“ONE DAY” by Scott Ward

My wife was reading a poem that I wrote at a time when I was struggling with a particular sin. She thought that I should post it. So here it is:

One Day
One day things will be easier when stuggle goes by
and no temptations of sinning will arrive.
Self control seams so hard some days,
filled with struggle and war on the way.

One day I will fill the task
of listening more to a saviour at last.

One day comes, and one day goes,
and I realize I still have things that no one knows.
Sin beakons at the door, Struggle comes and then the war.

One day I will I survive and draw closer to the LORD,
but until that day, I will stand at judgements door.
Although I have messed up so many times,
I have hope of forgiveness of my many crimes.

One day I will win, this battle that rages from sin and death.
I will overcome and be his guest.

March 13, 2009 0

Heart Breaking News!

Recently I read a couple of blogs online that seem not only to reject the God that created them, but also to chide those who embrace him. I know that persecution is not that strong in the United States, but it is in other countries (See Voice of the Martyrs), but it still doesn’t take away the fact that these people are rejecting God. It is heartbreaking news to know that someone is outright rejecting God – that is heartbreaking enough, but to know that they reject and hatefully go after those who do, is even more heartbreaking.

I used to be the type that would argue my point until I was blue in the face. Then I realized that it was going to do no good when they closed to the idea that Christ died for them so that he could spend an eternity with them. This is when Matthew 7:6 came more to light for me.

Matthew 7:6 (www.biblegateway.com)
” Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:5-7 (in Context) Matthew 7 (Whole Chapter)

The “Good News” (Gospel) that we have is a precious pearl and treasure to the Christian. It brings hope. It brings life. It brings joy (notice I said joy not happiness there is a difference). It brings us closer to a God who loved us enough to send His son to take on the penalties of our wrong doing (Sin).

Romans 5:8 (www.biblegateway.com)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-9 (in Context) Romans 5 (Whole Chapter)

But your faith will also bring persecution. They will turn on you and trample you, but just like Paul you have to brush yourself off and continue in the Faith. It is not always easy but it is always for the good.

Now I read things like this with a saddened heart and maybe or maybe not leave a comment, then I move on. It is heartbreaking to leave them as they are, but we have to remember, “Just like the people complaining to Moses, it wasn’t him who they were rejecting.” We cannot give up on sharing the gospel, but remember Matthew 7:6. Give what information that you can in love and pray for those who persecute you – but don’t throw your pearls before swine for they will turn on you and trample it underfoot.

January 26, 2009 0

Invite Him This Season

Last night I had a dream about a man that decided that he wanted to be a Christian, so he thought that the best way was to get up between 4-6 AM and dedicate that time to the Lord. As time passed he noticed that not much had changed except the time that he woke up. Frustrated, he became angry at God and started to yell at him. “Where are you!” Then with a small still voice he heard, “You dedicated the time but you never invited me to join you.”

I woke up thinking to myself, “What does this really mean?” I gather that he was saying what Scripture says.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

and

that (A)if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and (B)believe in your heart that (C)God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10

I am sure that it has some to do with that, but I think he was talking to me directly. I haven’t really gotten into this Christmas season so far and have not taken the time to include him in on all the hustle and bustle that this holiday season has caused. This Christmas season I want to take some personal time, to spend with my Lord. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate his birth, then to spend some quality time with him. That is the gift I imagine that he wants the most. It is good to love people, but we cannot forget that that command was the second of two. The first was to “Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind – then people. -Matthew 22: 36-40” I know that we can love God by loving people, but sometimes I think he just craves us!” I hope this Christmas season, I get a better attitude, Love people, and Take some time for the God who created me. I hope the same for you as well. – Merry Christmas

December 17, 2008 0

Friends don’t let friends be call Hypocrite

I was talking to a friend about church. Actually the converstaion started out about whether alcohol should be permitted in the church and went from there. He stated that, “I don’t get into all that religious stuff because I don’t want to be called a hypocrite.” At first I thought it was a weak excuse, and then I realized what he was truly saying. It is probably the only real reason that someone who does believes in Christ doesn’t want to accept him as LORD. What it really comes down to is “If I accept Christ then I cannot continue to do the things that I want to do!” It is mainly just a flat excuse out of rebellion on the part of the sinner. This is an example of someone who does not have “The Fear of the Lord!”

I do however resent the fact that what he was saying is, “that all Christians are just Hypocrites anyway.” I think that it is just an excuse, but also degrades the whole Christian faith at the same time. It is not that the Church is filled with Hypocrites. It is that the Church is filled with People (Sinners) who have been saved by grace and mess up every once in a while. We are all human. The only difference is in whom we are trying to follow. Are we trying to follow the father of this world, or our Heavenly Father, who sent His Son to die for our sins?

Every other religion in the world is about “man trying to get to heaven by what he does.” This is however not what grace is all about. Grace is all about God coming to us to bridge the gap that we cannot fill on our own. It is like trying to jump the Grand Canyon. We can run as fast as we can and jump, but we are not going to get all the way across. Some people are good enough that they can jump a little further, but the fact is that we cannot do it on our own initiative. The only way to get across is getting the Help necessary. Only God can pick us up and place us on the other side. Jesus is like the bridge that connects each side. You just have to choose to take the bridge. Still some try to jump across – the problem is that they are not going to be able to make it on their own.

Essentially the Good News (Gospel) is that God prepared a way to get to him. All we have to do is accept His help. That means trying to follow His direction for our lives. Granted we all make some mistakes, but he will pick us up and dust us off and we can continue on our journey. It is not that Christians are Hypocrites, It is that we are Human.

If you are reading this and want to accept Christ, follow the information provided below and the contact someone that can help you in your new faith Journey.

How to receive Christ:
1. Admit your need – The need for a saviour to help you. (I am a sinner.)
2. Be willing to turn from your sins – essentailly to try and do right before God. (Repent.)
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive him as Lord and Savior.)

What to Pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you want to talk to someone or for Prayer visit:
Clear Lake Baptist Church

November 11, 2008 3