2025 One Chapter Closes Another Opens

Another year is dawning…

Abraham got up early in the morning taking Isaac along with him in obedience to God, for an experience that changed them both forever. Hmm!

Though our God is ‘outside’ of time as we know it, He is still the divine keeper and ruler of time and space. He knows exactly when to act and to will His good purposes for us. Just think “at just the right time” Jesus was born. Or “when the time had fully come (Pentecost) the Holy Spirit was poured out” and the church was birthed. If God is truly God, He has it all mapped and planned out. We need not spin our wheels like those we see darting in and out of traffic causing all kinds of mayhem and danger trying to get ‘there’ first -whatever that may be. Our lives may not be where we want or expected it to be right now, but we can pray and trust God will be there at the appropriate time to do what only He can do, and no amount of hurrying or worrying will speed up His arrival.

“This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles…” - Psalm 34:6

FYI – After much prayer and meditation, I write to let you know this will be the last post for ‘The Thought for Today’. It’s been 21 years since I began this and I think this season has run its course for me. I pray it has been a blessing in your life for I know it was in mine. What’s next I do not know, but I trust God will guide and direct us all. Thank you for giving me your eyes all these years.

Blessings!

Pastor Botts

Reach up

If you want to have a horizontal reach, you need to have a vertical focus. - Robin H.

Paul had great success in his ministry because he 'counted everything loss for the sake of Christ,' which is all he preached. Hmm!

Some things in life are so simple that we often overlook the obvious. We attend programs, seminars, classes, buy the latest bestsellers, trying to learn the latest insight, methodology, or buzz words on how to be successful for Christ. This is all noble and good, but the obvious is overlooked. When we plant a seed the first thing it does is break through the dirt reaching upward to the sky. Then as it grows it begins to spread its branches and leaves outward. That's the key, we need to look up first, and make sure we're hooked up properly. The point is that anything we attempt to do for Christ and His church must begin with Him. Meaning we need to be connected to Him, filled with His spiritual presence, and submitting to His leading. The work of Christ has always been empowered by His Spirit and always will be. If we're struggling with success for Him maybe we need to make sure the connections are in proper order.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

Investing Wisely

You cannot kill time without injury to eternity. – Henry David Thoreau

Jesus told his disciples they MUST work while it is day, for it would soon come a time when they couldn’t. OUCH!

Alarms, bells, whistles, chimes, etc. We’re surrounded by gadgets that each day remind us of the time. Time is the most precious commodity on planet earth. It is even more valuable than money. We can get more money, but we cannot get more time. Each morning we all awake with the same 24-hour timeframe with which to work. How we spend it will well determine where we go when our time is no more. The key is not to waste it on fruitless endeavors, dead-end roads, harboring resentment and hate, or meaningless living; but rather invest it in lives and projects that will make an eternal difference. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “the time is always right to do what is right.” And that time is now, for none of us is getting younger by the day.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts


“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12

Being Zealous in God Things

Try not to become a person of great success, but rather try to become a person of virtue. – Albert Einstein

We read often of men like Abraham, Joseph, and David who had great success in their lifetimes. Not because they pursued it, but because they pursued God, and he granted it. Hmm!

It’s true we live in a world that measures you by your professional title, wallet, possessions, education, etc., however it’s important to remember we are not ‘of the world’ but called of God to make a difference in the world. There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to do well in our social endeavors, but NOTHING should impede our ability and opportunity to serve Almighty God. I pray we will be zealous in all our endeavors for Him.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these….But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:28-29, 33

Look What I Can Do

One act of obedience is better than a hundred sermons preached. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Though the apostle Paul wrote many letters to the churches he instructed them to look at his life as an example. Hmm!

When we were kids we always wanted our parents, siblings, and anyone else around to watch us when we did something we thought was extra special. Now that we are grown and knowing that we are possibly the only ‘bible’ some folks will ever read we need to ask ourselves do we still have that “watch me” mentality. Example is contagious behavior and often the only way to reach someone. And a sermon isn’t really preached until it is put into action. We need to be mindful that as instruments of God, somebody is receiving a message loud and clear, so we should pray our walk is in line with our talk.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. “ – Matthew 7:20

Not Forgetting Yourself

Wherever you go in life you always, always take yourself. – J. Graham

Though he was in a foreign land, Daniel refused to defile himself even with the king’s food. AMEN!

People travel to far-away locales, attend extreme makeover camps, or even suffer through intensive ritualistic regimens thinking such activities will change them. A change of scenery may excite the senses, a makeover may make you look better, and a ritual may make you think you are doing better, but true change of who we are can only take place in the heart. It’s God’s domain, and unless we surrender it completely to Him, much of what we do will be lost at the first sign of distress. Joseph had many ‘distresses’ in his life but because of his heart and trust in God he prospered through every one of them. His God is the same one we serve today.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“'How do you know me?' Nathanel asked. Jesus answered, 'I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.'" - John 1:48

Making It Through

The best way out is always through. - Robert Frost

The only way into the Promised Land was through the nations of people God would help the Israelites conquer. They thought otherwise but finally trusted God's commands and were rewarded. AMEN!

No one likes pain or distress, and when they come we immediately try to circumvent them. But when God engineers situations for us He is shaping, pruning, and perfecting our character for His glory, and our perseverance is the order of the day. To quit, give up, or seek another avenue is to miss out on the blessings and growth He desires for us. True, it may be hard, unpleasant, distasteful, and seem lonely right now; but we must remember what He tells us in His Word "though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death....He is with us." Situations and circumstances in our life may not be the best, but that only means we've not quite made it through yet. We should just trust God and enjoy the journey.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12