Life As Advertised

Make yourself an honest person, and then you can be sure there is one less rascal in the world. – T. Carlyle

Paul said he was ‘determined’ to know nothing among those he fellowshipped with except Jesus Christ. His life proved his point. Hmm!

“Betcha can’t eat just one!” That was the Lay’s Potato Chip ad slogan from years ago. It was good advertising, deceptive; but still good. Mind you, you had to buy a whole bag to try and best the slogan, and that meant sales. We are in a sense all in sales, advertising for our Heavenly Father through our lives. And our story, just like everyone else’s, has a few dark spots or less-than-desirable chapters. But God doesn’t want us to be deceptive in our presentation, nor does He want us to hide behind the dark moments. His desire is that we treat them as any good marketer would, in a positive light. Tell others how we’ve become wiser, more disciplined, mature, experienced, and of course more dependent upon Him who forgave us and restored us. Good trustworthy advertising makes good sense and good business, and God is still in the people business.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God….” – Genesis 39:9

Heart Storage

Accept what is, let go of what was, have faith in what will be. S. Ricotti

David said when he 'confessed' what was hidden in his heart life got so much better. Amen!

Ask anyone who's moved recently and I'm sure you'll hear them lament and say something like 'I didn't know I had so much stuff!' Whether they were moving from a small apartment or a 4-5 bedroom house the saying is the same 'so much stuff!' Stuff they didn't even know they had or seldom used. It's a marvel how it all fit in there. Truth is, we brought it in ourselves and just got comfortable with it being there, allowing it to possess space in our arena. It begs the question, do we have too much stuff stored up in our hearts? Dangerous stuff that we've grown comfortable and complacent with. Stuff like laziness, grudges, bitterness, hypocritical thoughts of others, jealousies, greed, etc. Things like these tend to hinder our spiritual ability to grow. maybe we need to do a little housecleaning ourselves to give the Holy Spirit the freedom He needs to grow and flourish in our lives. A good cleansing is always refreshing.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"O Jerusalem, wash the evil from your heart and be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts?" - Jeremiah 4:14

Is Your Prayer Life Suffering?

The self-sufficient do not pray, the self-satisfied will not pray, the self-righteous cannot pray. No man will be greater than his prayer life. – L. Ravenhill

The unjust judge was so self-centered he even refused to acknowledge God. But a little old widow made his prayerless life miserable. Hmm!

Most of us know prayer is a privilege. Most of us know prayer brings us into intimate communion with God. Most of us know almost all there is to know about prayer. But few of us pray or pray often, as life’s demands beckon. But in reality, we can’t face anything until we have prayed. God has been gracious to us in many things, imagine how much more so if we really took the time to pray. The aim of prayer is not necessarily to get the answer, but to get hold of God. If your prayer life is suffering, it’s time to look at “self.”

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – II Chronicles 7:14

It's Really No Secret

No one is free who is not master of himself. – Claudius

Joseph would not let himself stoop to levels of sin and indecency before his master and God with Potiphar’s wife. He considered the whole idea “wicked.”

One of Satan’s lies is that you can do things in secret that no one will know. It’s a clever little ploy to keep us in bondage to sin. Temptation to sin comes to all of us, but for us as Christians so does the power and opportunity to escape the sin. We must remember in all situations that it is not about us and our desires, but our heavenly Father and His will for us. God will not withhold any good thing from His people. I pray we will rise above all selfish desires today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Therefore I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” – I Corinthians 9:26-27

With God We Can

I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish HE wouldn’t trust me so much. – Mother Teresa

Moses didn’t think he could go and face Pharaoh to free the Israelites. God had to remind him “I’m going with you.” WOW!

In God’s eyes we are SOMEBODY! We’re HIS. But if we’re not careful we will find ourselves lamenting (complaining) over the things going on in our life, as if they will soon overwhelm us, and they will if we try and go it all alone. God has placed us in the particular situations we’re in because He believes we are the best available for the task He wants to work ‘through us.’ He’s trusting we will be available and willing, and He will equip us with the strength, wisdom, or other resources we need when we need it and not a moment sooner. He expects us to remain faithful in all circumstances. Remember what he said in his word, “to whom much is given, much will be required.” We must admit we are richly blessed!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because the take refuge in him.” – Psalm 37:39-40

Name Calling

“I am the LORD, that is my name!”  - God (Isaiah 42:8)

Though Saul became a corrupt king, David continually addressed him as ‘God’s anointed.’ Hmm!

The way we address someone is of utmost importance. It shows the level of respect we have for them, and it sets the tenor for the relationship and conversation that follows. Calling people, our children included; out of name only invites an unhealthy attitude and conversation that can quickly become the enemy’s opportunity to pounce, create dissension, or even entice one down the path of sin. As often as we’ve fallen short there’s never been a time God has called us out of our name, He continually calls us His ‘beloved,’ and He expects us to show the same courtesy. Over the next few days BEWARE, there will be surprise exams everywhere you go.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the righteous rescues them.” – Proverbs 12:6