Living As Christ

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 God's.
1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 NKJV

I'm not quite sure if it relates, but not so long ago there was something in christian circles which became known as Christ centered living.  In this philosophy, christians would live a life closely resembling that of jesus while following His commandments.  It sounds pretty simple when one thinks about it.  I mean, what christian wouldn't want to live as closely to how Jesus lived?  Isn't  this how the disciples lived with the Lord while He walked among them?  Each day these men would live, eat and breathe the gospel and teachings of Jesus.  It was, if you will, the perfect training ground.  THIS is the tenant of Christ centered living, to live as closely to Jesus as we can.  However, what if I were to tell you that we already have that closeness to our Lord Jesus?  We do not need a Christ centered living or any other christian teaching gimmick in order to realize this.  In fact, there's not even a boring video or seminar for us to go through.  Could it really be that easy?   Well, one look at 1 Corinthians 6:19 will provide us with the evidence we need to come to the realization that, yes, we can live in union with Jesus.  In this passage, the apostle Paul reveals two important truths we need to know.  For "We are not our own" and we were "Bought at a price."  I can see those blank looks already.  trust me, the truth of living in union with Jesus can at times be a difficult truth to comprehend.  It was for me.  How could we, sinners that we are, live in union with our sinless, spotless savior?  That's where we get off track.

"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

The moment we begin to think that we remain sinners at our very core, we invalidate the gift that Jesus gave us when He died on that cross.  For the death that Christ died was not a tempoary fix to our sin issue.  No, Jesus gave His life willingly so that we would not have that punishment hovering over us.

For he who has died has been freed from sin.  Now, if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.  Death no longer has dominion over Him.  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 7-11 NKJV

I know that this may be revolutionary thinking to most christians, but Jesus has already cleansed our sins at the cross, there is no longer any need for us to seek our Lords forgiveness.  Yet, many continue to do just that when they inevitably fall short of how they feel they should behave.  Now, just because Jesus has cleansed our sins past, present and future doesn't mean that we won't continue to fall short.  Yet, when we do we have assurance that the sacrafice of our Lord has indeed covered our iniquities.  One look at Romans 6:10 will reveal the gift given by our Lord, "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all."  There  are no do overs for what Christ accomplished, one trip to the cross took care of it all.  The apostle Paul makes no distinction here of just who Jesus died for other than He died "Once for all."  I take that to mean for all of Gods creation, for all who accept His free gift.
The "Price" that was paid for us in First Corinthians 6:19 was all accomplished by Jesus.  He not only cleansed our sin debt, but we were "purchased" once and for all by his sacrafice.  We need not worry about living a Christ centered life, for with His death Jesus came to dwell within us.  And if our Lord Jesus is indeed living in us, then we today are living "As Christ."  Every breath we make, every step we take we do as Jesus.

~Scott~

Walking With God

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now llive in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV

There has been a popular belief in christianity for some time now that as christians we need to actively seek our Lords presence.  This belief has led many believers to go to great lengths to grab just a piece of closeness with God.  From tithing just a bit more to pouring through scriptures searching for answers, many a christian has hoped for that closer walk with God.  Well, what if I were to tell you that Jesus was closer to you than you ever thought?  Not only that, it is not your tithes or other labors that will ultimately lead you to this realization.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2: 8-10 NKJV

That presence of the Lord which you seek is not that far away.  Let no one tell you that you need to work to find this.  For the appostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 2 that it is not through our effort alone that God has saved us, but by his grace.  Through our faith we believe this to be true.  It is also through faith that we believe that there is no seperation between God and His creation.  This has never been the case.  For even after the fall, our Lords presence was with His creation.  God has not pushed us aside, and He certainly has not burdened us with requirements simply to experience His closeness.  No, for we need not do anything to prove our worthiness to God.  Our creator, who sees the heart, knows what it is we desire.  If it is our desire to be close to Him, He is there.   It is in Galations 2:20 where the apostle Paul provides us with the evidence of Jesus being within us.  For as Paul states, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."  Was Paul seeking his Lords presence?  Perhaps, but he also realized that he didn't need to look very far to find it.  For Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:20 that He is with us always.  I've never known Jesus to lie, so I have faith that He  has made good on His promise.  However, so many christians still labor with the goal in mind of coming closer to Jesus.  To those who would take this approach, I present to you Galations 2:20.  For Paul is not laboring to find his Lord in him, he has already realized this as fact.  His faith has brought him to this point.  It is not for us to labor to seek our Lords presence, for He is already there waiting for us to welcome Him.

~Scott~

A Note To The Class Of 2016

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "That it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."  And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wath, but bring them up in training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6: 1-4 NKJV

Noticing just the other day that it is getting close to High School graduation season once again, I decided to offer up a few suggestions to those who will ultimately take the reigns of this great nation.  It is my hope  that you would heed these words of wisdom as you venture out into this world and your new life outside of education.  Yes, some of you will choose to make college your focus, and that is a good thing, but keep yourselves centered as you do.  The very best piece of advice that I can give to this up and coming generation is this, NOBODY OWES YOU A DAMN THING!  Despite  what your favorite cable news show or the latest episode of the Kardasians may tell you, you are not owed anything in this life.  Now, that may go contrary to what your future college teachers may tell you, and I'll address that shortly.  trust me, if I was owed something, I'd have a lot more money than I do!  No, for you will soon learn that you must work for what you have.  Now, on the subject of work, let me say that it is a goood thing.  My mother always told me that, "Work is honorable."  It is this that has kept me a bit centered over the years.  Realizing that youu must work for what you eventually will have is one of the best things that one can learn.  For if you do not heed this advice, then you either end up with practically nothing or  spend your life complaining about how little that you do have.  Another thing I feel I need to mention is that LIFE IS NOT FAIR.  There is no "level playing field" where we are concerned.  Think about it, was everyone in your cozy little school equal?  No, for you had those who had more than others as well.  This doesn't mean they were greedy, uncaring or heartless, it may just be that their parents WORKED HARDER to provide for them, take a lesson from that.

"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of somebody elses money!"
Margaret Thatcher

So, I've now told you that work is good and that there is no level playing field.  Trust me, when you get to college there will be plenty of people trying to tell you something else.  Another thing that you college bound kids should know is that you WILL NOT graduate college into a $100,000 or more per year job.  See, that kind of money is reserved for those with experience, of which you will have none at this point.  Now, somewhere down the road, if you work at it, you yourself may be in that upper income bracket.  Be warned, however, that once you do, you will be seen as greedy and uncaring.  You see, success has come to be ostracized in this country lately.  If someone works hard for what they have and end up making a good share of money, then they must have somehow stolen it from someone else.  Ask yourself before you start your career, do you feel like a thief?  Well, make too much money and you will be seen as one.  When I graduated high school, making money was the goal of many of my classmates.  Being successful was seen as a major acomplishment.  I don't know your feelings on success, but I'm betting that you would like to be successful in your field.  NOBODY goes into a career with tthe idea of being just another average wage earner.  No, being a success and making money is still the most important ambition for most graduates.

When you, here, everyone of you, were kids, you all admired the champion marble player, the fastest runner, the toughest boxer, the big league ball players, and the All-American football players.  Americans love a winner.  Americans will not tolerate a loser.  Americans despise cowards.  Americans play to win all of the time.  I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed.  That's why Americans have never lost nor ever will lose a war; for the very idea of losing is hateful to an American
General George S. Pattton Junior

Now, I leave you with one final thought children.  Wherever you come from, whatever your station in life may be remember just one thing, you ARE ALL Americans!

~Scott~

Dating With Jesus

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails.  But whether there are prophesies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NKJV

I saw a internet video the other day of a woman bemoaning the fact that there were no men around anymore who KNEW how to date her.  Now, this woman was not a christian, but I feel this has no bearing here.  Her question was, and I quote, "Where have all the men gone?"  It's  a question I've heard all too often these days.  This is not simply a christian issue, but one for all of our society today.  It is also one that we cannot ignore.  What have we taught our younger generation?  Like it or not, the behaviors that our young people have shown us were first learned from us!   Whether it was from their home life, or from the media they often adore, the young people of this country have picked up on a twisted view of how to begin a relationship!  I actually hesitate to even use the word "relationship" here because relationships have ceased to be the main reason for dating anymore.  The woman in this video complains of the fact that men she meets more than likely will always have only the interest for sex.  From what I've seen of this younger generation, and a few from my own as well, she's not too far off the mark here.  For it is usually the very first thought that crosses a mans mind when he sees a girl he would like to meet.  It is ultimately her sexual favors that he is seeking.  Yes, I speak from personal experience as well here.  None of us are immune to the pull of this behavior.  However, this is not how it was intended.  As we see in the 13th chapter of First Corinthians, the apostle Paul has a different view of love, of relationships.  Now, obviously not every relationship leads to love, just as not every meeting turns to a relationship.  However, the fact of the matter remains that we have distorted the traditional view of dating, and women today seemed to be taking notice.

For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of  the church; and He is the savior of the body.  Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their husbands in everything.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.  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: 23-31 NKJV

It wasn't that long ago that a few women complained rather loudly of the evils of a "male dominated" society that we seemed to have become.  These who preached this "Womens Liberation" movement claimed that women were equal to men in all ways.
Now, I agree with the claim that a woman is deserving of equal pay for the same work, good idea there.  However, I also believe that it is the teachings of this movement that have damaged the way we view relationships in our society today.  Gone are the days when a young man would call on a young ladys family to seek permission for the company of their daughter.  I can already hear the cries of how archaic this attitude is.  For this is the 21st century, annd we don't need any of that outdated family style junk!  No?  Then why do you complain that there are no good men left?  For you have single handedly taken away the traditional view of dating that our society held sacred for generations.  If there is one thing above all else that has dealt a death blow to relationships is that we have become is more selfish.  Our own needs are placed above that of others.  Now, in my parents day, if a lad had bypassed a young girls family and took it upon himself to start a relationship with her, he more than likely would have dealt with the wrath of the girls family.  This simply wasn't done.  These days it's common practice.  Does anyone but me see a problem with this approach?  Does anyone but me see an issue  with someone placing their own selfish desires over the needs of another?  If so, then you long for the way things used to be.  It is in Ephesians 5 where Paul gives us some sound advice for pursuing a relationship with someone of the opposite sex.  As Paul tells us, "He who loves his wife loves himself."  To love that person we desire to be in a relationship with as mush as we love ourselves is the best advice I can give to someone seeking a dating relationship today.  For in this way we are showing the love of Christ through ourselves.  Would Jesus mistreat the one He loves?  Would Christ show a insane jelousy towards the one He cherishes?  Whether the woman who made the video complaining of the lack of good men for dating or relationships was christian or not is irrelevent here.  She obviously has never met someone who has shown her the love of Jesus.

~Scott~

Proud

"How you have fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!  How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!  For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest side of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be liike the most high.'  Yet you should be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest dephs of the pit.

Isaiah 14: 12-15 NKJV 

How proud could he be?  Here was Lucifer, one of God's creations, having thoughts that it was he who would ultimately surpass God in glory!  This lucifer, known to many as satan, was exalted above the angels, and it went to his head.  Well, we all know the rest of that story.  Satan is ultimately cast out of heaven, along with those who followed him.  So, obviously lucifer was able to get a good number of Gods angels to follow his deception.  What would drive this creation of our Lord to feel that he was above his creator?  I believe, ultimately, that it was pride that drove his actions.  Yes, satan felt that he was independent of God and thus so was able to succeed on his own accord, but this of course was a false assumption on his part.  For what creation is greater than He who created him?  We call it arrogance, pride or just being stiff necked.  Whatever you call it, it's simply our own pride, and it always goes contrary to God.  Can we therefore tell God, who created us, that we can make it on our own?  Lucifer thought so, and we see where that got him.  What was lucifers motivation?  It is only through scripture that we can know the answer to this question.  However, I believe that lucifer truly felt that he was independent of his creator.  He could make not only make it on his own, but become greater than God!

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and 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, aldulterers, or even as this tax collector.  'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'  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 

How many of us can see that correlation between Lucifer and this Pharisee in Luke 18?  Well, the one thing that stands out is that each one of these of Gods creation BOTH believed that he was indeed greater!  Now, look at Jesus' response to the pride of this Pharisee, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himslef will be exalted."  I find it no coincidence that Jesus chose a Pharisee and a tax collector to illustrate this parable.  For these were a few of the most disliked people among the people.  The tax collectors for being the agents of the Romans, often profiting from taxes taken from their own people.  The Pharisees for preaching righteousness to the people, yet not following their own teachings.  I find the key verse in Luke 18:9, is the one to which Jesus adresses His parable.  It is here we learn to who Jesus gave this message, "Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others."  Did not Lucifer trust in himself?  This Pharisee?  I find it no coincidence that our Lord carries a disdain for those trust in themselves above Him.  For what creation is greater than his own creator?  Once we fall into the belief that, above all, we can make it on our own accord, we go against our Lord.  For what are we without God?  Would we have anything without Him?  Would we be here without Him?  No, for it is with the greatest of pride that one will proclaim that it is he himself who determines his own destiny!

~Scott~

Our Changing View Of God

Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hhand of the Majesty of high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a  more excellent name than they.
Hebrews 1: 3-4 NKJV

There was a movie not too long ago of a kid who claimed to have seen God.  Now, one can draw their own conclusions as to the validity of this claim, but  it  is a interesting story nonetheless.   It also begs the question one may take away from this, what does our Lord look like?  Well, we are told in the book of Genesis that we were created in Gods image.  So, can we assume that our Lord resembles our own appearance?  I wouldn't go that far.  For Genesis also describes the Lord in the story of creation as, "The spirit of God hovering over the face of the waters."  That being said, I believe that we do resemble our Lord, in spirit form.  It is little wonder, then, that our Lord has never been seen by His creation.  Yes, He's been heard, but nnot seen.  Now, I'm not so much concerned about Gods physical appearance as I am about how we see Him.  Do we see our Lord as a all controlling diciplinarian, or as a loving creator?  For  hoow we view God goes a long way towards defining our relationship with Him.  For a long time, my view of God was one of a stern Lord of the universe who was ready to dole out punishment on sinners.  This fire and brimstone view of God has damaged alot of christians over the years.  For instead of seeing a God of love, many a christian saw a vengeful creator who was quick to concemn His children for whatever sins they had commited.  This message has many occurances in the Old Testament.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that he world through Him might be saved.
John 3:16-17 NKJV

For those who would hold on to a view of  God as a God waiting in background just waiting for us to screw up so that He could dish out condemnation and punishment, I submit to you one of the most quoted scriptures in our history.  I think there are not too many people who have not heard the famous message of our Lords love found in John 3:16.  I challange anyone who reads this scripture to show me a vengeful God!   Would a vengeful God show the overwhelming Love needed to wipe away the sins of all that He had created?  No, for if our Lords desire was to hold us accountable for our own sins, He would have done so.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4: 7-11 NKJV

Despite the old testament message that God is a jealous God who is quick to punish those who sin, the fact remains that it is the LOVE of God that ultimately washed away each and every of our sins past, present and future.  For as the old testament law required blood sacrafice for the sins of the people, that has now been accomplished through the shed blood of Jesus.  Now, tell me, if Christ went to that cross for the forgivness of our sins, just what sins do we continue to ask our Lords forgiveness for?  Was there something Jesus missed?  No, EVERY one of our  sins has now been washed away in the blood of Jesus,  sent for our salvation through the love of our Lord.  The next time we have the urge to hold on to that outdated message that God is a vengeful God, we do well to remember that God so loved the world!

~Scott~

Honor

Wives, submit to your husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; and He is the savior of the body.  Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so le the wives be to  their own husbands in everything.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by thhe word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.  So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.
Ephesians 5: 22-29 NKJV

It's a age old question for those seeking a relationship or marriage.  I've asked it myself of a few Godly brothers who have defied the odds and been married for mmany years.  For according to the American Physchological Association, between 40  and 50 percent of marriages in these United States end in divorce.  I know of which I speak, for my own parents were divorced when I was still pretty young.  The answer one of my friends gave to my question has stayed with me.  When asked just how he and his wife has been married for 50 years his answer was simple, "Divorce wasn't an option."  We can learn alot from this wisdom.  It was a different time in this country when my friend married his lovely wife, in that day, divorce was certainly seen as a social stigma.  I believe that this is just why many couples remained married even through abuse and strife, there was no other option.  I don't need to revisit the damage that can be potentially done to children of divorced parents.  I've been a witness to this struggle first hand.  So I ask myself, how have we come this far where the institution of marriage has come under such an attack?  Well, I believe that there are more than a few reasons.  I suppose the number one reason is we have gotten away from the family structure.  

And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the begining 'made them male and female,' "and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?  "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh.  Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man seperate."  They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and then put her away?"  He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the begining it was not so."
Matthew 19: 4-8 NKJV

Notice here Jesus' instruction on divorce when challanged by the religious authorities.  "But from the begining it was not so."  Therefore, I feel that it is safe to proclaim that God is not a huge fan of divorce among His children.  Yes, I know I'll tweak off more than a few womens libbers out there by taking this stand.  However, my stand is not political, but inspired and created by God.  One of the biggest arguments womens rights advocates use to defend the institution of divorce is that it gives a woman protection against a bad marriage.  Well, I'm here to tell you that if husband and wife both followed the sanctity of marriage as  found in Ephesians chapter 5, we could eliminate a good amount of bad marriages.  Looking at this scripture, we can ask the question, just how did Christ love the church?  Folks, Jesus Christ GAVE HIS VERY LIFE for His church.  How many husbands out there would give their lives for the wives they claim to love?  Want to know about love, people?  Consider just why Jesus gave Himself on that cross for us.   He endured the torture and shame, for us.  THIS is the love that the apostle Paul was refering to in Ephesians 5.  A love that is unselfish, considering others before ones own life.  If we can take one verse from Pauls teaching, it is in Ephesians 5:29, "He who loves his wife loves himself."

~Scott~

Who Would Jesus Vote For?

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 evil.  Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?  Do what is good , and you will have praise from the same.  For  he is God's minister to you for good.  But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's 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 God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.  Rende 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

In this 2016 election season I've found myself asking a hypothetical question.  Just who would Jesus vote for?  Of  course, as the express image of God, all authority is therefore under the power of Jesus.  So, knowing that all authorities on earth are appointed by our risen Lord, just who would Jesus vote for?  Well, I would submit that Jesus would not need to vote in any way.  Since all things that we see were created for and by Him, who does He need to vote for?  For it is the candadates themselves who themselves need to focus...on Jesus.  It's my opinion that we give those public servants we elect to office way more leeway and power than they deserve.  We the people need only to understand one thing about elections in this country, those who we elect WORK FOR WE THE PEOPLE!  Yet, we seem to have given certain elected officials a rock star type of celebrity status.  Gone are the days when people would vote strictly on the issues, the Barack Obama campaigns  of 2008 and 2012 were a prime example of this new celebrity politician.  I cannot recall a time in our nations history when a socialist minded and trained community organizer could become popular enough to be elected to our nations top office.   As actor Clint Eastwood observed, Obama pulled off "One of the biggest con jobs in our nations history."  Obama was not only inexperienced in the political arena, he had shown a deep dislike for our nation as it stands today.  Promising "Hope and Change," this chicago style bully politician tricked the American voter with sound bites, insults and photo oportunities.  However, as christians we must keep one thing in mind here, it is Jesus who appointed this man to the office he holds.

"Tell us, therefore, what do you think?  Is it lawful to pay taxes to Ceasar,  or not?"  But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test me, you hypocrites?  "Show Me the tax money."  So they brought Him a denarius.  And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?"  They said to Him, "Ceasar's."  And He said to them, "Render therefore to Ceasar the things that are Ceasar's, and to God the things that are God's."
Matthew 22: 17-21 NKJV

I find it interesting that the authorities of Jesus' day tried to Trap Him in this way.  In their minds, a religious leader had zero business in politics.  However, this was the arena where the Pharisees and saducees resided.  They not only held power religiously, but politically as well.  This is a extremely dangerous situation.  Our founding fathers thought so as well, for many of them had escaped the rules of organized state religion in England.  Now, there is a common misconception these days that the "Seperation of church and state" is somehow written into our constitution.  In 1802, Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association refering to the Bill of Rights where he talks of "Building a wall of seperation between church and state."  THIS is the reference to phrase "Seperation of church and state."   However, it IS NOT refered to this way in our constitution.  Perhaps this is why Barack Obama refered to our nations constitution as a "Imperfect document?"

  "Believing with you that religion is a  matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "Make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, 'thus building a wall of seperation between church and state."
~Thomas Jefferson in his letter to the Danbury Baptist Association~

Disregarding all celebrity status for all politicians, I believe that Jesus would focus on ones heart as he determined His vote.  For it is ones heart that holds a true indication of his behavior.  Had Americans considered the heart of one Barack Hussein Obama in 2008, I feel Americans would not have fallen victim to the con job of this inexperienced community Organizer.

~Scott~

The Cost Of Jesus

Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to him, "Lord, I will follow you wherever you go."  And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Somn of Man has nowhere to lay His head."  Then He said to another, "Follow Me," But he said, "Lord, let mme first go and bury my father."  Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach tthe kingdom of God."  And another also said, "Lord, I will follow you, but let me first go and bid farewell who are at my house."  But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Luke 9: 57-62 NKJV

How badly is our desire to follow Jesus?  Dp we drop everything to follow Him upon His call?  It would seem somewhat foolish for one to abandon the risen Lord for the cares of everyday life.  However, this is exactly what we see here in the ninth chapter of Luke.  Oh, the honor of being chosen by Christ to be among His inner circle!  Yet, somehow these men preferred that they take care of business at home instead of heeding the Lords call.  Now, it's not as if these men did not know just who Jesus was, for by this time His name was known throughout the land.  So much so, that crowds followed Him wherever He went.  No, these men knew of Jesus and possibly of the miracles He had performed.  To be chosen by the Messiah should have been an honor, yet everyday life got in the way.  One would question whether these men indeed wanted to walk with Jesus wherever it is He would go.  Did they know of what they were asking?  For in verse 58, Jesus gives a hint of just what they could expect by following Him.  "Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."  Who would sign up for such a detail?  I would have half expected these potential followers of Jesus to inquire if they could return home each night to their families to rest from following the Christ.  As I see it, these men did not fully understand the opportunity before them.  

For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.  For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the excellent glory: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.  And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in the dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; Knowing this first, that no prophesy of scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophesy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
2 peter 1: 16-21 NKJV

I believe that we ourselves can learn something today from these very men whom Jesus called to follow Him.  Not only that, but I believe that this is indeed a lesson for those who will pursue Jesus to this day.  For following the Christ is not a simple cut and dry proposition.  No, for Jesus Himself claimed that those who would follow Him would face various trials and persecutions on their journey.  This is the cost of following Jesus!  But the reward!  Can we look past that which we see, those trials and tribulations which we must expect will come, to the glory which our Lord has promised those who follow Him?  It is that heavenly glory and to be continually in our Lords presence which we look forward to with gladness in our hearts.  But what of the cost of following Jesus?  Can we endure it?  I would venture to say that we have but two choices.  If we choose not to follow our Lord, then we choose the way of the world and a eternity without Him.  Those are our choices, christian.  At times it may seem much easier to follow those desires of our flesh, but this does not bring our promised reward.  Indeed, Jesus is within each of us as He knocks at the door.  He will ask each of us that very same question which He asked of those who would follow Him.  Follow Me?

~Scott~

We Who Beleive

"The Spririt of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.  I will not leave youu orphans; I will come to you."
John 14: 17-18 NKJV

And despite all evidence, yet they refuse to believe.  There is a sect of Judaism who yet today refuse to believe that Gods promised Messiah has indeed risen.  Of course, this seems foreign to me, as we today have ample evidence to the contrary.  It is the center point of the Christmas season for christianity, the birth of the promised Messiah.  And yet they refuse to believe.  It is my belief, despite all evidence to the contrary, that there will always be those who will not believe in the promise that God has given us.  That is just our human nature, our flesh if you will.  It has been debated more often than not just why God allows His children the freedom to either choose Him or deny Him.  Again, I believe that had God indeed chose a cookie cutter mold for all of His children, that we would have been denied something uniquely special.  For our freedom to choose is a unique ability bestowed on us by a loving God.  Some view it as a curse, I tend to disagree.  In retrospect, if a child had no choice whether to love their parents or not, would heartfelt love even exist?  Such a child would know no other emotions except to love their parents, with no choice allowed.  While some may see this as a perfect situation, I disagree.  Indeed, I would want my child to feel love for me, but of thier own free will and not by compulsion.  Scriptures tell us not to give out of compulsion, so why would God wish to compell His children to believe?

Therefore man y of His disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?"  When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend you?"  "What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?  "It is the spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.  The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.  "But there are some of you who do not believe."  For Jesus knew from the begining who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.  And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My father."  From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
John 6: 60-66 NKJV

As we're in this discussion of just why God has chosen to not make us all the very same way, we see a interesting conversation between Jesus and His disciples here in the sixth chpater of John.  Apparently some of His disciples were having difficulty understanding something that Jesus was teaching.  yes, even I have trouble interpreting scripture at times.  However, the reaction of our Lord in verse 64 gives us a clue into this discussion of ours today.  See, Jesus knew beforehand just who would believe in Him AND who would betray Him.  More than that, Jesus reiterates here that nobody can come to Him unless the Father allows it.  What?  So, for the sake of our discussion, can we assume that the reason that so many today refuse to accept the gift of Christ Jesus is simply because our Lord has not ordained that they would?  If so, why?  One thought that my friend has broached lately is the fact that we, as Gods children, would not have known our Lords salvation had we not first experienced sin.  For how can one know light if they have not first seen darkness?  Interesting concept indeed.  Whatever our reasons for believing, we can be assured that our Father knew our very thoughts beforehand.

~Scott~

The Search Is Over

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29: 12-13 NKJV

It's a common piece of advice in modern christianity.  When we've fallen on hard times, when our backs are against the wall, we are told to "Seek God" or to "Seek His presence."  It is as if God has somehow removed Himself from our lives and that we need to go and find Him.  Despite plenty of scriptures that teach to the contrary, we continue to allow ourselves to be told that  God is somehow seperated from His creation.  Does anyone recall the scripture where our Lord promises to never leave us nor forsake us?  Does that sound like God is seperated from us?  Why would God promise to never leave us if He would require us to actively seek Him out?  However, that does not exactly mean that if one should choose to seek Gods presence that our Lord would not acknowledge their request.  For I believe that God is pleased when we seek His presence, as a parent relishes in the company of their children.  It is no different with God, for we are His own children.

"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."
Galatiions 2:20 NKJV

Now, someone please take a look at Galations 2:20 and tell me just how one can infer that our Lord Jesus is seperated from us today.  No, for we are told that Jesus indeed "Lives in me."  Although this seems pretty cut and dry, it is still one of the most difficult truths of christianity to understand.  I know not why the modern church does not teach this truth more actively.  If we were to hear this message from the pulpit on a regular basis, I would assume that more people would understand it.  I can sympathize with those who struggle with this concept, for I beat my own head against the wall trying to figure this out.  Although it is not easy, it is by all means true.
It was a moment I wish I could revisit.  The "guide" leading our grief recovery class session chimed in and made the claim that we needed to "seek Gods presence" to help in our grief.  For a moment, I felt like being the rabble rouser and standing up and correcting him, but I resisted that urge.  For this is a conversation to have in this group in the near future, but not introduced in a confrontational way.  I don't claim to know all that there is to know about the presence of God, but I do know that when I need Him, I don't need to actively seek Him as if He has suddenly deserted me.  No, His promise to me is to never leave me.  Now, I don't know how telling a group of people suffering from grief that they need to seek God can help them, but I guess that's why I'm not leading the group.  In my mind, it is exactly in times like these that God is closest to His children.  Would a loving God betray His children by abandoning them in their time of need?  Well, some pulpit pounders may want us to think so.  It is good that I know better.  The presence of our loving Father that we so often seek is there within us today.

~Scott~

Witnesses

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so a 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 fiinisher 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 Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Hebrews 12: 1-3 NKJV

My friend calls it being assured "From the bleachers."  There is a moment where someone is given that assurance, either through others or through His word, of our Lords provision and presence in our lives.  For such is Gods word spoken into our hearts.  For me, it came in a conversation with a friend of my mother.  For some time I had struggled with thoughts of whether my mother had been proud of her son.  Of course, she had told me this on numerous occasions.  This, however, was confirmation of all that I probably should have known already.  One thing that I can definately learn from this is that our fears and doubts often interfere with what our Lord is trying to speak to us.  For me, my mother often spoke of how proud she was of me, yet somehow I needed confirmation of this.  Is it not heeding Gods voice, or our own flesh and desires that interferes with God speaking into our hearts?   Whatever it is, our Lord does not hesitate to speak to us what we often so need to hear.  What of that person who is struggling with pain of grief?  In their despair, they may not hear the words which God is trying to tell them.  I know this because I was there.  Despite my mother taking every opportunity to tell me how proud she was of me, I still questioned this at times in my heart.

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to  us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as Hhe has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Hebrews 1: 1-4 NKJV

Those very witnesses who have gone before us have heard Gods word spoken into their hearts.  Abraham, Noah, Moses and Mary, being told of the birth of the Christ child whom she would bear.  It is no different for us even today, that great cloud of witnesses still surrounds us.  Be it family or loved ones who have passed on, or others whom we may  not even have known.  Our Lords reach is not so short that He cannot speak to us today as He has to others in the past.  Are we listening?  Of course, even if we are not, God will find a way to speak what He needs to.

"There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day, but there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich mans table.  Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  So it was that the beggar died, and was acrried by thhe angels to Abraham's bosom.  The rich man also died and was buried.  And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bossom.  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 lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus 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 from there pass 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 15: 19-31 NKJV

I find it interesting here in Luke 15: 19 that the rich man that Jesus speaks of is attempting to negotiate with Abraham for the salvation of his own family.  Self preservation has gone out the window here.  Notice the point here in Hebrews 12:1 as compared to the parable of Jesus here in Luke 15.  For in Hebrews we are told of the great "Cloud of witnesses" who have gone on before us.  They have finished their race.  However, here in Luke 15, the rich man Jesus speaks of seeks to prevent his family from the mistakes which he had made in life.  One interesting verse occurs in Luke 15:31.  Here, in response to the rich mans claim that his family would be persuaded should one who has passed on visit them from the dead, Jesus perhaps makes a prediction of the future.  "But he said to him, if they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded should one rise from the dead."  How true is this?  For even today, there are those who have not been persuaded despite one HAVING been raised from the dead!

~Scott~

A Fight We Can't Win,

"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

I've been there before, and I've heard others profess their anger at God.  For me, it was the night my mother passed away.  On that night my anger with my Lord ran deep.  How could he take my mother, such a Godly woman, from us?  Where was His promise of provision in times of turmoil?  Where was His promise to never leave me or forsake me?  In my grief over my moms passing, I didn't recognize the nature of my questions which I was asking Him.  Days later, I revisited that night and my angry confrontation with the God who loved me enough to redeem me.  The questions which I asked of God were all centered on one thing...ME!  Why had my God forsaken me?   Why had God brought this pain on me?  Having been blinded by my own pain, I hadn't recognized this at first.  It was all about me.  Never once did I think of my mother and her condition.  This is where our grief can carry us, it is personal for everyone who experiences it.  Thinking back, I wonder just what right I had to ask God to allow my mother to live in her pain any longer.  Yes, I loved her and wanted her to be healed, as did her friends who prayed over her.  However, seeing her each day, I knew first hand the physical pain that she was feeling.  She put on a brave face, but I knew she was hurting.  Was I angry at God for taking my mother when He did, absolutely!  However, on the other hand, He answered my mothers prayer to be free of her pain.

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."  Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new."  And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."  And He said to me, "It is done!  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Begining and the End.  I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.  "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be my son."
Revelation 21: 4-7 NKJV

One thing that has helped me deal with my mothers passing can be found in Revelation 21:5.  It is here that God promises He will make all things new.  Not only the earth, but also those who have gone before us.  For my mother, her pain is no more and she is dwelling in the presence of her Lord whom she loved.  I can ask for nothing more than that, for she is safe now.
He said it pretty matter of factly enough that it surprised me at first.  "I've lost a few people in the past few months, and I'm PISSED at God!"  This young man, who walked into our grief recovery class recently, was obviously in his own personal hell.  I knew the pain he was feeling, for it's the pain I carry as well.  Although it is personal to everyone, everyone handles it differently.  I couldn't blame him for his anger, I remember a night not so long ago where I was angry with God.  I'm sure those very same emotions which I  carried with me will haunt him as well.  However, we can rest assured that our Lord will indeed make all things new once more.  Ours is a story with a happy ending.

~Scott~

A Poor Perspective

"For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.  She has done what she could.  She has come beforehand to annoint My body for burial.  Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this  gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her."
Mark 14: 7-9 NKJV

I find it interesting that there were people who ridiculed the very woman who annointed Jesus with oil.  For instead of seeing the big picture, their attention was focused on the immediate.  Yes, Jesus had already predicted His death, but His words were lost in the everyday life of His inner circle.  Therefore, as Jesus prepared for His own crucifiction, life went on as usual for His disciples.  One of the key phrases I take from this passage are the words of Jesus concerning those in need.  For Jesus tells us, "You have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good."  Now, this definately seems to fly in the face of more than a few liberal thinkers today, who preach that all we need to overcome poverty is a more level playing field for everyone.  Well, this may come as a shock to a good number of people out there, but life isn't fair.  Obviously, if life was fair, we'd have far fewer disadvantaged people around us.  For there would be more and fairness for everyone.  In fact, the very idea that we, as a society, could  accomplish a society where everything is fair and balanced is ludicrous!   Our very human nature would prevent this from happening.  Our own history has shown us that these very examples of society don't work.  The list of failed examples includes the former Soviet Union, Cuba, North Korea and...Jonestown.

"If you're born in capitalist America, racist America, fascist America, then you're born in sin.  But if you're born in socialism, you're not born in sin."
Jim Jones

The simple fact of thhe matter is, there will ALWAYS be poor among us.  For the only perfect society mankind may ever know will not be a society at all, but the church of our risen Lord upon His return.  Now, do I condemn those who dedicate themselves to helping the poor among us, NO.  For even Jesus instructed us to care for the least among us.  I am not naive enough to believe that mankind can or will ever defeat poverty.  It is indeed a lofty dream, but I believe that it is just that.  Does that mean that we should stop caring for the poor among us?  Not at all!  However, I do believe that we should stop portraying our so called "War on poverty" as a battle we can win.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  To believe otherwise would be to ignore scripture and the very words of Jesus Himself.  I mentioned the name Jim Jones, a name which many today may not be familiar with.  Jim Jones had an idea, an idea to create a utopia society in Guyana based on socialistic principles.  This "society" would be created by Jones' church, the Peoples Temple of San Francisco.  A society which was not based on the rascist system of the United States.  Jones had a good number of followers.  However, something happened on the way to his paradise, and soon it became more of a dictatorship, with Jim Jones as supreme leader.  Stories of torture and abuse soon motivated California congressman Leo Ryan to ultimately visit the Jonestown compound to find out what was going on.  It was to be the congressmans final trip, gunned down by Jones' "Red Guard" armed guards at a jungle airstrip in Port Kaituma, Guyana.  For on November 18th, 1978, at the direction of the Reverend Jim Jones, 918 members of his utopian Jonestown society commited suicide in one of the worst mass suicides ever recorded.  Of those killed, 304 of them were children killed by their own parents.  Does this sound like utopia to anyone?  We do well to heed the words of Jesus that the poor will always be with us.

~Scott~

The Man Beside Me

"When I get home and people ask me, "Hey, Hoot, why do you do it, man?  What are you?  Some kind of war junkie?  I won't say a goddamn word.  Why?  They won't understand.  They won't understand why we do it.  They won't understand that it's about the men next to you.  And that's it.  That's all it is."
~Sergeant First Class Norm Hooten~
~United States Army, Delta Force, During Battle Of Mogadishu October 3, 1993~

It's one of my favorite scenes from the film Blackhawk Down.  The veteran Delta Force operator Norm Hooten is reloading to go back out into the city of Mogadishu, which he just led a group of soldiers in a escape from.  His reason, "There's still men out there."  One needs to realize the inner structure of the First Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta, the Delta Force, in order to understand this mentality.  For the troopers of Delta are often the first men into action when called.  Theirs is no ordinary mission, for one Delta trooper once commented that they are only called into action when there is no other option.  The moto of this unit hints to their abilities, "Surprise, Speed, Success."  Norm Hooten embodied those qualities.  You won't find mention of them in too many publications, for they shy away from publicity.  Their unit home, at Fort Bragg North Carolina, is virtualy off limits to all but needed personel.  This is how they like it.  For they are at home among their team members, their brothers.   It seems at times that we men follow that same creed.  All too often we will shy away from everyone except our trusted friends.  I've been guilty of this for some time myself.  However, not only do we isolate oursleves from others, we take away opportunities our Lord may be directing our way to reach out to others.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their behavior.  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 4: 9-12 NKJV

There have been many books written on the subject of the importance of the bonds between christian men.  Obviously, someone thinks there is a market for this material.  Why is it important for men to bond with other believers?  Well, listen to the stories of a struggling christian wife whose husband deems it more important to celebrate Sunday morning watching football or on the golf course while his family attends church.  Instead of being the spiritual leader of his household, that role has somehow become reversed.  There are no Godly men in her husbands life for him to relate to.  Does she pray for such men in her husbands life?  I would venture to say yes.  Sorry, ma'am, they're out on the golf course.  Sound familiar?  I guess it should, that was me.  I would bet that I was not alone either.  Now, I won't go so far as saying that guys put God on the back burner, but in my case, other things became more important.  God wasn't manly enough.  Of course, the question remains, how many other men would have been impacted had I chosen to pursue God sooner?  For one cannot be the light of the earth when he's not in contact with others who may need to see it.  That being said, there is value in the christian fellowship of men.  As Norm Hooten pointed out, "It's all about the men next to you.  And that's it.  That's all it is."

The Fathers Call

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His poower, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at thge right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He hhas by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Hebrews 1: 1-4 NKJV

It's hard to read through the old testament without finding somewhere where God communicated to His children through dreams or speaking.  In fact, many of the patriarchs of old were themselves called by the Lord.  Noah, Abraham and Moses, all heeded the call of God.  Although one can argue that Moses was a bit reluctant at first.  And what of Joseph and Mary?  The angel Gabriel spoke the message of the coming Christ child to His parents.  I suppose it's only logical, for if God needs to get His message across He will find a way.  However, I wonder about how His message is received by His children today.  One could argue that they may have a certain "feeling" about God communicating with them.  However, I would assume that someone would be seen as unstable should they voice that they were receiving messages from God.  Just because the years have advanced since biblical times, however, doesn't mean that our Lord does not have need to communicate with us.  For we were created for communion with our creator, and He desires to spend time with us.  So, how does God speak to us today?  Well, I believe there are a few ways.  Obviously, He may speak to us through His holy word.  As we read through scripture, He will bring to our attention that which He wants us to know.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 NKJV

I remember a few scenes from the film Oh God! in which supermarket manager Jerry (John Denver) continues to hear his name being called while he is obviously alone.  Finaly, Jerry receives a note to meet "God" at a office building.  The trouble is, when he gets there, the floor he is asked to go to does not exist.  Despite this, the elevator takes him to the appropriate floor.  There, he meets God in the form of the venerable George Burns.  The closing courtroom scene of this movie is a classic as George Burns enters the courtroom to remind everyone that God does indeed exist.  Now, do we need a communication such as this today to convince us that our Lord does indeed exist?  No, for we see it daily in all that surrounds us.  And what of the call of our heavenly Father?  Well, I believe that He can and will speak to us even today.  We may feel something in our spirit which leads us to feel that our Lord has spoken to us.  However, I believe that it is through scripture that our lord will place that on our hearts which He wants us to hear.  As the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 10:17, it is through His word that He often communicates.  Of course, there may be any number of ways.  Shall the creator of the universe be limited in His abilities?  I feel that we make a grave mistake by putting limits on our heavenly Father.  For is He truly wishes to remind us of something, He will definately find a way to do so.

~Scott~

Faith Of The Fathers

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Hebrews 11: 1-3 NKJV

One of my favorite chapters of scripture has been Hebrews 11.  It is here where the author not only instructs us on faith, but tells of the faith of those who have gone before us.  We've all read of the faith of Enoch, Abraham and Noah and how the Lord rewarded their faith in Him.  However, I've also heard that phrase "You just need more faith" when faced with a difficult situation.  Personally, I think that this is a terrible thing to say to someone who is struggling, but that's just one mans opinion.  For nobody instructed Noah, Abraham or Sarah, when faced with difficult times, that they just "Needed to have more faith."  No, it seems that faith was not an issue for these children of God.  Which then begs the question, what is faith?  Is it something we are born with?  If so, how do we increase it when we need it most?  Well, I will venture to say that faith is indeed something that we are born with.  However, it is not necessarily something which comes easy for us.  Hence the admonishment of "You need more faith" we hear each time a well intentioned christian attempts to console us in hard times.  My usual response to such rubbish is to ask the person just how does one get "enough" faith.  In my experience,  I would define faith as...trust.  Abraham trusted that God would be true to his word of delivering a son in his old age.  Despite all weather indications, Noah trusted God when he was instructed to prepare for the flood.  I dare say that faith and trust go hand in hand.  However, the apostle James had a different take on this.

But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?  Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?  Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?  And the scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."  And he was called the friend of God.  You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
James 2: 20-24 NKJV

So, do we need to work for our faith?  I don't feel that this is what James was getting at.  For if we believe, if we trust in God to do as he promises, are we not showing works?   One good example is the chair that we sit in.  We have trust that it is there and that it will support us should we choose to sit on it.  What of that tree outside?  We trust that it is indeed there and that it will indeed provide shade for us.  These are all examples of Gods creation, and we trust that they were created by Him.  Again, trusting in what God has created.  Therefore, we have faith that God has indeed created all that we see.  So, what about the person who is struggling?  In this case faith can seem far off.  However, rest assured that we never "lose" our faith.  We just forget to utilize it.  In our hearts, we know that God exists and that He is true to His word.  Therefore, we can trust in Him above all else.

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 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

Somone may say to you, "You just need more faith," but we already have that faith which we have searched for.  Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, and He has not forgotten our plight.  He only asks that we have faith, that we trust in Him.

~Scott~

I Need You Lord!

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 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.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as we are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.  Father, I desire that they also whom You gave me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."
John 17: 20-24 NKJV

It has been a heart breaking moment.  I recently decided to attend a grief recovery class upon the death of my mother.  Although I feel that I have made progress in dealing with my loss, there are others who are struggling in theirs.  Each week, someone will inevitably bring up the point that they feel that God has somehow abandooned them in some way while they were grieving.  Now, I know that this is a ridiculous assumption on anyones part, but our grief and emotions are very personal to each of us and often they produce such thoughts.  I know by that which I speak, because I felt these feelings myself upon the death of my mother.  How could God take such a Godly woman away from us?  Where was He on those days when I woke up in tears and needed Him most?  In my heart I already knew the answers to those questions, but my realization was clouded by my own greif.  The realization that I have is that our Lord will never leave me nor forsake me.  Others may fail me, but my Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever.  Therefore, when He tells us in scripture that He is always with us, we can trust in our faith that His word is true.  In the 17th chapter of the book of John, we see Jesus on the eve of His trial and crucifiction praying in the garden of Gethsemenee.  I'm certain there is no grief I've ever felt that could compare to that which Christ was feeling on that night.  Yet, in the midst of His anguish, Christ prayed...for us.

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."  Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new."  And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."
Revelation 21: 4-5 NKJV

Imagine the anguish that Jesus felt on that night.  Facing His imenent death on that cross, Jesus' thoughts turned to those who would come after Him...to us.  Notice also what Jesus prayed for us on that night.  As He faced His own fears and wept, Christ prayed to the Father that we would become one in Jesus, as He and the Father are one.  Not only that, but that God has indeed loved us as He has loved His own son.  Now, someone explain to me that, if we are one with Christ, has He indeed left us in our hour when we need His presence the most?  Certainly Not!  For Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.  If He promises His presence in us, He DOES NOT change.  Therefore, we can rest assured that those who are in Christ have His spirit in us totally.  For it is Christ who walks with us in our daily walk.  Jesus in the Father, and we in Him.  That former self who once inhabited us has been evicted, replaced with the spirit of Jesus.  So if Christ is in us, does that mean that we will never experience difficulty or pain?  No, for Christ Himself went through the very same thing.

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempte as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldy to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4: 14-16 NKJV

The next time you feel that you're alone, reflect upon Jesus.  The next time that you feel that God has abandoned you, consider the suffering that Christ endured.  For is His darkest hour, Jesus loved us enough to lift us in prayer.

~Scott~

Finding Jesus Within

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 God's
1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 NKJV

I've heard it more often than I can count.  Some wayward soul gets caught in some iniquity and gets sent to prison.  However, some years later he claims to be rehabilitated as he has "Found Jesus."  But has he?  Forgive me if I remain skeptical of these claims, but trust me when I say I know better.  See, I've been there.  No, I've never been to jail, but not for lack of trying.  However, where I have been is at that place where the realization hits us that the scriptures were right all along.  It is in that moment that the true meaning of finding Jesus is revealed.  In fact, it is here that the Lord Jesus is revealed to the one who earnestly seeks him.  Oh, Jesus was always there, it's  just that His truth has not been accepted by many people.  We catch a glimpse of this from the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:20.  See, we were indeed "Bought at a price" by our heavenly Father.  Now, before anyone starts chiming in about the evils of slavery, please understand that this purchase was ordained by God for our own redemption.  I know it  sounds daunting, but it really isn't.  For if we trust in the scriptures as the word of God, then we can make the step to having Jesus revealed to us.

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29: 12-13 NKJV

When I said that I had been where so many people are now, it's true.  Not so long ago, Jesus and I were seperated.  Yes, I knew that He died to forgive my sins,  but besides that Jesus was distant to me.  I feel the best way to explain it is by saying that I saw Jesus as being in heaven overseeing things at the right hand of God, and I was here on earth ready to ask His forgiveness yet again after my latest sin.  This is a very distorted view of our Lord and savior and what He accomplished for us.  For the misconception is that Jesus, as I once thought, is a distant bystander in our lives.  This belief seperates us from Jesus and it's simply not true.

"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

Notice what Paul is telling us here in Galations 2:20.  "It is no longer I who live, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME!"  Obviously, Paul was  on to something here.  Somewhere between his Damascus road conversion and this point, Paul came to that realization that there was no seperation between he and Christ.  I'll bet that he had difficulty explaining this in his day as well.  For the common wisdom is that Jesus died on the cross for our sins then ascended into heaven upon his resurection, end of story.  No, there'smore to Jesus than that.  He is not dead, but alive!  He is not distant, but He lives in each of us!

"Go therefore and make disciples (followers) 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

Notice that Jesus did not assure His disciples that He would be seperated from them to the end of the age.  No, His assurance here was that He would definately be with them!  If it were not so, He would have told them this.  So, what's the difference between the disciples of Jesus and ourselves today?  NOTHING.  For we today enjoy the very same promise of the indwelling of Christ as His disciples did.  THIS is the revelation of the truth of Jesus.   The finished work of Jesus on the cross washed away each and every sin we have and ever will carry.  Not only that, the revelation of the truth of Christ is that He is with us always.

~Scott~

Pitfalls

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!  How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!  For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest side of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the most high.'  Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest dephs of the pit.
Isaiah14: 12-15 NKJV

A story was passed along to me today of a pastor who was dismissed from his position due to a history of iniquities.  Of course, this is just the latest in a long line of those who we've placed on a pedestal to lead our congregations.  We all too often make the mistake of placing our church leadership above everyone else until even God is eclipsed by their shadow.  Then we are shocked and dismayed when these men ultimately fall into sin.  Well, let me tell you, we should have seen this coming.  I am no longer surprised when I hear of a pastor or church elder falling from the graces of his congregation, I expect it now.  Even now, I await news of the next unfortunate individual.  Why is this?  How can I be so certain that we will yet see another disgraced pastor?  Well, the track record of those appointed by men to positions of authority is not too good after all.  Even though the scriptures give us guidelines for the choosing of church elders, it makes no room for the authorities by which many modern day church leaders lead their flocks.  For a elder is called to guide those in his charge, not to rule over them.  And they wonder just why christianity is not viewed well by many in this country.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
2 Timothy 4: 3-4 NKJV

If you think I'm wrong in my assesment, then listen to the words of the apostle Paul as he confided in young Timothy.  Here, in 2 Timothy 4:3 Paul warns the young church leader to beware of those who would distort the truth of Christ.  Not only that, but that the church itself would DESIRE to be led by such men.  This may seem odd to many a christian, but ultimately do we not desire to hear a message that we agree with?  If so, then these are the men we choose to listen to.  Of course, I cannot put all of the blame on the human part of this equation without recognizing the spiritual aspect as well.  In Isaiah 14:12  we once again meet he who has been our adversary for some time.  "O Lucifer, son of the morning!"  Of course, this is none other than satan.  For we cannot look upon the troubles of the modern church without seeing the works of satan in this arena.  He is often described as "The deceiver," and with good reason.  It was satan who deceived Adam nd Eve into the sin of disobedience in the garden of eden.  It was satan who also attempted to deceive Christ in the desert.  What role does satan ultimately play today?  The very same one which he has since his fall from heaven.  For he is deluded into thinking that he is above God.  Not only that, but that he himself is truly independent and greater than He who created him.

"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.  He was a murderer from the begining, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he sppeaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
John 8:44 NKJV

I think that christians today have a mistaken feeling that this christian life we live is difficult to acheive.  However, nothing could be further from the truth.  For we do not struggle seperate from God, but rejoice in a daily walk in His presence.  Our Lord is not distant, but as close as our very next breath.  The twofold reason for the crucifiction and resurection of Jesus was definately to bring us closer to our Lord.  No longer do we need to go through another to be in His presence.  No longer do we need to agonize over His forgiveness for our transgressions.  For when Jesus proclaimed "It is finished," He accomplished this once and for all...for us.  We need no longer fear sin nor death, for Jesus has conquered both!  We can rest assured that when we find ourselves coming before our Lord to confess our iniquies, the only words we will ever hear are our loving Father proclaiming, "What sin, my child?"

~Scott~