Preaching Jesus Christ

                     The Drive Up

                               On the Property

Traveling

This last month and a half we’ve been busy traveling and visiting brethren in different parts of the country.  We spent the first part of June visiting brother Jim in Detroit.  He regularly goes to the inner city and club districts to preach the gospel.  I was able to join him a few times as he and some brethren preached in these area’s.  It reminded me a lot of when Lisa and I would go to South Dallas to preach.  So many people with hardened hearts and many who actually know much of the word of God.  All professing to be saved believers yet living as if they’ve never met Christ.  And the truth is probably 98% of them professing to know Christ have never met Him.  It really is amazing that you can preach the gospel for the first time to someone who professes to believe in Christ.  It truly is a sad condition in the world today.  In all this though the Lord continues to give us great grace to preach to others.  Though I’ve spent much time street preaching lately I’ve been praying that God would lead me to people who have a receptive heart.. People who He has been working in.  God had been greatly answering my prayers!  I can’t tell you how many people the Lord has led me to recently who have been completely opened to the gospel.  It really has been a blessing.  One day while I was backing up our trailer into Jim’s driveway and having some difficulty.  As I was going back and forth, back and forth trying to get it lined up and a guy starts yelling at me giving me directions to back it in.   We finally get it in and I get out to meet this guy.  His name is Ernest.  Come to find out he’s an ex-gang member and lives down Jim’s street.  I gave him a gospel tract and told him we should get together sometime and do a bible study.  He said ok and walked off.  A couple days later Lisa and I were walking the kids around the neighborhood and I saw Ernest in front of his house.  We stopped and talked with him and learned he had a Catholic background.  He told us of confession, going to mass, and all the other unscriptural practices of the Catholic Church.  He wasn’t very committed to the Catholic church he was just semi-raised a Catholic.  We told him what the word of God said on each subject, were able to share our testimony with him, and talk to him about the necessity of the new birth.   He was really open and we set a time to start having bible studies with him.  Basically since that day we’ve been able to have a bible study with him and his son just about every day.  It’s been amazing.  We’ll be reading through the scriptures and he’ll just breakdown in tears and see his need for the Lord.  He really is hearing the gospel for the first time.  We just continue to pray for him, teach him the word, and exhort him to put his faith in Jesus Christ.  It would be so easy to just ask him to “accept Christ” and pray a prayer with him and to declare him saved.  This happens so often in Christendom today.  And as one brother put it people end up “plucking unripe fruit”.  When and if Ernest get’s saved it will be because God has given him a revelation that Christ has personally died for him and he truly believes it.  No one will have to tell him he is saved…. God’s Spirit will tell Him!  And that is true assurance.  Though the Lord uses His saints to reach His elect, salvation is of the Lord.  As John 1:12,13 says:  


“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Here’s a picture of me and Ernest outside of Jim’s place:

to view this update with pictures click here:

http://www.injesus.com/index.php?module=message&task=view&MID=IB007GCC&GroupID=0T027P8D


NEW MEXICO and TEXAS

It’s been a month since my last update and a lot has happened since then.  We had a good time while we were in New Mexico and were able to fellowship with some dear brethren in Christ and spend some time evangelizing and preaching.  We were in a little town called Alamogordo.  It’s a much smaller town then a city like Dallas.  This made it a little more difficult to find area’s where people congregate to preach and share the gospel.  However, aside from preaching at the mustang show that I mentioned in our last update we were to go to the local Earth Day festival.  Each year in probably most cities there is an Earth Day event to “celebrate” the earth and promote “green” technology and things like that.  In some parts of the country this day is almost like a religion to many people.  It didn’t seem like that was the case in Alamogordo but it was  good to be around a lot of people to share with.  Myself and two other brothers went to the event.  It was held on the Zoo grounds with Police there so we opted not to open air preach and instead talked to people one on one and passed out gospel tracts.  I actually spent almost all my time there talking to just one man.  I went and talked to a man who was the organizer/promoter for a traveling basket ball team called the “Harlem Trotters”.  They are a like the Harlem Globe Trotters and travel the country putting on basket ball shows.  Come to find out the father of the man I was talking to was recently converted and delivered from being a drunk.  So this man was open to what I had to share.  He listened and even had what seemed to be serious questions about the Lord.  As we finished our conversation he asked me if I’d like to come to their basket ball game the next evening and pray for the team.  I told him I would come if I could preach to them!  He thought about if for a minute and said that would be fine.  He gave me a couple free tickets to their basket ball game for the following night.  The next day myself and a brother named Tracy arrived at the game early so we could preach to them before the game.  Because they were busy we got pushed back and were told we could share with the team during half time.  So Tracy and I continued to pray and were able to go into their locker room during the half time.  It seemed like the Lord really blessed our time.  We had the attention of the whole team and were able to preach the gospel to them.  I’m not sure that’s what they were expecting.  They were probably expecting someone to come and tell them how they could “do all things through Christ” how “Christ could make them successful in their endeavors”…ect.  Not sure but that’s usually what happens at these type of events.  Instead we preached on the vanity of life, the foolishness of dreams and aspirations  and worldly glory, how God views sin, how God views THEIR sin, and the wonderful grace of God to provided redemption through His Son Jesus Christ.  It certainly wasn’t a half time pep rally but we prayed God would use us to bring some sobriety to their lives and cause them to think on Jesus Christ and His eternal kingdom.  A couple of the guys seemed to really listen and were even thankful at the end.  They had to leave because half time was over so Tracy and I spent some time praying for them before we left.  We were able to leave them with some Gospel tracts and some video and audio sermons.  It really was a blessed time.  It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord can open the doors to preach in places you would never think of.  

One of the prayers I’ve been praying much lately is that God would lead me to people that He’s been working in.  Those whom God Himself is drawing.  Not that we’re not to preach to all types of people as the Lord brings them into our path but just specifically that God would bring in my path those who have softer hearts towards the Gospel.  The Lord definitely answered my pray.  One day while I was driving around with my son looking for a place to preach we pulled into a park I had not seen before.  After I pulled in I started talking with a man and soon our conversation turned towards Christ.  He said he was born again years ago but since then has practically led a life apart from the Lord.  His marriage had just ended and he had lost his job.  He was wondering what to do about his situation while at the park and then we pulled up.  It was definitely the Lord.  I was able to talk with him about Christ and invited him to the house where we were staying at.  He came over a couple times and we were able to spend some time ministering to him.  We encouraged him to meet some of the other brethren there and we started meeting with him weekly to go through the scriptures.  While we were there we saw a definite change in his life as he began to agree with God’s word about his condition and what he needed to do.  One of the brothers there is continuing to meet with him on a weekly basis.  We’re praying for a complete work in his life.  

Another time I was at Walmart checking out.  I began talking with the man behind me.  He was trying to quit morphine which he had been on for many years to deal with back problems.  I shared with him how Christ had delivered me and my wife from heroin and other drugs.  We talked all the way out to his car.  He had been reading the bible but from what he’d told me I wouldn’t say he was born again.  He just broke down in his car and began confessing all the horrible things he’s done in his life.  Most of his grief seem to be from realizing the hurt he had caused others.  Though that is obviously important I tried to direct his focus from others to God.  Helping him see that it was God who he had offended and ultimately sinned against.  That it was God whom he needed to be forgiven and accepted by.  I was able to share the gospel with him and pray for him.  Unfortunately he didn’t live in that city and was only passing through.  Lord-willing God will water that seed and continue to give it increase.   

One of the things I’ve noticed as I’ve met different believers and something I shared with a brother while we were in New Mexico is there is a real lack of faith in many of the Saints of God.  Sounds like a contradiction but it’s true.  As Leonard Ravenhill once said many Christians are “unbelieving believers”.  They believe on Christ for their salvation but seem to stop there and come short of all that God has for us in Christ.  It also seems that many believers have an unhealthy or unbiblical focus on sin.  Though  we should understand sin for what it is and repent of it when we do sin our focus should be on the living Christ.  It is when our eyes are on Him that we are able to overcome sin and walk in victory.  2 Peter 1:2-4 says:

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”  

God has given us everything we need for LIFE (abundant) and GODLINESS and it come through the knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  It’s through knowing God.  Life and Godliness do not come  through our performance of religious duties or the continual looking at the sin in our fallen nature but through knowing God as He is.  This passage also says God has given us exceeding great and precious promises that by these we may partake of the divine nature.  It is through faith in God’s promises that we partake of and experience God more and are conformed into His image.  God’s divine nature being manifested through us.  It’s not dwelling on our own wretchedness or sin nature that causes us to grow in Christ.  It is dwelling on Jesus and believing all that God has said in His word.  And especially the promises He has given us in Christ.  Doing this will bring the abundant LIFE that God has given us in Jesus Christ.  .  Remember back when you were converted?  Seeing your sin brought you despair which led you to Christ.  Seeing Christ brought you new life.  It no different once one is a believer in Jesus which is why Paul exhorts the Colossians by telling them “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:”  You started out in faith…walk day by day in faith….finish in faith.  It’s such a simple truth that we so often miss that one way or the other greatly affects our growth in Christ.   

After our time in New Mexico came to an end we headed back to Dallas to spend a few weeks helping my mother move and to get a trailer she had offered to get us.  Getting a trailer really was an answer to prayer as it enables our family to have a place to stay, if needed, as we travel around the country.  Here’s a couple pic’s of our family and the travel trailer before leaving Texas: 

The Lord certainly directed our steps as we looked for a trailer.  In fact, we had two trailers we were going to look at in different cities and the Lord quickened the name of one of the cities to my wife in the morning we were going to look.  One was in Grandburry and one was in Justin.  The city Justin was the city that God shared with my wife to go too.  We ended up looking at the one in Grandbury first and then the one in Justin.  As we pulled up to the one in Justin we were told it was just sold.  It was a much nicer trailer and would have worked better for us than the one in the other city.  But the man selling the trailer, Ken, said his friend had another one like it for sale so we decided to look more at the trailer.  While I was looking at it my wife was talking to him and found out he was a new believer in Christ of about a year and half.  He had a glow in his face as he talked about Jesus and how He had changed his life.  We told him a little about our testimony and he asked if we would come in and share it with his family.  We were able to share how the Lord had forgiven our sins through Christ and delivered us from drugs and the lifestyle that goes with it.  Before going into his house he let me attach the trailer to our SUV so I could see how it pulls.  I’ve never pulled any type of trailer so I wasn’t sure how it all worked or if our vehicle would do it.  As we were driving Ken shared his testimony with me.  It’s amazing to see how the Lord can reach anyone He wants to.  Ken shared how he was unhappy with life and didn’t know what to do.  He said he felt the need to go talk to a man who live close to them whom he knew.  This man had never shared the gospel with Ken before.  To make a long story short Ken ends up talking with this man who shares the Gospel with him.  Ken repents and gets born again!  No man preaching to him just God leading him to someone who will preach the Gospel to him in HIS timing.  It was a wonderful thing to see this man, who’s over 6 feet tall and pretty built (he was a former weight lifter) shed tears when he was talking about how Christ had changed his life!   It reminded me of the scripture in 1 Peter 1:8:

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”

That is one of the definite true marks of all who have experienced the saving Grace God in Jesus Christ.  Though we’ve never seen Him..we love Him and rejoice with joy unspeakable!   This Christ we at one time had only heard about becomes the Christ we know personally and fills us with His peace and joy.  

Though we didn’t get a trailer that day we left rejoicing that we were able to know a brother in Christ and share in his joy in Christ.  The great thing was the next day Ken calls and said the buyer of his trailer backed out and we could purchase it if we wanted to.  We ended up purchasing the trailer for our travels.  

DELIVERED FROM SEXUAL SIN    

I wanted to share a testimony of a brother in Christ who recently was delivered from bondage to sexual sin.  To me his deliverance powerfully show’s the truth of God’s word and is an example of thorough repentance.  While I would never comfort people who are in bondage to any sin that they are God’s children it is true that sometimes God’s children can for a time fall away ; so to speak.  I say for a time because those who are truly born of God, the Elect of God, overcome the world.  What must be encouraged though is for one to make their “calling” and their “election” sure.  The only sure place of assurance is having the witness of the Spirit of God and true faith in Christ that naturally produces a holy life.  Well this brother who was genuinely converted had become in bondage to pornography.  It was something he struggled with and made him miserable.  I can remember talking with him and knowing that he was indeed truly grieved and wanted to overcome it.  He was a brother I had been praying for and God had given me the faith to believe he would be delivered.  Then one day he shares with me how God completely delivered him!  He basically came to the end of himself and fell on His knees crying out to God for deliverance.  God heard his prayer and completely set him free.  I share this because I know there are many who want deliverance and freedom from different sorts of sins but are truly unwilling to lay helplessly before God and ask for mercy.  Though their own efforts have never brought them freedom in the past they continue to seek it their own way instead of crying out to God for mercy in true repentance.  Not only was this brother delivered from sexual sin but he immediately began removing and selling all the things that he had purchased and used to try to numb his conscience and that kept him entangled to the world.  Mostly things to keep one entertained and put to sleep spiritually…movies, games, entertainment systems…ect.  He knows that believers are called to live a simplistic life separated from the world.  He truly believes, and I do as well, that God has delivered him in this eleventh hour of the time we live in.  

While not all are called to sell their home and travel from place to place we are certainly all called to live a simple life free from the entanglements of this world.  It would do well for professing believers, like this brother, to take inventory of their life and see what they spend there time on and how it either agrees or disagrees with the word of God.  Though many may not be in bondage to sexual sin there are many who are in bondage to other forms of entertainment or activities that consume their time and keep them from seeking “those things which are above”.  (Col 3:1)  Dear reader, it would do you well in this late hour to do the same before God and make your calling and election sure.  Don’t make the mistake many others do by judging themselves by others instead of judging themselves by the word of God.  

TO DETROIT

On Monday we left Texas and are currently on our way to Detroit to fellowship and preach with a brother name Jim.  Brother Jim has a web site called www.fleebabylon.com .  Lord-willing, while we’re there, we plan on preaching at one of the largest gatherings of Muslims in the country.  It’s an annual event which I believe is held in or near Dearborn MI.  We figured it would take us about three days to get to Detroit if we took our time.  However, here it is Friday and I’m sitting in Kentucky writing this update (about half way there).  When we left the Dallas area we drove from maybe an hour and a half and one of the trailer tires blows out on the highway.  We called AAA - which didn’t cover the trailer - but they did call a guy from firestone name Billy out to change our tire.  Then we tried to start the car but the car wouldn’t start!  Apparently you’re not supposed to leave the hazard lights on when the car is off because it drains your battery.  So after we got a jump start and had the tire changed we were back on our way.  We had traveled about 45 minutes down the highway and another trailer tire blows out!  Now I’m thinking were in more trouble because we’re  in between cities and we don’t have a spare tire because we just put it on the trailer.  I called AAA again and they sent out the same firestone guy.  I made sure he brought two tires so I would have another spare.  It took him about an hour to get to us.  He was surprised to be changing our tire again.  I told him that since he had come out twice the Lord must want me to talk to him about Jesus.  He told me if I had talked to him the first time I probably wouldn’t have had to have him come back out!    I did get to share with him and he was very open.  He really did listen and seem as if the Lord had brought another person in my path whom he had been working in.  The man said he had been born again when he was 17.  Like many he had walked an aisle, said a prayer, and then led a life with NO visible fruit.  He was a false convert.  I gave him a tract and went over some scriptures with him.  He invited me to call him if I come back through.   He finished changing our tire and we were back on the road.  We stopped in Arkansas at a R.V park and stayed the night.  At about two in the morning Ethan started having trouble breathing.  Sometimes he gets asthma attacks when he gets sick.  We gave him some asthma medicine but it wasn’t working but was getting worse.  I took him to the local hospital and they gave him some breathing treatments.  It still wasn’t working too well so they admitted him and he stayed there the next two days.  Thankfully he got better and we were on our way again.  We drove for about 45 minutes and another trailer tire blew out!!   This time it was one of the new tires we had just put on.  This was starting to get a little overwhelming.  Thankfully we had our flat next to an auto place and a man changed our tire for us.  I then pulled into a tire place to have them look at the tires.  The first two tires were old and they think the third one was just a bad tire.  I went ahead and had the other tires replaced as well.  I then went to an RV place and had them look at the travel trailer.  They said there was nothing wrong and didn’t know why we were having all these flats.  We continued on and at about 2 am found ourselves in the middle of a really bad storm with high winds.  Never having driven a trailer before it was kinda nerve wracking and dangerous.   We pulled over at a RV park and decided to stay there for the night.  So currently we’re in Bowling Green KY and have spent yesterday and today at the RV park getting some rest before we head out tomorrow morning.  Lord-willing we’ll be able to drive the last 8 hours tomorrow and make it to Jim’s place.    


I have to say by the time we where admitting Ethan to the hospital and then having the third flat tire I was beginning to wonder if we were in God’s will and was flooded with all sorts of thoughts of doubt.  Not just about going to Detroit but also our family living out of a travel trailer with no permanent home.  (Lisa wrote some of the same thoughts I had on her blog yesterday: www.LisaScott.weebly.com )  I realize these were just fiery darts from the wicked one in the midst of our trials.  I truly believe, though God allowed, our current trials were Satan seeking to hinder us.  I was reminded of how Paul, when seeking to visit the Thessalonians, was hindered by Satan (1 Thes 2:18).   The Lord also reminded me how the Apostle Paul suffered all kinds of things, even shipwreck, as he obeyed the will of God for his life.  Just because God called him somewhere didn’t guarantee his safe passage or an easy journey.   Paul also stated he had no permanent dwelling place (1 Cor 4:11)  Not that this is everyone’s call but this seems to be the call of God for us at this time.  The Lord greatly comforted me with these verses.  The thing is these are truths that I already know and have experienced.  But just because you’ve walked victoriously in a trial and know scriptural truth on a subject does not guarantee you’ll walk victoriously every time.  We must daily walk with the Lord allowing Him to mold us into the image of Christ through every trial we experience.  And certainly the trials ahead of all of us are only going to increase (with greater consequences) as the days get more evil and God begins to intensify His judgments on this earth.  Let us be like Paul and realize in all trials, weaknesses, persecutions..ect are opportunities that in our weakness Christ can be strong. (1 Cor 12:9,10)  It really is a blessed place to be where the power of Christ can rest upon you and God can be glorified.  

If you will, please keep us in prayer as we continue our travels north and for God to continue to enable us to preach boldly as He leads.  


 


IN Christ,

Sean & Lisa Scott


www.preachingjesuschrist.com

Just wanted to throw this out there and see if anyone had one of these.  We are looking for either a camper, travel trailer,pop-up camper or some type of covered trailer that we can pull with our van.  Something we could take with us as we travel and preach.  We're currently in New Mexico but would be willing to pick it up.  If anyone has one that they don't use and either want to donate or sell for not too much it would be very useful to use.  I'll probably look here locally but I know sometimes people buy these type of things and don't use them very much.  So if that's you and you'd like to help send me an email! 

Thanks!

IN Christ,

Sean & Lisa Scott

www.preachingjesuschrist.com

NEW MEXICO

Our family has been in New Mexico for a few weeks now.  It's been a blessing to be able to fellowship with some brethren we've known for a while and to spend some time getting to know other brethren who live here.  I can tell you, at least for me, there's not much in this world that brings greater joy then worshiping and fellowshipping together with brethren in Christ.  And how could we not rejoice when we all have received the same saving grace of God and been made partakers of God Himself!  I truly believe most of us are just standing on the very tip of what God would truly have us experience and live in as the body of Christ.  I pray God would give us all a deep understanding of the Glory of God in the body of Christ and make it a present reality in our lives. 

Right now our plans are to stay here in New Mexico until the Lord leads otherwise.  Some brethren here who are out of town have been letting us stay in their house while they are gone.  We have use of the house until May 6th which is when they return.  We trust at that time the Lord will either provide another place for us or lead us in some other way.  The Lord know!  I know the word of God is true.  "If we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness all these things (daily provision)  will be added unto us" (Matt 6:33)

NOT QUITE INDIA

In India it's very easy to share the Gospel, at least in the area we were living in.  Most people would listen to what you have to say and many would even invite you over to their houses.  However, that's not the case in this country.  Though I've known it before I was reminded of the hardened condition of the hearts of so many in this country.  Myself, Lisa, and another brother went to one of the local parks where they were having a mustang car show.  It's basically a show where men bring out their idols on which they spend thousands and thousands of dollars making them look nice and try to squeeze just a few more horse power out than the next guy has.  The truth is though all our lives where consumed with "something" or "many things" before we met Christ.  It's in Christ that we get set free from all our idolatry and the worthless "things" of the world.  Upon arriving we passed out gospel's of John's to just about everyone there.  Then we split up and were able to talk to some people one on one.  After doing this for a bit I decided to pull out the mic and open air preach.  I was standing just outside the perimeter of the car and started preaching.  I had barely gotten started when a man who had Happily and Willingly taken a gospel of John from us jumped in his car and started revving his engine so no one could hear us preaching.  He was determined to drown out the preaching so no one would be able to hear.  Then one of the event organizers came over and told us we could not preach the gospel there even though we were in a public park bordering the event.  I asked the man if he was a Christian and he said yes and walked away completely angry.  I put up the mic since no one would be able to hear me and continued to talk to people one on one.  By this time the man who had walked off angry had called the police.  The police didn't really do much because we weren't breaking any laws and were preaching on public property.  In fact, I think one of the officers may have been a believer.  He seemed kinda convicted when he was questioning me and was real easy on me.  He was actually very nice.  It's amazing though, it never fails, the people who seem to persecute you the most are usually religious hypocrites.  Those who hold to the name of Christ but can't stand it when Christ is actually preached.  They many not be ashamed at the name of Jesus but they are ashamed of His words.  And that is the true condition of so many in this country.  Through my limited experience I've found that those who have less or those who don't seem to have everything together (nice job, house, money, good stature...ect) seem to receive the gospel with more of an open heart.  (Not always the case but more than not it is).  While those who seem to have everything, like $80,000 sports cars, and all the other delicacies the world has to offer have very little need for God and His salvation through Jesus Christ.  Again, I know the Lord saves men from ALL walks of life but if you ever just go to the streets and talk to people you'll see what I mean.  It makes the scripture ring true "For ye see your calling brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:  But God hath CHOSEN the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath CHOSEN the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and the things which are despised, hath God CHOSEN, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:  THAT NO FLESH SHOULD GLORY IN HIS PRESENCE."  (1 Cor 1:26-28)  My hope and prayer is that God will use the events of the coming days to bring low the proud and arrogant that they may look up and see Jesus Christ exaulted as Savior and Lord.  And when they do, that song called "Turn your eyes upon Jesus" will be true in their own lives which says :

                                                                         Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
                                                                       Look full in His wonderful face,
                                                        and the things of earth will grown strangely dim,
                                                                   In the light of His Glory and Grace.

We've also had the blessing of having one man I met on the street come over to the house for a few hours.  He's a man I met at a different park and just went over to talk with him and started talking about Christ.   We had this man over for dinner and spent a few hours going through the word of God.  I've been able to talk with him a couple times since then on the phone and praying God would grant this man repentance and truly give him the light of the Gospel.

We'll be spending more time in the coming days preaching on the streets.  Please keep us in prayer and pray God would add to His church delivering men out of darkness and translating them into the kingdom on His dear Son. 


BROTHER ISMAIL

Wanted to say thank you to those of you who sent money to brother Ismail.  I don't have some of your emails but wanted you to know that we received the money you sent for him and have forward it on.  I know it will truly be a blessing for him and his family.  They are doing well and continuing to preach the gospel to Muslims and Hindu's and meeting with their home fellowship.  I usually get to talk with him a few times a month over skype and exhort him and his family in the faith. 

OUR FAMILY

I also wanted to just say "thank you" to everyone reading this who has given to us before and to those who are currently giving to us.  I know that you give cheerfully and most of all unto the Lord.  We truly are thankful for each of you who through the love and grace of God have given to help meet our personal and ministry needs.  Some of you I've never even met, and may not this side of eternity, but I wanted to thank you for your donations which have and do help us preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

NEW IMAGE

Lastly you've probably noticed I've changed the image at the top of our newsletter.  As I wrote in our last newsletter I truly believe we live in a time similar to the time of Lot living in Sodom.   While I know during this time the Lord is calling in the last of His elect I know there are many "true" saints of God though grieved at the sin around them have not departed from it in full themselves.  And while we need to be about our Fathers business seeking and saving that which is lost we also need to be exhorting each other all the more as we see "the day" approaching.  Without watching and praying it can be easy to slowly get seduced back into a materialist culture that assaults us from every front.  If we don't watch and pray ourselves we could very well end up like Lot.  For those of you who are walking faithfully with Jesus I'm sure there are true brethren that you know who may be walking in error or compromise in their lives.  Brethren that you know have had a genuine conversion and know Christ but have allowed sin of some form or fashion to gain a hold in their lives.  Let us labor in prayer for these brethren knowing that God can and will restore those who are His and deliver them even in this late hour. 

With God ALL things are possible.  

IN Christ,

Sean & Lisa Scott
www.preachingjesuschrist.com

I received a few responses to the last email I sent out regarding the prophetic dreams the Lord had given Lisa about the coming Judgment on America.  Some of the comments were people asking how they should specifically prepare and others had questions concerning the nature of idolatry.  Then on the other end of the spectrum there were a couple people who made comments about God being a God of love and not judgment.  They believe that because God is love He would not bring judgment because that is not the kindness of God that leads men to repentance.  I thought it would be beneficial to address these comments and concerns in an email for the purpose of edification and clarity.  

Before I start though I would like to say there seem to be more and more Godly men the Lord is speaking the same things too.  I posted on the front page of our site a recent warning given by David Wilkerson and a video clip by Paul Washer.  ( www.preachingjesuschrist.com ).  I encourage you to read the warning and watch the clip if you have not already done so.  Though David Wilkerson and Paul Washer (or anyone for that matter) are not the sole and final authority on what God is doing it is interesting and compelling that saints from different theological and denominational camps, so to speak, are starting to say the same things.  The Lord is faithful to warn His saints and to prepare us for what's ahead.  

NO NEED TO FEAR

First and foremost let me say that any prophecy regarding judgment, in or outside the bible, should not produce an unhealthy fear in the saints of God.  If anything they should cause us to love God all the more for this great salvation He has given us and stir us to live soberly and righteously in this present age.  Even in the midst of great trials and tribulations we can have the peace of God in our heart though the world around us is living in fear and confusion.  Remember, the mystery of the Gospel is Christ IN YOU the hope of glory.  If Christ is in you it does not matters what is outside of you!   

Prophetic warnings though are given for us to test and if true to heed and prepare accordingly.  It goes without saying the greatest and most important way to prepare is spiritually.  It would do each of us well to look at the book of Revelations, an entire book of prophecy, and see how the Lord spoke to the seven churches in Asia.  Not only did Jesus point out what was right in the churches but He specifically pointed out where they were in error and sin and called them to repentance.  I'm not suggesting we spend endless days searching our own hearts but we should ask the Lord to do it for us and bring any hidden thing to light.  I would also encourage you to go and read the passages on discipleship and examine your life by them (Luke 14:26-35, Matt 10:37-39, Matt 16:24-25)  I find these specific words from the Lord are not taken seriously by most and apart from adherence to these one cannot be His disciple.  I’m pretty confident though that most believers know whether they are right with the Lord, whether they are walking in any known sin, and whether they have a clean conscious or not (1 Tim1:5,19  1 Peter 3:16) .  The Lord is faithful to reveal these things to
us.  

IDOLS AND SPIRITUAL PREPARATION

I know there are many people who do believe the Lord does bring judgment AND warns His saints before it comes to pass.  However, even of these I believe there are many who have and will have a similar testimony as we see of Lot.  We read in Genesis 19 of how the Lord delivered Lot from the destruction of Sodom.  In it we also find a delay in Lot to leave when He was told to leave by the angels.  What I find interesting about this whole passage is that Lot believed the angels when they said they were going to destroy the city.  Lot even went out and preached to his own family that they need to leave because the city would be destroyed.  He was preaching the Word of God and telling his family to flee from the wrath to come.  

"Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it.”   So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking."  (Gen 19:12-14)

Lot headed the word of the angles and preached to his family.  But the next morning when it's time to actually leave we see Lot himself lingering in Sodom when he should have been out the door as fast as he was able!

"When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.”   And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city."  (Gen 19:15-16)

In 2 Peter 2:8 we read that Lot was a righteous man and that while living in Sodom he was utterly grieved by the ungodliness he saw in Sodom.  

However, even though Lot's righteous soul was grieved, even though he had believed the word of the Lord regarding the coming judgment, and even though he had preached to others he himself was not ready to depart the moment the command was given to leave.  The word of God says "he LINGERED".  In fact, the angels had to grab him and his family by the arms and take them out of the city.  It says this happened because the Lord was being merciful to him.  

Next we find the angels telling Lot to flee to the mountains, not looking back to Sodom, so they would not be consumed.  But Lot fears that if they flee to the mountains some evil will befall them and they will die.  So he ask to flee to a city name Zoar instead.  The Lord accepts his request and he flee's to the city.  We also know from this chapter when the Lord rained fire and brimstone down on Sodom and Gomorrah that Lot's wife, being disobedient to the command of the Lord with her heart still being in Sodom, turned back and was turned to a pillar of salt.  She was destroyed along with the rest of the ungodly.  

Why was it that Lot lingered when the angels told him to leave?  We know his righteous soul was grieved at the sin in the city so it's not like he wanted to stay and be a part of the community.  And while I'm not sure we can say for certain every reason I do believe Lot's greatest fear was the fear of the future or the fear of the unknown.  When the Lord told Lot to flee to the mountains Lot thought some evil might befall him and his family.  Yet the Lord was sending them there to deliver them.  Surely the Lord would have provided for his family.  The Lord did not just have mercy on them to deliver them from the destruction of the city to then kill and consume them in the wilderness.  Lot was clearly looking at what his eyes could see and not the Lord who was directing him.  

I truly believe this will be the condition of many saints in the coming days.  There will be many who are grieved at all the sin and godlessness they see, they know that judgment from God is coming, they may have even actively preached the gospel warning people to flee the wrath to come.  But many in their heart will be hesitant to depart with what they‘ve grown accustom to that has made their life comfortable.  The biggest mistake being that they like Lot pitched their tent towards Sodom."  (Gen 13:12,13)  It's interesting to see that in Chapter 13 Lot pitched his tent TOWARDS Sodom and then in Chapter 19 we find that Lot now LIVES in Sodom.  Something that Sodom offered enticed Lot to live there even though he was grieved and knew it was a wicked place.  Not only did his living in Sodom cause him to not trust in the Lord's provision it cost him a member of his own family.  He lost his wife to a wicked God hating culture.  I wonder how many men of God have been just like Lot, through failure to lead their families, have seen or will see them swallowed up and consumed with a godless culture.  And not only did he lose his wife but Lot himself was hesitant to heed the word of God. It all began with an open door to a godless culture.  

Now we obviously live in a Sodom and Gomorrah Babylonian culture.  There is really no where to flee to escape living in it but we are called to come out of it.  We certainly shouldn't pitch the tent of our heart towards this Sodom and Gomorrah Babylonian society and let it continue to creep it's way into our lives.  This can happen so easily especially with how much we are continually bombarded with utter wickedness in this society. Not only are we to be on guard against utter wickedness but also against the comforts and luxuries of the society that can spiritually put us sleep.   This is where many fail and in essence pitch the tent of their heart toward Sodom.  But there is a way out!  The Lord always provides a way out for His people.  The way it is through the cross.  We must let the cross do it's perfect work in us...crucifying us to all the world has to offer letting it find no place in our hearts.  We must follow the same narrow path Jesus did, the same path Paul walked, the same path the apostles and disciple walked.  In fact, Paul said to imitate him because he imitated Jesus Christ.  

Anything besides Christ that we let in our hearts and trust in becomes an idol to us.  Which means practically anything can become an idol.  One brother wrote me after I sent out my last email asking me if his car, house, land, job were and idol and if he was wrong to have them.  I had said in my email:

"Many believers and professing believers still have not let God deal with the idolatry in their heart and they will find these coming days most difficult as the Lord strips them of everything they've truly trusted in.  For some it will be their houses, for some it will be their comfort, for some it will be their money, possessions, ect...ect"

He wanted to know if he had to get rid of all these things to not be trusting in them.  Let me clearly state I cannot answer that question in most peoples lives.  One persons idol may not be another’s.  Each one of us must daily walk with the Lord and allow Him to show us what's in our heart, let us know what we really trust in, and whether we are indeed daily carrying our cross.  I was talking with a brother who shared with me that to forsake all means to utterly renounce it from the heart where it had no place or hold on your life.  This for sure is what we all must do.  Through this the Lord might have some to sell their houses, leave their jobs, sell the land...ect.   It would be better to be without these things than to be trusting in them.  Again it comes down to knowing the Lord and daily walking with Him in the light.  I mentioned that I cannot tell if someone has an idol in their lives in "most peoples lives".  The truth is in some believers lives we can see when something is or has become an idol.  When we are walking in fellowship together, especially and primarily in a local body, we are able to know each other intimately.  Through daily contact with each other we come to know each other as we really are (to the degree the Lord gives us grace to do).  Many times we may deceive ourselves but the Lord gives grace to others to see clearly into our lives for our edification.  This is just one of the many reasons why the body of Christ is so important.  

I will say this in regards to possession.  We should evaluate what we have in light of how it serves the kingdom of God.  Is what we own used to meet our needs and further God's kingdom?  Or is it simply because it brings us pleasure and serves really no purpose at all in the Kingdom.  I think many believers actually forget they are pilgrims and strangers just passing through this world and that while they are in this world they are involved in an absolutely real spiritual war.  When a believer truly has their eyes on eternity and understands these things their lives will show that's what they believe..  It will touch every area of their lives.  


PHYSICAL PREPARATION - WILKERSON'S WORD - IS IT FAITH?

Now many of those who are reading this email have not only read Lisa's dream but probably already read David Wilkerson's warning and maybe several other peoples.  David Wilkerson said the Lord warned him of a coming calamity and told him to store up enough food and essentials to last for 30 days.  The question is....is that biblical and is it for me?  While some people would say storing up food and supplies is a lack of faith in God's provision the Word of God say other wise.  There have been several brothers in the Lord who have disagreed with David Wilkerson and brought up the passage out of Matt 6 for their support:

"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."  (Matt 6:31-34)

These passages are absolutely clear that WE are to take no thought about what we are to eat, drink and be clothed with because our heavenly Father knows our needs.  We're not to be like the heathen who endlessly spend their time on the pursuit of the things (though many professing believers do as well!)  We can truly trust in the Lord to provide for all of our needs.  But if we turn to the book of Acts we'll see a man prophesy by the Spirit of God that leads to preparation.  

"Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar."  (Acts 11:28)

Agabus, by the Spirit of God prophesied about a coming famine that would affect the whole world.  He was not given this prophesy so everyone would just have some really interesting information about the future.  This prophecy was given so the saints of God might prepare for what’s ahead.  In this case it was specifically given so they could help meet the needs of saints who would be more severely affected by the coming famine.  It was the Lord taking care of His people.  We can clearly see there was a purpose in this prophecy that had to do with physical preparation and relief. I will say though, the absolute rule to how we should live our lives in regard to our provision is found in Matt 6.  We are to completely trust our heavenly Father for all of our needs and not worry about tomorrow.  However, if you are walking by the light of Matt 6, truly trusting the Lord for your provisions, and the Lord tells you to store for what’s ahead then you need to follow the Lord.  It is certainly not a lack of faith to prepare if you are already walking by faith and the Lord leads you to do so.  The unavoidable result of David Wilkerson’s personal advise (that he says he received for himself from the Lord) is that many will begin to store food and other goods out of fear of what’s ahead.  Their faith will be in their own provisions and not the Lord.  Again, there is no way to avoid this.  But should the word not be spoken because some will fear and move in a wrong way?  Absolutely not.  What each person must do is hear from the Lord.  What the Lord leads one man to do may not be what He leads all to do.  Or the Lord may just use Wilkerson’s word to confirm what He's already been speaking to you.  If you are one that is heeding his word to store up out of fear then you need to repent.  It would be better to go without your needs and walk by faith then to sin by trusting in your own provisions.  Our faith must be in the Lord.  

GOD IS LOVE - JUDGMENT IS OLD TESTAMENT - WHERE IS THE KINDNESS???

I've received a few comments to our last email from people who hold a view that God basically doesn't judge people anymore, the God of the New Testament is all about love, that God wouldn't deal out judgment because that is not kindness and we know that it's the kindness of God that leads people to repentance, and that it's not profitable to talk about sin, hell, and the judgment to come.  (long sentence!)  It's really hard to know where to begin with dealing with all of this.  It truly makes me wonder if some people actually do read their bible or if they just read select verses that appeal what they'd like to think God is like.  The truth is much of this type of thinking come from men like Brian Mclaren, Rob Bell and MANY other post modern emergent church type preachers. They absolutely distort the image of the God of the bible and present "another Jesus" for people to believe in.  

So let me see if I can briefly answer some of these rebuttals with the Word of God.  Though I'm not sure the Word of God will be sufficient proof to those who overlook the Word of God for the teachings of men.  

God is Love:  This is one of the attributes of God.  It is the description of God that is given in 1 John 4:8,16.  This without a doubt is absolutely true.  It is a wonderful thing that God is love.  Any true saint of God knows there is nothing like having the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by faith and knowing that we'll be able to dwell with this God of love through out all eternity.  The problem is many people seem to think the love of God overrides and overrules all of His other attributes which is absolutely false.  In fact, if you'll read Isaiah chapter six you'll get a glimpses of what some of the closest beings to God on the throne have to say about God.  

"In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphim’s: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." (Isaiah 61:3)

Here the prophet Isaiah see's the Lord sitting on the throne with these heavenly creatures around the throne of God.  If you notice they don't fly around saying God is love, love, love (like the modern day preachers would have you think).  No, they cry to one another saying HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is the LORD of host.  It is the holiness of God they are proclaiming!  Some might argue that was seen in the Old Testament and now God is different.  If you look at Revelations chapter four though, you see heavenly beings around the throne of God saying the exact same thing!

"And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."  (Rev 4:8)

God is holy.  The love of God does not override the holiness of God.  It is actually governed by and within the holiness of God.  Yet many today preach, act, and live as if the love of God is some unrestrained unguided love that basically allows for anything and everything and condemns for absolutely nothing. (Which at it's heart come from not really understanding what took place when Christ was crucified) But the love of God does not work this way.  If God loves some things it means He hates other things.  If God loves righteousness it means God hates unrighteousness.  If God loves obedience then God hates disobedience.  And as I stated above many people believe that because God is love He wouldn't judge people as He did in the Old Testament.  Yet even in the New Testament we find people that were judged by God.  In Acts 5 we read about two people Ananias and Saphira that where killed by the Lord for lying.  God judged them and took their lives for their sin.  Also in 1 Cor 11:30 we read of believers who were taken by the Lord for taking the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner.  And then if you go to the book of Revelations, basically the ENTIRE book,  you'll find the God of the New Testament pouring out wrath unlike any that has ever been seen in the Old Testament.  Again, God judging people. Many people have a hard time with this and say that can't happen, even though it's in the word, because it's not God's kindness and God's kindness leads men to repentance.  What they fail to realize is that IT IS GOD’S KINDNESS to allow any sinner to live one moment after sinning even once against God.  And look at the verse in context (another huge problem with the postmodern emergent movement- they seldom use context):

"But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS" (Romans 2:3-6)

Notice right after Paul talks about the kindness of God he say they (some) are stubborn and unrepentant and storing up WRATH for the day of wrath.  Was Paul being unkind?  Did he just not correctly understand this verse like our modern day preachers do?  Paul obviously does not believe that talking about God's kindness excludes from talking about the truth of God's wrath.  In fact it's the very kindness of God for Paul to preach to them THE TRUTH. Just like the Lord Jesus did.  (Paul truly did love them).  Also, if you’ll take time and read 2 Cor 7 you’ll even see that Paul rebuked and corrected the Corinthian Church to such a degree they were made sorrowful by it.  This stern harsh correction by Paul was used to lead them to TRUE repentance.  Yet Paul would be condemned in the eyes of many preachers today for not being “kind”.  It really amazes me that some people have "found" a better way to preach to people than Jesus Christ, Paul, or any of the apostles for that matter.  It would probably take me all day to put up the innumerable scripture references on sin, hell, and judgment in the New Testament PREACHED by Jesus Christ and the Apostles.  My advise to those who have been influenced by these men who distort the wonderful truth of God's word is to PUT DOWN THEIR BOOKS AND TEACHINGS and spend time doing nothing but reading the Word of God.  And specifically read each verse in the CONTEXT as it was given.  It’s so simple but that in and of itself will clear up just about everything.  

I will say this.  If you, in your heart, agree with Jesus and pray "thy kingdom come" you are in essence praying for the judgment of God to come upon the earth.  The kingdom of God coming not only entails people beings saved, delivered, set-free, healed of disease and sickness, but also includes God pouring out His pure wrath on this godless world and putting all enemies under Christ feet (including false teachers - 2 Peter 2).  It is the very thing that ushers in the fullness of Christ kingdom.  Listen to the proclamation of the kingdom of God in the midst of complete and absolute judgment:

"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.  And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth."

How terrible will this time be?

"And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? "

So terrible that men and women will do everything they can to HIDE from Jesus Christ and His wrath.  Very sobering.  

So be careful.  Some of you who are praying and longing for Jesus to return are praying for God to do things you don't believe He will do or should do.  Whether or not you agree with God and His Word... He WILL be glorified through the judgment of the world, the eternal damnation of unrepentant sinners, and the ultimate glorification of all those who have truly trusted Jesus Christ for their salvation.  

*** I realize that I have only "lightly" answered and touched on these topics.  The truth is one could probably write and entire book refuting, with the Word of God, each objection originally raised.  If you personally have questions or comments though...feel free to email me directly.  I'm definitely open to going through the scriptures with those who want too.  Years ago I was indirectly influenced and taught what these post modern emergent teachers are teaching.  But God through His Spirit and His Word saved me from their teaching so I could rightly know Him AND not preach "another Jesus".  

I close with this passage of scripture in Revelations that we may all meditate on the greatness and glory of God.  

       “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.   The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”  (Rev 22:12-21)


IN Christ,

Sean & Lisa Scott
www.preachingjesuschrist.com