He Before Me

 

In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

Johns Account 14: 20, Concordant New Testament 

Truly knowing Jesus can be a bit confusing.  First off and most importantly, there is the hundreds of years of church narrative which we continually need to dig through in order to get to the crux of who it is that Jesus really is.  Even then, those old mainstream church ideas nag at us making us wonder if Jesus could really be who He claims to be.  So, who exactly is Jesus?  Well, for most of the human race, Jesus is one of the most influential men to have ever walked the earth.  Whenever we think of kindness, grace and love we often think of Jesus.  Indeed, Jesus IS all of these things, and much more.  Yet there all too often seems to be a disconnect between Christ and we who believe in God.  Like it or not, the fact remains that when we see Jesus, we see the Father as well {Johns Account 14:7-9, Johns Account 14:20, Johns Account 17:21}.  When we look upon the Father, we see the Son as well.  I get that.  But how is it that I can come to be in Jesus as the writings of John claim?  Perhaps the apostle Paul was on to something when he wrote of the indwelling Christ in him {Paul To The Galatians 2:20, Paul To The Romans 6:8}.  It is Paul who speaks to the believer being IN Christ Jesus.  This is where it gets confusing for many believers.  How is it that we can accept the truth that it is Jesus who dwells within our physical body?  As part of battling the old church mantra, we often get tripped up over the fact that we, as sinful beings, could not possibly be a host to Christ.  But here the words of Paul may shed some light on our situation.  Paul proclaims with confidence that "With Christ have I been crucified" {Pual To The Galatians 2:20}.  Paul understood that the man he once was, that sinner the church continues to remind us of, had been put to death with Jesus on the cross.  What remained in him, was Jesus.  Paul was confident enough to proclaim the purpose of his life, that to live is Christ {Paul To The Philippians 1:21}.  I realize how confusing that this might seem because I've been there.  My own journey of coming to know Christ has forced me to overcome more than a few things which I formerly understood to be true.  First and foremost is the fact that I, as an individual, no longer exist.  And you thought that knowing Jesus would be easy?  

There is no independent, self-operating self in the universe, except the One who calls Himself the I AM {Exodus 3:14} and says, "I am the Lord and there is none else, there is no God beside me" {Isaiah 45:5}.

No Independent Self ~ Norman P. Grubb 

It turns out that there is some truth behind that old adage, "Get over yourself!"  When a good friend first spoke this truth to me I was dumbfounded.  What I had been taught to believe about Jesus had been tossed aside.  Jesus was not my judge, but my dearest life companion.  My sins no longer prevented Him from dwelling in me {Paul To The Romans 6:10}.  Now, most well meaning Christians understand that Jesus gave Himself that our sins would be wiped away from the sight of the Lord {Paul To The Corinthians(2) 5:21}.  However, they continue to worry about their sin in a post crucifixion era.  I have a coworker who admits that he believes in the sin cleansing death of Jesus, but at the same time worries about his day to day sins.  This, of course, is a hamster wheel we will NEVER get off of.  That is, unless we know and trust in who Jesus truly is.  I have a favorite saying which asks how many times should Jesus be crucified before we are satisfied that we are truly free.  The truth is, Jesus provided for the cleansing of our sin that He would be our life.  I believe that we have had the Father in us from birth {Genesis 1:27}.  It is the Father who breathed into us the breath of life {Genisis 2:7}.  One could make the argument that with His death Jesus was reclaiming what was rightfully His, that being the children of God the Father.  The truth is, I had to die that HE remain in me.  Jesus in the Father, I in Christ and Christ in me.  

~Scott~ 

The Fathers Voice

 

"My sheep are hearing My voice, and I know them, and they are following me.  And I am giving them life eonian, and they should by no means be perishing for the eon, and no one shall be snatching them out of my hand." 

Johns Account 10: 27-28, Concordant New Testament 

I found myself in a situation this week where in a few weeks I will have a decision to make regarding my job.  It's not that I'll changing jobs, just job duties and location.  Now, ordinarily this would not be anything of concern, but I am a creature of habit and do well when things are somewhat consistent in my life.  But we all know that things aren't always consistent in life, and that eventually there will be a situation or two where we will be forced to overcome and adapt once again.  That being said, I pondered just where the Father was leading me in this life journey.  Then the thought occurred to me, I can very well ask Him what His intentions are.  In fact, I can talk to the Father about anything and everything.  Of course, this often requires active listening as well.  Who hasn't been annoyed when they were having a conversation with someone who really didn't seem like they were at all concerned with what we were telling them?  I've been there.  Is it this way with God?  Does God somehow become annoyed when we do not listen to Him?  I would doubt that very much.  However, I do believe that the Father delights in hearing from and speaking to His children.  As with any parent, I believe that the Father cherishes the conversations He has with us.  However, I also believe that we have gotten lost along the way in the way that we communicate with Him.  Many times we look at scripture and think that our conversations with the Father are simply lists of things we require His help with.  After all, I only began contemplating my conversations with the Father in the midst of a difficult period in my own life.  I get it.  But, obviously there is something more we need to know about our own conversations with God.  I often think of the term active listening when I am thinking of prayer.  After all, our prayers definitely include a period of active listening for the Fathers voice.  His voice is not one which we are unfamiliar.  For Jesus tells us that His sheep know His voice {Johns Account 10:27-28}.  I believe that the key to knowing and recognizing the voice of Christ Jesus is to also realize the truth of the indwelling Christ in us.  

Lo!  I stand at the door and am knocking.  If ever anyone should be hearing My voice and opening the door, I will also be coming into him and dining with him, and he with Me.

The Unveiling Of Jesus Christ 3: 20, Concordant New Testament 

Jesus makes no qualms about the fact that it is He who offers Himself to us that we will accept Him {Paul To The Romans 10:9, First Epistle of John 1:9, The Unveiling Of Jesus Christ 10:20}.  Despite the truth that we have the spirit of the Father with us from birth, we are still offered the choice to choose Jesus {Genesis 1:27}.  The apostle Paul spoke to the truth of Christ Jesus in us in Galatians {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  It is Christ Jesus in whom we now live.  That being said, we should know His voice in us very well.  When we realize the reality of who it is we are in Christ Jesus, our prayers and conversations with Him (Prayer is, after all, our conversation with the Father) take on a entire new meaning.  Speaking to the Father becomes as common as talking with a friend.  More importantly, listening for His voice becomes something we do instinctively.  Many of us know how to hold a conversation.  We've been doing it for many years.  Knowing that we are one in Christ and the Father, our conversations with Him become more intimate.  We can come to Him with our hopes, our dreams and our concerns.  The Father delights in this.  As we listen, He will also speak to us of where it is He is leading.  The Fathers voice is not one which we should partake of only in times of our trouble and anxieties, but in every aspect of our life.  After all, who would know us better than He who created us in His image?  If we know Him and listen for His voice within us, the Father will speak to what it is He desires us to hear.  

~Scott~ 

Jesus On Trial

 

And He begins to teach them that the Son of Mankind must be suffering much and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and the scribes, and be killed and after three days rise. 

Marks Account 8: 31, Concordant New Testament 

Unless you've had your head buried in the sand over the past few years, you know well the name Donald Trump.  The much maligned and persecuted former president is once again making his way for another bid a the white house.  Now, depending on which side of the aisle you identify with, you either love the Donald or you hate him passionately.  As I thought of this this week I thought of how closely it resembled the trial of Jesus of Nazareth back in the day.  Wait, Donald Trump and Jesus?  Yes, but hear me out.  See, both men had their legions of followers as well as those who despised them.  Each was despised by the rulers of their time.  Jesus was indeed despised and ridiculed by the scribes and Pharisees of his day.  Of course, Jesus continually would criticize these so called rulers of his day for their supposed religious practices {Matthews Account 12:34, 15:7-9}.  Many Christians refer to the famous words of Jesus in His "Woe to the Pharisees" rant we see in Matthew 23 {Matthews Account 23:13-39}.  For anyone familiar with the scriptures, it's clear that Jesus was not a fan of the practices of the rulers of His day.  Likewise, Donald Trump has made known his disdain for more than a few of our public leaders as well.  Granted, the ONLY similarities between Donald Trump and Jesus which I illustrate is the fact that both received and are receiving a rather public trial.  Indeed, Jesus was paraded in front of the masses as He was led around during His so called prosecution.  If ever there was a kangaroo court, this was it.  In fact, the verdict was already decided even before Jesus was hauled in to answer before Pilate.  Jesus must die!  What were the charges against Him that He would be put to death?  Telling the truth.  Jesus proclaimed that He and the Father were one.  Of course, this flew in the face of the religious system of His day.  So it was that for proclaiming His identity Jesus was nailed to a cross.  

And straightway, in the morning, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes and the whole Sanhedrin hold a consultation.  Binding Jesus, they carry Him away and hand Him over to Pilate.  And Pilate inquires of Him, "You are the King of the Jews?"  Now He, answering Him, is saying, "You are saying it."  And the chief priests accused Him of many things.  Now Pilate again inquires of Him, saying, "You are not answering anything? Lo! of how much are they accusing you!"  Yet Jesus no longer answered anything, so that Pilate is marveling. 

Marks Account 15: 1-5, Concordant New Testament 

It's easy to see who it was that sent Jesus to the cross from reading scripture.  As He stood in front of Pilate, Pilate himself struggled with the fact of convicting this man.  I am quite sure that he was aware of how passionate those who were accusing Jesus were.  Yet Pilate did not see the guilt in Him.  Indeed, this Roman ruler marveled at Jesus as he spoke with Him.  Yet, in the end the religious authorities of the day had their way and had their greatest enemy condemned to die.  In their minds, Jesus was finished.  They could  now go about with their traditions and practices without criticism from that dude from Galilee.  Of course, that all changed three days later with the rising of our Lord and Saviour.  The shackles of men could not contain Jesus.  Death could not contain Him {Paul To The Romans 6:9}.  Now, for the sake of the discussion, what does the trial of Jesus have in common with the public persecution of Donald Trump?  Well, to date the charges which have been leveled at Trump have not stuck (In fact, I'll soon be getting a free dinner because of this).  Let us not lose the point of this discussion, which is that Jesus was indeed being critical of the religious SYSTEM of His day.  And make no mistake, this is the same religious system we see today in our institutional church.  In fact, the same religious system which today publicly celebrates Jesus is also the same system which advocated for His death.  Imagine that.  I've often been asked what church Jesus would go to were He alive today (He IS alive!).  Well, I can say with all honesty that I'm sure that Jesus would be far less concerned with the church building and system and more concerned with those IN the building.  I would also like to point out to all those Donald Trump haters out there...I believe that he is also a Christian.  

~Scott~ 

The Issue Of Prayer

 

Now, similarly, the spirit is also aiding our infirmity, for what we should be praying for, to accord with what must be, we are not aware, but the spirit itself is pleading for us with inarticulate groanings. 

Paul To The Romans 8: 26, Concordant New Testament 

If there is one subject which has been pontificated about more than others by Christian pastors and authors alike it's the issue of prayer.  What is it?  How do we do it effectively?  Is God really listening?  Now, I could point to many a verse relating to prayer in order to answer some of these burning questions, but I feel that a true understanding of prayer centers around our own understanding of where we stand in regards to the Father.  Is God simply a bystander in life, or is He something more than that?  Many pastors will attempt to preach to us that God is simply a sounding board for our repeated requests.  That His response to our prayers depends entirely on our conduct.  I have prayed for and over many things in my life, and there has been many a time where I've felt defeated simply because I behaved as I shouldn't.  Inevitably I would do something wrong and my prayer requests went out the window.  Is that how God works?  Some years ago I would have said yes, but knowing what I now understand of my Father, I will never again agree with that statement.  First off, how is it that you see God?  If your image of God is that of a detached observer to life, then your idea of prayer and mine will not be the same.  If, however, you see yourself as one with Christ Jesus and the Father, then you will began to truly appreciate the full intent of prayer {Johns Account 17:21}.  One with Jesus and the Father?  Is that even possible?  Jesus Himself proclaimed that indeed it is.  The apostle Paul took this a step further when he spoke of the indwelling Christ living in him {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  For Paul, life as he knew it no longer existed, all that remained was Christ Jesus {Paul To The Philippians 1:21}.  When we live our lives in this understanding of the Father, prayer ceases to be a wish list and becomes more of a personal conversation with The Father in us.  This might fly in the face of many a mainstream church goer, but that does not mean that it's not true.  Again, it all depends on what your relationship with the Father is like.  

For me to be living is Christ, and to be dying, gain.

Paul To The Philippians 1: 21, Concordant New Testament 

For much of my life, my own idea of prayer centered around how God saw me.  If I believed that He saw me as unfaithful, I believed that my prayers would go unheard.  This was the thought drilled into me by the institutional church.  These are the same folks who turned the idea of prayer on its ear with their "Name it and claim it" philosophy.  The idea was that we Christians were inherently good people who followed the One true God.  Therefore, the Father would certainly reward those who called upon him {Marks Account 11:24}.  Pastors continually toss around scriptures which supposedly tell us that God will answer all of our requests.  However, has anyone ever considered what the Fathers outlook on prayer is?  Are we too busy with our own wish lists that we fail to see how He sees our prayers?  I believe that the Fathers idea of prayer and ours will often be different.  I believe that our Father views prayer as our personal conversations with Him.  These conversations are not always requests, but our heart felt conversations with God.  We might pray about how our day went, or how we're feeling.  But, doesn't God already know what we will pray to Him about?  Of course!  But what Father does not enjoy hearing from his children?  God created us in His image {Genesis 1:27}.  As Paul tells us, it is the Father who dwells in us.  Not only does He know what we will pray for, He delights in hearing from us {Proverbs 15:8}.  Again ,this fly's in the face of what we have been told about prayer from those in the institutional church.  For the church business model and filling pews is deemed far more important than speaking the truth of who the Father truly is in us.  As I said, depending on your view of the Father, my view of prayer and yours would be different.  Whatever your view of prayer, however, the Father delights in hearing from His children.  

Now He told them a parable also, so that they must always be praying and not be despondent. 

Lukes Account 18: 1, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Virtue Of Christian Patience

 Now, if we are expecting what we are not observing, we are awaiting it with endurance.

Paul To The Romans 8: 25, Concordant New Testament 

If there is one phrase I learned well in the halls of the institutional church it is to wait upon the Lord.  This is what we say when we are faced with a life crisis or when we are eagerly awaiting something.  Wait on the Lord, and everything will be fine.  Sounds good, right?  That is, until we realize that our vision of patience sometimes does not agree with that of the Lords.  Many well meaning Christians will agree that Gods timing if far different from our own.  So much so, that we may often feel as if the Lord has somehow forgotten us and our situation.  Of course, this will never be the case.  For we have been assured that the Lord will be with us always {Psalm 139:1-4, Isaiah 41:10, Matthews Account 28:20}.  Could it be that there is a disconnect between our own timing and Gods?  Well, the scriptures seem to think so {Isaiah 55:8-9, Peter To The Dispersion (2) 3:8}.  So what can it mean, then, for us to wait upon the Lord?  Are we to be steadfast in our patience and wait until the Lord opens whatever door He will?  Or, are we to wait until He leads us through our spirit in the direction He has chosen for us?  I would lean on the latter personally.  Because I have been in those trenches, waiting on the Lord while whatever situation I was waiting on seemed to drag on endlessly.  Yet the advice I so often received from the church?  Wait on the Lord.  We're bombarded with the words of our pastors which proclaim that those who wait upon the Lord will soar like eagles {Isaiah 40:31}.  A former church I attended once had a statue of an eagle raised outside its entrance with that very scripture inscribed.  As a young Christian, my thoughts were always that waiting on the Lord was a chore which we endure.  Of course, this was before I realized the truth of being one with Christ.  For those in the mainstream church, waiting on the Lord may be just that, a task we endure.  The idea is that God is somehow grading us on our patience before He acts in our favor.  I lost count of how many times my patience ran out and I gave up on waiting on the Lord.  I've even had pastors proclaim that perhaps God was testing me to see if my faith was solid.  To the young Christian, this can be pretty daunting.  

The Lord is not tardy as to the promise, as some are deeming tardiness, but is patient because of you, not intending any to perish, but all to make room for repentance. 

Peter To The Disposition (2) 3: 9, Concordant New Testament 

I will say that my own view of waiting on the Lord has changed since my own realization of Christ in me which was spoken to by the apostle Paul in Galatians {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  I have come to realize that as I wait upon the Lord I might not be waiting for a physical sign, but for a leading in my spirit from Him.  If I am one in the Lord, then He is definitely able to speak to me as to what He desires for me.  But, will I perceive and listen to His words?  I believe that THIS is the key to our waiting upon the Lord.  Yes, God could create a physical event which will be designed to convince us of His leading.  I once knew a man I worked with who told me a story of how he was helped out of a situation by a neighbor without even asking.  He simply referred to it as a "God thing."  Yes, God is able to do just that.  He is able to present us with a situation in which we cannot deny that He brought about for us to see.  Yet, the Father is also able to speak to our spirit and guide us where He wants us to go.  I realize that this is less dramatic than a physical sign, but perhaps far more effective.  In order to understand this, one must first understand that our identity does not reside with the physical world, but with the spirit realm {Paul To The Corinthians (2) 3:18}.  That is, our outer flesh body does not define who it is we are.  Therefore, we are definitely able to discern the voice of the Father in us.  The main question, then, is will we listen?  

~Scott~ 

All for Jesus

 

The only Son of God almighty

The holy one called Jesus Christ

He healed the sick and He fed the hungry

And for His love they took His life away 

~They Killed Him~ Kris Kristofferson 

I'm sure that you've heard it been said that there are two types of arguments one should never engage in.  That being discussions on religion and politics.  This can be evidenced by the current political divisions within our nation.  On the one hand, former president Donald Trump seems like a sure fire lock to be elected once again to our nations highest office.  Then again, those who grow tired of the in your face antics of the former president would rather hold their collective noses and choose the lesser of the evils, more than likely another America hating, economy busting Democrat.  For my money, I'd rather tolerate a few mean comments from Donald Trump if it means that the country as a whole will do better.  Others, unfortunately, do not share my opinion.  I get it.  But what about religion?  What is it about religion which often causes such rambunctious debates?  A good friend reminded me of this week with a comment concerning the mainstream church.  He wondered why the church feels the need to argue and defend its positions.  I have wondered this for some time as well.  But we should not at all be surprised when these  disagreements over religion and beliefs cloud our thoughts.  For Jesus Himself spoke to this in the book of Matthew.  Jesus proclaimed that, by His coming, that a mans enemies would be those of his own household {Matthews Account 10:36}.  Does this sound at all familiar?  Haven't we all at one time or another been caught up in spirited discussions in our vain attempts to defend our beliefs?  I can personally recall many a men's group classes where innocent discussions often led to heated arguments concerning religion.  I can recall well meaning pastors being raked over the coals by those in the congregation who thought that the gospel should be declared differently.  I recall mainstream church staff members advocating for the expulsion of church members simply because they believed that their beliefs were "Dangerous."  This isn't mainland China, nor communist Russia.  In fact, this could happen in any church in any town in America.  So, my question to you is this, what put the idea in your head that the creator of the universe needed your help in defending Himself?  When has our heavenly Father been so weak that He could not fight for Himself?  Yet many well meaning Christians continue to believe that the fight is our alone.  

"You should not be inferring that I came to be casting peace on the earth.  I did not come to be casting peace, but a sword.  For I came to pit a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.  And the enemies of a man are those of his household. 

Matthews Account 10: 34-36, Concordant New Testament 

These words, spoken by Jesus, have proven over time to be prophetic.  For many a family has been torn by religious divisions.  I know a good friend who's sibling has different political and religious views than the rest of the family.  To his credit, he does not shun her from family gatherings.  I have also shared in my writings of a coworker of mine who adheres to the Eastern Orthodox faith of Christianity.  I have given up engaging him in religious discussions as these often lead to some pretty heated words.  He's not alone, for I was once also a member of the fight for Jesus crowd.  Whenever someone would express a different view, I would bark out a scripture or two in order to prove them wrong and make myself feel justified in defending the faith.  However, all I usually felt in the end was embarrassment.  One day the question popped into my head, why do I even need to defend God?  Why do I need to defend the One whom I pray to constantly to defend me?  Anyone see the irony in that?  Instead of trying so hard to defend the Lord and our beliefs, we should be allowing the Father to speak His word through us.  In the end, we are the ones who need His defense, not the other way around.  

~Scott~ 

Big Church

 

For I hunger and you give Me to eat' I thirst and you give Me drink; a stranger was I and you took Me in; naked and you clothed me; infirm am I and you visit Me; In jail was I and you come to Me.'  "Then the Just shall be answering Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we perceive Thee hungering and nourish Thee, or thirsting and we give Thee drink?  Now when did we perceive Thee a stranger and take Thee in, or naked and we clothed Thee?  Now when did we perceive Thee infirm, or in jail, and we came to Thee?  "And, answering, the King shall be declaring to them, 'Verily, I am saying to you, in as much as you do it to one of these, the least of My brethren, you do it to Me.' 

Mattews Account 25: 35 - 40, Concordant New Testament 

I was reminded today in a not so subtle way just why I no longer step foot inside what many know as the mainstream church.  See, the church, as I once knew it, is dead.  It has been dead for quite some time.  The last time  stepped foot inside a brick and mortar church I felt as I was witnessing it's dying moments firsthand.  I used to be big into going to church.  That was something we always did growing up.  Yet that church is gone now.  That church which I once knew and cherished.  A good friend recently shared a story with me of a man who was booted from a church group for asking a simple question.  The question?  Is it true?  Is it true about the birth of the Christ child?  Is it true that He is to be the promised savior?  Now, any pastor worth his salt would be able to answer those questions when posed to him.  However, the minister in the authors story had difficulty answering a few of the basic questions concerning Christianity.  So much so that his response was to "encourage" the author to no longer attend his bible study group.  Honestly, the first thing that came to my mind as I read this article was...big church.  That's it, a church which had grown too big and far too arrogant to be bothered with simple questions about the birth of Christ Jesus.  A church with bigger concerns, like loud worship services, light shows and tithes and offerings.  It is these dog and pony shows which I began to see in my latter days in the brick and mortar church.  It seemed like the days of Sunday sermons and Sunday school lessons were a thing of the past.  The church had gotten too big for its britches in my opinion.  Now, let me make something clear, when I refer to the church, I AM NOT referring to the body of believers with Christ as its head {Paul To The Colossians 1:18}.  No, what I am referring to here is the man made brick and mortar church which many of us have become familiar with over time.  I am talking about the man made, new wave, Christian religion that we have seen overcome many congregations in recent years.  Where showmanship and optics are more important than charity and the work and words of Jesus.  This is what ultimately drove me away from the church I once knew.  

Now all those who believe were also in the same place and had all things in common.  And they disposed of the acquisitions and the properties, and divided them to all, forasmuch as some would have had need.  Besides persevering day by day with one accord in the sanctuary, besides breaking bread home by home, they partook of nourishment with exultation and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor for the whole people.  Now the Lord added to those being saved day by day in the same place. 

Acts Of The Apostles 2: 44 - 47, Concordant New Testament 

For many years I knew and understood the church to be a place where people would come to be saved and to learn of the Lord.  It is where my understanding of the Father and His gift to me initially began.  Growing up I attended my share of churches, and not one of them had the dog and pony shows we've come to expect from the modern church.  There was a sermon, or lesson, and there was a Sunday school lesson for the children.  The loud music, light shows and corporate atmosphere, that came later.  Understand this, the modern brick and mortar church is A BUSINESS.  Anyone who doubts this need only look at the importance modern churches place on the financial bottom line of the operation.  If something isn't generating money, they do away with it.  Those who ask simple questions like, is it true, are usually not welcomed.  One of my own experiences with the mainstream church saw me expressing interest in a fellowship golfing group, only to be shot down and told that it was probably designed more for "experienced" players.  Right, experienced golfers looking for fellowship, I get it.  The funny thing is, I've learned so much more of the truth of Christ after I stepped out of the church.  If you want to learn of the forgiveness and acceptance found only in Christ Jesus, then big church probably isn't the place for you. 

~Scott~ 

Lost In Communication

 When I was a minor, I spoke as a minor, I was disposed as a minor, I took account of things as a minor.  Yet when I became a man, I have discarded that which is a minor's. 

Paul To The Corinthians (1) 13: 11, Concordant New Testament 

Let me just begin by saying that I have never had the opportunity to raise a child in the ways of life.  However, I HAVE had the opportunity to babysit over young bucks, even when I didn't care to.  Case in point, at the gym the other day I noticed a young man walking around the gym looking at people as if he was lost.  At first I passed it off as someone who was getting the feel for the place.  I see a lot of people like that.  Yet, no matter where I went, this same kid was there staring.  Eventually it came to the point where I approached him and asked if he needed help.  Well, it turns out that he was indeed looking for weights, but that he had been far too afraid to ask anyone.  So, I assisted him.  Not long after that I noticed the same kid staring at his phone and tapping away text messages like wildfire.  So, I asked a friend of mine, how is it that a kid his age could be so shy and yet not so much with a cell phone in his hands?  I'll tell you how, because we have raised up a generation that values electronic social interaction over human to human contact.  We have raised up a generation that is deathly afraid of social interactions with others, unless it's over a keyboard.  I don't need to say that this is wrong on so many levels.  Most adults should be able to recognize the inhibited social interactions of some in our younger generation.  However, there are grown adults out there who are also not able to communicate well with others.  I can honestly say that I have been in their shoes.  There was a time when I was shy to the point that it was almost debilitating.  My friends would try every trick in the book in order to get me to bust out of my shell, but it took me some time.  Eventually, I came to learn that talking to those around me didn't kill me after all.  They say that practice makes perfect, and so it did with my own social skills.  The more I interacted with people, the easier it became for me.  So, what's the deal with kids these days?  Are they afraid of interacting with others?  If so, why?  I suppose that my own experiences might play a part in the answer to that question.  

Fear is not in love, but perfect love is casting out fear, for fear has chastening.  Now he who is fearing is not perfected in love.  

First Epistle Of John 4: 18, Concordant New Testament 

Long before the days of cell throw away cell phones, when the Al Gore created internet was still coming into mainstream acceptance there were things known as chat rooms.  Chat rooms were all the rage back in the late 90's.  People could sit in front of their computer for hours on end communicating with others from around the country and even across the world.  There were chat rooms for every interest, from religion to pornography.  It was in the latter that I cut my teeth in the world of the internet.  I would spend countless hours in front of  a keyboard living what I now know was a alternate reality.  A reality where I wasn't the shy person others saw every day, but the outgoing guy I wanted to be.  Behind that keyboard, nobody was able to judge me for my appearance.  Behind that keyboard, I could live my alternate reality.  Sound familiar?  I truly believe that this is indeed what many of our younger generation is facing these days.  Afraid to interact with someone who might laugh at or criticize them.  People can be cruel, and often we feel that the best alternative is to avoid them altogether.  Obviously, that isn't the answer.  For God never intended us to live a life of fear.  It's been said that as humans we have been created by our heavenly Father to be social creatures, and I agree.  Our social interactions can be a big part of our lives.  I have a group of people I interact with at the gym now known as the gym rats (Yes, I now talk to others!).  My friends, these gym rats, are a positive influence on me as far as motivation and companionship.  How does one become a gym rat?  Well, it's simple really, if I have noticed someone I see on a regular basis at the gym I will introduce myself.  It all began with me challenging myself to interact with those around me.  I found out that not everyone is a bad person.  In my heart I know, that even if man fails me, my heavenly Father remains in me.  And with each new gym rat, the truth of Christ Jesus is passed on to another.  

~Scott~ 

Gods Work

 

For which I am toiling also, struggling in accord with His operation, which is operating in me with Power 

Paul To The Colossians 1: 29, Concordant New Testament 

Being a new believer, it's kind of difficult to get an understanding of just how God works.  I mean, how is it that He does what He does?  Sure, God is omniscient, and he can be anywhere He desires and do anything He wants, but HOW does that look?  Can we witness God at work?  We can definitely see the results of His works, but have we ever seen Him work?  Like I said, to understand this is to have a deeper understanding of our heavenly Father.  The understanding that God is not limited to a full time residence in heaven.  The understanding that, through His Son, His will be done.  One of the first things we need to realize is the truth of Christ Jesus.  Jesus spoke that if we have seen Him that we have seen the Father as well {Johns Account 14:9}.  Jesus proclaims that He and the Father are one {Johns Account 10:30}.  Therefore, when we know Jesus, we're that much closer to knowing the Father.  One can say that the apostle Paul certainly knew Jesus very well.  It is Paul who is one of the most vocal ministers of the gospel of Christ that we find in the scriptures.  It is also Paul who speaks to the truth of Christ Jesus in us {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  Yet the truth of Jesus in this situation is that WE are in Him.  Our physical bodies are merely a container for Christ Jesus in us.  So, what does all of this have to do with Gods work?  Well, if Jesus indeed dwells in us and we are intimately a part of Him, then one can make the case that the works which we do here on earth are indeed the works of the Father in us.  Jesus speaks to this in Matthew {Matthews Account 5:16}.  Can we speak of the Lords works, then, as His works through us?  I believe that we surely can, and must.  For to believe that our works alone are what drive us, we're missing the truth of the spirit of God in us.  How wonderful it is to be a part of the Lords plan!  To be one of those He chooses to work through in order to fulfill His desire.  I believe that it is for this very reason that Jesus proclaims that the world will see these works through us and glorify the Father {Matthews Account 5:16}.  

"You are the light of the world.  A city located upon a mountain can not be hid.  Neither are they burning a lamp and placing it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it is shining to all those in the house.  Thus let your light shine in front of men, so that they may perceive your ideal acts and should glorify your Father who is in the heavens" 

Matthews Account 5: 14-16, Concordant New Testament 

When we know the truth of the Father dwelling within us, we can get a better appreciation for the works He does through us.  Let us not get trapped in the belief that we are our own separate entity working our own efforts without any assistance from our Father who created us.  To believe that is to believe the lie of the deceiver spoken to Adam and Eve in the garden {Genesis 3:4-6}.  We were never created to live life alone, but to live as one with the Father and Christ {Johns Account 17:21}.  The Father in Jesus, Jesus in the Father and we in Him as well.  The misrepresentation which the mainstream church gives us does a great disservice to our relationship with the Father.  All too often, the church speaks to the disconnect we face with God.  God is in heaven, while we are here alone on in our fallen world.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  From the beginning, God worked His desire in this world that we would be one with Him.  The examples of those who do the work of the Father are all around us.  The charitable deeds, uplifting words and helping hands are all reminders of the Father working through us.  Our response should be to glorify the Father who works His desires through us.  For there is no charity devised by man that can match the love of the Father. 

~Scott~ 

The Court Of Personal Opinion

 

Wherefore, defenseless are you, O man!  everyone who is judging, for in what you are judging another, you are condemning yourself, for you who are judging are committing the same things.  Now we are aware that the judgement of God is according to truth against those who are committing such things.  Yet you are reckoning on this, O man, who are judging those committing such things, and art doing the same, that you will be escaping the judgement of God? 

Paul To The Romans 2: 1-3, Concordant New Testament 

We've all been there at one time or another.  Myself included.  A moment where we see in the actions of others something which is all too wrong.  I work with a young man who for the life of him cannot keep silent when he sees some injustice in the workplace.  I get it.  We see something going on which we know to be wrong and we want it rectified NOW!  Well, the trouble with that is that the world rarely works that way.  Life does not work that way.  Throughout our lives we will constantly be exposed to those who either ignore the rules or, knowing the rules, simply do things their own way.  One cannot go through life without experiencing such things.  As for my coworker, I have tried on numerous occasions to reign him in when he starts to become vocal about whatever injustice he sees in the workplace.  All to no avail.  I fear that eventually what will make him change his behavior is a direct reprimand from management.  Which is a shame, because he is a good person.  His flaw is one which many of us have exhibited ourselves.  That things should go the way we think that they should.  Well, good luck with that.  From experience I have come to realize that it is far better to trust in the Lord for such things.  I haven't shared  that advice with my coworker as of yet, but he knows where I stand in regards to my faith.  I believe that there is a reason for which Jesus spoke that we are not to judge those around us {Matthews Account 7:1-5}.  As Jesus tells us, 'Do not judge, lest you be judged.'  The apostle Paul was more direct, claiming that we who judge others are ourselves committing the same offenses {Paul To The Romans 2:2}.  Often we are blind to offenses which we ourselves may be committing.  But rest assured, they're there.  I believe that another reason for Jesus telling us not to judge others is to give the Father His proper respect.  For if we are believers, we know in our hearts that it is Christ who judges {Johns Account 5:22}.  We know that everything was created through Christ Jesus {Johns Account 1:3}.  If there is anyone to be judged, and even that is questionable, it is Christ who retains that responsibility.  

Do not judge, lest you may be judged, for with what judgement you are judging, shall you be judged, and with what measure you are measuring, shall it be measured to you. 

Matthews Account 7: 1-2, Concordant New Testament 

Funny thing, I have yet another coworker who lives in fear of being judged.  Judged not from those around him, but from the Father.  Steeped deeply in the Eastern Orthodox religion, he fears the punishment for sin which we see throughout the old testament.  Despite the fact that Christ Jesus has already paid that price for our sins at the cross, he continues to live in fear over the sins he might engage in.  However, Paul tells us clearly that Jesus paid that price in full already {Paul To The Romans 6:10}.  Do you live in fear of Gods impending judgement as my coworker does?  If so, rest assured that it has already been provided for.  It's covered.  It is Christ who Himself became sin on our behalf {Paul To The Corinthians 5:21}.  So it is that even though Christ Jesus has the power to judge, we need not fear a future judgement.  Christ has already provided for that.  So, knowing that we need not fear future judgement over sin, why is it that we usurp the authority of Jesus and condemn those around us?  What authority has Christ given us that we should condemn others?  The way I see it, the only one who has been given the outright authority to condemn is Jesus.  If Jesus refuses to condemn those around us, why do we?  

~Scott~ 

Biblical Expectations

 

Now apart from faith it is impossible to be well pleasing, for he who is coming to God must believe that He is and is becoming a rewarder of those who are seeking Him out. 

To The Hebrews 11: 6, Concordant New Testament 

I recently read the comments of a Tik Tok influencer who was bemoaning the fact that there were no single men surrounding her that displayed what she called "Biblical expectations" of being a husband.  Well, if your standard is that of the written word, then she was probably right.  What man is there who can attain the perfect standard which we find in the scriptures?  Now, granted, we could take the concept of biblical expectations to almost everything we see.  Biblical expectations of authority, biblical expectations of charity and so on.  I understand this young lady's dilemma, but I also believe that her focus is not in the right place.  Did Jesus proclaim that the scriptures were the way to the Father?  No, Jesus Himself claimed that He was the way, the truth and the life {Johns Account 14:6}.  As He tells us through the scriptures, nobody comes to the Father but through Him.  Many of us have biblical expectations of how things should be.  I have biblical expectations of how the world should be.  Yeah, I know, good luck with that right?  I believe that we can carry biblical expectations of truth and right and wrong, but that we should be trusting in the Father to reveal what was written in the word.  Should our young lady be using a biblical standard of a future mate?  Or, would we suggest that she wait upon the Father to reveal him to her?  I choose the latter.  I know it might sound silly, but we should be trusting in the Father and not the bible.  For what is the scripture but the writings of the people, events and teachings of Him?  It is the scripture that gives us the history of the Lord Jesus.  Yet it is also the scripture which affirms to us His presence {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.   Did Jesus proclaim that we are to believe in the word?  No, He proclaimed that we believe in Him {Johns Account 14:1}.  I have no issue with people using the scriptures as a way of finding the Lord, we see this all the time.  I believe that when people read OF Christ Jesus that they become hungry to know more of Him.  So, I guess I should ask the question, what is your biblical expectation of Jesus?  

Seeing that Christ also, for our sakes, once died concerning sins, the just for the sake of the unjust, that He may be leading us to God; being put to death, indeed, in flesh, yet vivified in spirit. 

Peter To The Disposition 3: 18, Concordant New Testament 

I will point out here, that my own biblical expectation of Christ might differ from that of others.  For the trending biblical expectation of Jesus is rooted in the words of the scriptures.  Therefore, many believers carry the biblical expectation that Jesus will return once more to claim the righteous.  Well, I have the biblical expectation that not only has Jesus returned, but that we as believers are one with Him {Paul To The Galatians 2:20, Paul To The Romans 6:8}.  Why do I bring this up?  Because I believe that our own biblical expectations will be tied to our own interpretation of the scriptures.  We can agree that there are many different versions of the written scriptures, basically something for everyone.  Well, here's the deal, interpretations may change, and they most certainly do.  However, we can trust in our hearts that Christ Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow {To The Hebrews 13:8}.  Dare I say that were our young Tik Tok friend to take a look at a few different interpretations of the scriptures that her own biblical expectations for a future mate might change?  Now, to her credit, she has professed to be "Waiting on the Lord" in her quest.  I would say that she continue to do that and wait for the Father to reveal to her His expectations of a future mate.  But, that's just me.  

~Scott~ 

As Intended

 

So Elohim created humanity in his image; in the image of Elohim He created it: male and female He created them. 

Genesis 1: 27, Concordant New Testament 

Recently there has been a lot of talk over gender, over human gender.  We have those who agree with the creation which the Father has made, and those who would rather not.  There are men who "Identify" as women and women who "Identify" as men.  Swimmer Lia Thomas broke barriers when he, became a she and proceeded to have success as a transgender male turned female on a women's swimming team.  Many liberals will point to this as a shining example of a man discovering "Her" true calling.  I call it bullsh@t.  Now, I get that I will probably get some pushback for my beliefs, but I'm a firm believer in the old adage of if it ain't broke don't fix it.  If your car is running fine, don't go out and spend hundreds of dollars trying to diagnose a imaginary issue (Unless you own a Ford Ranger, then for Lords sake just buy something else!)  Seriously, if the human body is doing fine, don't be messing with Gods creation.  By all accounts, Lia Thomas' physical body was doing fine, why mess with it?  To the naked eye, there is one glaring reason for Lia Thomas to do what he/she did, greed.  As a female swimmer, she was inadequate.  Therefore, transform to a male and become stronger than the competition.  Sorry, that's how I see it.  At the end of the day, I believe in the God created physical body which we all have been presented with.  The scriptures tell us that the Father created us in His image {Genesis 1:27}.  Scores of Christians have accepted the fact that they, resemble the Father.  I remember standing in front of a mirror and pondering this thought, 'God, do I really look like you?'  Of course, I was thinking of it in the wrong way.  What we see daily as our "Image" is simply our flesh covering.  Our true image resides within us, as our spirit.  THIS is the image of the Father in which we were created.  Jesus spoke to the spirit image of the Father in  Johns account {John 4:24}.  While I don't believe that someone who alters the flesh of the body has done nothing to change who they truly are, I do believe that messing with what the Father has created can never lead to anything good.  Then again, if you do not possess a heart that knows the name of the Lord who created you, then you more than likely have a altered idea of who you are.  Like I said, if it ain't broken, don't fix it.  

Or are you not aware that your body is a temple of the holy spirit in you, which you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you are bought with a price.  By all means glorify God in your body.

Paul To The Corinthians 1: 19-20, Concordant New Testament 

The apostle Paul speaks more than a few times of the reality of our true spirit identity.  He refers to our physical body as a temple to the holy spirit in us {Paul To The Corinthians 1:19}.  He takes this a step further by confirming that it is Christ Jesus who lives within this flesh body of ours {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  That being said, when we attempt to alter ourselves by altering our flesh body, what are we really accomplishing?  In the end, we are altering the temple of the Lord within us, but our one true identity has not changed at all.  This is the time of year when far too many people stand in front of that mirror and do not like what they see.  They see a flesh body which does not mee their expectations.  So, they "Resolve" in the new year to change that.  I've seen it far too many times.  In fact, I was one of those New Years resolution gym goers who managed to stick with it over time.  I was someone who did not like what I saw in the mirror.  Of course, that image I saw, or thought I saw, translated to a lower image of myself.  So, I can definitely relate to someone in those same circumstances.  I didn't fully realize it at the time, but the flesh image I saw in the mirror was not who I truly was.  It did not define me.  What defines me is Christ Jesus who I walk as each day.  THAT is who I am.  So, why would I want to mess with that?  Why in the world would we not be satisfied with His image?  If you ask me, far too many people have been listening to too many of the wrong voices for far too long.  The only voice we need be concerned with is that of Christ Jesus in us.  

~Scott~ 

A Meeting With Jesus

 

And the word became flesh and tabernacles among us, and we gaze at His glory, a glory as of an only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

Johns Account 1: 14, Concordant New Testament 

The joke is that a man is talking to his friend about religion.  At some point, his friend claims that there is no God because bad things continue to happen to good people.  Seeing his opportunity, the man looks around and sees a homeless man on a bench not far away.  The two walk over to the homeless man and take him to a local barber shop.  As they enter the barber shop the man suddenly claims that there are no barbers in the world.  Annoyed, the barber disagrees with him.  "How can there be barbers in the world when this man looks so dingy?"  'Sir,' the barber explains, 'This man has never stepped into my shop before.'  No matter where you are on the question of God, you cannot deny His presence in the universe.  The universe is far to intricate of a creation for it to have formed so randomly.  Yet, there continue to be those who will deny the existence of the Lord.  So, let me pose another question, have you ever met Jesus?  Well, perhaps you need a meeting with Him.  Many people would refuse to ignore someone only  based on what they hear others say about that person.  Yet, it happens all the time when we talk about Jesus.  Bad things happen to those we see as good people, so we assume that there must be no God, right?  That's a good story if you can sell it.  But I know better.  I've been there.  I've questioned God and why He does what He does.  In 2016, my mother passed away after a long illness.  Of course, I was distraught over this.  My mom was a good, Godly woman, yet God took her from me.  My mom made it a practice to pray and commune with the Lord each day, yet God took her home.  So I, in my wisdom and grief, asked God why He had done such a thing.  It took awhile for the revelation to hit me, but when it came it hit like a ton of bricks.  See, my mother had spent the last few years of her life in pain in a care facility.  I prayed often that the Lord would take her pain from her.  When He did, I questioned Him on why He did it.  Sound familiar?  Far too often as believers, we fail to see the reasons behind why the Lord does what He does.  We make flowery speeches about Gods will, then question Him when He exorcises it.  If you ask me, God has more patience than we give Him credit for.  Here He created us {Genesis 1:27}.  He breathed into us His breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  Despite this truth, there are those who continue to deny Him.  It is these people who need a meeting with Jesus.  

The other disciples, then, said to him, "We have seen the Lord!"  Yet he said to them, "Should I not perceive in His hands the print of the nails, and thrust my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust me hand into His side, I will by no means be believing."  And after eight days His disciples were again within, and Thomas was with them.  The doors having been locked, Jesus is coming and stood in the midst and said, "Peace to you!"  Thereafter He is saying to Thomas, "Bring your finger here and perceive My hands, and bring your hand and thrust it into My side, and do not become unbelieving, but believing."  And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"  Now Jesus is saying to Him, "Seeing that you have seen Me, you have believed.  Happy are those who are not perceiving and believe." 

Johns Account 20: 25-29, Concordant New Testament 

If anyone ever needed a meeting with Jesus, it was His disciple Thomas.  Most believers have heard of the doubt of this follower of Christ at one time or another.  In fact, we all too often characterize someone who does not agree with us as a "Doubting Thomas."  There's a good reason for that.  Thomas spent more than a few years following Jesus.  He lived with Him.  He dined with Him and He learned from Him.  Yet in the chaos surrounding the death of Jesus, Thomas refused to believe that He was indeed alive.  Despite the fact that Jesus had spoken to His disciples that He would return after being crucified, Thomas still refused to believe.  He needed a meeting with Jesus, and that's what he got.  It was only after seeing the risen Lord for himself that Thomas believed.  Far too many believers have fallen into this trap.  We seek living proof that Jesus exists.  For the record, WE are the living proof that Jesus exists.  The apostle Paul spoke to this truth in Galatians {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  It's natural that one would only see as real that which is front of their eyes.  Yet Paul also proclaims that as believers, we walk by faith and not by sight {Paul To The Corinthians(2) 5:7}.  We might not see our risen Lord, but we trust by our faith His word that we remain in Him {First Epistle Of John 4:13}.  Of course, you may be like Thomas and seek living proof that Jesus indeed exists.  If so, then you may need a meeting with Jesus.  

In this we know that we are remaining in Him, and He is us, for He has given us of His spirit. 

First Epistle Of John 4: 13, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~