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

Living Faith Takes Practice

'Ability' is commonly found in people who continually tried to do something a little better! – Anon

Joseph, Samuel, David, Paul. They all did great things simply because they put their mind and heart to it, and God honored them for it. AMEN!

We admire it in others. We wish it for ourselves. We wonder how someone could be so good or ‘gifted’ at it? And the answer is so simple – PRACTICE! You get good at what you practice, and the more you practice the better you get. Ability is honed or sharpened over time usually through disciplined practice. The problem is most people love to perform but hate to practice, even us as God’s children. We say we want to live holy, righteous lives but we rarely ‘practice’ the things that would bring it about. We keep our same routines, same friends, music, entertainment, recreational acts, and wonder why we can’t do what we admire in others. Living faith takes practice. We all have the ability within us to be whatever we want to be. The choice to do so is ours.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock,” – Matthew 7:24-25

Infectious Joy

You can never give another person the joy you’ve found, but you can make him homesick for what you have. – Oswald Chambers

After talking with Jesus at the well, the Samaritan woman excited the whole town with what she found there. AMEN!

If there’s one thing this present world could use it is joy. Political news, economic news, world news, pandemic news, and even local news all seems to be negative; and often in the home there is little or no peace. We are called to be a light, to be a joyful people – these traits attract others – that we might impact the world around us. We must remember our joy isn’t determined by what's going on around us or by what we have, but WHO we have within. If our immediate sphere of influence is dark and dreary and without hope, we shouldn’t look outward, but inward; and then upward. If our Christian walk is not attracting or impacting others, then we’re really not living for Jesus we’re living for ourselves. May we all be ‘infectious’ today!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” – John 15:11

Individual Ambassadors

I found out a long time ago that “I must do something” allows much more freedom than “something must be done.” – L. Hallum

The Good Samaritan didn’t wait until a truce was called, or a law was passed to help his ‘neighbor,’ he just did it! WOW.

We’ve all heard the maxim “actions speak louder than words” – and it’s true, particularly for us as God-fearing people. When we act instead of waiting for others to act we are truly free to express our God-given talents, abilities, and resources in ways to benefit the kingdom and bring glory to God, than if we wait for “someone else” to do it. God often places us in such situations that we may share His love in some form with others. He doesn’t expect us to go beyond our means but will amply supply all that we require. As the day unfolds and situations arise we must each remember that we are the individual ‘ambassador’ God has chosen in this situation, because God only leaves the big jobs for someone important like us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Jesus replied, ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” – Matthew 14:16

School of Hard Knocks

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. And though our slip happens only when we don’t learn from our mistakes or we refuse to get up and go on from there. 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

Spreading Joy

You can never give another person the joy you’ve found, but you can make him homesick for what you have. – O. Chambers

After talking with Jesus at the well, the Samaritan woman excited the whole town with what she found there. AMEN!

If there’s one thing this present world could use it is joy. Economic news, world news, and even local news all seems to be negative; and in the home there is little or no peace. We are called to be a light, to be a joyful people – these traits attract others – that we might impact the world around us. We must remember our joy isn’t determined by what we have, but who we have. If our immediate sphere of influence is dark and dreary and without hope, we shouldn’t look outward, but inward; and then upward. If our Christian walk is not attracting or impacting others, then we’re really not living for Jesus we’re living for ourselves. May we all be ‘infectious’ today!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” – John 15:11

You've got a friend in Him!

I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not need to even consult his calendar. – R. Brault

One good thing about Job's friends is that they stayed with him throughout his ordeal. Hmm!

In this era of exponentially expanding social media outlets  and apps for this and that, seems we’re all trying to find time to do it all and have it all; and what we wind up with is very often shallow acquaintances and fellowship. The saddest part is we tend to be the same with the ONE who loves us most - God. As we embark upon the New Year trying to prioritize our life maybe it's time we took a closer look at HIS example of friendship where no boundaries exist, and HE sits just waiting for us to come. I pray we'll become HIS 'cherished' friend.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

".....You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord........." - Jeremiah 29:13