The Revealing

 

Now, when it delights God, Who severs me from my mothers womb and calls me through His grace, to unveil His Son in me that I may be evangelizing Him among the nations. 

Paul To The Galatians 1: 15-16, Concordant New Testament 

Not too long ago, a good friend asked me just what it was that made me know that Christ Jesus dwelled in me.  How is it that I am confident in my life in Him?  Well, for one thing, the scriptures assure me that this is true.  Yet there is something else which assures me that I reside in Christ.  That is the revealing of Christ Jesus in me through the Father.  The apostle Paul spoke to his own revelation in Galatians {Paul To The Galatians 1:15-16}.  This isn't something that is unique to Paul only, but to all whom the Lord wills to reveal the presence of His Son.  Don't get me wrong, before I knew of my life in Christ, I knew OF Jesus and His influence on my life.  However, that's as far as it went.  My understanding of Jesus was limited to what I learned through whichever mainstream church I attended.  I understood that Jesus bled and died for the forgiveness of my sins...yet I was still a sinner in the eyes of the church.  At least this is what was drummed into me from an early age.  I am also confident that even at this point of discovery in my life, that I remained in Christ as I now do.  My own understanding just did not comprehend this truth.  Again, Paul helps us in our understanding of the indwelling Christ.  It is Paul who speaks of the indwelling Christ in him {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  So, think this all sounds confusing?  Well, that is the mystery, as Paul described it {Paul To The Ephesians 5:32}.  I have no doubt that Paul, in his day, was asked countless questions concerning his knowing of the indwelling presence of a guy who had been killed on a cross years earlier.  How does that work?  I'm sure there were more than a few people who considered this former Pharisee a fake.  Still, Paul went on preaching the gospel which had been revealed to him.  

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

Paul To The Colossians 1: 27, Concordant New Testament 

Going from the words of Paul to the Colossians, the Father has willed that I would know His Son in me {Paul To The Colossians 1:27}.  Of course, I am confident that He chose to reveal His Son in more than a few of my friends as well.  This knowing comes from nothing that I have done.  It didn't take a Pharisee school degree for me to realize my life in Christ.  This, if you will pardon the expression, was a God thing.  God has been with me from the beginning, and in His timing He revealed to me my life in Him.  Now, we know from the words of Paul that his knowing of his life in Christ had a purpose.  That is, to evangelize Christ among the nations {Paul To The Galatians 1:16}.  So, not only does the Father reveal to us our life in Him, but He does so that we would speak the gospel of Christ Jesus to those among us who might have never known Him (I can already hear the questions, "Who have you shared Jesus with?).  We know that the world will only come to see Jesus through the actions of those who know Him {Johns Account 14:17}.  It is for this reason that Paul spoke Christ Jesus to the nations.  That all would know the knowledge of the gospel.  I cannot speak as one doing extraordinary things, only as one speaking the truth of Christ.  

The spirit of truth, which the world can not get, for it is not beholding it, neither is it knowing it.  Yet you know it, for it is remaining with you and will be in you. 

Johns Account 14: 17, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

The Trust Factor

 Tossing your entire worry on Him, for He is caring concerning you. 

Peter To The Dispersion (1) 5: 7, Concordant New Testament 

How well do you trust God?  Do you trust Him enough to accept whatever it is He has planned for your life?  Too many Christians stop short of placing full and complete trust in the Father.  They walk by sight.  The apostle Paul explained this to the believers in Corinth {Paul To The Corinthians(2) 5:7}.  What does this mean for us?  Well, a good friend of mine explained trust to me in a rather unique way some years ago.  He explained that trust was similar to a park bench that we expected to support us whenever we placed ourselves upon it.  We look upon such a bench and we know that we will be supported when we sit upon it.  We might not know much about the objects construction, but we know that.  Likewise, how is it that we know within ourselves that the Lord God is trustworthy?  Well, one of our best sources is that of the scriptures.  We're told that God cannot Lie {To The Hebrews 6:18}.  We are told that God never changes {To the Hebrews 13:8}.  We can rest in the confidence that we can definitely trust in the Father to know what is best for us.  After all, it is God who created us {Genesis 1:27}.  Who would know more about us or what it is that we truly need?  The apostle Peter proclaims that we should place our worries upon God {Peter To The Dispersion (1) 5:7}.  Why?  Because He CARES FOR US.  Again, we can rest assured that when we place our worries and concerns upon the Lord that we are not wasting our efforts.  In my life I have tried too many times to walk by sight.  That is, to do things my own way.  More often than not the result is all too predictable.  Yet I have also faced many occasions where I placed my trust in the Lord and allowed Him to guide me through whatever it is I was facing.  Of course, as with others we may have met in our lives, trust may not come easy.  

Now faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not being observed. 

To The Hebrews 11: 1, Concordant New Testament 

My own path to knowing the Father was not an easy one for me.  Raised in a Christian home, the rules and regulations of the Christian mainstream church were instilled in me from a early age.  Instead of knowing God as I now do, I simply knew OF Him.  I knew of the stories and sermons which were spoken on Sundays.  Yet my heart did not see God for who He is, as a integral part of who I am.  This is the error of traditional church teaching.  The separation of the Father and the believer.  How is it that I trust in One who is not an intimate part of my life?  For me, trust is a matter of knowing.  I KNOW that God will never leave me nor forsake me.  I KNOW that He hears me when I speak to Him.  To me, God is not simply a figurehead in heaven, but a part of who I am.  Jesus speaks to this reality in the book of John {Johns Account 14:20}.  Jesus speaks to the reality of He in the Father, we in Christ and Christ in us.  Jesus is intimately involved in our lives.  Paul speaks to this in Galatians {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  I trust in Him because I KNOW Him.  

For to expectation were we saved.  Now expectation, being observed, is not expectation, for what anyone is observing, why is he expecting it also?  Now, if we are expecting what we are not observing, we are awaiting it with endurance. 

Paul To The Romans 8: 24-25, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~

Raising The Dead (Addictions Choice)

 Be observing accurately, then, brethren, how you are walking, not as unwise, but as wise, reclaiming the era, for the days are wicked, Therefore do not become imprudent, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 

Paul To The Ephesians 5: 15-17, Concordant New Testament

It's been some time since I wrote in this series, but recent events reminded me that the struggle is far from over for many.  Recently, our Oregon governor signed into law what is thought to be a reversal of the infamous measure 110, which decriminalized possession quantities of narcotics in Oregon.  Narrowly passed by the wisdom of the voters, measure 110 was deemed to be a "Pathway to recovery" for many addicted to drugs.  However, what actually happened was more rampant narcotics use than we have seen before.  So, what are my personal feelings on these drug addicted zombies?  Well, I am in a unique position to see the affects of these failed policies every day in the public eye.  I see the piles of used needles.  I see the violent behaviors.  Above all, I see the continuing cycle which repeats itself with every hit of these "Legal" drugs.  And so, my feelings over these addicts are that they have made a choice that they are living.  Years ago, I made choices to deal with negative situations in my life in a negative manner.  I chose a food addiction to make me feel better.  As a result of that choice, my struggle today is to overcome the results of those bad choices.  The difference between me and the addict on the streets is that I realized that I made bad choices and decided to do something positive about it.  While there have been success stories of those who have overcome drug addictions, they are few and far between.  Every day on the streets of Portland one can see the effects of so many who fell victim to bad choices.  So how is it that we, as believers, should pray for these unfortunate souls?  Well, one thought which I have pondered more than a few times is that the Father would open the eyes of the afflicted to the effects of their wrong choices.  When I began to see the effects of my bad choices, no excuses in the world would justify what I had been doing to myself.  Scripture tells us that these flesh bodies of ours are indeed a temple to the spirit within us {Paul To The Corinthians(1) 6:19-20}.  In this passage, the apostle Paul calls upon believers to glorify the Father in our bodies.  How does a life spent in bad choices glorify our body?  

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 were bought with a price.  By all means glorify God in your body.

Paul To The Corinthians (1) 6: 19-20, Concordant New Testament 

I will be the first to admit that all too many of the addicts which we see on our streets have NO idea of the saving love of the Father.  This is exactly why I pray that the Father would open their eyes to this reality.  Whatever it is they are running from, they cannot run from God.  Whatever new drug promises to bring them relief, it is but by the love and grace of the Father that they will truly find peace in their lives.  I thought the choices which I made would bring me comfort, I was wrong.  In the end, what brought me comfort was knowing a relationship with the Father and that I am in Christ.  I am always astounded at the amount of money doled out to homeless outreach and addiction recovery programs.  My good friend at the gym was recently berating the fact that his taxes included over $1,500 in homeless assistance funds.  With all the monies which we have poured out into addiction recovery programs, one would think that we'd be getting a better handle on the problem by now, right?  Wrong!  I have a better idea, help the homeless and drug addicted with simply basic needs, but with a caveat.  With this assistance, provide the afflicted with another choice.  That choice being a knowledge of a love for them which never dies.  Of a Father who will never leave them nor forsake them.  Bring Christ Jesus into this equation.  Guaranteed that as more and more people began to see the saving grace of the Father the former things which they treasured so dearly will become suddenly not so important anymore.  I can speak to the truth of this, for I can see the self destructive behaviors I once engaged in for what they are.  I was wrong.  God never forces Himself upon His children, but works through the lives of all of us.  I pray that the Father will open the eyes of all in need of seeing Him.  

~Scott~ 

More Than A Story

 

Now, entering also, they found the body of the Lord Jesus.  And it occurred, at their being perplexed concerning this, lo! two men stood by them in flashing attire.  Now at their becoming affrighted and inclining their faces to the earth, they say to them, "Why are you seeking the living among the dead?"

Lukes Account 24: 3-5, Concordant New Testament 

I was watching a show on television the other night which told the "Story of Jesus."  Sadly, much of the program was devoted to speaking of the Lord Jesus in the past tense.  I feel that this is the same way that many speak of Jesus these days.  That includes believers and those who should know better.  Time and again we see the life of Christ unfold in various movies and shows which is nothing but a slow build up to His march to the cross.  Far too many people see the crucifixion as the end of the road for Jesus.  His life here on earth over, His spirit now resides with the Father in heaven.  Yet something happened a few days after Jesus died on that cross.  For coming to His tomb that morning, those who were there were witness to one of the greatest miracles ever.  Gazing at that empty tomb, the angels proclaimed to them, "Why are you seeking the living among the dead?"  Indeed!  Before His death, Jesus spoke many times of how He would be put to death and rise again three days after that {Marks Account 8:31, Matthews Account 16:31}.  Yet that morning, staring at His empty tomb, they were astonished at what they saw before them.  It turns out that Jesus was telling the truth the entire time.  Why would anyone be surprised at this?  The truth of Christ Jesus is not that hard to comprehend, He is alive, He is risen!  The events of that morning are more than just a story we tell once a year on Easter Sunday.  It's because of these events that the sins of mankind are stripped away.  It's because of these events that our life in Him is secured.  When the apostle Paul spoke of his knowing of the Lord Jesus, he did not speak in the past tense.  For Paul, Jesus IS alive.  Paul speaks to the truth of the indwelling Christ in him {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  Paul knew that he was living, "No longer I, but living in me is Christ."  The man once known as Paul no longer exists, what remains is Christ Jesus.  THIS is the real story of Jesus.  This is the story of Jesus which very few pastors of movies will tell.  We're content with reading of the Jesus who once was.  

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

Paul To The Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament 

As I see it, living in the knowledge of stories of a Jesus of the past brings us ZERO hope.  How does one hope in someone who has died?  What good can a dead guy possibly do?  Thankfully for us, Jesus is not dead, but risen.  We need not speak of Him in a past tense.  We are free to speak of the Jesus in Whom we share His very life.  We are IN Jesus.  This is what Paul was speaking to in Galatians.  Paul knew that he, in effect, was dead.  That old man, born into sin, was no more.  His flesh body remained, but Paul's spirit was indeed in Christ Jesus.  This takes us down yet another road of what really defines us.  Is it our flesh, or our spirit within us?  Did Jesus' flesh define Him?  Indeed, His flesh was put to death, yet His spirit remains.  The scripture tells us that God is spirit {Johns Account 4:24}.  By this we know that we are in spirit as well.  For it is God who created us in His very image {Genesis 1:27}.  The flesh body of Jesus may be dead and gone, but His spirit lives in us.  This confirms the words which Jesus spoke, that we abide in Him {John's Account 14:20}.  

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

John's Account 14: 20, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~ 

Looking Beyond Tradition

 

And at His entering into Jerusalem, the entire city is aquake, saying, "Who is this?"  Yet the throngs said, "This prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee." 

Matthews Account 21: 10-11, Concordant New Testament 

This is Easter week for many across the world.  Both believers and non believers at least have some degree of knowing the significance of the events of this week in history.  As I began to think of what to write this weekend, I wondered just what Jesus and the Easter bunny had in common.  Then it hit me, tradition!  Growing up, it was all too common to wake up to easter treats on Easter morning.  As I grew older and wiser to the traditions of the Easter bunny, it became more about the Easter Sunday morning service at church.  Of course, even here in the Lords house, I could not escape from the rabbit.  All too often, the children's Sunday school classes were laced with the traditions of that Easter bunny.  I can recall hunting for Easter eggs as well as the traditional Easter treats in Sunday school.  Eventually I grew enough to began to wonder of the source of these Easter traditions which we follow.  Surprisingly, the scriptures do not mention any egg hunts or treats for the local children in Matthews account of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem that day.  What we are told is that there were many celebrating the arrival of Jesus as His journey to the cross neared its conclusion {Matthews Account 21: 1-11}.  Some began taking palm boughs and spreading them across the road as Jesus approached {Matthews Account 21: 8}.  At least we can began to see the origins of what we now know as palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Many worshipped Him as He arrived {Matthews Account 21: 9}.  Was it tradition to treat every person entering into Jerusalem in this way?  No, but this was obviously no ordinary man.  At this point in His life, many were well aware of the activities of this man Jesus.  Days before, Jesus had once again given warning to His disciples of what they should expect once they arrived in Jerusalem {Matthews Account 20: 17-19}.  There, He would be handed over to the local Jewish religious authorities (Who were very keen on following traditions) and persecuted and ultimately put to death.  Interestingly, the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem coincided with yet another well followed tradition, that of the religious feast of the Passover, which celebrated the Lords deliverance of His people from the torment of the Egyptians.  Of course, it was yet to be seen that the next few days would present the Lords deliverance for eternity.  Not just for His people, but for all of His creation.  

And it occurred, at their being perplexed concerning this, Lo!  two men stand by them in flashing attire.  Now at their becoming affrighted and inclining their faces to the earth, they say to them, "Why are you seeking the living with the dead?" 

Lukes Account 24: 5, Concordant New Testament 

I understand that following the long held traditions of men is important to people.  Much of what we know as our yearly calendar is dedicated to those days and holidays which we have celebrated for so many years.  But the question remains, is it more important to celebrate Easter Sunday or that true meaning of the events of that day?  I would say that we have been blindsided by those who pushed upon us such traditions.  Certainly the mainstream church has been guilty of paying more attention to days on a calendar than to He who gave His life for all.  Not missing a beat, merchandisers have always found ways to pounce on the observing of traditions as well.  At the end of the day, this Sunday is less about observing the significance of the day and more about the Man who brought it about.  For it is Jesus who became sin on our behalf {Paul To The Corinthians(2) 5:21}.  Remembering to observe Easter Sunday will do us little benefit without knowing Jesus whom is at the center of this man made tradition.  As the angels proclaimed that wonderful morning, "Why are you seeking the living with the dead?" 

~Scott~ 

My Way

 

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 

What is it like to trust fully in the Lord?  Have you ever done such a thing?  If you ask me, trusting in the Lord can be one of the  most difficult things the Lord has called on us to do.  Trusting in the Lord means that we give all control over our lives to Him.  Trusting in the Lord means that we accept whatever comes our way, knowing that the Father has our best interests in mind.  Above all, trusting in the Lord means knowing that God is love {First Epistle Of John 4:8} and that He never acts out of spite against us.  Yet trusting in the Lord continues to be one of the most difficult things we are asked to do.  Why is that?  I'll tell you why, because to trust in the Lord means that I no longer have a say in what do.  It means that I'm no longer able to live my life my way.  That was always my fear when I was reminded to trust in the Father above all else.  That I no longer had control over my life.  But is it my life that God is asking me to hand over to Him?  The apostle Paul would argue that life as he once knew it...was no longer.  The words of the apostle proclaim that he lives "No longer I, but living in me is Christ" {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  Paul understood that the old man he once was, born into sin, had been put to death with Jesus at the cross.  He was no longer defined by who he once was.  What defined him now was Christ Jesus.  For Paul, to trust fully in the Lord might not be too far of a stretch, knowing what he knew of Jesus.  What is the difference between myself and Paul?  Absolutely nothing!  For I too am not the man I once was.  I also have the indwelling spirit of Christ Jesus in me.  In other words...I no longer exist.  All that remains is Christ.  So, as I am instructed by the Father to trust in Him above all else, what is it that I am in fear of?  The life which I live is no longer my own.  So, why wouldn't I place my full trust in the Father?  Well, some things are not easily forgotten.  Many of us, myself included, continue to live under the premise that we have a life to live.  This is the lie of the deceiver which was spoken to Adam and Eve in the garden {Genesis 3:5-6}.  

For God gives us, not a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of sanity. 

Paul To Timothy (2) 1: 7, Concordant New Testament 

The lie of the deceiver tells us that we can "Be like God" {Genesis 3:5}.  However, the Father Himself declares that "There is NO God beside Me" {Isaiah 45:5}.  Ironically, the very same one who deceived Adam and Eve in the garden also desired to be known as being better than God {Ezekiel 28:15-17}.  As a result of his arrogance, Lucifer was ultimately cast out of heaven.  However, he continues to mislead the children of the Lord that we can be independent from our creator.  This is simply a lie and not true.  It is God who has created us {Genesis 1:27}.  It is also God who has breathed into us the breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  God has always been a part of who it is that we are.  So it is that those things that concern us are His as well.  When the Father tells us to place all of our trust in Him, He's not asking the impossible by any means.  What He is asking is for us to give to Him what is rightfully His.  I have NO claim over this life of mine.  All which I am I am because of the Father in me.  If I did not have the Father, I would simply be a lifeless, empty vessel.  Without Him, I am nothing but dust from the ground.  In the end, it has never been my way, but the Fathers desire for me.  

~Scott~ 

Life Seasons

 To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. 

Ecclesiastes 3: 1, NKJV 

There is some truth to the old saying that nothing lasts forever.  What is here today, tomorrow will be gone.  No day is the same, for the most part.  I was thinking of the seasons of life this week as I go through my own season.  While it has been difficult, I'm assured that the future will be better.  For God has promised me a future and a hope {Jeremiah 29:11}.  One thing I am sure of is that the Father never intended for me to live in a constant state of trouble and disappointment.  These troubling seasons which we often encounter are but moments in time.  I realize that this might not be too reassuring to someone who is battling a difficult season of their own, but consider the words of Jesus .  Jesus asks us to consider how the Father cares for the birds of the air, who do not sow nor reap.  How much more consequence, He asks, are we {Matthews Account 6:26}?  Those who work the land know all to well the value of the seasons.  I have a dear friend who was raised in farming and working the land.  He has been one of my most staunch brothers, and the reasons I began to see the Lord Christ Jesus in me.  The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes proclaims that for everything there is a season {Ecclesiastes 3:1}.  This message is so strong, that the band the Byrds turned it into a popular song.  Indeed, if the Father has given us a future and a hope, then the season of difficulty we suddenly find ourselves in will not last forever.  Some will argue and say that the hope which He has given is our salvation through Christ Jesus.  Yes, that is entirely true, but I believe that it goes deeper than that.  It is never the Fathers intent to discourage, but to encourage.  We may feel discouraged as we go through life's difficult seasons, but as any farmer knows, a season is but a moment in time.  

You should not, then, be worrying about the morrow, for the morrow will be worrying of itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own evil. 

Matthews Account 6: 34, Concordant New Testament 

Looking upon the scriptures, it's not surprising that we see much more words of encouragement from the word than we do discouragement.  I have often turned to the scriptures for words of comfort when the seasons of life become too much to bear.  One of my favorites is the words of Jesus as He invites those who are enduring their own season to take His burden and lay theirs upon Him {Matthews Account 11:30}.  There is a reason that Jesus invites us to take His burden instead of ours, for His burden is lighter.  Something I learned from the farmer is that we live each day with the indwelling spirit of Jesus in us.  The apostle Paul speaks to this indwelling Christ in Galatians {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}.  So, if Jesus asks us to unload our burdens upon Him, He is all too familiar with the stress of the seasons of life that we endure.  There is a good reason by which Jesus spoke of the perils of worrying over our troubles, because He knew of the physical effects that worry can bring upon us.  Who hasn't been victim to the old adage of worrying themselves sick?  I know I have.  In that season we worry, fret and despair over what might be.  But Jesus is there within us, inviting us to place those worries upon Him.  Not only that, when we place our worries upon Jesus, we can rest assured that not only has the Father promised our salvation, but also a future and a hope.  

~Scott~