Rewarding Prayer

Yes, the requirements of prayer tax the heart, but the answers and rewards are all tax free. – Anon

Hannah, Hezekiah, Jonah, Paul. Just a few prayer warriors who seemed to know how to move God in a mighty way. Hmm!

Anybody who has ever worked in the United States remembers the shock of their very first paycheck. The long, hard, arduous hours of work and then WHAM-O, net pay far from what we thought. But God is truly awesome and amazing. No agency or person can stop us from seeking Him, nor Him answering in a mighty way to bring into our lives all He desires for us. And as he answers there is no middle-man or agency to ‘take a cut.’ His blessings are full and overflowing, and what’s more when we share them they double. The key is to learn in our quiet times what God’s heart is and ask for the world. He’s already promised to give it!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” – Psalm 34:6-7

Eternal Wear

What we weave on earth we will wear throughout eternity – W. C. Brumby

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man wove an intricate heart of selfishness, pride, and contempt. It fit him well in his eternal home. OUCH!

To a person, most people would say they dress the way they feel inside. This is very true, for it is “out of the heart the mouth speaketh,” not only verbally but in our actions as well. We really can only do what is in our hearts to do. And though we are great at the “cover-up” or “mask” game with one another, God is still looking on the heart. This day many opportunities will pass our way to help shape our heart for God. He, the Master weaver; is at work on our tapestry for HIM. May our “speech/actions” add the proper hue and texture to the cloth.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“May the words of my mouth and the MEDITATION of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14

Burn Together

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. – Anon

What would have happened if Andrew had not told his brother Simon about finding the Christ? I can’t imagine Pentecost any other way. WHEW!

A burning candle is useless if no one is around to enjoy it, its heat and radiance goes unnoticed, and its purpose goes unfulfilled. The same is true of us when we try to exist in solitude and singleness of purpose. We were made to be interdependent upon one another. That’s where our strength, stamina, and resiliency come from. Anyone who has ever tried to blow out candles on a birthday cake knows it takes a lot of effort, and the more candles lit, the more effort required. God has indeed called us to be light in a dark world. Imagine how our lives could be strengthened and burn brighter with others like us in a small community of believers. Are you in or out?

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“…..In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.” – II Corinthians 7:13

Listen intimately

We are drowning in communication technology, but still have not perfected the art of listening. - Anon

It took God three attempts before He got young Samuel's attention. Hmm!

Smartphones, I-Pad/IPOD, PDA’s, Bluetooth technology, Wi-Fi technology, etc., all designed to keep us connected, up to date, and well informed. We spend so much time with technology and communicating via technology, we have lost the art of casual, intimate conversation and relationship where listening takes place. Technology has not really made life simpler, it has only sped it up. We’re so ‘wired’ we no longer know how to slow down and catch our breath and actually catch up with one another, especially God. This is not to say technology is a bad thing, but we must remember God was communicating long before technology came into being. So, no matter how technologically advanced we become the intimacy we seek with God and others will always be one on one, face to face.

Until Monday…….

Pastor Botts

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 3:20

Give a Care

No one else has to care, so long as you do! – Anon

God had an adjective for the Samaritan who helped his prejudiced neighbor in need. I think it was “GOOD.”

Let’s face it. If we’re not careful we often do look around to see what everyone else is doing, and if anyone cares about the things we care for. But God has made each one of us and called us each individually, to do what WE KNOW to be right in His sight. The cross we are to bear daily is for His glory alone. As life comes at you today remember He cares for you and hopes you care for Him.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“The eyes of the Lord look continually for those who have a heart like him.” – II Chronicles 16:9

Still Learning

I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught. – Winston Churchill

Jesus questioned Peter 3 times about his love for him. Each time Peter squirmed, but answered truthfully. Pentecost says he PASSED the test!

The book ‘All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten’ sold thousands of copies in the stores. It was a bit misleading as it only talked about basic premises for life, not that our education was through at this level of schooling. Sadly, many people feel they are through learning when their prescribed course of education is completed. But life is an ever evolving educational process. Our education begins the day we are born and ends the day we die. God knows exactly how much time He’s allotted for us and He will use each and every moment to bring us into a deeper understanding of who He is. At times some lessons are more painful than others, not because of God but because of our own schemes. As you go through the day remember God is the Master of the pop quiz.

Until tomorrow……..

Pastor Botts

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves….” – Hebrews 12:7-8

Ever wonder?

The bible tells us how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go. – Galileo

The disciples pressed Jesus about the restoration of Israel. He told them “it’s not for them to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” Hmm!

Life is just truly perplexing sometimes. There are things that stop us dead in our tracks at times as we wonder what in the world God is up to, or why is He not doing this or that right now. God is doing exactly what He wills right now. The world may seem a troubled place, and it is; but God is still in control. Though the bible does give us insight as to what God will or will not do, it never gives us a timeline on when He will do anything, or how He will do it. The bible was given to us that we might come to know God and prepare ourselves to meet and live with Him in eternity- the business of running the universe is still God’s alone. If we’ve lost our perspective on things maybe we need to re-read what God told Job.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” – Deuteronomy 29:29

Real Contentment in God

Contentment is destroyed by comparison. – Anon

James identified himself as a 'servant' of Christ rather than his brother. Wise indeed!

“And they lived happily ever after!” Yes it’s a fairy tale ending, but in truth it is an ending we all tend to seek. We all seek after a peace that fills us, satisfies us, validates us; and that peace can only come from our being perfectly aligned with God and His will. There is no other source that can fulfill that inner longing – we were made for communion with God. The problem we have is we consistently compare our livelihood, our possessions or resources, or even our actions to that of our fellow man, and that robs us of our true identity and contentment we should have with God. God is not so much concerned with what we have as He is with ‘who we are’ and ‘how are we.’ When the answer to these two questions begin and end with Him, contentment is not far away. So we need not look around, we only need to look heavenward.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves they are not wise.” – II Corinthians 10:12