Newsletter
Tim Scott
Genuine

Genuine Preaching: Sharing the gospel authentically requires an understanding that it is not about eloquence or charisma but about a genuine connection with the truth of God’s Word. Many believers grapple with insecurities and doubts about their ability to effectively communicate the message, but the essence of preaching lies in obedience to God’s command and a sincere heart for sharing the Word. Throughout history, God has consistently demonstrated His preference for authenticity over outward appearances. He called Moses, a man with a speech impediment, to lead His people out of bondage in Egypt. Despite his initial reluctance, Moses obeyed God’s call and became one of the most significant figures in biblical history.

Genuine
Newsletter
Tim Scott
Semana Santa

Angeles, Pampanga Province — Philippines: The dense tropical air hung heavy, thick with the metallic tang of fresh blood mingling with sweat. Under the scorching 100-degree heat on the streets of Angeles we followed a procession of catholic penitents. These masked men with exposed backs, now stained in blooms of crimson subject themselves to ritual self-flagellation. Tasseled whips lashed bare skin in reverberating tin sounding hits, trailing arcs of scarlet with each agonizing stroke. Children followed the columns, eyes wide, sweat beading on brows as they held small buckets of water. Periodically the bloodied penitents would dip their flagella into the pails, diluting it before resuming their lacerating rhythm. At the front, men shouldered heavy wooden crosses, leading the groups through the side-streets of Angeles city. With each lurching step, flecks of gore splattered outward, misting the ground, walls, and any bystanders with a ghastly red overspray. We were not spared the errant spatter, and immediately wiped away the warm blood that clung to our exposed skin and camera equipment.

Semana Santa
Newsletter
Tim Scott
Supernatural

Witness: In a world obsessed with human logic, philosophical reason and biased scientific theory, the truth of the supernatural and miraculous is often dismissed or ignored. But as believers, we know we serve a supernatural God who transcends the natural realm. Throughout Scripture, we are reminded that the supernatural is REAL and it is an integral part of true faith. In fact, it is impossible to truly have a relationship with Christ Jesus if you do not believe that He is the Word made flesh, that He died for our sins, is risen and will come again. Unfortunately, many modern day churches neglect speaking about the supernatural nature of God because it goes against the mainstream ideals of the world. However, when you read the Gospels they are marked from beginning to end with a documentation of miraculous events from the life of Jesus. This is why the apostle Peter emphatically declares, “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).

Supernatural
Newsletter
Tim Scott
Spark

Spark: How often do we underestimate the power of a single spark? It takes only one struck match to start a blazing fire. One encouraging word might renew fading hope. One act of kindness can shift a hardened heart. One truthful conversation might plant the seed of salvation. One phone call at just the right moment could prevent tragedy and despair. One prayer lifted up in sincere faith unleashes heavenly power. One decision to surrender your life fully ignites a radical transformation. And like a glowing ember fanned into a flame, a divine spark, though it may seem insignificant at the time, can blaze into a sweeping move of God that changes everything. Here are a few examples of historical sparks that impacted the world.

Spark
Newsletter
Tim Scott
Lordship of Christ Jesus

Christ the Lord and Savior: The foundational truth upon which our faith stands is that Jesus Christ is both Lord and Savior. As prophesied in Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” When Jesus walked this earth, He demonstrated His lordship through teachings that astounded the people (Matthew 7:28–29). He displayed authority over sickness, nature, evil spirits and even death itself. After willingly laying down His life on the cross to atone for our sins, Christ proved His supremacy as Savior and Lord through the resurrection. Jesus lovingly calls those who follow Him not merely believers, but friends (John 15:15). Yet we must not lose sight that He is King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). As Savior, Jesus bestows the gift of salvation upon all who call upon His name. As Lord, He rules our lives and demands our unwavering allegiance. Christ alone must occupy the throne room of our hearts.

Lordship of Christ Jesus

Q&A Part 3 with Travel the Road

Q&A Part 3 with Travel the Road

How does one get involved in missions once they feel the call?

Sometimes people feel the call, and they know intimately in their hearts that God is leading them to missions. The trouble is, sometimes, they’ll get that calling crushed and never see it happen. It usually comes from fear. That’s where you really need to build up your faith in the Lord. If God is calling you to do it, you need to take action. Just like a high school student with the calling to be a doctor. When graduating, they take a decisive step to go to medical school. They take active and practical steps to accomplish their calling

Q&A Part 2 with Travel the Road

Q&A Part 2 with Travel the Road

Of the places you have NOT been, where are you most looking forward to going to?

I would say that there are certain countries in West Africa, especially places like Nigeria and Ghana, that we haven’t even had an opportunity to go to yet, and we’re really looking forward to getting over there. West Africa is definitely a new territory for us, and we want to be able to pioneer it sometime in the future.

Q&A Part 1 with Travel the Road

Q&A Part 1 with Travel the Road

Tim Scott answers questions from Facebook

1. Did you guys have any degrees or special training before you went out on the mission field, or did you just study the Bible daily with prayer and head out?

I had a four-year degree in Biblical studies, and William, as most people know, wasn’t a believer at the time. Most of the training, however, came when we were overseas. Before you go out into the field it’s very important to be rooted in the Word of God. You need to know who and what you are in Christ Jesus, but you’re going to grow more as you begin to minister on the field, because you’re going to be among the people and experience different cultures and places. A lot of the knowledge that came was through experience and allowing the Word of God to be implanted on the inside of us as we were traveling from country to country

How Can We Change the Missions Culture?

How Can We Change the Missions Culture?

How can opportunities, culture and environment shape the perception of missions in the global church today?

Recently, we read a news article about the entrance exams taken by 25,000 students in the West African country of Liberia. The headline said this, “Not a single new student will be admitted into the University of Liberia this year after nearly 25,000 candidates failed the school’s admission exam.” Not a single one in 25,000 passed! Why? For starters, years of war, corruption and low standards in education have laid a culture of underachievement and made it virtually impossible for youth in Liberia to have a chance at higher knowledge. These results in Liberia are simply a result of environment, culture and opportunity

Five Principles to Live By

Five Principles to Live By

Everyone wants to change, make themselves better, healthier, smarter, achieve more, et cetera, but few actually accomplish it. For many people, years pass and regrets build. Failure and unhappiness creep in and soon you are met with a crisis. But you can avoid these struggles! Take faith and know God has great plans for you. Here is a list of principles that will help you effect the change you want to see in your life.

“Xmas,” as an abbreviation for Christmas, offensive?

Here’s a holiday surprise that only the dictionary can provide. Do you find the word “Xmas,” as an abbreviation for Christmas, offensive? Many people do.

You won’t find Xmas in church songbooks or even on many greeting cards. Xmas is popularly associated with a trend towards materialism, and sometimes the target of people who decry the emergence of general “holiday” observance instead of particular cultural and religious ritual.

But the history of the word “Xmas” is actually more respectable — and fascinating — than you might suspect. First of all, the abbreviation predates by centuries its use in gaudy advertisements. It was first used in the mid 1500s. X is the Greek letter “chi,” the initial letter in the word Χριστός. And here’s the kicker: Χριστός means “Christ.” X has been an acceptable representation of the word “Christ” for hundreds of years. This device is known as a Christogram. The mas in Xmas is the Old English word for “mass.” (The thought-provoking etymology of “mass” can be found here.) In the same vein, the dignified terms Xpian and Xtian have been used in place of the word “Christian.”

Source: Dictionary Blog

Travel the Road review by Barry Irwin

Travel the Road review by Barry Irwin

I am a passionate movie lover. My wife and I enjoy nothing more than viewing a well written story in a movie theater, renting one from Red Box, or streaming an indie film on Netflix. What excites us even more is when the film has Christian elements or depicts a Christian story that honors the historical documentation of the Bible. As I research and write more and more reviews about Christian artists, I am excitably encouraged at how God is using film to share His Gospel message. With this discovery, God has opened my eyes to an even newer medium (for me anyway) of how documentaries and reality television can be used to spread the Gospel message.