Raising The Dead (The Cost Of Resurection)

 

"For I hunger and you give Me to eat I thirst and you give Me drink; a stranger was I and you took Me in; naked and you clothed Me; infirm am I and you visit Me; in jail was I and you come to Me,'  "Then the just will be answering Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we perceive Thee hungering and nourish Thee, or thirsting and we give Thee drink?  Now when did we perceive Thee a stranger and took Thee in, or naked and we clothed Thee?  Now when did we perceive Thee infirm, or in jail and we came to Thee?  "And, answering, the King shall be declaring to them, 'Verily, I am saying to you, in as much as you did it to one of these, the least of My brethren, you did it to Me.' 

Matthew 25: 35-40, Concordant New Testament 

It has been a constant part of this cities budget battle over the past few years.  What, and how much, do we allot to fighting the cities homeless issue?  Recently, the county denied the mayor of Portland's request for more funding for the homeless, choosing instead to allot the funds into rent relief for low income people.  The term robbing Peter to pay Paul could not be more appropriate than this in this situation.  Both sides need help, both sides need a way out of their situation.  Yet, in the blink of an eye, it seems that low income people are deemed more important than no income people.  And so the cycle continues as it always does.  So I pose the question which I'm sure more than a few others have in the past...what price do we put upon a homeless person?  Granted, in this city there are social service programs in order to assist the housing impaired.  However, if these programs were truly capable, we would be able to judge their success by the decreased numbers of homeless people on the streets.  Sadly, this has not been the case.  On the contrary, with each and every dollar given to help the homeless population, more and more get sucked down this financial black hole.  To me, it is the definition of big government, with millions of dollars being thrown at an issue that never gets resolved.  Can anyone really put a cost to this issue?  Did Jesus Himself put a cost to the issue of helping the helpless?  No, Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms that what we do to those in need...we do to Him as well {Matthew 25:40}.  If we give generously to those in need, we give to Jesus.  If we turn a blind eye to one who asks for help, we might just be turning our backs on one who is in Christ.  Many believers will not understand this comparison because they do not understand that it is Christ Jesus who lives in them {Galatians 2:20}.  

For ritual clean and undefiled with God the Father is this: to be visiting the bereaved and widowed in their affliction, to be keeping oneself unspotted from the world. 

James 1: 27, Concordant New Testament 

The concordant translation of the New Testament is interesting, and I refer to it often.  For this writing, my interest was piqued by the translation I found in the book of James.  The concordant translation refers to James chapter 1, verse 27 as "Ritual clean and undefiled."  What does the New King James record this verse as?  "Religion that is pure and undefiled."  So, the Lords brother is speaking to us about pure religion and its practices.  I'm not talking about rock band praise and worship music or feel good in the moment sermons that end up putting you to sleep.  I believe that what James is referring to here is our belief and faith in what we believe in.  Do we trust that giving unto others is exactly what Jesus desires for us?  Do we embrace what Jesus desires for us?  Living the desire of Christ, I believe that THIS is our belief pure and undefiled.  Anything less than that could be construed as plain old fashioned religion.  As believers, we know and understand that doing good unto others is something the Lord desires for us.  God has never put a price tag upon kindness.  There is no budget for His love and mercy upon us.  The fact that our salvation is the free gift of His grace is testament to this {Ephesians 2:8-9}.  We cannot earn our salvation nor can we ever lose it.  This is all due to the love and mercy of our heavenly Father.  To whom no price is too great when providing for His children.  

For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this is not out of you; it is God's approach present, not of works, lest anyone should be boasting. 

Ephesians 2: 8-9, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Through The Stained Glass

 

"Now she shall be bringing forth a Son, and you shall be calling His name Jesus, for He shall be saving His people from their sins."  Now the whole of this has occurred that that may be fulfilled which is declared by the Lord by the prophet, saying: "Lo! The virgin shall be pregnant And shall be bringing forth a Son, AND they shall be calling His name 'Emmanuel,'" which is, being construed, "God with us."

Matthew 1: 21-23, Concordant New Testament 

Christmas is a special time of year.  A time where we take time to think more of others instead of ourselves.  A time where we reflect on the deeper meaning of this life.  I now know that the Christmas season is upon us because of the blitz of Christmas specials I've been seeing on television.  It seems that everyone and their brother has a unique interpretation of what the true  meaning of Christmas is.  One You tube influencer threw out the possibility of creating the first openly gay holiday over the Christmas season.  For me, my own vision of the meaning of Christmas is something between the mainstream church and the Jesus I have come to know.  Yet, before I could celebrate my knowledge of the birth of Jesus, I needed to take another look into the stained glass windows of the brick and mortar church.  This is where I learned what they told me was the true meaning of Christmas.  How Joseph and Mary huddled in a outdoor manger because there was no room for them at the local boarding house.  It seems holiday travelers dealt with this issue even back then.  How a star in the sky guided three wise guys to said manger where they dealt gifts to and worshipped this newborn child.  Here's something interesting, a portion of the gifts the three wise men gifted to the baby Jesus were...spices used in that day for the embalming and burial process {Matthew 2:11}.  Indeed, frankincense and myrrh were often used in Jesus' day during the burial process.  Were these three men prophets?  Is there some sort of inner message we should be seeing through their gifts to the Christ child?  Through all of my years looking through the stained glass nobody ventured to ask that question.  So, Jesus is born in a manger in Bethlehem.  We're told that His is a humble birth, possibly signifying His later years.  Interestingly, this is where the story of the boy Jesus comes to an abrupt end.  The next time we see Jesus He is almost grown and about to begin His ministry.  My, that kid grew fast.  

And the messenger said to them, "Fear not, for Lo! I am bringing you an evangel of great joy which will be for the entire people, for today was brought forth to you a Savior who is Christ, the Lord."

Luke 2: 10-11, Concordant New Testament 

What my life behind the stained glass of the mainstream church failed to introduce me to was the REAL Jesus whom I had heard so much about.  The Jesus that did not vanish from our reality once He rose from the grave.  On the contrary, in the story of the birth of Jesus we're again introduced to a few revelations of scripture that reveal to the reader that there is something more to His birth.  We're told that His birth will be of great joy for all of the people {Luke 2:10}.  That it is He who will save His people from their sins {Matthew 1:21}.  Yet most important of all are the words of the prophet Issaiah who proclaimed that the child's very name would remind us of His purpose {Issaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23}.  Yes, Jesus saves people from their sins, but I believe that the most important scripture concerning His birth is that which proclaims His name.  Immanuel, which is translated to mean "God with us."  This is the meaning of the birth of Jesus.  Jesus did not come to simply wipe our sin slate clean and then return to His Fathers side.  No, Jesus came to BE WITH US.  As Issaiah predicted, the true meaning of the Christ child is God with us.  No, God in us {Galatians 2:20}.  As I said, this is the story of the birth of Jesus I never learned in the mainstream church.  This is the revelation which I received from the Lord.  The revelation of Christ Jesus in me.  This is the reason He came.

"That they may all be one, according as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us, that the whole world should be believing that Thou dost commission Me."

John 17: 21, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Our Jesus Body

 For our realm is inherent in the heavens, out of which we are awaiting a Savior also, the Lord, Jesus Christ, who will transfigure the body of our humiliation, to conform it to the body of His glory, in accord with the operation which enables Him even to subject all to Himself.

Philippians 3: 20-21, Concordant New Testament 

For the past few years I have been on a journey to transform this body of mine from unshapely to one of muscle.  Anyone who knows me will tell you that my gym sessions have become somewhat of an addiction for me.  It all began back in 2012 when my doctor recommended physical therapy after a work injury.  It was there that I met two of the best physical therapists I have ever me before or since.  These two ladies showed me the healing power of not only better nutrition but also a program of weight training to avert future injuries.  It wasn't long before I had the weightlifting bug.  Now I'm dead set on changing this body of mine.  Yet this body which I speak of is but an earthly body present only in this day and age we live in.  This is our fleshly body.  We can indeed make changes to our bodies for the good or bad, it's up to us and our efforts.  But as a believer I eagerly await that body which I will inherit on that day of the Lords choosing.  This is the body which the apostle Paul prepares us for {1 Corinthians 15:44}.  As Paul tells us, we are born with our natural bodies intact, but there is also a spiritual body for which we eagerly await {Romans 8:23}.  This is the body which will be revealed on the day of Christs return.  Not only do we who endure here on earth await the redemption of our bodies, but those who have passed before us do as well.  Before her passing, my mother was plagued by more than a few health issues which caused her pain.  She endured.  I can rest assured that even now she eagerly awaits her new body which will be revealed to her as well.  A body of glory and not of pain and struggle.  

Yet not only so, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruit of the spirit, we ourselves also, are groaning in ourselves, awaiting the sonship, the deliverance of our body.

Romans 8: 23, Concordant New Testament 

As a new believer, my understanding was that my body would be the same after death as it is now.  Yet I have since grown to understand that this is not the case.  If this were true, why would so many be eagerly awaiting new bodies?  It is no secret that I have been created in the image of the Father {Genesis 1:27}.  Again, my first introduction to the meaning of this passage was...elementary.  My understanding was that this physical body of mine resembled the Lord.  I failed to connect the reality that my TRUE identity and appearance belongs to Christ Jesus {Galatians 2:20}.  For it is Jesus who chose me.  It is Jesus who chose to live in this body of mine.  Therefore, it is my body in Christ which resembles the Father.  The temporary skin and bones that I toil away at each day will soon pass from this world.  It will be replaced by an entirely new body in the true image of Christ {1 John 3:2}.  This is the body we await so eagerly.  I can make all of the changes in the world to this flesh body of mine, and none of it will compare to the glory which I soon will become.  The glory of Christ Jesus my Lord.  

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it was not as yet manifested what we shall be.  We are aware that, if He should be manifested, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him according as He is.  

1 John 3: 2, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Without Excuse

 For Gods indignation is being revealed from heaven on all the irreverence and injustice of men who are retaining the truth in injustice, because that which is known of God is apparent among them for God manifests it to them.  

Romans 1: 18-19, Concordant New Testament 

Imagine for a minute that you are driving down the road in a new sports car at 100 mph.  As you go along on your joyride, you pass various speed limit signs along the way proclaiming a maximum speed of 45.  Still, you continue at your present speed.  Suddenly you see the lights of a police car in your mirror and you pull over to a stop.  When the officer asks you why you were driving so fast you claim that you didn't know that there was a speed limit.  You, sir, are a liar.  For with each and every speed limit sign that you passed along the way you were reminded of the local speed limit.  To suddenly proclaim that nobody told you the legal limit is a lie.  Yet every day we see people who know the truth say that they were never informed.  I once knew a man I worked with who was targeted by a red light camera on his way home from work.  He swore up and down that it wasn't him, even disputing his case to the authorities.  Well, it turns out that cameras don't lie.  I was thinking about this the other day when a good friend reminded me of a section of scripture describing those who ignore God.  Those who, knowing the truth, ignore the presence of the Lord.  There have been many times I have thought to myself as I look on a sunrise or something as simple as a flower and think to myself how foolish it is that someone would deny that a God exists.  But we see it every day.  I have been called everything from foolish to closed minded for my belief in the Lord.  The brightest people in the room, it seems, are those who explain away the worlds wonders with man made science.  Those who drive down the road ignoring the constant reminders of the truth all around us.

For His invisible attributes are described from the creation of the world, being apprehended by His achievements, besides His imperceptible power and divinity, for them to be defenseless, because, knowing God, not as God do they glorify or thank Him, but vain were they made in their reasonings, and darkened is their unintelligent heart.  Alleging themselves to be wise, they are made stupid. 

Romans 1: 20-22, Concordant New Testament 

I look upon the climate change movement for what it is, a scam.  Now, I've been called many degrading things for holding these beliefs, but I know the truth and the truth is in me.  The truth is, God is real.  The truth is, Jesus is real.  I always found it funny that so many people will recognize Jesus as one of the most influential people ever, yet when the rubber meets the road, these same people will deny ever being told of Him.  If this is you, what will your excuse be?  How will you describe your failure to see the truth which has been exhibited all around you.  Each and every day, our Father reveals Himself through His creation.  Each and every day someone again claims they have never been told of God.  A good friend once told me that one of Gods desires is to be known by His children.  To be known by those He lovingly created.  I agree.  Yet how is it that God will be known by those who claim they have never been told of Him?  this may be where we who have known the Lord come in.  For it is also known that Jesus will be seen through those He abides in.  Perhaps this is what Jesus was referring to when He described those who followed Him as the "Light of the world" {Matthew 5:16}.  That light shines from those who have it.  The more we exhibit Christ Jesus who is in us, the more the world will be introduced unto Him {Galatians 2:20}.  This is the Fathers desire, that He be known by His creation. 

Perceive what manner of Love the Father has given us, that we may be called children of God!  And we are!  Therefore the world does not know us, for it did not know him.  

1 John 3: 1, Concordant New Testament

~Scott~ 

Raising The Dead (The Hardened Heart)

 Because, knowing God, not as God do they glorify or thank Him, but vain were they made in their reasonings, and darkened is their unintelligent heart.

Romans 1: 21, Concordant New Testament

I was thinking this week of a conversation I had with one of our security officers not so long ago.  Our conversation centered around my recent experience with bringing a young man back to reality with the assistance of modern medicine.  My coworker, being a believer, commented that he felt sorry for the young man's condition.  For a moment I strongly disagreed.  That is, until I realized that I had stepped into what could be the same experience the young man had.  My heart had become hardened.  Now, many who have either read my page or talked with me in person might wonder when I mention that my heart has become hardened.  I speak of the Lord and our need for Him.  How can someone who loves the Lord Jesus suddenly produce a hardened heart?  The answer to that question lies in how close to our hearts which we hold that which know to be true.  For a time I had forgotten that the Father is the very image of that man we see on the street each day.  For it is God who has created all mankind in His loving image {Genesis 1:27}.  No wonder the outcome of a persons life, that never changes.  The trouble is, I had become so accustomed in my day to day job duties with seeing the negative aspects of the homeless issue here in Portland that I had forgotten that there is indeed a human side to this problem.  There is a human side to the drugs and addiction.  There is a human side to the piles of trash around the city.  The mayor of our city recently commented about the homeless issue that, "I'll take common sense over expertise."  Common sense tells us that something needs to be done to address this issue our nation is facing.  Common sense tells us that these are people and not throw away inconveniences.  The experts tell us that we need to take these people and shuttle them all into mini encampments around the city.  thereby getting them out of the way of everyone else.  Out of sight, out of mind.  What is the first thing that comes to mind when I hear the so called experts propose this as a solution?  I think of how so many of the "experts" in Nazi Germany decided that the best way to deal with their undesirables was to herd them into their own camps.  The similarities between these two solutions should scare more than a few people.  

If anyone should be saying that "I am loving God," and should be hating his brother, he is a liar; for he who is not loving his brother whom he has seen can not be loving God whom he has not seen.

1 John 4: 20, Concordant New Testament 

Like I said, through the course of so many years on the front lines of the homeless situation in our city, my heart had become hardened to the real issue at hand.  I had forgotten the truth.  I've heard many a preacher speak to the fact that sin sears our conscience until our hearts become hardened by our own behavior.  I feel that this is entirely possible.  I believe that each of us are graced from birth with the moral conscience we were created with.  Yes, even the most despicable people you may have ever met once knew the truth.  So what happened?  The same thing that happened to me.  Over time these people who were created in our Fathers image forgot who they were.  Many things can and do contribute to our forgetting who we are.  Our environment, outside influences and behaviors all contribute to the fact that we may one day forget who it is that we really are.  We are not of the world, but of God {1 John 4:4}.  Our identity does not belong to this world, but to Christ who is in us {Galatians 2:20}.  When we look in the mirror, we should not see the flesh that has been scarred by many difficult situations in life.  The face we see in the mirror is that of Christ Jesus.  It is Jesus who became sin on our behalf {1 Corinthians 5:21}.  We are no longer that person we used to be.  Through Jesus we are a brand new creation {2 Corinthians 5:17}.  This never changes no matter how often we forget. 

~Scott~ 

Street Jesus

 With Christ Have I been crucified, yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ.  Now that which I am now living in flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God, who loves me, and gives Himself up for me.

Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament 

Not so long ago, a friend of mine was with his wife on a trip to Hawaii.  During his vacation, he would often notice a man sitting in a local park with a sign declaring Jesus.  One day, he finally decided to approach the man and engage him in a conversation about Jesus.  Let's just say that the man in the park was not all that hospitable to conversation with others.  How did my friend come to this conclusion?  From the facial expression of the Jesus man, which instantly let him know that retreat was his best alternative at that point.  I get it.  In my job working with the local public, I have come across many a person who would rather be left alone.  More often than not, these people will let you know this by the way they interact with you.  I learned from a few early experiences how to judge people and their intentions.  While nobody can predict what someone is going to do, more often than not people will send out signals that show that they are better left alone.  So what does all of this mean in the world of talking to people about Jesus?  Well, as my friend found out, a lot.  There is no doubt that we are called to speak to those around us about Jesus.  For lack of a better word, this is our evangel.  I believe that each of us has our own personal ministry where we share what Jesus has done in our own lives.  Be it someone who engages others in conversation, or one who sits on a street corner with a sign, the word of Jesus is being brought forth for the world to see.  I am of the belief that others will see Jesus through those who believe in Him.  When Jesus called His disciples to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations," it might have not been clear as to what He meant.  When we look at the definition of the word, we see that it refers to a follower or student of a teacher, leader or philosopher.  Therefore, we are to create followers of Jesus wherever we go.  Makes sense.  

"Going, then, disciple all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to be keeping all, whatever I direct you.  And lo!  I am with you all the days till the conclusion of the eon!  Amen!" 

Matthew 28: 19-20, Concordant New Testament

Not so long ago, an officer from one of our local police agencies took some time to talk to our work group about how to read people while we're out in the public in the midst of our work.  As he explained it, there are those who will let you know in no uncertain terms that they don't want your company or conversation.  This can be from facial expressions to someone simply walking away when you're in the vicinity.  For law enforcement these signs might indicate someone they might wish to keep an eye on.  For us, not so much.  Again, this advice comes in handy when we take the opportunity to speak Jesus into the lives of others.  The issue then becomes, those who need Jesus the most might just be those who never hear of Him.  If the world will know Jesus from those who follow Him, then who is it that speaks to those who don't want to be spoken to?  Can we honestly hope that somewhere along the line that someone will break through the walls people put up around themselves and share the revelation of Christ?  Well, it's happened before.  Here in Portland there are a few street ministries that try to address this need.  While they may not be speaking the revelation of Christ to someone, they are exhibiting the love and grace which Jesus shared with those around Him.  These are the ones who plant the seeds of new followers of Jesus  

"You are the light of the world.  A city located on a mountain cannot be hid.  Neither are they burning a lamp and placing it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it is shing to all those in the house.  Thus let your light shine in front of men, so that they may perceive your ideal acts and should glorify your Father who is in the heavens." 

Matthew 5: 14-16, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Happy Birthday Jesus

 For a Boy, He is born to us; A Son, He is given to us, and the chieftainship shall come to be on his shoulder, and one shall call His name Marvelous; counsel to the master shall He bring, Unto the chief, well being. 

Issaiah 9: 6, Concordant Old Testament 

It didn't take long this year.  After the food centered advertising of Thanksgiving had ended the yearly Christmas blitz began.  Not that I'm not used to annual desecration of this holy holiday, but this year seems to be different.  Imagine that you're a young person watching television or streaming something on your phone and all you are bombarded with is the ads and what others want you to know that Christmas is all about.  What would you be thinking?  If I were to guess, you'd be thinking that the Christmas holiday was a day defined by family, winter weather and the giving and receiving of presents.  You would have NO idea that thousands of years ago, a child was born who changed not only history, but your very identity as well.  If you're a religious person, then you more than likely have heard of the story of the birth of Jesus.  Of how Joseph and Mary huddled in an outdoor manger as the Christ child experienced his very first rejection (The refusal to allow the boy to be born warm and indoors).  Of how king Herod sought the boy that he might kill him.  Of how the whole of Jerusalem was troubled {Matthew 2:3}.  This is the story of the birth of Jesus that I grew up with.  Of course, this was before the days of cable TV and the internet.  Back then, Christmas wasn't looked upon as one of the busiest retail seasons of the year, but as an important holiday of remembrance.  Not so much these days.  In a way I feel bad for the young generation these days because unless they have been introduced to Jesus by family, they more than likely don't know how important He is to us.  To this generation, Christmas may seem like just another holiday.  What with all of the Christmas trees, lights and retail sales.  None of which proclaim His glory.  

Now she shall be bringing forth a Son, and you shall be calling His name Jesus, for He shall be saving His people from their sins.  

Matthew 1: 21, Concordant New Testament 

I think it's safe to say that I am the man that I am today because of Jesus.  It is the revelation of Christ in me which gave me the understanding of who I truly am.  This is why the birth of Christ Jesus is so very important to us.  For not only did Jesus become sin on our behalf that it would be put to death with Him{2 Corinthians 5:21}, He also has revealed Himself in us {Galatians 2:20}.  Far from being dead, Jesus is alive and thriving in us today.  This is why we celebrate His birth.  There is no holiday sale, decorated tree or candlelight service that could have accomplished what Jesus has done for us.  I feel that this is the tragedy of this electronic generation, that they not know Jesus who truly defines them.  So then the question arises, how will someone who has never known Jesus come to know Him?  How will one of these youngsters today be introduced to the revelation of Christ?  Well, for those who have come to know Jesus, this is our calling.  They will come to know Christ Jesus as He reveals Himself through those who know Him.  This is why we who have the revelation of Christ must never forget the true reason for this season.  For us the Child was born.  For us the Son was given.  

Now when the fulltime came, God delegates His Son, come of a woman, come under law. 

Galatians 4: 4, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~