Peace of Mind Control

If you want peace of mind, start controlling what you allow into it. - Rick Warren

King Saul would often summon young David to play the harp before him to calm his troubled mind. Hmm!

Capital One "What's in your wallet?" wants to get into your wallet! At least they're upfront about it. See, the enemy knows the battle of our will is waged in the mind. And he seeks to control our mind or way of thinking through all sorts of subversive, subliminal, and deceptive media, via every possible distribution outlet (TV, Radio, Internet, Social Media, etc.) available. Anxiety, stress, life disorders and so forth are often brought about by a worrisome mind, a heart with no peace or rest. But there is a way to overcome the enemy's assault on our mind. Choose carefully what we consume in our media diet. The benefits are tremendous. As has been said: "No Jesus, No peace! Know Jesus, Know peace"!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - II Corinthians 10:5

Good Suffering

Suffering in life, while hard on 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

Remembering...

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Though the Pharisee tried to snub him at prayer time, the publican held his peace. Only one of them went home blessed and it wasn’t the Pharisee. Hmm!

The slogan of the United Negro College Fund is “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Very powerful, and very true. It’s no secret that the enemy we face day in and day out is trying to sway our mind or way of thinking. Two of his major weapons are doubt and discouragement, for they create the illusion in our mind that we are not worthy or we can never measure up. But the completed work of God through Jesus Christ has made us ‘worthy’ in all things. So no matter our outward circumstances we “are more than conquerors” in any situation we face. As the day unfolds and the assaults come remember the God you serve.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free…..” – Romans 8:1-2

True Authenticity

People defend nothing more violently than the pretenses they live by. – A. Drury

The Pharisees and religious leaders of His day proudly defended their religious piety before men. Jesus said they forsook God’s law. He called them hypocrites. OUCH!

Things are not always as they seem. We spend a great deal of time trying to convince others that we are people that we are not. We live one way in public and another way at home. We often go out of our way and through a lot of expense to place ourselves in the best positive light, and become upset when questioned or doubted. But just as Jesus could look ‘through’ the woman at the well and know all about her life, He knows the same about each of us. And just as He was willing to forgive her and restore her upon her confession, He is willing to do the same for us. All He asks is that we acknowledge our sins and shortcomings and repent. There is nothing we can hide from the “one who searches every heart.” Ready or not He’s looking in.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” – I Corinthians 13:11

Growing Up

We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future. - F. D. Roosevelt

Though he was only 8 years old when he became king, Josiah decided to be a man for God. WOW!

Ask any child 'Who do you want to be when you grow up?' and just listen to the answers. Most will posit a famous entertainer, rapper, or maybe an athlete. Others might answer a doctor, lawyer, business owner, etc. All great replies you would expect from children, but they don't answer the question. It's not 'what' (profession) do you want to be, but 'who' (character) do you want to be. Thinking along these lines we might ask ourselves are there any other 'childish ways' we may be rooted in. It's true God wants us to come to Him with 'childlike' faith (purity) but He doesn't want us to remain 'childish' (immature) in our ways. As we look at where we are right now, is this who we imagined we would be at this point in our lives years ago? Do I still throw temper tantrums? Do I still 'take my ball and go home' when I don't get my way? Hopefully we're a far better version than we ever thought possible, so we should praise God. If we're not who we want to be then we should also praise God, for there's still time to change; and then ask Him to shape us into 'who' we need to be for His glory.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts


"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put childish ways behind me." - I Corinthians 13:11

No Growth 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

Mind Control

If you want peace of mind, start controlling what you allow into it. - Rick Warren

King Saul would often summon young David to play the harp before him to calm his troubled mind. Hmm!

Capital One wants to get into your wallet! At least they're upfront about it. But the enemy knows the battle of our will is waged in the mind. And he seeks to control our mind or way of thinking through all sorts of subversive, subliminal, and deceptive media, via every possible distribution outlet (TV, Radio, Internet, Social Media, etc.) available. Anxiety, stress, life disorders and so forth are often brought about by a worrisome mind, a heart with no peace. But there is a way to overcome the enemies assault on our mind. Choose carefully what we consume in our media diet. The benefits are tremendous. As has been said: No Jesus, No peace! Know Jesus, Know peace!

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

".....we take captive every thought to

make it obedient to Christ." - II Corinthians 10:5

Let's Get Physical

Exercise does not take time

out of your life. It puts life in your time. – L. Maxwell

David's young warriors

would often play a round of 'spirited' games to keep their skills and bodies

ready. Hmm!

Though we are steadily

progressing via technology, automation, robotics, etc., we still live in busy

times and there will never enough hours in the day. Be that as it may, God has

so designed the human body to require some sort of physical exercise for

maintenance. Physical exercise helps the body spur on certain chemical processes

that aid in health, healing, stress reduction, and longevity, not to mention it

serves as an aid in spiritual and emotional development. And I think those are

all positives in this business of life and godly living. So we should all take

time to maintain “the temple’s” appearance. 

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“For physical training is of some value, but

godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present

life and the life to come.” - I Timothy 4:8

Play in God's Orchestra

No one can whistle a symphony. – H. Luccock

Though Jesus came to save the world, he employed 12 ordinary men to help him. They turned it upside down. WOW!

A symphony takes a full orchestra of musical talents each working together to produce a recognizable harmonic resonance. It is in essence a community of believers sold out for the cause – the music – not their individual desires. This illustration is what God desires for us in community, where we learn to love and trust in one another for the good of the kingdom, not ourselves. To try to do it alone is tiring, ineffective, and selfish. If life is a song, and love is the music, then our time here on earth is where we learn to play in God’s orchestra.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” – I Corinthians 1:10

At the Name

"Perish the thought!" - Anon

When Job's wife told him to 'curse God and die..." he pretty much said "NO WAY!" - Hmm!

Does the name of God, the thought of God, or the mention of His name cause us to adjust our lives at all? Does it cause us any spiritual or emotional reaction at all, like the mention of other names might? Honestly, if you're like me you sometimes get a little too comfortable with God, forgetting He is not only the Creator of the Universe, but the Very One who gives life and breath to you, sustains you, and keeps you. Though we do want to be intimately connected to Him, we should never forget who He is and what He's done. Maybe we need to remind ourselves of the song we sang as children: "we're you there when they crucified My Lord, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble....." May we remember His presence always requires a certain decorum on our part. TREMBLE indeed!

Until Monday......

Pastor Botts

"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." - Psalm 34:7

P.S. - Hope you can join us Sunday morning at 9AM for our weekly bible reading discussion time.

Also, we WILL NOT be having Vesper Services this Sunday, but why not pack a lunch and help us set up for VBS - it's here!

Meditation Feast

Meditation is the activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, and by the help of God. - J.I. Packer

As a psalmist David understood meditation. I think this is what endeared him as a man after God's own heart. Hmm!

The refrigerator! On average we visit it 4-6 times a day for life-sustaining nourishment (water, juice, fruit, veggies, meals, left-overs, etc.) and it often has exactly what we need. YUM! But what about God's Word, the life-sustaining nourishment we need for our soul. How often do we visit this resource each day? Once in a daily devotion is honestly not enough. That's why we need to 'hide it in our hearts' that we may feast on it throughout the day. This is where prayer and meditation come in. When we take time to pray the Word, time to memorize the Word, time to meditate on the Word (uncover it's deeper meaning/application) that we may have it with us at all times. If we eat often to keep our strength and vitality up imagine how much more spiritual will power we could have if we fed often enough from the Word. Hungry, anyone!

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"....I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you." - Psalm 119:11

Deja Vu

The toughest lesson to learn is probably the one you thought you already had. – Sparks

Peter thought he was ready to die for Jesus until it was showtime. True he failed, but Jesus gave him another opportunity. AMEN!

Déjà vu, coincidence! It seems life is like this quite often for most. Things we thought we were over and done with, habits we thought we had firmly broken away from or grown up from; seem to reappear on the horizon, tripping us up time and again. But often when we look at it properly we see they are not coincidental, they are the life lessons God is trying to work out in our lives. And until we pass the test convincingly with understanding, we will be sorely tried on every hand. God is effectively trying to cleanse and purge us from all sin (not big sin, little sin; but ALL sin) and He wants us to prove our love to Him not by words but by our actions and our heart. Life today will be filled with opportunity.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory.” – I Peter 1:12-13

Silent Speech

Let your speech be better than silence, or be silent – J. Gibbons

At the transfiguration, it seems Peter just had to have his say. God spoke and put him to SILENCE!

There is an old proverb that says, “it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” How true. But in this day and age of communication technology silence has gone the way of dinosaurs (extinct). Truth be known often we converse with others just to hear ourselves talk. We need be careful of what we say and how we say it, but moreso we need remember God is a friend of silence, for in the midst of it He often speaks. Are you listening?

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted; and by your words you will be condemned.” – Matthew 12:36-37