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

Worry Release

The greatest amount of worrying still cannot outdo the smallest prayer. – Anon

While Andrew worried about how they would feed 5,000 with just a few fish and loaves, Jesus just prayed. Everybody ate their fill. Wow!

There are many times in life when we are ‘anxious’ about our children, family, finances, friends, etc. It sometimes seems that we even worry about worrying. Needless to say however, our anxious thoughts are seldom productive and often only serve to intensify our level of worry and stress. These are times we need to turn things over to God, but we must be careful that when we approach God we’re not just talking anxiously at Him as well. The burden(s) can only change shoulders if we’re really intent on trusting Him with our concerns and leaving them on the altar. God needs not our help in bringing blessing or deliverance, only our faith and trust in Him.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God….” – Philippians 4:6

An On Call God

He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and joyful life. - W. Law

David sought the Lord and actually received deliverance from his troubles. Really. Wow!

Lawyers on retainer! Agents on commission! Doctors on call! Men or women who will do whatever we ask them to do - ON DEMAND (for a price) - to appease or satisfy our wants or needs. For many of us these are only pipe dreams, we don't fit in the category of wealth to have such luxuries at our fingertips on speed dial. But there is another type of 'on call' relationship we can have where money/wealth is not involved at all. In fact, it is only available to those who consider themselves 'poor and needy.' It is God's promise to never fail in hearing and responding to His children's cries, prayers, petitions, and requests. The thing we have to remember is God is not 'on demand' to do as we ask but He is 'on call' to hear us and provide the deliverance we need according to His grace. So why don't we just give Him a call today, Really!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly." - Luke 18:7-8

Learning Everyday

The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance – it is the illusion of knowledge. – D. Boorstin

Paul spent a few years in the desert ‘unlearning’ what he knew to learn the truth about Jesus. Hmm!

Osmosis is the ability of one object to absorb or take in all the elements of another object without harm. This is a scientific process, not an educational method or spiritual growth formula. One of the things that often get in our way of knowing God deeper, is our own belief that we know enough already. We have key scripture passages memorized, bible stories categorized, and gospel songs on demand. These are all good in themselves, but sometimes God just wants us to ask Him a question about His heart or maybe take some time and think about what He’s up to. Just as we built upon our early math skills after we learned basics of addition/subtraction, God wants us to build upon those verses, stories, and songs a stronger relationship and understanding of who He is. One thing is for sure, we can never learn all there is about our Great God.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” – Luke 11:52

God's Love Notes

Love’s greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred. - B. De Angelis

Hagar thought she was unloved, so she hid. God found her and made her smile. Amen!

A few years ago there was a hit song 'Lookin for Love In All the Wrong Places..' While I don't know all the words, I do know the title spoke to the truth that we all long to be loved, and openly search for it. The problem is our definition is often skewed and wrong, based on a worldly point of view. God himself is the definition of true, pure, unconditional love. And He passes out 'love notes' to us each and every day, but as is often, our attention is focused elsewhere when He hands them out. We're so worried or distracted by life's cares, family situations, financial issues, etc., we fail to see the new sunrise He paints blazing "I love you!" Or the rain falling to refresh and replenish the earth again saying "I love you!" Or even the many times in our misery where He carries us in silence from grief to praise simply because "He loves us!" Yes, He knows we need it and readily supplies it, we just need to know HOW to receive it. His 'love notes' are new EVERY morning and EVERY day if we just slow down a bit and take the time to stop and read them.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The Lord appeared to us in the past saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." - Jeremiah 31:3

Doing What You Can Do

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because we can only do a little. – S. Smith

Aaron helping Moses lift his arms in prayer during the battle was a small thing, but not to Joshua. Amen!

Every ant colony or beehive is so built, established, and run with efficiency because each one does their part. It is not so much that it is a small part to play, it’s the fact that it is a necessary role to be filled. Without it, the whole cannot be completed, so each ant or bee works diligently without complete knowledge of the others doing their part, but with conviction the task they themselves are doing is beneficial to the cause leading to greater benefits. God in His wisdom has never asked us to do it all, He only asks us to do what we know needs to be done. He can work around us, but He would rather Jesus live in us and work through us, than in spite of us. We just need remember ‘inch by inch it’s a cinch!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"…greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world….” - I John 4:4

Always at Work on HIS Story

History is HIS story. – A. Veradie

When God called Moses to the work, He reminded him how He had already been at work through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. AMEN!

Often we tend to forget it’s not about us, that God has been working things out long before we arrived on the scene. We tend to think only of the present or how things pertain to us. We want immediate results, or we expect that anything God initiates through us will be completed while we’re around to see the results. Our action and expectations tend to try and make it our story. But God always speaks to us in the context of what He has already done in the lives of our forefathers and ancestors. We are called to be a part of something much bigger than us, we are called to play a role in the greatest story ever – God’s story, it’s still unfolding. He wants to involve us all in a way that benefits us and brings Him glory. It’s a WIN-WIN proposition.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.’” – John 5:17

Loved with an Everlasting Love

Always remember you already have the greatest gifts ever, someone to love and someone who loves you: GOD – J. Sinor

The 'Ugly Duckling’ is a fairy tale of a graceful swan born in a duck’s nest and considered an ugly outcast. Shunned, he spends his life traveling from place to place in search of the most meaningful gift – LOVE. Hmm!

Many of us are like this. We chase after false ideals, dreams, and even people thinking they will fulfill this need; forgetting or neglecting the only ONE who can truly fill it. The enemy's aim each day is to make us forget or take our eyes off of the one constant truth - 'God is.' We only need to remember this each day, and that no matter what happens to us or who happens upon us, God still loves us as if we were the only one who matters.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt….’” – Jeremiah 31:3, 33

P.S. - Our Annual Business Meeting will be this Sunday after services. Hope you can make it!

Remember the Thanks

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues. – Cicero

The Psalms tell us indirectly there are 2 words the Lord never tires of – “thank you.” Maybe we should try it, Hmm!

So often, we allow ourselves to become so preoccupied with the demands of daily living that we forget to say ‘thank you’ to the Giver of all good gifts. Worship and praise should be a part of everything we do for it is who we are at our core – a work of praise and worship to God. Praise is effusive in thanksgiving and adoration, and it opens our hearts to walk even more closely with God. It is when we forget to praise Him that we are so easily overwhelmed by life’s issues and lose our perspective. Work may be hard and strenuous, but we should thank Him for the means to provide for ourselves. Heartache may visit us from time to time, but we should thank Him that we have learned what love is all about. No matter the situation we may currently be facing, we should praise Him. Not only does it pay to praise God, but it lifts the spirit of our hearts, and that friend, is a blessing in itself.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“….through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name….” – Hebrews 13:15

Love: The Main Component

Love’s greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred. - B. De Angelis

Jesus crying out from the cross "it is finished" is one of the greatest acts of love ever. AMEN!

Puzzles! Model kits! Furniture! Toys! You buy them, open them and sort out all the pieces only to find 1 piece missing not allowing you to complete the assembly. Frustrating, to say the least. Without the missing 'vital' piece the end product is basically useless. This same thing happens often in our spiritual life. Paul told the Corinthian believers that though they had spiritual gifts, they lacked the main component - LOVE! It didn't matter what length they went to show/share their gift, if love wasn't the impetus, the act itself was shallow or hollow. God's design for us in sharing is always based on LOVE. It is the very essence of who God is. As we go forth this day may love lead and complete our efforts.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"If I give all that I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." - I Corinthians 13:3

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

The Potential for Great

The greatest fire is often lit by the faintest spark! – Anon

On the Day of Pentecost, 12 common, unlearned men empowered by the Spirit turned their world upside down for Jesus. WOW!

No matter how great the person, no matter how great the work they have done, it had its origin in a tiny burst of an idea. Desire was added, along with perseverance and we see the finished work. The key in this is common to all of us. We all have the same potential to do great things, and God expects great things of us. Anyone who has ever said one person can’t do much has never spent the night with a mosquito.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name…” John 14:12-13

Hope Does Not Disappoint

The greatest enemy of man is not disease, old age, or death. It is despair. – Anon

When tragedy struck them Job’s wife told him he should “curse God and die.” Job knew God was really all he needed. Amen!

Though life is full of good days and bad days, often at times if we’re not careful we tend to dwell more on the bad, leading to despondency. The greatest tool of our enemy is despair, and it is used more often than any other. A man without hope is a beaten, defeated man. You can be sure situations will arise today to steal your joy, reminders from the past will arise to try and hold you back, and pessimists will be present within any opportunity presented to try and deflate your spirit. Don’t lose focus!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” –Romans 5:2-5

The Right Success

Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that really doesn’t matter. – Anon

The “Rich Fool” in Luke 12, was a worldly success, but a spiritual failure. He received his just rewards. OUCH!

More often than we like to admit at times we’re like this man. We go all out and “spend our costs” to gain success or notoriety, make a name for ourselves, or achieve the spotlight. There are many great success stories in the word today, but the question we must ask is does it matter before God. Its true God wants us to be noble and known in society, but the success or glory belongs to Him and not us. The trappings of this world are just that ‘trappings.’ Let us remember this world is not our home.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, his work will be shown for what it is……..If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.” – I Corinthians 3:12-14

Life's On The Way

The greatest thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. Anon

You know, when you think it through, it really is a good thing God neither wears a watch nor has a calendar. Hmm!

I said once before that photo albums are great nostalgia. Pictures in time we look back on with delight, sometimes disgust, and with a "what was I thinking at the time" ideology. It's a good thing life moves forward. God sees our whole picture, not just a single frame. He created us and knows all of our past failures and successes. And He knows the future He's planned for each of us. That is a daily encouragement when you think on it. For no matter how life is in this current frame, God still has a plan for me. And, it has to be something great and more than we can imagine because God does only the extraordinary. So maybe we should begin to think a little bigger, dream a little more, and walk with more pep in our step. Why, because we know our God is up to something that will be for our good and His glory, and that 'ain't' no way bad!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." - Habakkuk 2:3

Max Yield

Our greatest need is not to do all things for good, but to believe all things work together for good. – Oswald Chambers

When Jesus came to town Martha worked herself into a tempest making sure everything was perfectly prepared and placed. Jesus said “good,” but not “great.” Hmm!

Ask any farmer and they'll tell you they don't expect to harvest every seed they sow, but they do fully believe they will harvest a good crop. And so they work to ensure not a perfect yield, but a maximum yield. It is the same with us in our work for Christ. Often, many of us get stuck in our efforts, or don't even try because we feel we can't do it perfectly. We must take care not to develop a “hardcore” Martha perspective. Yes we are saved to good works, but it is not so much the work, but the “faith” behind the works that really matters. It’s a false idea to think we can barter with God for results based on our activities. God looks within and without regarding our actions. The work He gives us today is important - yes - but not more important than the faith we do it with.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” – Acts 24:14-16

Truth: Friend or Foe?

Truth is either the greatest of friends or an unbeatable foe. – Anon

As Jesus stood before him, Pilate had a major decision to make about the truth. We know how it ended with him. WOW!

TRUTH – Courts of law search for it; we demand it in our daily interactions. Yes, truth is something we are to seek after, embrace, and affirm. Yet it is not so much a matter of us finding the truth as it is us surrendering to it. Jesus said “You shall know the truth and it will set you free.” To know means to understand, accept, and abide in. Our surrender to ‘truth’ is what establishes our foundation for a life of integrity, honesty, and righteousness before God and others. The point we often overlook is that when we find the truth and refuse to surrender it no longer remains our friend but actually becomes the foe that condemns us. God leaves the choice to us.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice…” – Proverbs 21:3

A World of Possibilities

Some of the world’s greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible. – D. Larson

Before Peter came to his “senses” and started to sink, his faith had allowed him to walk on water. Wow!

Breaking the sound barrier! Discovering Penicillin! Building the Golden Gate Bridge! All examples of the impossible being done by people not “book smart” enough to know it couldn’t be done, but with faith and determination to go at it until they did. Truthfully, if we all took a few moments to reflect back over our lives I’m sure we’ll see the impossible has been worked quite often there as well. Trials, tribulations, mountains, problems, situations that we thought were impossible to overcome have suddenly become vague items in the rear view mirror of life because of God’s blessing. Life’s situations may seem hard today, but remember, nothing’s impossible.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“’If you can’?  said Jesus. Everything is possible for him who believes.” – Mark 9:23

The Heart of Giving

The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but to reveal to him his own. – B. Disraeli

Paul took Timothy under his wing and unleashed a powerful minister for God. Not too shabby, huh!

WorldVision, March of Dimes, Salvation Army, Red Cross, neighborhood church, etc. For the most part the average person will give to support a good cause. But God is not really after your resources so much as He is after you and your HEART. The idea of giving is to transform one’s heart into a caring, compassionate, concerned motivator for God’s plan. Can he count on all of you?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches….And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.” – II Corinthians 8:1,5

Today's scripture reading: Proverbs 27

Today's scripture reading question: Regarding verse 11, who 'sharpened' you and who are you 'sharpening?'

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