When Times Get Tough...

Security is not the absence of danger, but the presence of God no matter what. – Anon

Daniel knew it was dangerous for him to offer prayers to his God, but he knew without prayer he was without his God. Hmm!

When we were younger we played games like hide-and-seek, chain-tag, freeze-tag, etc. Games that had the advantage of a home base where we were safe. No matter how close the enemy came to us as long as we were at ‘home base’ we were safe and secure. Looking back on it now the idea seems strange – home base – but the concept is true. God offers us security. Not so much from the harsh realities of life – we need them to shape our character – but from the hopelessness and despair they can inflict on us if left alone. Without God we don’t stand a chance against life. And in the end He gives us eternal security. AMEN!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way…” – Psalm 46:1-2

God Assisted Aspirations

If it doesn’t scare you a little, you are dreaming way too small! – Richard Murray

Moses said to God “who am I to go before Pharaoh?” God reminded him with “I’m going!” Amen!

They’re called big events! Life-changers. The ‘wedding’ day! The ‘home purchase’ day. The ‘baby comes’ day. Yes, these and others like them cause you to pause and wonder, with some trepidation about your readiness and ability to succeed. The challenge that lies ahead. Can you meet it alone? That’s the reality of dreams and aspirations for life. If they aren’t challenging enough for us to be dependent on someone greater than ourselves – GOD – then they really aren’t big enough. God walks with us every step of the way, but He will not do for us what He knows we can do for ourselves. But when it comes to the ‘impossible’ that’s His domain, and He remains at the ready if only we are willing to ask, for He wants to bring us good and glory to His name. If you have the dream you also have the means.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8

Soul Prints

Life is just a chance to grow a soul. – A. P. Davies

Before Jesus laid down his life for us, he impacted 11 others who did pretty much the same thing. That’s growth. Hmm!

We spend a great deal of our life dealing in cryptic clichés; ‘trying to figure it all out,’ ‘asking what does it mean,’ and ‘how do I make the best of things.’ But God in His infinite wisdom has granted us purpose and provision to fulfill that purpose in a meaningful way. The end result of this life as we know it is to properly mature our soul for the next life. We’re not to get so bogged down or tied up in the affairs here that we ‘can’t’ or ‘won’t’ leave, but we’re to make this place somehow better by our being here. It’s not the situations or circumstances that we endure or overcome so much that help us grow, but the lives we impact in those situations and circumstances, and the amount we give of ourselves. Just like a seed grows from the inside out, so do we. That’s the way God designed it.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son – both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.” – Ezekiel 18:4

Power to Move

The task ahead of us is never as great as the POWER behind us. – Anon

Abraham, he had to leave his homeland, his people, and his father’s house to go someplace God would eventually show him. By God's grace he MADE IT!

Mountains - it seems at times as if life is full of them and they are always in our path. Some of our own making, and others as tests of faith, and each one seems to present a different climate, terrain, and angle to conquer, at times calling on us to make some drastic changes in the way we live before God. Maybe there’s some sin God is continually redressing us on that we need to correct or change, or maybe He wants to develop even a deeper commitment to His kingdom work in us, or maybe He's even trying to move us away from those He knows who are not good for us. Life may seem like an impossibility right now, but we must remember we've made it this far by the power of God, and He's faithful to the end.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” – Matthew 17:19-21

Responses That Reflect Your Calling

What they call you is up to them, what you answer to is up to you. - Anon

Saul once called David a boy, but after the Goliath event he realized David was a warrior. WOW!

Winebibber, glutton, friend of sinners, Beelzebub! Those who despised him had many names for Jesus, most of them unflattering and downright mean. But he never forgot who he was nor his ultimate calling - SAVIOR. People of the world today are not much different than people then, this we know for many of us have had some unflattering names, gestures, and remarks hurled our way. It just goes with the territory. The question is how we respond, if we respond. Remember, you don't have to attend every argument/fight you're invited to. But if and when we do, may we like Jesus remember our ultimate goal - to reflect God in all we do in word and deed.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." - Matthew 5:11

Viewing the Heart of Man

You can learn a lot just by observation. - Anon

The bible often tells us "Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John." I'm sure the other disciples were pretty close in tow as well. Hmm!

Turn on the news or grab the newspaper and the odds are great that your name won't be mentioned or appear in print. Celebrities get the spotlight for their upcoming events or life issues, politicians for their latest bill, gaffe, or stance on a particularly pressing issue (i.e. - wildfire relief) or some organization highlighted for their latest outreach or sleight. We, as Christians are generally in the minority, behind the scenes, often overlooked. And at times it can get hard to love a world of people like those above when it seems all they care about is themselves. But 'called' to love them we are. And Jesus, our perfect example, shows us how. It is Him we should desire to be like. So our prayers should be filled with requests for patience, understanding, compassion, and conviction to walk like Him. And it should be a comfort to us to know that God neither looks at the news nor reads the newspapers, but that He looks on the heart of everyone and sees the intent of our actions. This is the way heavenly rewards are earned.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - I Samuel 16:7

Enjoy TODAY!

Some people are making such thorough preparation for rainy days that they aren’t enjoying today’s sunshine. – W. Feather

Martha was so busy making preparations for Jesus’ visit to their home, she never really got an opportunity to visit with him when he came. OUCH!

Though the calendar on the wall or in our pocket may show a 7-day weekly period, or 30-day month, today is all we have. All the other days have either disappeared into oblivion or darkness, or not yet emerged from it. It is wise to plan for the future ahead of us but never at the expense of sucking all the joy out of right now. We cannot fully experience or praise God unless we take time out to enjoy Him and His creation right now. The ability to ‘earn our keep’ by the work we do is a grand opportunity to experience God working through us. Rainy days or hardships may come or may already be upon us, but nevertheless, today is still all we have. If we live by the Spirit we will find opportunity to enjoy what God is doing right now and give Him praise.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24