A Place To Hang Our Hat

19“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20“but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6: 19 21 NKJV

I work with a man who has what some would call a undying loyalty to his college football team.  So much does his own world revolve around his team, that his daily mood will at times depend upon if his beloved team won or lost that previous saturdays game.  At times I thought that this was pretty petty and foolish, until I realized that I was guilty of the very same beliefs at times.  Now, I grew up a Minnesota Vikings fan, so I know what it's like to be on the losing end of more than a few games.  However, I guess that I could say that I have not allowed my teams performance on the field dictate my own mood very often.  Yes, it has happened, but not too often.  No, I've let other things which I've layed my hat on dictate how it is that I feel.  Things like money, possessions and my place in life determine how I went through my day.  Jesus Himself reminded us in Matthew 6 that we should be well aware of those things where we often hang our hats.  For as Christ told us, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." {Matthew 6:21}  So where is it that our hearts are today?  Where is it that we hang our hats?  It may be very easy for us to tie our own self worth and confidence in those things which Jesus claimed "where moth and rust destroy."  That is, if we are not aware of where our hearts truly dwell.  If we are unaware of who we truly are.  What is it that defines us?  Is it those possessions which we all too often accumulate over a lifetime, or is it something deeper than that?  How much importance are we placing on others, on our relationships...on Christ?  Not too long ago, a friend of mine would reference two types of people, those with a heart for self and those with a heart for others.  What type are you?  Where is it that you hang your hat?

 15And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”16Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17“And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18“So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12: 15 - 21 NKJV

When I speak of where our hearts are, I obviously am speaking of what are those things in our lives that we place value on.  For the apostle Paul there was no doubt where he hung his hat.  To Paul, to live was Christ {Philippians 1:21}.  Christ Jesus had such importance in Pauls life that He was where Paul hung his hat, He was where Paul placed his own trust.  Can we say the same?  We can if we know where we stand with Jesus ourselves.  See, Jesus isn't just some supernatural being who sits in heaven waiting to judge those who sin on a daily basis.  That was the old covenant and we're long past that.  No, far from being removed from us, Jesus today is closer to our own hearts than we think.  Again, Paul knew where to hang his hat.  He explained that it was no longer he who lived, but Christ who lived in him {Galations 2:20}.  You could say that Jesus had hung His own hat in Paul.  This is what He does with all of us who accept Him.  Or, we could hang our own hats on Christ as well.  Either way you look at it, that focus in our life will switch from that which we possess to Christ who is in us.  Once this happens, those things and events in our lives will no longer dictate how it is we will ultimately feel.  We will be safe in the knowledge that it is Christ Jesus who resides in our own hearts.  No one can steal that away from you.

19For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1: 19 - 21 NKJV

~Scott~

Words That Hurt

9Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12‘I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13“And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18: 9 - 14 NKJV

Thank God I'm not like THAT guy!  There I was in line at a locla store as I looked down upon some guy who came in wearing dirty clothes and digging in his pockets for enough change to but a pack of cigarettes.  It never occured to me in the heat of the moment that maybe this man was in the middle of the struggle of his life.  Then again, how many times have I been that recepient of anothers harsh words?  I've lost count.  This week, Wayne Jacobsen and his sidekick debated as to just why it seems that our culture, our society is full of far too many people who ridicule, insult and otherwise make others feel like garbage.  Hey, newsflash Wayne, this culture of uncivility is nothing new to the human race.  So, Wayne, how many times have you yourself talked down to someone huh?  My point is, like my own experiences, we have all at one point or another have used our own words to cause harm to others.  James refers to ones tongue as full of deadly poison {James 3:8}.  So, with more than a few scriptural references to pride and our untamable tongues, our own bad behaviors is suddenly news to Wayne Jacobsen?  Come on, man.  One of the reasons I have given up watching any type of evening news program is simply because of the fact that not only are they one sided and biased, but full of harsh words as well.  So, what is it that makes us think that this world which our heavenly Father created suddenly revolves around us?  I'll tell you what, pride.  Or, more specifically, that belief that we ourselves are in charge of all that surrounds us in this world.  Our small group has taken to refering to this as the independent self, and it's a lie perpetrated by satan {Genesis 3:4-5}.  We do well to remember that our heavenly Father is indeed that creator of all which we see, including ourselves {Genesis 2:7}.  So tell me, if we ourselves are created beings, how is it that we can entertain the thought that we are the least bit independent from He who created us?  Yet the lie lives on in many christians today.

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 3: 9 -11 NKJV

Walk into any sunday sermon and I'm sure that you will hear such catch phrases as, "Be more like Jesus, get closer to Him' and "what would Jesus do?"  Each one of these statements might give someone the idea that they were all alone in this life and that God was far removed from our lives.  One might get that idea, if one did not know the very truth of Christ Jesus that we have today.  That is, that it is we ourselves who no longer live, but that Christ lives in us {Galations 2:20}.  This very fact flies right in the face of that lie which the enemy has perpetrated from the begining.  How is it that, if Christ lives through us today, that we need to be more like Him?  How is it that we need to get closer to Him?  Far too few christians today live with that confidence that they are but vessels by which Jesus lives through us.  I would venture to bet that if more people knew their true identities in Jesus that the local pulpit pounders would become less important.  Oh, we couldn't have that could we?  So it is that we dutifully march into church each and every sunday to listen to someone who more often than not is himself a slave to the belief of the independent self tell us that we need to get closer to God.  Does anyone but me see a issue with this?  Yet we wonder why it is that many are so uncivil to those around them.  That happens when we see ourselves as more important than others around us.  Needless to say, we need more "He" and less "me."

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

~Scott~

Eyes To See

17But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? 18“Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?"
Mark 8: 17 - 18 NKJV

There is a reason by which Jesus taught by speaking parables or stories.  More than likely it was so that His words would be better understood by those He was speaking to.  In todays parlance we would equate this as to putting something in laymans terms for someone to understand it.  So was Christ putting the gospel in laymans terms?  I believe that He was.  Yet there were still those who would ask of Jesus, "what is this that you are telling us?"  See, these words of Christ were new to those of His day.  Even the teachers in the temple had marveled at the words of this young would be Messiah.  Indeed, not everyone possessed, as Jesus claimed, the eyes to see and the ears to hear.  I dare say that we today also suffer from a lack of vision.  Having eyes to see, we fail to do so.  Having ears to hear, we fail to comprehend.  What is this which we fail to see?  Who we truly are.  A good friend posed a question this week, who is it that we see when we look in that mirror?  Do we see a counterfeirt image, or do we see who it is we truly are?  Who we ultimately see goes a long way to how we see ourselves.  Do we have the eyes to see who we are?  Who is it that we are not seeing?  The apostle Paul gave us the answer in Galations 2.  See, Paul knew who he was.  He had eyes to see.  As far as Paul was concerned, he no longer existed.  In him Christ now dwelled {Galations 2:20}.  Indeed, this is a tough concept to come to terms with.  We tend to see things in the black and white of that which is directly in front of us.  Having eyes, we do not see.  However, it's right there in the pages of scripture just who it is  we really are.  Far too many of us see only the counterfeit image of themselves.  Their eyes are failing to see Christ Jesus who is in them.  I was one of those people.

13“Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14“And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’ 16“But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17“for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."
Matthew 13: 13 - 17 NKJV

How difficult of a concept is this whole Christ in us idea?  Well, difficult enough for Paul to refer to it as the "mystery among the gentiles." {Colossions 1:27}  What is this mystery among the gentiles?  Christ in us, the hope of glory.  For some time I thought that God had stacked the deck agianst me, that I could never perceive this mystery of Christ in me.  That my eyes would be forever closed.  However, in time what occured in the life of Paul happened for me as well.  That is, Christ was revealed to me {Galations 1:15-16}.  It was God Himself who provided this revelation, my eyes had been opened.  I no longer saw a counterfeit image but who I truly am.  Now, that doesn't mean that from time to time I'll forget who I am and see once again that counterfeit Scott image.  Yet that does not change who it is that has been revealed to me that I truly am.  Paul had his doubts at times, yet he understood that for him to live is Christ Jesus in him {Philippians 1:21}.  Paul had eyes to see.  So it is that every now and then I will stand in front of that mirror and see someone who isn't really there, someone who has long ago passed away {Romans 6:6}.  Instead of that old man, looking back at me now is Christ Himself.  Eyes to see.

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

~Scott~

Hope

The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts.  No Americans have been more impverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of Thanksgiving.
~H.U. Westermeyer~

I had the opprtunity the other night to watch one of the news shows whichn I rarely see anymore.  This was by personal choice, for I got tired of the media drones and their nightly anti Trump, anti America rhetoric.  Yet, as before, once again I was sucked into their trap.  Nothing had changed, but I really hadn't expected much would.  On one hand you had a polished looking dude who was bemoaning the very fact that this could have been a most thankful Thanksgiving...if not for Donald trump.  As I was reaching for the remote, his female companion claimed that one of the things for which she was thankfull for this year was that the elections were only three years away.  Ok, these are political hacks who get paid to spew their one sided opinions, I get it.  However, almost everywhere I have looked this Thanksgiving season I see people who have somehow lost sight of how it is we got here.  I'm getting to the point where America should have two holidays, the traditional holiday we know as Thanksgiving and another named simply...Thankless.  It seems appropriate.  I get that people are upset with the direction our nation is going in at times, that's expected in a democracy.  But these opinions of discontent have zero to do with why we, as a people, gather with friends and family each year in Thanksgiving.  No, we come together to celebrate that which we are truly thankfull for.  I personally see these attacks on our traditional holidays as a assault on our culture, but that's just one mans opinion.  I would venture to bet that if each of us were to stop a stranger n the street and inquire of them just why it is that we celebrate Thanksgiving that we might receive some very interesting responses.  I'm not foolish enough to believe that the majority of Americans are blind to that true meaning of Thanksgiving, but I believe that we are losing sight of it.  I recall a morning radio show host recalling how thankfull he was to go shopping on black Friday.  Huh?  Ok, popular American culture, I get it.  To me, this is more about being thankless than that true meaning Thanksgiving.

For each new morning with it's light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

One of the reasons that I have a few different things for which I am thankful each day is because of the road by which I have traveled.  I have seen struggle, poverty, dissapointments and the tragedy of death.  All of these have left their marks on my life.  However, it is not these for which I am thankful this Thanksgiving.  No, I am not thankfull for them but thankfull that BECAUSE of them that I am the man that I am today.  It is that path which we all travel which will have a huge influence on who we ultimately become.  I didn't dwell in my poverty and dissapointments, but I did learn from them.  I fear that far too many people today have forgotten that struggle which our very first settlers faced.  Leaving the only home they had ever known for a uncertain voyage to a unknown continent.  Along the way they faced disease, famine and death.  What is it that kept them persevering?  Hope.  The hope of a new home and a new start.  The hope that in that new  home that they would finally be free to live as they wanted.  The hope that they would succeed in their voyage.  I venture to ask, what did these pilgrims have if not hope?  There have certainly been times where all that I felt that I have had was hope.  But where is it that we all too often place our hopes?  Far too often, we may place our own hopes in the false belief in ourselves instead of in He who will never disapoint us.  I once heard a pastor claim that life would be much easier if God were not so far away.  Of course, this is not a belief that I share.  We have no need to be closer to God, as He is already closer to us that He will ever be.  The apostle Paul assures us of this in Galations 2:20, that it is Christ Jesus who lives through us today.  Knowing this, we can be assured that He who never disapoints will always be with us.
What is it that we are thankful for?  Prosperity, family and freinds?  This is all well and good, but where would we be without hope?

1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we 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.God.3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;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.
Romans 3: 1 - 5 NKJV

~Scott~

The Revealing

15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Galations 1: 15 - 17 NKJV

I think that it's understood that the apostle Paul knew the importance of the teachings of Christ Jesus.  There has never been a more passionate supporter of all which Jesus stood for than Paul.  Of course, there more than likely has never been a stronger critic of Him as well.  For before we came to know Paul, we were introduced to Saul of Tarsus.  As strongly of a supporter of Christ as Paul was, the man Saul used that same fervor against Him.  Indeed, we could look at this as two men with a desire for Christ, albeit for different reasons.  Two men, one seeking to destroy the followers of Christ and the other seeking to tell others of His love which saved us all.  I would also say that God used each of these men for His very purpose.  One of the reasons that others see the wonders of the message of the apostle Paul is because of the man that he used to be.  How is it that such a strong critic and persecutor of the early church of the followers of Jesus suddenly become the man who preached the gospel of Christ?  Make no mistake, what Saul sought was the death of those who followed Christ {Acts 9:1}.  It's no wonder that the early church had to gather in secret, for not to do so meant persecution and possibly death.  Of course, all of this was unfolding as God had intended.  Then, when it pleased God, the man Saul ceased to live and the man we know today as Paul came to be.  We know that something big happened on that road to Damascus that day.  We know that this was the turning point where Saul ceased to exist and Paul was born.  Yeah yeah, how can a man be reborn right?  Well, that was the very same question asked of Jesus as well {John 3:4}.  I prefer to think that what happened to Saul was certainly a transformation, a reformation of sorts.  Yet what happened to Saul is also what has transformed the lives of all who have come to know Christ Jesus.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
1 Corinthians 2: 9 - 12 NKJV

I was asked by a friend this week to expound on that idea of our Lords revealing His Son in each of us {Galations 1:16}.  Of course, this is that very revelation which transformed the apostle Paul.  It is that very same revelation by which I came to realize the same thing which Paul did...of Christ in me {Galations 2:20}.  This wasn't by my own efforts, but in Gods own timing.  For when it pleased God to reveal Christ in Paul, so it was with me as well.  This, is the revealing.  So how does this revealing of Christ in us pertain to our lives as we live them?  Well, it may be different for others, but for me it means that I have no need to be more like Jesus, to act like Christ like or to continually seek Him.  Today I have Christ in me.  He is as close to me as my next breath.  Granted, I'm still learning all that comes with this realization.  That my needs will be met by He who lives through me.  That it is no longer me who stands at the forefront...but Christ.  I am but a vessel of the image of the invisible God {Colossions 1:15}.

~Scott~

A Worthy Prayer

5“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words."
Matthew 6: 5 - 7 NKJV

Some time ago I had a discussion with a friend about those words of Christ which we find in Matthew 6.  These are Jesus' thoughts on how we ought to pray.  Now, it is has long been my belief that my prayers, our prayers, are but our communication with our heavenly Father.  I see no other way to look at this.  That being said, Christ Himself told those assembled on the mount of Olives that day just how it is that they should pray to God.  In short, we should began by acknowledging our Lord and then continue our supplications by requesting His provision and protection.  These words of Jesus have become known in most scripture as "The model prayer."  And why not?  Jesus Himself has instructed us to pray in this way.  Now, I'm not knocking the prayers of anyone.  In fact, however one chooses to do their one on one time with God is their own business.  But what if those words of Christ don't tell the whole story?  What if Jesus was simply giving instructions on prayer in a manner in which people could understand?  We know this to be true from His own teachings through the parables He so often used.  This was the very point which my friend raised to me along with the question...how should we REALLY pray?  In fact he brought up another prayer of Jesus which we might want to consider as our "true" prayer.  I will admit, that he brought up a interesting point.  The words of Jesus which he pointed out also seemed like a most worthy prayer.  Now I was stuck, which one should I use?  Which prayer should I speak to God which would not only acknowledge Him as He truly is but how He sees His children as well?  This was the search for the model prayer.

20“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will 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

As I contemplated the characteristics of my perfect prayer, I realized that I might be looking in the wrong direction.  What was it that God ultimately desired to lay upon my heart about my prayers to Him?  For so long I was under the impression that our prayers were our opportunity to seek our Lords help in our lives.  This was our chance to tell Him what was troubling our hearts.  But, what was God trying to reveal to us?  The words of Christ we find in John 17 give us a clue to what might be our true model prayer.  It is these words which my friend pointed out to me.  In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus layed out just what was on His own heart for those who would come after Him.  Appropriately, His words are titled in my bible "Jesus prays for all believers."  For it was for all of us which Christ prayed the night He was betrayed.  Think about that for a minute.  Jesus is in grief, facing His own death and He prays...for us.  So, what is it that Christ wanted for us?  "That they may be one just as we are one"{John 17:22}.  This was Christs own desire, for those who came after Him to be one in the Father just as He was.  That is, it the desire of Jesus that we would be one with the Father as He is one.  It was not the prayer of Jesus that the God would provide for us or be mindful of what was troubling us, only that we would be one in the Father.  I have come to realize that these words of Jesus are our true model prayer.  It was the desire of Jesus that we would be one in the father, and we have that today.  We are assured that it is Jesus Himself who now lives through us {Galations 2:20}.  When it is our heartfelt prayer that we would be one with our heavenly Father as He and Christ are one, He will reveal what He has already accomplished in us.

 7“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.8“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."
Matthew 6: 7 - 8 NKJV

~Scott~

Reformation Through Shame

 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.
Ephesians 2: 4 - 9 NKJV

There was a question which was raised by a popular christian author this week.  Do we, as christians, need to work our hardest to live better lives?  When I say this, I mean better christian lives in the eyes of God.  Do we, as Gods children, need to continually strive for that perfect standard in order to see ourselves as transformed by Him?  Well, if that is our goal, then we will certainly fail each and every time.  In fact, we are setting ourselves up to fail when we do this.  The author goes on to say that when we fail in our quest to be better, more righteous and more holy that we find ourselves in a never ending cycle of failure, guilt, repentance, performance and once again...failure.  It's as if we have gotten it into our heads that we need to perform at our best in order for our heavenly Father to accept us.  Well, this may work with human parents, but we have zero need to perform for our Lords acceptance.  The apostle Paul tells us this in Ephesians 2.  It is by HIS grace that we have been saved {Ephesians 2:8}.  Yet, we are told each day that we are but sinners saved byb grace and in constant need of repentance, performance...yada yada yada.  When we feel that we have failed to achieve these unattainable standards we've set for ourselves, it is then that the guilt and shame overcomes us and the cycle continues.  Maybe if I pray harder, be more righteous and tithe more then, certainly then, God will accept me into His graces!  So, what part of being saved by His grace are we not understanding?  Our own salvation has nothing to do with our own efforts.  I believe that there is a good reason for this, for if we were able to save ourselves, who would get the glory?  That's right, our favorite person...ourselves.  Suddenly God would take a back seat replaced by our own pride and glory.  No, I like things the way they are.

1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 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,
Romans 8: 1 - 3 NKJV

When I say that I prefer things the way they are I'm not refering to that same old cycle so many christians all too often get stuck in.  That same tired cycle of guilt, shame and performance.  No, I like things the way they REALLY are.  That my heavenly Father would love me so much that He would ensure my salvation {John 3:16-17}.  That Christ Jesus Himself would live through me {Galations 2:20}.  This is the reality of our salvation.  Now, at the risk of being critical, it is the institutional church which has created those standards of holy performance which we all too often fall into.  This is not from God, but from man.  Is it our Lords intention that we should feel guilt and shame in our attempts to seek Him?  I would say no.  If, then, it is not our loving heavenly Father who ultimately brings that guilt and shame upon us, who is it?  The answer may be in the pulpits of our churches.  I would suggest that, as christians, that we have forgotten who it is that we are.  We are loved and cherished children of God not deserving of the guilt and shame layed upon us by those around us.  We are vessels of the Spirit of Christ Jesus who is in each of us.  That, my friends, is nothing to be ashamed of.

"I don't need to punish people for sin.  Sin is it's own punishment, devouring you from the inside.  It's not my purpose to punish it; it's my joy to cure it."
William Paul Young, The Shack

~Scott~

Spiritual Quicksand

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. 16So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Colossions 2: 13 - 17 NKJV

I really need to forward a thank you note to Wayne Jacobsen.  Once again ol' Wayne came through with some tidbits which I could expound on.  This week he contemplated why it is that we who know Christ Jesus may suddenly turn away from where it is the Spirit is leading us into our own spiritual maturity and attempt to achieve the same result on our own.  As a result, many well intentioned christians may once again find themselves stuck in that quicksand of religious obligation.  That place we find ourselves when we are convinced that we need to pray more, tithe more or attend church more often in order to achieve our own salvation.  This "earned" path to God is one of the lies perpetrated by the very one who convinces us that we can make it to heaven on our own.  That we can be "like God" {Genesis 3: 4-5}.  Indeed, it is satan himself who deludes us with his fables that we are masters of our own destiny, that God is simply pulling our strings.  Now, if I were to ask a practicing christian if they would ever answer that call of the devil and go against God they would certainly protest my observation.  However, the evidence is already there before them.  We DO NOT need to buy our own way into heaven!  It is not up to us to perform for our heavenly Fathers plasure in order that we might punch our ticket to our salvation.  This is the quicksand of religious obligation, and it has sucked many well intentioned christians into its trap.  We are told that it is by our heavenly Fathers grace ALONE that we have been saved {Ephesians 2:8-9}.  The apostle Paul goes on to point out that our salvation is but a "gift" of God.  Ok, so if our salvation is ultimately a gift given us by our heavenly Father, how is it that our performance here in this life can add or take away from that which He has already blessed us with?  This is the spiritual quicksand which so many find themselves stuck in.  I've seen it for myself in countless Sunday services and sermons.  Spiritual quicksand is not from God, but from man.  It is man who devised such qualifications it is said we need to get into heaven.  I don't mean to pass indictment on all pulpit pounders, but a good number of them continue to lead others into spiritual quicksand.

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.
Ephesians 2: 4 - 9 NKJV

I remember a sign outside a local church which was obviously aimed at drawing people in for a lesson on spiritual quicksand.  The sign read "Have you earned your way to God?"  I almost felt like kicking that sign over, but that would not be too christ like.  Oh, and those padres who talk of being more like Jesus?  Yup, spiritual quicksand.  How is it that we who HAVE Christ Jesus in us need to be nore like Him? {Galations 2:20}  I'm not sure if it is the intention of pastors to lead others down that wrong pathway to God, but performance based salvation is a trap that many find themselves in.  I know I did.  I went to church believing that I needed to do more, pray more and tithe more in order to find favor with my heavenly Father.  Spiritual quicksand.  Like a mouse on a wheel, I found myself spinning faster and faster, trying harder and harder to gain Gods favor.  After awhile, God seemed less and less like the loving Lord which we are told that He truly is {1 John 4:8}.  Again, this is the very same lie which satan told to Eve.  I can make it on my own, I can be like God...it's all about ME!  The lie of the independent self switches our focus from God to ourselves.  The institutional church just goes along for the ride.  We don't need to step into the spiritual quicksand, we weren't meant to.  Instead, we can trust in Him who is the ONLY way to our Lord...Christ Jesus {John 14:6}.

~Scott~

The Pastors Voice

3For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12: 3 - 8 NKJV

I found myself this week reflecting on a recent story of a runaway teen who had ran to the man who was accused of abusing her...and ultimately killing her.  I found myself wondering just what I could ever possibly say to a family who had suffered such a loss.  In recent years, I have been blessed with the friendship of one who all too often would be the one who would offer words of consol in our most difficult times.  I do not mention his name, although he knows who he is.  He is, in his former vocation, a pastor.  Although he has left the pastoral scene for more leisureable pursuits, I still see him as a pastor.  I always will.  This is how I remember him.  I don't believe that one can labor for so many years in the faith and suddenly fade into the sunset.  I brought up the point this week that I couldn't see myself finding the words to consol a grieving family.  His response was tempered with the wisdom of years of having to do just that.  It may be difficult to find those words to console others who are hurting, but we try to lead them unto the one who CAN console them {Matthew 11:28-30}.  I would venture to guess that there are precious few christiians among us today who did not first recieve that gospel of Christ Jesus from a pastor.  For this is their calling, to shepherd the flock of God.  Not to oversee, dominate or lord over, but to shepherd the flock of the Lord Jesus.  Trust me, I have been in the presence of those pastors who have done just the opposite.  I know what it means to be misled by one preaching the gospel.  However, those words of my friend seemed to put a few things in perspective.  The pastor gently LEADS others unto He who has promised to consol them.  The focus is not on our pastors, but on the love and mercy of Christ Jesus.  

 27“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30“I and My Father are one.”
John 10: 27 - 30 NKJV

I had a conversation with a coworker this past week and he made a observation that got me thinking.  He commented that part of our duty as church goers is to verify the words of our pastors by seeking the scriptures for ourselves.  I believe he is right, to a point.  While I believe that we are to seek the scriptures to verify the wonders of our heavenly Father, I do not believe that it is our duty to interpret what the scriptures have shown us.  I believe that this goes for our pastors as well.  I mentioned that I believe that the duty of our pastors is to shepherd the flock of the Lord.  To shepherd, to lead and to direct.  I don't believe that it is that job of the local pastor to teach his interpretation of the scriptures.  It is here where the word will, and has, been watered down to suit the agendas of those who teach it.  Suddenly, our focus is not on our true shepherd, but on a counterfeit.  This is exactly why I valued the words of my friend that it is indeed often difficult to find the words to consol others, but that we should seek to guide them unto He who can truly comfort them.  I believe that it is not the words of the pastor which so often comforts and leads us, but of Christ Jesus speaking through him.  If you are secure in the knowledge that it is Christ who lives through you, then it is also Christ who will speak through you {Galations 2:20}.  Sadly,  there are few pastors who embrace this truth of Christ Jesus in us.  I have been blessed with the friendship of one who has.

1“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2“Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3“But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4“that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you aopenly."
Matthew 6: 1 - 4 NKJV

~Scott~

When I Know It's Wrong

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. 21I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Romans 7: 17 - 24 NKJV

I'm glad that we have the apostle Paul.  For without him we would not have some of the most endearing words of scripture which we have today.  Indeed, this man Paul was, and is, one of the greatest defenders of the gospel of Christ that history will ever see.  Of course, he wasn't always such a staunch defender of Christ.  For before he even came to know Christ Jesus within him, he was one of the strongest persecutors of the early church of Jesus {1 Timothy 1:15}.  Yet, despite all of his obvious flaws, God layed it unto Sauls heart that the very man he had been persecuting was closer to him than he ever thought {Galations 1:16}.  So we christians go along with the ideal that following his Damascus road conversion that Paul toiled away in his life of working and living for Christ.  That's a wonderful thought, if it were only true.  We also know from the words of Paul himself that his new life in Jesus also came with his own share of decisions between right and wrong.  This is evident as Paul struggles with those thoughts and behaviors which we all face every day.  Paul mourns the fact that the good he knows is right, that he does not do.  Yet the evil which he knows not to do, that he practices {Romans 7:19}.  I can certainly relate with Paul on this point.  In my own christian life I have struggled with those behaviors which I know in my heart are wrong to indulge in.  Yet on more occasions that I can mention, I have fallen victim to these temptations.  Does this somehow mean that Christ is no longer in me and that I am now but an outcast in my Lords eyes?  NO!  When Jesus gave Himself on that cross, He wiped away all of my sins.  Yes, ALL of my sins past, present and future!

1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 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.
Romans 8: 1 - 4 NKJV

I've come to the realization that although I may struggle and fall in what Paul called his own members at war with his mind, that it is not my heavenly Father who condemns me, but man {Romans 7:23}.  In fact, I dare say that when my own members war against me, that the only one who condemns me is myself.  That same struggle which overcame Paul.  But if there is no condemnation from God, why do we beat ourselves up over such things?  We're far from perfect, so it's not a matter of if we will give in to our desires, but when.  The bigger question is, how will we see ourselves when this happens?  Are we sinners whom our Lord cannot be in the presence of, or are we indeed Christ Jesus and we've simply forgotten who it is we truly are?  I would choose the latter.  I've been around that block often enough that I know in my heart when what I am doing is wrong in Gods eyes.  Paul assures us that it is no longer we who now live, but that Christ lives in us {Galations 2:20}.  Therefore, the entire notion that God cannot be with us because He cannot be in the presence of sin is...garbage thinking.  Sin no longer defines us, Jesus assured us of that.  However, that does not mean that the struggle is over.  Far from it.  For as they say, the struggle is real.  When we realize that it is Jesus who is in us and that we are not just sinners saved by grace we do ourselves a huge favor.  Of course, it always helps to have a close friend who tells you "Nor do I condemn you."

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

~Scott~

In The School Of Harry Potter Christianity

4There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works eall in all. 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by fthe same Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
1 Corinthians 12: 4 - 11 NKJV

I was never a big Harry Potter fan.  To me, spending two or more hours watching some dude doing his best Mary Poppins imitation just wasn't for me.  I know that there are most likely legions of Potterites out there who will swear by the validity of their hero, but I just don't get it.  Judging from recent years, I'm guessing that the folks at the academy awards agree with me as well.  However, it seems that there are indeed folks in christian circles out there who tout their beliefs on this type of hocus pocus junk.  As usual, the weekly podcast from Wayne Jacobsen has provided me with still more material to do what I do.  It seems that there is indeed many a Harry Potter today in christian circles.  This week Wayne discussed the reality of certain spiritual gifts and just how christians could use them for good and/or ministry.  Now, before anyone goes and checks just what spiritual super power they possess in our Lords everlasting world ministry, we should be asking ourselves just what these "gifts" are intended for.  Wayne tells of the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry located in Redding, California.  Supernatural ministry...really?  To me, the term supernatural denotes things like ghosts, spirits and other things one would normally associate with Halloween and not christianity, but that's just me.  Do those who possess and practice these spiritual gifts of black magic ministry go trick or treating to win souls?  I wonder.  Even though I am inclined to believe that, as the apostle Paul claims, there are those who have been blessed with certain "gifts" which are to be helpful in the telling of the truth of Christ Jesus.  However, I also believe that we need to stop and take notice of something else Paul tells us here.  That being that the manifestation of the Spirit (notice the capital "S" here denoting the holy Spirit) is given to each of us for the profit of all {1 Corinthians 12:7}.  Obviosuly, these spiritual gifts are not something we should take pride in or hold over someone...as that would not benefit anyone but the spiritually gifted person.

3For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12: 3 - 8 NKJV

To someone who adheres to this Bethel School theology I would ask one simple question.  Is what you have a gift, or are you simply manifesting those characteristics of He who is already in you?  Indeed, Paul tells us in Galations that it is no longer we who live...but that Christ Jesus lives in us {Galations 2:20}.  We are, in fact, created in His very image {Genesis 1:27}.  For it is Christ Jesus Himself who is the image of our invisible God {Colossions 1:15}.  Therefore, if Christ lives in us, are we not simply manifesting Him and not our own so called gifts?  I would put more stock in this than some Harry Potter ministry hype.  That's not to say that we do not possess our own spiritual gifts, but once again it comes down to how we see them.  I would tend to lean more towards that manifestation of Christ Jesus in us before something which would ultimately bring glory to us and not Him.  Again, that's just me.  Yet there are those who believe in this Harry Potter school of thought.  Paul tells us in Colossions of that great mystery among the gentiles.  That which has been revealed unto us as Christ Jesus in us, the hope of glory {Colossions 1:27}.  I'd tend to agree with ol' Paul here, for to me this was indeed a mystery until it was revealed in me.  It wasn't some miraculous, magical spiritual gift which opened my eyes to the truth of Christ Jesus in me.  It wasn't some Bethel school Harry Potter minister who swooped in on his flying broom in order that he could claim glory for himself by somehow showing me the way to Christ.  No, for this was revealed unto me by my heavenly Father.  It is those gifts which we are all too often so proud of which are simply the manifestation of He who is already in us.

26the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: iwhich is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossions 1: 26 - 27 NKJV

~Scott~

Spiritual Alzheimers

 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. Life Lessons 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 8: 28 - 29 NKJV

I've heard enough.  I'm so finished with this whole cliche, catch phrase driven christianity.  An aquaintance this week posted a few pictures of a few fun filled days at the Oregon coast.  However, along with his pictures of his vacation he headlined his post "God is good all the time."  Really?  So, my question to those who adhere to this saying would be this...when exactly did our heavenly stop being good?  Indeed, we trump this motivational saying as if God has suddenly come to His senses and proclaimed for all to hear, "Ya know what?  I AM good after all!"  To me, the issue is not that God has suddenly decided to be "good" but that we ourselves have forgotten just how good He is.  This isn't a God issue, but a "us" issue.  For we are the ones who have somehow forgotten love, grace and kindness of our Lord.  either that or we don't put much faith in Him so we need to keep reminding ourselves that He is always good.  Make no mistake, it is teachings like this which we hear every week in our institutional churches.  So, in order to somehow convince ourselves that He is good...we dutifully recite our motivational sayings.  I get it.  I've often told the story of just how difficult I've found it to wrap my understanding around that fact that a God whom I cannot see could today live through me {Galations 2:20}.  Yet the apostle Paul reassures us that this is indeed the case.  It's much easier for me to trust in something that I can see physically.  My neighbor, my coworkers, the man at the local store.  All of these I can see in front of me.  God?  Not so much.  Or can I?

9Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Job 2: 9 - 10 NKJV

One of the most difficult times I endured during my mothers illness was hearing her forgett those things which I knew she believed to be true in her own heart.  She knew Jesus, she loved Him and knew where she stood with God.  Yet she often would ask me if I felt that God would let her into heaven.  She had simply forgotten what she already knew to be true.  Why do I mention this?  Because I feel that we can take a lesson from one who spent a good portion of her life loving Jesus and yet forgot what she already knew.  Many a christian has heard of how Jesus gave Himself for us that we might be saved {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  We've heard that He wiped all of our sins away as He die don that cross.  Of how He won the final victory over death when He rose three days later.  Yet all too often we forget that which we already know.  See, I know in my heart that Christ Jesus lives through me today.  I know in my heart that my sins have been wiped away, no longer to be counted against me.  Not only that, I trust that not only has each and every sin been wiped clean, but that I am no longer a slave to those sins which once defined me {Romans 6:6}.  Yet every now and then I will feel that twinge of condemnation over something I long ago died to.  Have I Fallen back into sin?  No, I have simply forgotten who it is that I really am inside.  I am no longer condemnation.  I am not just a sinner saved by grace.  Sin no longer defines me.  Paul assures me that I am now dead to that.  This is who I really am.  We do well to remember that not only is God good all the time, but that He never stopped being so.  He is the Alpha and the Omega...He never changes.  If anything has changed, it is our own understanding of who God truly is.

8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13: 8 NKJV

~Scott~