Don't Wait Hesitate or Debate

One of the devil's most successful wiles is “wait awhile.” – Anon

The foolish virgins waited until the bridegroom came to go out and get oil for their lamps. They missed out on everything. OUCH!

It’s often been said that if it weren’t for the last minute nothing would ever get done. There is a lot of truth in this. We by nature are people who push the ‘snooze button’ on life. Even though we know tomorrow is not promised to us we often assume it is by our inaction. True, we can’t get everything done in one day, but we could and should do those things we know God has required of us. When we put off what we know to be right it is essentially sin, and Satan wins. This is not just in our Christian duty, but in daily life situations as well. In doing good and righteous acts we don’t need to pray and wait, God has already commanded us to GO!

Until Monday……

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

P.S. - Don't forget to set your clocks BACK one hour Saturday night as we end Daylight Savings Time. Also don't forget our Sunday School Devotional time. The instructors will be answering all the questions you submitted. It starts at 9AM Sunday morning.

Just Ask

Many things are lost for want of asking. – English Proverb

The Syro-Phoenician woman braved redress from the disciples, indifference, and even name-calling from Jesus to make her request. Her faith was rewarded. Amen!

Without a doubt most of us believe God is a prayer answering God, but yet we fail to pray. Often what we call praying is actually just us meditating, hashing the issue out in our mind, but not really asking or talking to God about it. And because of our feelings of inadequacy we often feel ashamed to even ask. But God wants us to ask “in faith,” and sometimes He will often test our faith to see if we are sincere. Every blessing God prepared He prepared to lavish on His people and that should include you. Why not ask him today!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” – John 14:13

Never Give Up

I’ve read the last page of the bible. It’s all going to turn out all right. – B. Graham

Jesus sent 2 disciples to town to prepare for the Passover meal once. They found it just as He said it would be. Hmmm!

Why me Lord? Why now God? God, are you there? Questions like these and others often pass through our minds and faith, depending on what’s going on in our life at the time. I’m sure some of us are asking them of God right now. Trials and suffering are all a part of God’s plan for us. However, we cannot in the midst of the trial give up or give out – as this is the key time God expects us to TRUST His purposes – but just hold on. The key is for us to trust in the ending, not the current situation. Though we may not see it, remember God is always faithful and true.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11

Mistakes

In life, try to fix the mistakes – not the blame! – Anon

Back in the original Garden of Eden, Adam blamed Eve; and we know what the end result of that was. Hmm!

It’s a guarantee that in your life today a problem will arise or a mistake will occur. They will not necessarily be yours but they will impact you. It’s called circumstances. Issues never arise for finger-pointing exercise, but for active responses like healing, helping, loving, forgiving, etc. Like Jesus’ response to the woman taken in adultery, God is expecting us to NOT do the ordinary and selfish but the extraordinary and life-giving. The key to it all is to remember that we too fall short sometimes and need a little grace.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:1-2

Perfect Validation

When we live for the approval of God, we need not be disturbed by the opinion of others. – Anon

Most people rejected Jesus as ‘The Son of God,’ but He went ahead and died for them too. WOW!

Validation – it’s something in our humaness that drives us to seek after it. Day by day, job by job, relationship by relationship we seek it. The problem is not that we seek it, but where we seek it. We often tend to seek it from other imperfect beings like ourselves. If we are to ‘be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect’ then we ought to seek our approval from the one example He gave us – Himself in the flesh. The world may have its validation/approval rating systems, but living for the approval of God means we must be willing to give up ways and deeds that are not to His liking, regardless of what the world says. It’s really somewhat simple. To keep from being pulled in many different directions all we need do is listen for God’s voice.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“As soon as Jesus was baptized…..a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:16-17

Praising in Truth

Anybody can observe the Sabbath, but keeping it Holy surely takes the rest of the week. – A. Walker

Jesus called many of those who followed Him ‘vain worshipers,’ possibly because they never practiced what He preached. Hmm!

It is true that in some things you can learn a lot by observation, but far more true is that you only get good at what you practice. And while there is no ‘one size fits all’ way to praise God, there is a requirement that we remember “He is Holy,” and our praise and worship offerings should reflect it. To praise God faithfully on Sunday in the sanctuary actually requires that we worship Him faithfully Monday through Saturday in our daily lives and activities. And our worship of Him is truly based upon the ‘worth’ we ascribe to Him in our daily living. If He’s not present in our work, recreation, home life, social interactions, etc., then more than likely we’re only observing and not keeping the Sabbath.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“[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

Choose Happy

There is no key to happiness, the door is always open. – Anon

Governor Festus thought all of Paul’s ‘learning’ made him a mad man. Paul was just happy to share the gospel, even while in chains. Hmm!

Blaring car horns, glaring facial scowls, grumpy greetings – it’s enough to make one think this world is full of mad, angry, unfulfilled people – and often its us, we’re the unhappy campers in the mix. Maybe that’s because we have the wrong idea or assumption. We often think happiness is tied to achieving certain stations in life or particular blessings. But in truth happiness is a state of mind or attitude we can willingly choose anytime, no matter what is going on around us or in our immediate lives. God’s word does actually tell us to ‘rejoice in all situations’ which is an indication of the attitude we should have at all times. Maybe life would be much more bearable and enjoyable if we tried it God’s way.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God…” Ecclesiastes 2:26

A New Way

Nothing in all of humanity had ever “been done that way before” until someone tried it. – Anon

Though God made the seas during creation, no one tried sailing the waters until Noah’s time. Hmm!

Problems…problems…problems. It seems life is filled with them. But God is not so much interested in us solving problems as He is in us being available to Him that He may solve them through us. We’re the hands, feet, heart, eyes, etc. that He works through. And He is as diverse in His ways as the entire color spectrum.  Failure is never certain until we stop or give up trying. We’ve all been faced with challenges and obstacles to overcome that seemed insurmountable, but yet by the grace and provision of God here we are today. Why, because we tried doing something and it worked out. The key here is to try, never to give in, but to seek God’s way to see you through. If we’re wrestling with God over something maybe He’s trying to show us a ‘new way’ of doing His will.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” – Isaiah 43:18-19

Knowing is only half the battle

Some people will pay their tuition, and then defy you to give them an education. – R.A. Cook

Naaman traveled long and hard to get ‘cured’ of his leprosy, and then decided he didn’t like the remedy given. Hmm!

We live in the information age. It comes at us from all directions – TV, radio, internet, bill boards, magazines, newspapers, etc. – all the time. Most of the time we willingly go after it, but in the end its just news to us, it requires nothing of us, no changes, no challenges. Often we use the same application process when it comes to our reading and studying of God’s Word. We love the information content, and though it does challenge us to change or charge us to be obedient, our old attitude wins out and we do nothing. Though the world’s news may not require anything of us God has said “we will all one day have to give an account.”  If we’re going to acquire the understanding of His Word, it’s only practical to put it to use. That’s what life is for.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

Think About It

Readers are plentiful, thinkers are rare. – H. Martineau

The greatest king in Israel’s history was David, the one who loved to ‘meditate’ on God’s word. Hmm!

Newspapers, magazines, the bible, novels, internet news articles, we read them all alike – we READ them. Just news and information to pass the time and give us information to share in passing conversations. We should never read the bible for quantity, but quality; looking to gain understanding, insight, wisdom, and application to our lives. The God who endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect did not intend for us to forgo their use, but very often when it comes to His Word and other life issues we do. We read the bible but we don’t think through or meditate on what we read. We see God’s awesome works but we don’t envision God in the process. From the tiniest insect to the largest beast in the field God is involved. From the minutest detail to the greatest issue in our lives God is involved. The question we must answer is how involved is He and what is He asking of me. Think on it friend.

Until tomorrow……….

Pastor Botts

“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.” – Psalm 119:97-97

Opportunities Abound

We are all continually faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems. – J. W. Gardner

Moses as leader of the Israelites, is the prime example of developing faith on the job. AMEN!

The internet. A great tool of invention that opens us up to a host of opportunities to communicate, research, do media, and even do commerce. However, it is also a tool fraught with pitfalls and danger. It requires a little work to “surf” the web successfully. Similarly every day and moment God grants us is an opportunity to bring glory to Him. Every individual we meet is an opportunity to share Christ’s love with them. Yes, opportunities abound, but like the internet they require a little effort or “work” to be beneficial. That’s how we grow.

Until tomorrow……..

Pastor Botts

“But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” – I Corinthians 16:8-9  

Celebrate Everyday

There is no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day. – A. Woollcott

Though the Israelites were in bondage over 400 years God counted each day until he called Moses. The rest is history. AMEN!

Birthdays! Wedding Anniversaries! Holidays! We all love to celebrate such events and do so with much fanfare. But the truth of the matter is everyday is a day for celebration because it is not something we give ourselves, but a gift God GRANTS to us. And because God does nothing without purpose or intent Today cannot be unimportant. so even with its situations or circumstances that may come with it, ours is to find out what the importance of today is and make sure it meets with His expectations. Remember, in His eyes we are somebody, and God is purposeful in His giving.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:1-2

Success vs Winning

Winning is a habit, unfortunately so is losing; but success is a lifestyle. – V. Lombardi

Joseph’s success in all he put his hands to do was not so much because God gave him victory as it was he obeyed God’s will. AMEN!

Sometimes our understanding and desires get blurred and worldly. Nowhere in His word does God promise victory in every task, situation, or hardship that comes upon us. We think it does, but it doesn’t. What God does promise is we will be successful whenever we follow His will, for He cannot fail. So we must not get so hung up on victory at any cost. God is after our success in life, for that brings glory to Him; and often He works in ways we don’t always like or understand to bring it about. Remember Jesus said, “my Father is always at his work.” If times are rough right now maybe we should take a look to see where God is trying to succeed in our life.

Until Monday……..

Pastor Botts

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful whenever you go.” – Joshua 1:7

Opportunity to Win!

In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity. – Albert Einstein

When Goliath came against the Israelites, the soldiers all thought, "He’s so big we can never kill him." When David looked at the same giant he thought, "He’s so big I can’t miss." Hmm!

Economic uncertainty. Election campaign rhetoric. Job stability/availability. There are a lot of difficult choices ahead for us, that will further impact our individual status. But no matter where we are in our lives, no matter what our circumstances; opportunities abound to make things better. And the first step is to change how we view what we’re up against. If our God truly is greater than any obstacle we can ever face, maybe we need to take it to him and view it through His lenses. He’s already promised to give us ‘a future and a hope,’ and as the author of ‘every good and perfect gift’ every situation can be beneficial to us. It’s all in how we see it.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” – I John 4:4

Here it comes

It is dangerous to pray if you are not ready to accept the answer. – R. Murray

Gideon was okay with God answering the prayers to come and help his people, he just wasn’t keen on the idea that God needed him to help out. Hmm!

We’ve all heard the phrase “be careful of what you ask for, because you just might get it.” Well in prayer that phrase is truly applicable. God is a prayer hearing and prayer answering God. Whenever God speaks to us, it will immediately require an adjustment in our life, and our reaction will reflect what we truly believe about Him. We will either be drawn closer to Him, or move further away – but we will not remain where we are. Essentially, each time we read our bible and/or pray to God we must be prepared to either obey or be disobedient, for God will speak into our life. But though He speaks, He will leave the choice, and its consequences solely up to us. So today may be bringing answers to yesterday’s prayers.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me; ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness….” – II Corinthians 12:8-9

Know your enemy

When it’s time to fight a war, it’s best you know who the enemy is – and who it isn’t. – M. Nappa

During his kingship, Saul spent a great amount of time and energy pursuing David as his enemy. He should have just looked in the mirror. Hmm!

Anyone who has ever tried to do something worthwhile knows it often comes amid battle. Trying to live the righteous and Christian life is no different. However, the battles we fight are often of our own making and against our own ally (God) because of our hardness of heart and selfish desires. Like Paul we often ‘kick against the pricks’ when God is trying to work in corrections, or bring blessings in our lives. Life would be much easier if we could get ourselves out of the way!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.’” – Matthew 16:23

Learning Curve

If you live to learn, then you will really learn to live. - J. Zabloski

Saul thought he knew it all and had it all until he met Christ on that Damascus road. He counted it all a loss after that. Wow!

Success, growth, wonder, and most of all - the awe of God- are all descendants of one life characteristic; the ability and desire to be taught. 'Teachability' is an attitude that says, "no matter how much I know (or think I know), I can learn from my situation." God is always at His work, and He presents new and exciting things (miracles) every day that we may know and praise Him more. The problem for most of us is that we operate from a teacher's attitude (we've seen, done, and know it all); and we want to tell others about it.. No matter how seasoned we may grow to be we must remember that before the Master a student's quest is always the right approach.

Until Monday........

Pastor Botts

"...call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know....." - Jeremiah 33:3

P.S. - Don't forget our Sunday School Devotional this Sunday at 9AM in Parmes Hall. Hope to see you there!