The Faith Adventures

I do not want merely to possess a faith, I want a faith that possesses me. – C. Kingsley

The ‘marks’ Paul bore on his body for Christ was because his faith would not let him sit still or be silent. Hmm!

It’s no secret – life, if given the chance will beat up on us, drag us through the mud or briar patch, make us question our eyesight and our sanity, and leave us cursing the day we were born like Job. That’s why it’s imperative we have a living, active faith that keeps us enthusiastic and hopeful at all times. One thing we should know by now is that life with God is never dull, it’s a continuous unfolding adventure; as He seeks to make Himself known to us in all His creation. So if we’re going to be possessed by something, rather than it being Mastercard, VISA, Freddie Mac, etc., it’s apparent being led by faith is much more adventuresome.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“…just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.” – Romans 1:17

Refresh & Refocus

We should be thankful for our tears, they prepare our eyes for a clearer vision of God. – W. A. Ward

The sinful woman was not afraid to “shed a few tears” on Jesus’ feet. He gave her forgiveness and salvation in return. Hmm!

One of the greatest inventions of our time is the windshield wiper. It wipes away the water and buildup that would normally block our vision and impede our progress. Amazingly, our tears serve the same purpose. Whether they come at the birth of our children, wedding or other special dates, or even at the passing of a loved one; they refresh and re-focus us on what’s important and upon whom we must depend – God. The world and all its contrivances can and will cloud our vision if we allow it, but God gave us a way to see Him more clearly if we’re strong enough. If you haven’t cried in a while, maybe you just need to cozy up to God.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” – Psalm 126:5

It Hurts Because It's True

The truth doesn’t hurt unless it ought to. – B.C. Forbes

Peter was ‘hurt’ when Jesus questioned his love those 3 times after his denials. But he finally got point. OUCH!

Jesus referred to himself as ‘the Truth.’ God never gave us the truth to hurt us, but to set us free. The power of the truth is in its application – love. If we walk in the truth we feel the love and warmth of God. If we walk outside of the truth we feel its painful sharp edges trying to push us back into line. If pain lingers its only because of our refusal to acknowledge and accept God’s plan and purposes over our own. We can get mad and go away but the TRUTH (God’s Word) will never change, for it is His agent to change us. Lets strive for a pain-free day today!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth.” – John 17:17

Reason To Doubt Or Reason To Believe?

Dreams come true, without that possibility, God would not incite us to have them. – John Updike

Abraham’s righteousness was ‘accounted’ to him simply because he believed in what God said. – WOW!

When it comes down to the promises of God our beliefs are in full effect. The bible tells us ‘all the promises of God are Yes in Christ.’ The enemy and his allies will throw up situations, circumstances, issues, and even pain to make us doubt this. That’s where our beliefs come into play. As one writer asked “are you looking for a reason to doubt God’s promises or a reason to believe and claim them”? No matter what we’re faced with now, how large, intense, or consuming it may appear, a brief look back at what God has already brought us through should remind us He has a promise to get us through this s well, if we believe. Do you?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” – Psalm 84:11

The Good from the Broken

God has an amazing way of bringing good vibrations out of broken chords – Anon

Adam & Eve’s fall in the Garden. David and Bathsheba’s sin. Peter’s denial. All tragic events that could have destroyed the very lives of the individuals involved, yet God still used them all in a mighty way. Hmm!

Many of us have a somewhat jaded view of God. We believe He can do great things, but not for us; that our situation is beyond His reach and repair, or that we’re so far gone He wants nothing more to do with us. But nothing can be further from the truth, He continually seeks communion with us. Perhaps you have traveled down the road of sin and feel broken and separated from the Heavenly Father. He’s still in the reclamation business and has great desire to use you for His glory. He can do ‘abundantly more than we can imagine.’ All we need do is seek Him out, confess our sin, repent, and allow Him to work in our life again. Today can be a new beginning if we so desire.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:17

Program, Set, Go!

Do not have your concert first and THEN tune your instrument later! – J. Taylor

David was a victorious warrior king because he often sought God before the battle. -Hmm!

On any given flight, beyond the take-off and landing; most of the flight is controlled by the autopilot. It is pre-programmed with all the flight data; and has many redundant or back-up systems to make sure it stays the course. The important thing to note is that the autopilot is programmed BEFORE the flight takes off. By comparison many of us live our lives on autopilot, doing things by ritual. We try and grab God as we go; or convince ourselves that we’ll take time a little later to get with Him. And then the crisis hits and often we crash –OUCH! If God is truly the pilot of our lives maybe we need to give Him time each morning to program our autopilot feature. After all He knows the weather ahead!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“…Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love…..show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” – Psalm 143:8

What to do Now

Just where you are, that’s the place to start. – P. Chodron

When Jesus called his disciples, it seems all of them immediately left what they were doing and followed. AMEN!

How do you work God into your ‘to-do list’? Truth be told, this pandemic situation has slowed us all down a bit, given us a bit more time to be reflective, purposeful, and focused. It may have even streamlined our ‘to-do list’. But the fact remains we still have a ‘to-do list’. Has God received any more of our time in prayer, meditation, study, fasting, etc.? Have we sought out new ways to explore His character and glory? I think maybe a key is in how we approach what we do. If we do ‘everything in the name of the Lord’ as the scriptures command, it puts God smack dab in the middle of all we have on our lists, and it actually might just make the list shorter and easier. It’s worth a try!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“..let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for US.” – Hebrews 12:1

Joy In Pain

God doesn’t always smooth the path, but sometimes He puts springs in the wagon. – M. Lucas

Joseph’s pathway to prominence as Pharaoh’s 2nd in command wasn’t the smoothest, but God’s hand of favor was always upon him. Amen!

Hardship is as much a part of life as the air we breathe. For if we had no hardship we really would not know the true experience of joy. Troubles may come and not seem to get better with much prayer and meditation, but God will not put more on us than we can bear, and where one area of our life may be particularly troubled, God is still blessing in other areas. That’s one of the great mysteries of ‘grace.’ If we count our blessings we’ll see it’s true.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“There was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘MY GRACE is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”’ – II Corinthians 12:7-9

Running Because...

All men should strive to learn before they die, who or what they are running from, or to, and why. – James Thurber

Paul told Timothy he ‘knew’ a crown of life was laid up for him which Jesus would then give him. WOW!

The atheist says there is no God, but yet he is caught up in this hectic, busy, non-stop world, growing older and striving each day – for what? The same could be said of the agnostic as well. Now for those of us who confess Christ the answer is obvious. But though we may know why and have a hope the others do not, we must make sure our ‘running’ is not in vain. God is exact in His laws and decrees on what He expects of His children. And though He is ‘plenteous’ in mercy, He will not change His word one iota to fit us in. If we’re running to Him we must remember the Cross is the starting point and the Bible is the standard. Anything else is useless and excuses won't be accepted.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death.” – Proverbs 14:12 

Looking in the Right Direction

I try to avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward. – Charlotte Bronte

God was a ‘cloud’ by day and a ‘pillar’ of fire by night leading the Israelites. He’s still looking for a few good folks to lead today. Hmm!

As anyone who has ever been on a guided tour knows, you always keep your eyes and ears on the Tour Guide. They know the way, what’s important along the way, how much time should be spent at a station and so on…to lose sight of them is to risk getting lost, getting in trouble, or missing out on the tour’s main offering. Life is very similar to this as we journey each day. To keep looking back is to live with the shame, regrets, pain, and heartache of the past, which drastically lessens our hope and encouragement that things will get better. To keep looking into the future is to run the danger of moving beyond God’s stride and direction, running ahead of His plans and purposes and ending up unfulfilled. That’s why it’s imperative that we keep our focus on God, walk at His pace, never letting go of His hand. He will allow us to take time and enjoy His creation, but also ensure we never get lost, never have need to fear, and never linger longer than necessary at any point.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“…..Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith….” – Hebrews 12:2

Constant Change

Life is a process of continually becoming, a combination of stages we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. That is death. - Anais Nin

Joseph, Abraham, David, Paul – men who suffered mightily but were changed by it, and helped change the world for God. Hmm!

When we were young we couldn’t wait to grow up. Oh the ideas we had back then on how we would live our life out. And now here we are trying like the dickens to just keep the ‘status quo.’ We say things like “I’m too old to change,” or “I like my life just as it is.” But change we must, for we serve a God who is ever working out his purposes in our lives. And just as nature has its 4 seasons, there are seasons for us as well. We will never be twenty-something again, but thirty, forty, fifty-plus can’t be bad because God has prepared us for it. We cannot truly grasp the present and presence of God unless we let go of the past.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Mental Captivity

Liberty is one of the most precious gifts that heaven has bestowed on man. - Miguel de Cervantes

Though he was free and owed no man, the Prodigal son's brother was a prisoner in his own heart. Hmm!

Most bank vaults are built to be secure. Surrounded by several layers of concrete with reinforced steel, other materials, and alarm systems makes them virtually impenetrable. It would take a concerted, monumental effort to break in. When you think about it, this is the same building process or method Satan uses to hold us hostage in our own heart. He sows guilt, shame, fear, or some other sin in our heart and then begins to build around it. Day by day and layer by layer he coats it with all the 'reasons' we should keep this secret, locked away, holding us hostage. Our freedom however, is ever near. The power of confession to Christ breaks every bond and grip of the enemy and sets us free, to live our lives fully for the glory and honor of God. Which by the way is why He gave us TODAY. Freedom is just a repentance and prayer away.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"...Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord and you forgave the guilt of my sin..." - Psalm 32:5

Cheer in the Face of it All

Smile – it makes folks wonder what you’re up to, and why. – Anon

Paul was so joyful in Christ governor Festus thought he was ‘insane.’ Anyhow, Christ was preached. AMEN!

Cheerfulness, or joy is a gift we can give to ourselves at any time. We’re never really at the need of others to cheer us up or lift our spirit. This is not to say we don’t need others in our lives or that their efforts to help are futile, but simply the attitude to be joyful or cheerful resides within us. And since God has promised to be with us at all times our hearts should always be rejoicing. For if God’s presence here doesn’t cheer us or bring us joy, then having all of heaven at our fingertips will not either since it is the ceaseless praise of God. Jesus took everything that happened to him in stride, even the cross, for the ‘joy set before him.’  Life is not always easy, rosy, or pain-free, but it is still a gift from God, and since He is with us in the midst of whatever we’re going through we can smile.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“…an anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” – Proverbs 12:25

Finish It

Life has two rules: Number One -Never quit.  Number Two -Always remember rule number One. - Duke Ellington

Abraham, Joseph, David, Job, Paul. In spite of the difficulties and trials in their life they always kept God first. God never quit on them either. AMEN!

Growing up playing games as a kid the last thing anyone of us wanted to be known as was a quitter. Scrapes, bruises, bleeding, even darkness didn't matter - we played on and on. Quitting was dishonorable. What happened? If we're truly honest with ourselves it's amazing how often we quit on God. We start something and almost at the drop of a hat or the first hardship we quit. Attending church, bible study, prayer time, giving, even righteous living go out the door when it's an inconvenience to us. Thankfully God is gracious, though He will not be forever. And though He may not deal directly with us now, rest assured that one day we "will have to give an account." And with God, results count; excuses don't.

Until tomorrow........

Pastor Botts

"Jesus replied, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'" - Luke 9:62

No Better Time Like the Present

The best time to plant a tree is 25 years ago. The 2nd best time is today. - Anon

Jesus gave Peter a second chance to be bold and Holy Pentecost! WOW!

It's true no matter who you talk to. Every person has something in their life they lament, something they maybe wished they started earlier upon, got more training in, etc. But none of that matters now. The truth of life is there's no time like the present to become an expert on something or at least improve on our position or lot in life. We may not be where we want to be or what we want to be. And thankfully, we serve a God who's not content to leave us where we are anyway. So the good news of today is "things are finally starting to look up!"

Until Monday....

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

Complete Coverage

The insurance policy may cover you falling off the roof, but you better check to see if it covers you hitting the ground. – Anon

Stoning, beaten with rods, shipwrecked, snake-bitten, and imprisoned; still Paul knew God was with him every step of the way. Wow!

If you’ve ever had a malfunctioning product and had to deal with the manufacturer regarding the warranty or guarantee, you probably know by now that generally the part that breaks is usually not covered. It’s always something in the ‘fine print.’ Manufacturers are in business to make money and go all out to avoid costly payouts and/or litigation, hence the very lengthy product disclosure and warranty document. But our Maker, stands by His promise, and is willing to fix/repair any part that breaks or becomes defective (forgiveness of sin). He knows we have weaknesses and shortcomings and won’t pass every trial the first or second time. And not only is He willing to ‘fix’ and forgive, He is completely willing and wants to fully redeem us at the appointed time to be with Him throughout all eternity. And how do we know His promises are true? It’s all in the fine print: “I Love You!"

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” – John 17:24

Room for Improvement

No matter how often you rearrange the furniture or add a new piece to the collection, the biggest room in the heart continues to be the room for improvement. - L. Leber

According to Jesus, the rich young man who honored all the commandments ‘lacked’ only one thing to inherit eternal life. Sadly, he refused to grasp it. Hmm!

It’s somewhat amazing but many of us seem fully satisfied with where we are in our Christian walk, remaining babes in Christ. We shun bible study and/or prayer times, fellowship gatherings, and worship. We continue in unhealthy alliances, relationships, and entertainment venues. God has told us once we put our ‘hand to the plow’ we should not look back, but press on. The ‘gifts’ of the Spirit cannot be made manifest nor brought to maturity in our hearts unless we properly care for what God has entrusted to us. The man who gets strong lifting weights continues to lift weights to stay strong.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these quantities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive…..” – II Peter 1:5-8

Daily Lessons From Life

If the heavens declare God’s glory, imagine what the world you live in shouts about Him! – Anon

The burning bush really got Moses’ attention, and a withered fig tree caught Peter’s eye. They were made to wonder. Hmm!

Admittedly, sleeping through the sermon is nothing new; it has been going on through the ages. And though most of us will proudly proclaim we never would do such a thing, ALL of us often sleep through some of God’s most compelling sermons; for they are not always from the pulpit or the preacher. God is a phenomenal and wise communicator if we would just take the time to look, listen and meditate on what we encounter. A newborn baby, a thunderstorm, blooming flowers, or even a pain in our body. God sends out messages, lessons, or sermon after sermon to see if our reception is any good. “He who has ears let him hear…..” Yes, preaching has its place in the church and we should eagerly look forward to hearing from God this way, but He also loves for us to observe His many messages that come from nature, experiences, and life, for they give greater impact and application to what we hear on any Sunday. So, now that you know…..

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“so then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled….” – I Thessalonians 5:6

Wardrobe Check

Perhaps no sin so easily besets us as a sense of self-satisfied superiority to others. – W. Osler

Rehoboam’s desire to show himself greater

than his father Solomon cost him half a kingdom. OUCH!

Often, the reflection that appears in the mirror goes much deeper if we take time to truly ponder it, for it captures not only our look, but our intent of heart. So it should serve as a reminder that no matter how much God has blessed us, and how far He has brought us, or even how long we have served Him; smugness or pride should never be in our “Christian wardrobe,” that we put on daily. As Jesus pointed out the differences in the heart of the Pharisee and the publican in their prayers, “it’s not who you are and what you do, but what God does for you”. So let us be reminded that a suit of humility and a coat of GRACE makes for a marvelous outfit to wear.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“…If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself” – Galatians 6:3

Light Bearers

There are two kinds of light – the glow that illumines, and the glare that obscures. – James Thurber

Jesus called the Pharisees/Sadducees 'hypocrites,' because their brand of religion focused on them and not God. OUCH!

The brightest light we know is the sun created by God. He placed it right where it needs to be for our survival. We need its light and heat for our well-being here on earth. We've all learned to appreciate a great sunny day and we've also all learned not to stare into the glare it gives for it can lead to major problems. In a sense we are challenged the same way by God. We are called to be “light” in a dark world, but we need to make sure we light the path for others to see Jesus clearly, and not blind them so that all they see is us or a form of religious legalism. I pray Jesus shows up in all of us today.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” – Acts 13:47

Time Well Spent

At the tone, the time will be…– Telephone Operator

David wrote in the Psalms that ‘no matter where he thought he could go’ he couldn’t escape meeting up with God there. Hmm!

TIMING – we all know it’s critical. A second too soon or too late could spell disaster. But when it comes to God we often don’t relate Him to the here and now. We often relate to Him in terms of what He’s done in the past for us, or how we’re asking Him to help us defeat this gigantic problem we’re up against. But He is the God of the here and now – time exists solely because of Him alone – and He’s ever present in every second. Often we spend time ‘waiting’ on God to move or act and fail to realize we can still enjoy Him in the process. One does not preclude the other. He’s an ever-present God. So as the song says ‘Don’t Wait Til’ Midnite’, CALL NOW! And I can guarantee the time will be that much better.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“He has made everything beautiful in it’s time….” – Ecclesiastes 3:11

Not a Mumbling Word

Dignity is the capacity to hold back on the tongue what never should have been in the mind in the first place. – Anon

When Jesus was being scourged for our sins the bible says he “never said a mumbling word.” Such a loud, grand, and dignified response. Amen!

There is an old cliché which states: ‘Please engage your brain before putting your mouth in gear,’ meaning we need to stop and think before we speak. As children of God we need to seriously consider this truth. Often we speak too quickly and sometimes harshly, when it would be best to remain silent and prayerful. God is not against us being instructional or critical in our speaking, as long as it's done in an encouraging and engaging manner. But we must also know that no matter the case 'as above with Christ' sometimes some things are often left better unsaid and unthought. I pray you much success today!

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.” – Proverbs 22:11