The Good Of The Father

 

Now we are aware that God is working all together for the good of those who are loving God, who are called according to the purpose 

Paul to the Romans 8: 28, Concordant New Testament 

I read the words of Paul written in Romans 8:28 and I immediately began to think of the good things in my own life.  These is the carryover beliefs from my time in the mainstream church.  The church would have us believe that Paul was referring to the Father showering His children with good in this passage.  That if we believe in and follow God He will reward us in our lives.  But is this what Paul was referring to?  Is it the Lords intent that all will be good in our lives if we simply believe in Him?  As I've said, this is what I was brought up to believe about God.  That if I simply believe in Him I would be rewarded in my own life.  Well, this belief is also what brought me to question not only if God existed, but if He really cared for me at all.  Before my mother passed, I prayed for the Lord to heal her from her infirmities.  I believed that the Father would "Work all together for the good" in this situation.  Meaning, I believed that all would be ok and that my mother would be restored to health.  When this didn't happen, I began to question whether God heard my request or if He even was concerned.  I presented my requests to Him, and in my way of thinking God did not honor those requests.  What good is God if He is not honest in what He proclaims?  Was this the good of God?  Oddly enough, my answer to this question came as I thought over what I had prayed for.  One of my prayers was that my mother would be free of the pain she had been in for so long.  The realization that she was now free of the pain of her sickness opened my heart to what the Father had been accomplishing through all of this.  It wasn't about me at all.  But this is how I had been brought up to view God in my life.  As believers we all too often get stuck on how God rewards His followers and makes their lives better.  When that doesn't come to pass we end up questioning Him and His motives.  In the end, I believe that we interpret good very different from how the Father intended.  

Now this is eonian life that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Him Whom thou dost commission, Jesus Christ

Johns Account 17: 3, Concordant New Testament 

Is it possible to know the salvation of the Lord?  Growing up, I was led to believe that salvation was my eternal life in heaven.  That if I believed in God not only would He reward me in my life, but reward me with my salvation as well.  But all it takes is what we perceive as one unanswered prayer and we immediately start to doubt God.  We began to question His promises.  I've been in that situation a few times myself.  But seeing God through the perspective of mainstream church theology is not seeing the truth of the Father.  The church will teach us that salvation is the gift of God, and in that they are correct.  But does salvation revolve around the idea of eternal life?  Is this what God intended?  Jesus speaks to something different entirely.  It is Jesus who speaks to eternal life as knowing the Father {Johns Account 17:3}.  I believe that this is the "Good" which Paul speaks to in Romans 8.  For the desire of the Father is the same as the desire of any earthly parent, that He be known by His children.  Therefore, God has been working all for the good in those who are loving Him.  It is the Father who is becoming known by His children.  Let me just say that knowing God and "knowing of" Him are two entirely different ideas.  Through the mainstream church we come to know OF God.  Yet many believers still do not know Him personally.  Jesus tells us that as children of the Father that we live in union with Himself and God {Johns Account 14:20}.  Unfortunately, many believers still do not recognize this truth.  This does not mean it's not true, just that we don't yet perceive it in ourselves.  How is it that God will be known?  Through those who truly know Him already.  It will be through these believers that God will be known.  So it is that He continues to work all together for the good.  

~Scott~ 

Perfect Plan

 

Now we are aware that God is working all together for the good of those who are loving God, who are called according to His purpose

Paul to the Romans 8: 28, Concordant New Testament  

There is no doubt that I was relieved over the results of the latest national election.  And why not, this election cycle was often filled with dire predictions for this nation no matter which candidate we voted for.  If you listened to some people, it seemed like a no win situation.  But that is hardly the case.  See, with God there is never a no win situation.  The apostle Paul goes so far as to proclaim that ALL things work together for the good for those who are called according to the Fathers purpose {Paul to the Romans 8:28}.  Up until a few years ago, I tended to interpret this passage as meaning that God would work out everything in my favor always.  Again, not true.  For Paul's words tell us that the Father will work all TOGETHER for the good.  No matter the outcome, we can rest assured that the Father is working each and every situation according to His will and for the good of His children.  This might be a tough thing to understand when difficult situations come, but most of the time it's because we are focused on the situation and not on God.  I admit that there were times in during this election that I felt defeated and stressed.  This can be a common reaction to situations which are out of our control.  Yet Paul's words remain true, God is working all together for the good. 

Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, that is superior to every frame of mind, shall be garrisoning your hearts and your apprehensions inn Christ Jesus

Paul to the Philippians 4: 6-7, Concordant New Testament 

Although I know the Lord, there have been times when I felt apprehensive while praying over certain situations.  I mean, is God really concerned over election results in the big scheme of things?  Absolutely!  Remember, it is the Father Who ultimately determines the results of each and every election.  He is Lord of all.  Now, this might be a foreign concept for someone who has been told that if a certain individual wins an election that the country will fall into chaos.  This is also one major reason that I do not trust the mainstream media.  Money is their ultimate objective, not providing information.  So, for those who have been promised by the media that the world will end if Donald J Trump won the election, rest easy.  We can be assured that the Father is continuing to work all for the good of His children.  I remember while growing up that I did not agree with every decision my parents made.  Yet those decisions they made were with my well being in mind.  As with the Father, we might not see His good in each and every situation, but we can rest assured it is indeed there.  Again, if our perspective is seeing the Father not as a distant caretaker, but as our loving Father Who we live in union with, we will began to see things from His perspective {Johns Account 14:20}.  And seeing life through the Father is much better than any news channel.  

~Scott~ 

One Piece At A Time

 

Yet not only so, but we may be glorying also in afflictions, having perceived that affliction is producing endurance, yet endurance tenderness, yet testedness expectation.  Now expectation is not mortifying, seeing that the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the holy spirit which is being given to us. 

Paul to the Romans 5: 3-5, Concordant New Testament 

In recent weeks I have come to the conclusion that I am not a multitasker.  Normally I can give my attention on one task until it's completed.  Anything more than this and I end up in a stressful mess.  I recall the story which my mother used to tell of her youngest son and his hobby of building model airplanes.  There were times when I would come across a model kit that was particularly complex, but it was always my intent that I would finish the job myself.  Many times my mother would offer to help me, but I would always wave her off and continue with my project more determined than ever.  All too often, everything else went out the window until I finished my project.  This included school work, meals and just about anything else that might distract me.  Eventually, when the task had been completed, I began to catch up on all I had missed.  Now, there are those who can take on multiple tasks at once with no problem.  To them I tip my hat.  I'm not that guy.  I was once again reminded of this in the wake of our recent election season.  Time and again, watching political coverage took priority over other things at times.  And again, at the end, I was once again left wondering why I had allowed myself to reach that point.  It is Jesus Himself, in His sermon on the Mount of Olives, Who proclaims that we not worry about such earthly things {Matthews Account 6:25-29}.  At the end of the day, it is the Father who truly knows what is best for His children.  Our hearts should not be centered on what we can see, but on our life in Him {Johns Account 14:20}.  These were the words of a dear friend the other day.  That when our perspective is on our life In the Father, the stress and worry of the world around us seem less of a burden.  

So no, I'm not too big on religion...and not very fond of politics or economics either...and why should I be?  They are the man-created trinity of terrors that ravages the earth and deceives those I care about.  What mental turmoil and anxiety does any human face that is not related to one of those three? 

~ Willam P. Young The shack ~ 

When I look into the world around me I see a world in turmoil.  There are disappointments, sickness, pain and chaos all around us.  How is it that any of us could make it through this world with a sane mind?  Well, if our intent is to be of the belief that we ourselves are on this journey we definitely won't make it.  It is the Author Norman Grubb who proclaims that the ONLY independent self in the universe is...God.  Yet we humans go about each and every day with the mindset of we're the ones making it happen.  That we are the ones deciding our own destiny.  If that works for you, then you're living the lie.  That being the lie of the deceiver spoken to Adam and Eve in the garden.  The lie which proclaimed that we could "Be like God" if we simply do what He had commanded us not to do {Genesis 3: 1-6}.  The truth of our life in the Father is that we have always been like Him!  We are created in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  He has breathed into us His breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  How much more a part of Him can we be?  We are not simply human organisms tossed about at the whims of fate.  We are His beloved creation alive in Him.  One of my prayers for this election season was that whichever way it went, that His will be done.  In the end, that is the only sure thing.  

~Scott~ 

Through The Storm

 

And, approaching, they rouse Him, saying, "Lord!  Save us! We are perishing!"  And He is saying to them, "Why are you timid, scant of faith?"  Then, being roused, He rebukes the winds and the sea, and there came a great calm.  Now the men marvel, saying, "What manner of man is this, that the winds as well as the sea are obeying Him?" 

Matthews Account 8: 25-27, Concordant New Testament 

It was definitely a difficult time in my life.  My mother had just passed and I was openly wondering if God even was hearing me.  My prayers for some time had been that the Lord would relieve her pain and heal her, but now it seemed as if God was ignoring those requests, or was He?  As my good friend led the memorial service that day, he began to speak of the moment the disciples of Jesus began to fear for their lives in the midst of a storm on the sea of Galilee.  Where was Jesus during this terrifying time?  In the back of the boat asleep.  Imagine the thoughts going through the minds of His disciples, here they were in the middle of the storm and their teacher was sleeping through it all!  Why wasn't He helping them?   So, they did what anyone would have done, they rushed to wake up Jesus.  As His disciples stood before Him in fear and trembling, Jesus inquired of them, "Why are you timid?" {Matthews Account 8:26}.  Jesus truly wondered what His followers were afraid of in the middle of this storm.  Was He not the savior of all mankind?  The living Son of God?  Despite this, the disciples feared for their safety.  And so, Jesus calmed the wind and the waves {Matthews Account 8:26}.  Astonished, His followers wondered amongst themselves, What manner of man is this, that the wind and the seas are obeying Him?" {Matthews Account 8:27}.  Who indeed.  What made this passage appropriate was that I was enduring a situation in my own life where I felt as if Jesus was asleep in the back of that boat.  Little did I know that He wasn't sleeping at all, but I was enduring that storm in Him.  Too many times, traditional church theology teaches us that when times are tough, we should pray to God for His help and guidance.  We're taught that we learn more from the mountains of our lives than we do from the valleys.  But is God limited to the situations we endure?  I would say no.  For when we truly know God, we understand who He is and the depth of our relationship in Him.  Jesus has spoken that we live in union with He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.  Knowing this, what storm do we ever face that our Father is not an intimate part of?  

Wherefore also, lest I should be lifted up by the transcendence of the revelations, there was given to me a splinter in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he may be buffeting me, lest I may be lifted up.  For this I entreat the Lord thrice, that it should withdraw from me.  And He has protested to me, "Sufficient for you is My grace, for My power in infirmity is being perfected."  With the greatest relish, then, will I rather be glorying in my infirmities, that the power of Christ should be tabernacling over me.  Wherefore I delight in infirmities, in outrages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake, whenever I may be weak, then I am powerful. 

Paul to the Corinthians (2) 12: 7-10, Concordant New Testament 

The apostle Paul was in torment.  He was going through a difficult time in his life, and so he prayed that the Lord would remove it from him.  Three times we're told Paul entreated God to remove this torment from him {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 12:8}.  What was the Lords response to Paul?  "Sufficient for you is My grace" {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 12:9}.  Paul understood that he did not have a distant relationship with the Lord, but that Christ was an intimate part of his life.  We're told that there is nothing which will ever take us away from the love of the Father {Paul to the Romans 8:39}.  Knowing this, what situation will we ever face that God is not an intimate part of?  Church teachings based on our separation from God will have us believe that the difficult times we will endure are somehow due to Gods anger or disapproval with us.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  We know that the one true nature of God is love {First Epistle of John 4:8}.  We know and understand that it is the desire of the Lord that ALL be saved through Christ Jesus {Johns Account 3:16-17}.  Jesus has never been asleep in the back of that boat.  When we encounter difficult situations, we do so through our life in Him. 

~Scott~ 

The Different Faces Of God

 Jesus Christ, yesterday and today, is the same One for the eons also. 

To the Hebrews 13: 8, Concordant New Testament 

I was reminded once again this week of the varying beliefs among the followers of Jesus within this religious system we call Christianity.  While in conversation with one of my fellow gym goers, I once again learned of the biblical promises of punishment and banishment.  Now, I'm not a stranger to these institutional teachings of the mainstream church.  Growing up, it was all that I knew about God.  What I knew about Him was what I learned from going to church each Sunday.  I learned that Christ Jesus gave Himself for my sins, but I also learned that it was those same sins which were keeping me from a relationship with the Father.  How does that work?  From a young age, I learned that all I could ever hope to do was to "Be like" Jesus.  If I was somehow like Jesus, then my ticket to heaven was punched and I was good to go.  Yet something happened on the way there.  Like the man Saul on that road to Damascus, I was suddenly faced with one of the most important decisions of my spiritual life.  The decision to realize the truth of Christ, or to continue in my beliefs of the man-made religious system.  It was the apostle Paul, who when he came face to face with Jesus, finally became aware of the Christ he had spent his life persecuting.  It was the Father Whom, as Paul proclaims, proceeded "To unveil His Son in me" {Paul to the Galatians 1:16}.  That is, Christ in this man who had spent so much time and effort persecuting Jesus.  Had Jesus somehow changed from the Savior Saul once envisioned?  No, for Jesus has always been the same today as He ever was {To the Hebrews 13:8}.  God is the same as He's always been {Malachi 3:6}.  No, it is not Jesus who changed, but Paul's own realization of who He was.  As for myself, the decision which I was faced with was to recognize the truth of Christ in me, or continue in the teaching of the church system which denied that truth.  In the end, it is the revelation of the Father who brought me into this knowing.  

"Religion has actually convinced people that there is an invisible man living in the sky watching everything you do, every minute of every day.  And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do.  And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever until the end of time!  But he loves you.  He loves you, and he needs money.  He always needs money.  He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow he just can't handle money" 

~George Carlin~ 

Have you ever noticed just how many different translations of scripture that exist out there?  We have translations for every language, age group and belief system imaginable.  Are we foolish enough to believe that all of these translations of the word have not watered down the words and intent of the scriptures?  A good friend of mine often uses the word "Lens" when talking about the different translations and beliefs within Christianity, and he's right.  All too often , we will view Jesus and Christianity through the lens of what we ourselves believe.  Knowing this, my own views of Jesus and the Father might not mesh with those of my fellow gym friend.  I do not believe in the separation of man and God.  This is simply a result of the lie spoken by the deceiver in the garden {Genesis 3:1-8}.  Satan led Adam and Eve to believe that were they to partake of the fruit which God commanded them not to, that they would "Be like God, knowing good and evil" {Genesis 3:5}.  The issue with this is that Adam and Eve were ALREADY like God.  It was the Father who created them is His own likeness {Genesis 1:27}.  It is the God who breathed into them the breath of life, creating a living soul {Genesis 2:7}.  God has always been a intimate part of who it is that we are.  It is not the Lord who has changed, but our own understanding of who He truly is.  

~Scott~