How to Survive in Hard Knock U

I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. – Thomas Edison

Paul refused to lose; he said he “became all things to all men” just so he could win them. Hmm!

Life – it’s often called the ‘School of Hard Knocks.’ And guess what, we’re all enrolled, free of charge. And the lessons just keep on coming. And it matters not how young or old we may be, how experienced or new, there’s always a chance we will possibly slip up. But, when we take time to learn from them, new doors and opportunities are opened up to us. And the good thing about attending the University of Hard Knocks is God has surrounded us with classmates who’ve potentially tried a few things we’re thinking about. Why not swap some stories and seek some advice from them. After all, life is an open book test (bible) and God put others in our lives for good reason.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” – Luke 22:32

Read the Fine Print

What you don’t know can indeed hurt you. - Anon

The Israelites were content to carry around the ‘laws of God’ in the Ark of the Covenant, but not in their hearts and minds. It cost them dearly. OUCH!

We hate it in contracts, banking agreements, investment brochures, etc – but almost anywhere you go to spend or invest your money, it’s there; the ‘fine print.’ And buried within the fine print somewhere is the disclosure “past performance is no indication of future results.” That’s the out clause for the seller in case things go bad. But if we turn this idea on its head, God tells us that with Him past performance IS an indication of future results. He cannot or will not change. He will do what He promised to do. He will love, provide for, and save those who accept Him and His Son, and eventually bring us home to glory. But He will also cast into outer darkness (Hell) those who reject Him. So if we want the promises, blessings, and future home with God, just remember it’s in the fine print; His Word.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” – II Timothy 2:15

P.S. - looking forward to seeing you at Prayer Breakfast tomorrow morning, 9:30am, our last one of the year!

P.S.S. - Please be prompt for this Sunday's Worship (9:30am) as Communion service will be one of the first parts of the service.

Let's Go to Work!

We're not in the business of packing the church, we're in the business of overcrowding heaven. - Anon

When you read the scriptures, you'll see it wasn't just the Hebrew children that left Egypt with Moses. Hmm!

You ever give bible reading a second thought or serious consideration? Ever wonder why so many of its lessons were written to 'believer's' and churches? It wasn't solely to help them worship better on Sunday, but to instruct them how to let 'Christ' live through them each day. It's not the number that sit in the pews on Sunday, but the number who 'live for Christ' in the world daily that make a difference. The work of reconciling the world back to God and redeem mankind is still alive and active taking place through us believers as disciples. Yes, believe it or not God is still trying to save this world. He has not given up on us. But Jesus does need to be alive in us daily to get the task done. The question is can He count on you/me allowing Him to 'go to work' today?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." - John 9:4

Check Your Path

If you keep heading in the same direction, you are likely to get where you are headed. – Rick Rusaw

The Israelites were in constant rebellion toward God’s leadings. If memory serves correctly, they were in constant bondage as well. Hmmm!

Maps are great tools to assist us in getting to our point of destination. Follow the map route and you’re assured of reaching your end point. God gave us a map – The Bible – that we might get to know Him and make it to heaven. It too, has very specific directions but with two destinations. God is EXACT in His directions, and there is only one way to our heavenly home - JESUS. If sin is “heading” our lives, now is the time to very seriously stop and take a look at the path we are on and make any necessary course corrections. And though we may feel okay with our current relationship with God, remember He does not like “lukewarmness” either.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14

Eternal Hearts Live On

In the ancient words of the Bible is the gift of ETERNAL LIFE. All that's needed to unlock them is the ever-present Holy Spirit. - Anon

Jesus said 'store up for yourselves treasures in heaven'...Hmm!

If we look around the house, we'll probably find it. An old worn out, cracked binding, dog-earned pages falling out, bible. Yes, it's lost its luster, but not its life. There's something there that won't simply let us part with it. The memories of dad/mom reading from it at night, carrying it to church on Sunday, quoting from it often as they lectured us when we needed it. Yeah, that physical book - Bible - may not have withstood the time, but the words contained within still resonate. Why, because it is the Living Word of the Living God, who is eternal and forever. And from these lessons we've learned that earthly treasures may fade over time (mom/dad, grandparents, etc.) but eternal hearts live on and shine forever. May we all be so empowered today!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." - John 6:68-69

His Word Speaks Volumes

Don't say that God is silent when your bible lies there closed. - D. Washington

God's command to Joshua to "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips..." seems like a good practice to follow. Hmm!

It's somewhat amazing. I can't tell you the number of times I've talked to people who are looking for answers, praying and asking God for direction in their lives, and when I ask if they've read the bible lately the answer is 'not really.' It's true, God does want to be involved in our lives and He will direct our paths if we seek Him. But one of the major ways we do that is through reading His Word. He speaks volumes to us through it. And most of the time the answers we seek are already recorded for us there. God will do for us only what we can't do for ourselves, so if we're looking for answers He's not yet given maybe we should put our face in the book.

I'll be taking some time off to rest....so...

Until I return...

Pastor Botts

"Blessed is the man.....whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night" - Psalm 1:1,2

Take some Time and Think On These Things

Readers are plentiful, thinkers are rare. – H. Martineau

The greatest king in Israel’s history was David, the one who loved to ‘meditate’ on God’s word. Hmm!

Newspapers, magazines, the bible, novels, internet news articles, we read them all alike – we READ them. Just news and information to pass the time and give us information to share in passing conversations. We should never read the bible for quantity, but quality; looking to gain understanding, insight, wisdom, and application to our lives. The God who endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect did not intend for us to forgo their use, but very often when it comes to His Word and other life issues we do. We read the bible but we don’t think through or meditate on what we read. We see God’s awesome works but we don’t envision God in the process. From the tiniest insect to the largest beast in the field God is involved. From the minutest detail to the greatest issue in our lives God is involved. The question we must answer is how involved is He and what is He asking of me. Think on it friend.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.” – Psalm 119:97-97

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

Don't Settle, Stir It Up!

Though the bible clarifies much of the 'mystery of God' it doesn't take away the 'MASTERY of God.' - Anon

At 85 Caleb took the territory promised him by Moses. Well actually he let God lead. Amen!

If you've ever bought flour, sugar, cereal, chips, or other like products and looked closely at the printed information you've probably seen it: 'some settling of contents may have occurred during shipping.' It's their way of letting us know the product doesn't fill up the container. Now truth be told this same phenomenon has happened to a lot of us 'Christians' in regard to the Holy Spirit and our faith! We've settled for "an ordinary, safe, unexciting, God NEVER moves in us life." In a sense we've conquered God and He lives safely and quietly in our heart. This is a lie the enemy has sold us. The truth is God is no less powerful today than He was in bible times, and the Holy Spirit is no less active either. And their passion to do great things in us and through us today is just as dynamic. The problem is we often think we're not in 'bible times.' We are still in bible times and always will be until Christ returns. So if we truly want the blessings and miracles of promise all we need do is 'stir up the gift!'

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....do not neglect your gift which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you...." - I Timothy 4:14

Staying Proficient

To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change often. - Winston Churchill

Paul told Timothy to bring the 'old scrolls' along with him on his visit for he wanted to sharpen his faith. Hmm!

Anyone who works is required to be proficient. And with the ever-changing laws, new innovations, inventions, and materials, etc., it requires they do continuing education, testing, reading, certifications, etc. We willingly do this for our job or career, but seldom if ever do we seem to do it for our faith. God figure. If life is changing all around us shouldn't we do all we can to ensure our faith is 'up to date' to carry us through. So many of us in the faith have stopped altogether. Yes, it's true the words of the Bible haven't changed, but the meaning now has even greater application for us today to practice and apply. Jesus mentioned something about 'not pouring new wine into old wineskins or sewing a new patch on an old garment'. Maybe we should seek to learn how to apply the ageless truths of the Bible to these new-fangled situations in life that God may shine a little brighter. As I've said before, no one has ever regretted spending more time with God.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way." - Psalm 25:9

Weep in the Time of Weeping

The bible was written in tears, and to tears it yields its best treasures. – A.W. Tozer

If Lamentations points out anything to us, it’s that Jeremiah’s tears allowed him to see and appreciate God much more clearly. WOW!

Though we may cry at a wedding, funeral, or birth of a child; we generally view shedding tears as a sign of weakness. Even recently a TV commercial stated “when you see a man with tears in his eyes that’s just a bit of his ‘awesome’ leaking out.” But just as rain drops fall from the sky to help in the natural process of new growth, tears are often a necessary action to help the Word and will of God go deeper into our hearts. That we may grow deeper and stronger roots, not only to stand taller and more robust, but to have a more fragrant aroma to attract others and ‘fruit’ to offer those in our sphere of influence. And though sometimes our eyes may be dry, when the heart truly aches, weeps, and anguishes for God, the Spirit within knows how to present those requests to God with the tears needed. Weep on friend, weep on!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” – Psalm 18:6

Friend or Foe? Love Em Both!

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people. - G.K. Chesterton

Jesus preached, loved, and reached out to sinner and saint alike, often converting the former to the latter. AMEN!

“Friend or foe!” was the shout given by the sentry when someone unknown approached his station. Their answer would then dictate his response, whether to relax and receive them or to prepare to defend his post. Though we don’t shout it today we are in a similar position, however our charge is only to befriend in either case. And though we say it’s hard to do so, it really isn’t if we let the Holy Spirit rule in our life. The love of God is unconditional and the Spirit of God within us will manifest that love if we submit our will to Him. It may seem irrational and hard at times, but when it does all we need do is just imagine God loving us at all.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” – James 2:8

He's Searching for You

The bible is not only a bleeding book but also a pleading book. – HD. Rutherford

Much prayer and concern was offered up for Sodom and Gomorrah, but to no avail. All was lost to God’s wrath. OUCH!

We call them bloodhounds, hunting dogs. They are tracking dogs; give them a ‘scent’ and off they go, and go, tirelessly seeking their prey. In that sense, Our Christ operates the same way. He refuses to be ignored, He never gives up. We have tried for over 20 centuries to escape Him, elude Him, ignore Him, discredit Him, smear Him, and yet after all our endeavors, denials, and put-downs He still pursues us. He won’t turn back. We can try like Pilate to wash our hands of Him, or like so many others to deaden our souls cry for Him through the slumbering offerings of this world, but He still seeks us. The one who bled for us and pled for us still searches for us – with open arms! Why, only to love us and save us before the one day comes when He will have to judge us. Hopefully, we’ll tire of running before that day comes.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him…” – II Chronicles 16:9

Read, Meditate and Meet God

The world is a spiritual kindergarten, where thousands of bewildered children are trying to spell ‘GOD’ with all the wrong blocks. – E.A. Robinson

King Solomon. He spared himself no expense nor pleasure to find the true meaning and purpose of life, only to conclude it’s God and His word. Hmm!

We all know what we like and dislike, and we're pretty quick and adamant to let our family, friends, and associates know, so that we'll get the respect, treatment, and cooperation we want. That's just part of our nature, it's what helps to make us who we are. Interestingly enough though, we rarely seem to give that same type of thinking to God and His desires. Often, we just wear ourselves out looking under every rock or behind every tree for the latest fad to draw closer to Him. He's given us His Word that we might know Him deeply, but somehow, we think an open book test is all too easy. Maybe it’s just time for us to read and believe the bible. After all, what have we got to lose?

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” – Psalm 1:1-2

Revisit the Word

The worst thing about new books is that they often keep us from reading the old ones. - John Wooden

Though the Pharisees and scribes of Jesus' day had the 'Law of Moses', (God's Word) they felt the 'Traditions of Men' were much better reads. They were wrong. Hmm!

Kindle, E-books, on-line magazines, etc. You could spend virtually hours on end reading the latest authors, catching up on the latest news, or researching the latest trends. Of the list of books and topics there is no end. Reading is a great pastime and invaluable source for information and learning. Many new authors are great in their perspective and presentation, still; nothing compares to the Word of God. It is the only book that speaks to all areas of our lives, gives clear, truthful insight on how to live with our fellow man, gives us purpose, and tells us what life is all about. Should we fail to read God's Word we will eventually lose touch with Him. So, sometimes it's good to often revisit the old ways and means.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." - II Timothy 4:3-4

Do Dive Deeper

The bible will always be full of things you CANNOT understand as long as you will not live according to the things you DO understand. – Anon

King Saul couldn’t understand why God would not answer his prayer requests. Samuel had already told him God has taken the kingdom from him because of disobedience. Hmm!

Water pressure has amazing effects on the human body. The deeper under water you go the more ways it affects you: blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, sense of being, etc. The Word of God is the same way. The more we live by it the more it affects and impacts every area of our lives. But the reason we often don’t get the life changing effects and increased faith promised is because we don’t go deep enough nor truly obey what we do know. God’s Word is ‘powerful and effective’ and will work in ways we don’t fully understand, but only if we are obedient to what we do understand. It’s not the knowledge that brings the blessings but the commitment to DO what it says.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

"The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside….” – Psalm 14:2-3

Timeless Still

The bible is neither antique nor modern, it is eternal. – Martin Luther

Earth still being in existence is proof enough that God’s Word is still valid. Hmm!

The wisdom, insight, truth, and foundational principles for life found in God’s Holy Word are as changeless and timeless as is He. It is a treasure that waits to be found, that increases in value the more we dig into it. Real truth never changes and cannot be made ‘less’ true, no matter the time or circumstance. God is God, always has been and always will be, in spite of what goes on in the world today. We may evolve in our cultural ‘norms’ and technologies, and even try to ignore God or say He’s outdated; but a quick look around tells us things are still going just as He purposed them. Trees still grow and blossom as He prescribed, seasons still follow one after another, night still follows day, and death still haunts us. And if we were to give careful consideration to what man has been up to the last few hundred years or so, I’m sure we’d all agree we’d rather have God over us than man.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.” – Psalm 119:152

Stir Up the Gift

Though the bible clarifies much of the 'mystery of God' it doesn't take away the 'MASTERY of God.' - Anon

At 85 Caleb took the territory promised him by Moses. Well actually he let God lead. Amen!

If you've ever bought flour, sugar, cereal, chips, or other like products and looked closely at the printed information you've probably seen it: 'some settling of contents may have occurred during shipping.' It's their way of letting us know the product doesn't fill up the container. Now truth be told this same phenomenon has happened to a lot of us 'Christians' in regards to the Holy Spirit and our faith! We've settled for "an ordinary, safe, unexciting, God NEVER moves in us life." In a sense we've conquered God and He lives safely and quietly in our heart. This is a lie the enemy has sold us. The truth is God is no less powerful today than He was in bible times, and the Holy Spirit is no less active either. And their passion to do great things in us and through us today is just as dynamic. The problem is we often think we're not in 'bible times.' We are still in bible times and always will be until Christ returns. So if we truly want the blessings and miracles of promise all we need do is 'stir up the gift!'

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....do not neglect your gift which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you...." - I Timothy 4:14

Living Love Letters

Until the bible begins to talk to us, we really have not been reading it.- A.W. Tozer

Did you ever wonder how Jeremiah could 'know' God's compassions were "new every morning?" Hmm!

Handwritten letters, cards, notes - we cherish them for they not only convey information but the feelings and emotions of the one who wrote it; and when it comes from someone we truly care about we read them again and again. Asking ourselves questions like "why did they choose these particular words" or "why did they include this detail, or even write at this time... Such nuances add great value to our understanding and enhance the message. The bible is such a letter. Taken from handwritten scrolls of folks guided by the Holy Spirit to record the moment for all eternity The bible was written by real people to real people. Though yours may now be typeset, bound in a book, or even on an electronic device - never forget it is a handwritten love letter from God, otherwise it will never speak to you.

Until tomorrow.......

Pastor Botts

"...but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." - Psalm 1:2

Good Tears

The bible was written in tears, and to tears it yields its best treasures. – A.W. Tozer

If Lamentations points out anything to us, it’s that Jeremiah’s tears allowed him to see and appreciate God much more clearly. WOW!

Though we may cry at a wedding, funeral, or birth of a child; we generally view shedding tears as a sign of weakness. Even recently a TV commercial stated “when you see a man with tears in his eyes that’s just a bit of his ‘awesome’ leaking out.” But just as rain drops fall from the sky to help in the natural process of new growth, tears are often a necessary action to help the Word and will of God go deeper into our hearts. That we may grow deeper and stronger roots, not only to stand taller and more robust, but to have a more fragrant aroma to attract others and ‘fruit’ to offer those in our sphere of influence. And though sometimes our eyes may be dry, when the heart truly aches, weeps, and anguishes for God, the Spirit within knows how to present those requests to God with the tears needed. Weep on friend, weep on!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” – Psalm 18:6