The Challenge of Godly Faith

Living by faith is never convenient! – Anon

The Good Samaritan just somehow knew he should do something. Hmm!

We like safe! We like tidy! We like comfort! And admittedly these are all good things to pursue in life, for no one really likes those who live with reckless abandon, nor seem to care for themselves or others. To walk and live by faith doesn’t call us to live with reckless abandon, but it does put us on notice that a convenient tidy life that is “all about me” is no longer appropriate. Godly faith challenges us to go beyond the norms we’ve set for ourselves. To consider others, to assist, care for, help others in their time of need, not necessarily ‘our time’ of convenience or when it’s not taxing us. Godly faith requires us to think like and let Jesus live through us to love, touch, embrace, edify, encourage, and respect others as the person God made them to be. Yes, actually to live by faith is to let Jesus – the one who died for us – live through us.

I will be taking some time off, so until I return this keyboard will be silent.

Blessings…

Pastor Botts

“Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, a stranger, or naked, or in prison {and minister to you?} The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:37-40

Truth: Friend or Foe?

Truth is either the greatest of friends or an unbeatable foe. – Anon

As Jesus stood before him, Pilate had a major decision to make about the truth. We know how it ended with him. WOW!

TRUTH – Courts of law search for it; we demand it in our daily interactions. Yes, truth is something we are to seek after, embrace, and affirm. Yet it is not so much a matter of us finding the truth as it is us surrendering to it. Jesus said “You shall know the truth and it will set you free.” To know means to understand, accept, and abide in. Our surrender to ‘truth’ is what establishes our foundation for a life of integrity, honesty, and righteousness before God and others. The point we often overlook is that when we find the truth and refuse to surrender it no longer remains our friend but actually becomes the foe that condemns us. God leaves the choice to us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice…” – Proverbs 21:3

Following the Right Path

Though hindsight is 20/20 vision, most people would prefer not to exercise it. – Anon

Proverbs 14:25 and 16:12, there has to be a reason God had this sentiment recorded twice. Hmm!

You see it almost daily. Little children being held by the hand of their parents. But yet they tug, squirm, and pull trying to break free. To exercise their independence, confident that they can navigate this world on their own. We smile knowingly, but in truth it's a picture of us with God. As He tries to lead us, we confidently break away -thinking this path/way is better. As He tries to instruct us - we refuse His teaching and foolishly say we know better, often thinking His ways are antiquated and out of touch with reality. But yet, He stands by and patiently waits for us to realize who's WHO! If life has taught us anything it's that 'God the Father Knows Best' and He will never lead us astray. Open arms are awaiting anyone wishing to return to Him.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake...." - Psalm 23:3

Stand Up Not Just Out

Being different isn’t the same as making a difference. – Sparks

The Christians at Corinth were arguing over which group was better because of who brought them to the faith (Apollos, Cephas, Paul, etc.) Paul reminded them it was Jesus who made the difference. Hmm!

We live in a society that embraces individuality. It teaches people to make a name and identity for themselves. And we often do strange things to make ourselves distinct and different from others that we may display our individuality, but we’re actually called on not to attract attention FROM society but to make a difference IN society. Our faith pronouncement is not to just stand out but to STAND UP! We’re called to stand up for righteousness and truth, to get involved when they are threatened, and promote ways to better this world. Yes, it’s a major task but that’s why God picked us, there were none better available to do it.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’” – John 4:39

For Best Results, Take No Shortcuts

A Christian is never in a state of completion, but always in the process of becoming. – Martin Luther

Moses thought he was ready at age 40 to lead God’s people. God didn’t call until he reached the age of 80. Hmm!

Everybody is looking for the quick and easy way to make it. The truism that ‘slow and steady wins the race’ has been somewhat kicked to the curb. Just look around us, in sports its now steroids or PED’s for success, in finance its trading on insider information. In health its now fad diets, highly concentrated exercise plans, or even medical procedures. And this kind of thinking often filters its way into other areas of life. But with our spiritual development and growth there are no steroids, fast-track plans, insider tips, or invasive procedures to pump up our souls. As much as we try to force it, rearrange it, or change it, God still builds our faith, character, integrity, and trust the old fashioned way – through discipline and love. You can’t hurry either of these. So if we’re looking to grow, and we should; then we need to apply ourselves to a regimen of study, submission, AND application to what the Spirit of God reveals to us. Today will have a few exams, I hope we’re all prepared.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” – I Corinthians 13:11

The Doing Is What Matters

In life, words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are promises. But performance is reality. – H. Geneen

God said ‘His word would not return to Him void, it would accomplish the very purpose for which He spoke it.’ It still does! Hmm.

Years ago we used to live by the truism ‘a man’s word is his bond.’ This was so because one would only speak on or promise what he knew he alone could deliver without excuse. Today we have terms like ‘Spin Control’, or ‘Politically Correct.’ These are just terms of the day people now use to hide behind or keep themselves ‘safe’ from doing what is actually required of them. But there comes a time in all of our lives where we know it’s what we actually do that counts most, particularly when it comes to God and His kingdom purposes. No amount of words - no matter how well parsed or versed – will satisfy His call for our action. The question we must all face this day is ‘as God directs my path will I perform as needed, or try to talk my way around it?’ It will be our choice, but the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’ might bear looking into.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22

Looking At Who We're Becoming

Everyday we live we are in the process of becoming – look now before it’s too late. – R. Coons

Even while dying on the cross as a convicted criminal the thief still refused to change his heart. It was a waste of life. Hmm!

Each morning as we look in the mirror someone is looking back at us. It is the person we are. We can’t hide from it, and though we may try to “make it up” or put on our mask, the real person remains. There is no escaping it; we are the person we have become. Hopefully that news is a good, joyful revelation, and not one of regret. But if not, God is allowing us to start over TODAY to become who He wants us to be. The decision to change is up to each one of us individually. The bible says Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man, and became a “Perfect Lamb.” That’s God’s plan – what’s yours?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” – James 1:22-24

A True Treasure and Measure

When saving for old age be sure to put away a lot of good memories. – Richard Murray

As Jesus was growing and maturing his mother Mary ‘stored up’ a lot of his actions in her heart. It served her well at the cross. Hmm!

It’s no secret that life is fleeting. You finish school, work a little while and before you know it the ‘golden years’ are upon you. Those years where we spent time building and raising a family, acquiring material wealth, building a nest-egg, and finding our true self just zipped by. If we’re fortunate we learn the secret of the ‘golden years’ early on. Life is in the living not the acquiring, for what is acquired or accumulated can vanish very quickly. But good memories can never be lost or stolen and are a true treasure and measure of one’s lifetime of achievements. All the money in the world can’t erase a sad, regret-filled life, and God wants us to enjoy the life He’s given so today we need to invest in good memories.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.” – Proverbs 10:7

Being Thankful for Mercies Extended

Every mercy we receive from God should obligate us to walk closer to Him. - M. Henry

In his prayer, the tax collector desired nothing of God except His mercy. AMEN!

We serve a God who is gracious by nature. He says "ask and it shall be given you." He bestows blessing upon blessing upon blessing on us and in our lives, and by nature most of us are thankful for His benevolence. YES, asked blessings we take note of , but we seldom reflect on His mercies and favor. At our best, we're imperfect, self-centered beings putting ourselves on God's throne, making it all about us. He has the right to be offended, but yet He shows great patience. It's true, grace has saved us, but His mercies sustain us, otherwise we would be 'consumed' by His wrath and life would be unbearable. As we enter today with its situations, as mercy is extended, be thankful and let it pass to others.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy.....He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities." - Psalm 103:8,10

Safeguarding Your Selfhood

Our parents may have named us but our life truly speaks who we are. – Anon

In the Garden of Eden, God asked Adam "where are you?" not for his location but for his attitude. Sin had somewhat changed his identity. Hmm!

You've seen the commercials - LIFELOCK! NORD VPN! And others. Protect your identity. They talk about online identity theft and fraud, and your need to protect your financial/medical/life identity from cyber criminals on the web/internet. Sadly, this is very true. But yet, our identity is being stolen every day - openly. The government chips away at it with legislation and liberal laws, often where we don't even a have a voice in the decision. Society or culture chips away at it with its "all about me" attitude and demands. At times even our own children make us question our rights as their parents. “Who are you?” It is a lot to deal with. And if we're not careful we give in and even start to 'adapt' to these changes as God-ordained/approved. Here's the question we need to truly consider when it comes to identity, and that is: Does God know who you are? Is your identity unquestionable before Him? Is our walk and talk a great witness to Him and for Him? Or will He have a 'where's Waldo' moment trying to identify us? Today is a good day to make sure!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things you will never fail, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." II Peter 2:10-11

Meaningful Conversations

To make a long story short, don’t tell it. – Anon

Jesus could’ve preached at them when they brought him the woman caught in adultery, instead he just ‘wrote.’ Hmm!

Secrets – do they really exist? Is it really better to leave some things unsaid? Take a look around you and listen up, and you’d be hard pressed to think so. The truth is conversation is good, it does help us to relate to one another and build relationships; but it should be meaningful, insightful, practical, respectful, and truthful to the person to whom we’re speaking. We all love good stories and humor, but we should never have to ‘enhance’ them, and we must still speak in such a way to please God. Remember, when words are many sin is not absent, and besides, it doesn’t really matter how ‘big’ the fish was that got away, if it got away.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“….a time to be silent and a time to speak…” – Ecclesiastes 3:7

The Accolades of Humanity

Not everything than can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. – Albert Einstein

Peter was the most widely known of the apostles saving 3,000 with one sermon, but it was his brother Andrew that brought him to the Lord. Hmm!

Degrees, awards, titles, plaques, notoriety, etc. – these are all things that help draw attention to us and show others our worth and value. And while nice to have they are still a far cry from the humanity others and God would have of us. The things that really matter in life don’t hang from walls or go on business cards but come from the heart. Things like trust, loyalty, discipline, benevolence, respect; just to name a few; are incalculable in a relationship. The lives we will touch for God will not be because we have great resources behind us but because we have divine resources within us. No one knows how far a touch from God will go.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

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

Staying Humble in an Age of Self Glorification

Never make an impression bigger than you are. Remember, shadow boxers never score a knockout! – Anon

When Naaman went to Elisha the priest to be cured of his leprosy, he left mad – and still diseased – because the man of God didn’t make a big fuss over him. Hmm!

Social media posts, blogs, podcasts, etc. We live in the era of 'grand celebration,' where folks announce with fanfare anything they do to the world be it great or small, looking for a stroke of the ego or special recognition. And admittedly at times if we're not careful, we too, like Naaman, often like the great and spectacular to accompany anything we do, for we love to appear larger than life itself. But God has called on us to do the small, holy and righteous tasks day in and day out; and victory is assured. Any aura we give off bigger than ourselves should only point others to the ONE whom we serve.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:11-12

Loving Through Imperfection

"We come to know love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." – Anon

Gomer would not have been Hosea’s first choice for a wife, but with God’s help he loved her deeply. WOW!

When it comes to love most everyone is always looking for Mr./Mrs. RIGHT, which in our mixed up worldview equates to perfect. The person for us must be perfect in every way we deem necessary. Such standards are lofty and foolhardy, for each time we look in the mirror we never see perfection looking back at us. God gave us the greatest example of how we can come to know love, when He looked beyond all of our faults and saw we were still worth saving and loving. He sees us quite differently than we see ourselves. His example doesn’t mean we throw caution to the wind, but it does show us we may need to look inwardly a bit more before we launch our great search for friendship and love. Remember, every creature of God has some worthwhile value.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

The Power of a Flower

I just called to say…..’I love you!’ – Stevie Wonder

Whenever He was in town, Jesus would stop by the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Hmm!

Roses, carnations, daisies, daffodils, tulips, poppies! Have you ever stopped to wonder why our wise God created flowers? It’s the same reason we send them to one another. Simply to say ‘I love you!’ He broadcasts this message every day. Just look around. Flowers bloom in backyards, front yards, in slum towns, in ritzy neighborhoods, in desert areas, in Communist countries, in free countries, all over the world. One does not have to be well-educated, or highly paid to have flowers grow in their yards – they just grow because of our Great God. Every color and shape, with a fragrant inviting aroma. The world around us can sometimes be a daunting, hurting, hateful place. I think God painted it with flowers just to remind us how much we are loved. So if you can’t get enough hugs today, just ‘consider the lilies of the field….'

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys…..” – Song of Songs 2:1

Play Your Position On His Team

A walk is as good as a hit! - Bro. Artie Salyard (et. al) 

All Aaron and Hur did was 'help' Moses hold his hands up in prayer for Joshua in battle. It was more than enough. Hmm!

The objective of baseball is to get on base and score. Yes, home runs are a grand event, but most runs scored in a game occur without the ball ever leaving the ballpark. Runners get on base by way of a base hit OR walk and are moved around the bases and brought home to score by the batters after them. It's a team effort. It's the same in our work of kingdom building. We all have a part to play in building up Christ's kingdom or church, and no role is too small to be overlooked or thought unimportant. Just as it often takes more than one player to score a run, it often takes many 'touches' from many different disciples of Jesus before a sinner is convinced they need what Jesus offers. So today, as we stand in the batter's box, remember a walk is as good as a hit.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some..." - I Corinthians 9:22