The Way of Obedience

Conscience only tells you what is wrong, it doesn’t stop you from doing it. – Anon

Aaron's sons knew they were not supposed to offer 'strange fire' to God, yet they did it anyway. OUCH!

STOP….. , ONE-WAY...., 55 MPH…..., NO PARKING……, NO TURN ON RED……, YIELD…., NO LEFT TURN DURING THE HOURS OF....? You’ve probably guessed by now these are all traffic signs posted to keep traffic flowing at a smooth safe pace. I’m sure we’re all aware of what happens when someone doesn’t heed the message Life is very similar. When we wrestle with right and wrong our conscience is trying to point out the signs we should obey, while the flesh is demanding satisfaction. However, we are not to satisfy the desires of the flesh but live by the Spirit. Our daily prayer should be that we will have a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led day.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” – Romans 7:21

Faith for the Questions of Life

Accept what is, let go of what was, have faith in what will be. S. Ricotti

It's stunning! On their way to the Promised Land after being in bondage 400+ years, the Israelites often pestered Moses with "why" when things got a little tough. Hmm!

Why? A little 3-letter word that comes with a big, wide-open telescope. We search for reasons and answers to our questions, life situations, hurts, pains, and unfulfilled desires. The question of 'WHY'. And it often brings along its cousin - worry. Nobody really searches deeply for answers or worries about the joy they have, the blessings they receive, or the happiness in their lives, but let things go wrong and that 3-letter word pops up - WHY? It's a 2-fold reminder to us that life is temporal and not always about us, and also that we are not God. He alone knows tomorrow, we do not. There are some questions we have where we will not get the answer to on this side of heaven. And believe it or not, when we get to heaven we really won't care anymore as we put on the perfection God has in store for us.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." - Job 41:3

Listening for God's Voice

True, there is nothing new under the sun, but God is new every day. - A. Bierce

When Jesus taught the people from the very scriptures they had known all their lives, they were in a word - Amazed!

Routine is as routine does. For most of us our life is a series of routines and patterns. Rote prayers, rote activities, and rote expectations. What is sad is that we have come to accept it this way often never looking for ways to change or improve upon it, just going through the motions, missing out on new opportunities to grow. Though God is unchanging in His very nature the way He reveals Himself to us each day is not. With Moses it was a burning bush, with Samuel it was a late-night calling, and with Elijah it was a gentle whisper. How about with us today? Here's hoping our hearts are open to see and hear!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"For God does speak - first one way, then another - though man may not perceive it." - Job 32:14

Living the Faith Life

Good decision-making happens only at the intersection of faith and reason. - Anon

It's amazing how often things 'worked out' in the bible after prayer. Hmm!

You've seen the T-shirts, bumper stickers, etc., with the statement: "No one can judge me except God!" There's truth to it. We can't and shouldn't judge them. Our way of thinking is based on our wants, wishes, and whims. But Jesus declared "it is not me but God's Word that judges....." Therefore, if we live our life by God's Word and use it to make our decisions, it is not us but God directing us to judge whether to go right or left, to accept or decline, to like or dislike. His Word is the one true unchanging measure that applies to all humanity. Therefore, the one who lets God's Word live through them is not passing judgment on anyone but living life to the fullest, and that is what Jesus came to give us the ability to do. Read On!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Impaired Judgement

Impaired vision isn't only an eye problem. - Anon

Naomi wanted to be called 'Mara' or bitter. God showed her that name didn't really fit. Amen!

DUI/DWI. Acronyms that no one really wants associated with their name. It means being caught operating a motor vehicle while your judgment has been impaired by alcohol, drugs or medications. Though we do all we can to ensure this is not us, we often find ourselves equally guilty of impaired judgment when it comes to others. We see and assume the worst of people just by their appearance (heavily tattooed - must be a gang member, unkempt or dirty - must be homeless, etc.). The fact of the matter is Jesus tells us not to judge anyone, for we all have issues and shortcomings. The good news is God is not finished with us yet. So, ours should not be a comparison game of who's better off, but a prayer moment of "Lord, help us both, that you might be glorified!" As we greet this new dawning called today, may this be our prayer throughout.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....do not judge, or you too will be judged...." - Matthew 7:1

Doing God Work

To be god-like, we must do God-like things. - Anon

Jesus called the man a Samaritan, we were the ones who labeled him 'good.' Why? Hmm!

Most of us can probably remember as kids the times when our parents would ask us to assist them in something (cooking, cleaning, repair, building, etc.), and although we didn't do a whole lot we were present to see what needed to be done and how. Later in life we realized it was a teaching moment we needed for present day life. The bible shows us how Jesus went about building the kingdom of God and teaching His disciples to continue the work. God includes us (disciples) in His kingdom building work as well. Not because the job can't be done without our help, but because through our help we become more like Christ - who is still at work trying to save this world. Today may be a hard-hat day.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." - John 14:12

Future Hope

Whatever the future holds, what we invest in today will be a part of it. - Anon

The people often asked God 'how long O' Lord?' Every time He answered it was rather glorious. Amen!

Ahh, the future. The 'as yet' to happen! Everybody I know looks forward to a better tomorrow than today. A better future than the present. Nobody really wants their life to be bleak, dreary, unforgiving and without joy. They want better. And though God has not promised us 'tomorrow', He has already graced us with more tomorrows than we can count and has promised us a 'hope and a future.' Today should be a great day to think about what we're doing to help prepare for that future. Life is like a savings account: you only get out of it what you put into it. The great thing about God's promise though is not so much what it will bring, but the fact that God Himself will be there in the midst of it. And that is what should give us great hope and anticipation.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end.....Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." - Habakkuk 2:3

Fair Financial Future

Yes, men do make counterfeit money, but more often than naught, money makes counterfeit men. - S. Harris

Rehoboam's focus on more taxation made him a lesser man than his father Solomon. OUCH!

The love of money, the attraction, the affectations it brings, the power it yields, the satisfaction and happiness it promises - it's all smoke and mirrors. Yes, we need money to survive in this life, exist in this culture, but no matter how much we have it does not and should not define us, nor should others measure us by it. Jesus told us we should use 'worldly wealth to gain friends' so that one day we 'might be welcomed into eternal dwellings.' Though God requires the tithe of us, I think the question we should sometimes ask ourselves is: what are we doing with the other 90%, how is that portion showing out in my life? That does bear some thought, doesn't it? Will anybody be in heaven based on my spending patterns? The best use of your dollar$ and ¢ent$ is to be $en$ible in preparation for tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....for where your treasure is there your heart will be also..." - Matthew 6:22

A Prayer and Praise Pick Me Up!

Some days you just gotta' praise your way through. - Anon

I think Daniel's prayer life had a lot to do with his success even while in captivity. Hmm!

Monster! RedBull! 5-Hour Energy! Coffee! Pick me up drinks, all pretty much filled with caffeine to give us that 'lift' we need to get us going and back in the pace of things. But what about our spirit, how is He cared for in these moments? What do we do to 'pick' Him up? Do we even concern ourselves with His well-being? Maybe if we try a time of prayer and praise, we'll often find it goes so well to pick us up we don't even need the energy drink. After all, the spirit is filled with the 'dunamis' (dynamic) power of God, which very often is all we need to make it through. Why not try a little today. It couldn't hurt!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"After they prayed...they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." - Acts 4:31

We Matter

In a colony of tens of thousands, no ant feels insignificant or purposeless. - Anon

Though tiny in nature, Jesus showed the mustard seed yields an abundant supply. Amen!

It is said 'the world is a big place.' And that is true by measurements, distances, land vs. sea, etc. And because of this it can make anyone feel tiny and insignificant. But there are two things we should consider here. First, no matter how big the world is, every one of us matters to God. He knows us individually down to the hairs on our head. And second, though you may be one of many, you are not without purpose. God has planted you in His vineyard (the church) with the potential to sprout and grow in ways only He knows. And these ways are not self-serving, but just as the mustard seed flourished, through God's grace our growth may help provide hope, encouragement, and shelter for others. Who knows, to one person you just may be the world.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants and grows into a tree where birds can come and find shelter in its branches." - Matthew 13:31

Life Hurts, Stay Faithful

A broken heart is what makes life so wonderful – 5 years later. - Richard Murray

The birth of her grandson Obed renewed a long dormant spirit in Naomi’s heart. Hmm!

Live long enough and you’ll learn sooner or later that life hurts sometimes. The truth of the matter is life will break our hearts a few times. God does not always give us what we want or ask for. He in His divine wisdom knows what’s best for us – but He will always, always show us or tell us why He did not answer in the way we desired if we remain faithful and give Him time to show us His much greater plan or vision. We must remember life doesn’t all happen in the here and now moment, and that God is much more concerned with our eternal destiny than our immediate temporary comforts, but even still in this, He will not put more on us that we can bear. So, no matter where we are or what we’re going through right now, we just need to hang in there and hang on to God.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" - Philippians 4:4

P.S. - From this point forward we will be fasting from all social media use until Saturday morning 11am, including internet usage (unless needed for work). This will be the last TFT transmission until next week.

Memorable Living Storylines

Lives are ‘lived’ but stories are what gets told of them. – Anon

Joseph, David, Esther, Lydia, Paul and on and on. We remember these biblical folk's names mainly because of the story behind them. Amen!

We look closely in the mirror and then we see it. Time that has passed from the past to the present and is going towards the future. We live by it on our calendars, wristwatch, phones, I-Pods, etc., marking our chronological progress by it: tick-tock, tick-tock. But life is much more than this, and so are we, for we are eternal beings. And it’s those things that happen in ‘heaven’s time’ and 'heaven's love' that we will be remembered for. A God moment, occasion, divine intersection, or instant revelation that brings unanticipated joy, and makes life more worthwhile and exciting – these are the stories of living. God provides the stimulus but each of us gets to write the story line that we will be remembered for. And the good thing about that friend, is God has given us today to make sure we might put a good ending to our story.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end…” – Ecclesiastes 3:11

P.S. - Fast begins at 7am this morning and ends at 7pm this evening. Also in addition to giving up 1 electronic entertainment device today begins the period where we do not use any 'Apps'.

Know Enough to Have Faith

Our intense need to understand will always be a powerful stumbling block in our attempts to reach God…. – Anon

The Athenians who had gods for everything wanted to ‘know more’ about the True God Paul presented before they would believe anything he said. Hmm!

By nature, we are knowledge-seeking people. We want to know how things work, how they came about, what happens when… Knowledge is wonderful, insightful, helpful, but it is just that – knowledge. Knowledge of itself tends to breed conceit and self-worth. Academia is wonderful, but when we have come to the point where it is often left up to the ‘scientist’ or ‘academician’ to determine real truth or what is noteworthy – this all too often casts God aside, which in turn leads to a derelict nation. And the gist of all the knowledge in the world could never explain, or purely define ‘love.’ Love is what it takes to live by faith, hope for a brighter tomorrow, and God alone holds the patent on love. In His word He just asks us try not to fully understand Him but to just ‘trust’ Him. As the day unfolds will you question or trust?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Without faith, it is impossible to please God…” – Hebrews 11:6

P.S. – Our fast begins at 8am and ends at 5pm, plus starting today you give up 1 electronic entertainment device (i.e. TV, gaming system, phone games, etc.)

His Way Will Prevail

Man may have his will, but God will have His way! – Anon

Jonah did all he could to get out of preaching to the folks at Nineveh. The moment they heard him they repented. Hmm!

The struggle for supremacy and direction in life is one of the battles we face consistently each and every day. Do we give in to the desires of the flesh, base thoughts of the mind, or follow the will of God. Often we get into our ‘stubborn’ streaks or ‘selfish’ ways and try to go against the will of God, and satisfy what we think are our own needs. But in the end it is God who wins out, and we’re sometimes bruised and battered for our troubles. God gave us the Bible that we might come to know Him and draw close to Him, and if we read it thoroughly we find out in the end in all things, He wins! God may allow us to go against the grain for a short time, but in the end His way will prevail, and we can save ourselves much trouble by getting with His program.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Who are you, Lord? Saul asked. I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” – Acts 9:4-6

Thinking of the Master's Plan

If God uses the resistant and the reluctant, imagine what he could do with the ready and willing? – D. Walter

Jonah didn’t want to go, Gideon didn’t feel qualified to go, Paul “kicked” against Him. God used them all for His glory. Hmm!

Agenda’s, To-do lists, personal goals, etc. Truth be known most of us have one or more of these things that we sometimes allow to dictate into our lives – even if contrary in the face of God’s will. We often let His requests or desires take a back seat to our own ideas or wants, not willing to deny ourselves in any opportunity. And only after trying and failing at our own do we reluctantly obey God’s call. And amazingly blessings always seem to follow. Hmm! Maybe it’s best to just go along with God’s desires, after all; He knows what’s best.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me’” – Isaiah 6:8

Going Along with God

The person who tries to lead himself has a fool for a follower. – Anon

The Prodigal son knew in his heart he was ready to take on and conquer the world. Thank God he came to his senses later. PHEW!

It’s a strange picture – a dog chasing his tail – but it paints a vivid picture of reality oftentimes. It’s a picture of lost purpose, no direction, wasted energy, and plain silliness. Yet, when we get right down to it, many people are just like that, maybe some of us. We give half-hearted attention to God’s ways or completely shun them, thinking we truly know what’s best and how to work things out. But this world and its ways were already a going concern when we were born and came of age, and likely will be a going concern long after we’re gone. The only constant is a loving God who is working things out to his perfect design. And it’s easier to go along with him than to kick against the pricks.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:20-21

Desiring God

Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure. – Thomas Edison

The rich farmer was satisfied and thought he was set for a life to eat, drink, and be merry. He was so WRONG! Hmm.

It’s great to be rewarded for our trials and sacrifices. It’s great to be acknowledged for our service and selflessness. Everyone likes and needs a little success in their life. But nothing in this world should be able to completely satisfy the inner longing we have for God, to be in His presence always. We are pilgrims passing through this land on our way home, so each day we get better and better because the place we're going is perfect.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." - Philippians 1:23-24

Morning Programming

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 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

Blooming Right Where You Are

Brighten the corner where YOU are! - Song refrain

His brother Peter got more print and notice, but Andrew had great impact as well. AMEN!

We live in a culture/society where it's all about ME! I take "center stage." Shine the spotlight on MY deeds of greatness, follow MY life on social media, or hear about MY vast amount of need and right to exist. But what if it really isn't about YOU! The poet Thomas Gray wrote "full many a flower is born to blush unseen and waste its sweetness in the desert air." It means some flowers are never seen - they never make it into the floral bouquet, table centerpiece, hospital room, secretary's desk, or wives hands. They grow in some distant, dark place, but yet they grow and bloom and give beauty to that place. You may not ever write a book, preach a sermon, sing a solo, or stand in front of a crowd, but you can still bloom for God just by SERVING where you are with what you have. Shine On!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....see how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these...." - Matthew 6:27-28

The Impossible Belongs to God

It's going to be a GOD did what I couldn't do kind of day! - Anon

Moses led the people out of Egypt but God led them into the Promised Land. Amen!

McGyver! There was nothing he couldn't do. No situation he couldn't get himself out of, no threat he could not put down. You know the type - it's me and you. We all have that mentality. We're gonna see it through no matter what. But yet, here we are, still on the wrong side of the equation - tired, exhausted, and growing in our frustration. Well, if I can paraphrase God's word here: "When you've done all you can do, now might be a good time to remember that not everything was meant for you to handle." The 'impossible' always was and will belong to Him. So, whatever it is that may be getting the better of us is something we should give over to Him, and patiently wait and watch as He goes to work to rescue us.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned." - Psalm 34:22

God's Love Notes

Love’s greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred. - B. De Angelis

Hagar thought she was unloved, so she hid. God found her and made her smile. Amen!

A few years ago there was a hit song 'Lookin for Love In All the Wrong Places..' While I don't know all the words, I do know the title spoke to the truth that we all long to be loved, and openly search for it. The problem is our definition is often skewed and wrong, based on a worldly point of view. God himself is the definition of true, pure, unconditional love. And He passes out 'love notes' to us each and every day, but as is often, our attention is focused elsewhere when He hands them out. We're so worried or distracted by life's cares, family situations, financial issues, etc., we fail to see the new sunrise He paints blazing "I love you!" Or the rain falling to refresh and replenish the earth again saying "I love you!" Or even the many times in our misery where He carries us in silence from grief to praise simply because "He loves us!" Yes, He knows we need it and readily supplies it, we just need to know HOW to receive it. His 'love notes' are new EVERY morning and EVERY day if we just slow down a bit and take the time to stop and read them.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The Lord appeared to us in the past saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." - Jeremiah 31:3