Get With His Program

Be God or let God be! – Anon

Jesus, at one time denounced Peter as Satan for his attempt to stand in the way of God’s program and Jesus ultimately on the cross. Hmm!

Like Peter, the hardest thing for us to do is to go along with God’s program when it doesn’t seem to make much sense or fit in with our expectations. But that is the true basis and foundation of faith and trust. God’s ways and thoughts are not ours. We can’t comprehend or respond the way God does. He created the universe and all there is and is working everything to His perfect conclusion. Our role is to have faith in all situations and believe He will work it out for our benefit and HIS GLORY! Let go and let God.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Know that the Lord is God. It is HE who made us, and we are HIS, we are HIS people, the sheep of HIS pasture. Enter HIS gates with thanksgiving, and HIS courts with praise.” – Psalm 100:3-4

Hope you will join us for Prayer Breakfast tomorrow at 9:30am

Living THE Truth

Do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. – W.C. Stone

Boaz didn’t have to mention there was another kinsman redeemer for Ruth and Naomi, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Hmm!

In our courts systems a witness is sworn in by being asked to ‘tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.’ The idea is there will be no shading or jading or shortage of facts in their testimony. It’s a matter of integrity, loyalty and honesty – not personal benefit to the individual. God expects the same of us in our everyday dealings with one another, to live out the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and to live by love, complete love, and nothing but unbiased love. True such living may cause some uncomfortable situations, and may require more of us than we’re willing to give; but in those instances we should be reminded of the Cross and what Jesus did for us. So as today unfolds before us with its many situations and circumstances the question is ‘how then shall we live?’

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” – Proverbs 11:3

What Do You Desire?

The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want. – Ben Stein

All Solomon wanted was wisdom to rule God’s people righteously. He got that and more from God. AMEN!

The story of the dog who starts out on a foxhunt and ends up chasing his tail fits a lot of people. We are often distracted by what we see others enjoying and sometimes we begin to secretly covet. The fact is most of us really don’t know what we truly want. We say we want happiness, joy, peace, etc. but yet we refuse to come to the only one who can give it – Christ. The more we try to achieve the things of life our way, the more frustrating our life will become. To have the things we truly want, we must decide what they are and then be willing to sacrifice all other things to have them. The key to remember is if God is not in the plan our decisions are essentially empty.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” – Proverbs 14:12, 16:25

Bitter to Better

The fruit of the Spirit does not include sour grapes. – S. Stone

When Martha complained about the ‘lack of support’ from Mary in preparing dinner, Jesus reminded her who chose what! Hmm!

One of the first things you learn in your faith walk is ‘it is not about you,’ it’s about God. With a good understanding of that we should get along just fine, knowing that things are not going to go the way we want them to all the time, they’ll go the way God wants them to. Now generally, when you know what’s coming, even if it’s not what you would have wanted; you don’t get upset or bent out of shape. But with us it’s sometimes amazing how we go on griping and complaining about the troubles in our life when the one we live for told us we would have them, "in this world you will have troubles". The idea is not to become bitter by our trials but better by them. To gripe and complain is like adding more fuel to an existing fire. Sour grapes will only ruin the rest of the fruit.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another…” – Ephesians 4:30-32

Through It All He Is There

True defeat occurs only when YOU totally give up and quit. - Anon

Peter’s great message on the Day of Pentecost was fueled somewhat by the memory of his earlier betrayal of Jesus. Hmm!

The occasional disappointments and heartaches of life are not in the least discriminatory, they befall all of us, no matter age or status. They are born out of our desire and willingness to take a risk at loving someone, or being willing to pursue a goal or dream. Even though we may suffer upsets, we’ve not really lost; we’ve gained a rich experience to draw upon that should help us further mold our faith. God gifted us with the ability to learn and discern no matter what the situation, if we are willing. And God Himself was there with us the whole time, and He is true to His promises to heal, restore, refresh, replenish, and love endlessly. And knowing this, should only serve as inspiration to spur us on to risk even more for God.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…..I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you out with loving-kindness…” – Jeremiah 31:3

Worthy Conduct

The smaller we are the more room God has. - Anon

Though Jacob was deceived with Leah after working 7 years for a wife, his love for Rachel kept him tempered. Hmm!

The world has win/lose standards, and we're expected to measure up and carry ourselves by these standards. It can be a major task and stress inducer, leading us into actions we may want to reconsider. Why, because in Christ, it's not win/lose, but 'worth'. No matter the game, circumstance, tone of conversation, etc., the question is did we conduct ourselves worthy of the one who lives in us. Yes, the situation or person before us may perplex or frustrate us, may even get the better of us, our response is ours. Though it may be fueled by our bruised ego, insulted intellect, or stance on the truth; is it worthy of the Jesus we died unto and who now lives in us.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"...whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit..." - Philippians 1:27

Minimizing To Perfection

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Paul said he looked not for profit but considered ‘everything loss’ for the sake of Christ. Hmm!

In the fashion world perfection is a fully matching outfit with all the accessories (shoes, purse, gloves, belt, tie, etc.). And amazingly, we take those same criteria for perfection into our view of life. We seem to believe that with all the proper accoutrements or attachments we will be complete and whole, ready to take on the world. But God’s idea of perfection is quite the opposite and our road to spiritual maturity is not in the acquisition of attachments but the elimination of our carnal habits and sinful nature. Since God is perfection, sin and carnality cannot dwell with Him. He will not wrestle these desires from us, but He gently tries to ‘love’ us away from them. It’s our choice!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Then [Jesus] said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” – Luke 9:23