lord Jesus! So it is, that as we now look at that man in the mirror, the one we see gazing back at us is the one who now inhabits our earthly bodies, our risen Lord Jesus.
~Scott~
1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 NKJV
Who is it that you see when you look in the mirror? That person who we see looking back at us may ultimately define how we view ourselves in general. There are countless people out there who, when they see their own reflection, see a monster staring back at them. For when they gaze into that mirror, all they see is a recluse, a stranger to God or a sinner deserving of the worst of punishments! I've been in those shoes more than once. For years, I had been taught that I was nothing but a sinner saved by grace. When I looked inn the mirror, the man I saw looking back at me was someone who could never deserve forgiveness. No, I'd gone too far and made far too many mistakes for God to reconcile me. This manifested in the very way in which I viewed myself as a person. I was useless, unforgiven and a evil person. This was the lie which I lived!
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV
One of the most difficult scriptures I've ever had to come to grips with lies in Galations 2:20. It is here that the apostle Paul relates a truth to his readers that may have been as revolutionary in his own time as it is today. As Paul tells it, he had been crucified with Christ already! What? For as Paul wrote this piece of scripture, he was very much alive! How could this former persecutor of Gods church have been crucified with Jesus? See, many people in Pauls day still remembered that scene on calvarys hill when Jesus gave himself as a sacrafice for all. They also recalled, that Saul wasn't on one of those crosses that day. It seems that not too many people got the point. However, the point that Paul was driving home was that Jesus died not only for the redemption of the sins of all mankind, but to eradicate the OLD Paul who's sins had multiplied over time. Of course, when the former Paul was done away with, there still remained the void of his body to fill, which Christ accomplished as well by his death. Shouldering the sins of all mankind, Jesus single handedly removed that sin nature that convicts us! In its place now dwells the spirit of our risen Lord Jesus! So it is, that as we now look at that man in the mirror, the one we see gazing back at us is the one who now inhabits our earthly bodies, our risen Lord Jesus.
~Scott~
Sunday, February 14, 2016
A Race Everyone Wins
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not me only but also to also to all who have loved his appearing.
2 Timothy 4: 7-8 NKJV
There has been a issue the past few years that has become one of the hot button issues of the conservative movement in the United States. For generations in youth sports, the victors, the champions, were crowned with some sort of trophy to signify their endurance and victory. However, somewhere along the line, a few well intentioned adults came up with the idea that this practice of recognizing achievement in sports may actually be harmful to a childs psychological makeup? My very first reaction upon hearing of this new policy was one of utter disbelief. Here was yet another liberal, feel good thought instituted into policy. However, in recent years I've taken a look at this issue from another perspective. Not that I now agree with the liberal thought police that are systematicaly destroying the moral fabric of our nation, but the new perspective I've gained was one I discovered in scripture.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Hiimself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Hebrews 12: 1-3 NKJV
There are a few places in scripture where the apostle Paul describes our journey as followers of Christ as a race of endurance. The one difference in this race we are on is that each of us who finishes comes out a winner! I can see the point that the old apostle was trying to make here, as anyone who has lived long enough has come to realize that their lives are more of a journey of endurance than a quick sprint. For we are told in scripture that we all will face the trials and temptations of life. As we journey on, our lives began to resemble more of a journey of endurance. With each obstacle of tribulation we overcome, we seem to gain that much more endurance to face the next. Not only that, but those who cheer us on our journey are those who have gone on before us. This "Great a cloud of witnesses" that Paul describes in Hebrews 12:1 are none other than those who have finished this very same race before us! Far from being a race where only one person comes out ahead, each of us who partakes in this race and finishes will not receive a medal or a trophy, but the blessed crown of righteousness that was not only bestowed upon the apostle Paul, but to all who have run with endurance the race of life that was set before them.
~Scott~
2 Timothy 4: 7-8 NKJV
There has been a issue the past few years that has become one of the hot button issues of the conservative movement in the United States. For generations in youth sports, the victors, the champions, were crowned with some sort of trophy to signify their endurance and victory. However, somewhere along the line, a few well intentioned adults came up with the idea that this practice of recognizing achievement in sports may actually be harmful to a childs psychological makeup? My very first reaction upon hearing of this new policy was one of utter disbelief. Here was yet another liberal, feel good thought instituted into policy. However, in recent years I've taken a look at this issue from another perspective. Not that I now agree with the liberal thought police that are systematicaly destroying the moral fabric of our nation, but the new perspective I've gained was one I discovered in scripture.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Hiimself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Hebrews 12: 1-3 NKJV
There are a few places in scripture where the apostle Paul describes our journey as followers of Christ as a race of endurance. The one difference in this race we are on is that each of us who finishes comes out a winner! I can see the point that the old apostle was trying to make here, as anyone who has lived long enough has come to realize that their lives are more of a journey of endurance than a quick sprint. For we are told in scripture that we all will face the trials and temptations of life. As we journey on, our lives began to resemble more of a journey of endurance. With each obstacle of tribulation we overcome, we seem to gain that much more endurance to face the next. Not only that, but those who cheer us on our journey are those who have gone on before us. This "Great a cloud of witnesses" that Paul describes in Hebrews 12:1 are none other than those who have finished this very same race before us! Far from being a race where only one person comes out ahead, each of us who partakes in this race and finishes will not receive a medal or a trophy, but the blessed crown of righteousness that was not only bestowed upon the apostle Paul, but to all who have run with endurance the race of life that was set before them.
~Scott~
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Father Figure
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
John 1: 10-12 NKJV
It's a tough truth to recognize. For the bible refers to our Lord as our heavenly Father. However, what happens when our relationships with our earth bound fathers interfere with our belief in our heavenly Father? It is a well known fact that our relationships with our earthly parents often follow us throughout our lives and manifest themselves in different ways. For those who have had healthy, loving relationships, it is usualy pretty easy to make a connection between a loving earthly and heavenly father. There has never been anything there to stand in the way of that perception. For myself, with my own father absent from my life from an early age, I often found it difficult to refer to God as "Father" without conjuring up some bad memory of my human father. From time to time, the memories of my father would result in a image of God that was definately not true! My own father had abandoned me, so I feared more than once, that God did not love me. My sins were far too great, my iniquities were way beyond repair even for God. This often led to much self condemnation, thinking I was truly unworthy of my Lords love and forgiveness.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5: 7-8 NKJV
I recall a dear friend of mine at church a few years back who, when he prayed, would speak his words to his "Daddy." Immediately, those old feelings would come back. Daddy? My freind would pray, often in a loving way as a child talks to a loving parent. This was almost too much for me. But wait, this wasn't the father in the flesh who had abandoned me from his own life. No, this "Father" was the one who knew me and cherished me even before I was even born! Far from being a father who had no interest in me, my heavenly Father never let me out of his sight. His very thoughts were of me. The love that my earthly father refused to give, was given in abundance by my loving heavenly Father! It is in Romans 5: 7-8 that the apostle paul tells us of this unfailing love God has for his children. When we were still sinners, God sent his very son as a sin offering to cleanse us from that sin and shame we carried. What greater love will ever be known? For with God there was no condemnation for my guilt, no punishment for my sin! No, for Christ gave of himself to wipe that slate clean! Not only that, where my own father had refused to be a part of his sons life, upon his death Jesus now became a part of me. As John 1:12 tells us, my birthright now gives me the right to be called a child of God! Gone is the abandonment, guilt and condemnation of a broken relationship. Now replaced with the everlasting love, grace and forgivness my REAL father has bestowed on me.
~Scott~
John 1: 10-12 NKJV
It's a tough truth to recognize. For the bible refers to our Lord as our heavenly Father. However, what happens when our relationships with our earth bound fathers interfere with our belief in our heavenly Father? It is a well known fact that our relationships with our earthly parents often follow us throughout our lives and manifest themselves in different ways. For those who have had healthy, loving relationships, it is usualy pretty easy to make a connection between a loving earthly and heavenly father. There has never been anything there to stand in the way of that perception. For myself, with my own father absent from my life from an early age, I often found it difficult to refer to God as "Father" without conjuring up some bad memory of my human father. From time to time, the memories of my father would result in a image of God that was definately not true! My own father had abandoned me, so I feared more than once, that God did not love me. My sins were far too great, my iniquities were way beyond repair even for God. This often led to much self condemnation, thinking I was truly unworthy of my Lords love and forgiveness.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5: 7-8 NKJV
I recall a dear friend of mine at church a few years back who, when he prayed, would speak his words to his "Daddy." Immediately, those old feelings would come back. Daddy? My freind would pray, often in a loving way as a child talks to a loving parent. This was almost too much for me. But wait, this wasn't the father in the flesh who had abandoned me from his own life. No, this "Father" was the one who knew me and cherished me even before I was even born! Far from being a father who had no interest in me, my heavenly Father never let me out of his sight. His very thoughts were of me. The love that my earthly father refused to give, was given in abundance by my loving heavenly Father! It is in Romans 5: 7-8 that the apostle paul tells us of this unfailing love God has for his children. When we were still sinners, God sent his very son as a sin offering to cleanse us from that sin and shame we carried. What greater love will ever be known? For with God there was no condemnation for my guilt, no punishment for my sin! No, for Christ gave of himself to wipe that slate clean! Not only that, where my own father had refused to be a part of his sons life, upon his death Jesus now became a part of me. As John 1:12 tells us, my birthright now gives me the right to be called a child of God! Gone is the abandonment, guilt and condemnation of a broken relationship. Now replaced with the everlasting love, grace and forgivness my REAL father has bestowed on me.
~Scott~
Broken Bonds
And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from the man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of man." Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2: 21-24 NKJV
It was interesting some time back when I resarched, with the help of a Godly friend, the meaning of the word "Woman." As he explained it to me, the meaning of the word woman can be translated to "From man." I suppose this is satisfactory knowing what we know of the creation story in the book of Genesis. Something else that I find interesting is Gods direction in Genesis 2:24. Now, I'm sure that we all know the process that these human lives of ours normaly take. For we are born, we stumble along the road to maturity, we take a mate and settle into the remaining years of our lives. Then, more often than not, this process completes itself in our own children. Can one not wonder that this process was not somehow designed to be reflected in this way? Of course, for those who follow the Lord God, this IS the life process we all follow. From birth, each of us is intimately attached to our parents. Ultimately, these are often the very first relationships that we experience. It is no wonder, then, that our relationships with our own parents often have a lasting impact on our own lives.
So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
Ephesians 5: 28-31 NKJV
I've met countless people who, without realizing it, were affected deeply by their relationship with their parents. I can totally understand this, realizing that our parental relationships are often the ones that make a most lasting impression on us. In my own situation, my mother faced the task of raising two young boys alone after my parents were divorced. For his part, my own father chose not to be involved in the lives of his two boys. It is no wonder, then, that my relationship with my mother was very close. She was my provider, my comfort and my support in my formative years. To her credit, she was only doing what her Lord was leading her to do. For if not for her, her two boys would have been without that parental relationship. Too often, we take this relationship for granted. Be it for good or bad, it is here where our definition of relationship begins.
Often, the relationship we've had with our own parents transfers over to our relationships with others including our future mate. It is for this reason that strong and healthy parental relationships are so important. However, it is these relationships that ultimately take a back seat as each of us finds our way into this world. Where we once came to rely on our parent(s) for our emotional and physical needs, we now search for another to fill the space our own parents once occupied. We are NOT abandoning our parents, we are only continuing our own life cycle. In Gods own time, our own children will leave us and pursue their own relationships. It is the cycle that our loving God so wonderfully created from the begining.
~Scott~
Genesis 2: 21-24 NKJV
It was interesting some time back when I resarched, with the help of a Godly friend, the meaning of the word "Woman." As he explained it to me, the meaning of the word woman can be translated to "From man." I suppose this is satisfactory knowing what we know of the creation story in the book of Genesis. Something else that I find interesting is Gods direction in Genesis 2:24. Now, I'm sure that we all know the process that these human lives of ours normaly take. For we are born, we stumble along the road to maturity, we take a mate and settle into the remaining years of our lives. Then, more often than not, this process completes itself in our own children. Can one not wonder that this process was not somehow designed to be reflected in this way? Of course, for those who follow the Lord God, this IS the life process we all follow. From birth, each of us is intimately attached to our parents. Ultimately, these are often the very first relationships that we experience. It is no wonder, then, that our relationships with our own parents often have a lasting impact on our own lives.
So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
Ephesians 5: 28-31 NKJV
I've met countless people who, without realizing it, were affected deeply by their relationship with their parents. I can totally understand this, realizing that our parental relationships are often the ones that make a most lasting impression on us. In my own situation, my mother faced the task of raising two young boys alone after my parents were divorced. For his part, my own father chose not to be involved in the lives of his two boys. It is no wonder, then, that my relationship with my mother was very close. She was my provider, my comfort and my support in my formative years. To her credit, she was only doing what her Lord was leading her to do. For if not for her, her two boys would have been without that parental relationship. Too often, we take this relationship for granted. Be it for good or bad, it is here where our definition of relationship begins.
Often, the relationship we've had with our own parents transfers over to our relationships with others including our future mate. It is for this reason that strong and healthy parental relationships are so important. However, it is these relationships that ultimately take a back seat as each of us finds our way into this world. Where we once came to rely on our parent(s) for our emotional and physical needs, we now search for another to fill the space our own parents once occupied. We are NOT abandoning our parents, we are only continuing our own life cycle. In Gods own time, our own children will leave us and pursue their own relationships. It is the cycle that our loving God so wonderfully created from the begining.
~Scott~
Friday, February 12, 2016
Who's Life Is It Anyway?
Adulterers ans adultresses! 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.
James 4:4 NKJV
It's always been a tough lesson for me, and perhaps a few others. Although I know that I am both created and inhabited by my Lord God, at times I find it difficult to see that which is not in front of my face. I suppose it's natural, we often follow our own senses to recognise that which is around us. Isn't that how we were created? Each and every one of our senses, thoughts and habits is something that has been placed within us and is unique to us all. For there is not one of us who is an exact copy of someone else. We can look to our heavenly creator and acknowledge his infinite love and wisdom in molding each of us in our own special way. However, what happens when His creation tries to break away and claim their own independence seperate from Him? Do we have that right?
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:27 NKJV
In Genesis 1:27 we see the initial origins of mankind as we know it. There was no cosmic boom, no big bang, just Gods spoken word that ultimately bore the creation of all that we see, ourselves included. Knowing this, are we inclined to then believe that we can ultimately seperate ourselves from Him who created us? I realize this seems unfathomable, but yet we continue to partake in this seperation all too often. The Isrealites, Gods own chosen people, engaged in it as well. However, through our Lords love and grace, Isreal was time and again led back to their Lords presence. As God spoke through the prophets of ancient Isreal, he revealed to his people his love and eventual salvation for them. This people, prone to wander from their creator as they sought their independence, more often than not would seek our Lords forgiveness as they returned to him.
"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." And they began to be merry.
Luke 15: 22-24 NKJV
This parable of Jesus of the prodigal son has always been a favorite of mine. I believe that it gives us a glimpse into the very heart of our Lord as to hos he sees his children. Yes, we may from time to time wander and venture on our own, but we are never very far from the loving hand of our Lord who, with one spoken word, brought us life.
~Scott~
James 4:4 NKJV
It's always been a tough lesson for me, and perhaps a few others. Although I know that I am both created and inhabited by my Lord God, at times I find it difficult to see that which is not in front of my face. I suppose it's natural, we often follow our own senses to recognise that which is around us. Isn't that how we were created? Each and every one of our senses, thoughts and habits is something that has been placed within us and is unique to us all. For there is not one of us who is an exact copy of someone else. We can look to our heavenly creator and acknowledge his infinite love and wisdom in molding each of us in our own special way. However, what happens when His creation tries to break away and claim their own independence seperate from Him? Do we have that right?
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:27 NKJV
In Genesis 1:27 we see the initial origins of mankind as we know it. There was no cosmic boom, no big bang, just Gods spoken word that ultimately bore the creation of all that we see, ourselves included. Knowing this, are we inclined to then believe that we can ultimately seperate ourselves from Him who created us? I realize this seems unfathomable, but yet we continue to partake in this seperation all too often. The Isrealites, Gods own chosen people, engaged in it as well. However, through our Lords love and grace, Isreal was time and again led back to their Lords presence. As God spoke through the prophets of ancient Isreal, he revealed to his people his love and eventual salvation for them. This people, prone to wander from their creator as they sought their independence, more often than not would seek our Lords forgiveness as they returned to him.
"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." And they began to be merry.
Luke 15: 22-24 NKJV
This parable of Jesus of the prodigal son has always been a favorite of mine. I believe that it gives us a glimpse into the very heart of our Lord as to hos he sees his children. Yes, we may from time to time wander and venture on our own, but we are never very far from the loving hand of our Lord who, with one spoken word, brought us life.
~Scott~
Thursday, February 11, 2016
When The Smoke Clears
And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptions whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever."
Exodus 14:13 NKJV
The Isrealites, Gods chosen people, had their backs against the wall. The Lord God had afflicted their Egyption captors with several plagues in order to convince the Egyption Pharoh to release the Isrealites from bondage. The funny thing is, God had CAUSED Pharohs heart to be hard so that he refused to release his captives. Even after plague upon plague afflicted his land, Pharoh still stuck to his guns and refused to release the children of Isreal. Then, one night, the angel of the Lord decended upon Pharohs kingdom and death came to every firsborn child in Egypt that didn't have the doorway of the home marked with the blood of a lamb. The angel of the Lord "Passed over" each and every home marked with the blood of the lamb. This was the final straw for Pharoh, he'd battled with the God of Isreal long enough. He now released the Isrealites from bondage and, not only that, sent them away with treasures from Pharohs own Kingdom! However, God wasn't finished with the Egyption king, for He once again caused his heart to be hardened and to pursue the Isrealites to the banks of the Red Sea.
"Then I will harden Pharoh's heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharoh and over all his army, that the Egyptions may know that I am the Lord." And they did so.
Exodus 14:4 NKJV
The Isrealites had been serving the Egyptions for years, why had the Lord waited so long to deliver his people? Well, in Exodus 14:4 we may get a glimpse as to why the Lord waited. For God had hardened Pharohs heart "That the Egyptions may know that I am the Lord." Sure, God could have saved the Isrealites sooner, but we should also remember that Gods timing was the key factor here. For whatever reason, God waited years before approachinng Moses to help liberate the Isrealites. Of course, Moses had to be convinced to do so. Regardless, the chain of events had began. As the Lord worked on Pharoh, he also worked on His people. Now was the moment to show all of Egypt the glory of the God of Isreal.
The Isrealites, Gods people, with their backs to the wall and with escape seemingly impossible, now faced being wiped out by a vengeful Egyption Pharoh. Yet, God had them right where he wanted them. For it was in this vulnerable moment that the God of all Isreal rose to show these Egyptions his glory. How much of this moment in Egypt is like our very own stressful situations? Day upon day we endure as we cry out to the Lord as the Isrealites did. "When will you deliver me, Lord?" Despite our own worst fears, God DOES hear our cries. The day will surely come when he will whisper in our ear, "Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will accomplish for you today!"
~Scott~
Exodus 14:13 NKJV
The Isrealites, Gods chosen people, had their backs against the wall. The Lord God had afflicted their Egyption captors with several plagues in order to convince the Egyption Pharoh to release the Isrealites from bondage. The funny thing is, God had CAUSED Pharohs heart to be hard so that he refused to release his captives. Even after plague upon plague afflicted his land, Pharoh still stuck to his guns and refused to release the children of Isreal. Then, one night, the angel of the Lord decended upon Pharohs kingdom and death came to every firsborn child in Egypt that didn't have the doorway of the home marked with the blood of a lamb. The angel of the Lord "Passed over" each and every home marked with the blood of the lamb. This was the final straw for Pharoh, he'd battled with the God of Isreal long enough. He now released the Isrealites from bondage and, not only that, sent them away with treasures from Pharohs own Kingdom! However, God wasn't finished with the Egyption king, for He once again caused his heart to be hardened and to pursue the Isrealites to the banks of the Red Sea.
"Then I will harden Pharoh's heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharoh and over all his army, that the Egyptions may know that I am the Lord." And they did so.
Exodus 14:4 NKJV
The Isrealites had been serving the Egyptions for years, why had the Lord waited so long to deliver his people? Well, in Exodus 14:4 we may get a glimpse as to why the Lord waited. For God had hardened Pharohs heart "That the Egyptions may know that I am the Lord." Sure, God could have saved the Isrealites sooner, but we should also remember that Gods timing was the key factor here. For whatever reason, God waited years before approachinng Moses to help liberate the Isrealites. Of course, Moses had to be convinced to do so. Regardless, the chain of events had began. As the Lord worked on Pharoh, he also worked on His people. Now was the moment to show all of Egypt the glory of the God of Isreal.
The Isrealites, Gods people, with their backs to the wall and with escape seemingly impossible, now faced being wiped out by a vengeful Egyption Pharoh. Yet, God had them right where he wanted them. For it was in this vulnerable moment that the God of all Isreal rose to show these Egyptions his glory. How much of this moment in Egypt is like our very own stressful situations? Day upon day we endure as we cry out to the Lord as the Isrealites did. "When will you deliver me, Lord?" Despite our own worst fears, God DOES hear our cries. The day will surely come when he will whisper in our ear, "Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will accomplish for you today!"
~Scott~
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Stress Relief
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor grows weary. His understanding in unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might he increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40: 28-31 NKJV
Who likes to wait? I'm sure not too many of us would admit to admire the idea of waiting. For waiting involves the unknown and our own lack of control over a particular situation. Who wants that? Most of us would rather have control over our circumstances, leaving nothing to chance. It is the man who is the "Master over his own destiny" who is admired and revered. While this may be an admirable trait, what happens when ones own "Destiny" reaches out and slaps them across the back of their head? Someone who seemed so in control of their surroundings one moment may, in the next instant, find themselves free falling into chaos! Now what happens? Do we continue on as if nothing has happened, and live out the illusion that we are still in control? Or, do we recognize that there is ultimately something bigger than us that is manipulating things?
In Isaiah 40:31, the prophet shares some valuable advice to anyone who has stumbled forth wondering what to do next. As Isaiah tells us, when we choose to wait on God for his guidance and provision, whatever we're facing may seem that much less daunting. This seems natural, since releasing ourselves from the cares and worries of controlling our own situation can have a calming effect.
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lillies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"
Matthew 5: 25-30 NKJV
It is interesting that when we wait on the Lord, we release ourselves from the worries and cares of our situation. So, why would Isaiah suggest that we wait on the Lord? If you guessed that stress is harmful to Gods children then you are correct! It is little wonder, then, that God would want to bear whatever burdens we are carrying. If worrying about our situations is a bad thing, then Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 to cast our worries aside. In fact, Jesus goes through more than a few examples of the folly of worrying. Instead, we should trust that our heavenly Father, who values his children, will ultimately provide for them what it is they need. I won't get into the difference between a want and a need but, trust me, God knows and will meet our needs. Knowing this, wouldn't that take away alot of the stress of any impossible situation we find ourselves in? I'm thinking that many of us could save alot of money being spent on therapy, self help boooks and seminars if we would just wait on the Lord.
~Scott~
Isaiah 40: 28-31 NKJV
Who likes to wait? I'm sure not too many of us would admit to admire the idea of waiting. For waiting involves the unknown and our own lack of control over a particular situation. Who wants that? Most of us would rather have control over our circumstances, leaving nothing to chance. It is the man who is the "Master over his own destiny" who is admired and revered. While this may be an admirable trait, what happens when ones own "Destiny" reaches out and slaps them across the back of their head? Someone who seemed so in control of their surroundings one moment may, in the next instant, find themselves free falling into chaos! Now what happens? Do we continue on as if nothing has happened, and live out the illusion that we are still in control? Or, do we recognize that there is ultimately something bigger than us that is manipulating things?
In Isaiah 40:31, the prophet shares some valuable advice to anyone who has stumbled forth wondering what to do next. As Isaiah tells us, when we choose to wait on God for his guidance and provision, whatever we're facing may seem that much less daunting. This seems natural, since releasing ourselves from the cares and worries of controlling our own situation can have a calming effect.
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lillies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"
Matthew 5: 25-30 NKJV
It is interesting that when we wait on the Lord, we release ourselves from the worries and cares of our situation. So, why would Isaiah suggest that we wait on the Lord? If you guessed that stress is harmful to Gods children then you are correct! It is little wonder, then, that God would want to bear whatever burdens we are carrying. If worrying about our situations is a bad thing, then Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 to cast our worries aside. In fact, Jesus goes through more than a few examples of the folly of worrying. Instead, we should trust that our heavenly Father, who values his children, will ultimately provide for them what it is they need. I won't get into the difference between a want and a need but, trust me, God knows and will meet our needs. Knowing this, wouldn't that take away alot of the stress of any impossible situation we find ourselves in? I'm thinking that many of us could save alot of money being spent on therapy, self help boooks and seminars if we would just wait on the Lord.
~Scott~
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
The Practice Of Condemnation
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to seperate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8: 38-39 NKJV
One cannot go too far into the bible before they see the complete love of God toward us. Despite our numerous attempts to do things our own way, our loving God always welcomes us back into his loving arms. For no matter how far it is that we stray or just what we've done, we are never too far from Gods love and forgiveness. No greater love has ever been known. Our human condition leaves us with desires that obviously run contrary to our Lords will. The scripture refers to this as our flesh. However, just like the rest of us, it is God who created each of us completely. So, every percieved imperfection that we feel we see in ourselves, is from God who created us. For those of us who like to torture ourselves by looking in the mirror and searching for something wrong with ourselves, I present to you Gods view of his creation.
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27 NKJV
Did you ever stand in front of the mirror and just say to yourself, "YOU are Gods loved creation, created in His image?" For the longest time I couldn't. See, I did not view myself as created in my Lords image. Yes, I knew the scriptures, but we all have a way of distorting the truth about ourselves. Where God sees a wonderful, beautiful creation that he made to resemble himself, all too often we only see a dirty, sin soaked and imperfect soul. Trust me, this voice inside of us IS NOT from God.
It would seem at times that we are in the business of condemnation. There is something that clouds our view of ourselves and leads us to believe that Gods loved creation is only a imperfection. After all, who could ever love someone like us? For the scriptures tell us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God right? Yes, but something happened on the way to the empty tomb that morning that many of us don't put into perspective.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should persish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 NKJV
Understand, that it is Gods love and mercy that sent Christ to that cross to give his life for the sins of mankind. Not only that, but Jesus gave his life willingly, knowing the torment that lay ahead of Him. One of the hardest habits to break is our habit of condemnation. When we fall into this trap, we fail to see ourselves as our loving heavenly Father sees us through his eyes.
~Scott~
Monday, February 8, 2016
Trust
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
There is a process in civilian pilot training where, in order for the student to pass his Instrument Flight Rules rating, he/she must demonstrate their ability to fly their aircraft strictly by the aircrafts instruments, not by sight. Going against all conventional wisdom, the student places his reliance, his trust in whatever sensors, gauges or warning lights the aircraft has to offer. I'm sure the aviation phrase "Flying blind" originated from this process. Although this process may seem overbearing or suicidal to some, the experience gained from this training is invaluable in conditions where ones eyes cannot be trusted. Ever try flying a aircraft at night, in adverse weather or in heavy fog? Trust me, most airlines do not cease operations due to darkness.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3: 5-6 NKJV
Of course, there are times in our own lives where we feel like we are flying blind into the unknown. Whether it is our finances, relationships or just life in general, sometimes we feel like we're heading through life without much guidance at all. However, there is help for us in these times of tumolt. It is in Proverbs 3:5 that the author tells us that there is one who we can trust completely in our times of need. The help we need is none other than our heavenly Father, who guides our lives every step of the way. After all, would not the creator of man ultimately know how to help his creation?
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philipppians 4:13 NKJV
Most belivers have heard the reference to Philippians 4:13 at one point of another. It is indeed a powerful passage, as the apostle Paul assures of of the power of our Lord Jesus. However, a dear friend of mine recently reminded me of another twist on this famous passage. Not only can we do all things through Christ who gives us strength, it is Jesus WHO IS our strength! For it is this Jesus who, having been crucified and resurected, now resides within each believer who has accepted him. Need a scripture reference for this blod statement? Very well.
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV
You will notice the reference here, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." Now, the question we need to be asking ourselves is this, is there ANY situation too difficult for Jesus? The obvious answer to this is a heartfelt NO! And so it is that whatever trouble, turmoil or unsettled matter that we are facing, we will never go it alone without our Lord and savior who is now within us. It may seem daunting, but my Lord and savior is definately mightier than any situation I'll ever face.
~Scott~
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
There is a process in civilian pilot training where, in order for the student to pass his Instrument Flight Rules rating, he/she must demonstrate their ability to fly their aircraft strictly by the aircrafts instruments, not by sight. Going against all conventional wisdom, the student places his reliance, his trust in whatever sensors, gauges or warning lights the aircraft has to offer. I'm sure the aviation phrase "Flying blind" originated from this process. Although this process may seem overbearing or suicidal to some, the experience gained from this training is invaluable in conditions where ones eyes cannot be trusted. Ever try flying a aircraft at night, in adverse weather or in heavy fog? Trust me, most airlines do not cease operations due to darkness.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3: 5-6 NKJV
Of course, there are times in our own lives where we feel like we are flying blind into the unknown. Whether it is our finances, relationships or just life in general, sometimes we feel like we're heading through life without much guidance at all. However, there is help for us in these times of tumolt. It is in Proverbs 3:5 that the author tells us that there is one who we can trust completely in our times of need. The help we need is none other than our heavenly Father, who guides our lives every step of the way. After all, would not the creator of man ultimately know how to help his creation?
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philipppians 4:13 NKJV
Most belivers have heard the reference to Philippians 4:13 at one point of another. It is indeed a powerful passage, as the apostle Paul assures of of the power of our Lord Jesus. However, a dear friend of mine recently reminded me of another twist on this famous passage. Not only can we do all things through Christ who gives us strength, it is Jesus WHO IS our strength! For it is this Jesus who, having been crucified and resurected, now resides within each believer who has accepted him. Need a scripture reference for this blod statement? Very well.
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV
You will notice the reference here, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." Now, the question we need to be asking ourselves is this, is there ANY situation too difficult for Jesus? The obvious answer to this is a heartfelt NO! And so it is that whatever trouble, turmoil or unsettled matter that we are facing, we will never go it alone without our Lord and savior who is now within us. It may seem daunting, but my Lord and savior is definately mightier than any situation I'll ever face.
~Scott~
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