Can we talk?
Today, I feel I need to write something that is pretty important to me. Sure, my schedule is really packed right now as we are on a large scale International Christian Tennis Association mission trip... but, I'd really like to talk to you.
See this picture above? That's me on the left. Next is Mark from Mexico, Freddy , Melody, and Rachel. We're here in Cincy on a large scale mission trip reaching tens of thousands with the Gospel.
As I looked at this pic taken this afternoon, one main thought came to my mind...
Thank God for enemies.
Sounds weird, huh? But, it's true.
I can tell you 100% that I would not be in Cincy right now reaching tens of thousands for Christ if it hadn't been for those people in my life who would try to harm the growth and success of the International Christian Tennis Association.
Through the attempts of my "enemies" to cause trouble, I learned how to become more dependent on Christ to get things done. Instead of trusting in my abilities, I learned to trust His abilities. My "enemies" kept me on my toes making sure I was forced into situation after situation where I would have to rely on Him!
In attempts to slander, they kept pointing out flaws in my abilities which they felt needed to be "exposed" in order to prove I am not worthy of serving God... though these men are Godless! Some of their complaints made sense and actually helped! There were (ARE) areas I needed to improve in. Unknowingly, they showed me what the ICTA needed to do to be recognized internationally as a legitimate sports ministry.
Though it was not their intention, they helped skyrocket the advancement of International Christian Tennis Association. Through attacking our young ministry, we strengthened and grew well past all my expectations and well into what I had always imagined!
Without God using "my enemies" the ICTA may not have yet had a legitimate membership as my enemies claimed there were "no ICTA members", thus ICTA is just "a figment in Scott Paschal's imagination!" They were right! We needed legitimate members.
This, of course, led to my "imagination" leading us to gain new members at the most famous tennis events in the world during our new ICTA Global Mission Trips! Thanks guys! Now, we have legitimate members from over 1500 cities in 50 countries worldwide.
Plus, 1000's and 1000's of Bibles, Christian books, tracts, videos, ICTA bookmarks & balloons... have been given away to interested people. It was fun to personally see how God used my "enemies" to grow and develop this ministry in many ways.
In addition, my Christian mentors were initially attracted to helping me simply because they saw me getting picked on by a few bullies and felt God leading them to help me.
In other ways my "enemies" helped...our tournament booths would have been less bold, our clothing less creative, our tennis academy less Christ-centered. Everything would have been less, weaker, kind of boring and humdrum.
In fact, I might have quit sports ministry altogether and simply been a tennis director at a small club while teaching Sunday School at my local church!
But, seeing how Satan used his people to slander and bully me when I stood up for Jesus in tennis, and especially while I was working to help abused tennis players, lit a burning fire inside my heart to take the message of Salvation through Christ throughout the tennis world.
I dedicated myself to work 10 times harder and more focused than before! God gave me the strength, the connection & contacts, the finances, the patience (still working on it :), the supporters, the staff, and the friends needed. Oh, and he gave me the enemies!
Seeing Satan use his demons to manipulate & slander all of my efforts was awe inspiring. I actually enjoyed seeing his next move, and watching Bible promises become live action! If Satan was after me this much, I MUST be on to something BIG!!
Then, to see the God of the universe wait until I've learned lessons only persecution can bring and wait until I'm pretty beaten up until He steps in and takes over... one word... AMAZING.
I actually can't wait for more persecution. I understand what being crucified with Christ means. I get it now. It makes sense, now. Persecution is needed for a Christian to be effective for Christ.
I truly love my enemies. I understand what Jesus meant when He commanded us to love those who would do us harm. Phil, Jeff, Bob... I love you guys! You are the three musketeers Satan used allowed by God to grow and develop me while taking this ministry worldwide at a level higher than I thought was possible this soon.
Who knew!?
Jesus knows none of us are perfect. In fact, if you study the Bible at all, you know He chose flawed people to grow His Kingdom. He used both those people who followed Him, and those people who followed Satan, for His will to be done.
Something neat happened just this week. I was a bit stalled as to what to do with few upcoming projects. One project has the ability to bring ICTA a mid to high six figure profit. But, the project was too intensive for my limited abilities in that area. So, I prayed for God to take over in a big way. I could do a lot of good worldwide with $500,000.
So directly after my prayer, one of my "enemies" began another 1/2 truth smear campaign against me.
This motivated me and opened up my creative side which had been in a rut. It also brought the exact person I needed for my project to blossom!
My "enemy's" renewed persecution of me was exactly what I needed to see God more clearly, and to work 100% more focused and creatively. Things had staled and stalled in some ways... not now! Thanks! Now, I'm pumped and motivated and God is blessing.
This particular enemy, within a year, may have helped bring a mid to high six figure income into ICTA's finances, plus help ICTA travel internationally in a way that was not expected for another 5 years, if then! His recent persecution of me brought the God of the universe to bring a specifically needed group of people into my life.
Something so simple as new attack from an old enemy motivated God to motivate this friend of mine to take over and grow one of my dreams, which will take my ministry to a level I only dreamed about. The enemy God placed in my has done it again! His bully & scare tactics in a really odd way are such a blessing.
I'm going to make my three bully musketeers a deal, right here and now!
10% of all income from this ICTA dream becoming reality ministry program will be placed into the new Thanks Jeff! Thanks Phil! Thanks Bob! ICTA Tennis & College Scholarship Program for boys and girls. I would love to one day be able to provide tens of $1000's to bring kids to ICTA's Christ centered, high performance tennis academy in Florida for free! And to provide college scholarships to kids with financial needs! Awesome!
Jeff, Phil, and Bob... my three musketeer bully enemies will help terrific tennis juniors to come train with me fulltime for free! What a fun thought I look forward to sharing!
This program will bless kids worldwide as they attend ICTA's tennis academy and mission trips on a scholarship basis paid 100% by the program blessed by the slander from all of you! Plus, college! Wow!
It's amazing to see the way God makes things happen we could never have done on our own.
What an amazing mission trip week this has been. God blesses faithfulness.
Enemies can be your best friends! In fact, a fair estimate would be that all of my current mentors were attracted to supporting me by discovering the enemies Satan brought to attempt to defeat the Gospel being spread throughout the tennis world internationally!
Now, in some ways, because of you three bullies, people worldwide are discovering Christ! In an odd way... thanks!
For those of you reading this blog entry, pray for your enemies. God uses them for His very specific needs. With the God of the universe on your side, nothing will stand in your way.
Now, on to the Cincy mission trip...
Here's a pic of a couple of new ICTA Cincy members! How cute is this wonderful girl! She liked our God is Good fan a lot!
Here's a pic of our booth! Melody Snelen ( ICTA staff since 1999) is working hard signing up new members, giving away tshirts to those who provide a donation to ICTA, giving people Bibles, signing up people to travel with ICTA members on Scott Paschal Tennis Tours, telling people about our upcoming ICTA cruise on the Music Boat, and telling people about Jesus!
We're on pace to gain more new members this year that all of last year! Pastors, tennis coaches & pros, housewives, doctors, teachers... many people from all walks of life. And we have made a great new personal connection with a top ATP coach & player. Plus, a highly famous tennis player viewed our entire booth with interest & curiosity.
The International Christian Tennis Association points to Jesus. He is our focus. Every ICTA program He designs and blesses. I work hard to be less of me and more of him. And hey, as the baby of the family & a tennis pro, it's hard to not be the center of attention! But, I'm learning!
And He's patiently teaching in His timing an His ways.
Phil... Jeff... Bob... thanks guys! Thanks for being exactly who you are and doing those manipulative things you do.
For those of you currently under persecution, please focus on Christ. It could be that He is trying to get your attention to take you to the next level!
Finally, Scott C., my new friend, I love doing the new radio show with you! You are surely a talent and I look forward to many great shows reaching millions each week for Him.
God bless from beautiful Cincy at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters!
Scott Paschal
www.christiantennis.net
386 793 0557
