The Luggage went WHERE?

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Phillipians 4:11b (NIV)

At the end of a very successful business flight last week, I landed safely at the Baltimore Washington airport, but my bag seemed to have taken a detour. I stood at the baggage carousel, watching the same bags go around and around, but mine wasn't among them. As time went on and the crowd thinned, I noticed I wasn't alone. From the looks of it, nearly 20 people from my flight were still anxiously watching the carousel in the hopes their bags would somehow arrive.

During this time, all I could think of was "Lord, I thank you for a safe flight. Sure, my baggage may have gone AWOL. But I thank God I made it!"

As it became apparent our baggage wasn't going to arrive, we lined up at the baggage claim door. I heard the airline employee checking the tickets of all the people in front of me, and saying "Newark" over and over again. For whatever reason, nearly everyone's bags had somehow been rerouted to Newark NJ, and with the snowfall and the holiday hubbub, the airline employee guessed it would be at least a day before their errant luggage would arrive back at BWI.

The people around me were NOT pleased. They were griping and grumbling, some quite loudly. They were being inconvenienced, and weren't afraid to let everyone within earshot know how irritated they were. But I wasn't buying into their negative attitudes. I was in the exact same circumstances they were, but I was thanking God for a safe flight home. My situation seemed identical to theirs; but I was very thankful my ATTITUDE was not.

When my turn at the counter arrived, I stepped up and greeted the woman cheerfully. She nervously took my ticket, thinking she would have to give me the same bad news she'd given to all the people in front of me in line. But when she checked my baggage claim number in the computer, her face brightened noticeably. She handed me back my ticket and said "your bag is on the flight touching down right now". Well thank you for unexpected benefits, Lord!

Though I experienced some quite unexpected favor from God for my baggage, I wish to point out that when all is going crazy around us, we can either join the people who complain, or we can bring peace to the situation. The choice is entirely ours.

But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.

Psalm 31:3

God is indeed the lifter of my head. I give God the praise and thanks for everything, so the good and the bad are all His to manage.

Lord, thank you for offering us your peace, regardless what the circumstances look like. You are the lifter of our heads, and we turn our situations over to you, so that you can get the glory out of our lives. You're in charge, Lord. Instead of grumbling and complaining of what we believe inconveniences US, we choose to give thanks for it all, Lord. Thanks for it all.

Amen

-
© 2008 Scotty Ward

Hide 'n Seek

Psalm 27:4-5 (New Living Translation)

The one thing I ask of the Lord — the thing I seek most —
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

Do you remember playing hide 'n seek (or some variant such as 'kick the can')? One person was "it" - and you NEVER wanted to be "it". That person would stand at "home base", close their eyes, and count while everyone else ran to hide themselves.

Do you remember, there were two ways to win? You could avoid becoming "it", if you could make it to home base before being tagged, and also if you remained hidden until you heard the call of "Ollie Ollie Oxen Free!", which signaled the end of the game.

The scripture from Psalm 27 brings this game to mind. If you think about it, we haven't yet touched "home base". Our game is still going on (I'm still typing and you're still reading). And while that remains the case, we always look forward to our "sprint to home base", when God opens the books of our lives and examines to see if our names are recorded in the book of Life (see Revelation 20:12). But until that time comes, we're here on earth, still playing the game. And every day we're trying to keep from losing (being 'tagged' by the enemy).

Psalm 32:6-7 (Amplified)
For this [forgiveness] let everyone who is godly pray--pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely when the great waters [of trial] overflow, they shall not reach [the spirit in] him. You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance.

Lord, I thank you for safely hiding me, while I'm still in the game of my life. Lord, I want to hear that wonderful call "Ollie Ollie Oxen Free!" when I'm summoned home to be with you eternally. But in the meantime, Lord, please keep me safe. Hide me, hide my family, hide all of your saints. I'll continue to pray, and thank you for the "songs of deliverance" you send. Thank you, Lord. Thank you!

-
© 2010 Scotty Ward

A VERY Dangerous Phrase

Have you ever said the following about your own life?

"I'm Not Doing Too Badly"

"I'm All Right"

These phrases sound totally positive, don't they? Some would even go so far as to say these phrases are "self-nurturing". After all, if I don't believe in what I'm doing and where I'm going, who will?

But please understand that according to the Bible, there's a danger in this approach, IF we don't consider God. Here are a BUNCH of scriptures that describe the danger:

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes.
~ from Proverbs 12

Proverbs 14:12 (Contemporary English Version) - You may think you are on the right road, and still end up dead.

Proverbs 16:2 (Contemporary English Version) - We may think we know what is right, but the LORD is the judge of our motives.

Proverbs 21:2-3 (Contemporary English Version) - We may think we are doing the right thing, but the LORD always knows what is in our hearts. Doing what is right and fair pleases the LORD more than an offering.

Judges 17:6 - In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Proverbs 3:5-8 (New Living Translation)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.

The Bible tells us that there is a great danger in just doing what we think is right, if we don't seek God's will in our lives. Without God, we're in dangerous territory and don't even realize it.

Pray this with me: "Lord, thank you for showing me the value in seeking your will in my life today. Lead me, so that my ways please you. Protect me, so I don't get drawn into activities that move contrary to your plan for my life. Direct me, direct my path. And as I continue to walk, Lord, I'm asking you to guide me every step of the way."
Amen.

God Bless you.

© 2008 Scotty Ward

Too Many Bosses

Proverbs 22:7 (KJV) - The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

My wife and I love to give. It's true; we enjoy giving of our time, our talents, and our treasures, in support of God's kingdom and the missions we're part of.

But in recent times, we've had difficulty in our giving efforts, because of all the financial issues everyone has been reading about. Money is becoming more difficult to obtain (so we can give). What's the reason why this is so? Proverbs 22:7 is true in our case. We owe money for our house, our vehicles, credit cards, student loans, etc. All of these loans seemed pretty helpful when we obtained them, because they allowed us to move into the house, drive the vehicles, buy the furniture, and obtain our educations, and then "pay over time". But now that we're minding our spending very closely, those constant payments to our lenders must be included as we're considering how to slice up the paychecks. So in essence, we're able to GIVE less, because we're already PAYING more.

Some sell their liberty to gratify their luxury. ~ Matthew Henry commentary on Proverbs 22:7.

You're so right, Minister Henry. I'm living proof.

But regardless of the state of our financial affairs, I want to publicly thank God for everything He's already done in our lives. Without him, I'd be lost (or worse) by now. God has been, and continues to be, present as a savior and sanctifier in my life.

So thanks, Lord. Thanks for just being YOU.

-
© 2008 Scotty Ward

"Here's why we stink..."

Let me tell you about James. This young man requested a transfer to my team, because of his dislike of the attitude prevalent in the team where he worked. He described how their team meetings often began with "We're doing terribly; here are the areas where we stink...." The constant negativity from the team leaders - whether deserved or not - was just too much for James, and so he sought to leave the team. Once he moved to my team, James became much more productive. He was thirsty to achieve and to please his management, very proud of his work, and in the end became one of the team's best, and an example to those around him. In two different teams (same company) his attitude was totally different: one team's approach left him feeling constantly lacking, the other team's approach helped him realize his own personal value. Is it any wonder that when he felt valuable to the team, his productivity raised tremendously?

Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

If we examine the words "provoke" and "exhorting" above, in their original Greek, they indicate that the believers are to passionately incite (provoke) and encourage and strengthen (exhort) one another. It's true that the Christian is encouraged to work on their own salvation (Philippians 2:12), but we're also supposed to work together and encourage each other along the way. In fact, Romans 12:15 tells us to "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." We're connected, and we're to work with each other toward a common goal: our salvation.

Lord, I thank you for showing me the value of other believers as I pursue my own personal walk with You. Help us to strengthen and encourage one another each day, so that we can all complete this earthly course as winners.

-
© 2008 Scotty Ward

Beltway? No Way!

When I first arrived in the Metro Washington D.C. area (from Abilene Texas), I was immediately struck by the aggressiveness of some drivers I encountered on the Capital Beltway (the freeway circling D.C.).  Their selfish and dangerous style of driving unnerved me so much, I literally swore that I would not drive on the Beltway again!

After a few months of this (I actually discovered routes to drive, so I'd avoid the Beltway), the Lord reminded me that every occupant in every vehicle out there was a SOUL.  After that reminder, driving on the Beltway (and elsewhere) became less of an 'adventure' for me.  Now, I can drive any highway, and aggressive drivers don't get to me.....  too much.


2 Peter 3:9 (New International Version) - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (New Living Translation) - For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Lord, thanks for this reminder, that no matter how far anyone in the world has strayed from You, every single person who still draws a breath, still has a chance.

-
© 2008 Scotty Ward

I Wonder...

You know, Lord, how eagerly I serve you when I’m engaged in church activities.

How enthusiastically I speak your Word of encouragement, when I’m around others I know as Christians.

How joyful I am when I’m able to share about you to others outside the church.

All those “normal things” Christians are asked to do…

But how would I react, I wonder,

If you pointed to a basin of water

And asked me to wash the callused feet of a bent and wrinkled old woman

Day after day, Month after month,

In a room where nobody saw

And nobody knew?

Modified from "I Wonder" by Ruth Harms Calkin

-
© 2008 Scotty Ward

GRIDLOCK!

I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Living in the second-worse commuting area in the nation (Metro Washington D.C.). Here I sit in an Alexandria restaurant, because every route home to Maryland is so clogged that traffic isn't moving. It takes numerous changes of the light before you approach the intersection, and when you do, it's clogged with other motorists. Everyone tries to inch into every available space in the intersection, and so when the light turns, there's little room for anyone to move. The name for this? GRIDLOCK.

When my time came to enter the intersection, I waited until I could ensure I would be able to get all the way through. But those behind me got so impatient, they honked their horns and tried to drive AROUND me, just so they could join the parking lot ahead. So I gave up and stopped for a bite to eat.

James 3:16-17 (Contemporary English Version) - Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things. But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere.

Lord, even in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you continue to teach. I don't have to "be like the crowd". If someone thinks I act weird or improper according to their expectations, the issue is theirs. Your word teaches me that if I focus on you, I'll obtain your wisdom. And with all the blessings we see in James, I'll be prepared for whatever traffic may occur. Because I've got you, Lord. Come what may, I've got you.

Thanks, Lord! You're awesome!
-
© 2008 Scotty Ward

"I'm healed: SEE?"

We were blessed to have a visit from my parents (80 and 77 years old) last week. It's been some time since we've been able to visit face-to-face, and during that time, both parents had undergone significant surgeries. So it was almost humorous to be standing in my kitchen while they both described their surgeries in detail, and showed me their scars (her back, his abdomen).

2 Cor 11:24-27, 12:10 (Contemporary English Version)
Five times the Jews gave me thirty-nine lashes with a whip. Three times the Romans beat me with a big stick, and once my enemies stoned me. I have been shipwrecked three times, and I even had to spend a night and a day in the sea. During my many travels, I have been in danger from rivers, robbers, my own people, and foreigners. My life has been in danger in cities, in deserts, at sea, and with people who only pretended to be the Lord's followers. I have worked and struggled and spent many sleepless nights. I have gone hungry and thirsty and often had nothing to eat. I have been cold from not having enough clothes to keep me warm...

Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak, I am strong.

When life throws us painful situations, we don't usually have many choices. Both my parents' surgeries were medically necessary. Had they not received them, they could have been in grave physical conditions, or worse. Paul was in a similar situation; his calling to the ministry carried a host of pain and uncertainty. But my folks and Paul all decided the best course of action was to "go through" their situations, regardless of the pain that must be endured along the way. The goal for my parents was improved physical health; the goal for Paul was a life lived in obedience to God's will, and an eternity in heaven. And they were all able to "show their scars" to those around them, as a testament to their journeys.

Lord, please keep us focused on our journey's end, an eternity with you. Help us to go through the painful periods and situations we may face, realizing that there is no earthly pain possible that compares to the heavenly destination you have prepared, for those who believe.

Amen. God Bless.
© 2008 Scotty Ward

"I Don't Want Them to Know..."

"I don't want them to know I'm a Christian..."
~ name withheld

A few years ago, I was speaking with one of my closest Christian brothers, and he related to me that he had considered putting some sort of Christian emblem (fish, cross, etc.) on the back bumper of his truck, but then changed his mind, because he drove so aggressively he didn't want people to associate his poor driving with his Christianity.

Another friend recently related that he saw a "Honk if you love Jesus" bumper sticker on a car in front of him. He tooted his horn, and the driver got out of their car and told him off, right there at the traffic light.

2 Corinthians 3:3 (The Message Paraphrase) - Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God's living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it.

Are we truly living the believer's life, as "letters" that anyone can read? If someone were to observe us at the library, in traffic, or at the fast-food counter, would they they see a hand-signed testament from Jesus Christ, or do they see just another person (even atheists can act nice)?

Does our BELIEF show in our ACTION?

Philippians 2:15 (New Living Translation) - Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

The two stories at the top of this blog are a reminder that - throughout my life - I need to be living that difference, shining as a light, and not just showing my Christianity when I know I'll get a positive response.

"You gotta live this thing."
~ Elder Cleon L. McCoy, Jr (a.k.a. "Papa")

Amen to that, Papa.

Lord, I love you, and I want everyone around me to see your love reflected through my life. Help me to stay focused on you, so that each step of my life (in AND out of church) reflects your redeeming love.

Amen.
© 2010 Scotty Ward

Put YOUR Mask On First

If you've been on a commercial flight, you surely remember the flight attendant's well-rehearsed phrase, "In the event of the loss of cabin pressure, ......", which then goes on to say "Please put your mask on first, then help children or others around you..."

That makes such good sense: You're no good to others, if you haven't ensured your own oxygen source. But why do they need to tell you, over and over again when you take a flight? Because many of us place the well-being of others before ourselves. In some ways, that seems heroic and humble, but without our own supply of oxygen, we're incapable of helping ANYONE, even those we love the most.

When I became a young parent, I realized I'd been out of church for too long, and I didn't want my children to grow up without a spiritual connection. (This all occured before God saved me at the age of 35, but the lesson is still valuable.) I went back to church, because of my children. I wanted THEM to grow spiritually, but a year or two earlier, I had been content to ignore (perhaps minimize) my own personal Christian growth.

But I had the concept backward. If I didn't view my own faith as being important, how could I possibly expect my children to place their faith high on their list of priorities?

Luke 22:32 (New Living Translation; emphasis mine) - But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.

So it's got to be me first. I have to repent, ask God to straighten my life out, and work to live my own life after Him each day, before I should make a move toward being "shepherd" or "encourager" of others' spirituality. In the verse above, Jesus himself says it best when he indicates to Peter: 'You first, then your brothers'.

1 Cor 9:27 (New Living Translation) ...otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others, I myself might be disqualified. (The Contemporary English Version says this beautifully as well: "...so I won't lose out after telling the good news to others.")

Matt 6:33 (Amplified Bible) - But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

In order to be effective in guiding others toward a life in Christ, we must first be the example, living our own lives for Him. Like the flight attendants repeatedly stress: we need to 'don our own mask', then worry about those around us. Once I have my own 'spiritual Oxygen' flowing, I can then become an effective witness to my family, friends, and co-workers. And they'll see how valuable a personal relationship with Christ is, because they see it demonstrated in me.

Thank you, Lord for showing us the need to pursue our own salvation through you, before we concern ourselves with those around us (even our children or spouses). We can be true and faithful witnesses for you, but only when we're allowing you to work your magnificent work in us.

Pray this with me: "I'm ready Lord. I make myself available to You. I'm ready for you to work your work in me, in Jesus' Name."

Amen

© 2008 Scotty Ward

Thanks for Nothing, Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New Living Translation) - Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

As I drive to work each weekday, I turn one particular corner and invariably the next light is red. This has become a bit of humor in my morning commute, that nearly every single time I approach this traffic light, it's either RED, or TURNS RED as I approach. So this morning, as I rounded the corner and found the light ahead was GREEN, I kept going, making it through the light before it had time to turn red on me. As I passed the crosswalk into the intersection, the words "Thank you Jesus" escaped my lips. And the Holy Ghost immediately began to teach.

As Paul's letter to the Thessalonians says, each of us is instructed to be "thankful in all circumstances". Yet how many times do I reserve my thanks to God, until something occurs to my advantage? Yes, I remember to thank God for the "green lights": the promotion, the unexpected bonus, the clean bill of health from the doctor. I even thank God enthusiastically when I call and win something from the local Christian radio station (well of course; I'm being recorded!). But the Holy Ghost asked some uncomfortable questions this morning. Did I thank God that one Saturday evening when I received a call telling me my mother had suffered a heart attack? Did I thank God when my wife literally spent 36 hours in bed one weekend with a migraine? Did I thank God when I had to drive her to the emergency room Sunday morning because her migraine just wouldn't subside? Was I thanking God that we had to miss both services on Sunday because I was at her side in the hospital? Was I "thankful in all circumstances"? No, Lord, I wasn't. My thanks to you seems to flow freely when I GET SOMETHING, but not at other times, even though your word tells me my thanks should be more FREQUENT.

Lord, help us to learn to give you constant thanks, for the most important GIFT you've already given us, the voluntary sacrifice of your son. Help us to not just thank you for today's green lights. No Lord, teach us to keep thanking you for your son's gift of his shed blood, because as a result, we now have the opportunity to live eternally in your presence. Your son's one magnificent gift was given long ago, so that we might have joy, that we might be able to pray to you, and yes, so that we might be thankful, each and every day of our life. Even those days when there's "nothing good happening".

Thanks, Lord. I'm remembering to thank you today for nothing at all. And I thank you for everything.

© 2008 Scotty Ward

"These are Just Reminders..."

Psalm 110:1 (NIV) - The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."

Seven years ago, someone hated my country enough to fly an airplane into my office.

I took off work today, intending to have a nice quiet bike ride, and "process" some of the emotions I've felt - and largely hidden - since that terrible day. But instead, this morning I found myself driving my wife to the dentist for surgery, and then stopping at the supermarket to pick up her prescription. I was feeling cheated: I yearned to get away, to ESCAPE, and be with myself, even if for a little while.

So I was a bit prideful when I mentioned to my pharmacist that I was in the pentagon on September 11th. But the Lord turned the tables on me. Isaac in turn related how sectarian-led tribal violence in his home country (Nigeria) had nearly torn the country apart, and how pregnant women with divergent beliefs had been singled out for murder, so these "patriots" could kill both the current and future generation of their ideological enemies.

Then he actually testified! He relaxed his face, and went back to his work on our prescriptions, saying matter-of-factly: "These are all just reminders, that God is still God."

Lord, I thank you for the Nigerian Pharmacist who can still testify of your sovreignity, even after having lived through much more traumatic situations than worthless old me. Thank you for jarring my existence every once in a while, even if it takes a surprise testimony, in the midst of my one-man "pity party".

Lord, I thank you. Please keep reminding us, that YOU are still in charge. If you choose, as it says in Psalms, you will make my enemies my footstool. But until then, I'll sit close at hand.

© 2008 Scotty Ward

Lesson from Weenie Beanie

Photo courtesy USA Today

THE VALUE OF PREPAREDNESS:

Weenie Beanie is the food joint next to a little park here in Arlington, where the day laborers hang out. Just as occurred in Bible days (Story here), a group of unemployed workers stand around waiting for someone to pull up and say "I need two to pour concrete " or "I need three carpenters", etc. A quick discussion occurs at the side of the truck to verify the terms of their day's employment, the laborers pile on, and awaaaay they go to earn a living for another day.


There are always men standing around the Weenie Beanie (Definition: there are always more laborers than there are jobs), but as I drove past one day, I was struck by one particular gentleman standing in that otherwise unremarkable group. He was wearing an old long-sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans just like all the rest, but I tell you I've NEVER seen a pair of old jeans or an old shirt look as good as they did on that man. Everything on this man had been thoroughly washed and ironed, and practically shone, next to the dozens of other laborers around him. The man had worked very hard to prepare himself, so when a truck would drive by, the prospective employer would notice this man and (hopefully) choose him from among the dozens of prospects. When I drove past at about Noon, this man hadn't yet snagged himself employment for the day, but there was no doubt in my mind he was prepared for the very next truck, or the one after that, or the one after that.

This message comes to encourage those of us who may feel we're just "going through the motions" in our Christian walk. We may attend services, pray and study God's word, but we just don't feel the breakthrough others around us are reporting, and every gospel artist seems to be singing. But consider the wisdom of the man at Weenie Beanie: in order to be called, you must GO and be prepared to be called. From a spiritual standpoint, you know enough of the Bible to know where to go, and what is expected of you. Sometimes, it may feel you're just standing around (v6-7), going nowhere in a hurry, accomplishing nothing for the kingdom. But that's OK. You're in place, waiting for the landowner to come by, and He may be just around the corner. If you get discouraged and take yourself a nap, or go home to watch the tube (spiritually speaking), you could miss out.

Hold on. Do not give up, despite how boring your situation looks, or how sluggish you feel. Like the day laborers of Bible times and here at Weenie Beanie, you've got to be ready at all times.

Luke 12:37-38 (New Living Translation) - The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.

So shine up those spiritual shoes, put on your Sunday best, and get yourself over to where you need to be, and be prepared.

Wait! Is that a truck motor I hear?

© 2008 Scotty Ward

The Man in Traffic

As I drove to church this morning, I passed a young man who caused me to pause and consider. You see, he was standing there in his shorts and T-shirt, with a ball cap turned sideways on his head, and except for his position and activity, I wouldn't have given him a second glance.

But he was standing in the median of the street, with a plastic bag in his hand. As a vehicle would pass, he'd stand atop the median, but when there was a break in traffic, he'd step down and pick up garbage lying there in the street near the median. When another vehicle approached, he'd move back to his perch on the median, and repeat the process after that vehicle had passed.

At a few minutes after 7am on a Sunday morning, this man was standing in traffic and picking up trash that he obviously hadn't dropped. Was he doing more than "his fair share" in the community? Without a doubt. He was doing far more than anyone could ever expect, and he was doing it without being asked. He saw an opportunity to serve his community, and took action.

Mark 5:19-20 (Contemporary English Version)
But Jesus would not let him. Instead, he said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how good he has been to you."
The man went away into the region near the ten cities known as Decapolis and began telling everyone how much Jesus had done for him. Everyone who heard what had happened was amazed.

The man here in the scriptures was delivered from an army of demons, and then wanted to accompany Jesus as he continued along in his ministry. But this newly-healed man was told by Jesus to go tell his family about his deliverance. Instead, this man did far more than he was asked, and told everyone in the space of TEN CITIES. As a result, the entire region was made aware of the salvation available from God through Jesus the Christ!

Lord, help me realize that when it comes to YOU, enough doesn't have to be enough. If I'm asked to do something in the name of the ministry, it's entirely acceptable to do that and more. Let me seek and find those opportunities to be that "man in traffic", giving the obvious extra effort for you, Lord. Not for the accolades or the attention, but just because I can do more for you. Because after all, I could never repay the acts you've done for me.

God Bless!

© 2008 Scotty Ward

Running Short of 'Grain and Grapes'?

Good morning, everyone. This morning's message is somewhat shorter than many, because the message is simple and easy to comprehend.

The difficulty is patterning our lives to actually do what the scriptures tell us.

Proverbs 3:9-10 (Contemporary English Version) - Honor the LORD by giving him your money and the first part of all your crops. Then you will have more grain and grapes than you will ever need.

We've had financial difficulties recently (call it a "grain and grape shortage"). I'm sure nearly everyone these days has "felt the pinch" in one area or another of your lives. More than at any other time in our past together, my wife and I have begun to buy generics, "clip coupons", combine our trips when running errands, consciously turn the thermostat in an energy-reducing direction, let the lawn go a little longer before we water, make that marginal suit last one more season, and so on. But we have agreed that our giving (tithes, offerings, missions, pastoral offering, pastor's anniversary, and the other areas where we give to the church) will NOT be affected by our economic issues. God always gets the first of this family's "crops", and the world has to deal with what's left.

2 Corinthians 5:7 - "For we walk by faith, and not by sight."

I guess you could call it a "trust thing". I would MUCH prefer to lay my trust in God than in the wacky economy of this world, or even in my own "intelligence" (read 1 Corinthians 1:25-29 to see what the scriptures say about human intelligence).

Bottom line: God has proven himself to me too many times for me to ignore. So in all I do, I choose to trust him, giving him the "first part" of my livelihood. If you've read the Bible, you see that God is a bountiful provider for his people, over and over again (regardless whether they did anything to deserve it).

So I trust Him. God Bless you, every one.

© 2008 Scotty Ward

My knees hurt. Thank you Jesus!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

My wife and I were attending a workshop downtown one Saturday, and because I didn't have change for parking, I parked the car in Virginia and took the Metro back to the event (having dropped her off at the workshop first, of course!).

On the return trip I was leaving the Pentagon City Metro, coming up the (stopped) escalator steps, and remarked to myself how my knees were hurting. I considered it a minor inconvenience, but definitely didn't have any sort of "God moment", thinking about my aching knees.

Until one minute later.

As I rounded the corner to leave the Metro station, I came across a cheerful gent, sitting in his wheelchair begging for change, because he only had one leg.

Thanks Lord for such an immediate and poignant reminder that your blessings come in all sizes and shapes, INCLUDING two (count 'em) knees that ache.

© 2010 Scotty Ward

My Father and Finances

Partial Quote from Romans 13 (Amplified Bible) - "Render to all men their dues. Pay taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due. Keep out of debt and owe no man anything..."

"I haven't paid a dime in interest for years".
~ My Father, on the occasion of his 80th birthday, July 2008

Mom and Dad spent their entire life living toward the goal of financial independence. Unlike me and my two brothers, they are in debt to no one, and plan to stay that way until they depart this world. But they're not filthy rich, by any stretch of the imagination. They wear clothes that are always clean, but have long-ago lost their "new look". They eat simple meals, spend their days in simple yet fulfilling activities, turn the lights out in each room as they leave it, etc. Yet they owe no one anything. Here are a few more facts:

- Their house? They paid for it with the money they'd saved from the sale of their previous home (Home Equity. This phrase doesn't have to be followed by the word "loan").
- Their massive RV? Cash as well.
- The Honda CR-V, their daily driver? They paid cash, and drove it off the lot.
- Credit cards? They have ONE, and it's setup to immediately pay any outstanding balance at the end of each month. They never even have to open the bill.
- Plane flights, vacation trips, gifts, doctor visits, surgeries, prescriptions? Everything, paid with CASH they've accumulated through the course of their lives.

THAT'S where I want to be. But their state wasn't achieved by some windfall or influx of cash. My dad was an engineer, my mother only worked when it was needed. No, their financial position was achieved through decades of careful living, choosing the less expensive cuts of meat, buying generics instead of name brands, planning less extravagant (and therefore less expensive) vacations, making their food, their vehicles, their clothes last a little longer than perhaps they would have liked (I ate a LOT of spaghetti and meatloaf as a kid). And along with their careful spending, they were also saving a little each and every paycheck throughout their employed years, and slowly building their 'nest egg' until - through the miracle of compound interest - their money began to make money by itself. And now that my parents are older, they've learned how to manage their lives, and even though they may be able to AFFORD anything they want, their 'wants' are few. They're living in the manner Paul specified in his letter to the Christians in Rome, and they are a tremendous positive example to me. Is it too late for me to change my life of wasteful living? In a recent phone conversation, my father encouraged me, and said "Just get started".

I heard you, Dad. For real.

3 John 1:2 (New King James Version) - Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

The original Greek word translated into the Englist word "prosper" in this scripture, connotates a journey, a process, a movement along. I want to move in my prosperity. Thank you Lord for allowing me to hear this lesson from my parents, and heed it's value in my own life.

I love you all, and I'll leave you with a few words from a song I heard this morning from Destiny Praise. "Are you in bondage to the status of nice things? Addicted to the attention and the compliments they bring. Feeling the weight of growing debt with each bill. That's not His Will"

God Bless!

© 2008 Scotty Ward

Overheated Brakes

Deut 12:8-10 (MSG) - Don't continue doing things the way we're doing them at present, each of us doing as we wish. Until now you haven't arrived at the goal, the resting place, the inheritance that God, your God, is giving you. But the minute you cross the Jordan River and settle into the land God, your God, is enabling you to inherit, he'll give you rest from all your surrounding enemies. You'll be able to settle down and live in safety.


When I was about eight years old, we took a family vacation I will never forget. My parents and our aunt and uncle took us on a waterskiing trip to Shaver Lake, over 5,000 feet high, in the High Sierra Mountains above Fresno. Rt 168 snaked 50 miles up the steep Sierra mountains to the lake, then snaked back down to the Fresno valley. There was one way up, and one way down. This steep, thin road was full of twists and turns, and there were no side roads for dozens of miles. There were, however, a number of small turnoffs for vehicles who needed to pull over for any reason. Many of you may be too young to remember overheating brakes, but cars on Rt 168 frequently used the turnoffs for cooling their brakes.

But Rt 168 wasn't just for automobile traffic. This tiny road was also the single route into and out of the mountain forests, so it was also used by lumber trucks, carrying freshly-felled redwoods and cedars. These trucks were large, heavy, and frequently quite old.

We were on this family trip with our cousins, in two old station wagons, one towing the boat. On the way back down the mountain, we'd stop frequently to cool our brakes. We'd turn the vehicles off, get out and stetch our legs, and us young kids would begin playing around while the adults enjoyed the breathtaking views from our high perch down into the valley.

At one particular stop, the turnoff was on the left (mountain) side of the road, and the families had stopped, turned off the cars, and had then walked across the (then empty) highway to peer down the side of the steep mountain. Then, we heard a sound that momentarily froze everyone in their tracks. A logging truck coming down the tiny mountain road behind us had obviously overheated his heavy rig's brakes coming down the steep road, and was excitedly blasting his horn, warning anyone ahead that he MUST get into a turnoff, or risk losing control of his rig.

I don't know if anyone actually saw the truck, but the sound of his horn was enough to spur the adults into frantic action. My cousin Steve (probably around 19 at the time) grabbed me under one arm, my brother John under his other, and sprinted across the highway to the cars with the other adults, hurled us into the back of their car, and both families skedaddled out of the turnoff so the distressed trucker could stop and cool his truck's brakes.

For the next hour or more, we played "cat and mouse" with that rig. We would turn into a turnoff and take a couple minutes to let our cars' brakes cool a bit, only to be chased out of our resting place by the lumber truck behind us, who obviously needed the turnoff more than we did. But after that first episode caught us all unprepared, requiring us to sprint across the road to avoid a crash with the logging truck, our families kept close to the cars, and never turned the motors off. Our parents remained vigilant for the inevitable horn around the bend behind our vehicles, warning us that we must move, no matter how hot OUR brakes seemed.

Today, God brought this memory back to remind me that, just as he reminded the Israelites through Moses in the book of Deuteronomy, we haven't yet arrived at our destination, so we should be prepared to move where and when God tells us. We must not become complacent in our present state, so that, when God's call comes like that of the insistent honking of the lumber truck, we're prepared to move, and not scrambling to save ourselves.

Be prepared. Stay prepared. And listen for God. Move when God says to move. Because unlike any human, God knows what's around the bend.

© 2008 Scotty Ward

Is God NOT God?

Good morning Lord. Good morning, everybody.

Our church is going through a summertime revival, the messages being given us every Tuesday and Friday evening. The Holy Spirit is palpable each time Evangelist Wych brings a new Word, and souls are being healed, delivered, and set free. Praise God!

Me? Well, I've been in a slump. Right in the middle of the revival! You see, I've had issues that are distracting my focus from God and his Word, to the cares and concerns of my life. Then a few nights ago, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, with four small words:

"Is God NOT God?"

How simple and yet how powerful. With those four words, my entire attitude changed. Because I believe God is capable of anything. He's a miracle-working God, and I've seen his work among the saints.

So nowadays, when life throws me a curve, this small question comes to remembrance, and my "big problems" suddenly shrink in comparison to the power of God.

So the next time you have a problem, issue, concern, or need, ask yourself these four words:

In the midst of our problems, is God not God?

Despite how bad it seems, is God not God?

Work problems? Is God not God?

Finances? Is God not God?

Family friction? Is God not God?

Do we truly believe what the Bible is telling us? God is still working the miracles described in Biblical times. But in order for Him to work in US, we need to be willing vessels for His miraculous works.

So tell Him today: "Have your way, God. Work your work in me, Lord."

And wait for the inevitable change. After all, is God NOT God?

© 2008 Scotty Ward

"Good People" get to Heaven, Right?

(This topic was suggested through a conversation I had with our Media Dept president. I thank God for you, Brother S)

I attended my high school class 30th reunion, a couple years ago. Unlike some people at the reunion, I hadn't kept close touch with my classmates, so as the reunion date approached, I knew I'd be seeing people I hadn't heard from or spoken to in three decades.

During those early years of my life, I wasn't saved. In fact, God didn't save me until the age of 35. So practically everyone in that room knew the "old Scott" who had been acting the part of being Christian, but lived in darkness, not the "saved Scotty" (I picked up the nickname in the military). They knew the former me, and at the reunion met the reborn me.

The night of the event, I sat in a room with hundreds of former classmates. A part I remember most is that some of the men approached me and thanked me for being such a good example to them as they were growing up (though I suffered academically, I'd been a leader in nearly every group I joined during those early years). I had been THEIR examples, but I know I wasn't saved at the time. I now know that if I had died earlier in life, I'd been living a life bound by sin, and the Bible says the sinner won't get to heaven.

So the question arises: is it possible that people who are generous, kind, gentle, and just plain "good people" still don't have what it takes to make it into heaven?

Hebrews 12:14 (Amplified Bible, underline mine) - Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.

In the Bible, the Hebrew words that have been translated into the word "consecration" describe a formal inauguration, a setting in or a setting up of someone or some thing (think of jewels "set" in a crown). Perhaps another way to say this is that we must "set ourselves toward God", and recognize our setting is supposed to be permanent, like those jewels.

Holiness is also defined as a state of "being apart", or separate-ness.

Pursue consecration and holiness? Isn't it enough to just "be good", give money to the deserving, not harm our neighbors; that sort of thing? The Bible says no: without living a life of consecration ("set" toward God) and holiness ("set apart" from the world), we won't end up where we think others - perhaps ourselves - are headed.

One of the quickest ways I know to "pursue holiness" is to set aside time each day to read the scriptures. There are literally dozens of "daily scriptures" or "read the whole Bible in one year" suggestions and schedules out there. Look on your cubicle wall; Christian calendars often have them. Christian websites such as Gospelcom, Our Daily Bread, Blue Letter Bible, and Crosswalk frequently have them as well.

Another way to pursue holiness is prayer. Another is corporate worship. And don't be misled: listening to gospel radio while driving or while you're at work (I do this every day) isn't what is meant by "consecration" or "holiness". Time literally set apart for God is what begins our journeys toward holiness.

It sounds so simple, but the concept is extremely powerful: take some of our oh-so-precious TIME, turn away from the world, and dedicate ourselves to God. Here's a suggestion: Start with 5 minutes a day, but ensure you spend those 5 minutes apart from the world, and get that 5 minutes EVERY day. Because it may amaze you how the phone will begin to ring, people will want to talk to you about a new sale, etc. "things" will come up and you'll find you can't give that 5 minutes without a bit of sacrifice. But press through. Remember, 'without holiness...' well, you know the rest.

PURSUE holiness. That's an action word. Not good thoughts, not good deeds, not "being nice". Dedicating some time to God, each day. And remember, if you need encouragement or direction, turn to any of the website links I've placed above. Or you can read these blogs.

God Bless each and every one of you. And I pray I see you in church Sunday!

© 2008 Scotty Ward

A Really Expensive Hobby

I spend a lot of time, working to live the Christian life. I try to pray for an hour each day. I also try to study the scriptures once each day. My wife and I periodically fast (not often enough, admittedly), and then we have our actual church services, which consist of:

• Monday evening prayer (1 hour, plus travel time)
• Tuesday evening Bible study (1.5+ hours, plus travel time)
• Friday evening Joy Night and Pastoral Teaching (2+ hours, plus travel time)
• Saturday evening prayer (1 hour, plus travel time)
• Sunday services (7+ hours, plus travel time)

If I then factor in all the periodic activities such as district and jurisdictional events, C.H. Mason Bible Institute classes, etc., I think I could safely assert that a significant portion of my life is "Christ focused". I wish to note that I didn't say "church focused", because none of the above time commitments above include "para-church" activities such as car washes, choir practice, bake sales, broadcast ministry work, nursing home visitations, ministerial staff meetings, etc. Just my personal and corporate Bible study, worship, and prayer. So why do I do it? Why do I devote dozens of my busy hours each week to God? What do I have to gain? What's the "return on investment" of this significant time commitment? Does it increase my personal wealth, my fame, or my renown among the people of my community? More importantly, does it make a difference to God? Does God carry some sort of "tally sheet" where he measures the amount of time we spend in devotion to him (perhaps comparing it to the amount of time we spend in front of the television?), and arrive at some sort of "measure of righteousness"?

No, a thousand times. No.

1 Cor 15:19 (NLT) - And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.

I give my time, talent, and tithes to God because he loved me enough to give his only Son, so I could have an eternal relationship with him. He gave me his best, and the scriptures tell us he wants our best in return. How do I figure out what my best toward God is? By staying in the scriptures, by praying, by fasting, and by corporate worship.

If I'm doing this for any other reason, then "living the Christian life" is nothing but a really expensive hobby. I want to live my life in such a way that it brings pleasure to God. As Pastor Hunt so often says, "I don't want to just 'make it in'. I want my life to please him."

© 2008 Scotty Ward

Describe God in 25 Words or Less. Be Thorough.

I hope you've been able to read my last blog (fool's cap), because I believe it sheds light on how God has been preparing me to accept His wonderful word of love and redemption, no matter how simple a package in which it arrives.

It's tough to describe, because human words and human intellect fall short of God.

You see, I'm an intelligent sort of guy, and I've always been that way. My SAT scores were sky high when I took them in high school. I scored in the top 1% on my math SAT. I'm so "smart", I qualify for membership in MENSA. I've been the leader (or a leader) in nearly every organization I've joined, since I was a lad.

But God was impossible for me to comprehend, no matter how hard I tried. Someone who loved me and who had a place prepared for me for eternity, if I would merely believe, trust, and love him today? My intellect blew a fuse every time I tried to wrap my brain around that. It just didn't add up, didn't make sense.

So I decided as an adult that I'd just "believe". Here's how you could look at me and tell I "believed". I'd attend church pretty frequently, identify myself as a Christian, wear a cross, put a fish on my bumper, smile a lot, and put (some) money in the plate on Sunday (not MUCH money of course, but enough so God wouldn't get mad and zap me for being too "cheap"). I even learned how to read and become somewhat familiar with the scriptures. Of course, the scriptures never "connected" with my intellect. There was always something missing. I'd look around and see the other Christians smiling, and thought that if I smiled enough, I'd be Christian too.

But something was missing. So I began to browse the shelves in Christian bookstores, looking for some book or study tool that would help me reach a higher state of consciousness, so I would at some point be able to imagine the length, the depth, the height of God.

Ephesians 3:17-19 (KJV) - That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

But the bookstores were full of books from people that wanted to sell their books, not necessarily to save souls. I got lost in the intellectual drone of other "intellectuals", and my mind told my heart I was on the right path, because I was reading Christian books, and so I was learning more each day.

2 Timothy 3:7 (KJV) - Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Finally, I just gave up. I wasn't able to comprehend or to intellectualize God, so I opened my "intellectual armor" just a crack, during a retreat weekend in May of 1993. And that was all God needed.

I just stopped trying to figure God out, and began to consider the possibility that God was bigger than my cranium. I allowed myself to slow my brain a little, and consider that there were things I couldn't comprehend, but just because they didn't make sense to me, that didn't make them any less valid. I had entertained the idea that God might just be able to outsmart even smart-old me.

And that's where faith began to move.

John 3:3-6 (New Living Translation) - Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God. ”What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.

Intelligent people like me have such a difficult time realizing that our minds aren't complete, that there is something that is terribly important (indeed critical) to our everlasting souls, but can't be computed or analyzed. So that's why, when we as Christians witness to people in the world, we need to pray for those we're witnessing to. We need to pray that God will break up the stony ground of their intellect, and prepare their hearts for the seed which is God's Word.

And as soon as they let down their guard one teensy little bit, God will take it the rest of the way.

© 2008 Scotty Ward

Grab Your Fool's Cap

God's simplicity is smarter than the smartest of humans.

1 Corinthians 1:17-29 (New Living Translation)
For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.

The Wisdom of God

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent."

So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

..................

So, the world may think we're fools, but that's OK. It's not our job to be accepted, but it IS our job to tell the Good News of Jesus Christ in our lives.

So grab your fool's cap, and let's go EVANGELIZE!

Have a great week, everybody!

© 2008 Scotty Ward

Our Praise and God's Presence: They Go Together

Happy Friday, everybody!

I was looking through the story of Balaam this morning, and as I read it from the Message, I noticed something really cool. Look specifically at the last two lines (v 21).

Numbers 23:17-21 (The Message) - Balaam returned and found him stationed beside his Whole-Burnt-Offering and the nobles of Moab with him. Balak said to him, "What did God say?" Then Balaam spoke his message-oracle:

On your feet, Balak. Listen,
listen carefully son of Zippor:

God is not man, one given to lies,
and not a son of man changing his mind.

Does he speak and not do what he says?
Does he promise and not come through?

I was brought here to bless;
and now he's blessed—how can I change that?

He has no bone to pick with Jacob,
he sees nothing wrong with Israel.

God is with them,
and they're with him, shouting praises to their King.

The Israelites are shouting their praise, and God is with them. Is it any coincidence that praise and God's presence are intertwined?

It's more difficult to see this same message in the KJV, where it says "He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them." But the Message paraphrase really brings out the definite relationship between the praise of God's people and His actual presence!

Here's a little more, from Psalm 22:3 (I'm enclosing both the verse and the footnotes):

Psalm 22:3 (New International Version) - Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel.

NIV Footnotes:Psalm 22:3 Or Yet you are holy, / enthroned on the praises of Israel

So when believers give God praise, the scriptures indicate we actually PREPARE A THRONE FOR HIS PRESENCE.

Here's something to consider: are you feeling far from God's presence right now? If so, then ask yourself the last time you gave Him some top-of-your-lungs PRAISE? Isn't He worth it? Hasn't he done enough for you already, to deserve a "thank you"? Check out Psalm 47:1, below:

O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

So invite God's presence back into YOUR life. Give God some "no kidding" PRAISE today. Don't wait until Sunday. Shut yourself up somewhere or go out into a field, lift your face up, and tell God how much He means to YOU. Of course, you can - and probably should - do the same when you get to church too! You could really help that person sitting next to you.

God Bless! See you in church Sunday!

© 2008 Scotty Ward

Exceedingly Rejoice!

This morning's Points of Power on the Yolanda Adams Morning Show was EXACTLY what I needed today!

I was feeling somewhat (Ok, VERY) glum this morning. Numerous issues seem to be accumulating around me and the family, and all of them tend to drag my spirit down. My wife's exhortation and the words from the radio have helped me tremendously this morning, so I wanted to share a little of it.

I thank God for my wife. She dipped into the Word of God and pulled out a string of "gold nugget" scriptures, each more helpful than the last. I'm so very thankful to be her husband.

Here are some quick notes from the radio show I was able to type as I listened
(I tried to convert everything to first-person, to "make it personal"):

Scripture was Psalm 68:1-3 (KJV) -
Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire,
so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

Joy comes from personal awareness of an expected end. That's why, when everything seems so dark and hopeless around me, I can still have joy.

That's why I can rejoice in the midst, why I can sing in the storm.

I must never forget, each and every day, the outcome is, WE WIN.

And in the day-to-day struggle, God is never away from us. He sees our situations, hears our cries, and most of all, He takes pleasure with us in our victories.

But we need to stay in his presence. In his presence is protection, power, and providence. In God's presence is everything we could ever need.

Nothing catches God by surprise. He's totally aware of our situations, and our pain. He just wants to see how we'll act under our present circumstances. Will we seek Him?

At the end of the segment, Yolanda said she remembers how she felt when a group of people
threw her a surprise party. Her attitude and demeanor instantly changed from whatever it was, to joy and delight. Then she told the listeners that we may only see our present situations, but God's just setting us up for a surprise party!

Thank you Lord!

© 2008 Scotty Ward

Salvation by Association?

God Bless you all!

I'm a member of our Evangelistic Outreach team, sent by Pastor Hunt into the neighborhoods of Charles County to knock on doors and seek the lost souls. We don't go knocking on doors to find someone to "win over", but instead to offer people a helping hand, if they desire to be saved. In some cases, we pray with them at their door, but more often than not, the people we visit tell us they're not interested.

One Saturday morning, we visited a particular neighborhood, and as a door opened to me, (after introducing myself) I asked our usual question: "Do you believe in our Lord, Jesus Christ?" One woman's response was curious. As we broke the ice with the above question, her only and immediate response was "I'm Catholic". If I'm able to guess what she was trying to indicate with her answer, she seemed to be telling us "Yes, of course I believe. I'm a Catholic, and Catholics believe, so I believe".

Well, praise God. I picked up on her cue, that she was at least affiliated with a section of Christianity, I said "Praise God. Where do you attend?" "Oh, I haven't attended in years."

She didn't seem interested in a message of salvation through anything but HER church (in this case, the Roman Catholic Church) which is entirely her right, but more curiously, she also didn't seem interested in attending worship, or affiliating in any way, even with her own local denomination.

Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV) - Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

It seemed she felt everything was okay in her life because she was Catholic. She didn't speak of a private worship or prayer life, or of her own study of the scriptures. I got the impression she believed that by being a member of this denomination, that fact alone automatically placed her in right standing with God.

Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT) - Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

This scripture tells me that IF I'm operating in God's will, I'm seeking to do His will all the time, and I'm doing it "with deep reverence and fear". Nowhere in the scriptures (with the exception of the Israelites; the Jews) does God indicate that by being a member of this or that particular religious sect are you any nearer to a right relationship with Him.

Bottom line: It's not about membership. It's about working out my own soul's salvation.

I pray this blog serves as a reminder to all the readers that your (and my) salvation is a personal matter between you/me and God, and you'll find all about it by staying in God's Word daily and by attending worship where Christ is glorified (Scotty's Opinion follows: how can you tell if one or another denomination or service is "good"? Try counting the number of scriptures they use. If you can find only a few scriptures mixed in with all the robes, processions, incense, and high-falutin' language, you might want to pray about where you're at, and why).

Don't make the fatal mistake of depending on this or that particular DENOMINATION (see Hebrews, above). And by all means don't rely on whether what you're doing FEELS right (see Proverbs 16:2). Work your own soul's salvation. It takes work, but Jesus said he'll never leave us or forsake us. The Comforter (Holy Spirit) is with us to guide us to all truth. Denominations don't make the difference. Jesus does.

Have a wonderful and blessed weekend, and perhaps I'll see you at worship!


© 2008 Scotty Ward

Thanks at All Times? Are you Kidding?

Ephesians 5:20 (AMP) - At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

A CONVERSATION:

Now wait just a doggone minute.
According to this, I'm to give thanks to God for EVERYTHING.
But I'm sure God didn't know how tough things could be. He certainly didn't have all my pains in mind when he directed his apostle to write that, did he? Give thanks? How about just getting by!

I mean, I'm supposed to give thanks for those overdue bills? Yep.

Thanks for the unsaved members of my family, who will end up spending eternity in hell unless the Lord intervene? You bet.

Thanks for those negative behavior patterns I fall into, day after excruciating day? Absolutely.

Yeah, but what about the manager that openly seeks to have me replaced? Without a doubt.

All the broken things around the house I can't afford to replace? Uh huh.

The way my wife barely drags herself home each night, and is so tired she falls asleep in her dinner? Yes.

I don't understand, Lord. Give thanks for the pain? For the failures? For the disappointments? For the times I know I'm headed AWAY from you, rather than TOWARD you?

Yes.

But that just doesn't make sense!

Exactly. Give thanks.

But what about...

Give thanks.

Lord, are you SURE this is what you want me to do? Shouldn't I be 'earnestly contending' or something?

You'll discover you can contend much better, AFTER you give me your thanks.

But...

Give me your thanks.

On my good days AND my bad?

Yup. You're catching it now, my son.

When I'm happy AND when I'm sad?

Yes, yes, yes.

Even the in-between times, when nothing catastrophic is happening?

ESPECIALLY the in-between times. You already thank me for the good times, the blessings, and the times you see me. But if you give thanks at other times as well, your thanks is part of your praise, and you KNOW I'll be there when you praise.

Wait. Hold on. You mean to tell me that THANKS is PRAISE?

Yes, just as surely as I AM.

Wow. Gotta be honest with you, Lord. I hadn't thought of it that way. My focus has always been on the problems, the issues, the obstacles standing between me and you.

Yes, I know. But when you thank me, the divisions between us disappear. The situation may still be visible, but your praise prepares my throne right where you are. Remember? You preached that to my saints.

Yes, I remember Lord. I just didn't look at it from that ... perspective.

That's all right. So what are you going to do?

Thank you, Lord.

When?

Thank you, Lord.

Good times AND bad?

Thank you, Lord.

Happy AND sad??

Thank you, Lord.

You're catching on, my child.

Cool! I mean, Thank you, Lord!


© 2008 Scotty Ward

Missed Opportunity

I missed another opportunity to witness. I was so "caught up in the moment", I neglected to give you the glory, Lord.

As I sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-395 one afternoon, a car moved up beside me, and a young couple asked how to get to a certain location we had just passed. I told them they'd have to continue on in this awful traffic, cross the Potomac River, turn around on Maine Street, then come back down and take the exit we had just passed. They seemed a little daunted (it was obvious they were from out of town), so I repeated the instructions, just to make sure. They pulled back behind me, and we again resumed our places in the gridlock. Then I remembered, there was another way to get to their destination, but required numerous twists and turns on roads I wasn't sure were even marked. If they were confused about my first instructions, I knew they'd get lost with this other route.

So I walked back to their car (yes, traffic was THAT slow), told them I had remembered a quicker route, and asked them to follow me. We edged our way to the right lane, pulled off on the exit immediately before the Potomac River, swung right before hitting the George Washington Parkway, and snaked our way through the streets until they were within sight of their destination.

As I slowed to point out their destination so I could turn back onto I-395, their car pulled up next to mine, and the young man leaned over in what appeared at first to be an extremely agitated manner. He stuck his finger out at me in an almost violent fashion, and his next words were a true surprise. "If you EVER get to South Georgia, my name is ----- ------, and I'll do anything for you." He and his wife sincerely thanked me once again, we parted ways, they drove on toward their destination, and I turned back into gridlock (probably no more than 100 yards behind the spot where I had turned to help them).

It seems I had made a positive impression on this young couple. But who got the glory?

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ~Matthew 5:16

I thank God that I am who I am today. He has lovingly (sometimes quite painfully) molded me into the person typing right now, but I'm not sure this young couple were able to draw the same direct line I do, between me and my Father. The young man seemed willing and eager to repay me personally for my kind act, but did he glorify God? Statistically speaking, the chances aren't too good they drove away, praising God for this kind man who helped them in an unfamiliar city during rush hour. I was a kind man, but may not have been recognized as God's kid.

What could I have done differently? I could have truthfully told them that God gets the glory for placing us together so I could be a blessing to them. But "in the moment", I was so concerned about helping them reach their destination and getting back on the freeway, I neglected to give my thanks to you, Lord. And you DO deserve the glory for my life.

Lord, help me to recognize those 'ministry moments' sooner, so I can use every opportunity to tell people about you.

Thank you so very much,
Your Kid.

© 2008 Scotty Ward

"Mostly Christian" Won't Do

Ezekiel 33:12 (CEV) - Tell them that when good people start sinning, all the good they did in the past cannot save them from being punished. And remind them that when wicked people stop sinning, their past sins will be completely forgiven, and they won't be punished.

Have you ever heard (or made) these kinds of statements? "Sure I'm a Christian. I mean, I go to church, I follow the commandments." But is that truly enough to make it into heaven?

The Lord reminded me of a court trial I participated in a few years ago when I lived in PG County. I was called to jury duty, only to find myself sitting on the jury in a trial for first-degree murder. So this example is from my trial experience, not "TV trial" experience (sorry Perry Mason fans). During the trial, the charges were read, the plea ('innocent') was entered, witnesses and evidence were brought up and examined, etc. At no point in the trial was the defendant allowed to speak about how good he'd been, how many charities he'd donated to, how many Sunday School lessons he'd taught. The trial focused exclusively on the OFFENSE. Only during the sentencing portion of the trial were the character and past performance of the person allowed, presumably to help lighten the sentence, if appropriate. But the sentence remained unchanged based on any of this "peripheral" information. If you did the crime, you did the time.

James 2:10 (CEV) - If you obey every law except one, you are still guilty of breaking them all.

Matt 5:48 (NLT) - But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Wait a minute. You mean to tell me that if I tell a lie, or gossip, or something pretty minor like that, God's gonna "throw the book at me"? But what about all the OTHER things I've done for God, like attend church, give in the offering, and I even listened to Christian stations on my radio! Doesn't any of that count?

Luke 13:23-28 (MSG) - A bystander said, "Master, will only a few be saved?"
He said, "Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you'll sit down to God's salvation banquet just because you've been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives. Well, one day you're going to be banging on the door, wanting to get in, but you'll find the door locked and the Master saying, 'Sorry, you're not on my guest list.'
You'll protest, 'But we've known you all our lives!' only to be interrupted with his abrupt, 'Your kind of knowing can hardly be called knowing. You don't know the first thing about me.'
That's when you'll find yourselves out in the cold, strangers to grace. You'll watch Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets march into God's kingdom. You'll watch outsiders stream in from east, west, north, and south and sit down at the table of God's kingdom. And all the time you'll be outside looking in—and wondering what happened.

"So what about 'saved folks'? Isn't someone saved for ever, once they're saved the first time? Is it possible to jeopardize their salvation too?"

For my way of answer, here's an expansion of the first scripture, and a scripture from the book of Revelation:

Ezekiel 33:12-20 (CEV) - Tell them that when good people start sinning, all the good they did in the past cannot save them from being punished. And remind them that when wicked people stop sinning, their past sins will be completely forgiven, and they won't be punished. Suppose I promise good people that they will live, then later they start sinning and believe they will be saved by the good they did in the past. These people will certainly be put to death because of their sins. Their good deeds will be forgotten. Suppose I warn wicked people that they will die because of their sins, and they stop sinning and start doing right. For example, they need to return anything they have taken as security for a loan and anything they have stolen. Then if they stop doing evil and start obeying my Law, they will live. Their past sins will be forgiven, and they will live because they have done right. Ezekiel, your people accuse me of being unfair. But they are the ones who are unfair. If good people start doing evil, they will be put to death, because they have sinned. And if wicked people stop sinning and start doing right, they will save themselves from punishment. But the Israelites still think I am unfair. So warn them that they will be punished for what they have done.

Rev 22:11-12 (AMP) - He who is unrighteous (unjust, wicked), let him be unrighteous still; and he who is filthy (vile, impure), let him be filthy still; and he who is righteous (just, upright, in right standing with God), let him do right still; and he who is holy, let him be holy still.Behold, I am coming soon, and I shall bring My wages and rewards with Me, to repay and render to each one just what his own actions and his own work merit.

So the scriptures tell us that to make it to heaven, we need to GET right, and then STAY right by LIVING right. We must BE right when Jesus returns, and NO ONE knows when that will occur. And the tough thing is we can't - through our own efforts - live a life without sin. But I thank God for Jesus, who died so man (you and me) can have a way back to right fellowship with the Father. He paid a debt he didn't owe, because we owed a debt we couldn't repay. And after he left to be with the Father, Jesus provided us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who accompanies us through all life's struggles and guides us at every step. Prayer, fasting, studying God's word, and paying attention to the Holy Spirit, is the only way I know to ENSURE I'm gonna be on God's "Guest List".

Please remember, according to what the scriptures say, "Mostly Good" or "Mostly Christian" won't be enough. This is an all-day every-day thing.

I pray your strength in the Lord!

© 2008 Scotty Ward