Diverting from the Dictatorship of the Daily Drill

The greatest challenge of any day is how to bring about a revolution in the heart for God. – Anon

In OT times the enemy that threatened God’s people most was not other nations but the ‘dictatorship’ of the daily routine! Hmm.

Truthfully sometimes, most of us operate by routine or rote. Each morning, we arise and go pretty much through the same motions. We’ve come to the place where everything in our lives can be almost predicted, and we really don’t expect or seek after anything new or unusual from God. Prayers are said but not really 'prayed', bible reading is done but not really 'digested' and often church attendance is there but without any real 'worship'. Maybe it's time for us to look up to the heavens with “fresh” eyes and an open heart today. God is into new things and always ready to show us something!

Pastor Botts

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not see perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:18-19

The New Thing Challenge

The greatest challenge of any day is how to bring about a revolution in the heart for God. - Anon

In OT times the enemy that threatened God's people most was not the other nations but the 'dictatorship' of the customary. Israel had become accustomed to ROUTINE. Hmm!

Truthfully sometimes, most of us operate by routine or rote. Each morning we arise and go pretty much through the same motions. We've come to the place where everything can be predicted and we really don't expect anything new or unusual from God, even though He wants to 'do a new thing' in our lives. May you look up to the heavens with 'fresh' eyes and an open heart today. God has a surprise waiting.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19

Mind Body Truth Connection

Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light. - George Washington

David said because of his unconfessed transgression with Bathsheba his very bones ached. OUCH!

A study of scripture reveals to us that folks believed and taught that physical pain, sickness, or stress were caused by the direct result of SIN! I think this is David's state of mind. It's called psychosomatic illness - the belief that 'perceived' illness/pain exists with the body. Today, there is an entire field of study given to it. This is how the practice of giving plain sugar/salt tablets (placebos) to individuals who thought they were really sick came about. That being the case we do know that our mental, emotional, and spiritual state can impact our physical wellness. That's why it's good for us to repent and ask God for forgiveness daily, that we might not give any infraction the possibility of growing into a situation that can impact our well-being. If our parents often knew we were guilty of something without us telling them, how much more so with God, from whom nothing is hidden.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." - Proverbs 28:13

Fresh Eyes

The greatest challenge of any day is how to bring about a revolution in the heart for God. – Anon

In OT times the enemy that threatened God’s people most was not other nations but the ‘dictatorship’ of the routine! Hmm.

Truthfully sometimes, most of us operate by routine or rote. Each morning we arise and go pretty much through the same motions. We’ve come to the place where everything in our lives can be almost predicted and we really don’t expect or want anything new or unusual from God. Maybe its time for us to look up to the heavens with “fresh” eyes and an open heart today. God is into new things!

I'll be taking some time for rest and relaxation, so until then....

Pastor Botts

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not see perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:18-19

For a time like TODAY!

That we are alive today is proof positive that God has something for us to do TODAY! – A.R. Lindsay

Mordecai had to persuade Queen Esther that God had delivered her for “such a time as this” that she may deliver her people. He was right. Amen!

Though you may hate to admit it, every morning you wake up and look in the mirror of your soul you realize ‘it’s not about you.’ Though God did grant life to you this day, He fully expects you to bring glory to Him. TODAY! He’s prepared you for his glory. TODAY! Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, so it’s TODAY! Whatever comes your way TODAY God expects you to shine for Him. Whoever comes your way TODAY God expects you share Jesus with him. If you’re awake, you’ve already been prepped.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” – Hebrews 3:12-13

Broken Hearted Love

If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart. – Oswald Chambers

God heard Hannah’s painful heart-broken prayers. He answered by giving her a son mighty in the priesthood.  AMEN!

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but pain, sweat, and tears are what get the job done. Now admittedly, we all have an aversion to pain of any kind. With so much to do, so many places to go, or people to interact with we seldom have time to be laid up or sidelined with it. But that is the call of an intercessor, to have a deep-hearted pain for others that only God can soothe and heal. Pain is not optional in the Christian walk, it is inevitable; and as much as we avoid it, sometimes we need to ask God to break our heart.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17

No Promises

Be kind today because there may be no tomorrow. – R. Murray

If the Good Samaritan had not helped the man he found on the road…..well!

If we’re honest we often take it for granted that we will be around tomorrow, and the next day and the day after that, and so forth. We presume on God’s graciousness and favor only because it has been so prevalent in our lives. He is a mighty good God. But the truth in fact is tomorrow is not a guarantee for anyone of us. If we really take time to consider this truth, it should really help us put life in proper perspective; that we have so little time to do the will of The Master. Time spent being upset, irate, angry, vengeful, hostile, etc. is really wasted time we can never recoup. Today is the day to make a difference for the kingdom.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” – Proverbs 27:1

The Light that Illuminates

There are 2 kinds of light - the glow that illumines, and the glare that obscures. - James Thurber

John in his 3rd letter writes about a church leader named Diotrephes. Leader - yes, but true light - NO. Hmm!

Without question as Christians we are called to be 'light' in a dark world. Just as Jesus came to be light, as ambassadors we are to let our light shine. However we need to make sure we are the light that illuminates a path for others to see Jesus clearly, not blind them that all they see is us or worst a very poor representation of Him. So as we 'glow' today let us make sure we're not blinding anyone.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.....'" - Acts 13:47