My ears pricked up too when Patrick mentioned us being ambassadors as, sadly, I had forgotten, like many, I am sure, I have become weighed down by the waiting and the increasing lawlessness around the world. I am so aware of how blind most of the world is at what is happening right before our eyes and I, too, am so tired. I want to run away and hide and let all of it just pass me by but that's not going to happen. So your piece is very timely. I forget that I cannot as such gird up my loins, I have to ask the Holy Spirit to enable me to do that, so often we can easily slip into working in the flesh and not the spirit, so thank you Scott for such a timely encouragement, which is what I view your piece as - I am feeling encouraged because you have put into words what it is I have been feeling.
Talking about ambassadors, did you know that when it becomes obvious that one country is going to war with another, the country which will be attacked instantly removes its ambassador from the country which is preparing to attack. In other words the ambassador is not there when the war starts - ie we will not be here when God really starts to express His judgment on this world.
As ever you hit the nail on the head and I thank you so much for that.
PS Contrary to popular opinion, I too am an introvert hence why I relate so well to you, I had figured out you were, I have just learned over way too many decades to hide it. But your wishing to go camping reminds me of something I heard, extroverts derive their strengths from mixing with people whereas introverts derive their strength by withdrawing from people for a time. XX
Hi Julia, that comment about ambassadors reminds me it is sometimes used for a pre-rapture position. Hang in there and get some rest. DM me about A Creed of Saints when you’re done reading it.
Hi Scott, sadly you have chosen not to respond to my request for a more personal and private way of contacting you, even if only to let you know my comments and review of your book so, as I am having a massive problem with my bank, it could be some time before I go to Amazon.com and place a review, sorry. To this day I have no idea what DM means so I cannot DM you!
Sorry it is not filed against your name and so I presumed I did not have that address - my memory is not quite as good as it used to be and I had forgotten this, again, please forgive me. I will now set to:
I have almost finished it, just 20% to go. What does DM mean. The only way I can message you is through substack and there are things I would like to say about the book but if I do it here there will be spoiler alerts! Is there another way to contact you privately? julia@pomeroy.me
Thank you, brother Scott, for yet another encouraging, honest, and convicting witness. Our awesome God is using you in great ways to strengthen the watchmen, point others to Him, and be a missionary to the tribulation saints.
All glory be to Him! 🙌
I will continue to pray for your strength, perseverance, and peace. 🙏🏻
This seemed personal to me. When you write like this, well, I know that we've been on, and are still on, the same team....traveling in the same direction and from the same direction. It's crazy! I was always one after the Lord's heart, or so it seemed. I knew that there was a good possibility that I might be the only picture of Christ that someone might see....so I had better be a good picture. But in 2020, after the election, something happened. I felt that the constitutional protections in place for our election process had failed (they did). And I started going down rabbit holes. And I lost sight of the One I should have been following. (Very quick summation.) But the Lord is gracious and merciful. He startled me awake in the middle of the night a couple of months after that, and verbally told me: "This does not end the way you think it does, it ends the way I say it does. Get up and go read starting with Matthew 24." And so I did. And so I still am. And so I left all the other nonsense behind. Since that night, I look at everything through the lens of Scripture. I listen only to sound teaching, and I'm extremely particular about to whom I listen. I believe God has drawn a line in the sand. One side is for those who have woken up to His word and have His heart. The other side, is....well, the other side. That's not to say that they can't wake up. They can. But some won't.
Even as Believers and Followers of Christ (as Jack Hibbs likes to say) we still sometimes struggle with our sin nature. There are times when I fight with the old woman every day all the time. I ask that the Lord take captive these thoughts and put them to rest as I'm not that old woman, I am a new creation. And I repent of these thoughts, and I thank You, Lord, for forgiving me and redeeming me and keeping me focused on You.
Thank you, Scott, for having this forum. It is so appreciated!
God bless you, forever and a little bit more (lay-o-lum van-ed)
Georgia, this is a great testimony and speaks to where I kinda think we are. I'm trying to make this a place where we can just think. Not intellectually, but just regroup as Brothers and Sisters as we serve Him in mission and resist all the other stuff. It is draining for sure. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you Scott. Thoughts of a true and humble servant and words that resonate, especially the grief for those perishing around us. Prayers for your renewal and preservation.
Seeing all the beast infrastructure going up around us and knowing that billions will die after the Rapture….is making me take my call as Christ’s ambassador very seriously. Time is short.
Thank you so very much, Scott! Julia’s comment exactly echos my own. I needed this encouragement and honesty more than I know how to say. You captured wall precisely. You’re so much better at expressing your thoughts and feelings than I am and I’m grateful for all your efforts!
I can’t remember things the way I used to, either, and paraphrase a lot. I pray every day that the Holy Spirit will take control of my mouth and use me to His purposes when speaking, that our Lord help me not to miss an opportunity to be a light to bring glory to His holy name! Even if it’s the simple kindness of letting someone turn into the flow of traffic.
I, too, am an introvert and completely understand what you’re saying about needing rest. There are times the world (people) become so overwhelming that I can no longer deal with it and need to withdraw for a short while just to recharge and gather m thoughts, spend time with our Lord.
The world has become so ugly that I struggle to make myself engage with others. I feel like I’m failing our Lord miserably. 😔
Laura, I try to not think of it as success or failure. One of the things I try to say to myself is to do my best. The Lord knows. Which is also why open ended prayers help me have more peace. For example: “Lord, help me finish well…I don’t want to see the shadow of disapproval come over Your face at the Bema.”
Thank you so much for this honest and heartfelt blog. It was quite encouraging to me, because it helped me understand something with which I deal on a regular basis. I get so discouraged when I react poorly to a situation/person, because I am not reflecting Jesus Christ in that situation or to that person; however, lately I have been asking the Lord, "Lord, you always say things better than I do, so please speak through me now. Take away my reaction which dishonors you and glorify yourself through me." When I pray this, some of the kindest and gentlest words and actions come out of my mouth and/or what I do, that I find myself saying, "Lord, you are so kind!" because I realize it wasn't what I, in my flesh, would have said or done.
But the thing that, for some reason, struck me as I read your blog, was that this is the way it is supposed to be in my life. My flesh is still with me, even though I am a born again follower of Jesus Christ, but every time I call out to Him for a different word or a different reaction, He answers that prayer. I see myself and the reaction or the struggle, and when I ask for His immediate help in that time, I get to see Him working through me. The need to reach out to Him during those times (and there are a lot of those times these days with all that is happening in the world) ends up with me thanking Him for confirming that He is still with me and still working through me, and for that I am so deeply grateful to Him.
This realization has made me so much more dependent upon Him, and I believe that is how He wants it. The need to be constantly in communion with Him is going to be even more evident with the coming days, and to paraphrase what Julia Pomeroy said, "May He call His ambassadors home real soon!"
Linda, you nailed this: “This realization has made me so much more dependent upon Him, and I believe that is how He wants it.” It is not easy to carry the weight of being a Watchman, but when we put LOVE higher than our knowledge, there is something incredible that happens. Yes—all the headlines and Scripture is stored in our heart, but when we demonstrate love that is where we greater fruit. Strong thinking, Sis…
Brother Scott, One thing that has helped me is knowing that the Lord does not waste anything He takes us through. Thus, the character and skills He is presently refining in us could possibly be of use in serving Him in the Millennial Kingdom. I've been watching for His return avidly for about 20 years, and sense that we are in the season - this year! Lately, the Lord has given me a passion for the Iranian Church and reaching Iranians for the Lord. Yet, how to reconcile this passion with the His glorious (very) soon return? I can only think that perhaps our Lord will use this in the future as we reign and rule with Him. #Maranatha
You ask a good question Mary. I think there might be something to our interests, skills, and abilities that might play a role in Millennium duty--but that's just fun to think about. I wouldn't mind having a cup of 'heavenly bucks' coffee with Lee Brainard, LOL. Meanwhile, we're all doing as much as we can to walk in obedience and truth.
I understand Paul more and more as each day passes when he was torn between going home as this world has nothing to offer and his love for souls wanting none to perish, especially your earthly family. A big thing that people miss in the Scriptures, because personally, I believe, we all tend to read the Scriptures with preconceived thoughts that keep alot from the truth, which many, as in the days of the apostles, have a hard time excepting what it really says. If God is truly Sovereign and LORD OF ALL, then it is He who decides who will enter His kingdom or not. That’s what makes it a sooo great of salvation….because we were chosen before the foundation of the world! We don’t know who God has chosen, that’s why we have to take the Gospel to everyone, as the word of God brings about faith. We are told we are all spiritually dead…thus a dead person can’t and is unable to make any decision of faith. Think about Noah’s day. Most agree there was at least 10 million people on earth at the time. Out of that many people only Noah CHOSE God??? Or is it more logical that God CHOSE Noah? Fact is all humanity was headed for hell if God didn’t to CHOOSE to show Grace to Noah. When we come to this realization our salvation becomes even more precious and who gets ALL the glory in this, as the Potter should! God bless brothers and sisters and hold fast to your faith, as this world grows darker and darker, that He will never leave nor forsake those that God the Father has born again. Keep looking up, and Trust the Scriptures! Shalom
Amen brother. That is exactly how I am feeling lately. Worn down by the news and trying my best to warn my follow believers and unbelievers without sounding like a conspiracy nut. Feeling that I am failing the Lord in my effort and just want to climb in my bed and to stay there. Trying to warn with so much love as possible just to find myself walking away thinking what is the use? People don't want to to hear this. Please pray for me to not give up. It has been hard. Lots of rejection.
But there is great “use” isn’t there? We see so little and must have FAITH that our every action and prompting has a purpose. It is so hard to sustain, isn’t it? But we must.
“Father, I lift this dear person up as a proxy for all of us that are exhausted and struggling to bring the very best of ourselves to others—not the scraps and leftovers, but the living water passed on from the Holy Spirit through us to others. Give us Your love to sustain us and move with Your mighty right hand, in Jesus name amen”
Scott, like a highly skilled surgeon you find the ailing spot and administer just the right treatment- be it extraction or a healing balm, enabling the patient to move forward in an ever sickened world. And for that I am grateful, as well as your other readers have attested to as well. Maranatha brother
My ears pricked up too when Patrick mentioned us being ambassadors as, sadly, I had forgotten, like many, I am sure, I have become weighed down by the waiting and the increasing lawlessness around the world. I am so aware of how blind most of the world is at what is happening right before our eyes and I, too, am so tired. I want to run away and hide and let all of it just pass me by but that's not going to happen. So your piece is very timely. I forget that I cannot as such gird up my loins, I have to ask the Holy Spirit to enable me to do that, so often we can easily slip into working in the flesh and not the spirit, so thank you Scott for such a timely encouragement, which is what I view your piece as - I am feeling encouraged because you have put into words what it is I have been feeling.
Talking about ambassadors, did you know that when it becomes obvious that one country is going to war with another, the country which will be attacked instantly removes its ambassador from the country which is preparing to attack. In other words the ambassador is not there when the war starts - ie we will not be here when God really starts to express His judgment on this world.
As ever you hit the nail on the head and I thank you so much for that.
PS Contrary to popular opinion, I too am an introvert hence why I relate so well to you, I had figured out you were, I have just learned over way too many decades to hide it. But your wishing to go camping reminds me of something I heard, extroverts derive their strengths from mixing with people whereas introverts derive their strength by withdrawing from people for a time. XX
Hi Julia, that comment about ambassadors reminds me it is sometimes used for a pre-rapture position. Hang in there and get some rest. DM me about A Creed of Saints when you’re done reading it.
Hi Scott, sadly you have chosen not to respond to my request for a more personal and private way of contacting you, even if only to let you know my comments and review of your book so, as I am having a massive problem with my bank, it could be some time before I go to Amazon.com and place a review, sorry. To this day I have no idea what DM means so I cannot DM you!
Check your email, we’ve used it before ;)
Sorry it is not filed against your name and so I presumed I did not have that address - my memory is not quite as good as it used to be and I had forgotten this, again, please forgive me. I will now set to:
I have almost finished it, just 20% to go. What does DM mean. The only way I can message you is through substack and there are things I would like to say about the book but if I do it here there will be spoiler alerts! Is there another way to contact you privately? julia@pomeroy.me
Thank you, brother Scott, for yet another encouraging, honest, and convicting witness. Our awesome God is using you in great ways to strengthen the watchmen, point others to Him, and be a missionary to the tribulation saints.
All glory be to Him! 🙌
I will continue to pray for your strength, perseverance, and peace. 🙏🏻
Thank you for praying, Carrie Jo, it is so appreciated.
This seemed personal to me. When you write like this, well, I know that we've been on, and are still on, the same team....traveling in the same direction and from the same direction. It's crazy! I was always one after the Lord's heart, or so it seemed. I knew that there was a good possibility that I might be the only picture of Christ that someone might see....so I had better be a good picture. But in 2020, after the election, something happened. I felt that the constitutional protections in place for our election process had failed (they did). And I started going down rabbit holes. And I lost sight of the One I should have been following. (Very quick summation.) But the Lord is gracious and merciful. He startled me awake in the middle of the night a couple of months after that, and verbally told me: "This does not end the way you think it does, it ends the way I say it does. Get up and go read starting with Matthew 24." And so I did. And so I still am. And so I left all the other nonsense behind. Since that night, I look at everything through the lens of Scripture. I listen only to sound teaching, and I'm extremely particular about to whom I listen. I believe God has drawn a line in the sand. One side is for those who have woken up to His word and have His heart. The other side, is....well, the other side. That's not to say that they can't wake up. They can. But some won't.
Even as Believers and Followers of Christ (as Jack Hibbs likes to say) we still sometimes struggle with our sin nature. There are times when I fight with the old woman every day all the time. I ask that the Lord take captive these thoughts and put them to rest as I'm not that old woman, I am a new creation. And I repent of these thoughts, and I thank You, Lord, for forgiving me and redeeming me and keeping me focused on You.
Thank you, Scott, for having this forum. It is so appreciated!
God bless you, forever and a little bit more (lay-o-lum van-ed)
Georgia Parker
Georgia, this is a great testimony and speaks to where I kinda think we are. I'm trying to make this a place where we can just think. Not intellectually, but just regroup as Brothers and Sisters as we serve Him in mission and resist all the other stuff. It is draining for sure. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you Scott. Thoughts of a true and humble servant and words that resonate, especially the grief for those perishing around us. Prayers for your renewal and preservation.
Thank you, Julia. I do need rest.
Seeing all the beast infrastructure going up around us and knowing that billions will die after the Rapture….is making me take my call as Christ’s ambassador very seriously. Time is short.
Yes, Jen—it’s happening. Do your best to help others see their need for Christ while it is still day. Godspeed in your personal mission.
Thank you so very much, Scott! Julia’s comment exactly echos my own. I needed this encouragement and honesty more than I know how to say. You captured wall precisely. You’re so much better at expressing your thoughts and feelings than I am and I’m grateful for all your efforts!
I can’t remember things the way I used to, either, and paraphrase a lot. I pray every day that the Holy Spirit will take control of my mouth and use me to His purposes when speaking, that our Lord help me not to miss an opportunity to be a light to bring glory to His holy name! Even if it’s the simple kindness of letting someone turn into the flow of traffic.
I, too, am an introvert and completely understand what you’re saying about needing rest. There are times the world (people) become so overwhelming that I can no longer deal with it and need to withdraw for a short while just to recharge and gather m thoughts, spend time with our Lord.
The world has become so ugly that I struggle to make myself engage with others. I feel like I’m failing our Lord miserably. 😔
Praying for you and your family every day!
Laura, I try to not think of it as success or failure. One of the things I try to say to myself is to do my best. The Lord knows. Which is also why open ended prayers help me have more peace. For example: “Lord, help me finish well…I don’t want to see the shadow of disapproval come over Your face at the Bema.”
Scott,
Thank you so much for this honest and heartfelt blog. It was quite encouraging to me, because it helped me understand something with which I deal on a regular basis. I get so discouraged when I react poorly to a situation/person, because I am not reflecting Jesus Christ in that situation or to that person; however, lately I have been asking the Lord, "Lord, you always say things better than I do, so please speak through me now. Take away my reaction which dishonors you and glorify yourself through me." When I pray this, some of the kindest and gentlest words and actions come out of my mouth and/or what I do, that I find myself saying, "Lord, you are so kind!" because I realize it wasn't what I, in my flesh, would have said or done.
But the thing that, for some reason, struck me as I read your blog, was that this is the way it is supposed to be in my life. My flesh is still with me, even though I am a born again follower of Jesus Christ, but every time I call out to Him for a different word or a different reaction, He answers that prayer. I see myself and the reaction or the struggle, and when I ask for His immediate help in that time, I get to see Him working through me. The need to reach out to Him during those times (and there are a lot of those times these days with all that is happening in the world) ends up with me thanking Him for confirming that He is still with me and still working through me, and for that I am so deeply grateful to Him.
This realization has made me so much more dependent upon Him, and I believe that is how He wants it. The need to be constantly in communion with Him is going to be even more evident with the coming days, and to paraphrase what Julia Pomeroy said, "May He call His ambassadors home real soon!"
Linda, you nailed this: “This realization has made me so much more dependent upon Him, and I believe that is how He wants it.” It is not easy to carry the weight of being a Watchman, but when we put LOVE higher than our knowledge, there is something incredible that happens. Yes—all the headlines and Scripture is stored in our heart, but when we demonstrate love that is where we greater fruit. Strong thinking, Sis…
Brother Scott, One thing that has helped me is knowing that the Lord does not waste anything He takes us through. Thus, the character and skills He is presently refining in us could possibly be of use in serving Him in the Millennial Kingdom. I've been watching for His return avidly for about 20 years, and sense that we are in the season - this year! Lately, the Lord has given me a passion for the Iranian Church and reaching Iranians for the Lord. Yet, how to reconcile this passion with the His glorious (very) soon return? I can only think that perhaps our Lord will use this in the future as we reign and rule with Him. #Maranatha
You ask a good question Mary. I think there might be something to our interests, skills, and abilities that might play a role in Millennium duty--but that's just fun to think about. I wouldn't mind having a cup of 'heavenly bucks' coffee with Lee Brainard, LOL. Meanwhile, we're all doing as much as we can to walk in obedience and truth.
I understand Paul more and more as each day passes when he was torn between going home as this world has nothing to offer and his love for souls wanting none to perish, especially your earthly family. A big thing that people miss in the Scriptures, because personally, I believe, we all tend to read the Scriptures with preconceived thoughts that keep alot from the truth, which many, as in the days of the apostles, have a hard time excepting what it really says. If God is truly Sovereign and LORD OF ALL, then it is He who decides who will enter His kingdom or not. That’s what makes it a sooo great of salvation….because we were chosen before the foundation of the world! We don’t know who God has chosen, that’s why we have to take the Gospel to everyone, as the word of God brings about faith. We are told we are all spiritually dead…thus a dead person can’t and is unable to make any decision of faith. Think about Noah’s day. Most agree there was at least 10 million people on earth at the time. Out of that many people only Noah CHOSE God??? Or is it more logical that God CHOSE Noah? Fact is all humanity was headed for hell if God didn’t to CHOOSE to show Grace to Noah. When we come to this realization our salvation becomes even more precious and who gets ALL the glory in this, as the Potter should! God bless brothers and sisters and hold fast to your faith, as this world grows darker and darker, that He will never leave nor forsake those that God the Father has born again. Keep looking up, and Trust the Scriptures! Shalom
Amen, Brad. We must cling to the Word and stand strong, while on our knees in prayer!
Amen brother. That is exactly how I am feeling lately. Worn down by the news and trying my best to warn my follow believers and unbelievers without sounding like a conspiracy nut. Feeling that I am failing the Lord in my effort and just want to climb in my bed and to stay there. Trying to warn with so much love as possible just to find myself walking away thinking what is the use? People don't want to to hear this. Please pray for me to not give up. It has been hard. Lots of rejection.
But there is great “use” isn’t there? We see so little and must have FAITH that our every action and prompting has a purpose. It is so hard to sustain, isn’t it? But we must.
“Father, I lift this dear person up as a proxy for all of us that are exhausted and struggling to bring the very best of ourselves to others—not the scraps and leftovers, but the living water passed on from the Holy Spirit through us to others. Give us Your love to sustain us and move with Your mighty right hand, in Jesus name amen”
I remembered a song from years ago. Evie Tournquist Carlson sang this and it really ministers to me even today. All The Time In the World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fd4uoYRZw4&list=RD9Fd4uoYRZw4&start_radio=1
Thank you for sharing that. I’ve been enjoying CeCe Wynn’s recently!
Beautiful! Thank you!
Scott, like a highly skilled surgeon you find the ailing spot and administer just the right treatment- be it extraction or a healing balm, enabling the patient to move forward in an ever sickened world. And for that I am grateful, as well as your other readers have attested to as well. Maranatha brother