Embracing Change

The man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there. – Vince Lombardi

David was Israel’s greatest king, but he had many battles before AND after he took the throne. AMEN!

We like to think life should remain constant and our situations should never change, but change is really the one constant in life. We’re up today and down or under attack tomorrow and wonder why. God never promised us an easy or comfortable life. He promised us a life filled with His presence. If we stop and think about it; life would be pretty boring without any battles or friction to help smooth out our rough edges and remind us we can’t do it alone. If we truly expect success or significance in our life the only way is by dedicated effort and obedience to God’s will.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” – Daniel 2:20-21

Do You Know Who You're Following?

Worship changes people. We become like whatever it is we worship. - W. Harty

The people were cold-hearted toward God because the idols they worshiped had no heart. Hmm!

The refrigerator. What's in yours? It's a throne we worship at 3 - 4 times a day, yet we often don't know all that's in there nor it's condition. It is any good? Is it spoiled? It's easy to forget. How much easier then is it to forget God's laws, commands, statutes, or promises if we don't assemble ourselves before God's Word and His presence at least daily, and then not with rapid reading but with time for contemplation, meditation, and prayer. He does not expect us to remember every passage and word, but He does expect us to at least take time to read it and talk with Him about it. He longs to be known and wants to 'refresh' our spirits at all times. And here's the good thing about spending this time with God, unlike looking in the refrigerator; He will never give us 'leftovers'!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws..." - Psalm 119:105-106

Moving WITH God

You’re now free to move about the country. – Southwest Airlines tagline

God led the Israelites from bondage in Egypt to the Promised Land. Whoa!

Travelling is a great enjoyment of life for most of us. And we live in a time where highways, railways, skyways, and cruise lines can take us anyplace we want to go. Moses told God “don’t send us anyplace without your presence going with us”…! It begs the question of us. Do we or have we ever made the same request of God for our lives? As we move about the hustle and bustle of life, changing jobs, moving from location to location, relationship to relationship; is this our continued request of God? Paul prayed that we might be ‘rooted and established in his love’ so that no matter where we settle, it will be at God’s direction. As we think about making changes this New Year, maybe we need to realize that though we are free to move about, we won’t move unless and until God’s presence goes before us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” – Exodus 33:14

Don't Just Stand Around

A wish changes nothing, a decision changes plans, but only actions get results. – Sparks

5, 2, and 1 were the number of talents the owner gave his servants. Two of the servants brought him a return. The other brought him grief. OUCH!

From a small child we are taught to dream big, shoot for the stars. And we go about it making all sorts of elaborate plans. But the only way to get the results we want is to work towards them. Investing time and patience (the greatest of warriors), discipline and prayer (our greatest resources), end results can be achieved. Rather than being one who ‘wondered what happened in life,’ God grants us each the opportunity to make life happen. And it’s often in helping others in life we achieve the dreams or goals we set for ourselves. So if we truly believe God is a “rewarder” of those who diligently seek him, then time is a’wastin.’

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’” – Matthew 20:6-7

What We Worship

Worship changes people. We become like whatever it is we worship. - W. Harty

The people were cold-hearted toward God because the idols they worshiped had no heart. Hmm!

The refrigerator. What's in yours? It's a throne we worship at 3 - 4 times a day, yet we often don't know all that's in there nor it's condition. It is any good? Is it spoiled? It's easy to forget. How much easier then is it to forget Gods laws, commands, statutes, or promises if we don't assemble ourselves before God's Word and His presence at least daily, and then not with rapid reading but with time for contemplation, meditation, and prayer. He does not expect us to remember every passage and word, but He does expect us to at least take time to read it and talk with Him about it. He longs to be known and wants to 'refresh' our spirits at all times. And here's the good thing about spending this time with God, unlike looking in the refrigerator; He will never give us 'leftovers'!

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws..." - Psalm 119:105-106

Make it Happen

A wish changes nothing, a decision changes plans, but only actions get results. – Sparks

5, 2, and 1 were the number of talents the owner gave his servants. Two of the servants brought him a return. The other brought him grief. OUCH!

From a small child we are taught to dream big, shoot for the stars. And we go about it making all sorts of elaborate plans. But the only way to get the results we want is to work towards them. Investing time and patience (the greatest of warriors), discipline and prayer (our greatest resources), end results can be achieved. Rather than being one who ‘wondered what happened in life,’ God grants us each the opportunity to make life happen. And it’s often in helping others in life we achieve the dreams or goals we set for ourselves. So if we truly believe God is a “rewarder” of those who diligently seek him, then time is a’wastin.’

Until tomorrow..…

Pastor Botts

“About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’” – Matthew 20:6-7

Where it comes from

You are not judged by the height to which you have risen, but from the depth from which you have climbed. – F. Douglass

King Nebuchadnezzar paraded and saluted himself over his vast kingdom and all “he” had accomplished wanting the world to see. Shortly thereafter God dealt with him most severely. OUCH!

Often we want others to see us, applaud us, and admire us for our great feats in life, our vast accumulation of things, or our new status, going out of our way to show it. Doing things to get recognized or noticed, saying things to get attention.  But as often happens in this we forget where we came from and who brought us along the way. No matter what your present station in life, may you take time to thank God for where He’s brought you from.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” – Daniel 2:20-21