Slowing Down the Pace

“I’m not tired yet!” – Song refrain

Interestingly, when God led His people out of Egypt He was never in a rush or hurry, He knew they needed a steady pace and more time with Him. Amen!

We all seek it! We even plan for it! That thing that God even told us we needed – REST. Oh we relax, or slow down at times, but it seems we just don’t get it at the heart level that we need it. Just think, here it is a week into the New Year and truth be told many of us are already tired, worn out. Why, because we’ve missed the secret of gaining God’s wisdom for the peace, rest we seek. God told us “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” (Isaiah 30:15). It’s right there for the taking but as is true of so many of us, we want to go our own way and chart our own path. We can continue to chase that ‘fictitious’ utopian dream or enter in and accept the peace, joy, happiness, satisfaction, AND rest God has ordained for us by just living out His Word. It’s not a new resolution, it’s just plain old obedience.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.” – Proverbs 19:2

Pain's Purpose

What is crucial in life is not HOW we get out of pain, but rather, WHAT we get out of it. - A. Christing

After being beaten, flogged, and cast into prison, in the midst of their pain Paul and Silas began to praise God. Wow, what a relief!

Pain, be it physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, etc., no one likes it and the sooner we can get out/rid of it, the better. Truthfully though it serves a purpose, to let us know something is amiss, or out of order in our life. And to try and hurry to the cure or relief point without understanding the cause is like cutting down weeds without pulling up the root - they will grow back. The key is to know why it occurs, then put into practice habits and actions that will keep it from re-occurring. God knows pain and its effects on us, but often He has to leave the burden much longer than necessary because of our slowness to understand why and apply His remedies.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"...Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me..." - II Corinthians 12:9

Downtime

We are so busy doing everything that we have no time to be anything. – V. Havner

Jethro’s advice to his son-in-law Moses, was not only sound, it brought times of refreshing to him and the people. WOW!

From covered-wagon to SUV’s, steam-locomotives to bullet trains, trans-Atlantic ships to around the world flights, one thing is for sure, we have progressed technologically. These are all great God-given ideas to make life easier, but I’m not so sure God meant for them to speed our lives up. We were created to have ‘complete’ cycles of down time as evidenced when He put Adam to sleep to create Eve. We were also created to have ‘complete’ cycles of time alone with Him as evidenced when He and Adam walked alone in the Garden. God offers us a peace that surpasses our understanding, but many of us are moving so fast it can’t catch up to us. We have our Smart-phones/PC’s, Smart-TV’s, Smart-cars, we virtually live on-line, and have apps for every need all at our fingertips – just press and go. But life has a God given pace (it’s not always faster, quicker, right now) which when found is almost worry free. Enoch found it as he ‘walked’ with God, and Paul found it as he learned ‘contentment’ in Christ. Today, God has said “it’s your move.”

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it…” – Isaiah 30:15

The Power of a Good Rest

Blessed are the balanced; they shall outlast everyone. – Rick Warren

Though he was always extremely busy; Jesus was never stressed or ‘out of sorts.’ His secret: balanced living. AMEN!

One of the events of the Olympics is the decathlon. It is composed of ten events that will tax every physical ability of the athlete. The goal is to do well or succeed in every event, not just three or four. The good thing is however, the events are spread out over several days. Life itself at times seems like a decathlon with all the events happening at once. If we try to survive in this mode we will truly get stressed and burn out. We must learn to make the most efficient use of our time and resources to aid us in our daily trek. Sometimes the best resource available is to just get away (Jesus often withdrew to lonely places…). We can never underestimate the power of a good rest, after all, even God took a rest after the creation. It helps with the balancing of life. Maybe we should try it!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“[Jesus said to them] ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” – Mark 6:31-32

 

The Best Laid Plans...

Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest don’t happen at all. – Herodotus

The disabled man at the pool of Bethesda never could seem to make into the pool at the right time, yet he still got HEALED! Hmm!

Timing is everything – a cliché we’ve all heard, and often one we buy into wholeheartedly. We plan our lives by a timetable, our days by a pocket calendar or agenda, our relationships by our “body clocks” sometimes down to the exact hour and minute. However, much of what we plan rarely works out like we thought it would or in the time we planned it. It’s what God calls LIFE, and what He uses to shape us and mold us for His purposes and not ours. Rest assured LIFE will happen on top of our plans today. Hold on and trust God.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the in you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:20-21

A Recipe for Rest

If you get tired, learn to rest, not quit! - Banksy

One could almost argue that Jethro's advice to his son-in-law Moses was 'lifesaving.' Amen!

We didn't often like them as kids, but oh my, how good does a nap feel now. The opportunity to rest from the days concerns - Yes! But in truth many of us have not really learned the true meaning of REST, which is why we're so worn out, frazzled, stressed, and stretched thin. Rest is so much more than lying down for a few minutes or several hours. Rest means learning how to say 'NO' in love and mean it to those who try to crowd in on your schedule. Rest means learning how to 'delegate' tasks to others, empowering them to act. Rest means learning how to 'prepare' in advance of pressing situations so they don't stress you out. And finally, Rest means learning how to lay your cares at the altar of God and trust He will work it out. Yes, we are to be busy with the Master's plan, but He never intended to overwork anyone.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble." - Proverbs 19:23

Refuge in the Storm

Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amidst it. - Anon

People thought for years Noah was crazy to build the ark. I'm sure it kept him sane before and after. Hmm!

In inclement weather times (hurricane, tornado, blizzard, etc.) for those who can't flee before the onslaught hits, they're told to "batten down the hatches" hold on and try to ride it out. Question: what happens when life throws such seemingly harsh events at us, and we're unable to flee? What do you do, where do you go? In this post pandemic world anxiety, depression, stress, racial bias, etc., is on the rise and seems to come at us stronger and stronger almost weekly. We can try and distract ourselves with busyness, comfort foods, or sticking our head in the sand and wishing it all away. But in truth, we need a much stronger source of assurance all will be alright. God is that refuge. Only He can keep us from feeling overwhelmed and alone. He is the perfect place for refuge, rest, restoration, and RESET to keep us on solid footing. If He cares for the sparrows of the field, surely He'll care for us.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge." - Psalm 16:1

Take a Rest

Rest has cured more people than all the medicine in the world. – H. J. Reilly

After six days of awe-inspiring work, God; who neither slumbers nor sleeps, did something else miraculous – HE RESTED!

A bygone fitness organization, Bodies In Motion; used the slogan “You can rest when you’re dead!” By the look of things in society it appears the majority of people firmly believe that. Almost everything now can be done 24/7, 365 days a year and we’re busy trying to keep pace with it and becoming worse off. But God COMMANDED, not suggested; that we take time out to rest. He made us and knows our bodies need physical rest and spiritual renewal. To avoid these is a recipe for disaster. No matter how much money we get, or how many ‘toys’ we acquire the best thing for our well-being is rest and spiritual renewal. Make sure you get both this weekend.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it HOLY, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” – Genesis 2:1-3

A Moment to Stop

Sleep doesn't help if it's your soul that's tired! - Anon

Though Daniel was the one in the lion's den, it was the king who couldn't get any rest. Amen!

It's bright red! Octagonal in shape! The word 'STOP' is posted right in the middle of it. Yes, it's a STOP sign. Admittedly, as a California driver I've perfected the Cali-roll. It's not a complete stop, it's a slow down and then proceed. Now according to the 'law' a STOP sign means STOP completely, not slow down. Thinking along this line I'm reminded of God's law of a 'sabbath days rest'. When His people were commanded to STOP all other activity to honor Him. In honoring Him that way it was them who were blessed through their time of worship. It's a mystery how this works but it does. I always come away 'refreshed' from my time with God. It brings restoration to my mind, body, and entire being - something God knows we need. As we gather to worship He pours out blessing upon blessing. But in truth, many of us check in to church/worship to slow our roll, show our face, but never to really STOP and be still. And we often leave with the same stresses and pressures we came with. If that's you or your life is tiring because you are often stretched thin, maybe you should just STOP! Couldn't hurt.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10

You're Gonna Do What You Want

What you want to do, you do. The rest is just talk. – J. Clark

The bible tells us “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Why, because He WANTED to. Hmm!

No matter how we try to package it and dress it up or try to excuse it, our life is simply a culmination of the things we do. Evil or good, deeds are done simply because we “wanted” to do them. Paul stated, “So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” In truth we all have the same 24-hour day to work with, various pressures put upon us, limited resources to work with, and great expectations of others from us. The key to wholeness of life though is to make what “God wants for us” as what we want to do. We must remember “it’s not about us.”

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

You Matter

The most basic craving of man is not food, sex, recreation, or money. It is knowledge that he matters to someone. – W. Sheldon

Moses did it. So did Elijah. Then Jesus came along and did it too. 40 days alone with the ONE who mattered most. What a great declaration of worth by God. Amen!

Often, if we’re not careful we get caught up doing “life” work for the sake of the necessary things (housing, sustenance, etc.) and forgetting we have a larger more important purpose: GOD. We matter to Him! Regardless of what others may demand of us or even think of us, we matter to Him. He knows all about us and He cares for us; and this should motivate us to seek a closer intimate relationship with Him. And since God is never in a hurry, maybe we should not be either when we draw near to Him.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place’.” – Mark 6:30-32

The Show Will Go On

One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important. – B. Russell

God’s prophet Elijah thought that he alone was the sole standout for God. God showed him HE had 7,000+ who had not bowed a knee to Baal. Hmm!

We see it all the time in sports, entertainment, politics, etc. Players and actors who feel the “show” can’t go on without them, that they are irreplaceable, no one can do what they do. In truth, the show does go on, maybe not exactly how we think it should, but go on it does; just as it did before we got there. While we should enjoy our work or whatever we do - for it is a form of worship to God - it should not consume us and keep us away from the very God who created us and the families He's placed us in. Here's hoping our work is a means to an end and not the other way around.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

"The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” – Mark 6:30-32

Trust Flows

To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved. - G. MacDonald

It took a lot of trust for Moses to stretch forth that rod to part the sea. Hmm!

Some years ago while in Hawaii, my wife and I took a parasailing ride. After being strapped into the harness with the chute attached behind us we were instructed to 'rest' or trust in the harness. In other words to enjoy a smooth, safe, and thrilling ride don't fight against its pull. The operators made sure we sailed high, came down to the water and then back up to the sky again a few times. It was as they say, breathtaking! In a sense this is what Jesus wants from us in trusting Him. Not to pull or tug at the commands or precepts of the Word, but to completely trust in them for a life journey full of sights, scents, scenes, sounds, and memories that when viewed with Him will take our breath away, and fill us with joy to last a lifetime.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:29-30

Prayer in Concert With Faith

My obligation is to do the right thing. The rest is in God's hands. - Martin Luther King Jr.

James wrote to his listeners that his faith was actually shown by what he did, not so much what he said. Hmm!

"I've prayed about it!" It's often something we tell ourselves and others about situations or issues going on in our lives. But in truth, prayer is not a magical chant or spiel that puts an 'aura' or 'halo' over our head, nor build a fence around us to keep us from sin. It only works in concert with faith, which means we must do all we can to assist our requests of Almighty God. The Proverbs writer tells us that when we see the 'evil' before us to cross the street or go the other way, not just try and pray through it. (Proverbs 7:24-27). This means we must put action behind our requests to be victorious - a show of faith - that allows God to work in us a stronger resolve to remain true and faithful to Him. So, whether we're trying to break a habit, change society, remove ourselves from a bad relationship, or just grow in His grace, when the enemy attacks in all his subtlety, it will take a little more than just the words we offer, it will also require the Power of the Spirit we have within.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...But when you pray, o into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen..." - Matthew 6:6

SENSE-ory Overload

This age of information at our fingertips has cost us all common sense. – Anon

Even after hearing God on the mountain and seeing His blessing and provision, the Israelites still turned away. Wow!

The telephone was once used to call and talk to people, to convey useful information, or just check up on someone. Now it’s used for everything but that and we’re adding more apps each day. A computer used to be attached to a desk for work purposes. Now it’s a pad we carry around everywhere we go because there’s so much to see, read, listen to, etc. And it seems no matter the price – we have to have them. And no matter the situation we’re in (conversing, praying, meditating, eating, and driving) once that ‘ding’ goes off we have to respond. What happened to the slow pace of life where we could think things through and God could get a word in edge wise. It seems like instead of us being more informed we’re becoming less sensible. If God has never tried to do everything at once maybe we should take notice.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work...." Genesis 2:2

Redeeming Time for His Glory

There are really only 2 things you “have to” do in life. You “have to” die, and you “have to” live until you die. You make up all the rest. – R. Anthony

Moses felt he needed to do everything for the Israelites and neglected himself. His father-in-law showed him a better way. AMEN!

Whether we will admit it or not, most of us are too busy. We’re trying to do it all and have it all, with little or no time for the MAKER of all. Satan, our enemy; will either make us bad (sinful) or busy (unholy), both are equally bad positions to be in. God has never said we must do it all by ourselves, nor must we do it all. He wants us to redeem the time and use it wisely, and the best way is to make sure all we do is for His Glory and not our own egos or pocketbooks!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1

Lay Your Fears To Rest

To fight fear - act; to increase fear - wait. – D. Schwartz

In the parable of the talents, the servant given one talent not only feared when his master was away, but cowered before him when he returned. OUCH!

Remember the things you feared as a child? Eventually as we grew older and wiser we overcame such silliness, hopefully. But fear is still a great tool of the enemy to keep us enslaved. We tend to fear those things we’re unsure of. But God has told us in His word we need not fear the enemy or any of his schemes if we put our faith and trust in HIM, for HE is the ‘great overcomer!’ There is nothing and no one greater than God. And, He’s still the same God today that He was yesteryear. Let Him put all your fears to rest.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” – I John 4:18

Reminder: Today is the National Day of Prayer. May you add this to your prayer time. The theme for this year is “Lord, Pour Out Your Love, Life, and Liberty,” taken from 2 Corinthians 3:17.

A Little Pitstop

You ever notice the Indianapolis 500 often has a ‘pace’ car on the track! - Anon

When Jesus saw how harried, harassed, and hungered the crowds looked, He made them take a ‘time out’. WOW!

We’ve all seen the pet hamster in the cage running on the circular wheel. Running hours on end going nowhere! For him, it’s just exercise, but how often for us does that seem a way of life? Even in this pandemic riddled year, our personal world can still be so busy we find it a challenge to really, really rest. Overwhelming needs abound – family, financial, physical, mental, spiritual – and seemingly continue to push us. We get so busy ‘doing’ we have little or no time for ‘being’. If anything, 2020 has given us all a new perspective on life. It’s as if God were saying “you’ve been running on empty, why not come to me. The peaceful, tranquil, and purposed life you seek begins with me.” Truthfully speaking, I can’t think of anyone I’ve ever known or read about being harmed by spending too much time with God. If time is truly in His hands and runs at His command, maybe we should adjust our lives to His pace.

I'll be taking a few days off, so until I return…

Pastor Botts

“…..[Jesus said] ‘come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” – Mark 6:31

Necessary Breaks

The world working in overdrive and overtime was NEVER God's idea. - Anon

David, the mighty warrior king, often gave his men breaks to tend the homefires. Hmm!

In the sport of weightlifting the goal is to build up your strength to lift as much as you can while remaining balanced and under control, and generally you have a 'spotter' to assist you. But eventually you get to put the weight down and rest. Life itself can sometimes be a comparison. We bear great weights (family, job, finances, etc.) on our shoulders, though we often call them responsibilities. Truthfully, these are all blessings God has given us to help fulfill our purposes here on earth in preparation for eternity. Still there should be a time when we can lay these down to focus on Him, take a break, a sabbath rest. It is when we refuse to lay these aside to honor God that they become almost unbearable or overwhelming for us, for the strength we need to bear them comes from Him as well. Burdens are only heavy when we try to bear them ourselves. God is ready to assist if we're ready to ask.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." - Psalm 73:26

The Truth About Peace of Mind

There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience. – French Proverb

 

After Samuel anointed Saul as king over Israel, he had the people testify against himself and his priesthood. It was for his own exoneration and an example to Saul. HE PASSED! Saul did not.

 

For anyone, believer or not; one of the main things sought after is “peace of mind,” the ability to not have to worry about what you said or did yesterday or last week coming back to haunt you. The truth of the matter is it is entirely possible to have. All one has to do is speak the truth in all things (in love) and live for God in all things as Samuel did. The conscience is at peace when it does not have to worry about anything but the truth we’ve told, the righteous life we’ve lived, and the helping hand we’ve lent. Well, this sounds like a believer to me. May we do the things necessary that our minds rest easy.

 

Until Monday……

 

Pastor Botts

 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27