Overcome the Impossible

It is only the impossible that is possible for God. – S. Weil

When the Israelites needed an escape path (Red Sea), food (manna), water (rock); God was there. He still is today. AMEN!

Looking at it from afar, life seems unfair and impossible to overcome. The challenges it presents seem overwhelming, and our resources meager. And that is our major problem in life, we look at it from afar, and we begin attempting to do what only God CAN do. Life is designed to mature us, and adversity is designed to strengthen us. But this is only possible if we view it through God’s eyes and go at it through God’s strength. If we’re honest we can all count the number of times we’ve tried to ‘move mountains’ and failed on our own only to have God show us how easy it is once we fully gave it over to Him. To overcome the impossible we must trust the INVISIBLE. The choice is ours!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’” – Luke 18:27

I was about to Say...

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. – R. Murray

At a heightened moment of temptation, Jesus let it pass and carefully uttered “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” WOW!

One of the old clichéd truisms of life is “please think before you speak.” The adoption of this principle as a doctrine of life could save us from many stressful situations and later apologies. All of us from our childhood have been taught how to talk and enunciate our words, but rarely when and how to choose our words or responses carefully. We should always be ready to speak the truth, but even it should be spoken in love, not in hostility or with other unneccessary commentary; and yes there are times when we should just remain siltent and refrain from ‘adding’ in our two-cents on matters that are not constructive about others. Temptation will indeed be great to go off course today, but remember God will provide a way of escape.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it….” – James 4:11

Solve It

The best way to escape from your problem is to solve it. – R. Anthony

The Prodigal Son got remedy to his problem by admitting his error and going back home. Hmm!

When it comes to problems most of us have mastered the art of procrastination, sweeping them under the rug, or just wishing they would go away – they don’t. Life’s circumstances come upon us to sharpen and refine us in our character. The longer we try to hide from them, put them off, or try to get someone else to take them off our hands, the longer we live in torment and actually stymie our growth. God alone knows what each one of us can bear and He alone knows what circumstances to bring upon each one of us for the desired growth He has in mind. So as you face the issues of the day, whether in sickness or in health; remember the best way to escape is to go through it.

Until tomorrow………

Pastor Botts

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

Come Clean

It's not so difficult confessing sins................as long as they're someone else's.- A. Christing

The Pharisees and teachers of the law were glad to bring the adulterous woman before Jesus...........until he asked them to think about their own behavior. Hmm!

It's a conundrum! A mind boggler! A strange but true fact! As Christians we have admitted we were sinners saved by grace in need of a Savior. As Christians we know we now have a mediator between us and God to forgive us our sins - Christ Jesus who will never turn us away. But yet, for some reason we don't avail ourselves of this grace gift. Rather than confess our sins oftentimes we try to hide them or legitimize them as 'not really that bad'. But any and all sin separates us from God, which is why He gave us this great gift of forgiveness. Holding on to our sin hinders our relationship with God in every way (blessings, praise, spiritual growth, etc.). It is when we readily and willingly admit our weaknesses and brokenness that we are ready for breakthroughs. And here's the kicker in all of this, We think the hardest person to tell our sins to is Jesus, it's not - He already knows. No, the hardest person to convince is ourselves. Hopefully, we're all ready to come clean today.

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - I John 1:8-9

Prepared Discipline

The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win. – Anon

Goliath knew the victory was in the bag because of his size and history, however little ruddy David had been preparing his “heart” with God. God WON!

We see it in sports all the time. The great big high ranking university takes it for granted they can beat the puny little unranked, unknown college and BAM – major upset. This scenario plays out in our life all too many times as well. Sin gets the best of us and we often settle by saying “I guess it was just a lesson I needed to learn anyway.” But that’s not necessarily true. Often it’s just because we were not willing to properly “discipline” ourselves to be alert, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led people of God. To be a conqueror takes more than just talent, it takes a “prepared heart.” God wants us to master the challenge.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“As it is written: ‘for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him [Jesus] who loved us.” – Romans 8:36-37

Planning God Time

Time with God is never wasted, only invested; in YOU! - Anon

Even as a high-ranking official in the king’s court, Daniel still carved out time to meet with God at least 3 times a day. Hmm!

Go! Don’t stand still! Do Something! We are constantly driven and programmed to be outwardly focused. So many things demand our attention – work, children, house duties, friendships, recreation, and church to name a few. We are so busy doing things, and often even in the doing of these things we are thinking of other things that we need to get to. Small wonder we become restless when there’s nothing to do. And though God Himself gave us permission to ‘GO’ in the Great Commission, He never meant for us to go before consulting Him. We need time to look inward and be refreshed each day. God only gives us enough of Himself just for the day. Since tomorrow is not promised He has gifted us with all we need for today, with an earnest expectation that we will meet Him at the dawn of tomorrow, should we be so blessed; to be filled again. That’s why it is imperative that we spend time in inner renewal each day to gain new insights and direction for what lies ahead. Without such planning we’re pretty much lost for the day.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

"….for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” – Lamentations 3:22-24

Spark a Revolution

The greatest challenge of any day is how to bring about a revolution in the heart for God. – Anon

In OT times the enemy that threatened God’s people most was not other nations but the ‘dictatorship’ of the routine! Hmm.

Truthfully sometimes, most of us operate by routine or rote. Each morning we arise and go pretty much through the same motions. We’ve come to the place where everything in our lives can be almost predicted and we really don’t expect or want anything new or unusual from God. Maybe its time for us to look up to the heavens with “fresh” eyes and an open heart today. God is into new things!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not see perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:18-19

Love makes it better

Nothing is too much trouble for love. – Desmond Tutu

Even after he wasted all his money and 'soiled' himself with unrighteous living, the Prodigal Son's father quickly lifted his spirits. Wow!

Often we may feel overwhelmed and alone, like all the problems of the world have come resting right down on our shoulders. When we do feel like this it is only because we have taken the wrong view. When our fate hung in the balance and rested at God's discretion, he showed us the way by exercising love (John 3:16). You may feel your family's plight is unbearable, or your life situation too heavy, but remember when love is added in; even the heaviest of weight is lifted. Ask God for a little more capacity to love and see what a difference it will make in your life.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

"....God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." - I John 4:16

Reach out and smile

No matter how empty your pockets, purse, mattress, or bank account; everyone can afford to give away a smile. – Anon

Jesus was referred to by many as a friend of man, not for what He could physically do for them through the power of miracles, but because He treated them all with the “respect” of being God’s creation. Hmm!

It’s true oftentimes we are battered, torn, bruised, and worn down by the trials and cares of life; barely able to lift our heads, let alone be joyful and glad. But even in those moments God expects us to let the light of His love shine forth – to show our faith is real in spite of our circumstances. The best way God can truly reach out to other people is through us. And the greatest tool invented for bridging that gap is a smile. Not only will it reach across the room, it will also reach into other folks heart as well our own, and that is where God resides.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38

Trusting the Proof

Tell a man that there are 500 billion stars in the universe and he’ll believe you. Tell him the fence has just been painted and he has to touch it to see if it is so. – H. Cohen

Gideon believed the Lord was the God of the Universe when he spoke, he just wanted some 'proof'. Sound familiar?

It’s very true that experience is a great teacher, but often the lessons come with painful, expensive, or long-lasting costs. God in his Divine Wisdom has given us of His Word to help us avoid many of these ‘lessons,’ knowing our frailties and what we can bear, but often we seem intent on getting that first hand knowledge. Rather than looking back with regrets maybe we should just learn to take God at His word. It’s never failed yet and when you think about it, isn’t that a great comfort! As life ‘happens’ all around you today why not just try trusting in God’s Word.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“….What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.” – Isaiah 46:11

A Good Example?

If you can’t be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning. – C. Aird

Noah, Moses, Job, David, Peter, the Babylonians, Assyrians, Canaanites. God used them all: some He saved, some He didn’t save. Hmm!

It is said that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” meaning its left open to the interpretation of the individual. What one may consider beautiful, magnificent, or breath-taking; someone else may find hideous and gross. Though the statement holds a lot of truth, the bottom line is that most if not all folks would rather fall on the side of beauty – something to behold and appreciate; and we’re no different. And if we think it through this is exactly what our lives are about. We are either being molded into something of beauty for God that others can appreciate and model or we’re becoming an ‘icon of poison’ for others to see and avoid. And since there is really no such thing as an ‘unfulfilled life’ the question we need be asking ourselves is on which end of the spectrum are we treading?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us…..So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” – I Corinthians 10:11-12

Who's Keeping Score?

People who do things that count never stop to count them. – Bulletin Digest

In Acts 9 we read of a lady named Tabitha. Her only claim to fame was “she was always doing good and helping the poor.” God through Peter “smiled” on her. Hmm!

We sing a song entitled ‘Count Your Blessings’ and from that we truly realize we could never count how much or how often we have been blessed. And God blesses us to be a blessing to others. Unfortunately many of us seem to sometime carry itemized lists of the times we’ve helped people and often remind them of it, and convince ourselves we’ve earned a rest or bye or certainly some type of grand recognition. If Jesus is our example maybe we need to re-think this.

Until tomorrow…..

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 are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners to that…..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 king to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”- Luke 6:32-36

Play the Game

God has called us to play in the game of life, not to referee and keep score. – R. Murray

Abraham, Joseph, David, Job; despite what hardships they encountered in life they persevered in faith. AMEN!

When it comes to playing games, if the truth be told; all of us like the rules when they favor us, and dislike them when they don’t. We often take the same attitude towards life as well. We want to stop it, make it fair, get the score (are we up or down), and even change the rules we don't like or agree with. But this is not our right nor our privilege. We were made to bring God glory in all things, period. I say it very deliberately – trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes even defeat, are the very foods that fuel the growth of our faith. We grow through such ‘game time encounters’ when we persevere without looking for the easy way out, and God has promised to pay what is right.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right’.” – Matthew 20:3

Take a Chill Pill

Work is not always required. There is such a thing as sacred idleness. – G. MacDonald

The Israelites were not allowed to plow or plant their fields every 7th year. They were to trust that God would provide. He did!

Though money is not required to buy one necessity of the soul, we often work like it is. The work week stretches from 40 to 50 or 60+ hours a week. We often look for extra hours or weekends to pad the paycheck. This is not necessarily bad, but it often interferes with or cuts time we could spend replenishing body, mind and spirit, particularly the time God set aside for us to visit His house. It’s important to remember that when God made us he made us human, not machines.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from ALLHIS WORK.” – Genesis 2:2

It's your part. Play it!

If you don’t do your part, who will? – C. Swindoll

All Andrew gets noted for was bringing his brother Peter to Christ. But still it was a big role to fill. Hmm!

In this current socio-economic crazed, overpopulated, and impersonal world, it is easy sometimes to underestimate the significance of one deed, act, or kindness. After all, we often feel someone else more important or capable than our self can do it much better. We must remember though, that we serve a God who has always understood the power of one. Think of all the examples given in His word: Moses, the Good Samaritan, or Esther just to name a few. And God still believes in the power of one. Today is a gift granted to each of us that we might make a difference for His kingdom. And we must keep this in mind, with God excuses don’t count, only results!

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“….And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14

If you don't like what you've been getting...

Each day we make deposits into the memory banks of others. – C. Swindoll

Though deceased, Jonathan’s past friendship with young David, earned his son Mephibosheth a place at the King’s table. Hmm!

Banks deal in one commodity – MONEY. They take it in (deposits) and pay it out (withdrawals). But it’s all they deal in. You can’t go there and buy groceries, gas, etc., only monetary transactions. And just as you can’t get blood from a turnip, generally speaking people only pay back in currency what they received from the individual making the withdrawal. If we’ve been mean, hostile, selfish, and abusive to them we get it in return. Therefore if we don’t like what others are giving back to us then we should begin to think about the words, deeds, and pictures we’ve deposited into them. If we know we’ll need a healthy withdrawal later now is the time to begin making the deposits, and like any good investment portfolio it’s always good to spread your wealth around.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” – John 15:8.

About His Biz

It is not possible for us to be what we ought to be until we do what we ought to be doing. - R. Murray

Paul’s ‘resume of suffering’ for the church gave clear indication he knew he was a slave to Christ, but he was okay with it. Hmm!

Pictures - we have them possibly from our early ages to where we are now, and when we look at them and compare them, my how we’ve changed. We’ve grown from that little ‘runt’ or ‘puny kid’ into someone worth beholding. But if we think about it, have we really changed? Physically yes, but spiritually most times no. We grow up and in doing so we often adopt the world’s view of things – what life is about, what is truth, etc. The bible tells us an amazing fact about Jesus, that at an early age His thinking and speech ‘amazed’ the great leaders of the time so much so that when his parent’s asked Him about it He replied “I was just about my Father’s business”. In other words He was doing what He ought to be doing – making the Father’s will known to mankind. That’s our mandate, to make it known and help build up the kingdom, and until we fully understand this we’re not being who God made us to be. Yes, life is to be lived to the fullest, but God is to be glorified through it all.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” – James 4:17

The Illusion Lie

No matter how good you are, you cannot put a quart in a pint cup. – C.P. Gilman

After lying and taking treasure from Naaman, Gehazi tried to give Elisha the illusion all was okay. He didn’t get away with it. Hmm!

Most of us have seen magicians do amazing things. Through sleight of hand and eye they seem to do the impossible be it large or small. It’s the power and allure of illusion. But it is just that – illusion. That’s the whole foundation of the enemy – he takes a lie and wraps it in the skin of the truth to deceive us. And if we’re not careful we bite into the lie that we of all people can do it, and without any ill effects or negative ramifications. We may be able to present an illusion for a time, but the truth will be brought to light. The reality of the matter is we cannot change one ‘truth’ of God’s Word or Creation. It is what it is and always will be.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way….for such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people.” – Romans 16:17-18  

How He Loves Us

God loves us not because of who we are, but because of who He is. – R. Murray

After his denials of Christ Peter went and wept. After his resurrection, Jesus went to Peter and ‘reinstated’ him. WOW!

The world gives adulation to its own. Movie stars, star athletes, writers, politicians, etc. are heaped great praise and adoration for their actions, and often begin to believe they deserve such. It’s easy for us to get caught up into the mode of thinking we deserve God’s love because of what we’ve accomplished for Him, how long we’ve been faithful, or even because we can see the ‘change’ in our lives. The truth of the matter is God loved us from the very beginning, when we weren’t the people we are now, when we had not accomplished the things we’ve accomplished now. He even loved us when we went astray, and rejected Him. Aside from His holiness, love is His nature. There is nothing we can really do earn His love, for He freely gives it to all. May you feel loved today!

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

Let it Go

A chip on the shoulder is too heavy a piece of baggage to carry through life. – J. Hancock

Though he was a ‘prisoner in chains’ Paul never considered his situation an added weight in his ministry. God granted him much success! Amen.

All of us I’m sure can think of some person, friend, firm or even family member that has done us wrong. It’s a fact of life that everyone is not going to do what we would want them to do. Jesus himself was crucified for ‘bearing’ the truth. But it does us no good and wastes emotional and spiritual energy to carry a bad attitude or even a grudge against others. Why be a silent prison guard, holding ‘fictitious’ people in jail in your heart or mind. Why not release whatever person or circumstances that are weighing you down. A change of attitude and heart can change your whole outlook on life. Travel light today!

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Bear with one another, and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:13-14

P.S. - Don't forget we kick-off our 40-Day campaign this Sunday at 9AM. See you there!

Wisdom in unexpected places

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. – Anon

Judas, Herod, Pilate. They didn’t know it at the time but their actions toward Jesus were all in God’s plan. Hmm!

Truth! Wisdom! Enlightenment! We all seek after such things for in the righteousness of God they make life a lot simpler and even more bearable. But sometimes God puts the wisdom or instruction we need in people we think have nothing to contribute to society or our lives. Salvation came through a “child in a manger” while the Jews were looking for a majestic war general. We tend to get caught up sometimes thinking that unless someone is pedigreed, well-educated, or hugely successful in life, they can’t speak into our lives at all. Sometimes the best way to avoid failure is to listen to someone who has been down that road. As we ask God to speak into our lives we should not be so quick to rule out whom He may use.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?....For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom…” – I Corinthians 1:20,25