Just As I Am

 Just as I am, without one plea

But that thy blood was shed for me

And that thou bidst me come to thee

O lamb of God I come, I come

~Just As I Am, Charlotte Elliott~ 

Growing up, I remember watching the crusade broadcasts of the late Reverend Billy Graham.  His fiery sermons, although they spoke to what I now see as the church narrative, seemed to speak to my heart each time I watched.  Without fail, at the end of each broadcast when the reverend would call people forward to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, my mother would began singing with the hymm "Just as I am."  I look back on these moments now as they were my very first introduction to coming to know Jesus as my Lord.  In fact, in times of trouble I still find myself remembering the words my mother would sing and singing them to myself.  But that thy blood...was shed for me.  O lamb of God I come.  I found myself wondering the other day just how my idea of Jesus has changed over time.  Don't get me wrong, I still know Him as my Lord and Savior, but in a more intimate way.  I've wondered if the late reverend Graham could ever see Christ in the way that I now see Him.  In other words, the "Just as I am" from all those years ago has morphed into the "Just as I am" that I see myself as today.  indeed, some of you might be scratching your heads and wondering, 'what are you talking about, Scott?'  Well, anyone who has read my pages before might be well aware of how I see Christ Jesus.  I do not adhere to the mainstream church view of Jesus which used to permeate the sermons of Billy Graham.  Don't get me wrong, his sermons were very powerful and he led many to knowing Jesus...including me.  Yet, look at the third verse of the iconic hymm and you will see just where it is I differ.  And that thou bidst me come to thee.  Depending on your understanding of Jesus, you probably grew up being taught that Chist was separate from you.  That you were here on earth struggling in the Christian life while Jesus stood by in heaven.  Well, that's a good story which the mainstream church has been peddling for years.  Yet, what if I were to tell you that Jesus is not asking you to come to Him...but to KNOW Him?  

"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 

I cannot imagine that reverend Graham spent his entire life scrolling through the scriptures and never coming across the words of the apostle Paul.  For it is Paul who introduced me to the Jesus I now know.  It is Paul who speaks to the revelation of Christ Jesus in us {Galatians 2:20}.  Yet, mainstream Christian teachings seem to bypass this truth.  So, am I disillusioned for believing that Jesus could live in such a sinner as me?  Perhaps, but then why did He give His life on that cross to cleanse me of the very sin I should be worried about?  If you ask me, we've resorted to cherry picking scriptures to back up a theology which is thousand of years old.  But, that's a topic for another day.  We're told that Jesus was revealed to the man Saul on the road to Damascus {Galatians 1:15-16}.  You will notice that this revelation came to Saul "When it pleased God" {Galatians 1:15}.  This is the very same revelation of Christ Jesus in me which I have experienced in my own life.  In a matter of speaking, I did come to Jesus all those years ago.  Of course, the Jesus I accepted had been there all along waiting for me to realize who I truly was.  I still find myself singing that old hymm whenever the difficulties of life come knocking on my door.  However, it's more for my own comfort now, as I already know who I am.  

Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Hebrews 1: 3 NKJV 

At The Crossroads Of Opportunity And Desire

 

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 

Galatians 5: 13 NKJV 

I heard a local pastor this week speak to our desires.  More specifically, that place where our desires meet opportunity.  This is indeed a topic which I can speak to, for there have been many a occasions where my own desires have been brought to fruition by one opportunity or another.  What addiction has anyone ever faced where desire has not been met with opportunity?  My own addiction to pornography was one where my desires were met with the opportunity to act upon them.  Now, make no mistake, these desires will only lead to nothing good if we take the opportunity to allow them to do so.  However, we also have the choice to not act upon our desires in a way that is not conducive to a lifestyle of following Gods lead.  It is indeed a matter of choice.  Boy have I made some bad ones.  We all have.  So, what is it we should do when our desires come knocking wanting to be acted upon?  Well, in these situations we do well to choose wisely the path we will take.  Like a fork in the road, we all have the innate ability to choose between what we know is right and wrong.  I believe This has less to do with some sort of "moral code" and more to do with who it is we really are inside.  The apostle Paul speaks to this identity in Galatians.  Paul makes the observation that it is Christ Jesus who lives in us {Galatians 2:20}.  If we abide by this knowing, our own thoughts and desires are in line with Christ who is in us.  Now, does this mean that we will always choose the righteous way to act upon our desires?  No, I'm living proof of that.  Not only that, I've known many a believer who have run afoul of their own good choices.  Do I regret not following the lead of Christ in some of my decisions?  Absolutely.  However, the road of opportunity has many exits.  

"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 

I look upon the life of Jesus and the many decisions and choices which He must have been faced with.  His temptations by Satan are some of the most read scriptures in the bible.  Satan presented Jesus with many a opportunity to act upon His human desires.  What was Jesus' response?  "IT IS WRITTEN."  At each and every turn, Jesus countered Satan's opportunities with what was right.  It is Satan who went away empty handed that day.  What can we as believers learn from the temptations of Jesus?  Well, if we have the knowing that He is in us, then we already have the mindset of Christ.  We have the ability to stand up to Satan as Jesus did.  We are not locked into a life of bad decisions.  Far from it.  When we have the realization of Christ Jesus in us, we can prevent any bad decision through His leading.  

~Scott~ 

Command Decisions

 "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 14: 11 NKJV 

Some decisions aren't popular by any means.  Think former president George Bush and his decision to unveil new taxes after soundly proclaiming, "No new taxes!"  The decisions we make today carry with them the possibility of ridicule and mockery from others tomorrow.  Now, if indeed we care about such things, this might prevent us from ever making those difficult command decisions.  However, if we trust in ourselves and Christ Jesus who is in us, then we will stand by each and every decision we make.  Ever wonder why they are referred to as command decisions?  It's a military term for decisions made by those in command.  Of course, we can defer this definition to almost every decision we will ever be associated with.  I work for a company whose command decisions have led to the waste of millions of dollars.  I'm sure that there are stories many of us could tell of failed command decisions they have witnessed.  One of the latest command decisions in my life saw me abandoning my apartment for hotel living as I dealt with issues in my living space.  That was my decision.  I cannot take it back nor can I ignore it.  Yet, there are those in my circle who have been openly critical of the decision I made.  "I wouldn't have done it the way YOU did."  That's fine, dude, you do you.  As I pondered this writing, I wondered what it is that goes into a good decision.  Then it hit me, a good command decision is one where our thoughts are not simply on what our own situation might be, but on how it might affect others as well.  I've heard many armchair pastors wonder out loud how different things might have been had Jesus used His Devine powers to strike down those who were scourging Him before His death on the cross.  What if Jesus had, as one of the men on the cross next to Him suggested, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God" {Luke 24:35}.  What if Jesus had, in that moment, decided to strike down the Roman soldiers who mocked Him?  Would these have been good command decisions on Jesus' part?  

Le this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Philippians 2: 5 - 8 NKJV 

It does not take a Pharisee school graduate to predict what would happen had Jesus taken it upon Himself to take revenge upon those who mocked and persecuted Him.  For had Jesus suddenly acted upon His own pride, all we know would have instantly changed.  Gone would be the free gift which Christ Himself offers we who believe in Him.  Who would our advocate for salvation be without Jesus?  I would suggest that Jesus made the proper command decision, for He considered not only Himself, but us as well.  As I mentioned, this is the basis of a sound command decision.  For if we make decisions simply based on our own needs and desires, we have no business being in command.  Unfortunately, far too few people will ever adhere to the rules of making good command decisions.  Former president Barak Obama was often quoted as saying, "I'm everybody's president."  But was he Really?  Is America that far left leaning?  I think not.  I recall a story of the late Abraham Lincoln on the eve of the battle of Gettysburg.  Not sleeping at all, Lincoln wandered the White House grounds as He wondered how his decisions would affect not only the Union, but the south as well.  There are those who might disagree, but I feel Lincoln made a sound command decision.  Perhaps this is why the Lord instructs us to not only think of ourselves...but of others as well.  

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  

Philippians 2: 3 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Lifes Turbulence

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.

1 John 4: 18 NKJV 

I'll admit that I'm not much of a person prone to airplane trips.  I love airplanes, just not riding in them.  If God had meant me to fly He would have given me wings, that's my attitude.  That being said, there is one trip I took which more or less solidified my resolve that flying...is for the birds.  I was scheduled to catch a flight for Las Vegas out of Seattle, so I hopped on a short hop puddle jumper flight from Portland to Seattle.  The majority of the flight was without incident despite the Top Gun dropout at the controls who obviously wanted to show how he could botch a simple take off.  My first inkling of trouble came as we were about to land in Seattle.  It seems that we were running into a bit of common Pacific Northwest turbulence, and our little Dash 8 puddle jumper was feeling the effects.  I remember sitting in my seat gripping the armrests as the little plane did a sudden drop in altitude 0f about 700 feet.  I knew I was about to die.  However, as I glanced at the guy sitting next to me, a businessman from Seattle, he was calmly sipping his drink and reading the paper as if this kind of horror was common on airline flights.  How could anyone ignore this?  Then it hit me, this man was confident that we would land in one piece.  He'd been down this road before.  As for me, I spent the rest of the flight with my head between my legs writing out my last will and testament.  I thought about that ill fated flight this past week as we were discussing the trials we all go through in our lives.  We all know someone who, like that calm guy sitting on the plane next to me, remain calm when life's trials come knocking.  Then again, there are those believers like me who seem to notch up the pressure on  ourselves each time we're faced with a trial or tough situation.  Is this something in our DNA?  Or, is there something in our own spirit that tells us that God has this covered?  I guess I would refer to it as "knowing."  We know that it is God who is in control of our situation.  

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Matthew 6: 34 NKJV 

Can you find anyplace in scripture where Jesus Himself worried?  Did He worry that Peter and his brothers would catch any fish?  Did He worry that Lazarus would not hear Him and rise from the dead?  No.  As He went through His ministry, Jesus did so with a calm nature.  He knew He was doing the Fathers will no matter what He was doing.  Now, one thing that bugs me about the story of Jesus is that we are not told of His formative years during His youth and teenage years.  I usually assume that we can look and see what life would have been like for a young Jewish boy of His age back then.  I'm sure that there were times during this period where the young Jesus would worry about what was going on around Him.  Yet, we're told that Jesus grew in influence and favor among men {Luke 2:52}.  You could say that He matured as He got older.  Is this the same with us?  If so then why do we continue to fret over what we cannot control?  We might not do so were we to be reminded that it is Christ who lives in us {Galatians 2:20}.  Yes, that Calmness which Jesus displayed during His life can be ours if we have that intimate knowledge of Him.  It has never been us against the world.  Jesus overcame the world {1 John 5:4-5}.  

~Scott~ 

The Not So Holy Trinity

 

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.  The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.  From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers their works.  No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.  A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by it any by its great strength.

Psalm 33: 13 - 17 NKJV 

I was watching some race car event this week where at the end of the race the winning driver began speaking of the importance of God, family and country.  Yes, this has become more than just a catch phrase in recent years, but it got me thinking as to where we place our focus in life.  For His part, I'd say that he got it right, with God in the forefront followed by family and finally country.  If we are wise, we will realize that it is the Lord who ultimately controls all that we do and experience.  This is without question.  If we are wise, we also value the importance of those closest to us, that being our family.  Finally, after all else, comes our devotion to our nation.  Like it or not, our country plays a vital role in our lives.  From government to our interdependence on other states in the union, our strong belief in our nation is never misplaced.  This is the basis of what has come to be known as patriotism.  We love God, we love our family and we love this great nation we live in.  However, in recent years there have been those who see this patriotism as no good.  They look upon the flag of our country and they see a nation of racism and wrong doing.  Now, while the behaviors of our past might not have been all that good, that is but a microcosm of our nations history.  There is not a nation in history that has been entirely peaceful.  Why?  Because nations are inhabited by people.  Show me one person, save our Lord and Savior, who has ever been entirely non violent or self serving.  Like it or not, this is who we were.  I say this in the past tense because we have been shown a entirely new identity.  The apostle Paul speaks to our new reality in Christ in Galatians.  It is Paul who reminds us that it is Christ Jesus who lives in us {Galatians 2:20}.  We are no longer the sinners saved by grace the mainstream church continues to proclaim.  

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3: 20 NKJV 

I would also mention that along with our life in Christ Jesus, that our one true home is with Christ where he is.  You might say heaven, but where is that?  You might say with Jesus, but according to Paul we are with Jesus now.  Any way you look at it, this block of rock we live on is not our true home.  Stuff that in your pipe and smoke it.  This is not to take away from the rabid patriotism we have seen in the past few years.  I get it.  We relish the opportunity to fight for our country as our forefathers did.  Except, who are you fighting?  Democrats?  Liberals and those who don't agree with you?  Again, I get it.  The patriotism fight has recently made its way into our nations vaccine controversy.  I will say it again, you ARE NOT a patriot for refusing to be vaccinated.  All you are doing is exorcising your right to choose freely.  I have friends who claim to be among the patriots by refusing to be vaccinated.  Yeah, good luck with that.  I will never stain the memory of someone who has given their life for this country with your puny refusal to accept a vaccine.  Instead of claiming your fake patriotism, ask of the Lord what it is He is doing through all of these recent events.  I guarantee that He is working something through all we see.  That's what He does.  Will we listen to Him?  Or, will we continue to hold onto our unholy trinity and fake patriotism?  

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2 Corinthians 3: 17 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Leading Through Love

 

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.

1 John 4: 16 NKJV 

I was interested the other day to read a small post from a local pastor who claimed that a recent situation in his own life which he initially thought to be negative was actually God nudging him in another direction.  This is a interesting conversation for the believer, for how many times in my own life has a negative circumstance actually been Gods leading in disguise?  That God would lead me through a uncomfortable circumstance in order to bring me to His desired destination.  Is this the God that many of us recognize?  I was brought up in the belief that were God to lead me through something out of my comfort zone that He somehow must be angry or at least punishing me for something I'd done.  This isn't always the case.  There are times that God loves us way too much to leave us in our current situation, so He may gently push us along in another direction.  Which begs the question, is every negative situation in my life a bad thing?  What if, through my negative experience, God was leading me into something wonderful?  Every day now I look at the news and I see a lot of negative stories.  I admit that these stories at times lead me into negative feelings, which is to be expected if we are surrounded by negativity.  Yet, what if all of this negative is simply the Lord moving us into the position for something positive?  It is totally within Gods power to do such things.  What we may see as a negative situation is actually a move in a positive direction.  Of course, I have plenty of examples where I have experienced such situations.  Before I got hired into my current job, I was having a lot of difficulty in my old one.  There were those who didn't want me there and treated me as such.  I prayed constantly that God would get me out of that job.  Yet, day in and day out He allowed me to be exposed to that atmosphere.  Of course, experiencing that environment did a lot for developing my patience as well.  Finally, when I felt I was near the end, another job opened up.  Could I have quit my job?  Yes.  Would I have learned as much if I had?  Probably not.  

A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

Proverbs 16: 9 NKJV 

I have a dear friend who is struggling with dealing with our governors draconian illegal vaccine mandate.  His fear is that he is being given the choice of getting the vaccine or lose his job and income.  Of course, I hear stories such as this each and every day and wonder, what is it that God is doing through this negative situation in my friends life?  What is it that God is leading him into?  I am a firm believer that one of the first things we should be asking in the midst of these situations is, "What are you doing through this, God?"  There are believers who say that God will reveal His intentions in time, as if we cannot have a personal conversation with Him.  Well, in order to have a personal conversation with God we would need to have a personal relationship with Him, right?  The apostle Paul tells us of just such a relationship which we all share with the Father through Christ Jesus who lives in us {Galatians 2:20}.  We can certainly have that deeply personal conversation with Jesus, as He is living in us.  What is He telling us?  One situation I thought about this week was something my mother used to tell me whenever discipline was in order.  It's a ages old saying, yet she would tell me, "This is going to hurt me more than you."  Looking back, I can recall how much pain it brought her to discipline her son.  Is God any different?  Does He enjoy leading His children through uncomfortable situations knowing the pain it causes us?  I will never agree with that cock and bull reasoning.  We're told that Gods main identity is love {1 John 4:16}.  Does love at times bring us through painful circumstances?  Absolutely.  However, I believe that we spend far too much time focusing on what we're going through than what lies ahead.  I get it.  Uncomfortable situations hurt, and we want them gone as soon as possible.  But the question remains...what are You doing through this, God?  

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11: 1 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

The Traveling God Show

 

If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

1 John 4: 

There's no doubt that this post will generate more than it's share of criticism, perhaps rightly so.  However, I felt in my heart the other night to speak to something I have been planning on writing about anyway.  That is, I suck at being God.  No, I REALLY suck at being God.  That being said, there are plenty of Christians out there who also really suck at being God.  The only difference between us is, I'll admit it.  Now, anyone who has been reading my past posts knows that I am big on claiming that I have the revelation of Christ in me.  That being said, having the realization of Christ in you is different from taking on the responsibilities of God.  Yet, that is what plenty of well minded Christians do each and every day.  Soon our road of good intentions becomes a traveling God show.  This traveling God show includes such acts as condemnation, sorcery and general behavior unbecoming of God...if we were actually God.  Think about it, we pass down judgement upon others instead of showering them in mercy and love.  We trust in the ways of men in order to read the tea leaves to see into the future.  All the while we speak to others about the forgiveness of God and how only He knows what lies ahead of us.  So, it seems that this traveling God is a hypocrite as well.  Like I said, I suck at being God, especially in this context.  Believe me, I've been there.  Back in my church days I felt at times like Gods own personal enforcer, pointing out to everyone the errors of their ways.  I mean, aren't we told in scripture to inform a brother when he falls short {Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:1}?  Yet, as I went about my crusade in my own traveling God show, there was no gentleness in my approach.  Like I said, I suck at being God.  

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you must also do.  

Colossians 3: 12 - 13 NKJV 

So what is the difference from trying to be God and the truth of Christ I have in me?  Well, I do not attempt to take on those responsibilities of Christ Jesus who is in me.  Yes, I live as Christ Jesus who is in me, but it has never been up to me to shoulder the burdens which He endures.  It has never been my duty to condemn others for their behaviors.  It has also never been my duty to predict the future.  Only God knows these things...and I'm not Him.  I have more than a few friends who take it upon themselves to engage in one conspiracy theory after another about what the future holds for us.  How is it that they obtained the knowledge reserved but for God Himself?  For God is the only one who knows what the future will bring.  You might claim that you know what is coming down the road, when in reality you really suck at being God.   As you might have realized, it is not my belief that having Christ in me does not allow me to take on the responsibilities of God.  What it does provide me is the knowing in my heart that the Christ who redeemed me also lives in me.  I can say with much confidence that I walk as Christ who is in me.  However, I cannot claim that the world is in my hands.  That's a God thing.  The apostle Paul, in his scripture revealing to us the indwelling Christ, never claimed that we would take on Gods responsibilities, only that we would live as Christ who is in us {Galatians 2:20}.  Now, there are those Christians who will go down the rabbit hole of being Christ equals being God, and that is their choice.  I have the realization that I am Christ...but I suck at being God.  

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 2: 5 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

My Way

 

"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

I recently overheard a radio pastor lament that so many people, for their funeral music, chose the song "I did it my way" by the late Frank Sinatra.  For obvious reasons, this choice of music does not seem prudent for the believer.  Yet, I would not be surprised if a few Christians were to choose to celebrate that they'd chosen to live their lives their way.  Of course, more than a few of us can claim that we've lived our lives on our own terms, but is this really the case?  If we dare take this song with us to the grave, can we be assured that we will be vindicated for living our lives our way?  I'd say no.  Why?  Because many of us, Christians and non, have had more than our share help along the way.  Indeed, if we are to believe that we ourselves were responsible for the outcome of our life, then we miss the entire point of where our identity truly lies.  The apostle Paul reminds us of this truth in Galatians when he speaks to the truth of Christ Jesus in us {Galatians 2:20}.  So tell me, if Jesus lives in you, how is it that you can come anywhere close to living life on your own terms?  If Christ experiences each and every moment of your life as you do, how is it that we can lay claim that we did it "Our way?"  I am not afraid to say that I have had a  lot of help along the way in my own life.  For were it not for Christ in me, I would never have realized the person I really am inside.  Were it not for Christ in me, I never would have been aware that this life of mine is not just a collection of random events or cosmic happenings.  There is more to me than the occasional occurrence of happenstance.  

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.  He Himself will be with them and be their God." 

Revelation 21: 3 NKJV

What is the origin of the belief that we ourselves are separate from God?  Well, that goes all the way back to the fall in the garden of Eden.  It is here where mankind forsakes the instructions of the Lord and chooses for himself which way he will go.  Adam and Eve chose to believe in the lie of the deceiver instead of the love of the creator.  This lie perpetuates itself in all of Christianity today.  How many sermons have you sat through in which God is described as living far off in heaven while His children toil away on earth?  Separation.  This is exactly why the truth Paul spoke of his one true identity has been described as the "mystery among the Gentiles."  What is that mystery?  Christ Jesus in us, the hope of Glory {Colossians 1:27}.  Too many Christians back away from this truth because of the elephant in the room...sin.  Well, Paul had a few things to say about sin as well.  One of his main comments was that we should now consider ourselves "dead indeed to sin" {Romans 6:11}.  Indeed, if Christ has become sin in our place and put it to death at the cross, why then do we continue to dig up its  old bones as if sin still had meaning for us?  Because it feeds the lie of the deceiver.  The truth is, I have never done it "My way" nor will I celebrate this fact.  I will rejoice in the revelation I have received of my one true identity...Christ Jesus.  

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

Colossians 1: 27 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

I Know Not

 

For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Jeremiah 29: 11 - 12 NKJV 

I was thinking the other day that far too few people, myself included, know what it is that God is doing with our lives.  We can give some cookie cutter answer such as working His will, but do we really know what God is up to?  Honestly, how many of us have that deep relationship with the Lord where we can speak to Him about what it is He is doing?  Sure, a lot of our prayers revolve around what God can do for us, but what about what He is doing in the world around us?  This conversation came to life for me this week as we discussed the current political environment in our nation surrounding the covid/flu virus.  The fears are real, from loss of employment to the fear of a government endorsed vaccine.  I get it.  People are indeed anxious, and all of the negative media coverage and conspiracy theories only seem to add to this chaos.  Yet, where is God in all of this?  Well, He's in the same place He's always been, in us.  Whenever God seems far away, it's never He who has moved.  All too often, it is we ourselves who move further away from God.  I don't claim to know all that God is doing in our lives, but I do know that whatever He does He does it with us in mind.  I know that it has never been Gods intent to visit evil upon His children.  Does He allow certain circumstances to occur in our lives?  Absolutely.  It is here where we dive into the weeds of what it is the Lord is attempting to show us through all of the current events in this nation.  That should be our first question.  What are You doing through this, God?  Ask of Him this question and we may be amazed at His answer.  Honestly, I haven't yet spoken that question to Him.  But I know that He's waiting for me to.  Indeed, I know nothing of what my Father is doing in my life until I ask Him.  

For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 

1 John 2: 16 - 17 NKJV 

I realize that far too many people are wrapped up in the events surrounding the covid scare, but I have a question.  Do you really know when the days will end?  I hear far too many people talking about the end of the world and of different prophesies said to validate your predictions.  In all honesty, if you were a used car salesman I'd never buy a car from you.  For do you know when the days will end?  Has God enlightened you with such knowledge?  We're told that nobody knows when time will end {Matthew 24:36}.  Only the Father knows when the days will end, so don't come to me talking about your conspiracy theories please.  It is not our duty as Christians to put ourselves in the seat of the Lord and decide when events will occur.  That's His domain.  Again, one of the best things we can ask of Him is what is He doing through all of this.  If we are listening and if the Lord desires, He will speak to us His desires.  It doesn't work too well the other way around, with us telling God what will happen.  I am comfortable with not knowing what's going on.  Because I know that the One who does know has my own best interests on His heart.  My challenge to believers and non believers alike is to disregard all of the negative media coverage.  Put aside those conspiracy theories which you so freely embrace.  In their place rest in the peace of our heavenly Father who knows the desires which He has for you.  Rest in knowing that God ultimately will bring all things to pass according to His desires.  We cannot change any of that.  Or, you can wallow in the anxieties of the world and flop around like a fish on a dock.  

~Scott~  

Someone Else's Problem

 

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.  Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.  For each shall bear his own load.  

Galatians 6: 1 - 5 NKJV 

Let's see a show of hands, who likes accountability?  Anyone?  Well, like it or not, it's something we all face in one way or another.  I was involved in a conversation this past week with a friend.  Now, at the time I was going through a rough spot and was wondering how on earth I was going to come through the other side.  For his part, my friend thought I was making more of my situation than I ought.  Perhaps, but this was my personal journey, and it felt personal to me.  Fast forward to later in the week, and my friend is having major difficulties with a issue at work.  Isn't that his problem?  No, it's something I shared in with him as he went through it.  So, which one of us in our own situations was showing brotherly compassion?  I'd say both in our own unique way.  What far too many people forget in times like this is that everyone's pain is personal to them.  You might not be aware of what I'm struggling with today, but nonetheless, I'm going through it.  I have always appreciated my dear friends who, when I open that door and let them into what I'm enduring, take the time to assure me that they understand my struggle.  Haven't we all been there?  Of course we have.  We've all gone through the trials of life every now and then.  Who the hell needs someone to come along and tell us that our struggle isn't worth any compassion we might receive?  I find people like that to be self centered and only worried about themselves.  Nevertheless, they are brethren, so I try to remember that when they seek my advice.  There is a reason that Jesus instructed us to "Go the second mile" {Matthew 5:41}.  In all honesty, Jesus was addressing the issue revenge and retribution.  A "Eye for an eye" if you will.  Yet, another radical concept is this, let God deal with it {Romans 2:6}.  Indeed, it has never been our place to judge anyone.  

If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

1 John 4: 20 NKJV 

Honestly, believing that someone else's issue is not worth compassion is a far fetch from believing in a eye for an eye isn't it?  Yet, when we take on each others burdens aren't we exhibiting the love of Christ to them?  Would the world even know Jesus were it not for His work through Gods children?  Confused?  I get it.  The apostle Paul referred to this as the "mystery among the gentiles" {Colossians 1:27}.  What is this mystery?  Christ in us, the hope of glory {Colossians 1:27}.  Paul goes further into this concept as he describes that it is Christ Jesus who lives in him {Galatians 2:20}.  So, is it really that hard to imagine that Jesus could work through us?  Could Jesus, who lives in us, do all things?  I would tend to agree that He can and will do all things through us.  I believe that one of the barriers to people not exhibiting the compassion of Christ is their failure to see Christ in themselves.  If we do not see Jesus in ourselves, we hold fast to the church narrative that He is separated from us.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  For it is Jesus who lives and works through us each day.  Was Christ in my friend when he did not see my issues as being all that important?  Absolutely, he just wasn't aware of Him.  I do not fault him for that.  Seeing someone else struggle through life has never been someone else's problem.  What it is is the Lords leading for us to show Jesus to them.  

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

William P Young ~The Shack~ 

~Scott~ 

Stand For Something

 

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5: 1 NKJV 

There is a dissent rising in this nation.  A rumbling born out of hundreds of years of oppression.  I have personally seen it in the lives of my friends.  I have felt it in my own beliefs as well.  Not so long ago, in the midst of our so called pandemic, the vaccines which then president Donald Trump jump started began to arrive on the scene.  I was skeptical at first, but when Joe Biden made his infamous quote of 'It's vaxed, or masked' I was all in.  I'll admit that I was tired of the face mask mandates and wanted more than anything to be rid of that ball and chain.  So I took the shot.  Well, to nobody's surprise it turned out that Joe Biden lied to us all.  Now, with covid cases spiking across the nation, national and state governments are stopping at nothing to mandate mandatory vaccines for everyone in a effort to stop the virus.  Now, whatever side of the fence you're on is fine.  All I know is that I was lied to.  Therefore, I have zero trust for Joe Biden or state government for that matter.  And here is where the dissent is coming from.  From the millions of Americans who, for reasons of their own, have decided to tap the brakes on accepting the vaccine until they can make a informed decision.  I get it.  Yet, the might of both federal and state governments are now fully engaged in forcing their citizens into taking the poke.  What is a freedom loving American to do?  What is a Christian to do?  A question I get all too often lately is, where does God stand in the midst of this storm?  Is He for a vaccine for all?  Or, is God for the freedom loving ideals of His children?  Well, I'd say both.  See, we cannot accept one sides grievances without also accepting that Gods children are on both sides of this issue.  God is with the elderly man at risk of the virus who chooses to take the vaccine.  He is also with the freedom loving father who refuses to let his children be vaccinated with a vaccine that we don't know enough about.  God doesn't choose sides, He simply loved His children.  The bigger question we need to be asking is...where is God in all of this?  

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: 18 - 19 NKJV 

If there is one thing I have noticed on both sides of the fence of this issue is fear.  Fear of a over reaching government.  Fear of a out of control virus.  No matter where you stand on this issue, you may have experienced the fear at one time or another.  I have.  So, where is God through all of this?  Right where He has always been.  I noticed a clever sign outside a church on the drive home the other day.  The sign read, "If you feel that God is far away...who moved?"  This is the remedy for part of our issues.  I've stood there more than a few times wondering why God seemed so far off.  Did He move?  No.  However, my perception of Him allowed me to think that He had.  This is the wrong viewpoint to have of God.  For God has never left us from the beginning.  The apostle Paul assures us of this as he writes of Christ Jesus in him {Galatians 2:20}.  We cannot wonder if God is far off when we have the realization that Christ is in us.  To understand where God is in all of this turmoil we must first toss aside all of the fear and fear based politics that prevent us from seeing Him.  Yes, I was lied to, but I also  understand that God, who is all in all, has also created this virus for His purpose.  The words came to me the other night...Your will be done.  Despite the turmoil of the so called pandemic.  Despite the fear of a out of control government.  One thing remains certain.  His will be done.

That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 2: 5 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Another Hill To Climb

 

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4: 15 - 16 NKJV 

Few people will recall the name Ira Hayes.  In fact, I would wager that unless one takes a serious look into history that Ira Hayes would not be a man they would ever come across.  Ira Hayes, hero of the battle of Iwo Jima.  When the group of United States Marines rose our nations flag atop Mount Suribachi, Ira Hayes was among them.  Ira Hayes, the Pima Indian from the desert Southwest of Arizona.  Ira Hayes, the drunken Indian.  That's right, because any look into the life and times of the hero Ira Hayes will certainly shine a light into how he lived out his later years.  Yet, I do not consider Ira's battle with addiction to define the man he truly was.  Indeed, I have battled through a few addictions in my time as well.  Yet I can say with confidence that these addictions never defined the man who I am.  For the man who I am is defined not by food, drink or behavior, but by Christ Jesus who is in me.  The apostle Paul spoke to this truth in Galatians.  It was Paul who admitted that the man he once was was dead, and that it was Christ Jesus who is alive in him {Galatians 2:20}.  The same can be said of us as well.  Too many people, when speaking to addictions we face, will point the finger of blame at the individual enduring the trial.  This was exactly what I experienced in my own struggles.  I was told that I needed to refrain from food as well as pornography.  So tell me, if you have a overwhelming desire for something, will someone telling you to stop somehow do away with that desire?  I think not.  One of the biggest revelations that helped me conquer my addictions was knowing the man I truly was inside.  I wasn't the guy who struggled each and every day with my addictions.  That guy was dead.  My identity now lies with Christ Jesus who is in me.  

Call Him Drunken Ira Hayes

He won't answer anymore

Not the whiskey drinking Indian

Or the Marine that went off to war

"The Ballad Of Ira Hayes" ~ Johnny Cash 

I wonder how much different the life of the hero Ira Hayes would have been had he realized the truth of who he really is inside.  I have a dear friend who has struggled with addiction as well as living on the streets.  Yet, he does not see this as defining the man he is.  Indeed, the stories he has to tell are stark reminders to the struggles we all too often face in life.  In times such as these, we might cry out for help to the Lord Jesus.  Not a bad call, but we are missing one important point.   We do not become Jesus...Jesus became us.  In the midst of our brokenness, He is in us.  You could very well say that Jesus is with us through everything we endure.  Be that joy, sorrow or addiction.  It was Jesus who endured my addictions with me step by step.  The trouble was, I didn't realize it at the time.  I believe that it was the same for the hero Ira Hayes.  For had he known Christ Jesus in him, his own story may have ended differently.  Instead, he was known by some as drunken Ira Hayes.  The addiction defined the man.  I'm blessed with the knowing that I will never be defined by the struggles I have endured.  It is my desire that when others see me, they see Jesus.  

"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 

~Scott~