Revenge to Ashes

People who fight fire with fire usually end up with ashes. – Anon

Pharaoh mocked every miracle of God until it cost him his own son. OUCH!

Revenge – oh how sweet it sounds. We often want it and often take it to our own later regret. True, our emotions are hard to control, but they can be controlled. God in His word tells us we must practice self-control, and we can master it; as it is one of the many ‘fruits’ of The Spirit. We tend to view life and all its circumstances through the eyes of justice and fairness, but everyone is not of the same mind. But God has said He will settle accounts in His time and in His way, our role is to live before HIM in a faithful, obedient manner no matter what man may do to us. God gave us His Son as our ultimate example, who even upon being executed (a lot worse than anything we will encounter) prayed for the forgiveness of his persecutors.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“For we know him who said, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ and again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” – Hebrews 10:30-31

P.S. - Don't forget our Sunday School devotional this Sunday @ 9AM.

Fight to Win

It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it. – D. MacArthur

David often sought God’s will before he sought his enemy. Hmm!

Reveille! Alarm clock! Sunrise! Whatever the means, we’re all awake for Today. It’s here and coming on strong whether we like it or not. As you embark upon your day, remember you are at war. The enemy will be targeting your heart and mind, firing away to make you doubt your faith and lose your focus. Make sure you dress properly for the battle otherwise you are sure to become a casualty of war.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes….” - Ephesians 6:11

Whatcha gonna do?

Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do. – D. Galen

Though Judas knew Jesus was talking about him as the betrayer, he still asked, “Is it I?” Hmmm.

No matter what age, gender, or even culture one comes from; life comes full force everyday with its load of circumstances and decisions that must be made. The question of the day is can we be counted on to face it faithfully without wavering to the left or right, or will we just say we did or promise to do it later? God is depending on us for the former, not the latter.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” – Proverbs 22:1

Practice Practice Practice

Every time you are not practicing, someone else is. – Boris Becker

Satan never got the upper hand on Jesus because of his practice. He communed with his Father daily. Hmm!

It’s a strange phenomenon, but when we see professional athletes, businesspeople, or friends continuously “handed their lunch” by someone, we say they are weak or need more practice. But we often never apply that logic to ourselves in our Christian walk, suffering the same sins and breakdowns over and over. We know within ourselves that our enemy never takes a break or holiday, but we often never take time out to prepare for his onslaughts, which leave us frustrated. True, we walk by faith, but effectiveness comes from being prepared.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. In the night I remember your name, O Lord, and I will keep your law. This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.” – Psalm 119:54-56

Edify not Outdo

You don’t have to blow out the other fellow’s light to let your own shine. – B. Baruch

The disciples wanted to stop a man from driving out demons in Jesus name because he wasn’t in their company. Jesus said he’s on our side. AMEN!

Society loves awards and recognition. Everyone wants to be noticed for their special ‘talent’ or ‘gift.’ Unfortunately we tend to do it at the other person’s expense. Even in our casual conversation we tend to try to outdo one another in our everyday lives. Whereas one may have suffered with the flu, someone else was hospitalized with it, or someone got a great deal, someone else got an even greater deal. God would expect us to “rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” – not outdo them. We’re not called to focus the light on ourselves but on Him, for the glory goes to Him and not us.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” – Romans 14:19

Decisions Decisions

Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But, conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because one's conscience tells one that it is right. – MLK, Jr.

David neither wanted in the army, nor the armor of Saul, or in the battle with Goliath. He really just wanted God to be praised. Hmm!

One glaring truth about life is that it is filled with decisions. Day in and day out we make them, else we stand still. However, the issue is what ‘basis’ do we use in our decision making process. As much as we are tempted by the world to think issues are not ‘black and white’ but contain a shade of ‘grey,’ we must adhere to the tenets of the One we profess as Savior and Lord. There is no specific time for truth or righteousness, their time is always NOW, including those times when it would be an inconvenience to us to stand firm. Right will always be right, and truth will always be truth, the question is: Will we? Today will require your decision on this many times over.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.” – II Thessalonians 3:13

Second Chances

History repeats itself – which is good, because most people don’t listen the first time. – Sparks

The book of Judges had a recurring pattern for the Israelites: apostasy, oppression, distress, deliverance. They had 14 different Judges – but God came each time they called. Amen!

Other than Jesus, there hasn’t been a person who did everything right the first time in their life ever. A scary but interesting thought. We are truly blessed when we realize God is a God of second, third, or multiple chances to get it right. This does not mean we continually live contrary to His will and purposes, but acknowledge He is gracious and longsuffering with us. And if God is that way with us we ought to extend the same courtesy to our fellow man. One way or another, today, or sometime this week “history” will be repeating itself in our lives maybe for us personally or those in our lives. Our aim should be to get it right this time.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it right to refresh your memory…” – II Peter 1:12-13

Always There

At the tone, the time will be….. – Operator

David wrote in the Psalms that ‘no matter where he thought he could go’ he couldn’t escape meeting up with God there. Hmm!

TIMING – we all know it’s critical. A second too soon or too late could spell disaster. But when it comes to God we often don’t relate Him to the here and now. We often relate to Him in terms of what He’s done in the past for us, or how we’re asking Him to help us defeat this gigantic problem we’re up against. But He is the God of the here and now – time exists solely because of Him alone – and He’s ever present in every second. Often we spend time ‘waiting’ on God to move or act and fail to realize we can still enjoy Him in the process. One does not preclude the other. He’s an ever-present God. So as the song says ‘Don’t Wait Til’ Midnite’, CALL NOW! And I can guarantee the time will be that much better.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“He has made everything beautiful in it’s time….” – Ecclesiastes 3:11

Set Sail

The winds of God are always blowing, but you must set the sails. – Anon

Though Abraham did not know with certainty where he was going, he knew he was being led there by God. AMEN!

Basic science has taught us that the earth makes one complete rotation on its axis every 24 hours. We readily accept that fact, but if you ever stopped to ponder the math, it means we’re moving at a very rapid pace although we feel nothing. It’s the same way with God. Though His nature is unchanging, He is ever present, ever moving, ever desiring to draw us closer to Him. When we can’t feel His presence or nearness, or when it seems we’re heading into the wind, maybe we need to adjust the set of our sails. I pray you feel His breeze today.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“The wind blows where it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” – John 3:8

Count Em!

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings. – E. Hoffer

David had the kingdom and wanted more (Bathsheba). The widow gave her all (mites) and was satisfied. Strange math. Hmmn!

Often, because we don’t have unlimited resources or palatial residences we feel we’re on the short end of life. We tend to look only at what we can physically put our hands on – materialism – as blessings from God, but this is such a narrow view. Life itself is the greatest blessings one can have, whether healthy or with a few ailments. Family and friends who care about us is another great blessing. The country we live in, the freedoms we have, the opportunities before us – all great blessings that take not a cent to purchase or enjoy. Our ancestors were led to the Promised Land ‘flowing with milk and honey’ and we’ve inherited far greater. We need only open our eyes to see what God has wrought.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers…a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant – then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord who brought you out of Egypt out of the land of slavery.” – Deuteronomy 6:10-12

Growing Up

The more we grow up, the less we blow up. – Anon

Esau at one time wanted to kill his brother Jacob, but eventually he got over it. Hmm!

Tantrums – those times when one gets mad, irate, annoyed, divisive, etc.; when they realize they won’t get their way or that life actually doesn’t revolve around them. Guess what, they’re not just for children. As adults, they show our immaturity because of our inability to deal with real-life situations that may cause us to ‘go the extra mile’, ‘honor someone other than self’, step aside or give up a ‘perceived’ right. The more we realize we are made in the image of God and understand His ways, the less volatile we’ll become. God has a right to be angry with each of us every day (we sin) but yet He chooses to favor us with grace and blessings beyond measure. If everything and everyone still makes you agitated and hostile, maybe you need to grow a little more. There will be a test today!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“…..crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation….” – I Peter 2:2

True Value

If you put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price. – Anon

Even in captivity, Daniel never forgot who he was nor whom he belonged to. Hmm!

One of the great parodied events of our country's storied history is the “purchase” of Manhattan from the Indians for some ‘trinkets and beads,’ the obvious point being the Indians had no idea of the value of the land they possessed. Often in life, we are somewhat like these fabled Indians, forgetting that we are of the greatest value to our Heavenly Father and His Son. Our worth to God is of much more value that pure gold. We are the children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, we are royalty. Let no one sell you short today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,  that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – I Peter 2:9

Contagious!

Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching? – Anon

Two of John's disciples were intrigued by Jesus and asked “where are you staying?” Jesus said, “come and see!” They spent that whole day with him. WOW!

It is often said “you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” In other words you must be able to attract them. The same idea is true in our faith walk each and every day. What attracts or draws us to those we associate with? The best way to attract people to Christ (who draws all men to himself) is not so much to ‘act’ like a Christian, but just live as we truly believe. A Christian has hope in all situations and circumstances so life is never bleak and we shouldn’t wear long faces. Our life should eventually impact those we walk with. If we’re not attracting anyone maybe it’s time to get re-focused on who we’re following.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit…..” – I Corinthians 16:17-18

Get down to the heart of the matter

When it comes to righteousness, the heart of the problem is always the problem of the heart. - Anon

Paul admitted there was always a battle going on within his heart, but he was ‘thankful’ to Jesus for the victory. Hmm!

HEART. The word has many positive uses in our everyday language. When someone shows courage we say they are ‘lion-hearted.’ When someone shows kindness we say they have a ‘heart of gold.’ When we try to encourage others we say ‘take heart.’ Even in our studies when we learn something well we say we ‘know it by heart.’ There are many others you could attach, some even with negative connotations. But the rudimentary thought is this, “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”  So, it begs the question – how are WE? Do others place a positive or negative connotation with our name? If we’re ever to live like Christ and be the example of Him to the world today, we must give Him our heart.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” – Mark 12:30

Reflect & Reciprocate

Just as mirrors only reflect what they see, our lives only produce what we believe. - Anon

God often brought unpleasant circumstances before His people just to see what was in their heart. Hmm!

No doubt about it, we all would like the world to be a better place. That’s a great sentiment, and a noble desire. But the question we need answer is:  ’What can we do to make it a better place?’ We all know the ‘Golden Rule’ – treat others in the same way you want to be treated – but do we really believe and practice it as Jesus commanded? To go the extra mile. To be kind in spite of others. To love expecting nothing in return. To go beyond our comfort zone. True faith never asks whether good works are to be done or even considered. Faith just acts on impulse for the works are its lifeblood, faith without works is dead.  Everyone wants to change the world but no one wants to start with himself, so we often leave it to others ‘greater’ than our self. God will not ask us why weren’t we more like Paul, Esther, David, etc., He’s just going to ask were we faithful and true. Hopefully our answer is already being written in the affirmative, and we’re doing all we can to confirm it each day.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“…So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12

What's in you?

Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic. - Anon

Gideon and his rag-tag band of 300 untrained men put to flight a mighty horde of Midianite warriors. Hmm!

We often marvel at great works of art, items of complexity, or models of amazing stature, sometimes wishing we had the ‘know-how’ to do such things. But as grand as these things are, they are just that – things. Too often, when God is seeking action or activity from us directly we wait, trust, or depend on others. But truthfully, there is much more to us than meets the eye, more in us than we give ourselves credit for, if the Spirit of God is present and active in our lives. God never looks at our ability but our availability. He works through people. The thing we need to remember is that God can do anything, with anybody, who is willing to be used of Him. And often it will not be a grand display to be ‘fawned’ over, but a small act that will change a life forever and bring glory to God. Are you ready to be used?

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” – I John 4:4  

Real Freedom

The basic test of freedom is perhaps less in what we are free to do than in what we are free not to do. – E. Hoffer

Paul stated “in Christ he was free to do all things,” but that if “eating meat” caused offense to his brother, he would eat no meat. What a COST to pay!

When you really stop to think about it, the whole concept of freedom is wrapped up in GOD. He is free and able to do ALL THINGS, yet He restrains himself on our behalf. Our sins are punishable by death, yet God chose NOT to condemn us to hell, but save us by grace. And that my friend is a mighty awesome example of true freedom. Happy 4th of July, but better yet, Praise God for your SALVATION!

Until MONDAY……

Pastor Botts

“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” – I Corinthians 9:19

P.S. - for those going to the Dodger game tonight remember the bus leaves the church at 6pm.

P.S.S. - Don't forget our Sunday School Devotional time this Sunday at 9am in Parmes Hall. We've got some great questions that will be addressed.

No Extra Time

By labor we can find food and water, but all of our labor will not find for us another hour. – K. Patton

Genesis regales us of accounts of men living 600-900+ years. But in the end they all died at their appointed time. Hmmm!

When we were little we wanted to stay up an extra hour or two. Now with our technology we try to stretch it more and more. But in reality we can never increase what God has set in proper order. And in truth, it is not so much how much time we have but how we use it that really matters. Though God’s word does say to us there is a “time for every thing” it does not truly tell us we get to DO everything – so we must make wise choices. God has set today before us and left the decisions to us. Remember, that which you truly want to do you will make the time for.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” – Matthew 6:27

Cut No Corners

There are no victories at discount prices. – Gen'l  Eisenhower

Though he was a skilled fighter and battle tactician, Joshua still needed Moses’ prayers to God to overcome the Amalekites. HMMM!

In training for any event, you train not only to survive; but to go beyond the actual event. This helps build strength and fortitude and equips you to hold out until victorious. The same is true in our Christian walk. However, very often we want to cut our prayers short, not give time to meditation and devotions, or spend time in study of God’s word. Even in our daily life we try to cut corners, hasten time along, or live with compromise. This only leads to defeat. God has always been and always will be exact in His Word and expectations. Though victory is assured He will not allow us to coast. Today is another training day.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize…..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 9:24,27

What you make of it

A pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty. – Winston Churchill

Saul and his 600 men waited under the pomegranate tree trying to figure out their strategy against the Philistines, Jonathan and his armor-bearer just went with God. God WON!

There’s no greater truism than “life is what you make of it.” Circumstances, situations, and unexpected occurrences are daily events for all of us, and we can never be prepared for everything or every situation. How we ‘respond’ to the situation or circumstance will dictate its impact on our lives and our response is dictated by our attitude or outlook. If we truly believe nothing is too hard for God then we will see opportunity as we search for the lesson God has planned through the circumstance at hand. If all we see is difficulty and problems maybe we need to check who’s in charge in our lives. In spite of all the worldly issues and cynicism it’s still a great time to be alive!

Until Tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 2:5

Worry Much?

 If you can solve your problem, then what’s the need of worrying? If you can’t solve it, then what’s the use of worrying? – R. Murray

Even in the lion’s den Daniel never worried, and neither did God. And It all worked out wonderfully. Hmm!

We try to get by saying things like “I’m just thinking about something,” or “I’ve just got a little something on my mind,” or even “I’m just meditating.” But in reality it’s worry – the inability to trust God to work things out in His time and His way. Worry, like fear; causes us to shrink back from action, to limit what we believe God can do or will do in our case.  It’s a highly prized tool of our enemy because worry gets us to take our focus off of God, and place it on our finite resources or strength. But if God is God, He’s still in control and knows our every need, and will keep His promise to supply all that we need to serve Him. Worry only comes when God is not truly our choice. The only surefire way to worry about nothing is to pray about everything.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God…..will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

More than our work

Being is always more important than having. – C. Ringma

Joseph, Daniel, Paul. With all their ups and downs they never lost sight of whose child they were. Hmm!

We all like the taste of success and all that it brings. The accolades, the praise, the rewards and notoriety. Truth be known, it is to this end we were created by God; “to do ‘good works’ which He created beforehand for us to do.”  So we strive to be successful in all we do. But we must be careful not to let these successes define us, where we began to think what we do and what we’ve achieved from it is more important than who we are, or that the successes make us who we are. We need to remind ourselves that we are more than our work and possessions. We need to remember we are ‘vessels’ used by God for His glory, and whether we have a million dollars or none, a fancy title or none; we are still the most precious in His sight and have all we need in Him. I can personally guarantee that you will have all you NEED today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” – Matthew 6:25

Reckless Words

When you argue with a fool, remember he thinks he’s doing the same. – Sparks

The moment Eve started ‘debating’ God’s word with Satan she lost, and eventually so did we. Thank God for redeeming love in Christ Jesus. It’s often been said “many an argument is sound – just that, SOUND!”

When you step back and think about it there is a lot of truth to that. Often if we’re not careful, we’ll find ourselves with raised voices and raised heart rates being argumentative to ‘prove’ our point, or case, or situation. But the best argument we could ever present for Christ and his church is not by our vocabulary but by how we live our life. It’s true that sometimes it’s hard to keep our words edifying, encouraging, and fragrant; however, Jesus said they will know we are his disciples by if we show “love for one another.”

Until Tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” – Proverbs 12:18

For right now

God took a forty year old conceited somebody, spent forty years showing him he was a nobody, and forty more years to demonstrate what He can do with anybody. – R. D. Foster

Caleb was 85 years old when he ‘took’ the town of Hebron for his own.  Not bad for a young fella’!

One-armed ballplayers! Blind mountain climbers! Deaf composers! The world is full of examples of those who did not let a disability hinder their creativity or natural ability. We serve a God who is new every day, and no matter where we are in life He can and will use us if we’re willing. Who’s to say God has not actually kept us in check until such a time as this? We need to put our excuses aside. Our past life; good, bad, or indifferent, was necessary to bring us to this present moment. It’s not so much the age that concerns God, it’s the heart. God is ready to use us in His story, the question is: can He?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14

Be Polite. Be On Time.

Punctuality is the politeness of kings. – Louis XVIII

Even though Abraham was going to the mountaintop to sacrifice his son, he still rose early in the morning to get started. Hmm!

It’s both amazing and somewhat sadly amusing when you think about it, but the One who transcends time is the One always on time. God is never late. He may show up unannounced, that’s His nature; but He shows up on time; every time. And in truth, when we think about it, He deserves the same from us. Everything else in this world gets our early attention. We’ll tailgate before football games, show up early at the ballpark to watch batting practice, get to the movies early to watch the previews, stand in line overnight to get a bargain, and on and on. But when it comes to church, bible study, Sunday School, or some other ‘God function’ it seems tardiness is the norm. If it’s important to us that God be on time in our lives, maybe, just maybe it’s important to God that we be on time for His activities.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Instant perfection not required

God does not expect instant spiritual perfection in you, just obedience. – Anon

God called scrawny little Gideon to lead His army over the Midianites. Gideon didn’t know how to pick an army nor really lead one, but the key is he obeyed, and God was victorious. AMEN!

Too often, many of us sit on the sidelines or in the pews of life and church very much aware of or in the “know” of what needs to be done. But yet we feel we can’t do it because we’ve not mastered it yet. God has never looked for the ‘spiritually perfect’ soul (He provided His own – Jesus), only the perfectly ‘willing’ heart; who is obedient to Him. As our opportunity to shine for God comes along this week may we all be obedient to Spirit’s promptings.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” Titus 3:1-2  

Original God Experience

Never make a principle out of your own experience; let God be as original with others as he is with you. – O. Chambers

God spoke to the Israelites from the mountaintop with thunder, lightning, fire and smoke. He spoke to Elijah in a whisper. The key is He spoke!

Exercise regimens. Cold remedies. Financial successes. We’re quick to offer others our pet methods and ways for the success we may have achieved in certain areas telling them if they do exactly what we did they’ll get the same results. Rarely is that the case but more importantly it puts God in a box, limiting Him and His creative power. Sharing experiences is great, but we must let God be God in all things and allow Him to work in our lives “according to His good pleasure,” and not our expectations. God has been known to move and answer in some mysterious ways. Keep an open eye!

Until tomorrow……..

Pastor Botts

“For God does speak – now one way, now another – though man may not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night….he may speak in their ears….” – Job 33:14-16

Count Your Ble$$ings

Get rich quick: Count your blessings. – R. Murray

Paul realized that whether he had little or plenty, he was rich and content as long as he had God. AMEN!

Lotto! The Big Spin! The Annual Bonus! Etc. We tend to look for additions to our portfolios, bank accounts, and personal possessions as signs that God is truly blessing us, and often get frustrated because they don’t grow the way we think they should. But if we ever stopped to count our blessings from God we would see it’s impossible to enumerate what He has done for us and how He’s given to us. And it’s not only what He’s given to us but also what He’s kept us from. It would be virtually impossible for us to count our riches in blessings for just one day, let alone a lifetime. So if we ever feel short-changed all we need do is start counting.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him …..in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 2:6-7

God-Quake!

We turn to God when our foundations are shaking only to learn it is God that is shaking them. – C. West

After his life was turned upside down king Saul sought the Lord, only to find it was God who was rejecting him as king. OUCH!

Stability, security, firm-footing, insurance. Admittedly, we all seek after such adjectives in our lives. Whether it be financial, educational, in relationships, or other areas; we like to know exactly how everything is going to turn out. We begin to pride ourselves on our titles, achievements, victories, and possessions. We often trust more in our own doings than in God’s provisions. And because He will not take second place to anyone or anything in our lives God often has to shake us to the very core of what we’ve begun to trust in when it is not of His making or plan for us. Yes God blesses us and expects us to plan for our future’s and so forth, but nothing we come across should usurp His role and authority in our lives, even blessings He brings to us. So if there’s a minor earthquake in your life right now you might want to look at your relationship to God.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10

Right from the Source

The further we go from the source, the more polluted the water. – B. W. Findeisen

The Prodigal son was so lost and in so much despair he was ready to eat anything including ‘slop.’ He came to his senses and came HOME!

Arrowhead, Sparkletts, Evian; just to name a few. Look around and almost everyone is drinking bottled water. And more brands are constantly being introduced. Water supposedly direct from the spring, full of needed minerals and quite refreshing. It’s amazing how we want our liquid refreshment from the source, but we go everywhere else but the source for our spiritual renewal. It’s great to listen to gospel or praise music, attend seminars, concerts, or conferences to keep us focused, but nothing replaces and replenishes like time alone with God and His Word. The key is to not let busyness keep us from drinking our ‘fill.’

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season…..Whatever he does prospers” – Psalm 1:2-3