A Good Example

Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it's the only thing. - A. Schweitzer

God often 'presented' himself in various ways (burning bush, pillar of fire, etc.) that others would know without a doubt it was Him. Hmm!

In our world today, good role models are hard to find, and sometimes Christians are even harder to find. In this world of increasing hostility, if we are going to win it for Christ we must be recognized as living for Him. Jesus prayed 'that the world might believe God sent Him' through us. This will be not so much by what we do on Sundays, but how we live every moment of every day. Somebody needs your example today.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Jesus said, 'I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master......" - John 13:15-16.

A Day Granted in Love

One of the greatest keys to contentment is to realize that life is a gift, not a right! - Sparks

Stripped of all he owned and his health, Job still held his integrity for God.  His love was rewarded. AMEN!

Today is upon us. Most people will enter it without much thought, as if they deserved it, and if events don’t flow smoothly they become disgruntled and unhappy. But the truth is God has granted us this day, He has granted us our life to this point, not because we deserve it or earned it, but because He loves us. When we look at it from this point of view life can’t get any better. As you make your way through Today, problems or not, unwrap your gift with care.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him?” – Psalm 8:3-4

God's Way

Be God or let God be! – Anon

Jesus, at one time denounced Peter as Satan for his attempt to stand in the way of God’s program and Jesus ultimately on the cross. Hmm!

Like Peter, the hardest thing for us to do is to go along with God’s program when it doesn’t seem to make much sense or fit in with our expectations. But that is the true basis and foundation of faith and trust. God’s ways and thoughts are not ours. We can’t comprehend or respond the way God does. He created the universe and all there is and is working everything to His perfect conclusion. Our role is to have faith in all situations and believe He will work it out for our benefit and HIS GLORY! Let go and let God.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Know that the Lord is God. It is HE who made us, and we are HIS, we are HIS people, the sheep of HIS pasture. Enter HIS gates with thanksgiving, and HIS courts with praise.” – Psalm 100:3-4

What's for us

Faith will not always get us what we want, but it will get us what God wants us to have. – Sparks

Paul cried out in faith to God several times to have his ‘thorn in the flesh’ removed. God gave him humility instead. Amen!

True, the bible says with a little faith you could move mountains, and true the bible says if you ask, believing, you shall receive it. But often we overlook the fact that what we ask for is ALWAYS subject to God’s will and purpose for our lives. If God gave us everything we wanted, He would be a puppet on a string or heavenly vending machine. God grants to us what we need and often supplies our wants within reason for His glory. The sad part is often we just don’t see it because it doesn’t come the way we expect it. God will be granting us all something special today. Don’t miss it!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” – Isaiah 30:18

Truth in Advertising

Make yourself an honest person, and then you can be sure there is one less rascal in the world. – T. Carlyle

Paul said he was ‘determined’ to know nothing among those he fellowshipped with except Jesus Christ. His life proved his point. Hmm!

“Betcha can’t eat just one!” That was the Lay’s Potato Chip ad slogan from years ago. It was good advertising, deceptive; but still good. Mind you, you had to buy a whole bag to try and best the slogan, and that meant sales. We are in a sense all in sales, advertising for our Heavenly Father through our lives. And our story, just like everyone else’s has a few dark spots or less-than-desirable chapters. But God doesn’t want us to be deceptive in our presentation, nor does He want us to hide behind the dark moments. His desire is that we treat them as any good marketer would, in a positive light. Tell others how we’ve become wiser, more disciplined, mature, experienced, and of course more dependent upon Him who forgave us and restored us. Good trustworthy advertising makes good sense and good business, and God is still in the people business.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God….” – Genesis 39:9

He Knows All

A good sermon often leaves you wondering how the preacher knew so much about you. – Anon

Nathanael was amazed that Jesus knew so much about him before they met. Jesus said “the amazement” is just beginning. WOW!

Though we are absent from one another’s presence often we are never absent from God’s presence. There is no place we can go from his presence, for all of creation is before Him at all times. We may not acknowledge His presence or entreat him, but He is always there, and YES that includes when we willingly sin. A good moral conscience will not stop you from sinning, that’s an act of your will and self-control. God knows what He needs to say to you and He often uses people (preachers) to say it, because He cares. Have we thought about what He has ‘preached’ lately?

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” – Romans 10:14-15

Not What It May Seem

If the grass seems greener on the other side of the fence, it only means yours needs fertilizer. – Anon

The “Prodigal Son” couldn’t wait to get away and experience life on his own. He soon found himself back on familiar turf – HOME!

Temptation! Self-indulgence! Evil begetting riches! We live in a world today that appears to reward those who do wrong. It seems as if they have a care-free life and all they need. We may sometimes wonder why our life is not like that, why we can’t have it all. But things are not always as they appear to be. We must remember our enemy “masquerades as an angel of light” (false hope, false security, etc.). Though it may seem appealing it is really only a façade, something designed to shift your focus from God, and his purposes for fulfillment in your life.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“[Jesus said] be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:11-12

Keeping Unity

When two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers! – African Proverb

Paul pleaded with both Euodia and Syntyche to get along, otherwise the CHURCH loses. That’s sound advice. AMEN!

As brother’s and sisters in Christ our main goal should be to ‘endeavor to keep the unity of the body through the bonds of peace.’ When we spar and spat with each other on non-essentials to the Christian faith, many outsiders take their cue and turn away, and outreach is hampered. Jesus said where 2 or 3 gather in His name He is present. The key is to be united in spirit. Remember, we’re Christian only, but not the only Christians!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me.” – John 17:20-23

Chips Down

A chip on the shoulder is too heavy a piece of baggage to carry through life. – John Hancock

Though he was a ‘prisoner in chains’ Paul never considered his situation an added weight in his ministry. God granted him much success! Amen.

All of us I’m sure can think of some person, friend, firm or even family member that has done us wrong. It’s a fact of life that everyone is not going to do what we would want them to do. Jesus himself was crucified for ‘bearing’ the truth. But it does us no good and wastes emotional and spiritual energy to carry a bad attitude or even a grudge against others. Why be a silent prison guard, holding ‘fictitious’ people in jail in your heart or mind. Why not release whatever person or circumstances that are weighing you down. A change of attitude and heart can change your whole outlook on life. Travel light today!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Bear with one another, and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:13-14

Making it Happen

If opportunity isn’t knocking, maybe you need to build a door! – Anon

Zacchaeus had much more on his mind than just ‘seeing’ Jesus when he climbed that tree. Hmm!

So often we wonder why it seems others are prospering, getting invitations, answers, and results when it seems we’re in the midst of the most arid desert around. Sadly, the answer may be us. Could we be unapproachable, where our demeanor or attitude turns people off? Could we be unavailable, where our time or our rank in life is so valuable that those we deem of no help to us we shun? Or could we just be lazy, missing out on wave after wave of opportunity God sends our way because it might require us getting out of our comfort zone. The good news is that to turn it around all we need to do is look within, and then fall on our knees. God has ample work to be done, and as we offer ourselves to Him and His kingdom building purposes, we’ll soon find out that the harder we work the ‘luckier’(more blessed) we seem to become.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….and that He rewards those who earnestly seek after Him…” – Hebrews 11:6

Get up!

It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you have the courage to get back up. – Vince Lombardi

Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers and later thrown into prison by his owner, yet Pharaoh made him 2nd in command to all of Egypt. WOW!

Contrary to popular belief the object of football is not just to knock your opponent down but to score. But the action of the game does make a good analogy to life. We spend our life in the pursuit of fruitful things, worthwhile goals, etc. But in our everyday living there will be some big hits, painful blows that knock us down, put us in a daze even. Personal and spiritual attacks from within and without, job issues, health matters just to name a few. But if we really have the faith we profess we’ll be able to pick ourselves up and go on no matter what. Today will give ample opportunity for progress.

Until tomorrow……...

Pastor Botts

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” – II Corinthians 4:8-9

God: Second Place to NONE

When we give God second place, we give God no place at all. – Anon

Jesus twice drove the money changers and sellers from the temple area. Seems there was no room for God in his own house. Hmm!

From the time we’re able to understand we’re taught “everybody loves a winner,” that unless you came out on top you’re a loser. And we feed into that worldview. But it is only in God’s economy that we can win by losing. “He who loses his life for my sake will find it” is what His word says. Anytime we place anything or anyone before God – we lose. True there are a great deal of noble causes out there – and the enemy knows this – but our worship and service to God must come first. As circumstances arise this day remember to be economical.

Until Monday……..

Pastor Botts

“And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” – Colossians 1:18

P.S. - Don't forget our class on Reconciliation begins Sunday at 9:15am. Hope you can attend!

All for the Asking

Heaven is full of answers to prayer for which no one bothered to ask.  - Billy Graham

James told the saints of old “they have not because they ask not.” Makes good sense to me. AMEN!

“It’s the squeaky wheel that gets the oil,” is a phrase many of us remember growing up with; indicating that the one who cried out the most and/or the loudest seemingly got all the attention. That’s a good analogy to use when it comes to prayer. We can’t cry out too loud or too often to God. Oftentimes in our prayer lives we seemingly don’t bother God with various problems or issues thinking them too little or vain or even silly. But with God there is no small, vain, or silly prayer – as He just loves to hear from His children, and He has ‘wonderful things in store’ for those who ask.  You might’ve noticed in some of His answers an abundance of blessing, could it be possibly because He hears from us so rarely He just pours it on? Hmm!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven…..” – II Chronicles 7:14

A Good Day

Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful. – Annette Funicello

Paul said even in his weaknesses he would 'boast'. I think it had something to do with God’s all-surpassing grace!

Well, today is here. Probably not exactly like you wanted it, but it is here, wating on you. The day will have some up moments and it will have some down moments. You’ll see things to make you laugh or smile, and you’ll see things that will make you upset or angry. You will have people come through for you, and you’ll have people let you down. And none of these things are relegated to just one person, everyone will have them. But all in all isn’t it just wonderful to be alive and know that God is still working on your character with events like these. Yes the Master Potter is busy at his work – YOU!

Until tomorrow……..

Pastor Botts

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6

Model Behavior

The nice part of living in a small town is that when I don’t know what I’m doing, someone else does. – Anon

When Lot was in trouble down in Sodom & Gomorrah, someone told Abram; and he came to his rescue. AMEN!

One of the truths we come to realize as we grow older is that the world isn’t as big as we once thought it to be. With the current technology and innovations anything can be brought to light almost instantly, and unfortunately it often is. We often think we can get away with or hide our ‘habits,’ ‘dirty deeds,’ or non-Christian behaviors, but in reality we can’t. Someone is always looking, and generally it is someone we know or who knows about us. True, sin is a part of all our lives, but habitual, behavioral sin is what Christ frees us from. In a day and age where a lie can go around the world before truth has an opportunity to tie its shoes, we need to be mindful of whom we belong to at all times.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” – Romans 16:19

Interconnected

Every life is a profession of faith, and exercises an inevitable and silent influence. – H. Amiel

Not much detail is given, but Naomi (Israelite) had a deeply profound effect on her daughter-in-law Ruth (Moabite), who left all to follow her. And the rest as we know it is HIS STORY!

The saying goes, "no man is an island," meaning none of us can truly go it alone, we need other people and relationships to be healthy. So no matter how much we want to believe our life is ours to live alone, the truth is it is not, and it will in some way impact others, and often in very profound ways that we’re not even aware of. Most of us are our parents children. We not only look like them, we often have their mannerisms, morality, and worldview. And that's okay assuming they were/are God-fearing folk.  Having said such, we need remember the old adage: “you get from people what you give them.” The greater question I guess is what do we want to receive today?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:5-6

Freely Give

Those who give when they are asked to, have waited too long. – Richard Murray

The woman anointed Jesus’ head not because he asked, but because she wanted too. WOW!

We’ve all heard the refrain “I would’ve helped if you asked me.”  We’ve probably used it ourselves a time or two. But the true meaning of servant is just that – to provide service. An honorable servant looks for ways to assist or lend a hand or support. It’s not an inconvenience, not a return of a favor, nor a deed to show our good works, it’s just an act of love expressed from a heart of gratitude. God, who has given us all things should NEVER have to ask us for anything nor should His church have to beg us. For if we truly understand all He has done for us, all He has spared us from, and all He has promised us, the love we have for Him and His church should have us almost tripping over ourselves to express it in giving our best to Him. The next move is ours!

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“…..Freely you have received, freely give.” – Matthew 10:8  

Time Perspective

There are no more hours in a bad day than in a good one. - Richard Murray

Though Daniel spent the night in the lion's den, it was but a short respite from the world. He and God were OKAY, WOW!

Time flies when you're having fun, but seems to slow to a crawl or snail's pace when things are bad or circumstances are grim. But maybe, just maybe it's in the way we look at it. Often when we take our eyes off of God and His purposes we tend to get narrow minded and a bit more impatient, which only tends to make bad situations appear to last longer. If we focus on God and His goodness, the day never really is long enough to give proper thanks.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be GLAD in it. " - Psalm 118:24

With great Rank comes great Responsibility

Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility. – Peter Drucker

Though Jesus was God in the flesh, Savior, Redeemer, and Lord – he was a SERVANT! Hmm!

Our government is mired in a power struggle. If you listen to any elected official they’ll tell you they have a ‘responsibility’ to honor the wishes of those who put them in office, and uphold the laws on the books - but we all know it is as it suits them. But Jesus did exactly what His Father asked of him in his earthly ministry, carrying out the complete will of his Father to the point of sacrificing his life on a cross. You and I, as believers have achieved the rank of CHRISTIAN, and have a great responsibility to Our Lord, to wear the name well. So no matter what situation or circumstances may come about today, and regardless of what others may or may not do, we must remember the name we wear and act accordingly.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” – Luke 12:48

Sing your Song

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. - Maya Angelou

The Good Samaritan didn't solve all the world's problems, but he did do one thing - love his neighbor. God was well pleased. Hmm!

It would be great to know each day exactly what activities God wanted us to accomplish, or people He wanted us to witness to, but it is not always that simple. And if we stop and think about it, we don't need to know all the exact details, that's God's business; we just need to be obedient to what we already know to do - go and tell the good news, love one another - and that will suffice. May we all have that song in our hearts today.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." - Romans 12:1

God: The Agenda Issue

We must remember each day the top agenda item is God and His glory, not me and my comfort. - Max Lucado

Paul told the Corinthians he was 'determined' to know nothing else among them other than Jesus Christ. I think he had it right. AMEN!

It's Monday again. Sunday, with all its spiritual pleasantries has come and gone. And though we have jobs to tend to, family to care for, school and activities that require our involvement; we can never get away from the business of kingdom building. Today is the day God has given us to be about His business, and we truly can't find a greater calling. So as the needs arise, the requests come, remember God is the agenda issue. He expects us to make progress on it today!

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." - Colossians 3:23