When men go to war

I woke up this morning with 2 Sam. 11:1 on my mind. Now you might be saying that's an odd scripture to have on your mind. Doesn't say much does it? Here Read it:

2 Sam 11:1
11:1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
NIV

What I want you to understand is this verse starts a series of events in David's life he would love to take back. Everything in your life begins somewhere. The more times you can start things off right the more times they will end up right. David was a king. The Bible says when KINGS go off to war (real king's not last name king) and David didn't. He didn't do what he knew was the right thing to do. Maybe he was tired...surely God would understand that he was tired...my goodness he has been going to church, I mean at war most of his adult life. The problem is not God understanding...God is NOT the one tempting you to do wrong. (James 1:13) Making things simple...do what is RIGHT not what feels right. When king's go to war, David stayed home. Staying home isn't bad, seeing Bathsheba taking a bath is and he would not have seen her if he had been where he was suppose to be. A scottish proverb says, "If the Devil finds a Man idle, he'll set him at Work." See you Sunday :o) Get there early!

Remember me in Prayer today...

Isn't it funny how many of us think when we hear that statement? Our first thoughts are negative. (or at least most people's first thoughts are negative) I'm not saying we shouldn't ask for prayer it's just that when someone starts a statement with, "Remember me in prayer" it is usually because they have something happening that day that could potentially be negative. It amazes me how many people are negative about how they pray. I had a class once that required us to listen to people pray (I know it's kinda stupid sounding) until you do it. Most people approach God with this defeatist attitude. An attitude of Please God, Pleeeaaaasseeee. Why is that? Is it because we have prayed before and our prayers were not answered and so now we have this idea that we have to beg God? Read these verses:
Heb 4:16

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
KJV

Heb 13:6

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
KJV

We must understand that it was Jesus who said, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matt 7:11 NIV

Let's not think of prayer as a beg session but rather a request...God might answer it your way or He might answer it His way...either way His answer will be perfect.

Mark 11:24

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
KJV

Oh and by the way, Remember me today. I have a meeting with several pastors in the area at NewSpring. Many of you know that I am a people person but for some reason going to meetings with other pastors....well let's just say, I HATE IT...no offense other pastors...I will let you buy my lunch. Seriously, I know that for me to be the best I can be I need to surround myself with people who are not or who do not do ministry the way I do. It strectches you...it's sorta like my rollercoaster ride.

Last thing, I PROMISE:

Have you ever wondered why the same ole things keep happening to you? Have you been taking the proverbial one step forward and two steps back? Are you ready to break out of bad cycles? Then DON'T miss TONIGHT at CIOC!

Sir Issac Newton's Third Law of Physics

I know, I know...you are like me and are trying hard to repress your high school days...but I was thinking about this and didn't really know what it was. "Every Action has an equal and opposite reaction." That is Newton's third law of physics. Now you might be saying what does that have to do with me? Well you need to understand everything you do has a reaction connected to it. You might not see that action immediately but trust me there is a reaction taking place and the effects will be realized. For instance, if I look at Tyra and say You are so stupid (first of all I am not that stupid but for anaolgy sake) that would create an opposite reaction back toward me of anger and being mad. But, if on the other hand, I say you are so beautiful, that will cause her to melt in my arms. You see, each action (you are stupid or you are beautiful) has a reaction. By default we learn that we can control the 'reactions' that take place in our life by the actions we perform. Another law is coming to mind...it's a biblical law Galatians 6:7, "Whatever a man sows, he reaps." I am convinced that so many people don't like the life they are living but continue to sow the same seeds. If you don't like life...change the seeds you're sowing. God Bless.

Tactics of the Enemy

Today at church we talked about the tactics of the enemy. Here they are in case you forgot.
1. Imitation-The devil imitates God hoping that you don't know the difference.
2. Intimidation-The devil intimidates you hoping you don't know who you are.
3. Isolation-The devil gets you isolated so you will not know your worth.

What I said to the man...

Now that I have had you on the edge of your seat for a couple of days...this is what I said to the man...You're right...it's really no different in church. But the church is a place for all those people to find change in their life. You don't come to church and on your way in we spinkle magic dust on your head and instantly you are changed (I wish we had that) you come and find areas in your life that need change and by the grace and help of God you change them. In fact Paul states one time that he was not aware of sin in his life until the law. Many of us don't realize our "issues" until we are faced with a Holy God. So don't stay out of church because people there are not perfect. Come to church and strive to be the best YOU can be. It's not a place of perfect people just perfect seeking people. God Bless.

It's no different in the church

I was in a conversation one day with a non-believer. We were talking about integrity in the work place, honesty, and character. He began telling me how in the world people will do anything to promote themselves. They will "throw you under a bus" in a second if it will make them look good. I was thinking, and I believe I said it before realizing it, "It's no different in the church." To my suprise he responded, "That's why I don't go to church."

Forgetfulness...a thing of getting older I guess

Have you ever had the greatest blog ever in your mind and before you could blog it.....you forget it? Well that happened to me last night. I was outside, I believe, and got this amazing life changing thought. I came in, got sidetracked, and poof...it was gone. So, pray for me today that it will come back. On another note...TONIGHT is going to ROCK. The past couple of Wednesday nights have been different at CIOC. Tonight will be more informational in sermon type but awesome. Most want to change their bad thinking habits but don't know how. Tonight I am going to talk about three areas that you can change in the physical world that will change some of your thinking. If you have a problem with "stinking thinking" you don't want to miss it. If you simply have issues with thinking negatively, I know...not you, you will want to be there. I must admit it's HARD to try and change mindsets that you have had your whole life. Since starting this whole "The Power in Your ______" series I have been listening more, watching more, and really getting a sense that Americans are cynical (Negative or pessimistic, as from world-weariness). I don't like that because I see a part of that in my life. You don't want to miss it tonight.

Forgetfulness...a thing of getting older I guess

Have you ever had the greatest blog ever in your mind and before you could blog it.....you forget it? Well that happened to me last night. I was outside, I believe, and got this amazing life changing thought. I came in, got sidetracked, and poof...it was gone. So, pray for me today that it will come back. On another note...TONIGHT is going to ROCK. The past couple of Wednesday nights have been different at CIOC. Tonight will be more informational in sermon type but awesome. Most want to change their bad thinking habits but don't know how. Tonight I am going to talk about three areas that you can change in the physical world that will change some of your thinking. If you have a problem with "stinking thinking" you don't want to miss it. If you simply have issues with thinking negatively, I know...not you, you will want to be there. I must admit it's HARD to try and change mindsets that you have had your whole life. Since starting this whole "The Power in Your ______" series I have been listening more, watching more, and really getting a sense that Americans are cynical (Negative or pessimistic, as from world-weariness). I don't like that because I see a part of that in my life. You don't want to miss it tonight.

GOLF...God's four letter word for Christians

Who said Golf wasn't hazardous? Check this out...DEHEC should have been called in!! Isn't Dumpster Diving Illegal?

Let your Life Speak

Today I was riding down the road and saw a sign in front of this business...it said, "Let your life speak and not just your words." WOW...As Christians we should let this be our motto...allowing our life to speak and not just what we say. Try it...someone might just be looking.

Where Rules don't apply...

Haven't you always wanted to hear that or be where that is true...Where rules don't apply? Well I was reading a passage of scripture today and I thought..man that's awesome. Amos 9:13

13 "The days are coming," declares the LORD,

"when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman
and the planter by the one treading grapes.
NIV
There is a day when the natural law of sowing and reaping will literally become one. I am finding out that this life with Christ is just that...with Christ. We get saved and forget the relationship. Have you ever seen the movie "The Matrix"? It's almost like reality is hit with those things that are not seen. 2 Cor 4:18 says, "while we do not look at the things which are seen , but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." NKJV You might be saying "What in the world are you talking about?" Well, through Christ we are able to walk in His presence where the things of this world do not affect us. It's not that you can't go through anything..in fact the Bible tells us that in this world you will have tribulation...yet, as a member of the body of Christ...things of this world should not affect us the way it does those who do not know Him. I encourage you today to get in the presence of God. In His presence things work out. Time seems to stand still and while you are there God works your life out for you. God Bless.

Change comes at a PRICE! aka Can't never Could, Could Never Would

As a pastor I hear many people talking about wanting to change their life. But Change comes at a HUGE PRICE. Change isn't a thought only but an action. It is venturing off into unchartered waters in your life. It is doing things that you don't like to do and feel you can't do. There are a LOT of things I don't like...but I am not happy with that. I don't feel that I sing very well...but for some tone deaf reason my worship leader thinks I can. I fight it all the way down but I know if I want my life to change I have to push through things I don't like. One of the things I stress at CIOC is never say you can't. If you get in a habit of saying, "I can't do that" you will fight that devil the REST OF YOUR LIFE. Any time something gets tough you will just say I CAN'T DO THAT. I laugh at David Ramey becauuse when he first started coming to CIOC I would ask for things in the music and he would respond I Can't do that...I fought with him all the time..but now he doesn't say he can't...he simply finds the strength within himself to do it. Trust me...you can be strong in one area of your life and a wimp in another area for long...your wimpyness will bleed over into every area of your life. For instance, I don't like being in a group of other pastors...no offense...but for some reason it makes me nervous and on edge...I HATE IT. Recently I was asked to be a part of a Pastor's Covenant Group. I accepted. The first couple of weeks were ok...but now it's getting personal...and I fight to go every week...but I get up every Thursday and make the trip to the resturant to eat and fellowship...WHY? Not because I am good at it or even like it but because I need to kick that attitude out of my life. Just today I signed up to be a part of another network of pastor's and will be meeting with guys that are SOOOOOOO different from me and my style...why do I put myself through so much TORMENT? Because I want to stretch myself beyond things I don't like. I don't want to say, "I am not good at that" or "I don't like that" to anything...now don't email me telling me of things you know I don't like...I am a work in progress..
Take life by the horns...don't say you can't or you suck or you're an old, fat man (that's for Heather) Simply get up and do it. If you have "gracefully" bowed out of something...gracefully bow back in and kick that mentality out of your life.
Remember It's Easier to say I Can't rather than to say I CAN but I Can't changes nothing, I Can will change your life.

For some reason I am overwhelmed with Excitement

Hear me Loud and Clear...God is up to something in Anderson, SC. I was praying for tonights message and it's almost like I was reassured that God is about to explode in Anderson. I heard the voice of God saying it's not called the electric city for nothing. You know that the Pentecostal movement actually got it's start in and around Anderson? Sure did according to what I was told. (I know that the oldest Church of God is in Walhalla, but listen guys we weren't the first in everything.) Don't know about you but reading some of the blogs from people in our church...I know now that people, including myself, are getting it. It's about us and our mindset toward that of Christ (Phil. 2:5) that changes our world. Here are a couple of them...if yours is not on here...send me an email @ PastorScottKing@aol.com and I will post it here if I like what I read AND you keep it updated.(I have room to talk LOL)
Heather McCullough
Mary Motes Mary
Jamie Richards (you need to post brother!!)
Kim Holloway

Just to name a few. God Bless...Tonight God is going to ROCK OUR FACES OFF. I am preaching on The Power of Your Priorities!! Don't miss it.

An Awesome Sermon

Last night Tyra and I went to the Church of God Campmeeting. We always feel like a fish out of water because so many preachers there are looking for another church to go too (WE ARE NOT LOOKING...Sorry, LOL). Last night Dr. Raymond Culpepper preached. Many of you have never heard of him but he used to pastor a church in Birmingham, AL. This guy is just a preaching machine. Well, last night he preached a sermon called "The church in the 21st Century." Oh my goodness...this guy gave so much information on way churches are the way they are and why people in the world today act as if they don't need Christ. Needless to say, and I am not ashamed to say it, I bought the CD and will be preaching this stuff. I have heard so much about the church in the post modern world and have never really understood what that meant. Last night I received revelation on all of it. It's amazing. Can't wait to see what God is going to do with all of us.

An Awesome Day and not because

it was Pastor's Appreciation day. This day is always hard for Tyra and I. Don't get me wrong..we, like everyone else, like encouragement, but we don't feel deserving of all that CIOC puts out for us on this special day. I want to thank Shellee and ALL those who helped. I get ready for church every Sunday and I know something like you guys did today isn't easy by any stretch. Thanks to Blake and Heather, Wally and Julie for helping with the power point and the music. In general thanks to EVERYONE. You guys are why we continue! You are AWESOME and we are going to TAKE ANDERSON!!

An interesting Call Today

I got a very interesting call today. It was from Johnny Thomas. He said, "Pastor I know that we are going to do something in Anderson...I just know it." WoW!!! That excited me so much. I am pumped about this series. God is calling this church to grow up in Christ. He is showing us the awesome zoe...the God kind of Life. That's what I want. How about you? Ephesians says that God can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we can ask or think...funny how he said THINK...but it's only according to the power that works in us...more next Wednesday...thanks in advance to everyone for Pastor's Appreciation Day!! You guys are the BOMB!