The Reason For Our Seasons

 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2: 10 NKJV 

It might just be one of the most prayed prayers in the history of the church.  Why me, God?  As we struggle through one bad situation or another.  One ailment or another.  It is a question we might just ask of a God whom we were taught to believe would protect and care for us if we only believed.  So, what went wrong?  Did we suddenly stop believing?  Did God become upset and pull the plug on His love and support for us?  Well, if you are a member of a mainstream traditional church, these are the answers you might just get to this question.  You haven't prayed enough.  You haven't tithed enough.  Blah blah blah.  Are we to believe, then, that a God who never changes has suddenly turned a 180 and abandoned us because of our failure to utter a timely prayer or fork over a few more dollars to the church corporation?  I have always felt uneasy about such claims uttered by church officials.  First of all, it relegates our heavenly Fathers love for us into a reward system.  Want God to love you, well you need to pray more or drop more into that offering plate.  Does anyone but me see the ridiculousness of this line of thinking?  Yet many a Christian the world over buy into this idea of somehow buying God's love.  It's bunk.  So it is that get into another conversation, why is it that a loving God would allow His children to suffer through times of adversity and sickness?  Jesus Himself tells us that we should not think that we will be immune to suffering simply because we believe in Him {John 16:33}.  We should not expect that we will not be afflicted, but that through Christ Jesus we will.  We can correctly assume that we don't go it alone in our struggles, but that Jesus is there with us.  The apostle Paul reminds us of this truth when he speaks to Christ Jesus in you {Galatians 2:20}.  In fact, my understanding of Christ in me led me to a different understanding of an amazing passage.  In Philippians, Paul explains that he can do all things through the strength of Christ Jesus {Philippians 4:13}.  Not only that, but Christ Jesus IS our strength in time of need.  

To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

Colossians 1: 29 NKJV 

I decided upon the title of this post after hearing the testimony of a few friends who have undergone or are in the middle of a struggle in their own lives.  Not only that, but I've recently found myself in the middle of a few difficult situations.  As I mentioned, just because we believe in Jesus, we are not immune to the trials of life.  Far too often we fall into the mindset of seeing Jesus as a far-off observer instead of knowing the truth of Christ in us.  In this scenario, when we are afflicted, we immediately turn to the one who promised never to leave us {Hebrews 13:5}.  Then, when we perceive that our situation may not be improving, we immediately run to God to inquire why He is ignoring us.  Sound familiar?  I get it.  Here's something new.  Because we know that we are not immune to Lifes trials, how about we try a radical new way of responding to them?  How about instead of asking God why He isn't working, we ask Him what He's doing through us?  What is it that God is working in our lives through us?  Now THAT is more in tune with the truth of Christ Jesus in us.  Of course, you won't find this truth preached from any church pulpit that I know of.  What is the reason for our seasons?  Our pain may make it personal to us, but it is the Father who is working through us.  

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12: 10 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

At The Feet Of The Father

 

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  

1 John 4: 8 NKJV 

There's something to be said about the way a child is raised.  Scripture tells us that we should raise a child the right way and he will not depart from it {Proverbs 22:6}.  Indeed, a child who is raised well by their parents will have a sound foundation through their life.  But how is it that we, as Crosby, Stills and Nash implored, teach our children well?  Well, they learn both from experience and from examples we give them.  Whatever a child sees a parent do, they automatically assume that they need to mimic that behavior.  After all, if it's good for mom and dad it must be meant for the kids too, right?  Sadly, there are some parents out there whose questionable behavior comes nowhere close to teaching the children well.  This is exactly why children who come from abusive homes typically tend to exhibit that very same behavior.  The cycle continues.  As we discuss children learning from our parents, we should consider the Christian perspective as well.  For those of us who love God, what is it that we see our Father do?  well, the apostle John explains that to us.  For the very nature of God is love {1 John 4:8}.  This is also what the Father wishes for us to learn from Him as well.  This is the command which Jesus gave to those who would listen, that we love one another {John 13:34-35}.  Why?  Because the very essence of our heavenly Father is love.  It is love by which he created us in His image {Genesis 1:27}.  It is also through His love by which he provided for our redemption through His Son.  When we look upon our Father, we see love.  This is what we can learn from Him.  Of course, along with love we may also come to emulate God's mercy and grace as well.  Of course, it all goes back to His love for us.  This is the key to learning from the Father.  

Is someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

1 John 4: 20 NKJV 

Some time ago a friend asked me to speak to a group of young people he worked with and mentored.  At first, I was taken aback and wondered just what it was that I could possibly say to these kids who had seen so much turbulence and tragedy in their own lives?  How could my own experiences somehow relate to them that they were not alone in their experiences?  Well, it turns out that I've been there as well.  My own struggles may not have been as severe as some of these kids, but they were struggles nonetheless.  Perhaps through my experiences I could relate to them that I had faced down the devil in my own life as well.  Knowing this, I agreed to speak to my friends group.  Unfortunately, I never got the chance as life events prevented our schedules from meshing.  However, from time to time I still think of the impact I might have had with these kids had I had the opportunity to speak to them.  What is it that they could learn from me?  Well, as one of my favorite sayings claims, learn from my mistakes.  The difficult times I've suffered may not have been in vain if they can be used to show others that the Lord used me for His purpose.  The struggles I've had may well be a lesson to those searching for a better way.  When we learn at the feet of the Father, we learn to emulate all which He does and to include it into our own lives.  Love one another.  Show mercy.  Be kind to those less fortunate.  This isn't merely being "like" Jesus.  This is BEING Jesus {Galatians 2:20}.  And in the end, this is how we learn.  

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

Hebrews 4: 15 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Our Real Jesus

"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." 

Galatians 2: 20 NKJV 

I have a friend who, as he once considered having a true relationship with Christ, wondered to himself how he could possibly have a relationship with a dead guy.  Unfortunately, this has become a reality for many Christians.  Steeped in thousands of years of institutional church theology, we have come to accept the very idea that Jesus is far removed from our own lives.  Well, I am here to reveal to you that this simply isn't true at all.  While it's true that many Christians cannot recall most of the sermons the pulpit pounders preach, the teaching of our churches does have an impact on how it is we ultimately see Jesus.  For the longest time I saw Jesus as many of you do, as the Son of God living in heaven at the Fathers side far removed from the trials and tribulations here on earth.  If only that were true.  Our lack of Jesus is only one of the narratives we Christians have fallen for over the centuries.  Yes, Jesus died on the cross and rose again.  Yes, after His death He was seen by hundreds of people including His disciples.  We do not dispute this, yet we dispute the fact that Christ Jesus is closer to us today than He has ever been.  The apostle Paul spoke to this after his own encounter with the very Jesus he had been persecuting for so long.  Paul spoke to the truth of the real Christ, of Jesus in us {Galatians 2:20}.  Unfortunately, in all of my years siting in church pews, I have never heard this truth uttered by a pastor.  Why is that?  Many downplay Paul's revelation, saying that his situation was unique to him.  Really?  Was Paul some sort of deity that Jesus would choose to live only in him?  I doubt it.  Yet if you buy into traditional Christain teachings this is what you will find.  A Jesus removed from your world and your life.  

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God and eternal life.

1 John 5: 20 NKJV 

One thing I do know is that living in a world devoid of a living Christ would be terribly depressing.  I liken traditional church teachings of Jesus to that television commercial where the old guy with a fishing rod is dangling a dollar bill in front of you, "I got you a dollar, ooohh you almost had it!"  Likewise, in the church we're told that we may eventually "be like" Jesus if we do everything right.  The trouble with this is, it places the effort upon us to justify simply being in the presence of Jesus.  Well, anyone who has read Ephesians 2 8-9 can tell you it is not by our own means that we are saved.  So, who is the real Jesus?  Is Jesus that guy who bled and died and is now with the Father in heaven?  Yes.  Or, as I believe, is Jesus living in us today?  Yes.  Wait, can He be in two places at once?  Absolutely.  The real Jesus is the man who became sin on my behalf, taking it away from me {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  The real Jesus is the Jesus who lives in me.  For lack of a better word, I am Jesus.  This is my identity.  I know that my friend would have benefited from this knowing in his initial search for knowing Christ.  However, today he is assured that Christ Jesus is in him.  I like it better this way, knowing that God is with me each and every day.  Knowing that I don't need to be in a church pew to be close to the Lord.  This is our real Jesus.  

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.

Romans 6: 8 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

The Strength Of Paul

 

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Romans 8: 18 NKJV 

Have you ever found yourself going through a rough period in your life and thought that you were all alone?  This week I found myself square in the middle of a health issue where I indeed felt by myself at times.  After all, in my eyes I alone was the one experiencing the pain and discomfort of my affliction.  Then, for some reason, the sufferings of another were revealed to me.  I began to think of the apostle Paul and what he endured at the hands of those who opposed him and his message of Christ.  Paul was imprisoned, tortured and abandoned by more than a few people he trusted in.  It would seem that Paul definitely had the right to complain of his circumstances in life.  Not too many people would have objected considering all he had been through.  Yet Paul did not ask for anyone's pity.  Paul did not curse his circumstances.  What Paul did was connect the dots between his trials and his reality in Christ.  For it was Jesus, if you recall, who Himself also suffered the pain and mistreatment of those who opposed Him.  It was Jesus who also suffered the pain of having those He loved betray Him.  It was Paul who claimed that his sufferings would never compare to Christ who would soon be revealed in him {Romans 8:18}.  So, as I sat disappointed in that hospital waiting room this week I asked myself, does what I'm going through affect my future in Christ?  No!  I also know a few dear friends who have endured their own seasons of trial this past year and come through with a stronger knowing of Christ in their lives.  Now, I don't believe that the Lord purposefully sets forth to make people sick in order to open their eyes to Him.  However, I do believe that He will use our current situations to reveal His Son in us.  This was the strength of Paul.  Through all of his trials, Paul kept his eyes on the prize and continued to speak the word of Jesus.  In fact, by continuing to speak the gospel of Christ, Paul was setting himself up for even more mistreatment.  Yet through Jesus, the strength of Paul, he endured.  

Considering this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12: 8 - 10 NKJV 

Believe me, as I sat in that hospital I was not rejoicing in my sickness.  In fact, I consider it a rare person who would even do such a thing.  To do so, one would need to shift their attention from the suffering of the present to the wonders of the future.  Yes, our present time here in this world has brought us pain, discomfort and suffering.  However, this world is NOT the future which we aspire to.  Paul knew this all too well.  Whatever sufferings were afflicted upon him had no bearing upon his future glory in Christ Jesus.  When he was at his weakest, he was strong {2 Corinthians 12:10}.  A dear friend of mine once presented a good take upon the iconic scripture we find in Philippians 4:13.  Instead of claiming that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, we realize that our true strength comes from Him.  Christ Jesus is our strength.  No more is this made apparent than in Paul's speaking to Christ Jesus in us {Galatians 2:20}.  Applying this to Philippians 4:13 we realize that we can do all things through Christ Jesus in us.  When we are at our weakest, through Christ we are strong.  So, as I sat there in the hospital contemplating this I suddenly realized, what am I worried about?  For whatever happens in this life of mine, my future in Christ has been secured.  I know who I am, and that is an incredible comfort in chaotic times. 

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.  For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8: 26 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Ezra's Pulpit

 

Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the Law.  So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Sherma, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

Nehemiah 8: 3 - 4 NKJV 

This week we learned that the ministry of the kin of legendary pastor T.D Jakes will be going to virtual services in part due to a decline in contributions.  While not surprising, it got me thinking about the importance which we place upon our pastors and leaders.  I have had the unique opportunity, through a dear friend, to see what life is like on the other side of that coin.  Rarely does the public get to see such things as quotas, tithing goals and maximum church capacity, but believe me it's there.  It is this corporate mentality which I believe has shattered many a church and congregation.  Choosing to run the church as a boardroom and not as a messenger of God.  So here is my question, where in the scriptures is the word pulpit even mentioned?  We associate pulpits with Sunday sermons and church leadership, but where do they fit into the Lord's plan?  Well, as it turns out, one messenger of the Lord did indeed utilize a wooden pulpit, although not in a way you might think.  We're told that the scribe Ezra stepped onto a pulpit of wood that those who were listening to him could hear him read from the Law of the Lord.  Ezra didn't use the pulpit to ask for donations or to point the finger of sin as is the practice of some pulpit pounders today.  No, it was the desire of Ezra that all hear the word of the Law of the Lord.  This was Ezra's pulpit, and he put it to good use.  Knowing this, I've taken a totally different view not only of the word pulpit, but of the role of those who speak from it.  For I am of the opinion that the pulpit should be used as it was meant to be, as a podium to speak the word of the Lord.  But you say, "Scott, that's what our pastors are doing."  Really?  I hear from plenty of Christians who claim to be tired of the same old message they hear from the pulpit.  Far too many people have abandoned brick and mortar churches because they are not hearing the message they are so hungry to hear.  Those in the pulpits have failed us.  

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

Acts 2: 44 - 47 NKJV 

I recently ran into a friend who used to attend the same church I did.  Eventually the question of church came about, and he said he had given up the church for a home group.  I can't say that I blame him, it's been more than ten years since I stepped into a church myself.  For me, the hustle and bustle of the corporate church did not feed my need to know Christ Jesus.  In a way this was a blessing to me because it led me to a dear friend who himself was longing to know Jesus in a more personal way.  I can honestly say that the Jesus I have come to know in me I would never have heard of from the pulpit of any church.  For anyone who doubts this, I challenge you to watch the film Come Sunday.  This movie is based on the experiences of pastor Carlton Pearson.  Pearson was the stereotypical man in the pulpit, trained by the legendary Oral Roberts.  However, at the height of his ministry, he has a moment of conscience.  I would call it a revelation from the Lord.  He begins to see God not as the accusatory figure spoken of from many a pulpit, but as a God of love.  In the end, Carlton loses his ministry, his church and is alienated by his mentor Roberts.  So it is for those who go against the institutional church grain.  I believe that were some brave soul attempt to speak the truth of Christ Jesus from the pulpit that they would suffer the same fate as Carlton Pearson.  This truth of Christ Jesus is the very same gospel which the apostle Paul spoke to in Galatians.  This is the truth of Christ Jesus in me {Galatians 2:20}.  Not spoken from many pulpits, but true nonetheless.  It was this Jesus whom Carlton Pearson recognized when he claimed, "If you could save your own father from hell...wouldn't you?"  Fortunately, Jesus has accomplished this through His finished work on the cross, and He didn't need a pulpit to do it.  

~Scott~ 

The People's Choice

 

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 

John 17: 3 NKJV 

As I related in a recent post, I have gotten away from making the traditional New Year's resolutions.  I figured I could set goals anytime of the year anyway.  However, that has not stopped many others from making their end of the year plans for the year to come.  Each year, millions of people vow to change everything from their health to their finances.  Yet recently something interesting happened.  A survey by New Life Research found that a significant number of people were resolving to...know God.  You heard right, 29 percent of those surveyed had made resolutions about their relationship with God.  Also, those ages 18 - 34 and 35 - 49 were 35 percent more likely to make faith the subject of their New Year's resolutions.  Forty eight percent of Christians who attend a traditional worship service at least four times a month claimed to have made a resolution about their relationship with God.  What can we take away from all of this?  Well, traditional New Year's resolutions are usually made with the intent of changes one can make to their lives in the year ahead.  So, when an American Christian resolves to work on their own relationship with God in the coming year, what are we supposed to take away from that?  Are people no longer being "fed" in our traditional brick and mortar churches?  Has the church "system" we've come to know bypassed those it has been tasked with serving for the sake of the bottom line?  I'd say both of these statements are true.  I can imagine thousands of Christians sitting through another mundane church service and wondering to themselves, "Why am I here?"  I can imagine it because I've been there.  I've been in the pew longing to hear about the life of Jesus but getting nothing from the pastor but another sermon on the virtues of tithing.  I get it.  I look at these survey numbers and the first thing that jumps out at me is that Christians want to know God.  The other thing I notice is that there has been a huge disconnect between the traditional church and believers.  This also can be evidenced in the numbers of Christians leaving their churches.  It seems that more and more people are searching for God.  

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 14: 6 NKJV 

Back in the 1970's there was a movie titled Oh God, starring George Burns and musician John Denver.  In it a supermarket manager (Denver) is visited by the almighty Himself (Burns) in order that he might spread the good news of the Lord.  God wanted His people to know who He was.  Well, as you can imagine, the Lord's messenger runs into his share of roadblocks as he attempts to do as God had told him.  In the end, however, God delivers a brilliant oratory in a crowded court room before making His exit once again.  God desires for His children to know Him.  As we can see from our recent survey, there are a good number of Gods children who desire to know Him as well.  Not the church where we've been told that God abides.  Not in the words of the pastors who have been tasked with relating God to the people.  No, people desire more and more to know the one true God.  Well, we're in luck, because that is the desire of our Lord as well.  The prayer of Jesus in the garden before His crucifixion reveals that Jesus desires that we would be one with He and the Father {John 17:21}.  How much closer of a relationship with God can we have?  But this is not simply the desire of Jesus, for through His finished work on the cross, those who believe in Christ are now one with He and the Father.  The apostle Paul speaks to this as he relates that it is Christ Jesus who now lives in him {Galatians 2:20}.  When it is revealed that Christ Jesus lives in us, then we have surely become one with the Father.  We can have a relationship with God...without the New Year's resolution.  

"That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me."

John 17: 21 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

At Your Word

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."  They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Matthew 4: 18 - 20 NKJV 

He had been at it all night long.  Toiling in the waters he and Andrew had fished for so long.  Yet, despite all of their efforts, they had nothing but empty nets to show for it.  Now, after a long night pulling empty nets, Simon must have come ashore dejected at their lack of success.  But there, standing on the shoreline, was the man who would change his life forever.  "Let down your nets for a catch," the man told him.  Simon protested, he knew these waters well and no fish meant no fish.  Finally, he gave in, "At your word" he said as he and Andrew lowered their nets over the side.  At His word indeed.  What came next was more fish than he and his brother could pull into the boat.  Who was this man who's spoken word led to the biggest catch these fishermen had ever seen?  He...is Jesus.  Simon and Andrew were impressed enough that they immediately set out to follow Jesus when He called them.  But the question remains, what was it that Simon Peter saw in Jesus that day that he would trust in Him?  Jesus was the son of a carpenter; but He was no fisherman.  Long before electronic fish finders, Jesus knew that by simply speaking it into being, that the nets of these fishermen would be filled to overflowing.  But Simon didn't know that.  Yet he trusted this man at His word.  What I like about the story of Jesus calling Simon and Andrew is the trust they showed in Jesus from the beginning.  In fact, the scriptures tell us that when Jesus called them, they immediately dropped their nets and followed Him {Matthew 4:30}.  Simon and Andrew put a lot of faith in a guy who wasn't even a fisherman.  When was the last time you did that?  If you were so hell bent on doing something and you knew in your heart that you were right, would you take Jesus at His word?  These two fishermen did.  

So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.  "For assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'be moved 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 

Growing up, one of my favorite hobbies was building model airplanes.  I remember one Christmas, my mother had bought me a large-scale model of a North American P-51 Mustang.  Well, this model kit had a million pieces to it, and being the kid that I was, I ignored the label which said that this kit was "For experienced modelers."  As I set out to build my airplane, I suddenly found myself out of my league.  However, nobody was going to tell this kid that I couldn't build my airplane!  My mother offered to help, but I refused and continued on my quest.  Some who know me know that once I set my mind on a project, everything else gets put on the back burner.  No multi taskers allowed here!  I get a feeling that this is what things were like for Simon that day on the Sea of Galilee.  Simon was a fisherman, and here was this stranger suddenly telling him how to do his job.  Who was this guy?  Perhaps Simon knew of Jesus as the carpenter's son that he was.  Perhaps he had heard of the reputation of this man who was now telling him to lower his nets.  We know that Simon and Andrew were religious, most likely Jews by faith.  They certainly knew of the concept of faith, but blind faith?  Faith not based upon that which they could see for themselves?  That was a big issue then and for us today as well.   But when we get so busy doing what we do, oblivious to everything else around us, we can take a lesson from a fisherman.  Step back and listen for the still voice of Jesus as He guides us.  At your word Lord.  

~Scott~