Stepping Stones to Move Forward

We cannot change our memories, but we can change their meaning and the power they have over us. – D. Seamans

Joseph let God erase all the hatred from his heart against his brothers for what they had done. He even ‘cried’ when he saw them again. The reunion was all good. AMEN!

The thing about life is it throws many events our way, some good; some bad. The things that have happened to us cannot be undone. We cannot go back and change it but we should not fear it either, nor let it hold us prisoner. One can only truly fear future events. And since our future is not set in stone, fear is just a head trip. Oftentimes we get stuck in a way of thinking, in a behavior, or in our expectations because we have been hurt before and we have not truly brought the situation to God. From God’s perspective events from our past (good and bad) are stepping stones to move forward in righteousness and faith, for He can bring good out of any situation. Pain is sometimes inevitable, but allowing a memory to keep us in suffering is a choice. God can adjust our attitudes if we allow him.

Until I return…..Aloha

Pastor Botts

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him….” – Romans 8:28

Humbly Grateful or Grumbly Hateful?

Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to remember past mercies. – C. Jefferson

The publican in his prayer request. Paul in his letter to Timothy. They both understood “it” – Grace!

Did you ever stop to wonder why God gave us the ability to remember things? I think the main reason is so that we would never forget what He’s already done for us. It’s true, were we to actually stop for a minute and try remembering ALL our past blessings, we would truly realize how gracious and merciful God has been to us; which in turn should make us the most gracious and merciful people on earth. The question of the day is are you humbly grateful or grumbly hateful? Gratitude is a great attitude.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” – Psalm 103:1-5 kjv

Enjoying 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

For A Brighter Future

Forgiveness is giving up all possibility of a better past. – Anon

When Joseph forgave his brothers because he knew it was God’s plan, he also knew the past was PAST! Hmm!

Live long enough and somebody you know and trust will forsake you or cross you, sometimes intentionally. Too often however, many of us carry these scars and burdens steeped in anger for years seeking restitution, thinking somehow it will magically restore us. But restoration is at hand, and it’s yours for the taking if you’re willing to just forgive. It won’t change the past, but it makes the future a whole lot brighter.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Jesus said, ‘Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’” – Luke 23:34

Life with no Pretense

We may be better than our reputation, but we are never better than our principles. – Anon

Biblically speaking, most people refer to Job as a man with a reputation for enduring great suffering. Actually he was a man of great principle – he never doubted God! Amen.

It happens every morning. It happens pretty much the same every morning. We get up, wash up, and spend time in the mirror preparing the external outlook of the person the world will see that day. We want to look our best for much is at stake. But no matter how good we look externally we can we can never be greater than what we have within. Life is lived from the inside out, which is why God is so adamant about transforming the heart of man, for it is the seat of all living. Man may know us by our reputation, but God would have us known by our principles.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” – Luke 6:45

Prayer Works!

A Christian should never let adversity get him down, except on his knees. – M. Nicholson

The kings edict that no one could pray to Almighty God under penalty of being cast into the lion’s den didn’t stop Daniel from praying openly 3 times a day. What about us?

One of the things we all face in this world is trouble or adversity. Jesus at one time told Peter, “Satan desires to sift you…but I have prayed for you”. Trials, troubles, tests, temptations, and hard times will come, however if we take anything from the words of Jesus here it’s that prayer works! It lifts the spirit, clears the outlook, and raises the expectations of the individual heart. No, it's not a magic chant or just the power of positive thinking, it's trusting in an all-knowing, ever-hearing, and ever compassionate God who longs to bring every 'good and perfect gift' to our lives. I pray you will try it often today.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.’” – Luke 22:39-42

Keep No Records

People who do things that count never stop to count them. – Bulletin Digest

In Acts 9 we read of a lady named Tabitha. Her only claim to fame was “she was always doing good and helping the poor.” God through Peter “smiled” on her. Hmm!

We sing a song entitled ‘Count Your Blessings’ and from that we truly realize we could never count how much or how often we have been blessed. And God blesses us to be a blessing to others. Unfortunately many of us seem to sometime carry itemized lists of the times we’ve helped people and often remind them of it, and convince ourselves we’ve earned a rest or bye or certainly some type of grand recognition. If Jesus is our example maybe we need to re-think this.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners to that…..But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is king to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”- Luke 6:32-36

Resource or Lifesource?

When money is in your hand, that’s good, when it’s in your heart, that’s bad. –W. Smith

The rich young ruler came oh so close to salvation and missed it only because he didn’t know what ‘riches’ truly were. Hmm!

Resource or lifesource? Tool or trademark? Oftentimes, for many of us we get the 2 issues confused, particularly when it comes to money. Money and wealth in and of itself, is not a bad thing. God wants, of all people, his children to enjoy His blessings, however when money captures our heart, is our only motivating factor, and we will stop at nothing to have more of it; it replaces the very God who gave it as our 'lord and master.' And God said, “thou shalt not have ANY other gods before ME!” I pray you master it before it masters you.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food, and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” – I Timothy 6:6-10

The Personal Touch

To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world. – R. Otto

When Andrew found Jesus he went and got his brother Peter. That meeting changed Peter’s world. Amen!

It’s an amazing fact that is often overlooked by most. We read the Acts 2:38-41 account and often come away feeling that's how the world will be won - with a major miracle event, such as the often-seen Franklin Graham or Greg Laurie crusades, tent revivals, or feel-good conferences. These things are well and good and have their place, but it still took someone to personally invite the individuals who pack these events. See, in reality souls are won one by one, PERSONALLY. It takes a Christian to make another Christian or introduce them to Christ, and we know the enemy is not doing it. So, that leaves us. Maybe we should ask God to help us be the one to do so today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth, and someone would bring him back, remember this, whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” – James 5:19-20

Squad Should Be The Goal

If God loves best in community, who are we to set ourselves up as spiritual loners. – J.M. Pope

When Jesus walked the earth even He surrounded himself with 11 ‘faithful’ friends, and then He built for them the church. Hmm!

Nostalgia – we all seem to suffer from it in some form, particularly when it comes to the good-guy or hero, or savior. We buy into the solo act or Lone Ranger attitude. Just look around, we live in a society that teaches and even praises individual independence and freedoms, but that is not by God’s design. From the very beginning God said, “it is not good that man should be alone,” meaning we were created for relationship. Church attendance and fellowship with the brethren may not be important to some, but to God’s people it is a command. I pray you agree.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:23-25.

Decide In Wisdom

Whether your tomorrow holds fond memories or regrets, it will come from today’s decisions. – Anon

In Luke 16 the rich man and Lazarus the beggar both die. One opens his eyes in eternal torment, and one to eternal joy. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Hmm!

One of the greatest gifts God granted us was the ability to make our own decisions. However, each decision, no matter large or small carries consequences that come with it. And though we may try, you cannot DETACH the consequences from a decision. They may not come instantaneously, but they will come. But God has gifted us also with His Word, His Spirit, and His Presence, that we might make the right decisions and have many fond memories and few regrets. May we decide in wisdom.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.” – Galatians 5:16-18

Seeing What Is

Never spend so much time looking for what isn’t there that you fail to see what is. – Anon

The religious leaders of the day were so deeply engrossed in their own version of the God they thought they were waiting for, that when God in the flesh actually walked amongst them, they were blind. HOW SAD!

Crosswords, Word Search, Sudokus - great challenging puzzles with ready answers. Life is not as fulfilling with answers at times, but often if we’re not careful we become like our predecessors here. Many of us often look long and deep at situations and circumstances in our life trying to make heads or tails out of them and make them more than they are. Some circumstances are just circumstances that happen, not because we didn’t send the chain letter or e-mail on, or we didn’t pray hard enough, etc. We can go stir crazy behind this, but the reassuring truth is that no matter what befalls us, God’s mercy, compassion, forgiveness, grace, and love is always ready and available. He’s standing right in front of us patiently waiting.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you return to the Lord your God and obey Him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers which He confirmed to them by oath.” – Deuteronomy 4:29-31

God IN The Blessing

Good vision consists of being able to see the trees and the forest. Great vision sees the maker. – O. Battista

When Jesus healed the blind man of Bethsaida, he was able to physically see, yet he missed out knowing WHO truly healed him. Hmm!

For the most part we are a grateful people. We often take time to thank God for our blessings and what He has done in our lives, but often we miss the very essence of God Himself within the blessings He gives, or even the understanding of what He is doing in our lives when He is doing it. Just as Jesus stood before Pilate who was so focused on tradition and man-made doctrines he ‘missed’ God before his very eyes; we sometimes get so caught up in the blessing God sends we fail to see the 'spirit of God' in the blessing. Hindsight is 20/20 vision, but we should pray that we will see God often face to face today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went. Even though he did not know where he was going…For he was looking forward to the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God.” – Hebrews 11:8,10

God Cares for YOU!

Don't believe those who tell you they love you, believe those who show you they do! - E. Gaudette

When Jesus invited himself into his home it was a love song to Zacchaeus' heart. Hmm!

"And how was your day?" Whether it be parent, spouse, or close friend asking we tend to give superficial answers like "fine!", "it was okay", or even "don't ask!" Either because we want to keep the details personal, or we don't feel they are worth sharing. But in truth, those who ask aren't doing so because they want to hear an exciting story or find out what you've been doing, they ask simply because they care about us. And the same is true of the God we serve. God really wants to know what's causing us pain or weighing on our mind, pulling on our heartstrings. He loves to hear our personal thoughts and struggles. Nothing is really insignificant with God, and you won't bore Him at all. So, have at it.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - I Peter 5:7

Test That Spirit

Beware of self-styled experts. An ‘ex’ is a has-been, and a ‘spurt’ is a drip under pressure. – D. Wagoner

Simon the Sorcerer amazed the people posing himself to be the great “Divine Power of God”, until he ran into God’s man Philip. What a wonderful CHANGE! Amen!

It's no secret that we all desire to be at our best, in the know, and on top of our game, even in our walk with God. But in this day and age of free-flowing information via internet, podcasts, books, etc. and our desire to stay positively focused on God’s desires; it is very easy to get caught up in ‘winds of doctrine’ that sound true but are not. Many productions and bestsellers by well-known individuals are fraught with erroneous theology, embellished truths, and positions of thought that are out of order and often contrary with the one true source, God’s Word. Our prayer should be for a discerning heart.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” – I John 4:1

Wonderfully You

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, waiting 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 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

Where Are You Looking?

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. - gas 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

How's He Gonna Show Up This Time?

True, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever; but in the drama of our life He plays many parts. - B. Jones Sr.

With Adam He was up close and personal. With Abraham He appeared in the form of a man. With the Israelites He often worked through their enemies. With the disciples He appeared as Jesus. With us....? Hmm!

All too often we tend to look for God in only what we consider 'sacred' areas (Bible, church, prayer meetings, etc.). These are great to start but we must come to realize the place/thing itself is not sacred, it's God's presence within the place/thing that makes it sacred. And since one of the key components of His nature is His omnipresence, it means He can appear anywhere and anytime, even in our circumstances. Actually, it's quite possible He may be trying to engage you in conversation right now. Although we may hate 'drama' often it's the time God is a callin'. Hope you have time to answer.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM!' This is what you say to the Israelites: 'I AM' has sent me to you.'" - Exodus 3:16

Don't Send An Invite

Once you open the floodgates, you cannot tell the water where to run. – T. Sowell

Yes, Job's friends were miserable comforters indeed, but he did invite them over. Hmm!

When the levees gave way some years ago in New Orleans, the only thing left to do was assess the damage afterwards. It was much more damage than expected or estimated. So it is when we decide to engage our enemy - Satan. So often, when Satan comes our way with his calling card many of us will hold a debate with him. This is wrong and plays right into his hands, just ask Eve. The implications of one sinful encounter are enormous and impact far more people than you will ever imagine. Satan will always take us further than we want to go, stay longer than our invitation, and cost us more than we ever anticipated. As the day unfolds may we be wise and practice much self-control.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” – I Thessalonians 5:21-22

Limitations Can Be Heavenly Advantages

Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God. - E. Keith

Jesus often prayed aloud to the Father before the working of a miracle. Hmm!

The bible teaches us that God covets the prayers of His people, and that He promised to answer us when we call. His answer may be YES, NO, or wait. Though NO is an answer, generally it is the one we don't want to hear. Why, because often when we solicit God's help we think the thing we're asking His assistance in is somewhat hindering or limiting our effectiveness for Him. Like Paul, we consider it a 'thorn in our flesh,' and want it moved. But God's "NO" answer to Paul's desire was actually a "YES" answer to Paul's faith. God saying "MY Grace is sufficient for you, for MY Power is made perfect...." means don't worry about the handicap, know that I AM with you and I AM working through it for MY glory. What we often view as limitations God turns into a heavenly advantage. So if you're praying and waiting for deliverance, know that His Grace is sufficient, and that maybe He is just waiting on you to transform your 'limitation' into a heavenly advantage.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16