The Fire Down Below

 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 life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 

John 1: 1 - 5 NKJV 

It wasn't my intention this Sunday morning to step into the path of heresy and controversy, yet here I am.  I received a few compliments on Saturdays writing about heaven.  However, I believe that this was because I didn't rock the Christian theological boat all that much.  I still agree that there is a heaven, I'm just not sure we know where it is.  So, if there is indeed a heaven, can we also assume that there is it's direct opposite?  Ok, I'll just say it and get it out of the way...hell.  Indeed, we are reminded in various places in scripture that hell is that place reserved for those found not worthy to spend eternity in the Lords presence.  I take this to mean those who will not acknowledge Christ as Lord and Savior.  The apostle Paul lays it out for us in Romans that if we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead that we would be saved {Romans 10:9}.  That is pretty cut and dry.  But I didn't choose this topic on hell this morning as a warning to wavering believers.  There is a reason that I chose the leading scripture that I did for this writing.  A reason that more than a few Christians may disagree with.  That is, if we agree that God created the heavens and the earth then we must also agree that He is responsible for creating hell as well?  That God Himself is responsible for the creation of Lucifer?  I don't feel that we can adhere to believing that God created the heavens and the earth and not also agree that the lake of fire we all fear was created by His spoken word as well.  Now, popular Christian teaching tells us that hell is that place where unbelievers spend their eternity.  I believe that they at least get this partly correct.  So, is a eternity in hell but a eternity apart from God?  That is a very hot, flaming place apart from God. Possibly.  Keep in mind that as creator of all which is seen AND unseen, that Gods fingerprints are upon all of creation.  Doesn't it seem like blasphemy that God would be in hell?  

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.  God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.  Love has been perfected in us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgement; because as He is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  We love Him because He first loved us. 

1 John 4: 16 - 19 NKJV 

God in hell?  I'll do you one better, what if all we have been told about hell isn't really correct?  Yes, it's been used to frighten more than a few believers to straighten up and behave, I get that.  But is this the reality of the underworld?  We're told that hell is a place of torment {Revelation 14:11}.  However, we're also told that there can be no torment with the Father {1 John 4:18}.  So is hell indeed a place of torment?  Well, let me lay it out for you to decide.  In the beginning God created all which is seen and unseen {Genesis 1:1}.  This would include the earth as we know it, heaven and...hell.  Pretty much everything we have ever known, good and bad, was created by the Father in the beginning.  So, if we agree that God indeed created hell, and if in the perfect love of the Father there is no fear nor torment, can there be torment in hell?  I realize that this digs up more than a few interesting questions for my readers, and you are free to post them in the comment section of this page.  I can understand that this may rock the boat of Christian theology.  Hell, I had a hard enough time coming to terms with it myself.  However, as I said, I simply present the facts as I see them.  Every believer need make their own decision on how they see God and His creation.  If I am accused of heresy, it wouldn't be the first time.  However, I refuse to see the Father from the viewpoint of fear and punishment.  If we abide in the perfect love of the Father, then that fear is a thing of the past.  

"You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For you created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."

Revelation 4: 11 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

O Heaven Where Art Thou?

 

But as it is written, "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."

1 Corinthians 2: 9 NKJV 

A few years back, after listening to another radio sermon, I found myself going to sleep one night amid thoughts if my recently passed mother was indeed in heaven.  I'm not really sure why I shaken from my sleep that night, but I recall being suddenly awakened.  It was then that the thought hit me.  Not really a voice but a realization in my spirit, "She watches you and then she returns."   It took me some time to realize it, but this was my first encounter with heaven.  I have no doubt that this was Gods way of assuring me that my mother is indeed now in the presence of the Lord she loved.  In recent years there have been more than a few books written by those who have claimed that they have indeed seen heaven.  A group of Christian brothers I know will be beginning a study on Randy Alcorn's book Heaven.  It seems that Mr. Alcorn as well once had his own heaven experience.  I am of the belief that heaven is a reality enjoyed by those who love the Lord.  Therefore, I will not be discussing here whether or not heaven is real.  What I will be writing on is the Christian perspective of just where heaven is.  Have you ever wondered to yourself where heaven is?  I have.  The scriptures tell us that heaven is place somewhere in the sky above us.  Indeed, with verses containing words such as "ascended" and "heavens," what else are we supposed to believe?  We're told that Elijah "went up" by a whirlwind into heaven {2 Kings 2:11}.  By all accounts, the roadmap to heaven should start with a sign with a arrow pointing up.  Yet, are we indeed sure of that location?  How can we be?  I agree that we have more than a few examples of the existence of heaven, yet not one of these instances gives us a clear idea of where heaven really is.  To this I will pose another question...does it really matter?  Think about it, if we are assured in our own hearts that heaven does exist, does it really matter its location?  Yet we humans are curious types and will constantly seek answers to the unknown.  However, God has indeed blessed us with much knowledge of our eternal home.

"In My Fathers house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

John 14: 2 - 3 NKJV 

I'll admit that I've spent more than enough time wondering and worrying about where the Lords kingdom is.  Again, why do we occupy ourselves with such things when we are assured that we will be with the Father in heaven?  If there is one thing that my own heaven experience has taught me is that our own views of where heaven is might just be a bit skewed.  I don't feel that we're to blame for this as much as that of the original translators of the bible.  For they are the ones who included words such as "up" and "ascend."  Perhaps that is how they understood how best to describe what happened?  That's my opinion anyway.  What I learned from my near heaven experience is that wherever heaven is, it must be somewhere very near the reality we see, perhaps another dimension entirely.  Growing up I read plenty of books by Hans Holzer and other ghost story writers, so I have always been curious about the spirit realm.  Could it be that the ghostly experiences so many people have encountered are nothing more than our own encounters with another dimension we rarely see?  Could this be heaven?  There have been many instances of people seeing long lost relatives after they have passed from this earthly realm.  I know, I experienced my own.  I believe that that which we see is closely knit with the heaven we cannot see.  Some say we may be living in heaven right now.  One thing is for certain, I'm less concerned now about the location of my final home.  As the apostle Paul claimed, "absent from the body and present with the Lord."

We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5: 8 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Gods Country

 

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7: 14 NKJV 

I grew up in an era where these United States have been considered to be blessed by the Lord God.  That somehow we are a chosen nation among many whom God has decided to spread His favor.  I will not argue that my country has indeed been blessed by the Lord over the years.  However, I also know that we have committed our share of bad behaviors as well.  Does our good outweigh the wrong we have done?  I'm not sure, but I do find it a bit arrogant that we would stake claim to Gods blessed nation status.  Especially since Israel, the Lords chosen people, has had such a troubled history.  What makes us different?  Well, I would agree that our nation was founded upon Christian principles by God fearing men.  I would also agree that our own history is one of religious freedoms and recognizing the Lord.  For much of our history, Sunday mornings have been known as a time where families gather to worship the Lord in their own way.  This was what we did in a time before Sunday football games took over our interest.  But to say that this nation has been blessed among all nations?  I'm not buying that.  What I will agree with is the fact that our country, as far as we can see, belongs to the Lord.  He created it, He populated it...so I think that makes it His.  In fact, everything that we see has the Lords fingerprints all over it.  This is the belief that God is all in all.  I made the comment to a friend this past week wondering how it is that we can ignore the fact that God is in all that we see if He is the one responsible for all which we see coming into existence.  By His spoken word, He created all which surrounds us {Genesis 1:1}.  It astounds me that, in a nation so deeply rooted in Christianity, that we have never had a holiday where we celebrate all which God has provided for us.  Sure, we have Christmas and Easter, but we celebrate these expecting to get something in return.  

"You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For you created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."

Revelation 4: 11 NKJV 

I took a picture once while on a fishing trip of a sunrise over a local lake.  Eventually, I decided that it was good enough to frame for display.  I titled that picture "Gods sunrise" and it became one of my mothers favorite photos.  As I stood on the shore of the lake that morning I wasn't thinking of the beauty which the Lord had provided, only that it looked good to me.  That is what we are faced with when we began to see God as all in all.  We may find ourselves no longer seeing things in relation to the physical properties of ions and oxygen, but in beauty of the Lords creation.  Would that actress on tv look so attractive were she simply a pile of dust?  Probably not, but those are her origins.  We're told that God formed each of us from the dust of the ground {Genesis 2:7}.  By His spoken word all which we see came into being.  He was there from the beginning, and nothing came into existence without Him.  We may from time to time allow our pride to broadcast our own accomplishments for all to see.  Yet where would those accomplishments be without God?  Would your accomplishments exist had you not been created?  This is indeed a sobering realization once we understand that it's not we who make the world turn...but God.  

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 life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1: 1 - 5 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Jailbreak

 

Now the 'He ascended,' what is it except that He first descended also into the lower parts of the earth.

Ephesians 4: 7  Concordant New Testament 

I'm going to make a observation that might make more than a few Christians uncomfortable.  In fact, some of you might downright question what I am suggesting.  That's ok, for I have it on good authority that these events are true.  What would you say if I told you that those who were deemed unworthy of the Lords eternal presence were somehow suddenly forgiven and shown the mercy of a God they had up until then refused to proclaim?  What would you say if that same grace was bestowed upon those who refused to see Christ Jesus for who He was, that He has indeed come in the flesh {1 John 4: 2}.  Would you wonder why God would redeem someone who refused to believe the deity of Jesus? {Romans 10:9}  I myself, when I first read these scriptures, wondered if they were indeed true or simply a statement of the authors opinion.  Because I've been instructed in what I need to do to ensure myself a seat at the Lords table.  Paul lays it out clearly for us in Romans what we as believers must do in order to be saved.  To confess the Lord Jesus and thus believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead.  That's it.  We do that, and our future with the Lord is guaranteed right?  Of course, it's in the scriptures so it must be true?  Don't worry, I'm not here to upset the theological apple cart, only to suggest something which many Christians who feel a need to "work" for their own salvation might have overlooked.  While I agree with Paul in his requirements for our own salvation, I want to take it a step further.  I want to make a few well intentioned Christians uneasy.  First off, I get the entire striving for salvation thing.  I was once there with the rest of you fighting my flesh for a ticket at Gods table.  They said I needed to believe...I believed.  They said that I needed to confess the Lord Jesus...I did my part.  Therefore, I was in...right?  But then I find out that someone who hadn't walked the salvation path like I had was going to be seated at the same table as me?  What's with that?  The answer, in a nutshell, is that Gods mercy knows no bounds.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).

Ephesians 2: 4 - 5 NKJV 

I get that more than a few Christians might be uncomfortable with sharing salvation with some who they "feel" does not deserve it.  Yet, who am I to tell God who He invites into His party?  When you get down to brass tacks, if not for Christ Jesus, NOBODY would deserve the salvation they now cherish and wear like some kind of jeweled crown.  It is by the love and mercy of the Father by which we owe our future with Him.  Not only us, but anyone else the Father chooses to invite into His presence as well.  This is where I got lost for a bit in my reading of Ephesians 4.  I'd heard the whispers of Jesus descending into the lower regions, but did not understand because I was not seeing it from the Fathers perspective.  Why would God, who loved us all, desire to free those He loved from captivity?  Why indeed.  Why did the father rejoice in the return of his wayward prodigal son? {Luke 15:32}  Because he who was lost had been found.  The son who was dead was once again alive.  Do we even need to wonder why it is that God would ensure that He restores as many of His children as possible?  Far from what we've been told, I believe that the desire of the Father is not to judge and condemn...but to restore.

"And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.  It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found."

Luke 15: 31 - 32 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Slings And Arrows

 

Loudmouth in the corners getting to me

Talking about my earing and my hair

He ain't read the sign that says I've been to prison

somebody better warn him before I knock him off his chair

~Long haired redneck~  David Allan Coe 

I recently congratulated a dear friend of mine on his birthday by reminding him that he had survived one more year of putting up with me.  Seems pretty appropriate for those that know me.  Many of us cannot claim that we are perfect Christians.  On the contrary, we often let our words slip and speak our mind when circumstances warrant such a reaction.  I once heard a pastor I knew unleash a stream of all sorts of verbal venom on someone who had cut him off on the highway.  Yes, this was the very same guy who a few days later was preaching from the pulpit about forgiveness.  Double standard?  Not that I can see.  See, I know exactly how irritating and obnoxious that I can get a times.  I speak my mind and I rarely apologize.  Yeah, I've heard that such behavior is not Christian like, and yet I still do what I do.  Is this a matter of knowingly behaving badly?  Or, is it as simple as forgetting that person we really are inside?  In order to speak to this we need to understand who it is that we truly are deep down.  We understand that God created man in His own image {Genesis 1:27}.  We also understand that He breathed into us the breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  From the dust of the ground to a living, breathing being, God has been a intimate part of our existence from the very beginning.  Still think that obnoxious behaving runt is really who you are?  Well, the apostle Paul may disagree with that belief.  It was Paul who described very well the man who he knew he really was.  Was he that persecuting official who chased down the early followers of the church of Jesus?  Nope.  Paul understood that he had died and put away such things.  The man Paul truly was...was Jesus {Galatians 2:20}.  That's right, it was Jesus who was living in Paul. 

With Christ have I been crucified, yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ.  Now that which I am now living in flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God, who loves me, and gives Himself up for me. 

Galatians 2: 20 ~ Concordant New Testament

Paul also nailed it on the head when he described knowing Christ in us as the "Mystery among the Gentiles" {Colossians 1:27}.  Indeed, I have struggled with my own knowing of Jesus in me from time to time.  It is not simply a belief in Jesus, it goes much deeper than that.  Believe me, there are plenty of long haired hippies out there who claim to believe in Jesus.  Yet, when they behave badly the immediate response is that they are somehow a wicked, sinful person.  Yes, I've been there.  There is nothing worse for a believer than the hamster wheel of knowing Jesus one moment then being in His crosshairs the next.  But we were never intended to live our lives in fear of the impending judgement of Jesus {1 John 4:18}.  He's not there simply watching over us until we screw up.  This belief is part of the lie that we are separate from God.  Friends, how is it that we can be separate from He who created us from the dust of the ground?  This is a fools errand and we are anything but.  It is no wonder, therefore, that Paul took to referring to a life in Christ Jesus as a mystery.  Of course, it does not need to be that way.  When we encounter those moments where we behave badly, we understand that it does not in any way exemplify  who it is that we are inside.  Of course, having a deeper knowledge of Jesus in us may just help us head off more than a few of these bad behavior moments as well.  

To whom God wills to make known what are the glorious riches of this secret among the nations, which is: Christ among you, the expectation of glory.

Colossians 1: 27 ~ Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Fields Of Gold

 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon."

Luke 16: 13 NKJV 

I heard a radio preacher this week proclaim that the largest owner of gold in the entire world is not the U.S. government.  It's not some criminal organization.  No, the sole owner of most of the worlds gold belongs to none other than the catholic church.  Now, at first I approached this with skepticism, but after considering everything which I know about the ornate appearance of many churches, I am inclined to believe this claim.  Indeed, we all have seen the stately appearance of many of the churches we encounter.  For me, it does not matter how you decorate your church, as long as the fundamentals of Christ are taught within its walls.  When I look at the majority of catholic churches today, I see many cathedrals decorated with the finest man can buy, yet the truth of Jesus is rarely taught.  What is the truth of Jesus?  Well, the apostle Paul spoke to that subject in Galatians when he described Jesus living in him {Galatians 2:20}.  Keep in mind that Jesus is all too aware of these ornate temples that we claim are to glorify God.  Tell me, how is God glorified when His Son is not glorified?  Yet we will heap mountains of glory upon the very mother of Jesus without mentioning that it was the Father who orchestrated it all.  So it seems that there is a price of admission for being a believer in Jesus.  The proceeds from these gate receipts most certainly go to maintaining the appearance of the church.  Now, obviously not all houses of worship are so ornately decorated, but there are certainly many of them.  As I said, you can decorate your church however you like as long as long as the truth of Jesus is taught there.

"If you had know Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.  Philip said to Him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.'  Jesus said to him, 'have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?  He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, show us the Father?"

John 14: 7 - 9 NKJV 

The truth we see about Christ Jesus is that He is not distant and removed from us, but very much in us today.  Paul referred to this teaching as the "mystery among the Gentiles" {Colossians 1:27}.  We're all too often taught that Jesus, upon rising on that third morning, ascended into heaven to be seated next to the Father.  We accept this as true without also accepting the truth of Christ in us.  This is the disconnect in modern theology.  Are we to ignore the words and teachings of Paul in order to carry on ages old teachings?  I would say no.  Is it wrong to be rich?  Not at all.  Yet, what is the Father asking that you do with your wealth?  If we hold tight to the view that we and we alone are responsible for achieving our own success, then we've missed the entire point of who the Father is.  God is not one who created all that we see only to erase His fingerprints once man inhabited the earth.  No, God created all.  God is all in all.  

~Scott~ 

Greetings From Rome

 

Then Pilate asked Him, saying, "Are you the King of the Jews?"  He answered him said, "It is as you say".  

Luke 23: 3 NKJV 

I remember watching the film The Passion of the Christ with a few church friends when it first was released some years ago.  honestly, my very first reaction to this film was one of shock and horror.  I had read scripture upon scripture of the persecutions of Jesus, but I had never seen with my own eyes what it must have been like back in the day.  The fact that I knew that Jesus was a innocent man carried no weight in His death on that cross.  Those that held His life in the balance haggled over His fate.  Now, knowing what I know now, I would have voted for Jesus to die on that cross as well.  Why?  Because Jesus took my sin upon Himself that I would be saved {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  Of course, none of those who were presiding over the fate of Jesus that day even knew that He must die for others to live.  Jesus knew His fate.  He predicted it more than a few times to His own disciples.  Yet to see the punishment dealt upon Him was too much for me.  To see the pain and anguish He must have endured was painful to watch.  Yet, in a sense, I had been a front row participant in the death of Jesus on that cross.  The apostle Paul explains to us in Galatians that he himself had been "Crucified with Christ."  This was Paul's explanation of Christ living in him {Galatians 2:20}.  So, if Jesus in fact lives in me, was I not there with Him on that fateful day?  Wasn't I nailed to the cross right there beside Jesus?  Well, in a sense, yes.  For it was my former sin nature which was put to death beside Jesus on that cross.  Everything about me which said that I am but a sinner died that day with Jesus.  What remains is the new creation brought forth by Christ {2 Corinthians 5:17}.  The fact that a innocent Jesus had to die upon the cross has been lost over time.  Yes, Jesus was undeserving of the punishment He received.  However, this is the way it had to be.  The innocent lamb sacrificed for many.  The real story here is that through the love and mercy of the Father, Jesus took upon Himself the punishment meant for me.

"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."

Galatians 2: 20 NKJV 

At some point in the future I will be doing a page on how we hold on to those symbols of our beliefs.  However, for now I will suggest that it is not the cross which we Christians should be turning to in our search for knowing and understanding Jesus.  That cross was simply a prop used by the Romans to dish out their punishment upon those who went afoul of Roman law.  If Jesus had endured His punishment today, He may very well had been marched into a chamber where He would have been administered a lethal injection.  The method and form of His death has never been the issue.  What is at stake is our own understanding of why Jesus did what He did.  Why did Jesus suffer such a horrible punishment?  Well, He did it for me.  Not only for me, but for all mankind.  That's right, Jesus endured His punishment even for those who may not deserve it.  I find the words of Jesus as He died upon the cross to be prophetic.  "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do"{Luke 23:34}.  Here was Jesus, suffering on the cross, and yet He held mercy for those who were persecuting Him.  I believe that this is the true nature of Jesus.  Not one of judgement, but of love {1 John 4:8}.  It is not the cross which we should leading us to Christ, but what He has done for us.  

Upon the cross of Jesus, the Roman authorities placed a sign which read, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  This was not meant as much as a proclamation of what Jesus Himself had declared, but as a warning from the Roman rulers of the region that anyone who decided to challenge the authority of Rome would suffer the same fate as this Galilean carpenter.

And a inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Luke 23: 38 NKJV

~Scott~ 

Gods Playlist

Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

Ephesians 5: 19 NKJV 

I pondered for awhile just what this mornings topic was going to be.  Then, the inspiration hit me after a email from a friend on the topic of Christian music.  Now, he and I have gone around and around on this topic more than once.  I'll admit that my own viewpoint on this issue is biased from the time I have spent in various mainstream churches.  Where you walk in each week to a playlist of selected hymns and songs which hopefully will engage the congregation in the topic of that mornings sermon.  Let's call this Gods playlist.  A good friend of mine made the comment more than a few years ago while in church that he would love to hear a few Christian hymns to the tune of a little classic rock music.  Of course, his idea was not taken seriously, but he had a point.  Is our praise and worship music supposed to be from a scripted list of songs, or are we allowed to sing praises to the Lord in whatever way moves our own hearts?  I believe that both praise and worship of God begin in the very same place, that is in the hearts of the believer.  I have a pretty good selection of old Promise Keepers music, which I play throughout my day.  A good friend said it right recently when he described the awesome sound of all of those men in stadiums across the nation singing praise to the Lord.  Never once when I attended one of those conferences did I hear the question, "Is this song appropriate according to scripture?"  No, we simply sang out what we were feeling in our hearts.  I am not a huge supporter of those who would deny a certain song simply because it does not represent a certain point of view.  Remember, the Nazi's burned books that represented views they disagreed with.  Have we come to the point where we ignore music because it doesn't fit a scriptural narrative?  I certainly hope not.  

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Hebrews 13: 15 NKJV 

One of my all time favorite Christian songs happens to be "He has made me glad" sung by the Promise Keepers Maranatha band.  Why is this?  Well, because it speaks to the truth of how I feel in the presence and worship of the Lord.  It makes me happy that Jesus would love me enough to take my sin upon Himself {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  It makes me happy that Jesus would deal a death blow to the sin which had burdened me for so long {Romans 6:6-11}.  Above all, it makes me happy that Jesus Himself lives in me today {Galatians 2:20}.  I am glad because I am all which Jesus is.  I am one with He and the Father.  So, why can't I sing about how happy this makes me?  Should I disavow this song since it does not represent a form of the teaching of the gospel of Jesus?  That is a dangerous road indeed.  As I've said, I believe that praise and worship for the Lord begins in the hearts of believers.  Lauren Daigle recently released another song which I love titled "You say."  This song speaks to me because it is affirmation of how God sees me in His eyes.  Of course, it does not conform to teaching a viewpoint of the scripture...so should we discount it?  If we were to ask the author of this song, I believe that she would say that she simply sang of what her heart was feeling in the moment.  Truly a good worship song. 

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 

John 4: 23 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Home Grown

 

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 once 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 

I heard a radio pastor this week proclaim that the nation of Japan was in the midst of raising up thousands of Christian churches in the wake of a few natural disasters.  Now, while many believers might see this as a good thing, I would suggest caution.  Take a look around your town and see just how many churches you see.  If your area is anything like mine, there seems to be a church on every corner.  Yet, our nations spiritual needs now seem greater than ever.  Why is that?  I believe that the answer to this is the decline of the traditional church as we know it.  Sure, the virus epidemic has drawn a few people together into churches, but that's because almost all of our social gathering places have been locked up for various periods.  I believe that there is a reason that we begin to see a decline in church attendance even before the pandemic began.  That reason is that people began to feel uninspired by the traditions of the institutional church.  I've always said that I could walk into any church expecting what is going to happen.  Indeed, many of the traditional worship services follow the same template.  However, what is interesting among this exodus from our churches is that those who are leaving the church are more often than not finding a alternative in home groups and home churches.  It is here, free from the worship bands and strict service schedules, that people are free to interact and truly learn about our reason for coming together in the first place.  One thing I've all too often heard from people who have walked away from the church is that they longed to hear about Jesus.  Imagine that, a church that seldom teaches about He who is the head of the church {Ephesians 1:22}.  The issue which far too many people get tangled up in concerning home grown groups and churches is the belief that these gatherings are somehow not under the "covering" of a local church congregation.  That is, they are not sanctified by the church.  Well excuse me, but if my desire is to attend a home gathering where I can hear and learn about Jesus then sanctification be damned!  

Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.  Therefore, the one whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you.  God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.  Nor is He worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.  And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on the face of the earth, and has determined their predetermined times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us."

Acts 17: 22 - 27 NKJV 

There are those who believe that the Lord actually dwells in the church.  That the church building is His domain.  I used to get hung up on this as a young Christian, thinking that I could never be close to God without being in church.  This, of course, is a false belief that has managed to survive over the years.  The apostle Paul preached to the city of Athens that God does not dwell in temples made with hands {Acts 17:24}.  I've said for some time now that the truest church I have ever seen was the home churches of the original followers of Jesus which we see described in Acts 2.  This is the very definition of church community.  People, whether they are believers or not, gathering together in the course of their daily lives to hear and learn about Jesus.  No worship bands.  No sermons.  Yet, what do we see among these believers?  That the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved {Acts 2:47}.  In other words, this was a growing, vibrant group of believers who were meeting amongst themselves.  There are many modern churches that have attempted to model this early example of community through home groups, with minimal success.  For at the end of the day, these home groups are still beholden to the church as well.  

It's been some time since I walked through the doors of a church for a worship service.  That doesn't mean that I've turned away from God, just man's rendition of how we should view Him.  I don't see God as one who stokes His ego by the number of people who walk into churches each Sunday.  God is not somehow keeping score in this way.  Instead, I put aside time each day to listen to what the Lord is telling me.  On Sundays I get together with a group of people who gather to learn and hear about Jesus.  After all, isn't that what church should be about? 

~Scott~ 

The Calling

"Pardo's Push"

March 10, 1967

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  Bu he who enters the door is the Shepherd of the sheep.  To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

John 10: 1 - 5 NKJV 

There is no higher calling.  I'm sure that far too many people have heard or used that catch phrase every now and then.  I believe I've even heard it on a few tv commercials.  Yet, what is that higher calling?  What is it that somehow leads us into a new direction?  Brigadier General Robin Olds once described his higher calling as his profession of flying his F-4 Phantom fighter over the skies of Vietnam.  It was Olds who saved a comrades life one day by pushing his damaged fighter out of enemy territory.  A higher calling indeed.  Robin Olds heard that voice, as did many others who found their higher calling.  I believe that this has less to do with a catch phrase and more to so with He whose voice we know all too well.  As a child knows the voice of a parent, so I believe that each of us knows and recognizes the voice of the Lord.  In fact, there is evidence out there that tells us that a newborn baby already recognizes the voice of its mother at birth.  I don't believe that it is that far of a stretch that we would know the voice of our heavenly Father by heart.  I also believe that this is possible through a intimate connection with the Father.  The apostle Paul immediately recognized this connection on that road to Damascus.  It was Paul who, after being blinded, immediately recognized the voice he was hearing {Acts 9:5}.  Keep in mind that Saul had been well trained in the Jewish faith.  He had been raised in the edicts and traditions of his religion.  Now, he was to receive his higher calling.  Why did God choose this time and place for which to convert the man Saul?  Only He knows the answer to that question.  What is unmistakable is that Paul became one of the greatest speakers of the gospel and truth of Christ Jesus mankind has ever known.  Paul definitely had found his higher calling.  

"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."

Galatians 2: 20 NKJV 

What is the intimate connection which allows us to recognize the voice of the Father?  For that answer we turn once again to the apostle Paul.  For it was Paul who recognized that it was Jesus Himself who lived within him {Galatians 2:20}.  I'm convinced that this is exactly why he knew the voice of Christ on the road to Damascus.  The revealing of Christ within him was only the beginning of his journey {Galatians 1:15-16}.  Indeed, if Jesus lives within us, would we not know and recognize His voice?  I believe so.  There is much to be said for taking time from our day to wait and listen for the Fathers voice.  After all, it is God who created us, we know Him intimately {Genesis 2:7}.  From the moment He breathed life into us, He has been a part of us.  How could we not recognize our Fathers voice?  Well, more often than we may want to admit, we become distracted by other voices and events that surround us.  Does this mean that the Father isn't speaking to us?  No, just that we have become too preoccupied to listen.  I will never submit to the lie that because we cannot hear the Fathers voice that He has somehow abandoned us.  Friend, there has NEVER been a time when God has not been intimately involved in our lives.  I have found that in those times when I am frustrated at not hearing the Fathers voice it is because of my being occupied with other things and not listening for Him to speak to me.  James identified this when he spoke to being "quick" to listen {James 1:19}.  How many times have we learned that it is not the sharp words that produce results, but being able to listen?  When we seek the Father, we must first come prepared to hear Him.

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1: 19 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Check Engine Light

 A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart. 

Proverbs 18: 2 NKJV 

It was not a fun day at all.  I was in the middle of a drive from Longview, Washington back home to Portland in my trusty (up until that point) old Jeep.  Halfway home, the red check engine light came on demanding my attention.  Not wanting to push it, I stopped along the freeway to check what the issue was.  The good thing was I probably saved my engine, the bad news was I had to have my Jeep towed to repair a water pump.  What would have happened if I had ignored that warning?  Well, I most likely would have been paying out the keister for a major repair.  Fortunately it didn't come to that point.  As I recalled that day this week I got to thinking about those warning lights which we all too often ignore.  Those warnings which, if heeded, could have saved us from arguments or a broken relationship.  In other words, what is that underlying issue that led to the quarrel which in the end led to the strained relationship?  Many things can and have led us into arguments which have put distance between ourselves and others.  I used to have heated discussions with my mother, who advised me that saving my money was a good thing.  However, when you're saying that to a guy in his early twenties it's a foreign language of sorts.  The check engine light was there, I just ignored it.  Over the years I have seen my share of warning lights which have been ignored and replaced with fights and arguments.  My own parents fell victim to this as well.  My mother told me something which has stuck with me for many years.  A few years before she retired, she noticed that would come home from work ready for a verbal battle with anyone who disagreed with her.  Now, anyone who knew my mother also knew that this was not in her nature.  She was a very outgoing, kind and social person.  She later told me that she felt the Lord speaking to her that she was acting in a way that wasn't who she was.  After that she simply exhibited the person she knew she was inside.  She heeded the warning light. 

Knowing this first, that no prophesy of scripture is of any private interpretation.  For prophesy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1: 20 - 21 NKJV 

In the end, it wasn't my mother who was the cause of the issues she was experiencing.  The underlying issue was the stresses she was feeling from her job.  Which, in turn, led her to act out in a way that was uncharacteristic of who she was.  The same can be said of us.  What are the underlying issues which us to act out?  Finances?  Personal relationships?  There are a multitude of issues people face which, if not recognized, can definitely screw with ones behaviors and attitudes.  For awhile, I had issues with my own job about feeling inferior.  This was not based on reality, but on my own feelings of inadequacy.  I often ignored that check engine light and ended up talking down to those around me.  Was this the person I was?  No.  One day at work a good friend told me that he missed how I used to be.  How I used to be?  Finally, I recognized the warning light.  I feel that a good case can be made that the check engine light scenario I'm speaking of is simply our heavenly Father reminding us of the dangers of the path we're walking.  Does God take enjoyment from His children suffering?  Absolutely not!  However, I am also of the mind that God does not interfere in our ability to make life choices.  We are created with the unique ability to choose, and God does not interfere in this.  So, what happens when we make a wrong decision?  Does God love us that much less?  No.  However, I believe that God does grieve our bad decisions as He only wants what is best for us.  Those check engine lights are merely His loving way of reminding us of the dangers that we will face going forward.  

~Scott~ 

Cherry Pickers

 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone into the world.

1 John 4: 1 NKJV 

There was a discussion in our group this past week about what has become a common practice in modern Christianity.  That is, placing one meaning into scripture which might not belong.  The world calls this cherry picking words in order to make them fit your narrative.  It's a good story if you can sell it.  As I go through scripture, I've some across many verses which the mainstream church may not recognize as the true meaning of the verse.  Instead, they will attach a different meaning of the verse to fit their own teachings.  As a example, I take the apostle Paul's writing in Galatians concerning Christ Jesus in us {Galatians 2:20}.   Now, the way I see this passage, Paul is referring to the Spirit of Christ living in each of us.  However, there are far too many Christian pastors and leaders out there who insist that what Paul was speaking to only applied to him.  That is, what Paul recognized was the Spirit of Christ in him.  For many pastors, this is where the story ends.  Paul recognized Jesus in him, but the rest of us are still far too stained with our sin to ever have Jesus in us.  Have you ever heard a pastor claim that?  I have.  If we stick to this view, then we will never have the opportunity to be united with Christ Jesus.  The prayer of Jesus in the garden was that we would be one with He and the Father {John 17:21}.  I take that as confirmation of Paul's passage in Galatians.  However, many pastors read this prayer of Jesus and proclaim that this is what our eternity will look like after the return of Jesus.  Really?  The way I see it, that prayer of Jesus has already been answered if we are of the mind to see Christ in us.  

"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."

Galatians 2:20 NKJV 

A good friend of mine who has been on the inside of the pastor profession has provided me with many perspectives of how scriptures are viewed by those who teach them.  He refers to this as a persons "filter" or point of view.  Indeed, our own life experiences and what we have learned can have a dramatic affect on how we ourselves see scripture.  If I asked a child who has suffered through a abusive parent about a verse of forgiveness I might get a different perspective than the one I have known.  If I were to ask that same child about verses on a God that loves and forgives, they might not see too many which show God in such a way.  Now, if someone were to ask me if I recognize verses which show the Fathers love and mercy, I could name a few.  One which quickly come to mind is 1 John 4:8 (God is love).  So, it is easy to see how our life experiences, attitudes or even what we've been taught about Christianity can influence how we see scripture.  In response to many pastors not seeing the true meaning of the writing of Paul, this is the thinking which has been taught in seminary schools for generations.  In fact, if you listen to more than a few Sunday sermons you will soon discover how many pastors view scripture.  Knowing this, it's obvious why far too many church leaders might discount scripture which does not fit their view.  In the end this can be harmful as a alternate view of the bible is all too often taught.  Bu there is hope through all of this.  How did I come to realize the truth of the teachings of Paul?  By testing the spirits.  By seeing past what I was being told and to see the truth of Christ in me.  This revelation comes only from the Father, as it did for Paul {Galatians 1:15-16}.  Each of us has the ability to look past our own experiences to the true meaning of what we are reading.  If we listen closely, God will reveal what He is telling us.  

~Scott~