Chasing Jesus

32“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33“But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10: 32 -33 NKJV

He has been the subject of relentless pursuits by many, persecuted and put to death by His own.  We have been told that we need to fear, despise and even to be more like Him.  He is Christ Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.  He has been revered as one of the most compassionate men in our history, and yet few really have come to know Him.  He is more mystery than a known individual.  No man in modern history has ever met Him, and yet Jesus gave His life for us all.  Dare I say that Jesus has been one of the most wanted and pursued men in history.  The authorities of His day pursued Him becaus they viewed Him as a threat.  Many more have chased Him because of the free gift which He offers all who come to Him.  For scripture tells us that whoever calls on the name of Jesus will be saved {Romans 10:13}.  Like many others, I chased Jesus for a good part of my life until God revealed to me that He has always been closer than I ever thought He could be.  Yes, many pursue Christ Jesus for the very same reason that I did, for the forgiveness of sins and  eternal life which He offers all who come to Him.  He is more than simply a child born in a manger who was ultimately crucified that our sins would be forgiven.  One of my favorite scriptures for those who find themselves chasing Jesus can be found in the book of Luke.  As the women gazed into the empty tomb of Jesus that morning the angel inquired, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?"  Why indeed.

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

I believe that the mistake which many make in their pursuit of Jesus is the thinking that this man Jesus sits in His lofty perch at the right hand of God the Father, forever seperated from those He gave His life to save.  This mistaken thinking of Jesus can leave us with more than a few false beliefs of who He truly is.  For if we truly knew this man Jesus, we would know that He is closer to us than we ever knew.  As the apostle Paul tells us in Galations, we ourselves have endured that crucifiction with Christ Jesus who now lives within those who have accepted Him in their hearts.  Why do we continue in our pusuit of Jesus when He is so near to us?  Perhaps because the very truth of Jesus is unknown to many.  For this truth was not revealed to me until my adult years.  I recall attending a mens breakfast with my friend Dennis some time ago.  As we sat and listened to the speaker tell of the benefits of finding a "Special circle" of men who could help keep us accountable, Dennis tapped my arm and passed me a note.  On this peice of paper he had written me a message many desperately need to see, "Look for a man who wants to PURSUE Jesus!"  Amen brother!

~Scott~

Dancing On Minefields

44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and dividedp them among all, as anyone had need. 46So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added qto the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2: 44 - 47 NKJV

I knew a man named Bruce when I still attended my old congregation.  Bruce, I noticed, was one who seemed to be pretty secure in his faith in the Lord.  I recognized Bruce as a new believer not because he told me he was, but by his praise and worship on any given Sunday morning.  Without fail, as the praise band began playing the appointed Christ rock praise music at the begining of the service, you would surely find Bruce not only singing his praises to his Lord, but dancing in the aisles as well.  I saw in Bruce that enthusiasm that I have noticed in many a new believer.  For this is indeed a joyous time in our faith life, we have this new belief and faith and many of us simply want to just shout our praises to God from the rooftops for loving us enough to save us.  We are happy, giddy and usually cannot contain our joy.  We want everyone to know just how wonderful God is.  Ask a new believer how they are doing on any given day and you may just hear the standard "I'm blessed!" answer in response.  However, this usually lasts just long enough for the first spiritual challange to come along in their lives.  Whether it is a financial crisis or a relationship issue, when it comes along a new believer will suddenly lose thier desire to dance and praise.  For now they've come face to face with what the world will often throw our way.  It seems that, as new believers, that they are not used to these roadblocks in the christian walk.  All too often, we are led to believe that once we accept Christ Jesus, that everything will be right with the world.  Far from it.  For once we accept Jesus into our hearts, the real adventure begins.

11When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
1 Corinthians 13: 11 - 12 NKJV

At times I refer to new believers such as Bruce as to be dancing on minefields.  For lost in our joy over our new found love for God is the fact that just because we now have had our eyes opened, does not mean that life will be a cake walk by any means.  So, we dance on life minefields unaware of the hazards to our faith which will surely come.  I get it, we are young in the faith and not yet grown.  If we were to put a maturity level on christians at thi stage it would be as a child.  The apostle Paul spoke this spiritual imaturity in 1 Corinthians, claiming that when he was a child he spoke, understood and thought as a child.  This is where often find ourselves as new believers.  For as sure as a child must experience and learn in order to grow and advance in its maturity, so must we in our christian faith.  There is definately a time in each believers life where we are led and taught by those who are mature in their christian faith.  However, as Paul also claims, when he became a man, he put away childish things.  Each of us, as we mature in our faith, must put away those things which we clung to as new christians.  Now is the time to grow in our faith.  Would a new christian comprehend the truth of Christ Jesus which I often speak of?  Perhaps, but usually it takes a good deal of understanding to see this.  This comes only by our heavenly Fathers revelation to us.  If there is one thing which we can learn from new believers such as Bruce, is that there be no boundries in how we express our love and gratitude for our heavenly Father.  Rock on Bruce.

~Scott~

Baby Steps

28And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. 1Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of aGod! Therefore the world does not know bus, because it did not know Him. 2Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
1 John 2: 28 - 29, 1 John 3: 1 - 3 NKJV

We have been having the discussion over the past few weeks of a child of God versus a son of God.  Now, this has raised quite a few questions from our group, much to Dennis' delight I'm afraid.  Now, I would assume that we all know in our hearts that the behavior of a new christian and one who has been in the Lord for awhile is different.  For I will agree that as newborn christians we have a tendency to act as children, dependent on our heavenly Father for all that we have and know.  This christianity is new to us, and we all feel the glory and happiness of God in our lives.  As a young child looks to their parents, so a young christian looks upon God.  I believe that this is indeed natural.  However, as a child grows in knowledge and understanding, his behavior changes as well.  This is the next step in our spiritual journey.  For we now have that knowledge and awareness of our Lord in our young hearts, but we are still yet children.  I liken the growth of a newborn christian to that of the baby steps a child takes as they grow.  We will grow in our behavior and knowledge, but along the way we will also make our mistakes along the way.  We all know the answer to this question, but it bears repeating.  If a child should make a mistake in their behavior during their formative years, should that childs parent do away with their offspring?  No, and so it is with our heavenly Father in our lives.  As young christians, we will indeed go astray and make mistakes in our journey to spiritual growth.  I reflect on the story of the prodigal son, who once he had grown out of his childhood decided to strike out on his own.  Did his father consider him no longer a part of his family?  No, he awaited his sons return!

11Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12“And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13“And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14“But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15“Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16“And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the epods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 17“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18‘I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19“and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ 20“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21“And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22“But the father said to his servants, f‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23‘And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24‘for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
Luke 15: 11 - 24 NKJV

I like to liken the story of this prodigal sons life journey as one that is not  too far removed from our own.  For we ourselves were born into our Lords inheritance and have felt that very desire of that prodigal son to wander and to find our own way in the world.  Does our heavenly Father reject us when we strike out on our own?  NO!  Like the father of that prodigal son, I believe that our heaveny Father grieves over our decision, but he awaits our return to Him.  Make no mistake, as surely as a child who has grown in his youth, we young christians will one day also seek to strike out on our own accord.  Does the fact that we choose this decision for ourselves nullify our inheritance in our Fathers family?  No, for our kinship with Him always remains despite what decisions we make.  God does not change, He simply waits for His children to return to Him once again.  The discussion on the thoughts of a child and a son can be a interesting one.  As scripture tells us, when we were children, we thought as children.  However, as we grew, we gave up on those childish things.

~Scott~

Religiosity

22Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23“for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25“Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27“so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28“for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’
Acts 17: 22 - 28 NKJV

I'm going to attempt a experiment some Sunday morning.  I have it in my mind, as I'm driving to our Sunday morning meeting, to count just how many different churchs I pass along the way as well as the different denominations.  It has always amazed me that out of one faith in God and the risen Christ that we could see so many different aspects of the very same religion which we all claim to practice.  For if I were to step into any one of these churches and inquire within just what "Religion" they claim to be practicing, I would most certainly hear the word christian come out of their mouths.  Now, I believe that the word christian is often used as a broad brush to portray the different aspects of the religion of those who claim to follow Christ Jesus.  For even I consider myself a christian.  However, if we simply are using the word christian to describe those who follow Jesus, why then are there so many different churches in our christian faith?  Indeed, the early followers of Jesus were dubbed with the term christian.  It is also good to remember that this is a man made term, for Jesus Himself never refered to His followers in such a way.  So, we wre catagorized by the world around us.  As the apostle Paul tells us in Acts 17, our heavenly Father has indeed created from one blood every nation of men.  Something we may have forgotten on that road to christianity.

12For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink ginto one Spirit. 14For in fact the body is not one member but many.
1 Corinthians 12: 12 - 14 NKJV

If we agree with Paul, therefore, that we all are members of the larger body of Christ Jesus, why then are there so many sects and divisions to this larger body?  For even today we have baptists, presbytarians and Greek orthodox congregations.  Surely this is not the church which Christ Jesus had in mind for His children.  Is not Christ also the head of all of these offshoots of christianity?  What's even more amazing is the literature out there devoted to helping a christian find the "Right" church to attend.  Is there a wrong church?  Well, not to worry, for if we tire of one congregation there are plenty of others out there to choose from.  This may yet be the very root of this issue.  For have we not created different churches and congregations each and every time we have had disagreements with our current church?  I have personaly witnessed my former church go through 3 different pastors.  Two of these pulpit pounders eventually began their own seperate congregations upon leaving.  When we began telling those who follow Jesus just what the "Right" church may be for them to attend we are heading down the wrong path to religiosity.  For if indeed we who follow Jesus have been by definition grouped together into one group of believers, then we have abandoned that premise already with our desire to create different and better church congregations.  The real church of Christ Jesus is one where all are included.

~Scott~

A Fathers Son

1Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of aGod! Therefore the world does not know bus, because it did not know Him. 2Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
1 John 3: 1 - 2 NKJV

I had a friend growing up whose family I literally became a part of.  Best friends through grade school on through high school, we never seemed to lose that connection.  It was also no coincidence that I was very close with his brothers and the rest of the family through our friendship.  Now, what made this relationship unique was that I myself came from a single parent home.  However, my friends family often took me in and included me in their activities.  Was I a member of that family?  No, but they very often made me feel as if I was.  While genetics kept us apart, our friendship brought us together.  Even though I was not part of the familial relationship, I was treated like I was.  For though my friends father was not my biological dad, I often looked to him as such.  As I reflect on my relationship with this family, I am reminded of a similar situation brought forth by Dennis this afternoon.  Dennis' question was, what is the difference between a child of God and a son of God?  My first thought upon seeing this was of my "adopted" family from my childhood.  In my mind, I was not a child of that family, but they treated me as a son.  There may be many a christian out there in Gods family who have this very same feeling when they first hear that they are children of God.  For they feel a connection and yet see no biological link to our heavenly Father.  They may feel, as I did, that they were just visitors in our Lords family and not really members per se.

13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Romans 8: 13 - 17 NKJV

Imagine my surprise when my doubts about being a true child of God were challanged by Gods word.  There it was in front of me, not only was I indeed a child of God, but an heir of God as well through Christ Jesus.  This indeed played havoc with my emotions as I struggled with my own father issues while growing up.  I admit that this history of mine also plagued my understanding of just who I was in Christ Jesus.  So, for Dennis to pose the very question of the difference between a child of God and a son of God brought me to one conclusion.  That being that there is no difference, for a fathers child is indeed his son by birth.  However, we are not speaking in biological terms here but through the prism of our heavenly Father.  For if we are secure in the knowledge that we are indeed created in our Fathers holy image, then it becomes easier to see ourselves as His offspring, as His children.  This is where I got sidetracked, for I was looking at my relationship with God in human terms, but it is much more than that.  Indeed, my genetic lineage may not be with God, but very spiritual identity lies 100% with Christ Jesus.  It is easier for me now to see myself as a part of Gods holy family.  I AM a son, AND a child of God.

~Scott~

Jesus In A Box

13He has delivered us from the power of darkness and cconveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Colossions 1: 13 - 18 NKJV

There was a time when, as a new believer, that I would often dabble in my new religion almost as someone would a hobby.  Some days I was immersed in all that the Lord had for me, while others I was surrounded by all that the world around me was offering.  It was almost as if I was a loyal christian on Sunday, but afraid to acknowledge Jesus during the week.  For during the week I was immersed in a world that seemed to go against everything which Jesus had taught.  The fear of being scoffed at for being a "Jesus lover" or "Bible thumper" was often a tough pill for me to swallow.  All too often, I would choose the path of least resistance and choose that path of the world.  I was on the outside looking in.  However, inevitably something would happen in my life where I desperately needed my Lord and savior once again.  So I would return once again to being the good christian I was told I needed to be.  There were more than a few pulpit pounders who even went so far as to tell me that my salvation was conditional on becoming a regular and not just a part time church attender.  Each time I tried to return to Jesus, I felt more guilt and shame.  My part time Jesus wasn't doing it for me.  Sure, I knew who Jesus was.  He was the child born of a virgin, laid in a manger and who ultimately died on the cross to forgive my sins.  Knowing all of this, I still felt condemned by this very man who supposedly had given His very life for me.  It didn't occur to me that perhaps I was seeing Jesus from the wrong perspective.

20“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who jwill believe in Me through their word; 21“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. 22“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23“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. 24“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. 25“O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26“And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
John 17: 20 - 26 NKJV

It took some time, but I would come to realize that Christ Jesus is more than just a hobby which I dabble in, more than just a 911 call I can turn to in times of distress.  The entire time that I had been led to believe that Christ Jesus was seperate from me, watching me from His lofty perch in heaven, He was actually closer to me than I had hoped.  This is the Jesus which many christians know today, a Jesus who only appears in times of need.  This "Jesus in a box" is nowhere close to the truth of Christ Jesus.  The prayer which Jesus prayed for all believers in the garden before His death was not one where He would be seperated from us.  No, Christ Jesus prayed that we would BE ONE with He and the Father.  This Jesus who I had thought was so far from me is indeed much closer to me than I had ever expected.  For we are not meant to be seperate, but one with Christ Jesus.

~Scott~

Spiritual Reset

6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies dthrough His Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8: 6 - 11 NKJV

My friend Dennis and I have had a ongoing debate for some time over the superiority of cell phone operating systems.  Dennis, it seems, is fond of his Apple IOS independent operating system device.  I, on the other hand, prefer the more readily available Android operating system.  There are a few other of my friends who have chosen to cross over to the dark side and join the call of the Apple as well.  I pray for their souls daily.  In all seriousness, the debate which Dennis and I have had over our different operating systems pales in comparison to that of the inner operating systems we as humans possess.  Scripture tells us in Genesis 1 that all mankind was created in Gods holy image {Genesis 1: 27}.  In the image of God we were created.  That means that all mankind, from me to you to the guy down the block, all were created in Gods image.  Now, to illustrate how askew my thinking was as a young christian, I believed that God looked exactly like me.  That is, God resembled my fleshly appearance to a T.  Well, we all know from life experience that not everyone looks the same.  Genetics and environment have all combined to create the images of those people whom we see on a daily basis.  But is this the appearance which resembles our heavenly Fathers image?  I would suggest that it isn't.  For the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 6 that we are indeed spirit in our identity nature.  Our spirit identity is what defines us.  Dennis is fond of describing our fleshly bodies as merely "Vessels" for the indwelling spirit within us.  I tend to agree with him on that.  The question we then must ask is, which spirit is it that dwells within us?  Well, the apostle John  had an answer for that.

2By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus bChrist has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 4You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
! John 4: 2 - 6 NKJV

It is in first John where the apostle tells of the spirits which will be present in our earthly vessels.  We know that every spirit that confesses that Christ Jesus has come in the flesh is of God.  Likewise, each spirit that does not confess that Christ Jesus has come in the flesh is not of God.  For these are the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.  The spirit of error?  Well, I think that this spirit can best be described as satan.  Satan, the roaring lion who roams about seeking whom he may devour.  Satan, who took it upon himself to try and place himself above God.  THIS, is the spirit of error.  So, how is it that we come to be intertwined with these spirit identities?  Well, you may recall that due to the fall in the garden of eden, that each of us was born into our sin nature.  All have sinned and have from birth have received the spirit of error.  So, is this what now defines us?  I would say no.  For our original spirit identity, our original operating system, was one where the spirit of our heavenly Father was within us.  This is our identity, the very image of God in which we were all created.  Despite the reality of mankinds fall into sin, our original indwelling spirit identity was one of God.  Indeed, our own "Spiritual reset" takes place as we confess the Lord Christ Jesus and accept Him into our hearts.  When we do this, the spirit of error which had hijacked our true identity, is replaced by our true operating system, our true spirit identity.  I will not argue with Dennis over that operating system.

~Scott~

Dennis demonstrates his I Phone at 1,600 feet on the Angels Rest trail, thanks Buddy

Christ Walk

16Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not dimputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5: 16 - 21 NKJV

What does it mean to be more like Christ Jesus?  Is this at all possible?  For us to reach that holy summit of the sinless, perfect Christ is surely a fine goal to strive for.  However, can we ever even think of becoming like the only man who was ever sinless and perfect?  Well, suppose for arguments sake that this was possible, how would one go about doing this?  You would need to have all of your sins forgiven, for Christ Jesus Himself was sinless.  So, we who were born into sin would not only need to have our sins erased, but to have the very sin nature we were born with done away with, forever.  To even consider being more like Jesus without addressing these two issues would be a lost cause.  For Christ Jesus had neither sin nor any sin nature, but was perfect in all ways.  Even if we were to succeed in our efforts to erase our sins and eradicate our sin nature on our own, which is unlikely, we may still be missing a key element in our quest to be more like Christ Jesus, His very presence.  With our sins gone along with the sin nature which plagued us, we would certainly be remiss to not have the company of Christ Jesus Himself to teach us what it truly is to be more like...Him.  With all of these things complete, we ourselves might surely be able to finaly be more like Christ Jesus.  If it were up to ourselves and our own efforts that is.

6knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be adone away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7For he who has died has been bfreed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, creckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV

Step into any church and you've more than likely heard one pulpit pounder or another calling on their flock to "Be more like Jesus."  As I've said, it sounds like a grand proposal.  I mean, who wouldn't want to be more like the man many recognize as being one of the worlds most loving and humble men.  The call goes out that we, as christians, should strive to do just that.  So many christians knock themselves out in their attempts to be more like Jesus.  Don't get me wrong, it is a worthwhile goal.  So worthwhile, in fact, that the apostle Paul himself recognized it.  Now the bombshell.  What if someone were to tell you that, despite all conventional christian teaching, that YOU cannot be like Jesus?  No, for what Jesus is would be beyond reach for any of us, but for God.  For it is God who loved us enough even in our sin condition that He would send His Son to become sin in our place to die.  Yes, our sin had a price to pay, and Christ Jesus paid that price for us.  It is through Christ Jesus and His love for us that not only are our sins erased from memory, but that the sin nature which we were born into is also a thing of the past.  Indeed, our "Old man" was put to death on that. cross with Christ Jesus.  As Paul tells us in Romans 6, not only are we now more like Christ Jesus, but we now live each and every day AS Christ Jesus.  This has nothing to do with our own efforts but everything to do with God, who loved us despite our sin condition {Romans 5:8}.  Take heart, christian, you no longer need to strive to be more like Christ Jesus, for by accepting Him Christ Himself will live through you.

~Scott~

A Promised Land

"It is therefore recommended...for solem thanksgiving and praise, with one heart and one voice the people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their devine benefactor..." - November 1, 1777
(Adapted by the 13 states as the first official Thanksgiving proclamation)
~Samuel Adams~

It didn't take me all too long today, Thanksgiving day, to see just how far we've fallen in recent decsdes as far as the known history of our nation is concerned.  I feel that I grew up in a good time in America, for each year in school we were told of the story of the very first Thanksgiving.  The story of how a grateful group early settlers humbly shared the bounty of their very first harvest with the native peoples of the land who had helped them after they first arrived.  Contrary to what popular liberal culture will tell us today, the first settlers at Plymouth, Massachusetts did not arrive in the new world with invasion fleets of white imperialists with guns blazing.  On the contrary, these very first settlers arrived in this new land with fear and apprehension.  For their journey had taken them from their final decision to leave the land of their birth, across a perilous ocean passage, to a new land which held more doubt than promse.  What would ultimately lead someone to leave their homeland at such a risk as these people faced?  One word, freedom.  It is no secret that these early settlers were strong in their belief and faith in their creator.  Perhaps this is the very reason why popular liberal culture despises them.  The truth is that the England which these settlers lived had grown hostile to their freedom to express their faith and religion.  Seeing the promise of a new land and new opportunities as better than one under persecution for their own beliefs, they chose freedom.  I cannot imagine the heartache of leaving the only land you have ever known for a uncertain future in a foreign land.  The conviction and determination these early settlers must have had cannot be understated, nor must ever be forgotten.

1After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2“Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4“From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall adivide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them."
Joshua 1: 1 - 6 NKJV

I have no doubt that, being a people strong in their faith, that the very words God spoke to Joshua were not lost on these early settlers as they prepared for their journey into the unknown.  For the Isrealites themselves were about to enter into a unknown land, a land which God had promised His people.  Despite this holy promise, I'm sure their was at least some apprehension among the Isrealites.  Despite the fact that the political and societal conditions of the Isrealites and the early pilgrims could not be more different, one constant remained true for both, freedom.  Freedom to live, freedom to worship and, most of all, freedom to live.
I usually don't pay much attention the fake news of Facebook, but something I saw today caused me to stop and take notice of just what it is that we are losong today in the story of our original forefathers who risked so much.  Standing in front of a few chanting protestors, some entitled snowflake was "broadcasting" live from the protest in Standing Rock, Norh Dakota.  Now, this protest has been going on for some time, a disagreement over water protection rights of the local Sioux indian tribe.  I get it.  However, here was this snowflake on Facebook bemoaning the fact that our native American "Brothers and sisters" were standing in solidarity against the white invaders!  Really?  Now, I will admit that my family tree boasts cherokee indian blood, but that's as far as my connection with this issue goes.  In fact, there was traditionaly no love lost between the Cherokee and Sioux peoples.  But white invaders?  Come on, man.  From the history of that very first Thanksgiving, we know that the first settlers and the indians shared a communal relationship.  Despite what popular liberal culture will tell us, there were no european soldiers or invasion fleets.  For this was the very persecution the settlers had fled England to avoid.

~Scott~

Thankful

1Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, aand certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4And it happened, as they were bgreatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6“He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7“saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” 8And they remembered His words. 9Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
Luke 24: 1 - 9 NKJV

One of my favorite seasons of the year is the holiday season, that time from Thanksgiving through the New Year.  This was not so this past year, however, with the passing of my mother just after January first.  Despite this, I continue to hold a fondness for our holiday season.  For it is during the holidays that many people seemto reconcile themselves with friends and family who may they may not have connected much with during the year.  The first stop on this trio of holidays is Thanksgiving.  It is hear that I find myself this morning struggling to think of words for those things which I am thankful.  Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for a great man y things, but I also feel as if I have began to take a few things which I am thankful for for granted in my life.  I am greatful for a good circle of friends which I have, I am thankful for Gods provision in my life and I am indeed thankful that, despite all that has happened this past year, that I can still find things which I am thankful for.  For it is often the smallest blessings in our lives which we tend to overlook.  This is also a feeling we need to avoid if we can.  For we may have all the things which we need, but there is nothing in our lives, including our next living breath, which is not ultimately provided to us by our heavenly Father, our loving Daddy.  Despite all that the pride of our flesh may tell us, there is absolutely nothing which we have gained, aquired or earned that does not have our Lords fingerprints on it.  For our flesh will try to tell us that we are indeed our own independent self in charge of our own destiny, and we must do away with such foolish thoughts.  God has had a hand in each and every aspect of my life, and for that I am grateful.

1Therefore, having been justified by faith, awe have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces bperseverance; 4and perseverance, ccharacter; and character, hope. 5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Romans 5: 1 - 11 NKJV

It is this realization, that God has had a hand in each and every espect of my life, that I am most thankful for.  When I was but a young christian, I would often ask myself why God would think so much of me, a sinner, that He would provide for my salvation.  I was dirty, stained and in much more need of jedgement than forgiveness.  However, it is precisely that I carried this sin with me that God had mercy on me and loved me first.  For I was indeed created in His very Spirit image.  God could no more leave me behind than a loving father could abandon one of his own.  Not only was I created in the image of my heavenly Father, but I, Scott, am a son of the most high!  The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 5 that God demonstrates His deep affection for His children in that while we were still sinners, that He sent His Son to become sin in our place {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  In this the love and mercy of our heavenly Father was manifested.  For this I am thankful.  I've often asked those who have professed to be seeking for Jesus in their lives the very words of the physician Luke, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?"  For when we come to the point of accepting Christ Jesus, we need only look within ourselves to see His presence {Galations 2:20}.  He is not dead, but alive.

~Scott~

All I've Left Behind

6knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be adone away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, creckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV

There was a radio preacher this morning who was harping on all that we need to leave at the altar of God in order to satisfy the will of Christ.  Now, I can usually listen to these radio pulpit pounders with a bit of discernment, but this guy struck a nerve.  So, I began thinking of all that I have left behind me as I began to follow Christ Jesus.  It didn't take me long to account for more than a few items, the major ones were easy.  Pride, arrogance, hatred and guilt were a few of the baggage items I recognized right away.  As old preacher droned on in his discourse, he staked the claim that Jesus would ultimately strip us of those worldly things which we continue to carry with us.  I can agree with this, to a point.  The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 6 that the very sin nature we once carried, our old man, was put to death with Christ at the cross.  So, Mr. Preacher, tell me again what there is left for Jesus to strip from us if we indeed have already died to sin?  Now, I agree that there are things that do not belong in the life of a follower of Jesus, but can we really change something we have no ability to?  Yes, I am talking of our inability to change truly change ourselves.  For we are certainly not our own independent beings as many have believed.  If indeed we were truly independent, we would not need Jesus to strip anything away from us.  In fact, we would not even need Jesus would we?  For if I was independent, I would have truly created myself wouldn't I?  In need of and desiring nothing from anyone, for I am independent.  Of course, this statement is ridiculous, for the ONLY independent self in the universe is our heavenly Father.

14For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 21For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5: 14 - 21 NKJV

So, what it that I left behind when I came to know Christ Jesus?  Well, Paul indeed tells us that we who have accepted Jesus are new creations, that the "Old" things have passed away.  That old sin nature which I was born into is now gone forever, put to death by Christ Jesus.  Therefore, God has reconciled the the world to Himself through Christ Jesus.  We need not bring anything to the altar of God when we choose to accept Jesus, only ourselves.  Jesus Himself has done away with that condemnation which was upon us.  For there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Jesus takes us as we are, and with that simple act of accepting Him, all that we once were is replaced and we are now one with Him.  What we gain is far greater than what we leave behind.

~Scott~

Making The Grade

13“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14c“Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. 15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16“You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17“Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20“Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Matthew 7: 13 - 23 NKJV

A terrible thought hit me last year, one that I was sure was not real but scary nonetheless.  After my mothers death, I began to question my own qualifications for spending my eternity with my heavenly Father.  I mean, I had prayed, done mostly good things and had known Christ Jesus as my Lord and savior formost of my life.  But was this all enough for me to "Punch my ticket" into heaven?  That's our ultimate goal, right, to secure our place in our Lords eternity?  This is what I had been taught all of my life.  However, the words of my savior still haunted me from time to time, "I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!"  For me, to be denied by Jesus was something I didn't want to even think of.  But isn't that just what I had done before accepting Him into my own heart?  Had I not denied Christ Jesus?  If Jesus was anything like the rest of us, He would keep score of those who scourned Him and ultimately shut them out of His Fathers kingdom.  Thankfully, Jesus isn't like that at all.  For aren't we the ones who often put Christ Jesus on that back burner of importance in our lives as we say to ourselves, "I'll get to Jesus later."  For His part, Jesus does not discard us, but waits patiently and lovingly for Gods children to return to Him.  We know that Jesus did not come to this world of ours to condemn the world, but that ALL the world might be saved through Him {John 3: 16-17}.  If there is anyone who is unbelieving or reluctant to invite Christ Jesus into our hearts, it is us.

1“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2“In My Father’s house are many amansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4“And where I go you know, and the way you know.” 5Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” 8Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11“Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
John 14: 1 - 11 NKJV

It is the apostle Thomas who would inquire of Jesus a key question.  For Thomas asked his teacher, "How can we know the way?"  For anyone who has ever wondered or fretted if their own efforts of rightousness were enough to secure a place in Gods kingdom, please read Jesus' response to Thomas carefully.  "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  There it is, it is not by our own efforts at Being good, doing good works or treating others with goodness that will ultimately secure for us a place with Jesus in heaven, but it is only THROUGH Jesus that we will gain access to our Lords paradise.  There is no test or grade to make, there is only acceptance.  Acceptance that Jesus is indeed our risen savior and that He came not only for the forgiveness of our sins but that we would live our lives AS CHRIST who is in us {Galations 2:20}.  Yes, this takes the pressure off of us that we need to perform and "Be more like Christ" in order to gain access to heaven.  For not only are we already more like Christ Jesus, we ARE Christ Jesus.  If there is one thing we need do is to accept Him who is the way, the truth and the life.  For it is indeed only through Him that we will see our Fathers kingdom.

~Scott~

Why We Fail

Luke ~ "I don't believe it!"
Yoda ~ "THAT...is why you fail"

For all of his strengths, Luke Skywalker couldn't conjure up enough of the "Force" to raise his crashed ship out of that swamp.  As he walked away in defeat, the old jedi master Yoda shook his head in disgust at the lack of focus of his student.  The time had come for Lukes next lesson.  Yoda raised his hands and slowly the space ship rose from the bubbling swamp and drifted through the air before landing upon dry ground once again.  Flabbergasted, Luke cannot believe this little green creature could do such a thing.  "I don't believe it," he stammers.  Yoda concludes his lesson with yet another piece of sage advice from the old master, "THAT, is why you fail."  Personaly, I've been through many times when I couldn't believe how I could ever get through a situation.  Sure, there are those who approach any situation with the attitude that they are going to power through it.  Usually, I'm not one of those confident types.  So, how is it that we can be strong in our confidence that we will overcome what the world throws at us?  Well,master Yoda had it right in a way.  See, young Luke could not believe in the powers he was witnessing.  Indeed, this unbelief is why he failed.  This is where I've often founf myself in my spiritual life, not trusting that the God who created the universe could ever help me in my situation.  Seeing God merely as one who looked down from heaven to see where I would ultimately fall short.  This, is why we fail.

24For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. 26Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession gfor us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8: 24 - 28 NKJV

The apostle Paul had a pretty good definition of faith in Romans 8.  We hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.  When everything inside of us tells us it cannot happen, our faith tells us that it will.  This is the point where our hope becomes a certainty.  We trust that God is able to work on our behalf.  We trust that the power of Christ Jesus within us is indeed our strength {Philipians 4: 13}.  To think that God is simply looking down on us from heaven infers that there is a seperation between ourselves and our creator.  Of course, it is Galations 2:20 which assures us that not only are we in step with God, but that we live each and every day as Him.  Knowing this, what situation is there that Christ Jesus cannot handle?  We shouldn't worry about our failure, for if we do we ultimately will.  No, our hopes are for what we cannot see and we await eagerly for it.  For this is the very definition of our faith.

~Scott~

Learning To Love

15and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not dimputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5: 15 - 19 NKJV

Jesus caused quite a commotion that day He instructed all who were listening the true act of forgiveness.  As He stood on that Mount of Olives in the midst of many who were yet stuck in their old covenant thinking, Jesus told us how to approach our enemies.  With an eye for an eye?  Hardly, for Jesus had something more pure in mind for those who chose to hear His words that day.  Bless those who curse you, pray for your enemies {Matthew 5:44}.  I can imagine the startled glances among those old covenant Jews who still firmly held to the laws of their fathers.  Of course, it is that same look of disbelief people today give when we ourselves are asked to forgive our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us.  We today have that seperation between the old and new covenants, but at times we like to stick close to those old rules.  If someone is treating us badly, it seems that our very first response is to ruffle our feathers, puff out our chests and assume we are going into battle.  Over what?  Over a missed parking space?  Over 5 minutes of lost time in a 24 hour day?  Come on, man!  I admit, I have been as guilty as anyone else when it comes to blessing and praying for my persecutors, but the call of Christ summons me to do just that.  Grudgingly, I often retrace my steps with my head hung low as I once again humble myself to forgive those who have wronged me.  Funny, as a young christian I often felt as if I was being disarmed whenever someone would mention those words of Jesus.  You want me to do WHAT?  As I look back now, in those instances it became more about me and less about the will of Christ.  My pride, my ego, my flesh sought to override the will of Jesus.  This is a dangerous undertaking indeed.  For one must wonder, why is it that Jesus gave us such instructions?  Well, I believe that this can be explained in one simple word...Love.  The apostle John illustrated this in 1 John as he tells us that he who does not love does not know God, for God is love {1 John 4:8}.

38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39“But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40“If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41“And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42“Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44o“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45“that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46“For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47“And if you greet your pbrethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the qtax collectors do so?
Matthew 5: 38 - 47 NKJV

So, how is it that we cut through all the crap and learn to love once again?  I mean, you've seen what's out there, right?  The jerk who cuts you off in traffic, that egomaniac who thinks his opinion is the only one that matters?  Yeah, we've all seen them AND experienced them.  Could it be that God brings people such as this into our lives that we might learn to love again?  Would we learn to love the way Christ Jesus wants for us if not for those difficult people in our lives?  Probably not.  As I said, in the past my very first reaction to someone who wronged me was to prepare for battle.  That person was going to see things my way or else!  However, inevitably those words of Christ Jesus and the knowledge of who I truly am often bring me back to reality.  For the law of an eye for an eye has ultimately been abolished by Jesus at the cross.  The fact is, I believe that all who have accepted Christ Jesus into their hearts truly do know how to love.  To pray for those who persecute us and bless those who wrong us is something that will ultimately come naturally for those who are in Christ, for this is our true identity.  We who know God know love, for He first loved us.  Indeed, we also know how to show this love to others.  Through us the world around us will see the love of Christ.

~Scott~

Safe In The Knowledge

1Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of aGod! Therefore the world does not know bus, because it did not know Him. 2Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
1 John 3: 1 - 2 NKJV

I think back on my childhood every now and then and I recall certain points with fondness and others not so much.  I'm sure that this is the way it is for most of us.  For growing up is not something we can purchase or make go quicker, but something we all must experience.  Indeed, our journey in Christ Jesus is much the same way.  For we have our "Childhood" phase as well as that point when we put away our childhood things and lean on our understanding of Jesus as adults.  As we think back, we can almost certainly remember who our parents were, who our family and friends were.  The question then becomes, how did we KNOW that our parents were ours?  Well, we knew that we knew, for even a child has that knowledge of who their mother and father are.  To a child, there is no question, there is daddy and there is mom.  This knowledge is instinctful in us.  There have even been studies done that suggest that a newborn ALREADY knows the sound of its mothers voice immediately upon birth.  How can this be?  Well, that unborn child has shared time with its mother as it developed inside of her for 9 months.  Now, you can't tell me that a newborn child will not have a connection with its own mother.  Indeed, that child KNOWS in its heart the sound of his mothers voice.  Spiritually speaking, is it possible that we also know our Fathers voice?  I believe we do.  As we are secure in our knowledge of who our parents are, I'm convinced that we also know who our heavenly Father is.  As the apostle John tells us, we rejoice in the fact that God loved us enough that we should be called children of God.

11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies dthrough His Spirit who dwells in you. 12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba,e Father.” 16The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Romans 8: 11 - 17 NKJV

One question which was asked this morning was, where does this knowledge come from?  For if we say we have not the knowledge that we are sons of God, why do we so often refer to Him as our "Heavenly Father?"  I believe that we all have the inborn knowledge of our holy sonship, just as a newborn has the knowledge of who its parents are.  As the apostle Paul tells us, it is because of this knowledge that our own spirit cries "Abba, Father!"  That knowledge of our holy family tree is instilled in us.  Can we also say, then, that the very knowledge of the truth of Christ Jesus is also in us from a young age?  Perhaps, but it has taken many people quite some time to come to that realization.  The fact that we often see ourselves in the physical and not the spiritual sense also has a huge effect on our realization of who we truly are.  John tells us that it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but that when our heavenly Father is revealed to us that we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  I believe that this is confirmation that we are not only His children, but that we were created in His very image {Genesis 1: 27}.  Our spirit, His son, knows our Father dearly.  We are safe in this knowledge.

~Scott~

Sons

10And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies dthrough His Spirit who dwells in you. 12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba,e Father.” 16The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Romans 8: 10 - 17 NKJV

One of the things I've often mentioned before are my struggles with the realities of Christ Jesus when I still a young christian.  Don't get me wrong, I was happy in my new life, but words such as "Father and son" were pretty hard for me to deal with.  Of course, coming from a single parent home while growing up, one can imagine just how foreign a concept it may have been for me to consider myself a so of God.  Yet there it was in scripture, I was indeed a son of the Most High.  One of my good friends in church had a habit of refering to God as "Daddy," and this also floored me a bit.  Until that point, I had never heard someone refer to God as Daddy, to me it seemed giving God less impirtance than He surely deserved.  Like I said, I was young in my faith still.  For those who have gone through or are going through the very same thing I submit the apostle Pauls letter to the Romans.  For here Paul tells us that we are not only children of our heavenly Father, but heirs to Him as well.  Of course, this flew in the face of what I had always believed.  This was new territory for me.  How could I, a sinner, ever think of being a son of God or even an heir?  Anyway, wasn't the title of Son of God already taken?  This truth of Jesus had yet to take hold in me.

1Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of aGod! Therefore the world does not know bus, because it did not know Him. 2Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
1 John 3: 1 - 3 NKJV

The major hurdle I had to overcome to realize this truth of who I really was in my heavenly Father was that I was no longer a sinner.  For Christ Jesus had paid that debt at the cross.  However, this was the message I kept hearing as a young christian from the pulpit.  Now, I could sit here and toss all the blame for my failure to realize the truth of Jesus at the church, but that wouldn't be all too truthful.  For the scriptures haven't changed all too much over time.  The very same scripture I refer to today has always been there.  In the fullness of time, the truth of my true identity was revealed to me.  I am not simply a sinner saved by grace, but a son of my loving Father in heaven.  My life and inheritance are in He who created me.  Not only that, He also ordained that I would live my life AS HIS SON who is within me.  This is the truth of Christ Jesus which Paul revealed in Galations 2:20.  That "Old Scott" which I once walked in has been put to death with Jesus.  My REAL identity does not belong to my earthly family, but to the family of God.  For I am indeed His son.

~Scott~

Who Will Tell Them?

8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” 14How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?” 17So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Most christians I have talked to recall pretty fondly the aproximate time that they accepted Jesus into their hearts.  For me, it came when I was attending my last church.  I rememeber that day pretty well as it was my mentor Dennis who was the one that baptised me.  As he had for many men before me, he not only introduced me to Jesus, but to the very truth of my savior in me.  There have also been jailhouse conversions, death bed confessions and last minute acceptance of the love which Jesus has for us all.  Whatever reason one may have for seeking or being led to Jesus, there has always been someone who will guide them.  I recall watching the various Billy Graham crusades when I was younger.  My favorite part of these gatherings was the altar call near the end of the broadcast.  As the voices sang "Just as I am," thousands would come forward in acceptance of Christ Jesus.  I've often wondered, what would have happened if Billy Graham had not heard his calling to preach when he was young?  How many would gone through life without knowing Jesus but for this man of God?  Obviously, I would say that God chose reverend Graham to lead His flock back to Him the same way that he led Dennis to lead men to Christ.  Again I ask, if not these men of God, then who will lead us?  Who will tell us of the truth of Jesus?  For if indeed "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved," who is it who will tell them of our heavenly Father?  

16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20“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.” dAmen.
Matthew 28: 16 - 20 NKJV

Many christians point to Jesus' "Great commision" which we find in Matthew 28 as evidence of the desire of Jesus that we spread His gospel to all the nations.  However, over time I believe that the intent of this passage has gotten lost in translation.  For it is interesting that one of the definitions of the word disciple in the time of Christ translates to "Follower."  Are we then to not make disciples of Christ, but followers?  Again, we call the small circle of men who surrounded Jesus His disciples, for they were His followers.  Many a sermon, program and study have been utilized by countless churches over time to preach and teach the value of discipleship based on the great commision.  However, I submit that men such as Billy Graham and Dennis have done more to create disciples and men for Christ Jesus than any church program ever will.  Did the disciples of Christ follow a program or a study?  NO, they simply shared their lives with Jesus as He traveled and taught the gospel of peace.  Again, sharing time and life experience with someone may well be much better than any discipleship program.  Which brings me to the very question I used to open this post with.  Where would millions of people be today if not for men such as Billy Graham or Dennis?  Would the truth of Christ yet be proclaimed by another?  As the scripture tells us, how shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed, and how shall they believe in Him in whom they have not heard?  The truth of Jesus has not changed, for He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  So, who will tell them?

~Scott~

Desires Within

20“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

As he so often does, Dennis dropped a question on me yesterday.  The discussion, as usual, was based on the truth of Christ Jesus in us.  This, of course, is a common topic for us.  But this was different.  My last post reflected on the John Elderedge book Wild At Heart and how I thought that Eldredge had been in error in his revelation of the nature of a man.  While I still believe that Eldredge dropped the ball as far as the truth of Jesus in us, I feel that he was definately on to something.  Allow me to expand on this thought.  If we, as christians, accept the truth that we now live as Christ Jesus who is within us, do we also accept what comes with that realization?  For if Jesus indeed dwells within us, then that which we feel, sense and think will definately be connected to Him.  So, what of the thought and desire for adventure, danger and the rescuing of the maiden which Elderedge refers to in his book?  Are these thoughts and desires from Jesus?  I believe that one thing we need to ask ourselves first is what is our true identity?  Is our identity based on the spirit or on the flesh?  Well, if indeed Christ is in us, then I submit that our true identity in Him is based on the spirit of Christ.  Now, that does not mean that those fleshly desires which we often come across will not continue to come around now and then.  For our flesh is very easily influenced by outside factors such as the world around us.  So, how is it that we determine if those inner desires we so often feel are of Jesus or our easily influenced flesh?  Well, I believe that we ourselves have that ability to determine just what Jesus wishes for us.  For we now share our lives with Him, we have that intimate connection.

2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies dthrough His Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8: 2 - 11 NKJV

The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8 that we are not of the flesh but of the spirit...if the spirit of God dwells in you.  If indeed Christ Jesus is in us, then we have the spirit of God within us.  Therefore, we are of the spirit.  So, what of those desires which John Eldredge mentioned in his novel?  Does Jesus indeed desire an adventure?  Does He desire a beauty to rescue?  Does Jesus have a battle to win?  More than one of these desires of a man which Eldredge mentioned we may very well share with Christ Jesus who is in us.  We can ask that ages old question, do my desires cling to His will for us?  For once we affirm in our hearts what the will of Christ is for us, then we come closer to seeing just what the desires of Jesus are.  We know, obviously, that one of the desires of Christ Jesus was to bring glory to the Father.  Do our desires ultimately bring glory to God?  That desire for a battle to win, for adventure or for a beauty to rescue, are we to say that these are indeed Gods will for our lives?  One thing I am quite certain of, is that our heavenly Father gave us these desires when He created us.  Where will they ultimately lead we who follow these desires?  Perhaps Eldredge was not as far off the mark as I thought he was.

~Scott~

Our Problem With Authority

So I call up my preacher

I say: "Gimme strength for round 5"

He said:"You don't need no strength you need to grow up, son"

I said: "Growin' up leads to growin' old and then to dying, and dying 

to me don't sound like all that much fun!"

~Authority Song - John Mellencamp~ 

There was a saying back in the sixties which said, "Don't trust anyone over 30."  Over time, this phrase has evolved into, "Never trust authority."  That, unfortunately, is where we find ourselves today.  A nation of people who believe with all of our hearts that it is we ourselves which shape our own destiny.  This could not be further from the truth I'm afraid.  For to hold this line of thinking is to ignore our heavenly Father who not only created the earth and the universe, but gave us life as well.  We do well to trust in our hearts of the creation story of our Lord, but in our arrogance we've dropped the ball.  I say arrogance because it is we ourselves who have given God a back seat in our own desire to be in control of our life.  We decide our circumstances, our actions dictate our lives...I...I...I!  Tell me, where is God in this line of thought?  Dennis has a good analysis of this line of thinking, that there indeed is NO independent self.  There is only one true self, and that is God Himself.  Everything besides that ultimately falls under His control.  Our lives, the trees around us and all which surrounds us, all are a direct result of the one true self...God.  Telling someone that they are not ultimately responsible for their lives or the world around them can bring some resistance.  It did for me.  I was like everyone else, with a deep seated knowledge that I was my own independent being who decided my own destiny.  How far I was from the truth.  For it is our very flesh which will bring us to believe that "We got this" and falsely lay claim that  we ourselves control our lives.  It is this very same arrogance which compells us to question the authorities around us.  

13He has delivered us from the power of darkness and cconveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or eprincipalities or fpowers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Colossions 1: 13 - 18 NKJV

As the apostle Paul tells us in Colossions 1, it is Christ Jesus who is before all things and for whom all was created.  In Jesus all things consist.  Now, this might just deflate more than a few egomaniacs out there who hold fsat to the belief that it is we ourselves who control what happens to us.  It is this very same independent self thinking which led satan to rebel against his creator.  Satan thought that he himself would be more important than God.  How did that work out for him?  If we hold on to this line of thinking that we ourselves are our own independent self, then it won't be too long before reality smacks us in the head.  If we are truly independent, then why is it that we require something in order to survive?  For we all need food, water, shelter and a hospitable environment in order to survive.  Would a truly independent being need such things?  Yes, we can grow our food, and build our dwellings, but then what?  Don't we end up yearning for rain to give us water we need to survive?  Who is it that brings that rain?  Indeed, there are many who hold fast to the belief that they are truly a independent self while praying to God to provide for them, go figure.  We do well to realize that it is God Himself who is the one and only true self and all else revolves around Him.  That authority we cannot question.

~Scott~ 

Identity Of A Man

9But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies dthrough His Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8: 9 - 11 NKJV

We have talked alot lately of our "True identity" in our weekly group discussions.  Indeed, the topic of the Male identity has been the subject of many christian books, videos and Sunday sermons.  One of my favorite books, Wild At Heart by John Eldredge has been celebrated in christian circles for exemplifying the true spirit of the men among us.  But is this adventure seeking, danger flouting individual which Eldredge tells us about what truly defines us?  I would say it isn't.  While I applaud Mr. Eldredge on tapping into the adventurous spirit of all men, I also think that he left out a vital component which defines us.  Although I enjoy this book alot, I have always thought there was more to us than just running from adventure to adventure.  There is Christ Jesus.  It is here where I feel that Eldredge kind of dropped the ball in his description of the male spirit.  While it is true that we, more than our female counterparts, seek more of the adventure and danger of life, this is definately not what ultimately defines us as men, as Christ men.  The apostle Paul himself touches on this in Romans 8 as he tells us that we are not flesh, but spirit.  THIS is what defines who we are as men.  For our bodies, our flesh are mere coverings for that true identity within us.  If this were not so, wouldn't Paul have given more importance to the flesh which we all see in ourselves and others?  Instead, Paul tells us here that we are ALL in the spirit.  So, the question then becomes, which spirit is it that defines us?

1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2in which you once walked according to the acourse of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2: 1 - 10 NKJV

In Ephesians 2, Paul illustrates each of the two spirits which may define us as men.  Please keep in mind, however, that it is indeed the spirit of Christ Jesus which is our "Default" setting, as were all created in His very spirit image.  What then of this "Spirit of the power of the air" which Paul tells us about here?  Well, make no mistake, this is the very spirit of our enemy satan.  As Paul tells us, we all once walked according to the course of this world we live in and were dead in our trespasses and sins.  That is, until our heavenly Father, through His love and mercy, made us alive once again in the spirit of Christ Jesus.  However, Paul also talks of the sons of disobedience, who continue to walk in the spirit of the power of the air as we once did ourselves.  Yes, there are those who yet have not recognized their "True" identity, their original spirit identity.  We see them every day among us.  We who have accepted Christ Jesus no longer know such things.  For our identity now lies with Jesus, this is what now defines us.  It is not our sins, environment or sense of adventure which ultimately tells us who we are, but the spirit of Christ Jesus who is in us.  I believe that John Eldredge could have titled his best selling book "Wild at Heart In Christ."  Just as we cannot deny a mans desire for danger and adventure, we also cannot deny his true spirit identity.

~Scott~