The Brotherhood

"There's a storm inside of us.  A burning, a river, a drive.  An unrelenting desire to push yourself harder and farther than anyone could think possible.  Pushing ourselves into those cold, dark corners where the bad things live.  Where the bad things fight.  We want that fight a the highest volume.  A loud fight.  The loudest, coldest, darkest, most unpleasant of unpleasant fights."
~Marcus Luttrell~

This past week, a family somewhere in the United States was notified that a father would not be returning home.  It is a scene somehow romanticized in documentry television and motion pictures.  The moment a family is notified of a soldiers death to exhibit the human side of war.  For those who have experienced it, war has no human side.  The winners and losers are more often than not decided on who survives the battle.  It is into this caldron of hate and violence that Americas most elite rush into.  They do it not for the glory of battle, for war is never glorious.  No, the reasons these best America has to offer charge into some of the most heated conflicts across the globe is for a devotion not only to the nation they cherish, but to each other as well.  For this is above all a brotherhood, a tight knit group forged in the cold, choppy waters of the Pacific and honed in the comaraderie and honor of being part of the "Team."  For all of the hollywood movies of the lone hero who single handedly charges the enemy and wins the battle, in reality it is the team that is what they live and die for.  From the begining they are taught to live, think and fight as a team.  So much so, that upon the final completion of your training, it is the team which decides if you have passed or failed in your attempt to break into this brotherhood.  After all, these are the men who will be putting their very lives in your hands.  It is in everyones best interests that your succeed in your training.  The team, not the individual, is what matters in the end.  Quickly rooted out are those with the gung ho attitude who would quickly abandon the team in battle for the glory of the individual soldier.  There is no room for that nonsense here.  In a large part, this is why the "Teams" have been so successful.

"Men, all this stuff you hear about America not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of the war, is alot of bullshit.  Americans love to fight.  All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle.  When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble shooter, the fastest runner, the big league ball players and the toughest boxers.  Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser.  Americans play to win all the time.  That's why Americans have never lost nor ever will lose a war.  The very thought of losing is hateful to Americans."
~ General George S Patton~

It is no wonder that after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 that the United States would once again turn to the teams to seek out those who had brought terrorism to Americas shores.  The very first United States navy personel to arrive in Afghanistan after September 11th were indeed SEAL team personel.  If there was going to be a fight against those who had struck first against America, then the teams would deliver that first retaliatory blow.  I have no doubt that the very first and last Americans that Osama Bin Laden would see were our Navy SEALS.   It's not a fight which they started, but it is one the teams are tenacious enough to finish.
There is a tradition within the United States military that a fallen soldier is escorted home by a fellow comrade.  At times this escort is a member of the fallens own unit, other times it is another branch of our armed forces.  There has not been a United States soldier who has fallen in the war on terror that has not been escorted on their final journey home by a comrade.  This soldier stays with his fallen comrade throughout his journey home.  Not only does this guarantee that the fallens remains are transfered with honor, but that they were not alone on their final journey home.  You won't see this ceremony on television, for media coverage of said ceremonies has been banned since 2004.  It is  said that the escorting soldier is the first person the fallen soldiers family sees upon arrival.  This is the team.  These are the SEALS.  This is their brotherhood.

"When I go home, people ask me, 'Hey Hoot, why do you do it, man?  Why?  You some kinda 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 it's about the men next to you...and that's it.  That's all it is."
~SFC Norm "Hoot" Hooten

~Scott~

In Gods House

22Then Paul stood in the midst of the iAreopagus 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

Once again, the email chain brought about a good question among our group this week.  If this keeps up I may never run out of material to write about.  This weeks question was one we seem to have tackled before, but every once in awhile we revisit them.  It seemed Dennis came across a article which questioned why we as christians should attend church.  It's an age old question for sure, but one we keep returning to as if to somehow justify our decisions to go or not to go.  It's no secret that church attendance has declined in past years, and many a pulpit pounder has been left wondering how to fill pews and collection plates.  When questions like these come about, I usually turn to scripture in order to verify whatever decision I make.  So, what does the bible say about attending church?  Well, I feel that first of all it is worth mentioning here that the church as we know it today is a man made creation.  That's right, each and every church, praise and worship service and Easter celebration is something we ourselves have created.  Those who argue that "Good" christians should gather in the Lords house weekly for fellowship and worship often point a passage in Hebrews 10 to bolster their claim.  For here the writer of Hebrews encourages us to "Not forsake" our gathering together as is the habit of some.  But does our "Gathering togther" necessarily mean to come together in our man made houses of worship?  The apostle Paul himself claimed in Acts 17 that God "Does not dwell in temples made with hands."  Do we really need a ornate building or a quaint country chapel in order to be closer to God as we gather?  Absolutely not!

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, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV

One of the arguments I always hear from those in favor of "Mandatory" weekly church attendance is that it will bring us closer to God.  Well, excuse me, but we who have accepted Christ Jesus have never been closer to our heavenly Father than we are today...in or out of church. It is Christ HImself who has put to death our old sin nature we were born with, and it is He who we live as today.  How much closer to God could we get than to have God within us?  To make the claim that as christians we are required to attend church weekly borders on legalism.  Unfortunately, it is for this very reason that many a believer has left the church in recent years.  They grew weary of a God that required them to attend on a regular basis, required them to serve AND required them to tithe a certain amount.  Is it no wonder, then, that those who have left the institutional church have felt a sense of freedom?  I know I did.  Friends, these demands placed upon us by church pastors/officials are not what our heavenly Father has in mind for His children.  I believe that true worship for our Lord begins in the heart of the believer and not on a church mandated schedule.  I don't believe that our heavenly Father intended His children to be in bondage to a man made religion or church.  Yet that is what we have made of it.
Recently Dennis and I gathered at the home of an old friend on a Sunday morning.  The purpose of this gathering was simply to come together in fellowship and worship of the Lord without the constraints of the organized church.  It is interesting that each person present, myself included, spoke of the freedom they felt outside of the restrictions of the church.  Freedom to gather and experience God just where we were.

~Scott~

Dads Not Home

2“In My Father’s house are many mansions; 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’?
John 14: 2 - 9 NKJV

Some of us can emphasize with poor Philip in some way.  He had dwelled among his heavenly Father in the flesh for more than a few years, and yet now here he was asking Jesus to reveal the Father to him.  I don't find this too surprising, for I myself have often found myself wondering, "where are you God?"  I've prayed that all He need do is to reveal Himself in some way to me and it would be sufficient for me to believe that He is with me.  Of course, I now realize that the very thing I was looking for had been there all along.  Part of my conversation with Dennis this week was something he described as seperatism.  This is the old testament belief that God is somehow seperated and far off from his children whom He loves.  In fact, it is a belief which I adhered to for so long in christianity.  Believing that Christ had come to erase my sins, I also believed that Jesus had remained in heaven after ascending to the right hand of the Father upon His resurection.  That was the seperatism, that Jesus looked down upon me as I made my way along through life.  Of course, I believed that if I were to stumble that Christ would be there to help me, but somehow it would take awhile to travel from heaven to my situation here on earth right?  This is the absurdity of thinking that God is somehow removed from all  that we do.  This is the error in believing that our heavenly Father is simply waiting in heaven waiting for us to stumble.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  While I prayed for God to reveal Himself to me, He was there with me all along.

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

There is probably no other scripture which throws a wrench into the traditional christian teaching of our seperation from God than Pauls revelation in Galations 2.  For our heavenly Father is not afar off from our lives, but it is He Himself that today shares our lives with us personaly.  At times we may find ourselves asking, as Philip had, that God might reveal Himself to us.  His answer to us today is the same as it was to Philip back then, "Have I been with you so long and yet you have not known me?"  As Paul tells us, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me!"  That sounds nothing like speration to me.  To me, it tells us that God Himself is with us each and every day.  Not only that, but we are assured that whatever we think, feel and experience we experience as Christ who is in us.  I was reminded of this once again this week as I endured a few of lifes trials.  Yes, I now know that Christ is in me, but old habits are seemingly the hardest to get rid of.  As I prayed that God would reveal Himself to me I got the same answer Philip had, "Have I been with you so long and yet you have not known Me?"

~Scott~

That Human Church

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 athat 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.

1 John 4: 2 - 6 NKJV 

I was struck this week by a comment written by a friend to a question Dennis posted to his group.  His comment basically ackowledged that each and every church will have it's own issues.  After all, the christian churches which we know and attend are indeed led and managed by...humans such as ourselves.  As we all know, humans such as ourselves are common to making mistakes, judgements and bad behaviors towards others around us.  Is it no wonder that many people have left the church in recent years due to personal conflicts?  Is it any wonder that one of the main reasons we often see so very many different branches of christianity has been due to these very same human interpersonal conflicts.  I read this week that a recent survey found that 49 percent of people surveyed didn't believe in religion, while 36 percent were simply "Disenchanted" with organized religion.  I find it further interesting that 78 percent of those surveyed grew up in organized religious homes {2014 religious landscape study ~ Pew research center}.  Why is it that so many christians have themselves become disenchanted with the church life?  Well, I believe that my friend hit it square on the head this week.  In his comment that every church led by humans will ultimately have or share the very same issues as its leadership, I believe this to be at the core of most peoples disenchantment with their own church.  How could it not?  I have yet to see a church which does not have it's own leadership infrastructure.  There's the lead pastor, their associates, their staffs, teachers, ministry staff, outreach staff, etc.  Along with this plethora of man made positions of authority often comes the human conflicts which ultimately will arise among we humans as we seek to stroke our egos.  I'd definately call this a recipe for disaster in our houses of worship.  The exodus of christians from the organized church proves my point.  In fact, I would not call it the christian church at all, but the human church.  And it is our human church which has lost it's way.  The focus is rarely devoted to the ministry and outreach to the community it serves, but to the survival of the organization.  That is the human church.  Of course, this was not what our heavenly Father intended for His children.  I have often turned to the second chapter of Acts to see the example of a pure church dedicated not to the bottom line but to the worship and knowledge of Christ Jesus.

44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided 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 to the church daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:  44 - 47 NKJV 

In this example of the early church of the followers of Christ Jesus I have found the true model of what church should be.  The praise of God and devotion to one another and their community.  As the scripture tells us, the Lord added to this church daily those who were being saved.  Can you imagine a congregation such as this today?  Of course, when we speak of having such a congregation today we need to take into account the differences in society between now and the time of the early church.  Knowing this, humans have been humans from fall on forward into time.  In other words, we are imperfect, and we will often behave in that way as well.  So, we may well see the behaviors of others in the church and ultimately pass that judgement that God and His church are corrupted.  We may become weary, stressed and disenchanted.  Is God so cruel that He would treat people the way some churches do?  No, but humans are.  Knowing that each and every church raised up and governed by men will ultimately have their own issues will put it in perspective.  For our focus is not the survival of the organization but the realization and celebration of Christ Jesus.  

~Scott~ 

Gods Indifference

24“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Isaiah 65: 24 NKJV

I went there again this week, drawn in like a moth to the flame.  Facing a personal struggle, I found myself again making my requests made known to my heavenly Father for deliverance.  In my heart I was faithfully fully expecting that God would indeed deliver me from this current firestorm in my life.  Why wouldn't I?  For He had intervened for me so many times in the past.  I could not expect that this time would be any different.  And so I turned to my Father in prayer.  Along the way I certainly had my doubts, but I was a good christian soldier and trusted that God had my best interests at heart.  After all, I was not only His child, but an heir in Christ as well.  Having this resume in my favor, how could I not expect that things would turn out exactly as I prayed to my Father for?  I don't call faith such as this as confidence, just the reassurance that God will provide the best for us.  However, when indeed the smoke of lifes trials had cleared I found myself once again in a the familiar place of wondering why my heavenly Father had seemingly been deaf to my pleas for help.  After all, didn't I have an advantage over others who might bend Gods ear for help?  Was I not His very child and heir?  Certainly I had the right to expect that my heavenly Father would deliver me from this current storm.  Or did I?  Certainly Gods arms are not that short that He cannot save, nor is His ear so deaf that it cannot hear our cries.  But what are we to think when we feel that our pleas seemingly fall on our heavenly Fathers deaf ears?  Are we to take from this that we haven't prayed hard enough?  That we haven't fasted or tithed enough?  I would suggest that this kind of thinking is institutional and is dangerous to our very faith.  And yet I once again fell for it.  For my very first thought was that perhaps there was something I had done which did not appease God.  Nothing could be far more old testament than this kind of thinking.  For Christ did not give Himself for someone who had just a passing relationship with the Father {John 3: 16 -17}.

7Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9“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: 7 - 9 NKJV

Was I right that I should expect that God would hear my calls and deliver me from the storm which I was facing?  Absolutely!  For I believe in my God fearing heart that He indeed delights in providing for His children {Matthew 7:11}.  Was God really indifferent to my cries for His assistance?  Absolutely not.  Remember, the Isrealites cried out to God for deliverance, and after several hundred years God responded that he "Had heard the cries of His people."  Really God?  Was God ignoring His people?  No, but there certainly was a delay before His deliverance.  So it is with us.  I do not believe that God is ever indifferent to our cries and requests, that is just not His nature.  For God is love, and to turn His back on His children would certainly not exhibit that love which defines him {1 John 4: 7-8}.  Far from being indifferent to our requests, I believe that this is more of an issue with our own perceptions than Gods indifference.  Isaiah clearly tells us that the ways of our heavenly Father are above our own.  So, is what I see as Gods indifference to my situation simply my heavenly Fathers nudging me in a direction He knows is right for me?  I feel that this is closer to the truth.  However, when the storms come, we will once again find ourselves tossed by the waves calling to God for deliverance.  The storms will indeed come, but we are blessed with a Father who delights in His children.

~Scott~

Lights Out

15For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
Romans 7: 15 - 20 NKJV

The question came up around the email chain today of where that responsibility for keeping our own sin in check lies.  Do we ourselves ultimately bear that responsibility for that which we were born into?  Now, this by no means represents that the finished work of Christ Jesus did not give us forgiveness and grant us deliverance from that former sin nature which we were all born into {Romans 3: 23}.  That matter has indeed been settled already and we today who have accepted Christ now have the opportunity to have Jesus live through us each day {Galations 2:20}.  All of that hasn't changed at all.  Another thing that hasn't changed is the very sin which we were all once slaves to.  The fact is, sin will always be with us until such a time our heavenly Father chooses to come and set things right once again.  Does the fact that our sins have been erased and that we have been delivered from our former bondagsomehow make us immune to the acts of sin?  Absolutely...not.  For even the apostle Paul himself indeed struggled with this very same issue.  As we learn from him in Romans 7, Paul struggled with the very same sin issues which we face today.  We read in Pauls own words that "To will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find."  Now, Paul was no spiritual slouch.  Far from it, for he is recognized as one of the greatest defenders of the gospel of Christ Jesus of all time.  Paul knew the very truth of Christ in him, yet he also seemed to realize that in his flesh "Nothing good dwells."  I believe that in Pauls struggle with his own sin we see two sides of our being.  On the one hand we have our spirit identity, which in Pauls case as well as those who have accepted Him, is in Christ Jesus.  However, on the other hand there is our flesh, our nature.  Dennis is fond of claiming that it is our flesh which is neutral, leaving it succeptible to those worldy influences which surround us each day.  I tend to agree with this assesment.  So, who is ultimately responsible for the control of that sin which we are all so succeptible?    Is it at all realistic to claim that we ourselves can keep ourselves sin free?  If Paul himself couldn't subdue his own sinful influences, can we?

12Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
James 1: 12 - 17 NKJV

So the question remains, who shoulders the responsibility for keeping the very temptations and sins which our flesh is influenced by in check?  Is it Christ Jesus who is the one who bears this burden for us?  Are we ourselves under an obligation to be on guard so that those temptations do not become sin?  Who is responsible for keeping that flesh of ours pure?  Well, if indeed our flesh is neutral and it is my belief that it is, keeping our flesh pure could be a daunting task.  We've all seen that young child who, in their desire to see all there is to see of this new world around them, continually find themselves in situations where mom and dad need to quickly pull them away.  The child is neutral, the only thing on his mind is discovery and experiencing all things new.  In fact, if it wasn't for the watchfull eyes of parents, there would more than likely be more infant and childhood accidents in this world.  Is it no wonder that being a parent is a full time job in itself?  Now, some may question this reasoning with regards to our current conversation, but I believe that it is relevant.  See, I see that young child as a representation of our own flesh, always having its attention grabbed by the activity which surrounds it.  It is the job of the childs parent to guide the young one along until such time that he knows what to watch out for.  What would we think of a parent that left a infant on its own to police its own curriosity?  This is exactly why child protective services exists.  So, putting this anolagy in the perspective of our own flesh, is it reasonable to expect that we ourselves can keep ourselves pure?  Can we ever be pure?  It is my belief that it is Christ Jesus within us who guides us along that path, knowing full well that we will all stumble along the way.

~Scott~

Seeing Him

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 must admit that I have been through a series of trials as of late.  It is indeed times such as these where our faith, if we claim to have any, is truly tested.  At times we may may very well feel truly alone in our walk through that valley we are in.  We might also make the error of believing that our heavenly Father is somehow removed from our situation, leaving us to fend for ourselves.  I say "Error" because this line of thought is indeed in error.  For our heavenly Father is not a on again and off again God who simply sits afar off in heaven and watches as His children struggle through life on their own.  This is the institutional church way of thought, and it is wrong.  The apostle Paul tells us in Galations that we who know Christ Jesus today share a wonderful relationship with our Lord and savior which we did not have before.  For once we accepted the truth and reality of the Lord Jesus and His finished work on that cross, we became unmistakingly linked with Him for eternity.  Yes, Jesus still has taken His rightful place at the right hand of His Father in heaven, but He has also taken His place within us as well.  Therefore, as we hear the continued calls for us to "Be more like Jesus" coming from the pulpits, we can rest assured that we Jesus has already accomplished this long ago.  How do you tell one who already has Christ to be more like Him?  Yet we hear it from pulpit pounders weekly.  At times we may be like that apostle Thomas who struggled so hard to believe that His Lord had indeed risen from the dead.  Not seeing Him, we do not believe in His truth.

25The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20: 25 - 29 NKJV

Indeed, there has been many a time where I have felt like Thomas, in doubt of my saviors presence in my own life.  Of course, in my heart I knew better.  Thomas himself knew better, for he had shared his life with Jesus for a period of time as Christ taught and shared with his disciples.  More than just teaching, Jesus shared His life with these men.  Without a doubt, Thomas knew who Jesus was.  Yet when those times come upon us, we all too often step back and ask, "Where are you, Lord?"  We already know that answer my friends.  He who has promised to never leave us is within us.  He who loved us first despite the sin condition we were born into.  So, as I endured another valley this week, I again found myself faced with that same old question.  Where are you, Lord?  Don't you see I'm hurting, Jesus?  Of course, these days it doesn't take me long to step back and see the foolishness of this train of thought.  I cannot claim that Jesus is powerless to overcome whatever it is I am facing just as He is not powerless to walk with me each and every day through good and bad.  As Dennis has often reminded me, when times like these come about, our question should not be, "where are you, God?"  Instead, we should be asking ourselves, "What is it that you're doing through me, God?"  I find that far more reassuring than trying to compel Jesus to come and help me.

~Scott~

That Price Of Admission

13And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
Colossions 2: 13 - 15 NKJV

I'd decided that I'd had enough.  The truth needed to be put out there.  I'd been following the facebook posts of a very good pastor and friend.  Now, this man knows and loves God without question and leads a pretty successfull congregation.  However, I've noticed that lately he has been engaged in a sudden flurry of activity aimed at urging our heavenly Father into healing and blessing.  Really?  Now, those who have read this page will know by now that this writer is by no means a fan of the institutional church system and its practices.  For I believe that organized church, which was the creation of man and not God, has a way of keeping people in spiritual bondage.  Here I was faced with its ugly head once again.  So, what are we to make of a system that sets forth requirements for our Lords presence?  If there are trying times in our lives, somehow we must pray harder, read more bibles or tithe till it hurts in order to "Break through" to our Lords blessings!  In fact, I've heard the phrase "Break through" so many times in my church life that it makes me want to barf!  Where was it that we veered away from expecting our Lords intercession and provision for His children to buying His favor?  I even grew weary of the passage in Malachai which claims the Isrealites were robbing God!  For this passage has also been misunderstood in terms of our modern day tithe practice.  See, the Isrealites had a tribe named the Levites, which was tasked with the priesthood for the people.  Because of this, the Levites were required not to work, but to devote themselves to the priesthood.  So, how did the Levites survive day to day without income?  Well, the other tribes of Isreal contributed "Tithes" into the storehouses to support the priests.  It is when the Isrealites fell short of this obligation that they were accused of robbing God.  It had NOTHING to do with our modern day tithe practices!

8Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all gprincipality and power.
Colossions 2: 8 - 10 NKJV

Yet there they are each and every Sunday, pulpit pounders exhorting their flocks that they somehow need compell God into action.  I've seen everything from corporate prayer to 30 days of prayer and fasting all designed to somehow urge our heavenly Father into action on our behalf.  I've also heard a few parsons speak of a tithe "Money back guarantee" which staked the claim that if one were to give till it hurts and did not receive our Lords blessings, that they could request their money back from the pastor!  Now be honest, how many of us would ask a church pastor for a refund on a tithe?  Do we, as Gods children, indeed need to compell Him into action on our behalf?  He who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.  He who has promised to provide our every need.  He who loved us first.  It is these very requirements given to us by the man created church which Christ has already done away with.  It is these practices which the apostle Paul warns us about in Colossions 2 as the traditions of men.  The truth is that we could never buy our Lords favor.  What could we possibly give He who created all that we see?  Has He not created all?  Instead, we should be resting in the blessed assurance that our heavenly Father delights in providing for His children at every turn.  We should rest assured in the knowledge that we need not buy our way into His presence.  For through the finished work of Christ Jesus on the cross, we now live each and every day as Christ who is within us {Galations 2: 20}.  We could never get closer to our heavenly Father than those who have accepted Christ Jesus are today.

~Scott~

Approval Rating

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.
1 John 4: 4 - 6 NKJV

I read a post from Wayne Jacobsen this week that talked about the dependence of some people on the approval of others around them.  Now, Jacobsen goes as far as to call this situation a "Approval addiction," and I may just agree with him on that point.  You see, this is where I still continue to find my own self at times.  Am I doing enough?  Am I doing it good enough?  Will others indeed see Christ in me and approve?  It seems that in the arena of institutional religion, that basing ones belief on their performance has become the order of the day.  What a good, sound christian leader is he who reads his scriptures daily, fasts when needed and does not withhold his tithe.  You don't need to look far to see the weekly christian performance theater.  But why do we feel that need to seek out the approval of those around us when we already have the approval of He who loved us first?  Well, I see it as a need to be accepted by others.  For we all desire that attention and acceptance of those around us.  However, there but a few who have carried this practice to what Jacobsen describes as addiction status.  To these few, the approval of others is THE goal of what they do.  Now, as I admitted, I have been guilty of this in the past as well.  I used to attempt to pass this off as being raised in a single parent home, but that crutch only lasts so long.  Eventually we all need to break out of what was and into what is.  To live in the past cannot be a good thing.  So, is our need to feel accepted more of a need to stroke our own ego and pride more than anything?  To feel that we ourselves are just a bit better than those around us?  Perhaps, but it's no secret that our heavenly Father tells us that the meek shall be rewarded in His kingdom.  So the question then is where does our own approval come from if not from those around us?  Funny you should ask, because I had that very same question not so long ago.

1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3“Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4“For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5“But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7“greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8“But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your cTeacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10“And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant."
Matthew 23: 1 - 10 NKJV

Meet the Jewish Pharisees of Jesus' day.  These men of the Jewish leadership adored the recognition of others and the benefits which went with their position in society.  The best seats at banquets and greetings of adoration in public.  However, as Jesus so rightly pointed out to those listening, these Pharisees had done NOTHING to deserve the adoration of the people.  Instead of extending to love and mercy of God, these men delivered burdens to those they lorded over.  Indeed, if anyone was said to have an approval addiction it was these Jewish Pharisees.  However, I have often looked at the advice of Jesus as He delivers His woes to these Pharisees, that "He who is greatest among you shall be your servant."  But do we really need that approval of others around us?  For if God indeed loved us first, is His love and approval not enough for us?  I look at all that my heavenly Father has done in my life and I cannot help but feel that I have His approval.  I look at the truth of Christ Jesus found in Galations 2:20 and I know instantly that mans approval means nothing to who I am in Him.  There is no christian duty, no fasting nor any tithe given or withheld on my part which can ever seperate me from the love of Christ Jesus who is in me.

38For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8: 38 - 39 NKJV

~Scott~

The Fear Of The Cross

~Pastor David Cho~

12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13: 12 NKJV

I was reading this week of South Korean pastor David Yonggi Cho, the pastor of the South Korean Yoido full gospel mega church.  With a congregation estimated at around 830,000 people, it is the worlds largest church congregation.  Of course, my next thought was as to why pastor Cho's congregation was indeed blessed with this honor.  Although I already knew the answer to that question, it is interesting to see the differences between the church congregations in nations where christians are oppressed and congregations in our own country.  It may seem that in our own nation that there is a church to suit every belief one may have, but this is not so in other countries.  I believe that the deciding factor on this is freedom.  For our own constitution guarantees us the right to worship as we choose.  If one does not feel their worship or ministry needs are not being met in one congregation, they are free to seek out another which may satisfy their faith needs.  However, what if you live in a nation where the very mention of the faith you believe in can get you put in prison?  Recently, Gu Yuese, the pastor of Chinas largest "State approved" church was jailed for simply protesting the removal of 1,500 crosses in China.  What is it that brings about  such a fear of the cross of Christ?  In one word, hope.  For it is by hope that millions around the world turn to the cross of Jesus.  It is through hope that those who are oppressed seek relief from their situation.  As Proverbs tells us, hope defered makes the heart SICK.  A people without hope are easier to control.  Is it any wonder, then, that nations such as China and North Korea would make illegal the mere mention of He who brings hope to the entire world?

1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3By 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

I submit that the very reason that officials in certain nations try to squelch the teachings and beliefs of Christ do so to extinguish the very hope of the people.  Why did Chinese officials remove crosses from certain areas in China?  Simple, to bury the hopes of those living in that land.  For once hope is eradicated, the people are left with nothing to believe in.  All that remains is the information which their government feeds them.  During world war two, it was common for residents in occupied nations to listen to radio broadcasts from the free allied countries for information on the status of the war.  Why?  Because such broadcasts brought hope that the occupation of their homeland would soon come to an end.  At the height of the cold war, Voice Of America radio broadcasts brought news and information to those in oppressed nations across the world.  To this day, the voice of America is broadcast into nations where people are oppressed by their governments.  The very reason is hope.  This fear of the cross of Christ Jesus is partly based on denying hope to those who would come to Him.  To give hope to a population is the death sentence to any oppressive regime.  However, even this has not stopped the spread of the teachings of Christ Jesus to all the nations.  No matter how hard others may try, the fear of the cross of Christ ultmately leads to hope in Him.

"A lie told often enough becomes truth"
~Vladamir Lenin~

~Scott~

Our Assurance

7“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9“Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10“Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"
Matthew 7: 7 - 11 NKJV

Alot has been made of just how we should seek our Lords help in our time of need.  There's been books, videos and the occasional seminar all bent on asking that burning question of just how it is that we should come into our Lords presence to seek His assistance.  I have seen others resort to fasting, daily prayer and soul searching in order to somehow gain Gods favor in their request.  Of course, there are times when we don't receive what we are beseeching our Lord to provide.  But does that really mean that He has somehow forgotten us?  He who has promised to never leave us or forsake us, would He suddenly write us off and turn His back on us?  Sadly, I have seen many a proud pulpit pounder make this claim when the requests of their flock are not met by a loving God.  In fact, I have been in the presence of a few pastors who have told me that Gods lack of action on my behalf was indeed due to some unconfessed sin or bad behavior in my life.  Really?  So, that whole Jesus dying on the cross for the sins of all mankind thing was just a fairy tale?  However, these are the dark places our thoughts go to when we do not know the truth of Christ Jesus in us {Galations 2:20}.  If our requests we have made before God are not met as we think they should, the God is somehow punishing us or we have somehow lost favor with Him.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  Not only that, each and every pulpit pounder who preaches this rot is only playing on the fears of those who look to them for guidance!  I have heard many testimonies in my time of those whose requests brought to God were not granted immediately.  However, when in His timing those requests were fulfilled, it was to the greater benefit of those who were seeking His assistance.  In other words, our heavenly Fathers timing is ALWAYS better than our own.

23“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24“Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."
John 16: 23 - 24 NKJV

There is a common phrase in christianity that you cannot outgive God.  I believe this to be true.  For our heavenly Father showers His riches on the Godly and the ungodly as well.  This is His nature.  It is not our job to sit as monday morning quarterbacks and judge just who should receive our Lords blessings.  But how is it that we will have that blessed assurance that what we ask for He will provide?  Well, for one He provides for our daily needs.  That we are assured of.  There is no need for us to be more like Jesus or to commune closer to God in order to go to the front of the line for our Lords provision.  This is common teaching within the institutional churches and I feel that it is in error.  For if Christ Jesus already is within us, we are already closer to our heavenly Father than we'll ever be.  Whatever it is that we are struggling with, we face these struggles AS CHRIST who is in us.  This is our assurance, that Jesus knows immediately whatever cries for help our hearts are whispering to Him.  We do well to remember that we are now children of the living God, and that God delights in providing for His children.  That our joy may be made full.

~Scott~

Character Flaws

7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9In 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. 10In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4: 7 - 11 NKJV

I found myself listening to a radio preacher the other day and his message made me stop and think.  This old southern drawl preacher was talking of the character of Christ Himself and how it is that we today should strive for this also.  For to not do so may be considered a christian character flaw.  Now, anyone who has perused these pages of mine knows my feelings of Christ Jesus today and how He is indeed present in all who acknowlwedge Him.  How, then, could it be considered a character flaw if we have already have that very character of Christ within us?  I can see how others could be misled by this preachers message.  Not that I am wise in the ways of the truth of Jesus in me, for it took me quite some time to come to this realization.  However, I find it interesting that despite there being scriptural reference to conform this truth, that there remains very little if any teaching on it in the institutional churches of today.  That being said, when someone hears of the "Character" of Christ Jesus, what should come to mind?  Well, for starters one would assume that the character of Jesus would include mercy, kindness and forgiveness.  For these are the very attributes which Christ Himself displayed to others around Him.  However, I think that we can narrow down the characteristics of Christ into one word, which we find in 1 John 4.  That word...is Love.  As John tells us, as God loved us, so we ought to love one another.  Is this not the key characteristic of our heavenly Father?  Was it not His love for us that when we were yet sinners that Christ Jesus died for us {Romans 5:8}.  Not only myself, but my Fathers love was also shown to others around me, that all might be saved {John 3: 16 - 17}.  I would argue, in fact, that it is indeed love which is the basis of all our heavenly Father does.  We see it throughout scripture as His love was shown to Abraham, Issac, Noah and David.

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

Indeed, our heavenly Father has continually showered His own love upon His children.  By this we know His true character.  However, how is it that we are showing any character flaws if we do not strive to be more like Jesus?  I feel that those of us who have accepted Jesus have already inherited His character.  For we know that Christ Himself is present in all who have acknowledged Him.  Knowing this, how can we not also have the character of Christ in us?  All that we see, experience and do we now do as Christ who is in us.  I see this not as a character flaw, but as an inheritance.  For as we ourselves have inherited certain characteristics from our earthly parents, so have we also inherited those characteristics of Christ who is in us.  I feel it is impossible for Christ Jesus to be in us without our inheriting that which makes Him who He is.  Therefore, if that true nature of our heavenly Father is love, then that indeed is what we have within us.  Now, we can choose ourselves whether or not to exhibit these characteristics, but they're still there.  As children of God, we have inherited those unique characteristics of our heavenly Father.  That is no character flaw mister preacher.

~Scott~

What We Expect

Do you believe, Clavius?

22So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24“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

The question was raised recently among us of what we should make of the promise Christ gives in Mark 11:24.  I have to admit that until recently I viewed ths verse with the same skepticism which I viewed the name it and claim it craze of not so long ago.  That is, until Dennis intervened.  Now, I still see the name it and claim it craze among christians with doubt, but I believe that the faith Jesus was claiming here went a step further than we're used to going.  I beleive that the key to this passage lies in verse 24.  It is here where Christ tells those who were listening that this kind of faith was indeed different.  For here Jesus tells us to "Believe that you receive them," and you will have what you ask.  So, is this that far from the name it and claim it folks?  Maybe not, but it is certainly a faith which requires us to...believe.  Yes, that is exactly how Dennis described this passage in Mark 11.  If we only beleive, we will have whatever it is we ask of our heavenly Father.  Now, I'll make the clarification here that I would replace the word "Believe" in Mark 11 with the word expectation, but that's just me.  For this is exactly how Dennis described the kind of faith needed in this pasage.  Yes, we can ask our heavenly Father for anything we want, but do we ultimately expect He will provide it for us?  When we make our requests known to Him, is our attitude, "Ok, Lord, I now know you will provide what I've asked for?"  If it is then we have made that step up from believing to trusting that God will provide what we ask of Him.  I also find it interesting that Christ, in describing this kind of faith, made it a point to proclaim that we not doubt in our hearts.  Trust me, I've been there many times where I've asked something from God in prayer but then was plagued by the doubts of perhaps I didn't deserve such blessings.  Indeed, our own doubts can kill our trust in Him.

3So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5“for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.” 6Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7“Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8“For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well awho had been sick.
Luke 7: 3 - 10 NKJV

I have always loved this passage in Luke 7 as one of the great lessons on faith that we have from scripture today.  I have referenced this scripture often as a trusted example of our faith.  So what is it about this kind of faith?  Well, we can tell from the actions of this Roman centurian.  This Romans servant was sick, he had "heard" of Jesus and immeditaely knew that Christ could and would heal him!  Can you see the significance of this passage?  This Roman had undoudtedly heard the stories of how Jesus had healed many in His ministry and knew that He could heal his servant also.  So much so that he tells Jesus to just proclaim his servant healed and he trusted that he would be.  For those who have served in the military, you know the importance of the chain of command.  This centurian uses this reference to lay claim of his trust in Jesus' ability to heal his servant.  This isn't surprising to me, for he is a military man in the service of Rome.  It is his explanation of his trust in Him which impresses Jesus the most.  For this centurian has many under his command, he tells one "come," and he comes.  Furthermore, he tells another "Go," and he goes.  Therefore, Jesus need only to speak his servants healing and it would be done.  What was Jesus' reaction to this?  Jesus marveled at this centurians trust in Him!  As He puts it, "I have not found such great faith, not even in Isreal!"  With that, the centurians servant was healed that very hour.  Like I've pointed out, I see this more of a trust that our heavenly Father will provide what we ask of Him than of faith.  Of course, faith can indeed be seen also as trust.  Either way, when we ask our Lord for something, we come before Him with that expectation that He has already provided what we are asking of Him.

~Scott~

When We See Him

23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
James 1: 23 - 25 NKJV

There was a self motivation craze out there not too long ago which prompted a person to stand in front of a mirror and recite inspirational phrases.  Soon, many people were talking to their mirrors saying, "I am someboby!"  Yet, who did they really see when they gazed upon that image in the mirror?  Did they see a container of skin and bones or did they see something more profound within them?  To me, thise craze never really intrigued me.  For the most part I knew who I was, and at times I wasn't proud of that.  We've all been in that place in our lives where we wallow in self doubt and wonder about our own worth.  I believe that this is simply natural human emotion.  Or to put it another way, the flesh.  So, who is it that we ultimately see when we look at ourselves in the mirror?  For those shrouded in self doubt, we may see someone who cannot measure up to the expectations of others.  However, for those who are confident in who they ultimately are, they may see someone who has it all together.  All too often, we allow those around us to dictate how we perceive ourselves.  Trust me, I've been a victim of this as well.  We may walk each and every day under the constant barrage of just who others think we are.  This can have a devestating effect on someones self image.  It did for me.  I remember listening to more than a few people filling my head that I was unskilled, uneducated and lazy.  Mind you, this was coming from those who barely knew me as a person!  As you might expect, this did not have too much of a possitive impact on my own self image.  For when I looked in that mirror, I saw the very same person who others told me that I was.


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

So, who is it that we really see when we look into that mirror?  Do we see that same person who others spend so much time trying to convince us we are, or do we see that person our heavenly Father is trying to show us?  A dear friend of mine related a story to me a few years back about that moment he realized that he was a holy creation in Christ and not the person others claimed.  Standing in front of his mirror one day, the realization came to him and he was able to confidently tell himself, "You know, I'm an okay person."  What brought him to such a brilliant revelation?  Well, I like to believe that Christ ultimately revealed to him who he truly was.  Granted, my friend is a devoted man of Christ, so he more than likely would agree with that assesment.  Not to be tedious, but who is it that we see in that mirror?  It certainly took me awhile, to come to this realization, but I no longer see that man that others have told me I was.  No, when I look into that mirror, I see Christ Jesus who is in me!  The scriptures indeed tell us that Christ Himself lives in those who have confessed Him.  THIS is the image whom we see when we look in the mirror.  As the apostle John tells us, the world around us does not know us because it did not know Him.  Make no mistake, if we have confessed Christ Jesus in our hearts, then we are children of the living God.  Oh what love the Father has bestowed upon us that we would have this recognition!  What love had He that, while we were yet sinners, Christ Jesus died for us {Romans 5:8}.  This is the person we see when we gaze into that mirror, Christ Jesus, a child of God!  The heavy lifting has already been done for us, all we need do is confess Christ in our hearts.  Indeed, that realization will come upon us that we are not the person others see, but the person God sees.

~Scott~

Me Christianity

2Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and aLebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4Simon the bCananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. 5These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6“But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven cis at hand.’ 8“Heal the sick, dcleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Matthew 10: 2 - 7 NKJV

I saw a interestng post this week from our friend Wayne Jacobsen.  It seems that he and his companion were in the discussion of just how it is some christians use our Lords gifts incorerctly and end up serving and glorifying themselves instead of serving others.  Now, this is not something new.  It's been going on for many thousands of years and I don't doubt that it will continue until Christ Jesus returns to set things right.  It's been called the "Me" generation, that genre of people who are more concerned with self gratification and stroking our own egos than in helping those around us.  Again, I don't feel that this is something which is new on the scene.  For if we were to delve deeper into this issue I believe that we would find remnants of this self gratification in us all.  I believe that this is indeed our flesh seeking its own gratification over that of others.  The trouble we run into when we follow our fleshly lead is that we run contradictory to that which Christ Jesus asked of us.  I'm sure that Jesus, being God among us, understood the dangers of following the lead of our flesh.  His teachings show us that he did.  So what are the dangers of this line of thinking?  Well, beyond the obvious of having selfish motives it runs the danger of minimizing on how we depend on our own heavenly Father for our own needs.  I've talked before of the folly of the belief that we are truly independent beings who are respnsible for our own lives and immediate environment.  "I got this!" has become a rallying cry for todays followers of the fleshly lead.  If we were indeed truly independent, then the concept of heavenly Fathers provision would be barely worth mentioning.  If "We got this," then what is it that God can provide that we cannot get for ourselves?  I'm sure it's not just me who sees the error of this way of thinking.  For Jesus himself had some strong words for some of the most proud and arrogant people of His day.

1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3“Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4“For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5“But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7“greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8“But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your cTeacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10“And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12“And whoever exalts himself will be ehumbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. 13“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
Matthew 23: 1 - 13 NKJV

To me it is as plain as daylight why Jesus had such a issue with the Jewish religious leaders.  For what was it that these officials desired?  Power, position and praise for themselves.  Jesus tells us that these Pharisees loved the best place at feasts and to be adored by all and praised as "Rabbi, Rabbi!"  Yes, it is here where we see pride and arrogance in action.  Do you still think that the "Me" generation is the very first to set their sights on their own gratification over that of others?  It is not hard to see why Jesus had such an issue with these men of Jewish authority.  The message of Christ for mercy and kindness to others was apparently lost on the Pharisees.  To them, it was all about themselves and the prestige of their position in society.  Anybody know someone like that?  Now, I don't think it's a very far stretch to link the Pharisees of Christs day to more than a few pulpit pounders of today.  For even today we have men of the cloth demonstrating their love of prestige over the needs of those around them.  It seems that following our fleshly lead is not so difficult to do after all.  Dennis likes to describe our flesh as being neutral, that is easily influenced by the environment around us.  It is the flesh which is influenced by those things which may indeed bring us tenporary joy but which we will regret later.  This is following the fleshly lead.  The Pharisees did just that, desiring the best places at feasts and greetings of others over the needs of others.  If we were to all follow the example of these Pharisees, the needs of the least among us would be insignificant.  If we followed the lead of these Pharisees, we ourselves would carry the importance in our lives instead of Christ Jesus.  Tell me how that's a good thing.

~Scott~

Strength In Our Weakness

7And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

2 Corinthians 12: 7 - 10 NKJV 

It's one of the most difficult things to deal with in this life of faith in which we walk.  That moment when it seems that all of our heavenly protections have vanished and lifes troubles come knocking at our door.  Of course, we shouldn't be at all surprised when these trials arrive, for even the apostle Paul experienced his share of troubles.  For his part, James goes so far as to warn us of these impending trials and to take joy within ourselves when they arrive!  Yeah, good luck with that.  To be joyous while in the midst of lifes trials has never been a quality of mine.  However, there are those christians among us who seem to take these life events in stride.  That being said, I think I'm getting better at it.  For far from being life threatening circumstances, these trials are most always merely bumps in our faith road.  The old saying making mountains out of molehills certainly applies in many of these situations.  So, how is it that we are able to look past our circumstances and into what God is really doing?  The apostle Paul faced that problem more than a few times in his own life.  In 2 Corinthians 12, we see the old apostle pleading with God not once but three times that He would remove "Thorn" which was paining him.  Now, this could have been an actual thorn, or merely a life situation for Paul.  Whatever it was, it pained him enough that he would cry out to God three times that He would remove it from him.  Now, old Paul was indeed a faithful man who preached Christ Jesus at every opportunity.  I think that he fully expected his heavenly Father to relieve him of this difficulty.  Gods response?  Sorry, Paul, but I've got something bigger in mind here!  

2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces apatience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be bperfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1: 2 - 4 NKJV 

Indeed, Gods response to Pauls pleas is a lesson which we can lean on today.  His grace is indeed sufficient for us as His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.  As Paul himself claims, "For when I am weak, then I am strong."  This does have some credibility, and I believe that it all comes down to our trust in Christ Jesus who is within us.  We know that we walk today as Christ Jesus who is within us {Galations 2:20}.  That is, each and every event which we experience daily we experience as Christ Jesus.  Dennis has a wonderful interpretation of the classic passage we find in Philippians 4:13.  For not only can we do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us, Christ IS OUR VERY STRENGTH!  Each and every day, we can lean on that strength of Christ who is within us.  This was exactly why Paul could proclaim that when he was weak that he was strong.  Like I said, this takes our realization that we indeed walk as Christ in any situation we encounter.  Some may call it trust, I prefer to refer to it as confidence.  Jesus, what are you doing here?  This kind of faith and trust is not so far fetched.  Can we indeed rejoice in those afflictions of life?  Absolutely, if we tackle them as Christ who is in us!

~Scott~ 

A More Perfect Union

3The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” 4And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who amade them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5“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’? 6“So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” 8He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”
Matthew 19: 3 - 9 NKJV

It seems that lately I've been surrounded by stories of marital unrest from a few of my friends.  Now even though I've never been married myself, I still feel for my friends and what they are going through in their lives.  I've also been on the opposite side of this issue, as my own parents were divorced when I was young.  I'm here to tell you that from a childs perspective, the wounds of a divorce seldom if ever heal.  From the stories that I hear from my dear friends, I can see why that is so.  If I had not been through this situation myself, it would be difficult for me to understand just how two people who vowed to love one another forever could suddenly come to the conclusion that being apart is better than being together.  Hearing so many stories of troubled marriages just might make one wonder Gods attitude towards such situations.  Well, we can turn to the very words of Jesus for that answer.  Yes, Christ Himself spoke out on the subject of marriage as well.  It should be no surprise, then, that when He did He spoke not His opinion but the very thoughts of His Father in heaven.  Of course, leave it to the Jewish Pharisees to initiate that discussion.  The Pharisees inquired of Jesus if it was indeed lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason.  Now, it may just be my interpretation here, but I think that if the Pharisees were asking this question, that this type of divorce was ALREADY HAPPENING in the Jewish society of Christs day.  Indeed, divorce is not just a modern day society issue.

I know living with me ain't always easy
I damn up emotions some may just let flow
But girl when you're not by my side
I feel a part of me has died
Cause I love you more than you'll ever know
~More than you'll ever know~ by Travis Tritt

As He usually did, Jesus had a slam dunk response to the Pharisees who tried to trap him in their questions, and it was straight from the word.  As we read in Matthew 19, from the very begining our heavenly Father created us male and female and for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife.  And the two shall become one flesh, and what God has joined together...let no man seperate.  Isn't it interesting, then, that these very words which Jesus spoke in response to the Pharisees are to this day included in most every marriage ceremony?  What God has joined together, let no man seperate.  These Pharisees weren't finished there, however, They continued to stick it to Jesus.  Their next question?  Why did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce to put a mans divorced wife away?  Again Jesus' response was spot on.  Because of the HARDNESS OF THEIR HEARTS, Moses had permitted the people to divorce their wives, but from the begining it was not so.   So, as usual, the snake pit we as a society find ourselves in today is one of our own doing.  Is it any wonder, then, that our local yellow pages are all too often filled with offers for "Quick and easy" $99 divorces?  I recall inquiring of Dennis not so long ago just how he and his wife Shirley had managed to remain together for over 50 years.  His response?  Divorce was never an option.
I recently shared with Dennis a link to a music video for a Travis Tritt song titled "More than you'll ever know."  It was a song I listened to a few days after my mothers passing, for different reasons.  In it a elderly man struggles to come to grips with his own emotions and showing them to his wife of many years.  It is certainly a powerful message given through this song.  May the hardness of our own hearts never get in the way of what our heavenly Father has brought together.

~Scott~

A Matter Of Faith

5Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” 7And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9“For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"
Matthew 8: 5 - 10 NKJV

The question came up in our group yesterday of prayer and faith.  Specificaly, the question of "Faith" in relation to asking our heavenly Father for what it is we desire in life.  Indeed, it is in Mark 11:24 where Jesus makes it very clear to those listening that we can ask whatever we desire of Father God and we shall have it...if we have faith.  Now, whether I'm simply playing the devils advocate or suggesting another opinion, I believe that it is this line of thinking which led to the "Name it and claim it" phase that was to be found in many a congregation not so long ago.  The line of thinking I am refering to is the one that we see our heavenly Father as simply a provider of all that is good in our lives.  While this is true, it is also God who is responsible for allowing times of trial as well.  The question which I pose is this, how much faith is enough to spur our Lord into action on our behalf?  How many prayers need we speak unto God in order for Him to listen?  If you recall, the Isrealites were crying out to God for over 400 years for Gods deliverance while they were in captivity in Egypt.  Didn't Gods people have enough faith?  Were they not praying to Gods satisfaction?  There are many people who have had the same experience, of praying to God for some need they were passionate about, believing that God was in tune with them, only to not have their prayers answered.  For those who may want to question our Lords motives, I assure you that God does not take vacations or ignore the needs of His children.  In fact, God already KNOWS what we need before we even ask Him for His provision.  I admit that I have fallen into the trap of believing that God was ignoring my needs when my prayers have gone unanswered in the past.  But was He really ignoring me?  For the whole time I was praying for Him to meet my heartfelt need, He continued to meet my daily needs of shelter, food and employment.

6For when we were still without strength, din 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.
Romans 5: 6 - 8 NKJV

Speaking from my own personal experience, I am well aware that having our own prayers remain unanswered can create doubts in our own faith.  A good example was my mothers illness before she passed last year.  For more than a few years people who knew her lifted up prayers to God for her recovery.  We're talking the prayers of faithfull pastors and true faithfull people of God.  Surely God would honor our repeated requests?  In the end, my mother passed away peacefully.  Now, where was God in all of this?  I'll tell you where, He was by her bedside each and every day as well as in the lives of those who were lifting her up in their prayers!  Whether it was my heavenly Fathers revelation or my own realization, after she passed the very thought which came to me was that my mom was no longer in pain.  Now, were my prayers answered?  Perhaps not the way I had wished they would have been, but I am 100% certain that God was in this situation from the start.  It is my belief that in our pain and anger of not having our requests granted, we can certainly have those feelings of anger and abandonment.  I did.  However, it is a slippery slope on which we slide if we hold to that belief that our heavenly Father will somehow abandon or ignore His beloved children.  He who loved us enough to save us despite our sin condition.  He who each and every day provides for all we need.  He is not simply a name it and claim it God, but our loving Father.

~Scott~