God's Scoreboard

No matter what the game is, there is always a scoreboard! - Anon

When Hezekiah showed off his kingdom to the king of Babylon, Isaiah let him know it was not just a simple gesture. OUCH!

As kids we played games for fun, exercise, and to pass the time. And though they offered all these things the one often overlooked benefit was they taught us rules and conduct. Every 'game' has its own rules and its own definition of what it means to win, whether it be points scored, profits made, course completed, etc. And no matter what the game was there was a scoreboard. To know if your game plan was working and where you stood you had to look at things in light of that scoreboard. Why, because our game plan was what we wanted to happen, but the scoreboard tells us what is happening. God has given us His Word and His Spirit to live by, to be Jesus with skin on, that's our game plan. Godliness and our impact on the world, that's the scoreboard. The question we each need to ask ourselves is 'how are we doing, and can we do better?'

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....But godliness with contentment is great gain...." - I Timothy 6:6

The inner workings of success

Never ask what's in a hot dog while you're eating one. - Anon

Moses wanted his people set free, he just didn't really know what it would take. Amen!

Success -  a noble idea indeed and something we all seek. And if we're not careful we'll find ourselves often in envy of others successes and achievements, "oohing and aahing" their praises. But what we often fail to see is that which lies below the surface, the many failures and negative responses they endured before they became successful.  In truth, a lot of failure, a lot of pain, and a lot of life goes into success. And it's what we learn in these instances and how we build upon these experiences that will either propel us onto the success platform or the pit of despair. That's why it's good to know the God of grace we serve, who is generous in second chances, and asks us to prove nothing to Him but our love, and that is the greatest success one can have in life.

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2

Facing Change

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. - L. Tolstoy

"What must I do to be saved?" That Ethiopian eunuch asked the best question ever. Amen!

Though there is always constant chatter about it, most people fight against change, especially when it affects them personally. For most, complacency is a great state to live in. The irony of life is that as much as we might fight against it, change is inevitable. Everyone has to deal with it. No one gets a free pass. On the other hand though, growth is optional; a choice we must make in light of the changes. To bemoan or resist life's changes is to let circumstances dictate to you (i.e. "woe is me.".), but to face the changes and continue to progress in life is God's desire for us as over-comers and conquerers! The difference between being successful and unsuccessful is not in ability, but in desire. The question is still "what must I do?"

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"....but rather offer yourselves to God......as instruments of righteousness..." - Romans 6:13

Improving your Aim

Failure to hit the bulls-eye is never the fault of the target. - Anon

The Pharisees and religious rulers of the day 'missed' Jesus because they had their minds already made up. Hmm!

Generally when 'X' marks the spot, 'X' is not mobile or ambulatory. That's the one constant we need to hone in on to make sure we hit the bulls-eye. Interestingly enough, God and His Word never change, they are both the same 'yesterday, today, and forever' yet we continually seem to miss. Biblically speaking, sin is described as 'missing the mark.'  Missing at times is okay, for God is truly gracious, but when we continue to miss in the same area, it should be a strong indicator to us that we need to improve our aim. That may mean letting go of certain friends, habits, routines, or conveniences that hinder our ability to concentrate and focus on the bulls-eye. True God's patience is long, but we never want to be found 'trying it.'

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart...." - Jeremiah 29:13

What We Need

Faith will not always get us what we want, but it will get us what God wants us to have. – Sparks

Paul cried out in faith to God several times to have his ‘thorn in the flesh’ removed. God gave him humility instead. Amen!

True, the bible says with a little faith you could move mountains, and true the bible says if you ask, believing, you shall receive it. But often we overlook the fact that what we ask for is ALWAYS subject to God’s will and purpose for our lives. If God gave us everything we wanted, He would be a puppet on a string or heavenly vending machine. God grants to us what we need and often supplies our wants within reason for His glory. The sad part is often we just don’t see it because it doesn’t come the way we expect it. God will be granting us all something special today. Don’t miss it!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” – Isaiah 30:18

Can You Picture That?

A picture is a poem without words. – Horace

Many of the things that she saw him do, Jesus’ mother just ‘pondered’ them in her heart.

The Grand Canyon. A solar eclipse. A Hawaiian sunrise or sunset. What do they have in common? All are pictures in our mind which bring a speechless sense of awe and wonder of the greatness of God. In this sin darkened world God also expects our lives to bring about the same response in those around us. As one great philosopher of our time has said, “preach the gospel, and if necessary; then use words.” May we all “preach” boldly today.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

In everything set them an example by doing what is good……. So that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” – Titus 2:7-8

In love with the Creator or the created things?

Too many people quit looking for God once they find a church. – Anon

The parents of the blind man Jesus healed said nothing because they didn’t want to be thrown out of the synagogue. Hmm!

Complacency is a dangerous thing, and it’s something our enemy is very familiar with and often uses to trap us. In honesty, most of us love our church; we love the building, the amenities, the programs, the service, and of course the people. Unfortunately we often fall in love with these ‘things’ and cease to seek after God. But we must always remember God does not want to dwell in a building but in our hearts, so we must continually seek Him always.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Jesus declared, ‘Believe me, woman; a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem…... God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth.’” – John 4:21,24

P.S. - Mark your calendar:

Tonight
6:30PM - Good Friday Service (Dinner/Movie)

Tomorrow:
9AM - Prayer Breakfast
6:30 PM - GUIDance in Concert

Sunday
9AM -Resurrection Day Program                
10:30AM 30-pieces of Silver Offering

Effective Change

The human race has improved everything, except the human race. – R. Murray

Rehoboam saw God’s favor in his father Solomon’s reign. One can only wonder why he didn’t follow suit. His ways brought ruin on the people. Hmm!

We constantly live in a world of change. Everything around us and everything we use is always being made over new or improved upon. From what we eat, to what we drive, to what we watch, even to how we serve God. The only problem here is we continually look outward to make improvements and rarely look inward. This is why once the novelty has worn off the 'new' product the same old feelings and thoughts of despair arise. The only way to have true peace and inner joy is to make ourselves 'new' from within. God is in the reclamation and restoration business. He reclaims broken hearts and restores them to better than new when He’s done. If we want to be a better human, we have to defer to the MAKER, not his creation. Today’s a good day to start.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen.” – Romans 1:25

Stay on the Grind

Here’s a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: if you’re alive – it isn’t! – R. Bach

A few days after winning 3,000+ souls to Christ, Peter and the other apostles were at it again spreading the Word. AMEN!

One of the most occupied and coziest arenas of life is complacency. The place where we reason with ourselves we’ve done all we were supposed to do, we’ve earned our rest, our mission here has been accomplished. Let’s just sit back and take it easy. This is a dangerous condition of heart. The bible gives many examples of men who worked for the kingdom all their life, then in their later ‘hours’ of life their recreations and activities turned them away from God. God grants us life each day for the express purpose of bringing glory to Him in some manner. Yesterday is done and cannot be recaptured or re-lived. Today is our great opportunity.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you….” – Luke 12:19-20

Prepare to Begin

I always make sure the lid over the keyboard is open before I start to play. – A. Schnabel

Job always started his mornings with a sacrifice offering to God. God said there was no one like him on earth. WOW!

The average person will stretch or warm up before a workout or game, study for an exam, warm up their car, and even prepare for a date. We know the benefits of such advance preparations. But yet we often barge right into God’s creation – TODAY – with no time or thought given to the Creator. If God has filled each day with purpose, and we know He has; it would be wise of us to check in with Him first thing before we go off on the wrong tangent. A day hemmed in prayer won’t soon unravel.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” – Psalm 5:3

Happy Day

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out. – J. Wooden

The apostle Paul said ‘his chains actually helped him advance the gospel.’ Go figure!

Happiness! For most it’s a commodity they believe they deserve, or have somehow earned with all their hard work and toil. But in truth it is not a ‘commodity’ that can be purchased like food or clothing, it is rather an attitude. When we pursue it in our endeavors it becomes even more elusive, for it is really a by-product of right thinking and right behavior; or godliness. It is the by-product of a life that is lived in the will of God. And being in the will of God we know not everything will turn out the way we expect, but God will leave us with opportunity to rejoice. And that’s really not a bad thing.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.” – Ecclesiastes 3:12

Wishing vs Praying

Wishing will never be a substitute for prayer. – E. Cole

The persistent widow got relief because she kept on personally ‘troubling’ the ungodly magistrate, not just wishing and hoping he would do something. Hmm!

Most people live life in the ‘wishing’ phase. They wish for this change or that possession, they wish life wasn’t so bad, or for just a little more. Unfortunately, most of us Christians practice prayer the same way - we don’t actually pray we just wish it would be so. But God is a prayer answering God, and takes delight when His children confide in Him and truly seek His intervention. But we must remember prayer is hard work and there is no substitute for the dedication, perseverance, and discipline it requires. Thinking something over is not the same as praying. God expects us to put in the work. Though Jesus was the Son of God he never assumed His Father would just act on his behalf, he ALWAYS prayed first.

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

Meaningful Conversations

To make a long story short, don’t tell it. – Anon

Jesus could’ve preached at them when they brought him the woman caught in adultery, instead he just ‘wrote.’ Hmm!

Secrets – do they really exist? Is it really better to leave some things unsaid? Take a look around you and listen up, and you’d be hard pressed to think so. The truth is conversation is good, it does help us to relate to one another and build relationships; but it should be meaningful, insightful, practical, respectful, and truthful to the person to whom we’re speaking. We all love good stories and humor, but we should never have to ‘enhance’ them, and we must still speak in such a way to please God. Remember, when words are many sin is not absent, and besides, it doesn’t really matter how ‘big’ the fish was that got away, if it got away.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….a time to be silent and a time to speak…” – Ecclesiastes 3:7

Peace Project

The way to win an atomic war is to make sure it never starts. – O. Bradley

To save his life Jacob’s mother sent him away to relatives he’d never met. It was a wise move. Hmm!

If you think about it, war is actually a last resort. It is the result of failed attempts to resolve an issue, and atomic war is a desire to completely annihilate the enemy. Often, if we’re not careful we find ourselves not only in a war, but an atomic one, rueing the birth of our enemy. This should not be, for as people of God we’re called to live at peace with our neighbor. It’s not easy at times, but we must remember God will not accept excuses at the door of heaven. The way to win a fight - keep the peace, the way to win an argument – speak only in love; and the way to best Satan – stay in company with God. Peace I leave with you!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath…” – Romans 12:18-19

Talking Heads

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. – Plato

When Jesus was ‘transfigured’ before the disciples there, Peter just couldn’t seem to hold his tongue. God set him straight! OUCH!

Look around, we now live in a culture where everyone is virtually connected at the hip by cellphone. And everywhere you go they are either ringing to be answered or someone is already talking on one. It didn’t use to be this way, but technology has made it easier and affordable – but that does not necessarily translate into needful. God has said our conversation is to be uplifting, seasoned with grace, non-condemning, and for the benefit of His kingdom purposes. Given the truth that we will one day have to give account for every word we speak, maybe we should weigh our words a bit more carefully.

Until tomorrow……..

Pastor Botts

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37

Know it all?

It is okay not to know, it is not okay to pretend you know, when you don’t. – R. Murray

Even Jesus himself said He didn’t know the time His Father had set for the end of times. Hmm!

‘How To’ books – the shelves are full of them, from A to Z, on whatever suits your fancy. Most are tried and true, which is of great benefit to those of us who want to learn the ‘How’s’ of life. Unfortunately there are scores of these books that are purely fictional, theoretical, and guesswork. In this great creation of God there are some things God kept to Himself, and we should in no wise try to guess, theorize, or fill in what is missing. It’s okay for us to say “I don’t know!” The great thing is that He gave us enough to know Him and love Him, and in the end that’s all that matters.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….The secret things belong to the Lord our God…” – Deuteronomy 29:29

Unconditional love to all

The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good. – S. Johnson

David set a cripple named Mephibosheth at his table. The Good Samaritan bandaged up, nursed, and paid for the care of his enemy. Ulterior motives? Yes – LOVE. Hmm!

Regrettably, in this work-a-day, do all you can to get ahead world, we tend to focus our efforts only on those who can be of benefit to us somehow. Most of our actions are calculated on a risk/return basis. The homeless, the parking lot attendant, the janitor, tend to become transparent or get the short shrift of our goodness. But if God showers His love on us unconditionally our goal should be to do the same with all men. To be like Jesus we must be willing to give proper respect to everyone we meet. God is expecting us to make an impact on the world TODAY for Him!

Until Monday…….

Pastor Botts

“If you love those who love you; what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners; expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting anything back. Then your reward will be great; and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:32-36

Wonderfully Awesome

Before there can be wonders, there must be wonder. – Anon

Jesus did few miracles in his hometown. Small wonder, they were of little faith. OUCH!

Watch any child unwrap a new toy and you’ll see it. Genuine, wide-eyed, exhilarating excitement! When was the last time you got chill bumps or wide-eyed at what God was doing, in worship, on the job, or in your home? We often take for granted what He does, and we seldom look for the unexpected. We’ve somewhat ‘seasoned’ ourselves to planned response from God. But He can not be put in a box nor be expected to answer or act according to our preconceived ideas. If we truly believe God to be AWESOME, then every thing He does should be cause us to wonder. Maybe its time to reassess our relationship with Him.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“The Lord answered Job……Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! – Job 38:1, 4-5

The Bad Habit of...

Bad habits are like comfortable beds, easy to fall into but hard to get out of. – Anon

Jesus jumped all over the Scribes, Pharisees, and religious leaders of His day because of their love for ‘the traditions of men’ rather than GOD. OUCH!

Sometimes, if we’re not careful we can easily fall into self-fulfilling acts or rituals that take us away from God’s program and think ourselves righteous. A habit doesn’t have to be sinful to be bad, but if it takes our focus off of Almighty God and places it on our own desires we need to re-evaluate our commitment. God will present situations to see who will be first in our life today!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“I am the Lord your God….you shall have no other gods before me.” – Exodus 20:2-3  

Better for the Greater Good!

Greatness lies not in trying to be somebody, but in trying to help somebody. – Anon

The greatest thing about Joseph was not in how he came up to be 2nd in command only to Pharaoh, but that he saved a nation and his people. Hmm!

It’s no secret; everybody loves to hear their own name called. It’s refreshing, exhilarating, and exciting to be hailed as someone who did something great and worthwhile. And in our sinful nature we’re taught early on to make something of ourselves. So we set out to make a name, seek status, and grab attention; put ourselves on the plateau that says “look at me!” Now the teaching itself is not bad, it’s just incomplete. We should be taught to make something of ourselves to better mankind, contribute to society, build up the kingdom; not to be seen and heard, but to bring praise to the one we serve –God. If “only what we do for Christ will last,” then that’s really all we should do.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“….instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” – Matthew 20:26