The Future Happens Everyday

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. – Abraham Lincoln

Jesus went from manger to cross in just over 33 years, living day by day. It wasn’t supernatural, but He was. Hmm!

Today is the future of yesterday. Tomorrow, if granted will be the future of today. That’s how God has planned it since the beginning for us. We often think of the future as some time ahead - months, years, decades, etc. – and often we make our plans that way. But the future happens every day. True, life may go on hundreds of years after today before Christ returns, but we’re not guaranteed to be here beyond today. And because God knows how much we can bear, His mercies, compassion, kindnesses and other blessings are only given us for the day, so we are not overwhelmed. So if we’re planning on living happily ever after, today would be the day to start.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once….” – Deuteronomy 7:22

P.S. - Don't forget to bring in your Gift Cards for our CA Wildfire Relief contribution.

Making the Old New Again

Why teach an old dog new tricks, just remind him of the lessons he already knows. – Sparks

Though God manifested Himself in many ways to the people, His Word never changed. Hmm!

Solitude, meditation, prayer. These are all precious facets of our Christian walk – quiet times with Jesus. They are meant to refresh us, revive our Spirit. But often, we come away unfulfilled. And the reason we come away un-refreshed is we go into it with the wrong understanding. We seek new ideas, new experiences, new encounters with God. But it is in these moments that Jesus said of the Holy Spirit ‘when HE comes, He will bring to mind all that I have told you.’ So our visit is actually with an old dear friend who helps us to hear again the practical truths of God we had long forgotten. We hear again the familiar words of reassurance, value, and hope. This rediscovery makes the old new again, and our living it out makes life exciting and seemingly new.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever…..” – Hebrews 13:8

New for Today

Our 'Age of Anxiety' is, in great part, the result of trying to live today’s circumstances with yesterday’s faith. – M. McLuhan

Though Rachel believed in her husband Jacob’s God, she still kept the gods of her father Laban. Hmm!

One of the great things about scientific discovery is that it is always open to new ideas and realities – oh that our faith were so. For most people their faith is clearly defined, limited and tangible, and if circumstances don’t fit within the parameters they determine and define they won’t move forward. But we serve a God who is ever unpredictable in His ways as He works things out in our lives. His expectation is that we trust Him in all things and truly believe that He will never place us in any situation where His grace is not sufficient, His provision is not more than enough, or His strength will not prevail. The whole idea is that God is trying to ‘grow’ our faith not our fears. Today will require more from us than yesterday.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” – II Corinthians 5:17

P.S. - Make sure you vote TODAY, and remember no matter what happens GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!

Lighten Your Load Today

There will always be enough for today, without taking on yesterday or tomorrow. – Richard Murray

God rained down manna on a daily basis for the Israelites to eat. In their craftiness they tried to save some of it for the next day. It only created other problems. Hmm!

It has often been said that “worry is the interest paid on tomorrow’s trouble - today.” Yet even knowing this we still have a habit of carrying this excess weight with us, and it impacts our lives and testimony for God. The truth of the matter is when we agonize over yesterday’s decisions or fret over tomorrow’s possibilities, we show a lack of trust and faith in our Heavenly Father. He is so willing to forgive us our past mistakes, and He is so willing to help us with tomorrow when it comes. What He wants though, is for us to just live for Him in the current moment. As 'His mercies, grace, provisions, are new every morning' today is our turn to represent Him as light and life in a dark world.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” -Matthew 6:34

The People of Today

If you have one eye on yesterday, and one eye on tomorrow, you’re going to miss today. – Anon

On the road to Emmaus the 2 disciples were so concerned with what had happened and what might’ve been, they almost missed HIM WHO IS!

Last minute shopping, making preparations for the holiday, looking back over the years events, making new calendars and agendas for next year. Does any of this sound familiar? Possibly so for most of us! This time of year we lament on how fast the year has gone by and begin to make plans on how we’ll attack the New Year. It’s enough to wear you out. God knows what’s best for us which is why He only promises one day at a time. We should give the bulk of our resources, the bulk of our attention, and the bulk of our time to those people who cross our path today. This is how we spread the Good News and build the kingdom. At the last day God is not going to ask us if we worried about the needs or cares of life, but if we met the needs of those He sent our way.

I'll be taking some time off so this keyboard will be silent for a few days.

Until then...

Pastor Botts

“Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among all nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” – I Chronicles 16:23-24

Today's A New Day

Don't let yesterday take up too much of today! - Richard Murray

When the Prodigal son came to his senses, he 'rushed' right home. Hmm!

"What's the use? Why should I try? It's never going to get any better!" Statements we've heard or maybe even uttered in our lifetime. What do they have in common? Too much emphasis on what has happened (yesterday) and not enough faith in what can happen (today). The remedy! Take the focus off of you, put it on God. Ask yourself, 'Why did God bless me with this day? Just to suffer more - NO.' He blessed me with today to trust Him more, to lean into Him a little harder, and to be a blessing to someone else. Remember, no matter your state or circumstances, the gift of today is for more than just you. When you learn to GIVE your blessing in part or whole to others, amazingly more blessings flow to you. Go figure, but that's how God works it. And maybe, just maybe, that ONE blessing that you need to show you 'What's the use?' is waiting to come to you to show you God heard you all along.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." - Psalm 51:12

Doing Your Part

Opportunities today are the results of actions taken yesterday. - Anon

Andrew spending that 1st day with Jesus ultimately led to 3,000 souls being saved on Pentecost. Wow!

Being involved in Christ’s mission to save mankind can be overwhelming if we forget our place. It is easy to get burnt out when we think it is all on us. But God is not asking you or me to individually solve the injustices of the world, He’s asking us to reach out and help the individuals He places in our path. True, there will be many, and it may seem like our contribution is small and won’t change anything, but the success of our actions is not what gets measured, nor whether they accept Christ or not. What God looks upon is the measure of faith by which we shared the love of Christ inside us, that’s what’s important; for we never know how far reaching it will be. We need only remember that Jesus’ actions already saved the world, we’re just to remind them about it.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” – I Corinthians 3:5-6

How's He Gonna Show Up This Time?

True, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever; but in the drama of our life He plays many parts. - B. Jones Sr.

With Adam He was up close and personal. With Abraham He appeared in the form of a man. With the Israelites He often worked through their enemies. With the disciples He appeared as Jesus. With us....? Hmm!

All too often we tend to look for God in only what we consider 'sacred' areas (Bible, church, prayer meetings, etc.). These are great to start but we must come to realize the place/thing itself is not sacred, it's God's presence within the place/thing that makes it sacred. And since one of the key components of His nature is His omnipresence, it means He can appear anywhere and anytime, even in our circumstances. Actually, it's quite possible He may be trying to engage you in conversation right now. Although we may hate 'drama' often it's the time God is a callin'. Hope you have time to answer.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM!' This is what you say to the Israelites: 'I AM' has sent me to you.'" - Exodus 3:16

Today's Miracle

Life is lived in the present. Yesterday, with all its memories is gone, tomorrow with all its hope is yet to be. Today is the miracle. – Anon

When Simeon held the baby Jesus in his arms at the temple, he realized it was no ordinary day. It was rather miraculous. AMEN!

Though we may relish in the spiritual highs of yesterday or wish for a sunny tomorrow, we still must deal with the present God has given us right now, for it is all we have. As we count our own years, or those of our children, or growing nieces and nephews, we soon realize one more day (Today) is indeed a miracle. And no matter how we feel physically or mentally, spiritually we are blessed, and when God blesses us he has more than us in mind. We must then realize that whatever God is involved in can never be ordinary. So today it's up to us to let the extraordinary show. Though it's Friday no coasting is allowed.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” – Proverbs 27:1

Did You Catch That?

True, there is nothing new under the sun, but everyday is new with God. – A. Bierce

When Jesus taught the people from the very scriptures they had known all their lives they were in a word – AMAZED!

Routine is as routine does. For most of us our life is a series of routines. Rote prayers, rote activities, and rote expectations. What is sad is that we have come to accept it this way and expect it, often getting bent out of shape when it doesn’t happen. Though God may be the same “yesterday, today and forever,” the way He reveals Himself to us each day is not. With Moses it was a burning bush, with Elijah a gentle whisper. Expect the unexpected today?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“For God does speak – now one way, now another – though man may not perceive it.” – Job 32:14

Much To Do About Today

Yesterday is experience. Tomorrow is hope. Today is getting from one to the other as best we can. – J. M. Henry

While they were in the fiery furnace, the three Hebrew boys reflected on where they came from and who they believed in, and barely noticed the consuming flames. Hmm!

Wherever we are in life, be it tolerable, comfortable, or even grand; it is probably not the best it could be, which is why tomorrow beckons. There is hope for a turnaround, improvement, come-back, step-up or whatever we desire, and we should use all of yesterday’s and life's past experiences to make the best moves possible TODAY. Today, with all of its possibilities is all we have to work with right now, and depending on how we spend/invest it, we will either welcome tomorrow with open arms or try to hide from it. God has done His part by giving us all we need this day to make it, the rest is up to us, but He is willing to assist in the decisions we make if we are willing to ask. It couldn’t hurt.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” – Matthew 6:34 (NLT)

Living In The Current Moment

There will always be enough for today, without taking on yesterday or tomorrow. – Richard Murray

 

God rained down manna on a daily basis for the Israelites to eat. In their craftiness they tried to save some of it for the next day. It only created other problems. Hmm!

 

It is often been said that “worry is the interest paid on tomorrow’s trouble - today.” Yet even knowing this we still have a habit of carrying this excess weight with us, and it impacts our lives and testimony for God. The truth of the matter is when we agonize over yesterday’s decisions or fret over tomorrow’s possibilities we show a lack of trust and faith in our Heavenly Father. He is so willing to forgive us our past mistakes, and He is so willing to help us with tomorrow when it comes. What He wants though, is for us to just live for Him in the current moment. As 'His mercies, grace, provisions, are new every morning' today is our turn to represent Him as light and life in a dark world.

 

Until Monday……

 

Pastor Botts

 

“Therefore  do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” -Matthew 6:34

Finish Strong

Though no one can go back and start over in life, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. – C. Bard

Manasseh was a horrible king, leading the people away from God. Later in life he confessed the error of his ways and tried to restore the nation. God was moved. Wow!

The greatest thing about today is that it is a gift ready to be opened and painted any way we see fit. It doesn’t have to carry any mention or thought of yesterday’s or yesteryear’s heartaches and disappointments; it stands completely on its own. If we’re not satisfied with the destination end of the road we are currently on, or the events of the life we’re currently living, God has gifted us with today to start anew. Life brings upon us many situations and circumstances that catch us off guard and we react to badly at the start, but with each passing day God gives us opportunity to finish well.  

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come." - II Corinthians 5:17

Today's scripture reading: Proverbs 24

Today's scripture reading question: What does verse 16 tell us about our humanity?

P.S. - Hope you can make it to 'Family Fun Night tonight at 6:30pm, ANDdon't forget our Roundtable discussions this Sunday at 9am.

Limitless Dynamic Faith

Our 'Age of Anxiety' is, in great part, the result of trying to live today’s circumstances with yesterday’s faith. – M. McLuhan

Though Rachel believed in her husband Jacob’s God, she still kept the gods of her father Laban. Hmm!

One of the great things about scientific discovery is that it is always open to new ideas and realities – oh that our faith were so. For most people their faith is clearly defined, limited and tangible, and if circumstances don’t fit within the parameters they determine and define they won’t move forward. But we serve a God who is ever unpredictable in His ways as He works things out in our lives. His expectation is that we trust Him in all things and truly believe that He will never place us in any situation where His grace is not sufficient, His provision is not more than enough, or His strength will not prevail. The whole idea is that God is trying to ‘grow’ our faith not our fears. Today will require more from us than yesterday.

Until Monday…….

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” – II Corinthians 5:17

Hope For Tomorrow

Yesterday is experience. Tomorrow is hope. Today is getting from one to the other as best we can. – J. M. Henry

While they were in the fiery furnace, the three Hebrew boys reflected on where they came from and who they believed in, and barely noticed the consuming flames. Hmm!

Wherever we are in life, be it tolerable, comfortable, or even grand; it is probably not the best it could be, which is why tomorrow beckons. There is hope for a turnaround, improvement, come-back, step-up or whatever we desire, and we should use all of yesterday’s and yesteryear’s experiences to make the best moves possible TODAY. Today, with all of its possibilities is all we have to work with right now, and depending on how we spend/invest it, we will either welcome tomorrow with open arms or try to hide from it. God has done His part by giving us all we need this day to make it, the rest is up to us, but He is willing to assist in the decisions we make if we are willing to ask. It couldn’t hurt.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” – Matthew 6:34 (NLT)

Don't Put It Off

God has promised forgiveness to our repentances, but He has not promised tomorrow to our procrastinations. – Augustine

Though Zacchaeus was a despised and hated tax collector he didn’t have to “get it together” before he welcomed Jesus. Salvation became his. Amen!

The problem with waiting until tomorrow is that when it finally arrives, it is called Today. That’s right, today is yesterday's tomorrow. The question is what did we do with the opportunity? If we are not careful we will waste tomorrow as we wasted yesterday, and as we are wasting today. We must each pause frequently to remind ourselves that the clock is ticking. The same clock that began to tick from the moment we drew our first breath will also someday cease. Time is the great equalizer of all mankind. It has taken away the best and the worst of us without regard for either. Time offers opportunity but demands a sense of urgency. Let us be truly  purposeful today.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” – John 9:4-5

Fulfilling yesterday's promises

Today is yesterday’s pupil. – T. Fuller

Adam’s first night of sleep must have been fitful, for he didn’t have a ‘yesterday’ as a point of reference. Hmm!

Quick! What’d you do yesterday, do you remember? What did you say, who did you say it to? Today is the opportunity to begin carrying out all the promises we committed to yesterday. As we worshipped, read His Word, sang His praise, and made promises of obedience, today is the result of said activity. It’s time to pay up or own up to what we said.  If God has not forgotten us, and He has not; we should not readily forget Him and what we promised. We’ve been blessed with the memory of many yesterday’s and the ability to pull the good out of them, and God has granted today, or opportunity; to fulfill them. We can’t let the day escape unused.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” – John 9:4

Always moving forward

When your faith gets into the past tense, it becomes a pretense! - Anon

Peter's Pentecost sermon brought in 3,000+ souls. WOW! But God still sent him down to little 'ol Cornelius' house. Hmm!

The bible tells us "the Word of God is active and alive.....," although sometimes the way we serves may bring serious doubts to that. Whether we are new or seasoned in the faith, we can never, ever rest on what we did yesterday or yesteryear. God has done many mighty works in us and through us, but we must remember also "God is ALWAYS at His work." Today's opportunities, big or small; He's already planned, and He's hoping we're all available. May He use us without having to ask us.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." - John 9:4

The Everyday Miracle

Life is lived in the present. Yesterday, with all its memories is gone, tomorrow with all its hope is yet to be. Today is the miracle. – Anon

When Simeon held the baby Jesus in his arms at the temple he realized it was no ordinary day. It was rather miraculous. AMEN!

Though we may relish in the spiritual highs of yesterday or wish for a sunny tomorrow, we still must deal with the present God has given us right now, for it is all we have. As we count our own years, or those of our children, or growing nieces and nephews, we soon realize one more day (Today) is indeed a miracle. And no matter how we feel physically or mentally, spiritually we are blessed, and when God blesses us he has more than us in mind. We must then realize that whatever God is involved in can never be ordinary. So today it's up to us to let the extraordinary show. Though it's Friday no coasting is allowed.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” – Proverbs 27:1

Opportunities to Serve

Opportunities today are the results of actions taken yesterday. - Anon

Andrew spending that 1st day with Jesus ultimately led to 3,000 souls being saved on Pentecost. Wow!

Being involved in Christ’s mission to save mankind can be overwhelming if we forget our place. It is easy to get burnt out when we think it is all on us. But God is not asking you or me to individually solve the injustices of the world, He’s asking us to reach out and help the individuals He places in our path. True, there will be many, and it may seem like our contribution is small and won’t change anything, but the success of our actions is not what gets measured, nor whether they accept Christ or not. What God looks upon is the measure of faith by which we shared the love of Christ inside us, that’s what’s important; for we never know how far reaching it will be. We need only remember that Jesus’ actions already saved the world, we’re just to remind them about it.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” – I Corinthians 3:5-6