The Truth About Peace of Mind

There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience. – French Proverb

 

After Samuel anointed Saul as king over Israel, he had the people testify against himself and his priesthood. It was for his own exoneration and an example to Saul. HE PASSED! Saul did not.

 

For anyone, believer or not; one of the main things sought after is “peace of mind,” the ability to not have to worry about what you said or did yesterday or last week coming back to haunt you. The truth of the matter is it is entirely possible to have. All one has to do is speak the truth in all things (in love) and live for God in all things as Samuel did. The conscience is at peace when it does not have to worry about anything but the truth we’ve told, the righteous life we’ve lived, and the helping hand we’ve lent. Well, this sounds like a believer to me. May we do the things necessary that our minds rest easy.

 

Until Monday……

 

Pastor Botts

 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27

"Forgetting" what is behind and straining toward what is ahead...

The ‘good ol days’ never really come back and I suppose it's just as well. For what does come is a new morning every day in the year, and that's better. – G. E. Woodberry

 

Paul said he was pretty much willing to forget his ‘yesteryears’ for the hope of today in Christ Jesus. WOW!

 

Most people we know would rather have more of a good thing than less, and though we often speak of them in ‘hallowed’ tones, the “joys of yesteryear” are just that – fond remembrances, and few at that. No one I really know wants to go back to yesteryear, nor even yesterday. But hopefully, we’ve learned to sort out the good and useful memories from the troubling and paralyzing ones, and pair them with all the hope that is unleashed with today. Today we are free to pursue godliness, explore new avenues, to stretch our faith, and unlock our imagination, with a clean slate. God started this day for you hours ago, so He’s waiting for the ‘new you’ to show up.

 

Until tomorrow…..

 

Pastor Botts

 

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our  days.” – Psalm 90:14

The Authority to Love

God’s right to rule is His desire to love his people. – C. Ringma

 

Joseph had a right to be angry with his brothers for what they did to him, but love showed up. WOW!

 

Imagine having not just the authority to do something, but the divine right to do it; and then willingly giving it up in hope that you will not be disappointed. That’s what God did with us. He could condemn us at any time and be justified, but yet He desires not to. His love does the opposite of what we would normally expect. It fills empty rather than full hands. It pursues the worst to make it the best. It makes the weak strong and rules with love rather than force or coercion. And God does so freely, risking rejection. We are so well loved, that we ourselves ought to love others well. Time’s a wastin’ friend!

 

Until tomorrow….

 

Pastor Botts

 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:35

Creation from the Chaotic

There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation, create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at creation, he did it at the cross, and he’ll be doing it today. – H. C. G. Moule

 

The parting of the Red Sea, water from a rock, manna from heaven, feeding 5,000 - you get the idea here!

 

Oftentimes when we’re up against life, and our circumstances or relationships are overbearing and taxing us, or our resources are thread-bare and stressing us, we forget about the God who has brought us thus far, or we feel like He can’t handle this one. But if earth has no problems heaven can’t solve we must keep trusting Him in all situations, and see things from His perspective and purpose, knowing that His purposes are always for our good.

 

Until tomorrow..….

 

Pastor Botts

 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Unentangled Lifestyles

Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies just because they become fashions. – G.K. Chesterton

 

The idolatry practiced by their neighbors looked like fun and good times to the Israelites, but God thought otherwise. Ouch! 

 

Fads. New wave. Cutting edge. Avant Garde. Lifestyles, etc.  Call it what you will, but we now live in a society where it is fully acceptable to find new ways to lower morality and shun any personal responsibility, or acknowledge Almighty God. Everybody has turned to his own way. Even we as Christians if we’re not careful can get easily tangled up in the worldly offerings (media, leisure, clothing, idols, affirmations, etc.). But no matter what society calls it or how society sells it, before God it is still SIN, period! Don’t just do it, do it righteously.

 

Until tomorrow…..

 

Pastor Botts

 

“Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” – I Thessalonians 5:19-22

Living In The Current Moment

There will always be enough for today, without taking on yesterday or tomorrow. – Richard Murray

 

God rained down manna on a daily basis for the Israelites to eat. In their craftiness they tried to save some of it for the next day. It only created other problems. Hmm!

 

It is often been said that “worry is the interest paid on tomorrow’s trouble - today.” Yet even knowing this we still have a habit of carrying this excess weight with us, and it impacts our lives and testimony for God. The truth of the matter is when we agonize over yesterday’s decisions or fret over tomorrow’s possibilities we show a lack of trust and faith in our Heavenly Father. He is so willing to forgive us our past mistakes, and He is so willing to help us with tomorrow when it comes. What He wants though, is for us to just live for Him in the current moment. As 'His mercies, grace, provisions, are new every morning' today is our turn to represent Him as light and life in a dark world.

 

Until Monday……

 

Pastor Botts

 

“Therefore  do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” -Matthew 6:34

Practiced Prayer Principles

Prayer does not need proof, only practice. - Sparks

Jesus chided the Jewish crowd that had gathered because they sought a sign or miracle from him before they would believe. None was given!

We love to see, touch, and feel results, and we often want great signs and wonders done before we will truly commit ourselves to something. But prayer is one of the greatest gifts to us from God, and often it is seldom used by us to commune with God. We want blessings, and the kind we can see, but God loves the art of conversation. True, answered prayer is one of the sweetest touches from God we can receive, but the proof of prayer is not so much in the answer it brings, but in the life of the individual it changes. And this change can only come by sustained, disciplined, heartfelt petitioning. May our vocabulary in this area be greatly expanded!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.” – Psalm 32:6

What Do You See?

The question is not what you look at, but what you see! – Henry David Thoreau

Paul often spoke of how the faithful actions of others caused him to give thanks to his God. Hmm!

Having served as the financial secretary for the church for a number of years, I’ve learned to recognize the handwriting of almost everyone. No matter the flair, style, or brevity, when names are missing or information is incomplete I know who to seek out. And every time it’s a joyful, thoughtful moment shared. It makes me think how often do we recognize the ‘handwriting’ of God each day? If “the heavens continually declare His glory, day after day after day” do we often fail to recognize His signature on a new day? With flowers budding, trees wafting in the breeze, the sun radiating light and warmth, a reasonable health and life purpose, do we take these for granted, as our just due, or do we truly recognize these as signature gifts of God’s great love for us? If asking someone to clarify their intentions on an envelope or slip of paper brings a moment of joy and thoughtful reflection, just imagine what it might bring if that moment were shared with God. It couldn’t hurt!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“…since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20

Better Not Easier

Don’t wish it were easier, pray you get better! – J. Rohn

Solomon prayed not for easy guidelines to rule God’s people but for an increase in wisdom to do it justly. AMEN!

 

Make no bones about it, life at times is hard. But God never promised it would be a bed of roses every day. Often, if we’re not careful we find ourselves wishing life weren’t so hard, problems weren’t so many, even praying to God asking Him to make IT better (easier). But in reality WE should be striving to get better, become more dedicated to the tasks, asking for strength to endure and understand God’s purpose rather than relief from the situation or circumstance. Taking the easy way out may save face, but it never helps to forge our character. The whole of this life is to prepare us for eternity, when we put on perfection.

 

Until tomorrow……

 

Pastor Botts

 

“….The testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:3-4

Rise Against the Opposition

A certain amount of opposition is a great help to man. Afterall, kites rise against, not with the wind. – J. Neal

From the moment of his birth on earth until his death Jesus was met with opposition. He promised us some of the same in our life. Hmm!

A single small grain of sand is a nuisance to an oyster. But it takes that nuisance and works with it and over time it produces a precious gem. God expects the same principle application with our lives. Earth is our proving ground, and the daily situations we encounter will prepare us for an eternal home one day. As we have put our lives in God’s hands we must remember that He is often engineering situations and circumstances, and like the oyster, the opposition should soften rather than harden our hearts, for God is searching for those with a heart after his own. When your mettle or ire begins to rise today, remember God’s purposes.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

He Loves To Make A Plan Come Together

God always has options. – Anon

 

Both Abraham and Job had to be reminded that “nothing was too hard for God.” Not a thing! Amen.

 

McGuyver! The A-Team! Mission Impossible! The premise of these old shows was always that the fate of the world rested in the hands of the individual(s), and they were always met with almost insurmountable odds and enemies; but yet they still won out. If they could do it, and in their own strength, how about the God we serve. He is the creator of Heaven and earth, so there is nothing he can’t handle, and He has promised us victory if we remain faithful. So no matter what we’re up against, or how dark the way may seem, or how hopeless life may appear; though we may not see a way out, just remember God has ways of delivering us that we haven’t even considered yet. And that is the essence of our hope.

 

Until Monday…

 

Pastor Botts

 

“Now to Him who is able to immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21

Know Your Worth

Your true value depends entirely on who or what you are compared with. – B. Wells

Potiphar’s wife thought the slave boy Joseph would be easy prey. She didn’t know he served a high calling before God. Wow!

Keeping up with the Jones' has been a lifelong tradition. For many of us it was something almost inbred in us by our parents or peers, and we just can’t seem to identify ourselves any other way. It’s the way of the world and its expectations – you are what you drive, eat, wear, where you live, etc. When we allow these comparisons to shape us it brings undue stress and strain in our lives, impacting our emotional and spiritual well-being. God has told us we are worth everything to Him (He gave His Son for us) and it doesn’t matter what our lot in life is, He loves us just the same. When we look at the saints of old, we will see how even with their flaws God used them, shaped them, loved them, and saved them. Need we any other comparisons to see how much we are valued and loved.

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

Living the Full Life

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s faith or courage. – Anais Nin

Joseph went from slave to prisoner to second in command of all Egypt because of his faith. WOW!

Many people mistake living life in the ‘fast lane’ – doing all sorts of reckless stunts or endeavors – as living life to the fullest. They are not the same. Living life to the fullest is about exercising faith in God or the courage to trust God to extend us beyond our normal ranges of comfort or complacency for OUR benefit. From beginning to end life is a journey, one God truly wants us to enjoy, not recklessly; but with an ever increasing awareness of His presence and His creativity. After all, He made all this for us that we might come to know Him fully.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10

Life Preaching

Words fitly spoken are powerful, but they are nothing compared to a life fitly lived. – Chuck Swindoll

Near the end of his life, Samuel, the priest of God called the people together to ‘present’ his life. They had nothing bad to say. Hmm!

It is true that God commissioned us to “GO” and spread the good news far and wide. And it is true that we are told to “study to show ourselves approved” in the word to anyone who asks us. But it is important for us to remember that we preach with our lives - in the way we live with, and around others - more loudly and clearly than anything we can say verbally. God will be providing topics and circumstances today that He hopes we clearly preach to others.

Until tomorrow…...

Pastor Botts

“Preach the word, be prepared in season and out of season, correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.” I Timothy 4:2

It's Not About Us

You cannot pray the Lord's Prayer and even once say "I."

You cannot pray the Lord's Prayer and even once say "my."

Others are included in each and every plea.

From the beginning to the end of it, it does not once say "me." – Anon

The ‘rich fool’ in Luke 12 came down with the me, myself, and I disease. It only cost him everything. OUCH!

The motto of the common world is ‘Survival of the fittest.’ Where it’s take care of yourself first and if you have anything left over and any compassion you might consider the other guy. And we often, even as God’s chosen fall into this mentality; working long and hard to provide for our needs. The truth is we cannot provide for our needs – only God can. He provides us with the means and the strength. His desire is for us to be concerned about His kingdom and His people – that should be the crux of our living. When we fix our eyes on our own blessings or woes we miss the point – for it is not about us, we are a part of His story. As you enter today remember it’s a lot larger than you.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

Patience is also a form of action. – A. Rodin

God waited 40 years for Moses to become the man he needed him to be to set the Israelites free from Pharaoh and his people. WOW!

Waiting! It’s an issue of life we’re never really comfortable with. To us it seems to be a waste of time, lack of desire or motivation. We live in a hurry-up world, a do it now culture, which we learned from birth. We want and need answers immediately, results soon, and payoffs now to all of life’s ills or circumstances. But if we put our focus back on God’s ways we will clearly see that patience is truly an asset of the wise. God has NEVER been in a hurry. Hurried thoughts, actions, and words often lead to errors that can cause hurt and long term heartache. Being patient is not wasting time waiting; it’s taking action against doing the wrong thing.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” – Hebrews 6:12

P.S. - If you are in need our Food Distribution program is open to you as well. Tomorrow morning 10am-12pm.

Life's Growth Opportunities

People often say “life is hard!” I always ask them “compared to what?” – Sparks

After hearing what Jesus told the rich man about gaining eternal life, his disciples thought it was impossible or too hard to attain. Jesus told them nothing is impossible with God! Hmm!

The one constant about life is that it comes – relentlessly. And its true things don’t always work out the way we think they should or to our advantage, but by and large every day God gifts to us has tremendous blessings within, and our good days far outweigh our bad days (assuming we can call any day a bad one). Life is meant to perfect us, shape our character, and strengthen our spirit – for these are all we’ll take into eternity with us. Experience is sometimes the best teacher God can use when we won’t listen and learn otherwise. So as the day unfolds with its circumstances, don’t look at them as hardships but rather as growth opportunities. That’s how God wants it.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

Not All At Once

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. – Abraham Lincoln

Jesus went from manger to cross in just over 33 years, living day by day. It wasn’t supernatural, but He was. Hmm!

Today is the future of yesterday. Tomorrow, if granted will be the future of today. That’s how God has planned it since the beginning for us. We often think of the future as some time ahead - months, years, decades, etc. – and often we make our plans that way. But the future happens everyday. True, life may go on hundreds of years after today before Christ returns, but we’re not guaranteed to be here beyond today. And because God knows how much we can bear, His mercies, compassion, kindnesses and other blessings are only given us for the day, so we are not overwhelmed. So if we’re planning on living happily ever after, today would be the day to start.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once….” – Deuteronomy 7:22

Steady Progress

Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid of only standing still. – Richard Murray

Jesus was twelve when he stymied the teachers of his day, but didn’t start his ministry until he was 30 – he needed the time. Hmm!

When it comes to change too often we want it now, in the dramatic, miraculous fashion; and grow weary and ready to give up when it doesn’t happen that way. But if we look around and understand God and His nature He always takes His time in developing or growing plans. He made man on the 7^th day, not the first. Christ came as a ‘baby in a manger’ not a full grown man. God is always at work, ‘He neither slumbers nor sleeps,’ so He is working on us. Our role is to be patient, steady, and persevere under the circumstances in which He has placed us. None of us are where we truly want to be maturity wise, but if we look back we should see a steady pattern or progression of betterment in our lives and with that - REJOICE!

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

Make It Easier Saints

Saints are persons who make it easier for others to believe in God. – N. Soderblom

Before she met Jesus at the well she was a woman of ill repute. After she met Jesus at the well she helped a whole town to the faith. WOW!

Monday, and though it’s the toughest day of the week for most; the assignment gets no easier. The agenda and theme never change. God has blessed each one of us to be a saint TODAY. There will be people brought into our immediate circle of influence and God needs us to somehow inform them of His love. There will be others who watch how we handle the stresses and drama of the day and God wants us to “visually” preach to them. As heavens cameras roll today, remember it’s not about us, but God.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…..whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:35-36, 40

Hope for the Future

Hope does not depend on having a blueprint
for the future. – R.M. Pippert

Joseph, Abram, Moses, Mary the mother of Jesus, the 12 disciples; none of them knew exactly what was their next move – for they realized they were not in charge – God was. Hmm!

Did you ever notice a weekly TV sitcom – all the problems are solved within each 30 minute episode and everyone goes home happy (Happy Days, Leave it To Beaver, The Cosby Show). Life would be simple if it came with directions, and followed a script, but it doesn’t. But the absence of a script does not mean it has to be hard and cumbersome. It’s really only made that way by our incessant demand to be in the know on when and how everything will happen. We serve a God who asks us to trust Him to make everything alright though we can’t see it. If we cannot trust God we really have no hope for only He knows the future. Though everyone would like to know their future, the only promise for the future we have is a GOD that will love us – and that should be sufficient!

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” – Matthew 6:34

Small Moves, Big Results

The person who moves mountains, still begins by carrying away small stones. – Anon

On the day of Pentecost Peter preached a sermon that moved a mountain of people to accept Christ. He got his start sometime ago by just following Jesus. Hmm!

Many times we want to do the great and miraculous, the big event like Peter here that gets us noticed. But in truth the “big event” is actually an accumulation of the small things. Saving and scrimping to buy the car or house. Doing night or Saturday school to get the diploma or degree. The same is true in our walk with God. Bible study, prayer, meditation, fellowship – small things – done in faith turn mountainous problems or obstacles into molehills that are easily overcome. Start small and stay steady!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“The disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out.’ He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. 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. {But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.} Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:21-22

Growth Potential

Suffering, while common to us; is NEVER without its potential for growth. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Though he was already an example of a righteous man as seen by God, Job still grew closer to God because of his suffering. Hmm!

A bountiful garden is a beautiful sight but hard work, even from the plants perspective. Every seed planted has to die to begin new life, and even then push its way up through the hardened soil before it can stretch forth and blossom. The sufferings we face and endure have the potential and end-goal to help us shine more for Christ. It’s how we progress through it that will tell whether we blossom and become better or wither and become bitter. And though we dislike the process, it is God’s way for us sometime; but if we look over our life we can see it really doesn’t occur that often, that our good days far outweigh our bad days – so why complain?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” – I Peter 4:19