Seasons

And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority."
Acts 1: 7 NKJV

Some of us can time the seasons pretty well.  We know from the chill in the air that fall is upon us, or from buds on the trees that spring has come once again.  If I were a farmer, I'd need to pay more attention to such things.  However, a friend who continues to remain nameless, definitely has learned a thing or two from his years on the farm.  However, one thing I do know about seasons is that they come and go in their appointed times.  I've never been witness to a season which stayed longer than normal.  As with all of Gods creation, there is a purpose to this timing of the seasons.  It's funny, but in scripture we seem to have gotten a different understanding of the word season.  For throughout scripture we are told of events which are but for a season.  What does this mean?  Exactly what it says.  Although we may experience a life situation for awhile, as with the seasons, it will not be a permanent fixture of our lives.  I have a dear friend who has been dealing with a family health issue for awhile now.  Although at first he was concerned of the longevity of this season, I believe that he understands that, as in the passing of the seasons, that these times shall also pass.  I believe that the scripture is correct in referring to these times as seasons, as I believe that it helps us in better understanding them.  We might agonize over situations we face, but if we understand that it is only for a season we began to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I've been through many a season where I've felt as if I was in for a long haul, but in the end I came through stronger.  That's the way God works.  Job, Abraham and Joseph, there are plenty of biblical elders who for a season endured.  What of the season the Israelites endured in the wilderness?  We know from scripture that there were those among them who were not convinced of the seasons of life.  I get it.  I've faced too many of my own seasons where I've doubted I would endure to the end.   We're told that the Fathers ways are not our own {Isaiah 55:8}.  Therefore, there's a good chance that we may never know the reason for the seasons we encounter.  All we need understand is that everything is in our Fathers loving hands.  He is all in all.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6: 9 NKJV

One of the definitions of the Greek word Kairos is simply...an occasion.  Other definitions include a "era" and a "period of time."  Again, as in the changing seasons, the Greeks understood that such things were temporary.  There is a reason that the apostle Paul wrote of once again seeing his friends while he was in prison.  I believe that he understood the Kairos nature of his situation.  I believe that were we to instantly think of each situation as a permanent fixture that we would have little faith in He who lives through each and every season with us {Galatians 2:20}.  Yes, if anyone understands  the difficulty of life's seasons it is Christ Jesus.  As Jesus endured until the end His own season, so He today shares in our own life seasons.  It is Jesus who can and does sympathize with our seasons {Hebrews 4:15}.  There is nothing we might encounter that Jesus Himself has not encountered first.  We can also trust that He knows the outcome as well.  Although I might desire to know the reason for the seasons of my life, I trust that it is never the Fathers desire to bring harm to His children {1 John 4:8}.  It can be a difficult undertaking, but we do well to see each and every season as just that...an occasion.  As the farmer adjusts to the changing of the seasons, so we adjust to the seasons of our own lives.  We may never plow nor plant, but in time we will become familiar with the changing seasons.  One thing I have come to realize is that seasons of life are inevitable.  We may never learn to fully prepare for them, but we will know in our hearts that never walk alone.  In time, we will become as the farmer, looking out upon his fields waiting the changing seasons.

~Scott~

Jesus At The Ball Game

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

If you've ever been to a professional sports or college game you may have well been exposed to what I call "The salvation verse."  Indeed, people across the world have taken to displaying this verse in hopes that some wayward television camera would catch a glimpse.  I'm talking about John 3:16 and how it has been used over the years as a guide to others to the Christian life.  I saw it once again the other night during a hockey game.  As the camera panned away from two grown men beating the snot out of each other, there it was for all to see.  The trouble with the salvation verse is that it in a way contradicts the traditional Christian teachings on salvation.  See, most teachings on salvation tell us that Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins then rose once again.  However, that's not the end of the story it seems.  For even with the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we are still told that we must continue to seek our Lords forgiveness.  There is a reason that as He died upon the cross Jesus proclaimed "IT IS FINISHED!" {John 19:30}.  Jesus knew that nothing more need be done, His job was done.  I am of the belief that once a person recognizes and confesses Jesus in their hearts that they are saved.  This isn't a race of who sins the least or who prays the most.  Once we start seeing our salvation in those terms then we are of the mind that it is our own efforts that got us there.  The apostle Paul was dead set against this claiming that salvation is the "gift of God and not of ourselves" {Ephesians 2:8}.  In my heart I know that there is NOTHING I have done apart from placing my faith in Christ, which would guarantee my own salvation.  Now, I've had a few discussions with my dear friend who, despite my best efforts, continues to remain nameless about what we would consider "efforts" to gain salvation.  Is simply believing in Jesus a physical effort on our part?  would it fly in the face of Paul's spoken words on salvation?  Well, I don't believe that simply acknowledging the deity of Christ in our own hearts counts as physical effort to gain salvation.  All we are doing is agreeing with the truth as we know it.  Again, whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Not by the works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, who He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3: 5 - 7 NKJV

What is left out by most people in their desire to show the world the truth of John 3:16 is the very next verse.  I believe that we cannot read verse 16 without also understanding the 17th verse.  They go hand in hand.  While cherry picking scriptures might work for some, I don't believe it works in this instance.  For in John 3:17 we see some direct contradiction of contemporary Christian teachings.  Jesus did not come into this world to condemn me.  On the contrary, He came that through Him I MIGHT BE SAVED.  Not only for me personally, but for all who come to Him.  Jesus did not arrive on the scene to cast the cloud of condemnation around me.  No matter what I've done in the past, that is no longer a concern to Him.  What's done is done.  As He claimed on the cross...IT IS FINISHED!  What remains now is our life in Him {Galatians 2:20}.  I have no respect for a pastor who makes the claim that I must continue to seek my Lords forgiveness for sins I've committed.  I know that in Christ Jesus there is no condemnation {Romans 8:1}.  I also know that the sin issue was put to death by Christ Jesus at the cross {Romans 6:6-11}.  Yes, there will be those who will continue to cherry pick scripture and say that this does not apply, but I know the truth of Christ Jesus in me.  I don't believe that God would provide for my salvation only to continue having me seek it from Him.  However, there are many in traditional Christianity who adhere to this idea of conditional salvation.  Yes, you're indeed saved, unless you sin then you'll need to seek it once again.  Yes, God is rich in mercy...unless you sin.  Contrary to traditional teaching, salvation is something we can never lose.   If this were the case, how many times would Jesus need be crucified?  Twice?  Ten times?  We're told that Christ died once for all {Romans 6:10}.  It is because of Jesus that we are saved, and because of Him that no one will ever take us from His hands {John 10:28}.

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
Hebrews 6: 4 - 6 NKJV

~Scott~

The Book Of Life

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the light was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1: 1 - 5 NKJV

One thing in particular bothers me about Christians.  Many times, when I'm faced with a issue in my life, all too many Christians will reach into their bibles and toss a few scriptures my way in the hopes that this will somehow make my life suddenly better.  Well, most of the time all that it accomplishes is my own understanding of scripture.  I feel that many Christians somehow lack the interpersonal skills to deal with those around them who are hurting or facing situations in their lives.  Is someone sick?  Suggest a scripture for them.  Is someone worried?  Throw a scripture out there to make them see the light.  Now, I have no doubt that the word has many verses for us to partake in, but I also believe that we've turned the bible on its face to be used for things it was never given to us for.  Indeed, I've seen the bible used to condemn, instigate and belittle.  The list goes on and on.  Is this the way God truly meant for scripture to be used?  I think not.  Why would a loving God intend for His words to be used to hurt others?  Well, far too many Christians see the bible as the be all end all for the Christian life.  It's there to guide us through life {Psalm 119:105}.  It's useful for teaching {2 Timothy 3:16}.  It is certainly good for encouragement {Proverbs 30:5}.  However, was the bible really created to be used like a rule book for our lives?  Well, first off, let me clear up a misunderstanding some may have of the bible as we know it today.  While indeed the scriptures we read are historic and speak to our hearts, it is not God who penned the verses we all too often use.  That task was completed by a group of men, so called experts in religion.  Indeed, long after the death and resurrection of Christ, groups of men gathered to discuss which manuscripts (scriptures) were God inspired and which were simply heresy.  So, that scripture we read today was recognized by men long ago as being inspired by God.  Now, I get that many will see no issue with this, but for myself it caused me to raise a few questions.  What was the measure of what was used to determine "scripture?"  Which writings were deemed not worthy, or heresy?  This makes for a interesting discussion.

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15: 4 NKJV

So, how is it that we see the scriptures?  Do we see them as useful for the Christian life?  Or, do we see them as the rule book for all that we do?  Well, it is my belief that God never intended the scriptures to be used in a negative way.  That being said, I believe that there is indeed much we can learn from scripture.  Were it not for the bible, we would have no idea of the thoughts and life of Christ.  Were it not for scripture, we would never know of Gods plan for our lives.  However, I do find it curious that throughout scripture the bible is not referred to as "Gods word."  Perhaps that is a moniker we have given it.  A good friend of mine who I trust in the knowledge of the scripture once told me that the bible can be seen as Gods love letter to His children.  I couldn't agree more.  Far from being a set of rules to follow, we can see the scripture for what it is, the intimate thoughts of the Father.  It cannot be disputed that Christ Jesus is a key centerpiece of the scriptures from beginning to end.  John tells us that it is Christ who was with God from the beginning {John 1:1}.  I believe that each and every scripture we might read is tied to Jesus in some way.  So, is the bible really the book of life?  Is it intended as a guide for us to walk in the Christian life?  Some might think so.  However, I have never considered myself to be a bible zealot.  I see it for what it is.  That is, the very thoughts and encouragement of a loving Father to His children.  Trust me. I've been around enough die hard Christians who have used the bible not only as a guide for their own lives but for viscous attacks on others as well.  I don't believe that God never intended for His words to be used in this way.   Instead of a book of life, I believe that we can see the scriptures as a book of THE life of Christ in us {Galatians 2:20}.

~Scott~

Walking With Jesus

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope.  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has ben poured out by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5: 3 - 4 NKJV

I was thinking this week on a sermon I heard a radio pastor tell one Christmas season.  He talked not only of the birth of the Savior, but of His journey to the cross as well.  It was one statement that has  stuck with me all this time.  "As Jesus hung upon that cross He had to know that the Father had left Him, if for a short time."  Being a baby Christian at the time, my first thought was, would God ever leave me in my time of need?  When times get tough, does God simply shrink away back to His throne in heaven?  Well, if this were the case, we would never be able to walk with God in our lives.  For as soon as some tragedy strikes, He would immediately turn tail and leave us to our own devices.  I a strong believer in the knowledge of walking with Jesus, I live it every day.  The apostle Paul has told us that it is Christ who lives through us {Galatians 2:20}.  So, if Christ is in me, where can I ever go that Jesus is not present?  What situation will I ever encounter where Jesus is not walking with me?  To think that the Father would ever leave me, or His only Son, is Ludacris.  The knowledge of Christ Jesus in us seldom allows for feelings of separation, for we know in our hearts that He is all in all.  However, it is indeed the accusers lies of separation that constantly try to tell us that God is simply too holy, too perfect and too busy to be involved in our lives.  We see this just before the fall in the garden.  "Has God indeed said"?{Genesis 3:1}  This is Satan striking right at the heart of what we know to be true.  The trouble is, we've bought into it hook line and sinker.   Let me just say that there is NO separation between the Father and ourselves.  There never has been {Isaiah 41:10}.  I won't get into just how much traditional church teachings have fostered the idea that we have been or are separated from God.  I've been down that road before.  Instead, I will focus on the truth that I know in my heart.  For those of you Christians who live and die by the written word, you'll enjoy this.   I was created in the Fathers image {Genesis 1:27}.  He breathed into me the breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  Not only am I my Fathers image, but I have my Father in me!  What more reassurance do I need that He is in me?  What more confidence do I need that I will never walk alone?  This is the knowing of Christ Jesus in me.

I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
John 14: 18 NKJV

Sinner!  Yeah, I've heard that one before too.  Scott, you're wrong, God can never be in the presence of sin, and ALL have sinned {Romans 3:23}.  Yes, all HAVE sinned...past tense.  However, but for Christ, our fate would be sealed.  What good would it be for Jesus to die on that cross to forgive our sins and not deal with the sin issue?  Sure, my sins would be forgiven, but what about the next time I sinned?  How many times would Jesus need to hang to cover our transgressions?  I wouldn't want to be that one to send Jesus to the cross time after time.  Can you see how our sin issue needed to be dealt with as well?  Well, through Christ it was put to death forever.  It was Jesus who became sin on our account {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  When Christ died, sin died along with Him.  Paul reminds us of this in Romans {Romans 6:6-11}.  Indeed, we are to now consider ourselves DEAD to sin {Romans 6:11}.  So, not only are our sins forgiven, but we're now dead to sin and have Christ Jesus in us.  I call that a win.  So, what is it that is keeping you from walking with Jesus?  What is it that is keeping you from the realization that you were created in His mage and that you have the Father in you?  A Sunday school story?  A pastors sermon?  I get it.  Yet, the truth of Christ cannot be hidden.  If you live and die by scripture, then you must come face to face with the words of Paul in Romans and Galatians.   Do we cast aside certain scriptures simply because they speak to something we don't understand?  Do that if you must, but that still doesn't explain what is written in the word.  What is written is that all have sinned.  Because all have sinned, Jesus bled and died for the forgiveness of our trespasses.  Not only that, He put sin to death once and for all.  Of course, He accomplished all of this that we would walk AS Jesus.  This is the truth of Christ.

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

~Scott~

The Jesus We Never Knew

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.  For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.
Hebrews 2: 10 - 11 NKJV

Growing up, my brother and I had some pretty good arguments and fights.  I'm guessing that this holds true for many siblings.  However, there was definitely a line that one dared not cross.  See, my brother could needle and poke me six days from Sunday, it was expected.  But let someone from outside the family try this and there would be consequences.  There were many times, in fact, that I stood by as my brother let it be known that nobody makes fun of this kid but him.  I was thinking on this the other day after a discussion with a friend who continues to remain nameless as to what the formative years of Jesus were like.  Sadly, the scriptures we are left with are devoid of much mention of the childhood and teenage years of Christ.  We're told that He grew in knowledge and in favor with the Lord {Luke 2:52}.  However, apart from this brief description we're left wanting to know more about the formative years of a young Jesus.  We're not totally in the dark here, for we can look at the family structure of Jewish families of the time and get a good idea of what everyday life was for a child.  I have no doubt that Jesus not only took in the behaviors other kids do, but tried His parents patience as well.  Sure, Mary and Joseph knew of their Sons importance, but I have a feeling that Jesus Himself was unaware of His own destiny at this point.  We can assume that, to a child such as Jesus, things like playing with His friends and getting into trouble on occasion were just par for the course.  We know that young Jesus obviously learned the carpentry trade from His own father.  We can assume that His first attempts at carpentry projects may not have turned out too well.  We can assume that Joseph would become frustrated with a young boy who would rather play with His friends than spend time in the workshop.  Then, eventually, there were those times when young Jesus would need to be reigned in.  These were the times when Mary, Joseph or both, would sit their son down and tell Him what would and wouldn't be acceptable.  Yes, Jesus was He who knew no sin, but I have no doubt that there were times in His early years where He pushed His parents buttons one too many times.  Remember, we're talking here about a young child and teenager, not the Jesus of later years who had come to the realization of who He really was.  Yet, it was in these formative years that the Father was indeed grooming His Son for what was to come.  

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Luke 2: 52 NKJV

I've known for some time that the scriptures we study today are terribly void of any description of the early years of Jesus.  I believe that were there such writings, that many would find a connection between themselves and Christ.  As it was, Jesus was as normal a child as you or me.  He laughed, He cried, He hurt and He more than likely felt the discipline of His parents at times.  For how can one have a normal childhood and not receive discipline?  Why did Jesus need to endure these things?  Well, why do our own children need to experience the discipline we give them?  We're told that the Lord chastises those He loves {Hebrews 12:6}.  The brother of Jesus, James, tells us that we should rejoice in the Fathers chastening {James 1:2}.  Far from the harshness of full on punishment, the purpose of Gods chastening is to form us into what He desires for us.  Such was the case with His own Son whom He loved.  It was His Fathers desire that Jesus endure His trials and chastening early in His life as this would prepare Him for His journey to the cross.  Again, our own parents use chastening for instruction, but seldom for outright punishment.  For instruction will often bring its desired result while punishment will give way to resentment.  I can honestly say that Christ Jesus knows exactly the trials I've faced, because He's faced them Himself {Hebrews 4:14-16}.  What temptations have I faced that Jesus Himself has not?  Wait, Jesus was tempted by girls?  Absolutely!  He endured all which we have gone through.  The reason that Jesus knew no sin is because He never ACTED upon His own temptations {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  What is sin?  The apostle James gives us a good definition.  Sin is when we act upon our own desires {James 1:15}.  Yes, we know that through Christ Jesus that we are now dead to sin, but we'll go with it {Romans 6:6-11}.  The bottom line is that young Jesus definitely had desires of His own.  He most assuredly faced those temptations we ourselves have often faced.  Yet, He never acted upon His desires.  How many of us can say that?  What we can honestly say is that we now have a advocate who has endured all we will ever endure and more.  It is He who we can reach out to when our own desires overwhelm us.

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?  But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
Hebrews 12: 7 - 8 NKJV

~Scott~

Leaders Among Men

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: "we did it ourselves!"
Lao Tzu

What would you think of a church that had no pastor?  A job that had no boss?  A nation with no recognized leader?  Chances are you would flourish temporarily, but as time went on, that leadership would be required once again.  Sure, someone might step up to the plate to take control, but who?  You?  There is a saying about how things work in our nations capital.  That is, if you really want to kill off an idea, send it to a committee.  For it is in government committees where good ideas surely go to die.  Returning to the subject of our churches, could we survive in a life in the Lord without a central church leadership?  Absolutely!  This week Wayne Jacobsen brought up the point that all too often calls upon us to follow Him.  However, more often than not we respond with teachings and policies which our so called church leaders say will bring us in step with God.  Well, how's that working out for you?  I've personally been involved with more than a few churches which were reduced to weekly lectures simply because of a few well meaning people who desired to "lead" those around them into what the Lord had planned.  While it may look good on the surface, eventually all it becomes is someone else telling us what they think God is doing.  Do you really need a pastor or a Sunday school teaching to see where God is leading you?  I don't.  The fact is, we waste so much time looking for God when we're missing what's right in our midst.  The apostle Paul tells us in Galatians that it is Christ Jesus who lives through us {Galatians 2:20}.  Yes, Jesus is IN US.  All that time we've spent looking for someone to lead us to the Lord and we miss He who is in us.  I don't fault the Christian in this.  No, I find fault in the traditional institutional church message which tells us that Jesus is in heaven and that it is our own sin that keeps Him apart from us.  I disagree.  So much so that I suggest that sin is no longer an issue we Christians need to tackle.  We're removed from sin.  Through Christ Jesus, we're now dead to sin {Romans 6:6-11}.  Remember this the next time some self appointed leader tries to tell you what God has in mind for you.

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.  So 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, praising 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

Perhaps someone out there has had this same experience.  Every now and then I would walk into church on a Sunday morning and a friend would rush up to me and say "God has something He wants me to tell you!"  Now, I don't doubt that the Father sometimes communicates to others what He intends for us to hear, but if God wanted me to know something wouldn't He simply tell me Himself?  Well, He was.  The fact of the matter was I wasn't listening for His voice.  To me, God was in heaven and I was here on the fallen earth waiting for His revelation.  Somehow, some way, God would get His message to me.  Well, that's akin to calling a friend and just talking, never listening to what they have to say.  Then, wondering why your friend wasn't talking to you.  Wayne Jacobsen raises the point that church leaders all too often smother the Fathers leading with their teachings and curricula.  For the past few years I have been blessed to be involved with a dear friends men's ministry.  Our goal is not to venture out and pound scriptures into everyone we meet.  No, what we've done is akin to the church of the followers of Christ we find in Acts 2.  We meet, we discuss what Jesus means to us and we share this with others.  It's as simple as that.  I don't need a well versed church leader to tell me that he knows what God wants to tell me.  I already know!  Through the Father who is in me  speaking to my heart, He can lead me where it is He desires.  One subject we often bring up in our meetings is the "freedom" of living as Christ.  Imagine being safe in the knowledge that you and Jesus are one, and that He is always with you.  Would you call that freedom?  Imagine a life in Christ free from the ceremonies and teachings of the mainstream church.  A life where the Father Himself guides you.  A life where your own view of God is not determined by someone behind a pulpit.  That...is the freedom of walking in Christ.  One point that I'll make about our ministry is that the Father leads, we don't.  You might say that it resembles many modern day churches...minus the sermons, ceremonies, tithes and praise and worship rock bands.  I'm ok with that.

~Scott~

But For Christ

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

One of the greatest stumbling blocks we will ever face as Christians is our own sin issue.  I know the story all too well.  It is my sin that keeps me at a distance from God.  My own sins precipitated the painful journey of Christ to the cross.  Maybe I wasn't there in the flesh, but my damned sinful nature was.  I'm as dirty as any sinner who has ever walked the earth.  Somehow I must walk with my head held low while shouldering the burden of my own iniquities.  How could God ever love such a sinner as me?  Indeed, that is the question I've asked myself many times over.  If you're like me, you will drive yourself nuts struggling to come to grips with your own sin.  What must I do for God to see me as anything but a sinner {Romans 3:23}?  Am I destined for a life of continually praying for my own forgiveness?  Well, if you follow the line of traditional Christian teaching, then you will more than likely continue to struggle with your sin issue.  However, I pose to you a question.  If one tax season the IRS sent you a letter claiming that your previous years tax burden had been erased, what would your reaction be?  Would you question their reasoning?  Would you continue to pay as if nothing had happened?  Well, if you follow traditional Christian teachings, not only would you pay this imaginary debt but feel guilty for having done so.  Traditional doctrine tells us that Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.  However, traditional CHURCH teaching compels us to continue to seek forgiveness for something which Jesus has already provided for.  It is true that Jesus never asks us to continually offer prayers to the Father for our forgiveness.  That debt has been paid in full...the letter has been sent.  What remains are children of god who have had the shackles of sin lifted from their lives...yet seldom do we realize it.  I get it.  I used to count myself among the crowd of sinners saved by Gods grace.  Believing that He washed away my sins, yet never realizing what that really meant for me.   The teaching hasn't changed, but it's the teaching that opened my eyes to what I had been missing all along.  One Easter Sunday, after celebrating Christs resurrection, the pastor asked his congregation to come forward if they felt that there was any unresolved sin in their life.  It was if a lightbulb had been turned on.  Here was the pastor asking me to confess my sins right after his sermon on Jesus dying on the cross for the forgiveness of those same sins.  I walked away and never looked back.

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for our only but also for the whole world.
1 John 2: 2 NKJV

This issue of struggling with our sin will continue to haunt us until we learn the reality of sin itself.  To me, sin is something a pastor will use to get me to see that I still need him and his church.  For others who don't know the reality of sin, it's a daily struggle.  So, why would you continue to accept something which no longer exists?   The apostle Paul tells us in Romans that Christ has put sin to death {Romans 6: 6-11}.  This was all part of the death of Christ Jesus on the cross.  At the cross, Jesus became sin in order that sin would be put to death {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  Indeed, those sins which once haunted us, are now dead and gone never to return.  For what Christ has put to death can never be resurrected.  Well, you would think so, right?  Except that each and every day well meaning Christians continue to resurrect that which Jesus put to rest.  It's here where some confusion may lie.  If Christ has put my sins to death, why do I continue to behave badly?  Good question.  Are our own bad behaviors still sin?  Remember that Christ has already put our sins to death.  Why do we continue digging up the bones of that which is dead?  Because it sounds good when we try to explain how we behave.  We count as sin the harsh words we say to others.  We count as sin the lust we feel towards the neighbors wife.  It's as if Satan gave us the shovel and told us where to dig up our long dead sins.  For the longer he keeps us in fear of our sins, the longer he keeps us in bondage to them.  Well, those chains have been broken long ago!  What's left are simply memories of what once was.  So what of those behaviors we like to call sin?  Well, they're not sin, so what are they?  Honestly, it's my belief that when we behave wrongly we are simply forgetting who it is we really are.  Who are we?  We are the manifestation of the risen Christ.  It is Christ Jesus who now lives through us {Galatians 2:20}.  Don't worry about God not being able to be in sins presence.  But for Christ, sin would still be an issue.

~Scott~

The Life We Choose

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4: 7 - 8 NKJV

There was a time when I questioned the love of God.  Times when I would ask, "does He love me...or does He not?  As a Christian I had been taught to love, respect and fear God.  I understood the love and respect...but fear?  In my heart, God didn't seem all too scary to me.  In fact, all that I saw of Him was love.  Love for His children.  Love for those desperate and in need.  Love for those who had never known as much.  Yet I was told that there was a side of God that I needed to fear.  For if I fell out of step or sinned once again, I could expect Him to display His displeasure with me in some way.  I began to see each and every negative circumstance in my life as a angry Gods discipline.  That's just the way this Christian life was.  This is the life we choose.  However, I would find out that there was yet another life out there.  A life where I could live in Gods love, never needing to wonder if He loved me or not.  A life not lived through the fear of His impending reprisals.  It's funny, but this "other" life was something I never learned in a church.  Quite the opposite.  All too often we will  associate our own interactions with God on our own experiences.  If we've experienced bad relationships, then we may well carry over some of our pain in our understanding of who God is.  If we've never experienced love on our own, then the love of God may seem out of reach for us.  Growing up without a father, I soon began to associate God with my dad.  My own dads love was conditional, so I saw Gods love as conditional as well.  This was all I knew about the love of a father.  This is why I sometimes questioned whether or not God loved me.  How could He love me when I behaved badly?  How could he love me when my own father wouldn't show his love towards me?  I saw God as I saw my own dad, distant and only there when times were good.  Yes, Jesus bled on the cross for my forgiveness, but if I wasn't such a dirty sinner, then He wouldn't have needed to endure all of that.  Forgiveness?  Well, I didn't feel too forgiven.  Each day I would pray that God would forgive me for all I had done in hopes that He would have mercy on me.  This was the Christian life as I knew it.

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4: 9 - 10 NKJV

All too often, those of us who live the Christian life live a life outside of our heavenly Fathers love.  Instead of living in His truth, we toil away in a life apart from Him believing in our minds that this is the reality of God.  That was my life.  How is it that we can live in His love when we question His love each and every day?  Am I adequate?  Do I fit the image that God has for me?  Undoubtedly, our own image of God may often be tied to our own vision of ourselves.  If we have a negative self image, then may well see ourselves as unlovable to God.  Yep, I've been there too.  However, nothing could be further from the truth of who God really is.  Who is God?  Well, God is...love {1 John 4:8}.  The apostle John makes a important point.  It has never been because of our love for Him...but that He has loved us from the start {1 John 4:9}.  Despite our own misgivings, biases and negative feelings, God created us in His own image {Genesis 1:27}.  He loved us enough to provide for our future in Him even before we had our first bad thought.  His love for us has never been performance based.  We are who we are, and He is who He is.  This has never been a life we chose, but a life lovingly planned out by the Father.  For He knew us before we were born {Ephesians 1:4}.  So what does it mean to live "in" Gods love?  Knowing.  I know in my heart that In was lovingly created in his own image.  I know that not only did Christ become sin at the cross, but that He provided for Himself  to live through me {Galatians 2:20}.  I can live in Gods love because Christ Jesus lives through me.  He is not distant, far off or removed from my life, but He IS my life.  This is living in Gods love.  When Christ is in us, the love of God shines through us as well.  Living a life in Him is more about our own realization than our own choice.  For even while I struggled with Gods identity, His Spirit still thrived within me.  I began to live and thrive in His love when I began to see Christ Jesus in me.  This is our life in Him.

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.
Ephesians 1: 4 NKJV

~Scott~

Battle Scars

With many thanks to Frank Trenkler (United States Army - retired)

Thank you for sharing a part of you my friend!

Only the dead have seen the end of war.
~Plato~

In 2009, Frank Trenkler was serving with the U.S, Army in Talil, Iraq.  On this particular morning, he and his unit pulled convoy security duty for vehicles in the area.  Soon, children from the area converged on his vehicle, eagerly looking for treats from the soldiers.  Although the local children knew not to climb onto the U.S. vehicles, one young boy suddenly climbed onto Franks truck.  Looking at the army soldier, he apologized.  Frank heard the magnet attach to his truck and instantly reacted.  The moments that followed he remembers to this day.  Raising his weapon, Frank fired at the boy while retreating into his vehicle.  The explosion wasn't strong enough to damage Franks vehicle, but he still came away with battle scars of his own.
Although I've never seen combat, I can honestly say that I too carry my share of scars.  Each of us, when we've lived long enough, will accumulate our own share scars, wounds and memories that, hard as we try, we cannot forget.  While my mother passed away over two years ago, I still carry with me those memories of her final days.  So many people, struggling with scars of their own, have come up with many ways to silence the voices of accusation inside of them.  We lose ourselves in retreats, self help programs and addictions all the while hoping that our scars will heal.  In reality, we were never meant to live this way.  For those of us with any knowledge of God, we know all too well the stories of our accuser.  That one who roams the earth while seeking whom to devour {1 Peter 5:8}.  Indeed, those voices inside of us which we fight so hard to silence are those of the accuser.  He who will stop at nothing to topple our Lords children.  He who set his own lie in motion in the garden.  He who cast doubt into Adam and Eve..."did God really say?"  Yes, many of us know all too well the ploys of the accuser.  However, what about those of us who have never known the Father and continue to struggle with their own battle scars?  Well, the accuser will never discriminate between the saved and unsaved as he wreaks his havoc among Gods creation.  People have referred to them as demons and ghosts, but even the demons know the name of Christ Jesus {James 2:19}.  Yes, those same demons that torment us tremble in fear at the very mention of the name Jesus!  I believe that this truth will be liberating to someone who is struggling with their own demons.  I remember losing myself in addiction to mask my own pain of rejection and low self worth.  To me, living this false narrative was better than facing the truth of who I believed I was.  Well, it turns out that the man I thought I was...was just another lie of the accuser.

And 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.  Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christs sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12: 9 - 10 NKJV

The words of the apostle Paul should be a rallying cry for all who believe.  The strength of Christ Jesus is made perfect in our weaknesses.  When we are weak, battered and scarred...it is Jesus who is strong within us.   My own search of who I really was also led me to knowing who Jesus truly is.  For Paul also tells us in Galatians that it is Christ Jesus, not me, who lives {Galatians 2:20}.  Indeed, my old nature was nailed to the cross with Him so long ago.  What remains...is Christ.  Knowing this, can we really honestly claim that our accuser can reside within us?  Can Satan and Jesus coexist side by side?  I would say no.  So, what do we say to those who fight the demons they believe to be inside them?  Simple, is that who you really are?  Remember, I too fought that fight of self worth.  I was there in the trenches while my accuser tossed every grenade of self accusation and doubt my way.  There were times I gave in to his lies, choosing to believe what he claimed to be true.  Did that change who I really was in Christ?  NO!  All that proved was that I was able to believe a lie.  Jesus will never come to us with a voice of condemnation {Romans 8:1}.   Instead, it is Christ who will relate to us who we truly are in Him.  It is through our own hurts and scars that Jesus will often reveal Himself to us.  In our moments of deepest need, He walks ahead of us.  Our scars carry with them painful memories.  Our accuser will take every opportunity to drive a wedge between God and His children.  However, one thing the accuser will never offer us...is love.  We do well to remember that Christ...is love {1 John 4:8}.

~Scott~

No Show Jesus

Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "why do you seek the living among the dead?"  "He is not here, but is risen!  Remember how He spoke to you when He was in Galilee, "saying, 'the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' "  And they remembered his words.
Luke 24: 5 - 8 NKJV

I mentioned in my last post of how difficult I've found it to come to know a Jesus whom I could never actually see.  In fact, I'm sure that I'm not alone in feeling this way.  I mentioned the struggles I've had before, trying to see Jesus in me when I could never see Him with my own eyes.  I mentioned the doubts of His disciple Thomas, who openly challenged the risen Lord unless he himself could see Him with his own eyes.  How is it that I could ask someone to have a relationship with One they cannot see?  I'm not saying that others have never heard of Jesus, I'm sure that all of creation knows the name of Christ.  Remember, even the demons know Him {James 2:19}.  Do you know Him?  If you were to have asked me that question more than a few years ago I would surely have said no.  What changed?  Well, what changed is how is how I saw Jesus Himself.  I began to see Him as a person instead of a teaching spoken of only in Sunday sermons.  Remember that we're not alone when it comes to seeing the man Jesus.  We're told that no one has seen Him {John 1"18}.  Unless you count the Father, nobody has seen Jesus as He is.  That is, as He truly is.  So, how is it that the world will ever know Him?  Well, if you He lives in you then they will see Him through you.  Wait, Jesus lives through me?  Yes, the apostle Paul assured us of His indwelling Spirit in Galatians {Galatians 2:20}.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 2: 5 NKJV

I never doubted that Jesus was a human man...in His day.  Yet, doctrinal teaching tells us that Jesus bled and died on a Roman cross for the forgiveness of our sins.  Upon His death, He promptly rose from the dead and ascended into heaven (Not in the sky, but more on that later) where He was seated next to the Father.  I get it.  So, in my view this was the reality of Christ.  This is exactly why I struggled on having a relationship with Him.  This Man, this Savior, this risen Lord was not that close to me at all.  Believe me, if you hold to this teaching, your own view of Jesus may only see Him as a overseer and not as the loving Lord He truly is.  Isn't that how many see God, as one who looks over our lives from afar?  Well, nothing could be further from the truth.  We're told that the Father and Jesus are one in the same {John 14:9}.  So, if Jesus indeed lives in us as Paul says, we can bet that God is in us as well.  Believe me, I've heard from many Christian heresy police for speaking this belief.  If that's true, then I'm sure we can count Paul among the heretics as well?  Do we cherry pick only those scriptures that agree with traditional teachings?  Is this how God intended His word to be used?  I'd say no, on both counts.  So, is Jesus really a no show in our lives?  Can we love a God whom we cannot see?  As Ben Kenobi once said to a young Luke, "search your feelings you know this to be true,"  Indeed, I believe that each of us has the knowledge within us of who it is we really are inside.  After all, we are all created by God in His image {Genesis 1:27}.  Indeed, all that He is...we are.  I can say that with confidence.  What is stopping you from a relationship with the Man Jesus?  This is the relationship with His children that God intended.  That relationship He had with us in the garden.  You need not be "more like" Jesus, you already are His likeness.  All that He is, we are as well.

Jesus 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: 29 NKJV

~Scott~