Pastor Scott's Musings

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them;    they will be his peoples,    and God himself will be with them;    he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more;    mourning and crying and pain will be no more,   for the first things have passed away.” And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God,  who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Today we climb the Mount Everest of the New Testament. Romans chapter 8 has the distinction of being considered the best summation of a Christian worldview. The chapter shouts hope! The letter to the Romans is considered to be Paul's best work, his magnum opus. It is the most systematic discussion of the Christian faith in the New Testament. One verse in the latter third of the chapter is a beacon for Christian hope. All things in this life God works together for good.  In order for the glorious crescendo, which is Romans 8, to be properly heard, we must work our way through the previous 7 chapters. Paul opens the letter to the Roman church by expressing his desire to visit them, for he has heard of them, but has not yet been able to come to Rome on his missionary travels. Paul declares himself an apostle to the Gentiles through Christ and

“You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life."    (John 5:39-40) Jesus went to Jerusalem for one of the religious festivals ordained in the Law of Moses. While there Jesus healed a paralytic at the pool of Bethesda. The Jews were alarmed that Jesus broke the sabbath law to do no work, even works of healing. They persecuted Jesus. Jesus told them, “My Father is still working, and I also am working.” (John 5:17) The Jews were angry enough to want to kill Jesus.  Here in this event in Jesus' life, we see division over how to faithfully live according to God's will. The Jews dedicated their lives to Torah observance, to keep faithfully every law and ordinance passed down to them by Moses. The Pharisees created a collection of more laws, called halakha or the walk, to assure in every situation the Jews would know how to live. They were totally d

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.  (Philippians 2:12-13) It's spring and a lot of people are gong outside, even in this time of quarantine, enjoying the sunshine and doing active things. They ride bikes, walk their dogs, mow, landscape and run. Working out is essential to athletic performance. If you would do well in a sport, you must be fit. You must work out. If you would have a faith that will go the distance, spiritual workouts are essential. The Apostle Paul encourages the church in Philippi that they should continue to work out their salvation. Quite often when we speak of salvation, we talk about forgiveness of sin and entry into heaven upon our death. Faith in Christ is the key that opens the way to heaven. But Christian faith is muc

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4) Have you ever noticed that there are two kinds of people on rollercoasters? The picture below shows them both. One type white knuckles their way through the big drop, and twists and turns of the experience. The other type throws their hands up in joyous abandon. Which kind are you? "The Beast" Rollercoaster at King's Island James is the half-brother of Jesus and the leader of the church in Jerusalem, the very first church. He writes to the churches spread throughput the Roman Empire around 50-60 AD. The reformer Martin Luther did not like the letter of James, calling it an "epistle of straw". Martin Luther's reform included the slogan "By faith alone!" Luther's probl

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.   (Philippians 4:13) This verse is a popular one for many who have committed the words to memory. It's a mantra to whisper to your heart when facing any number of challenges. When I'm on the elliptic machine and wanting to quit, I whisper the words and push myself, leaning into the Spirit of the Lord. When I'm facing a difficult situation in life, I remember not to get anxious, but to trust in the Lord's ability to empower and provide. The so-called power verse makes just about any list of favorite verses to encourage a believer.  Of course when the Apostle Paul wrote the words he never thought the Church centuries later would be putting it on memes to encourage others in social media.  Paul wrote these words in his letter to a congregation in Philippi. The church was one of Paul's beloved congregations which he started. It's considered to be the first church in Europe. The congregation was go

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,  generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.   (Galatians 5:22-23) This verse is one that I struggle to commit to memory. My daughter, Erika, learned a church camp song that helped her retain the list of the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love and love's many expressions. Nine fruit are listed, but Galatians 5:22-23 isn't meant to be a complete list of all the fruit that love can bear in your life. Paul had a hand in starting and nurturing the churches in the region of Galtaia, that is now central Turkey. Paul experienced severe resistance to the gospel in towns like Lystra, Derbe, Lycaonia and Iconium. Paul bled for the sake of Christ in this region. (Acts 14:19) Paul writes to the churches in Galatia about the Jewish Christians who were confusing them about their new life in Christ. (Galatians 1:7) These men told the Gentile Christians that they must be circumcised i

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.   (Galatians 5:6) Everybody who turns to the scriptures for inspiration and guidance has favorite go-to verses. My Top 40 list of New Testament passages is no different. I've got a few of my go-to verses in the list. My theological heritage comes from John Wesley and his brother Charles, the prolific hymn composer. I like to think of Galatians 5:6 as a go-to verse for Wesley. This single verse is a beacon of his vocational call.  The Wesley's were not Calvinists. They did not believe that God would create people for damnation as a warning to God's elect. They believed God loves everyone. God could not possibly do something so insidious as to condemn some people to eternal damnation with no recourse for changing that accursed destiny.  Wesley drew his theological emphasis on salvation freely offered for all from Jacob Arminius

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.  (1st Corinthians 10:13) You heard people say it before in difficult times, "God won't give you more than you can handle." While I appreciate the attempt to console with such a statement, I've never found that idea to be comforting. Implicit in the statement is a God who deals out suffering and trials. Some will tell you it's for your own good. God is testing you, to mature you. Indeed the author of Hebrews takes a similar stance. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children— “My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,     or lose heart when you are punished by him;  for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves,     and chastises every child whom he accepts.” Endure trials for the sake of

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:4-7) This is one of my go to verses that I've committed to memory. Philippians 4:6 made a list of 25 most loved Bible verses.  https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/the-25-most-read-bible-verses/ The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Philippi. The community of Christians there is considered to be the first in Europe. Philippi is located in Turkey. Named after the Greek king Philip the Great (father to Alexander), the Romans made the city into a colony as a gift to faithful soldiers to Caesar. The forces of Brutus and Cassius, both conspirators in the assassination of Julius Caesar, were defeated