The Hebrew In Me

 

In contrast, for a Hebrew person - like Jesus - knowing something entailed experiencing it. 

Experiencing God ~ Henry Blackaby 

Are you a Greek or a Hebrew?  Well, lately I discovered that I indeed show Hebrew characteristics, especially when it comes to knowing and experiencing God.  In fact, I will go out on a limb and say that most believers fall into that category of the Greek concept of knowing the Father.  They are all too familiar with the biblical descriptions of the Lord, yet they have never tasted a personal relationship with Him.  The author Henry Blackaby outlines both the Greek and Hebrew aspects of knowing the Lord in his book Experiencing God.  As Blackaby tells it, the Greek idea of knowing God was based on academics.  The Greek could describe the scripture relating to the Lord.  The Greek could also describe very well the concept of God and what He is all about.  Of course, God is much more than this Greek concept of Him.  For the Hebrew, on the other hand, to know something meant to experience it first hand.  It is therefore interesting that when Jesus speaks of knowing the Father He is not speaking as a academic Greek, but as a Hebrew.  When Jesus speaks of the Father, He is not speaking as someone who has book knowledge of God, but as One who has personal experience of the Father.  This is why I proclaim that I have a bit of Hebrew in me, as I do not base my knowledge of the Father on the books I've read, but on my first hand experience of the Father in my life.  I understand that the man I am is not due to which self help books I may have studied, but the Fathers working in my life.  I have not just read the words of the apostle which describe the indwelling Christ in me, I live them each day {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  What good is knowing "Of" something and yet never experiencing it?  I have seen far too many college graduates display these attributes in recent years.  Far too many young people come out of our academic institutions being "Book smart" with little to no life experience.  In recent years, television personality Mike Rowe (of Dirty Jobs fame) has come out to challenge the conventional wisdom that a college degree is the best way to get ahead.  Rowe has spoken that many young people could benefit from apprentice programs which teach employable skills.  I tend to agree.  It would seem, then, that a majority of our young people adhere to the Greek world view.

When Jesus said that eternal life is knowing God - including God the Son, Jesus Christ - He did not mean that eternal life is knowing about God.  He was not referring to someone who has read many books and attended numerous seminars about God.  He was talking about a firsthand, experiential knowledge. 

Henry Blackaby ~ Experiencing God 

It is interesting how the author Blackaby chose the title for his book.  To experience God is not simply to know about Him.  I could read all the scriptures and books about knowing the Father and still come no closer to actually knowing Him.  Of course, this is exactly what the mantra of the mainstream church follows.  To read about God is to know Him.  I can recall being encouraged to read many books on seeing, knowing and feeling God during my days in the institutional church.  Of course, not one of these books helped me to come to know the Faher as I do today.  In fact, I would suggest that it was never book knowledge that brought me to a loving relationship with the Father, but His revelation in me.  As it was with Paul, God revealed His Son in me {Paul To The Galatians 1:15-16}.  The man Saul, although not a Greek, had accumulated years of book knowledge of God.  To his brethren in the Jewish religion, Saul was...a man of God.  Yet Saul never truly knew God until he was confronted by Him on the road to Damascus.  It was here that Saul experienced God first hand.  I would guess that all of his years of book knowledge could not have prepared Saul for that moment.  From that moment forward, Paul would speak not of knowing of God, but of truly knowing Him through personal experience.  I could speak of plenty of verses which tell of what God is like.  Of course, that will not bring you to a closer relationship with Him.  Understand, when I speak of the Father, I do so from the perspective of having known Him personally.  

~Scott~ 

A Prayer Often Forgotten

 

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 you were to have asked me a few years ago my opinion on prayer I probably would have given the standard church answer.  That being, that prayer is speaking our requests to the Lord.  Yet due to recent events in my own life I have come away with a different understanding of our prayers unto the Lord.  I no longer see my prayers as simply my requests to God.  These days, I see prayer as more of a conversation with Christ in whom I dwell {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  I also have come to the deeper understanding that if Christ Jesus now dwells within us, as the apostle Paul pointed out in Galatians, then we also have the unique opportunity for intimate conversation with Jesus.  And if we know Jesus in us, then we also  know the Father who is in Christ as well.  How does this help our prayer life?  Well, the mainstream church version of prayer is that we be "Lifting up" our prayers to the heavenly Father above.  Right away, this presents to us the narrative of the church that we are separated from the Lord, with God being in heaven and His children here on earth.  If this were the case, then Paul would not have proclaimed Christ Jesus in him.  If this were the case, then God never would have proclaimed that He is with us always {To The Hebrews 13:5}.  So it is that with each and every moment of the day we have the opportunity to be in conversation with Jesus who is within us.  It is Jesus who will speak unto our hearts what He desires for our life.  Some will refer to this as "Being led by the spirit."  However, knowing what I know of my own  relationship with Christ, I view these moments as Jesus speaking His desire for me.  This is something which I have experienced more than a few times.  Jesus has proclaimed that His sheep know and follow Him {Johns Account 10:27}.  If we are in Christ, we know His voice.  This is not the voice of One whom we are separated from.  No, this is the voice of Christ within us.  So it is that when the need or situation arises, we often beseech Jesus on our own behalf. 

And He is pulled away from them about a stones throw, and kneeling, He prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Thy intention, carry aside this cup from Me.  However, not My will, but Thine, be done!" 

Lukes Account 22: 41-42, Concordant New Testament 

I mentioned to a dear friend on our recent podcast that I could recall but one moment when Jesus offered a prayer for Himself.  That being while He prayed in the garden just before His arrest.  Here we see Jesus, obviously in a moment of anxiety, requesting that the Father remove His impending ordeal.  Yet Jesus also knew why He was there in that moment.  Knowing this, He prayed (or, spoke to) the Father that not His will, but the Fathers will be done {Lukes Account 22:41-42}.  This made me think for a moment.  Understandably, the majority of our prayers we make unto the Father are prayers of provision.  We pray for the Father to relieve us of situations we might or will be facing.  I get it, I've been there.  Yet, often overlooked is the prayer often forgotten.  That being our prayers of thanksgiving unto the Father.  All too often we get to caught up in relief of God providing for what we have requested that we overlook a prayer giving thanks to Him.  But it goes deeper than that.  Spoken unto my own heart this week was the opportunity to pray thankfulness to God for all which He has done in my life.  His presence and provision I can never deny.  I know that I do not pray it often enough, but I am thankful to the Father not only for providing for me, but for shaping me into the person I have become.  In my heart I know that this was His desire all along.  

~Scott~ 

Dream Killers

 

The thief is not coming except that he should be stealing and sacrificing and destroying.  I came that they may have life eonian, and have it superabundantly. 

Johns Account 10: 10, Concordant New Testament 

Have you ever experienced someone who, despite your feelings to the contrary, feels it necessary to rain on your parade?  Unfortunately, the world is full of these so called dream killers.  Through a recent situation I have myself been witness to these brethren.  I have been led to pray and trust in my situation, which I understand.  However, one of the first pieces of advice I received was "Was that what God really said to you?"  Hello?  If it was spoken to me then I believe in my heart that the Father meant me to hear and understand it.  I was led to a certain passage, only to have a fellow brethren question the context of the scripture I was reading.  Now, granted, people have misconstrued the scriptures for thousands of years, yet I believe that the Lord has a purpose when He leads us to a certain passage.  We know that scripture is not only the word of the Lord, but the evolution of the truth of Christ Jesus in us {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  I believe that it is entirely possible that the Father will put on our hearts a certain passage to speak to us what He wants us to hear.  I also believe that dream killers will question the context and meaning of such a passage.  In the end, how someone else interprets a certain passage has no bearing on the word the Father has given especially to us in our circumstances.  We are also advised to seek wise council in things involving our faith.  It is here where I believe that a lot of us get tripped up.  For there are times where WISE council is nothing more than someone's opinion of how they feel about something.  However, when we seek the council of another and it is spoken unto our hearts that the advice is for our benefit, it is a wonderful thing.  Fortunately, I have been blessed with more than a few such brethren in my life.  It is these men of God I can trust to give me an honest opinion of what the Father is attempting to speak to my heart.  For that I am grateful.  So, what is it we are to do when we feel that the Father has laid a message upon our hearts?  Well, I believe that as we live in Christ as Paul proclaimed, we also have the Father in us.  Knowing the truth of our relationship with the Father can help us keep the dream killers at bay.  

Yet at the same time they are learning to be idle also, wandering about the homes.  Yet not only are they idle, but gossips also, and meddlers, speaking what they must not. 

Paul To Timothy (1) 5: 13, Concordant New Testament 

Honestly, most Christians see their relationship with the Father as one of being separated from God.  This is born of the lie of the deceiver spoken to Adam and Eve in the garden {Genesis 3:4-6}.  Eve was instructed by the serpent that if she took of the forbidden fruit that she would "Become like God."  I'm assuming that Eve did not seek the council of Adam, but simply offered the fruit to him.  Satan, the ultimate dream killer, had landed the first blow.  As a result, many of Gods children continue to believe that they are somehow locked out of His graces because of the sin of the first couple.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  The truth is that Christ Jesus gave of Himself that we would be free of sins penalty {Paul To The Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  Paul also proclaims that it is Christ in whom we now dwell {Paul To The Galatians 2:20, Paul To The Colossians 1:27}.  Jesus has proclaimed that when we look upon Him, we see the Father as well {Johns Account 14:7}.  Why is all of this so important?  Because not only is this the truth of our relationship with God, but what is at the heart of what is spoken unto us.  If we have the Father in us, I believe wholeheartedly that He is able to speak to us in a way which we will understand.  In addition, if we are to seek wise council, I believe that the Father is also willing and able to speak that same word He desires us to hear through another.  It can often be difficult to differentiate the personal opinions of the dream killers from the spoken words put on our hearts by God.  Yet if know and trust in Him, we will recognize the Fathers voice in us.  

If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.  And henceforth you have known Him and have seen Him.

Johns Account 14: 7, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

You Ain't Black

 

If you have trouble deciding if you're for me or Trump...then you ain't black! 

Joe Biden 

For some time I've wondered just what we Christians have been thinking.  Many profess that they are indeed children of the One true God, yet when we look upon those around us we seem to lose that realization.  Somehow, we seem to think that we're the only game in town.  So much so, that we categorize others in regards to their appearance instead of who they are in the Father.  We have taken to referring to it as race relations, but we might as well call it what it is...our own disregard for others.  In America, one political party has made a career out of race mongering and baiting.  They are the Democrats.  Some time ago, president Joe Biden was heard on a podcast proclaiming, "If you have trouble deciding if you're for me or Trump...then you ain't black!"  The audience Joe was targeting was obviously the American African American voter.  It was simply the latest episode of Democrat race baiting.  Then I think, are we supposed to view the people of this world through the eyes of some political minded hack, or see them for who they truly are in the Lord?  I think that the answer to that question is pretty obvious.  The scriptures proclaim to us that we are indeed children of the Lord {Paul To The Galatians 3:26, The First Epistle Of John 3:1}.  However, we also cannot escape the truth that it is the Father who has created us in His very image {Genesis 1:27}.  In fact, when the Father breathed into His creation the breath of life, the ONLY distinction He proclaimed of His creation was that they were male and female {Genesis 1:27}.  God did not create the African American in His image, He did not specify that the Chinese were created in His image.  NO, we're told that MAN was created in the Fathers image!  That means all of us, including those around us.  I agree with Joe Biden on just one point, those who do not vote for him ain't black...they're children of the God!  

Perceive what manner of love the Father has given us, that we may be called children of God!  And we are!  Therefore the world does not know us, for it did not know Him.

First Epistle Of John 3: 1, Concordant New Testament 

Can you imagine the backlash if a political candidate campaigned on a platform of seeking the votes of all of Gods children?  Yet, each and every election cycle that is exactly what they are doing!  The apostle John proclaims that the world does not recognize us as such because it did not know Him {First Epistle Of John 3:1}.  I get it.  In a world that seldom knows the Father, it cannot know of His children either.  The way I see it, far too many so called Christians fall right into the racial trap.  We see others for the color of their skin, completely disregarding who they are in the Lord.  I've been guilty of that myself.  The late Reverend Martin Luther King famously proclaimed that one day men would be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.  I would take that a step further and say that we should not judge others at all, but see them as who they are in the Lord.  Of course, then I would be seen as the radical.  So it is that because the world did not know the Father, that they do not recognize the Father in themselves or those around them.  So, how is it that we can preach to those around us to see others as children of God when we ourselves continue to categorize the children of God on the basis of color?  Therefore, I view politics not through the lens of the people who cast their votes, but of a profession of differing ideas.  I guess I ain't black after all.  

~Scott~ 

Strange Bedfellows

 

Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to Him who subjects all to Him, that God may be all in all. 

Paul To The Corinthians  (1) 15: 28, Concordant New Testament 

Having been enduring a few trying times lately, I've often wondered why it is that the Father would allow Satan to treat me in such a way.  In fact, this is usually the first reaction of many Christians who know not the truth of the Father.  When bad times come, it is the accuser who orchestrates them.  Satan sought permission from God and then brought tragedy upon Job.  It seems that whenever we are in a bad situation, the accuser has his hands all over it.  However, the other day I contemplated what I know to be the truth.  That being that the Father Himself CREATED Satan.  Indeed, Lucifer was among the finest of the angels in the Lords creation.  Yet, through his own pride, Lucifer was cast out {Isaiah 14: 12-15}.  Although it is a comfort that the accuser seeks the Lords permission in order to cause havoc in our lives, it's not the whole story.  The apostle Paul calls upon us to rejoice in our infirmities {Romans 5:3-4}.  I get that enduring our afflictions will eventually produce the endurance, Character and hope which the apostle claims, but what is the meaning of rejoicing in our bad times?  As a Christian, I always believed that it was the nature of the Father to comfort those who were afflicted.  While I still believe that in my heart, my perspective has changed.  Why would Paul proclaim that we should rejoice in our afflictions?  Paul, a man endeavored to knowing and loving Christ Jesus.  A man who speaks to the truth of the indwelling Christ {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  Paul understood that throughout his afflictions, and he had many, that the Father was closer to him than he had previously known.  He knew that God WAS IN his infirmities.  Paul also understood that Satan had NO power or influence over the Father.  What a blessing it is to have the revelation that the Father is in the midst of our troubles!  That there is NOTHING we will ever face in which God is not a intimate part of.  Yet understanding this revelation also meant understanding the truth of the Father in our lives.  

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}.

Norman Grubb ~ No Independent Self 

When we understand the words of Paul in Galatians, we understand that we, as individuals, no longer exist.  That person was crucified with Christ on the cross.  What now remains...is Christ Jesus.  Alas, understanding that there are no independent beings in the Fathers creation blows the lid off our previous understanding of Satan.  Satan is not the free wheeling devil roaming about the Lords creation causing trouble for the Lords children.  For this leads us to believe that Satan is an independent self.  Again, there are NO independent beings in the universe.  Now for the part I often struggled with, that God Himself was in the midst of my infirmities.  By this I understand that God created the universe, that He created Satan the accuser AND He is in every aspect of His creation.  That is, God is all in all {Paul To The Corinthians (1) 15:28}.  To understand that the Father is all in all is also to understand that He is in the midst of our troubles.  There is nothing we will ever endure that God will not be a part of.  So, where does that leave the accuser?  Well, if you heed the words of the Author Norman Grubb, Satan is nothing but a tool for the works of the Father.  That is, whatever the accuser does, God is one hundred percent in the middle of it all.  Paul knew and understood this as he rejoiced in his infirmities.  I am reminded of a clip from one of my favorite Star Trek films.  The venerable captain Kirk has narrowly escaped another adversary by being rescued, it seems, by his enemy the Klingons.  However, when he is transported aboard the Klingon vessel he is reunited with first officer Spock.  Spock and the Klingons?  What strange bedfellows!  Confiding to his first officer, Kirk proclaims that he thought he was going to die.  In perfect Spock fashion his second in command responds, "Impossible, captain, you were never alone."  So it is with our heavenly Father. 

Satan is Gods convenient agent 

Norman Grubb

~Scott~

Praise Worthy

 

I am entreating you, then, brethren, by the pities of God, to present your bodies a sacrifice, living, holy, well pleasing to God, your logical divine service, and not to be configured to this eon, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for you to be testing what is the will of God, good and well pleasing and perfect. 

Paul To The Romans 12: 1-2, Concordant New Testament 

I was thinking this week of the process of offering praise to the Lord.  Back in my days in the institutional church, I could always count on the choir and worship band to blare out a few praise and worship songs before the Sunday service even began.  Some were the traditional Christian hymns which my mother grew to love in her time, while others were the blaring songs of a new age of believers.  Either way, it was understood that we needed to sing our praises to God.  In fact, the scriptures also call upon us to offer our praises to the Father {Psalm 100:1-5, Paul To The Ephesians 5:19, Acts Of  The Apostles 16:25}.  Not only are we to offer praises to the Lord in Sunday services, but any time we feel the need to thank Him, which is A LOT.  Personally, I have felt the need to praise the Father a lot as of late.  I am well aware of what He has brought forth in me as well as what He has promised me.  He alone is responsible for the person which I have become.  It is the Father who resides in me.  Nobody understood this better than the apostle Paul, who speaks of the indwelling Father in Galatians {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  Knowing all which the Father has crafted in us, why would He not be absolutely worthy of our thankfulness and praise?  Yet, there are Christians out there who feel that they cannot offer up prayers to the Father without first offering praises to Him beforehand.  This creates a "Process of prayer" which many believers seem to embrace.  We come to the Father and offer praises to Him before hitting Him with our prayer requests.  To be honest, far too many Christians view prayer as a wish list instead an of intimate conversation with God.  There have been many times where my own prayers have been nothing but praises and gratitude to the Father for all He has done.  For that He is certainly worthy. 

Let the word of Christ be making its home in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing yourselves; in psalms, in hymns, in spiritual songs, singing, with grace in your hearts to God. 

Paul To The Colossians 3: 16, Concordant New Testament 

Growing up, I remember my mother working around the house while singing her favorite hymns.  I believe that in her heart, she knew that He was indeed worthy of the praise and thankfulness she offered Him.  In my day, I consider how the Father views the praises offered to Him by His children.  I believe that it absolutely brings joy to God when His children offer praise unto Him.  However, let us not fall into the trap that our praises to the Father are a down payment to our prayer requests.  Instead, let our praises BE a definite part of our daily prayers.  Let our praise be part of our daily prayer conversation with the Father.  Personally, I know where my bread is buttered!  I know in my heart that it is the Father who is responsible for all which occurs in my life and my world.  Knowing this, I not only offer praises unto Him in the good times, but also when things are not going so good.  I remember His servant Job, who not only praised God in his wealth, but in his despair as well {Job 1:10}.  In fact, throughout his ordeal, Job remained faithful.  How many of us can make that claim?  How many believers can honestly say that they have offered praise to the Lord when things in their lives were not so good?  I can't testify to that.  Indeed, there have been times in my life where I felt defeated and the last thing on my mind was to offer praise and thankfulness unto the Lord.  It is critical in these times that we see the Father in all which surrounds us.  He is all in all!  He is not only in us, but in our worst enemy as well.  He is not only working in our life, but in the lives of all His children.  He is in all which we will ever see.  Knowing this, why would we not offer our praises to Him?  He is worthy not only of our praise, but of the glory of all His creation.  

~Scott~ 

Mansions On The Hill

 In My Fathers house are many abodes; yet not if I would have told you, for I am going to make ready a place for you. 

Johns Account 14: 2, Concordant New Testament 

Growing up, I was taught to believe that my good works, kindness and faith here on earth would secure for me a elegant "Mansion" in the Lords heaven someday.  After all, Jesus proclaimed that the Fathers house had many such mansions {Johns Account 14:2}.  Certainly this was our reward for being good and faithful servants?  Possibly.  But, as with all scriptures which have been interpreted by men, this passage does not tell the entire story.  First of all, many translations refer to these words of Jesus and include the word mansion, which we interpret to be a large, elegant dwelling.  However, the Greek word for mansions occurs once again in John 14:23, where it is interpreted as an "abode."  When we look closer at this passage, the word we read as mansions is referred to in the Greek as a dwelling or to abide.  Of course, this blows a whole in the entire theology which I was taught as a young believer.  If we listen to the words of Jesus more closely, He is speaking of a dwelling or a place of rest in the Father.  The word abide is spoken often by Jesus in the New Testament {Johns Account 14:2, Johns Account 15:4, Johns Account 15:7, First Epistle Of John 2:6}.  Suddenly, what we knew as a mansion has now become a safe place for us to rest.  Is this indeed what Jesus intended us to believe?  I believe so.  For when we think of mansions we think of wealth, money and influence.  Anyone who owns a mansion has made it, they are one of the elite.  Perhaps this is why the church continues to translate this passage as a reward for those who know and are faithful to Christ.  If I do what I'm supposed to do, I could have my own heavenly mansion some day.  This is why many Christians have the image of heaven as one of golden streets lined with immaculate mansions.  I know I did.  But, what if we got it all wrong?  

Remain in Me.  I also am in you.  According as the branch can not be bringing forth fruit from itself, if it should be remaining in the grapevine, thus neither you, if you should be remaining in Me. 

Johns Account 15: 4, Concordant New Testament 

Why would Jesus speak to a mansion reward and yet leave our union with He and the Father out of the equation?  So, we inherit our mansion in heaven due to our faithfulness, then what?  Do we take into account the words of the apostle Paul when he spoke that our salvation has absolutely NOTHING to do with our own efforts {Paul To The Ephesians (2) 8-10}?  So, if our salvation is the gift of the Father, how is it that our so called holy efforts here on earth land us a mansion reward in heaven?  Anyone else see the error in this teaching?  There is a reason that Jesus often spoke of the word "abide" in His teachings.  We're told that nobody comes to the Father but through the Son {Johns Account 14:6}.  How can one come to the Father unless they abide in Jesus?  Just because I have a fancy mansion doesn't mean that I am in the Father.  Jesus speaks of Gods children remaining in Him on more than a few occasions {Johns Account 14:20, Johns Account 17:21}.  If you ask my opinion, I believe that we have gotten the context of John 14:2 all wrong.  Jesus was not speaking of our heavenly reward, but of our union with He and the Father.  The Father in Christ, the Son in the Father, Jesus in us and we in Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  Far from being our heavenly reward, we live this union life today.  Paul speaks to the dwelling of Christ in him {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  Jesus in the Father, the Father in Him and ourselves in Christ.  Suddenly, those mansions on the hill have become the Lords children abiding in Him.  

"I am the grapevine.  You are the branches.  He who is remaining in Me, and I in him, this one is bringing forth much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.  

Johns Account 15: 5, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~  

Gambling On God

 

You shall not probe 'Yahweh your Elohim as you probed at Massah.

Deuteronomy 6: 16, Concordant Old Testament 

I have a friend who, while serving in Vietnam, would often look into the sky at night and whisper a prayer to the Lord.  That prayer was that if God would allow him to return home that he would strive to be a better person.  Well, I'm not certain if his prayer swayed the Lord one way or another, but he indeed made it home and has been a wonderful Chrisitan influence in my life.  Don't get me wrong, I have also gambled with God plenty of times in my life.  I have vowed many times that if the Father were to work in my favor, that I would endeavor to be a better person.  Not that I'm a bad guy, but it wasn't anything which I promised the Lord by which I became the man that I am today.  The reason I became the man I am is by the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ in me, not by some spur of the moment radical request.  Yet there are many well meaning people out there who continue to gamble with God.  Promising this, that and the other thing if God will only work in their favor.  Of course, we're told in scripture that we should never indulge in such behaviors {Deuteronomy 6:16}.  In other words, we should never put our Lord God to the test.  Of course, in the heat of life's situations, this all too often goes out the window as we turn to the One who can help us out of whatever jam we're in.  Now, I have no issue with offering prayers to the Lord for His assistance, but to bargain with God for His help?  C'mon man.  As many believers already know, the Father is more than delighted to help us in time of need.  We need not strike a bargain with Him in order for Him to hear our request.  But I believe, based on my own experience, that I know why so many bargain with the Lord so often.  See, when those life situations come at us, in our hearts we know that we should be in communication with the Father.  Yet, many people often feel unworthy of the Fathers attention, so we bargain with Him in hopes that our offer will entice Him to consider our requests.  Obviously, this is not only the wrong approach, but the wrong image we have of the Father.  

And we know and believe the love which God has in us.  God is love, and he who is remaining in love is remaining in God, and God is remaining in him.  

First Epistle Of John 4: 8, Concordant New Testament 

The image we often have of our heavenly Father is one of a strict overseer looking down upon us from heaven.  Through teachings, we surmise that God is watching over us every moment to take account of the bad behaviors we are engaging in.  WE KNOW the bad behaviors we are doing, so we assume that we are not worthy of the Fathers attention.  This is nothing but institutional church BS!  When I was lost in a lifestyle of visiting strip clubs in town, I would often feel as if I was a second class citizen in the Fathers eyes.  God saw my behaviors, and He disapproved of them AND me.  How wrong I was.  Lest we forget, it is Christ Jesus who saved us from the torment and judgement of our sins {Paul To The Romans 5:8, Paul To The Ephesians 2:8}.  Knowing this, we can be assured that God is not waiting for us to mess up in order to pass His judgement upon us.  That judgement has already come and gone!  The one true image of the Father is one of love {First Epistle Of John 4:8}.  God does not hold our actions against us, but delights in His children coming unto Him.  If you think of it, we bargain with God for something He already has for us...His love and mercy.  Also understand that our Father knows that we will fall off the wagon from time to time.  After all, He created us in His image {Genesis 1:27}.  The best bet we have is to see God for who He is instead of who we've been told He is for so long.  God has shown His love for us continually.  Our own self image all too often prevents us from realizing who we are in Him.  Paul the apostle spoke to our true identity in Galatians.  Paul proclaimed that it is Christ Jesus in whom we now dwell {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  WE, are in Him!  We are not only worthy, but fully in Christ.  

~Scott~ 

True Faith

 

"And I just got to the point where I was comfortable with whatever happened.  I had my brain wrapped around it and I was in a good spot either way.  People without faith don't have that." 

Toby Keith 

In the midst of someone else's pain, I was reminded this week of the one true meaning of faith.  I have been struggling with my own situation over the past few weeks, but it pales in comparison to country star Toby Keith, who reminded me what it means to have complete trust in the Father.  Mr. Keith had been struggling with a cancer diagnosis for some time and passed away on February 5th.  In his final interview, he described how he faced his illness with the faith and trust in the Lord which he obviously needed.  Regarding his illness, Keith revealed that he was "Comfortable with whatever happened."  Amen!  I could have dug through dozens of inspirational books and not come across such a wonderful description of what it means to wait and trust in the Father no matter what.  I am sure that this popular singer prayed that his condition would be healed.  When my mother was sick, that was my prayer for her as well.  It's in our human nature to lift up prayers for whatever situation we're facing.  Yet how many times do we actually put full trust in the Father that whatever happens He is in control and He will never forsake us?  I know that my own faith has at times wavered in the midst of my own situation.  It doesn't take much sometimes.  A comment from a person seemingly confirming our worst fears.  How many times do we stop and ask, 'Wait, isn't God bigger than that?'  Has He not promised to never forsake us?  These are the promises which we need to make our stand on when tough times come!  Listen, we might be believers, but that is not a guarantee that our lives will be free of pain and struggles.  I'd like to believe that the Father allows these situations in our lives simply for the fact that it gives us that opportunity to trust and lean on Him no matter what happens.  To accept our situation and continue praising Him for loving us.  That is true faith!  All too often, of course, we allow outside influences to kick out from under us that rock on which we stand.  I'm as guilty of this as anyone.  Yet our Father, being who He is, lovingly guides us through that which we fear.  

Now at His entering into Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, entreating Him and saying, "Lord, my boy is prostate in the house, a paralytic, dreadfully tormented."  And He is saying to him, "I, coming, will cure him."  And answering, the centurion averred, "Lord, I am not competent that Thou mayest enter under my roof, but only say the word and my boy will be healed!  For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me, and I am saying to this one, "'Go,' and he is going, and to another, 'come,' and he is coming, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he is doing it."  Now, hearing it, Jesus marvels.  And He is saying to those following, "Verily, I am saying to you, with no one in Israel so much faith did I find.  Now I am saying to you that many from the east and the west shall be arriving and reclining with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of the heavens, yet the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness.  There shall be lamenting and gnashing of teeth."  And Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! As you believe let it come to be with you!  And healed was the boy in that hour.  And the centurion, returning to his house in the same hour, found the boy sound.  

Matthews Account 8: 5-13, Concordant New Testament 

I have been reminded at times of the passage in Matthew where Jesus was amazed by the faith of a Roman soldier.  As Jesus offered to come and heal the mans son, the soldier, obviously knowing the reputation of Jesus, claimed that Jesus need only speak the word and that his boy would be healed.  What was Jesus' response to this Roman?  Jesus was amazed!  So much so that He proclaims that He had not seen such faith in all of Israel!  From a Roman soldier comes a crucial lesson on faith.  This centurion trusted that Jesus had the absolute authority to heal his son.  He was right.  The next time that you find yourself in a situation you fear that you cannot handle, do what the centurion did and trust in Jesus.  From personal experience, trying to navigate these situations ourselves often leads to high stress and sickness.  Who needs that?  There is a reason for which Jesus calls upon us to place our burdens upon Him {Matthews Account 11:28-30}.  Jesus obviously knew what the effects of stress and worry would do to us.  He also knows that by trusting in the Father that we become closer in our own relationship with Him.  

~Scott~ 

Wasted Efforts?

 And if ever we are aware that He is hearing us, whatever we may be requesting, we are aware that we have the requests which we have requested from Him. 

First Epistle Of John 5: 15, Concordant New Testament 

What begin as a question concerning prayer this week quickly morphed into a discussion on faith.  How can one believe that their prayers are even heard unless they have faith in the Lord?  Without the belief in God, aren't our prayers simply our own wasted efforts?  Perhaps, but I also believe that the Father hears ALL of His children, believers and non believers alike.  Consider if you were the president, wouldn't you be concerned not only for the opinions of those who voted you in, but also the rest of the nation?  Well, unless you're Joe Biden, then you don't give a rats ass.  My point being, God is not simply the God of believers, but the loving creator of us all {Genesis 1:27}.  It is not impossible to believe that God would desire the best for all of His children.  In the film Come Sunday, bishop Carlton Pearson was removed from his church leadership position for speaking the love of the Lord!  Pearson spoke to the truth that God loves His creation so much that sending them to hell would not even be possible.  God...is the All in All.  So how does this relate to prayer?  Well, the same church which expelled bishop Pearson will tell us that if we pray that the Lord will give to us everything which we ask of Him.  I believe that this is exactly where the name it and claim it teaching came from.  And why wouldn't the church make such a claim, there are countless scriptures which tell us that if ask the Lord for something that He will deliver.  Now, who is going to jump on that bandwagon here and call God a liar?  Who is going to go out on that limb and proclaim that the scriptures we've been told for so long to adhere to are lies?  So, if we trust in the word, HIS word, then we can trust that we can come to Him and request the needs which are on our hearts?  But let me take this one step further, aren't those desires of our hearts the desires of Christ as well?  Indeed, it is the apostle Paul who speaks to the indwelling Jesus in us {Paul To The Galatians 2:20, Paul To The Romans 6:8}.  Does not Jesus share in our thoughts and desires?  I believe that if we trust that we remain in Him that Jesus indeed shares in the innermost parts of our lives.  Yes, that includes the bad stuff too.  Is Jesus sinful?  No!  I believe that when we behave badly that it grieves He who is in us.  

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

Paul To The Romans 8: 26, Concordant New Testament 

Do you know what the ultimate plan of the Lord is?  Some may claim to know, but I believe that only God knows this.  The comedian George Carlin had a funny little bit he once did about religion and prayer.  He jokingly referred to unanswered prayers as "Gods will."  Sadly, many in the mainstream church have taken this idea and ran with it.  I have a good friend who was so turned off on the mainstream church after his sisters death that he has never been inside a church since.  I get it.  In a time where he was seeking the comfort of the church, he was told that the passing of his sister was the "Lords will."  When my own mother passed, I was at times fed the same line of mainstream church BS.  So, do we believe that God hears our requests and desires to honor them, or do we adhere to the belief that He has His own way of doing things and that many of our prayer requests do not fit in His plan?  Are our heart felt prayers wasted efforts?  Sorry, but I'll never believe that.  I'll never believe that the Father who lovingly created me would somehow become so disinterested in my conversations with Him.  When the scriptures proclaim that He not only hears our requests but honors them, I believe it!  I would like to say that there is a special place in hell for those who continue to speak to those in need that it is "Gods will' that God has ignored them.  But, I do not believe that there is a hell.  So I'll continue to trust in what is written, that the Father not only hears our requests, but He delights in honoring them as well.  Our conversations with Him are NEVER wasted efforts.  

~Scott~ 

Presumption Of Faith

 

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, termed Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.  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 my 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."  

John's Account 20: 24-29, Concordant New Testament 

What does it take to understand that God will provide for what we ask?  Perseverance?  Trust?  Knowing?  Perhaps all of the above.  For scripture speaks of those who have prayed continuously and have had their prayers answered.  Jesus speaks that what we ask for in prayer, believing, we shall have it {Matthews Account 21:22}.  There has also surely been those who in their hearts KNOW that the Father exists and He rewards those who seek Him {To The Hebrews 11:6}.  Personally, I do not think that there is a magic formula which we can use in order that God will answer our prayers to our satisfaction.  There are those of the "Name it and claim it" belief that have claimed that we can ask the Lord for whatever we feel we need or deserve and expect that God will provide what it is we are asking.  That's a good story if you can sell it.  Of course, the mainstream church through the years has done a bang up job selling the claim that prayer is a wish list for our own needs.  A dear friend countered this teaching this week with one question...did Jesus ever pray for His personal needs?  That was a gut punch for me.  I was raised in the halls of the institutional church where I was taught that I could ask God for just about anything and expect that there was a good chance that He would honor my request.  Don't get me wrong, Jesus could very well have requested that His destiny be changed.  Yet, He chose the path He knew the Father had chosen for Him.  He did, of course, have moments of second thoughts along the way.  I mentioned to my friend the moment in which Jesus prayed that the Father allow His cup to pass from Him {Matthews Accoount 26:39}.  Obviously, Jesus was feeling overwhelmed with His situation and showed us a bit of His human side here.  However, it is important to recall His response..."Not as I will, but as Thou!"  Jesus understood that were the Father to grant His request and remove the cup from Him, that the entire world would suffer.  

For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this is not out of you; it is Gods approach present, not of works, lest anyone should be boasting. 

Paul To The Ephesians 2: 8-9, Concordant New Testament 

For as many have been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ, how many understand the true meaning of their reward?  How many know in their heart of hearts that it has nothing to do with our own efforts and everything to do with Jesus giving Himself for us?  If we understand this, then we have shown our faith.  We know and we understand that Jesus became sin that our own would be washed away {Paul To The Corinthians (2) 5:21}.  There is nothing physical which has given us proof of our salvation, we simply know that we know.  THAT, in a nutshell, is faith.  That is what millions of believers across the world struggle to achieve.  It has been the subject of countless seminars and sermons.  Indeed, the mainstream church needs to sell the idea that our faith is something we can use to get what we want.  In reality, our faith is the understanding we have that the world was created by what we do not see {To The Hebrews 11:3}.  If you know and understand this, then congratulations, you have shown your own faith and understanding.  I'll admit that I have struggled with realizing my own faith this week in the midst of an upcoming difficult situation.  I've not fallen into the trap of seeing my faith as a wish list for my pleasures.  However, I have been reassured by a dear friend that faith is knowing.  Faith is knowing that which we face will be in the Fathers hands.  We will never be in this fight alone.  If you feel alone in your situation, then faith has not revealed to you the truth we have in the Father.  I truly believe that He delights in hearing from His children.  I believe that He delights in working good in our lives.  Above all, it is His love which covers us {First Epistle Of John 4:8}.  By my faith I know this to be true.  

~Scott~