Author: Scott

Have you ever felt anxiety about the future? Ever feel scared or uncertain about what lies ahead? When I was paralyzed, believe me, anxiety and fear set in. Big-time. I had no idea what my future would look like. Did I even have a future? I remember being told that I would live 15 to 20 years. That was the average lifespan for a quadriplegic at that time. There were so many questions. And fear was a big part of it.

As I moved on into life, I still did not know what God‘s plans were for me. I began to realize I was still alive for a reason. But I did not know why. I never believed God paralyzed me. I knew that it were my own decisions that had done that. I wasn’t living for God then. I was living for myself. But it became evident that God could use me greater for his good in the wheelchair, more than He ever could out of it. But still, fear would creep in. 

This is what fear does. It makes you think you are powerless. It makes you feel hopeless. It makes you feel like you are not capable of achieving your goals. Fear is very powerful. If we let fear consume us, then we can lose sight of God. And that even includes losing sight of opportunities that God is giving us. So today let’s remember that we can overcome our fears with God in our hearts. With God in control. Let’s remember that he will not forsake us. We have a future which includes hope. We have a future which includes peace. And if we let him guide us, our future is gonna help us overcome our fears. Because God has us. So today, let’s try to shift our focus is off of our fears and onto God.

We’ve talked before about being convicted of something by God. Whether he’s telling us to stop doing something. Or maybe he’s telling us to start doing something. When God convicts you, he’s not going to stop until you act. And it’s your choice. You can act on it. Or you can ignore it. But I can promise you this, whatever you decide, God is not going anywhere. He will bless your actions. If that’s what he’s telling you to do. Or he is going to continue to work on your hearts. Never wavering. He’ll keep pecking away to get you to follow his commands. Until your dying day if so be it. 

We’ve also talked several times about God using us in ways we can never imagine if we let him. Even those of us that we think are nowhere near where they need to be to serve God. An example for you I want to share is from the movie Sounds of Freedom. I’m going to do my best to make my point without ruining the story for you. Barbara and I watched it. Believe me, it lives up to the hype. I made a comment yesterday about how somehow you feel like you are part of the story. That’s pretty incredible for something that’s on screen to do. That’s my simple plug for the movie. Go watch it. But what does that have to do with my devotion! 

One of the characters in the movie was of “low” character. And I don’t say that lightly. But God convicted him. And he acted. And his actions were blessed. That’s all I’m gonna say about the movie. But just as he acted on God’s conviction, we need to get to the point where when God tells us to do something, we don’t hesitate. No matter how hard it may seem. No matter if the task looks impossible. If God is convicting you, the task can be done. I remember that day in church several years ago when he “attacked” my heart. It was very clear. He wanted us to act. So we did. And he blessed the efforts of everyone involved. To this day, he still is. Because the Holy Spirit is leading the way. And I’m not talking about me individually. I’m talking about the entire Charlie 22 Outdoors family. So today, take a look and see if God is convicting you of something. Is   he telling you to take action? Or is he telling you to stop what you’re doing? Go to your knees and pray for strength if you need to. Because he will see you through. There’s a purpose here that’s going to show his grace and glory. And that…My friends…Is awesome!

By now, I’m sure everyone reading this has seen what happened on Saturday. Such a terrible day for our country. Such a terrible day for the families that lost loved ones. Some of you might not agree, but that includes it was a terrible day for the family of the shooter. What followed on Facebook was all over the place. And that just shows exactly why something like this can actually happened. The divide. The division. The hate. All of the back-and-forth that people type…justifies everything we’re talking about. People type it, so it must be fine. People read it, so it must be fine. And then somebody that is unstable reacts.

I have been guilty of typing things that I shouldn’t have. And I have really tried the last couple of years to not do that. Often times, I will poke fun at Barbara and myself. And she knows it. She pokes back. As I said, it’s all in fun for us. But I do remember commenting on something that I wasn’t fully aware of what actually happened. Basically, it was a photo of a father and his daughter at a bike race. One of the cyclists lost control and the father was holding his daughter up. And I made the joke about him using her as a shield. Although I’m certain he wasn’t. And I meant for it to be funny. My sister-in-law informed me that the video of the incident was terrible. And that hit home with me. I’m so glad she brought it to my attention.

The point we’re making here is that we never know what someone’s going through. We never know what it is that they are facing. We don’t know their struggles. We don’t know their successes. Unless…we know. God knows. But we might not. I doubt any of us know what was going through the mind of that 20 year old on Saturday. What would drive him to do such a thing? We have no idea. And instead of taking sides, I’d like to see us try to come together and lift up those that are personally impacted in situation’s like that. Let’s try to put aside our political differences. Especially when it comes to putting out memes that are so completely inappropriate. I know that I can be better about lifting people up. I cam be better about praying for people. And I promise that I will. Today let’s all do that. Let’s work to be better at lifting others up.

Yesterday was an interesting day. I got up early to go speak at a local church. A men’s group meets one Saturday each month for breakfast. Men from different area churches getting together. It was pretty awesome. Then I met up with a local veteran. He filled in at the last moment for us to set up our booth at an annual car show. After that, Barbara and I went out to our new property to spend some time together. It’s so peaceful out there. While we were there, our daughter and new son-in-law called us from their cruise. They’re having an awesome time and we are so happy for them. After we headed home, our oldest granddaughter called to tell us she thought her volleyball tryouts went well. We look forward to watching her play in the upcoming season. Then as we continued home…the news broke. 

President Trump had just begun speaking at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Shots rang out. Trump had been hit in his tight right ear. Within seconds, the Secret Service surrounded him on stage and their sniper team took out the shooter. It was over before everyone really knew what happened. Trump will be fine. But, 2 others were critically injured. And another lost their life. Such a terrible story. As disturbing as it was, what followed is troubling to me as well. Although I shouldn’t be surprised, I still find myself having a hard time believing what I am seeing. Once again, the Facebook keyboard warriors sprang into action. Some saying it was staged. Others arguing about comparing it to school shootings. And one guy even guy going as far as saying he wished the shooter had been a better shot. What? What’s even more unfortunate about this guy, it appears that he is a retired judge. 

I know there is division in this country. A divide that I’m not sure we can bridge on our own. I know that there is hate in this country. Probably so much that we can’t overcome it on our own. I know that there is evil in this country. More than we can battle back on our own. Yesterday’s events, and what has followed, are all the proof we need. But if you reread what I began with, you’ll also see that there is still good. There is still joy. There is still happiness. And there is still hope. The hope that comes from Jesus. Only he can provide the hope I am talking about. Only he can provide the peace that we need. And I believe that the only way we’re going to get past where we are in this country, and in this world, is by his grace. So today, take time to go to our Lord and Savior, and ask him to work on the hearts of people. Take time today to ask him to work on your heart. Take time today to pray over those that are suffering from yesterday. Including the family of the shooter.

Every now and then, I ask a question of you and I ask you to raise your hand if it pertains to you. Obviously I don’t see your hands go up. But the point is, I asked a question before we get going because if it does pertain to you, then maybe the devotion will hit home more. Believe me…it hits me every time because the questions I ask pertain especially to me. So the question for today’s devotion is this: “Have you ever been spiritually attacked?” Once again, I bet everyone raised a hand. If you did not, then I’m happy you haven’t been attacked. Or maybe you need to rethink it. Either way, attacks come. They’re going to always come.

What’s important is knowing that they will happen. And also knowing how to react. Or not react. I have a personal example for you. In 2016, I was attacked by someone I was very close to you. Someone that I worked hand-in-hand with. Practically on a daily basis. I don’t know if it was jealousy. I don’t know if it was spite. I don’t know if it was out of hate. But he disguised it as something that I had done. It floored me.  So I walked away. That bridge had been burnt. Walking away was a very difficult thing to do. Because I knew the fire was coming. And it did. I was accused of this and accused of that. Some people I was close to turned their backs on me. Barbara and I were even questioned about our marriage. It was really an interesting time.

When an attack comes, let’s remember that there is a very real battle going on spiritually. So try not to be shocked. Know that the enemy is the devil. Satan is the enemy of our souls. And he uses others in his sneaky ways. Even those that we are close to. Or we thought we were close to. Turning friends and family into enemies. Isn’t that crazy. He comes at us from all directions. Even though he’s already lost, he still attacks. But his attacks are incredible opportunities for us to do amazing things for God. His attacks are opportunities for us to show others God‘s grace. We can even show grace to the one who attacked us. Is there anything more powerful than that? I’m not sure there is in that type of situation. So today, remember they’re coming. The attack may already be happening. But more importantly, remember that God has you. He will get you through. And on the other side of it, you’re going to be stronger than you ever were.

I had the incredible honor to officiate our daughter’s wedding on Sunday. Anna and Mason exchanged around 4:20 PM. It was an amazing ceremony. When she was 14 years old, she was a freshman in high school. She got her first job that year. Shakes Frozen Custard in Webb City, Missouri. I remember her interviewing over the phone when we were in Arkansas. She was with me that day when I was coaching basketball. We had to get a special provision signed by the school superintendent saying that she was capable of working. Missouri has a law in place that protects children from child labor issues. She was only allowed to work a certain amount of hours per week and also to a certain time in the evening. I think it was 20 hours a week and to 7 PM. I also remember her not wanting to get a job. But she had a choice, school activity or job. So she chose to go to work. Track season was over and volleyball had not started yet.

Obviously, she wasn’t driving then. So her mother or I took turns taking her to work and then picking her up. We were together when we picked her up one day. It was the day that she received her first paycheck. She was in the backseat of the van. Barbara and I both were concerned that she was going to be upset about not making much money for working as much as she had. But just the opposite happened. It was actually pretty awesome. She’s in the backseat opening her check up with us anticipating frustration. And what we heard was…”$115! I GOT $115!!!!” She was so excited. We were excited for her. In her eyes she was rich. She was learning the rewards of hard work. She thought she had hit the jackpot. She really was thrilled. Makes me question us as adults. What is it that we view as wealth? What do we consider valuable?

I’m sure we have different definitions of what wealth is. I think that probably depends on who you ask. Obvious answers here would include someone that is wealthy, being someone that has financial wealth. But I wonder if someone that has large amounts of financial wealth, would consider themselves wealthy. See what I mean? I think it depends on who you ask. I’m sure if you would’ve asked Anna on that paycheck day, she would’ve thought she was wealthy. And what about things of value? What do you consider valuable? Land? Automobiles? Houses? Think about it. Once again, I think it depends on who you ask. We probably all have different definitions what is valuable. But no matter what we consider wealth to be, or what is of value, there really is one thing we should believe across the board. We should consider that whatever God blesses us with, that those blessings are considerable wealth and value. Doesn’t have to be money. Doesn’t have to be property. But his blessings are exactly what we need. And therefore, we should consider ourselves wealthy in that sense.

As we continue trying to work on our attitudes and expecting God to work in our lives, there is something very important that we must remember. We must make sure that we are not just expecting God to work in our lives. Instead, we must also expect ourselves to do God’s work. And there is something that we can do to make sure this happens. Actually several things. But one of those is to stay in the word of God. To read the Bible. And I don’t mean just read it. Let’s learn while we read. This is something that I personally struggle with. I can read to three pages of something and not remember any of it. So I work daily on trying to absorb what it is that I am reading.

In the Bible we read about David. He is a great example for us. He knew he was successful because he kept God first. He even prayed to God asking him to listen to his prayers. He made it a habit of talking to our Lord and Savior each morning. This set the tone for his day. He knew that he could expect God to work in his life that day. And he also expected himself to do what God wanted him to do. It’s easy for us to let our feelings dictate our paths. It’s human for us to not do something because we don’t feel like it. If you recall yesterday, we talked about being tougher during the tough times. And as simple as this may be, we must be tougher than our feelings to make sure that we seek God and all that we do.

So what is today’s challenge for us? This is a challenge for myself as well. Today…let’s start to strive to make each morning time with God. Let’s expect him to hear our prayers. Let’s expect him to love us and guide us. Let’s expect him to work in our lives. And then, let’s work on making sure our attitudes are in line with what he wants them to be. This will allow us to better serve him. Which means we can better serve others. And that leads to more people coming to know Jesus. How awesome is that! I know most of you have heard this already. But be careful what you pray for. What I mean by that is, be ready for what you pray for. Because if you ask God to work in your life, he’s going to. It may not come the way you think it supposed to. But it will happen. And it will be amazing.

I make it no secret that Barbara and I enjoy the television show, Americas Got Talent. Some of the things that people on are able to do simply amaze me. They truly do. Every now and then, Silver Dollar City brings in people that can do those type of stunts. Nick Wallenda is one of those performers. His show comes and goes every few years. We try to make it down there to see him whenever he is in town. He is known for the high wire act. But he also does an act on a 30 foot tall pole. With no netting or harness. 

One thing that I really enjoy about his show is how he always talks about his faith. He’s not embarrassed to discuss it. Actually, just the opposite. He makes it very clear that he believes that God will bless you in ways that you can never imagine. He’s made trips across the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and many other places around the world. All while walking on a cable balancing with a pole. If you have seen his performances on TV, you can hear him talk to God while he is walking across the wire. He talks about how God will get you through anything. 

Last time I was able to see him, a couple of things stuck out to me. He talked about tough times coming. How we all go through those. His personal struggles with anxiety and depression. Other mental issues. And God has brought him through every one of them. He said when the tough times come…get tougher. Read that again: Get tougher! Oh how he was spot on with that one. We can choose to be defeated. Or we can choose to battle what we are facing. And praise God the entire time. Something that my family has done many times. So the challenge today is to battle what we are facing. What comes at us daily. Weekly. Monthly. Maybe even more often than that. But don’t give in. Don’t let doubt win. Don’t let uncertainty win. Don’t let Satan win. Seek God in the battle, and you’ll be victorious no matter what happens. Because he is here for us. No matter what we are facing. So today be tougher than what you’re going through.

I heard a joke one time. Not sure where I heard of that. But it has a pretty good point. I’m not the greatest at telling jokes. So bear with me. There was a woman who is in desperate need of financial help. So she prayed to God for him to help her win the lottery. The drawing came up the next week, she didn’t win. So she prayed again. This time she was more adamant about needing help. She really needed God to help her with the lottery. The drawing came up again. She didn’t win. So this time she begged and begged. She really, really, really needed God to help her win the lottery. And God told her: “I can help you win, but you need to buy a ticket first.“ Do you get the point?

We’ve been talking a lot lately about attitude and expecting God to work in our lives. Also, about waiting for God to tell us what to do. But I think we need to go a little further with this. As we stated, having a good attitude is a result of expecting God to work in our lives. Knowing that he’s there for us. Knowing that he will guide us. These are things that we should do. Look to him and all that we do. But I also believe that we must “act” on what we are being told to do. Not just sit back. The other day, we talked about being lazy. And that’s dangerous. And that’s what just sitting back can do. Lead us to being lazy.

So today, don’t just sit back and wish on God. Don’t be lazy. Yes, continue having a good attitude and expect him to work in your life. Put time and effort into what he is doing in your life. Do what is necessary. Do whatever it takes. God makes promises. He keeps them. He will change our hearts. He will work in us. But we must do our part as well. Let’s go to work serving others. Just as he has served us. Let’s continue to expect him to work in our lives. Let’s continue striving to have a good attitude. And let’s continue doing what’s necessary to show the glory that comes from God. To show his grace.

Years ago, when I was playing basketball, I remember the excitement that I felt before each game. The anticipation was fantastic. Yes there was some anxiousness. Some nervousness. But they were paired with excitement. That feeling continued on later when I was coaching. I could feel it in my stomach. Realizing that all the hard work was getting ready to be rewarded. Hopefully with a win as well. Although I don’t play or coach anymore, I still get feelings of excitement from other activities. Hunting for instance. It’s exciting to go out the opening morning of the season. Deer season. Or turkey season. The anticipation hoping to be successful after the preparation that I have gone through. Very exciting.

Now let’s talk about you. What is it that gets you excited? Is it an event? Maybe a wedding. Is it something else? Being with family for instance. Or going someplace new. What is it? Think about that. What is exciting to you to the point that you expect to feel joy when you get to do it? Now think about your attitude during those moments. Are you a joy be around? Do you have a good attitude? Most likely, I’m guessing you can say yes to those questions. I hope you can anyway.

There is something that I read about this topic I find very interesting. Our attitude of expectancy begins with Jesus. And that should be joyful. If we focus on him, that should bring us joy. Because he’s never let us down. He never will. Even when he left earth, he told us the Holy Spirit was coming. That definitely does not let us down. We can look at what God promises us and then expect it to happen. Because he keeps his promises. And that’s incredible. We’ve all been let down by people. We’ve all been let down by broken promises. But we will never be let down by our Lord and Savior. And if we believe that, then we should be feeling excitement about what lies ahead. Expecting what lies ahead. Knowing what lies ahead.