Faith Between the Lines

Faith is not a thing which one "loses," we merely cease to shape our lives by it. – G. Bernanos

When the Prodigal Son moved away from his father and his God, it wasn’t long before he realized what shape he was really in. Hmm!

Growing up one of the things we were taught was to ‘color in between’ the lines. No matter what the diagram or picture was we were instructed to color ‘inside’ the shape. This was not really just an object lesson on creativity but also an important life lesson on structure and discipline, for without structure or discipline life becomes meaningless and unfulfilling. Could you imagine trying to play hop-scotch, or basketball, or even checkers without a meaningful diagram to aid you? So it is with our faith, when we cease to live by it we become adrift in world which does not care nor have our best interests at heart. And prolonged drifting begins to change or harden our hearts and ways towards God and others. The good news though is that we can revive our faith simply by coming back to God and allowing Him to reshape us.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” – Hebrews 11:1-2

Don't Even Start

Once you open the floodgates, you cannot tell the water where to run. – T. Sowell

Yes, Job's friends were miserable comforters indeed, but he did invite them over. Hmm!

When the levees gave way some years ago in New Orleans, the only thing left to do was assess the damage afterwards. It was much more damage than expected or estimated. So it is when we decide to engage our enemy - Satan. So often, when Satan comes our way with his calling card many of us will hold a debate with him. This is wrong and plays right into his hands, just ask Eve. The implications of one sinful encounter are enormous and impact far more people than you will ever imagine. Satan will always take us further than we want to go, stay longer than our invitation, and cost us more than we ever anticipated. As the day unfolds may we be wise and practice much self-control.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts   “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” – I Thessalonians 5:21-22

You Already Know

Why teach an old dog new tricks, just remind him of the lessons he already knows. - Sparks

Though God manifested Himself in many ways to the people, His Word never changed. Hmm!

Solitude, meditation, prayer. These are all precious facets of our Christian walk – quiet times with Jesus. They are meant to refresh us, revive our Spirit. But often, we come away unfulfilled. And the reason we come away un-refreshed is we go into it with the wrong understanding. We seek new ideas, new experiences, new encounters with God. But it is in these moments that Jesus said of the Holy Spirit ‘when HE comes, He will bring to mind all that I have told you.’ So our visit is actually with an old dear friend who helps us to hear again the practical truths of God we had long forgotten. We hear again the familiar words of reassurance and value and hope. This rediscovery makes the old new again, and our living it out makes life exciting and seemingly new.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever…..” – Hebrews 13:8

Fly into a Rage, Crash and Burn!

People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing. – Sparks

Rehoboam’s harsh, angry reply to the Israelites request didn’t cost him much. Only half his kingdom and many wars! Hmm!

There is a saying that “anger is one letter short of danger,” which is true. Anger however, is not sinful in and of itself, it is when and how we act upon it that takes us into the realm of danger and sin. As children of God we are expected to learn and exercise self-control at all times, just as God exercises great restraint in showing mercy to us. If life’s little trials send you “flying off the handle,” maybe it’s time to make sure God is the pilot of your life and all the landings will be uneventful.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” – Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

Slow Progression is still Progression

Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid of only standing still. - R. Murray

Jesus was 12 when he stymied the teachers of his day, but didn't start his ministry until he was 30 - he needed the time. Hmm!

When it comes to change all too often we want it yesterday, in the dramatic miraculous fashion; and we grow weary and ready to give up when it doesn't happen that way. But if we look around and understand God and His nature, He always takes His time in developing or growing plans. He made man on the 7th day, not the first. Christ came as a 'babe in a manger' not a full grown redeemer. God is always at work for He never rests, therefore He is still at work on us. Our role is to be patient, steady, and persevere under the circumstances and conditions in which He has placed us. None of us are where we truly want to be maturity wise, but if we look back we should see a steady pattern of progression or improvement in our lives and with that we can rejoice.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry if on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6

God is STILL God

The bible is neither antique nor modern, it is eternal. – Martin Luther

Earth still being in existence is proof enough that God’s Word is still valid. Hmm!

The wisdom, insight, truth, and foundational principles for life found in God’s Holy Word are as changeless and timeless as is He. It is a treasure that waits to be found, that increases in value the more we dig into it. Real truth never changes and cannot be made ‘less’ true, no matter the time or circumstance. God is God, always has been and always will be, in spite of what goes on in the world today. We may evolve in our cultural ‘norms’ and technologies, and even try to ignore God or say He’s outdated; but a quick look around tells us things are still going just as He purposed them. Trees still grow and blossom as He prescribed, seasons still follow one after another, night still follows day, and death still haunts us. And if we were to give careful consideration to what man has been up to the last few hundred years or so, I’m sure we’d all agree we’d rather have God over us than man.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.” – Psalm 119:152

Do

To be physically fit, one has to actually get ‘physical.’ - Anon

David was a valiant warrior because he trained himself to be one, just ask Saul. OUCH!

Whether we want to believe it or not, this great God we serve has a plan for every aspect of our lives, and that actually includes provisions for our physical well-being. True, most of us work hard at work, but we seldom work hard on our health. But God expects us to do so “bodily exercise is of value.” (I Tim. 4:8). Our culture and society is one where leisure is glorified and mass consumption is worshiped. But God did not create us to live lives of gluttony or laziness. He created us to do far greater things. The truth is the more we exercise and learn to say ‘no’ to those times of temptation to just skip it or give in, the stronger we also grow in our battle to resist the enemy in his other deceptive tactics upon our lives, and in both cases we become better fit to serve.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“….so, whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God…” – I Corinthians 10:31

Integrity in the Small Things

To become reliable in the big things, you have to practice reliability in the small ones. – J. Budziszewski

David started out as a little ‘ruddy’ shepherd boy for his father. He was later known as Mighty Warrior, and Mighty King. Why, because he was faithful and obedient. Hmm!

As long as we live trials and temptations will come, no one is exempt. God will test us to build us up, and Satan will tempt us to try and tear us down. The key to overcoming both is the same; doing the right thing at all times, no matter when, where, or with whom; or no matter how big or small a detail it is.  It’s not the big trials or temptations that often topple us, it’s our failure to be obedient in and overcome the little dull, monotonous, repetitious ones that occur each day. If character is not forged here it is not forged at all. God is looking for faithfulness in all things.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much; and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” – Luke 16:10

Sweet Defeat

A defeat that leaves you humble is better than a victory that leaves you proud. – D. Martin

The Israelites were ‘cocky’ in going up against the little town of Ai, telling Joshua they didn’t even need all the men of battle. They got routed and sent home hurting.

We are taught early on that ‘nobody likes a loser,’ or that when in battle it’s ‘victory at any cost.’ But in truth sometimes defeat is necessary. First, if we never taste defeat we would never really be able to fully appreciate and enjoy the victories we have. Second, defeat also gives us opportunity to improve on what went wrong. Last, defeat keeps us humble and forces us to realize there is someone greater than ourselves that we need to make it through this life – God. There will come a time we will all taste defeat, but remember; a saint is just a sinner who fell down AND GOT UP!

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” – Matthew 26:75

Eyes of Faith

Some things have to be believed to be seen. – A. Hodgson

Noah had never seen rain in his life, but that didn’t stop him from building the ark. It came in handy later on. WOW!

We readily “ooh” and “aah” and applaud thunderously at magicians with their sleight of hand, smoke and mirrors, and trick angle presentations to amuse us, though we know its trickery. But everyday God presents an incomparable array of natural beauty, windows of great opportunity, and unconditional love; yet He barely gets a raised eyebrow from most. We often miss it because of our self-centered focus. God does reward those who truly seek after Him, for it is only through the eyes of faith that we can actually see Him at work, and when we do it is a most beautiful sight. If we’ve been missing God, it’s not because He’s not there, it’s because we have too much glare (distractions) in our lives. Maybe we need to put on the sunglasses of faith to see a bit more clearly.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice….Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.” – Hebrews 11:17,19

Can't stop it? Embrace it!

There is no good arguing with the inevitable. The only argument available for a chilling wind is to put on your overcoat. – J. R. Lowell

Abraham bargained with God over Sodom & Gomorrah, asking him to spare the city if he could find 10 righteous souls there. WE KNOW HOW IT ENDED!

Here it is Monday again, just like clockwork it always follows Sunday. There is nothing we can do to stop it for it is by God’s Divine design it happens this way. But we can prepare ourselves to meet and greet the day as an opportunity to further the kingdom of God, because that’s exactly what it is. We are alive and well for his purposes, so whatever comes our way today (whether positive or negative) can and should be used to give God the glory.

Until tomorrow……..

Pastor Botts

“As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it flourish…..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 55:10-11

Stick With It

A rolling stone gathers no moss; nor anything else. – Sparks

The Israelites continually tried to live like their neighbors and hold on to God; they got neither. Hmm!

We’ve seen it in others lives - The lack to stick with something long enough to make it work, the refusal to invest time into something worthwhile, the life without aim or direction – and often we muse about it. But the same can often be said of us. For just as often we wonder why we have not come to know God more intimately or know His Word more deeply. To do so requires time, patience, and discipline; often in short supply in our busy lives. To know God takes intimacy, which takes time. God has never been in a hurry so why should we be. If we really want to know Him and have Him in our lives, we need to stop casually doing drive-by service and just park for awhile.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” – Psalm 27:4

Hold your Tongue

Dignity is the capacity to hold back on the tongue what never should have been in the mind in the first place. – Anon

When Jesus was being scourged for our sins the bible says he “never said a mumbling word.” Such a loud, grand, and dignified response. Amen!

There is an old cliché which states: ‘Please engage your brain before putting your mouth in gear,’ meaning we need to stop and think before we speak. As children of God we need to seriously consider this truth. Often we speak too quickly and sometimes harshly, when it would be best to remain silent and prayerful. God is not against us being instructional or critical in our speaking, as long as it's done in an encouraging and engaging manner. But we must also know that no matter the case 'as above with Christ' sometimes some things are often left better unsaid. I pray you much success today!

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.” – Proverbs 22:11

An Oldie but Goodie

The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old ones. – J. Wooden

Though the Pharisees and scribes of Jesus’ day had the ‘Law of Moses’, they felt it incomplete and added their own input. Hmm!

E-book, E-magazines, internet news, the blogosphere. You could spend virtually hours on end reading the latest authors, catching up on the latest news, or researching the latest fads. Of the list of books and topics there is no end. Reading is a great pastime and invaluable source for information and learning. Many new authors are great in their perspective and presentation, still; nothing compares to the Word of God. It is the only book that speaks to all areas of our lives, gives clear, truthful insight on how to live with our fellow man, gives us purpose, and tells us what life is all about. Should we fail to read God’s Word we will eventually lose touch with Him. Sometimes it’s good to often revisit the old ways and means.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” – II Timothy 4:3-4

Independently Dead

The devil did not tempt Adam & Eve to steal, lie, kill, or even commit adultery. He just tempted them to live independently of God – B. Jones Sr.

The book of Judges is a testimony against God’s people who tried to live without Him. OUCH!

It’s an amazing truth that often we at times look at our lives as religious or faithful based on the “sins” we don’t or didn’t commit. But this is the same type of legalistic pride that Jesus condemned in the religious leaders of His day, who were zealous for the laws of man over the commands of God. Though we are obedient to the commands of God, they are not our motivation or purpose for living, it is our passionate love and zeal for God and continual communion with Him in every detail of life. If there is any truth to Paul’s statement, “for in Him we live and move and have our being,” then we must realize that living independent of God and His word even without committing the “sins” of life means certain death. It’s always been about the relationship.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I am the vine, you are the branches…..apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

Do You Love Him?

We may love God too little, but we can never love Him too much. – R. Murray

How would you answer the question Jesus asked of Peter: “Do you love me?” Hmm!

In truth at times everyone thinks they’re overdoing it for God. With the time at church, involvement in ministry, serving on committee, etc. While these are all well and good, it does not necessarily correlate to a love for God nor a love of God. It goes without saying that love is an action word. It is expressed in our deeds, actions, and way of life as directed by what’s in our heart, moreso than any verbal expression we can muster. Yes, we show it in our tenderness, our dedication, our discipline, our sharing, and our fellowship among other things. But the key is we want to express it in as many ways as we can and as often as we can. God is not limited to being loved only on Sunday, or at meal time, or just before we lay down at night. Just as His love for us is unrestrained and boundless and shows up in so many different ways, so should our love be for Him. And there should be no cause for us to worry for just as sure as we can’t beat God giving, we can’t out love Him either.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….and I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge….” – Ephesians 3:17-19

Just A Little Bingo

A walk is as good as a hit! - Anon (maybe Bro. A. Salyard)

All Aaron and Hur did was 'help' Moses hold his hands up in prayer for Joshua in battle. It was more than enough. Hmm!

The objective of baseball is to get on base and score. Yes, homeruns are a grand event, but most runs scored in a game occur without the ball ever leaving the ballpark. Runners get on base by way of a base hit OR walk, and are moved around the bases and brought home to score by the batters after them. It's a team effort. It's the same in our work of kingdom building. We all have a part to play in building up Christ's kingdom or church, and no role is too small to be overlooked or thought unimportant. Just as it often takes more than one player to score a run, it often takes many 'touches' from many different disciples of Jesus before a sinner is convinced they need what Jesus offers. So today, as we stand in the batter's box, remember a walk is as good as a hit.

Until tomorrow......  

Pastor Botts

"I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some..." - I Corinthians 9:22

Pray. Listen. Minister.

Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still. – E.M. Bounds

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray and ask His Father for insight on what to do and say. Hmm!

Moody, Spurgeon, Evans, Stanley, Swindoll, Warren, your local pastor. All great men past and present who make known God’s will to men and women with great clarity and conviction. But I would dare say to you that none of these men would ever try to talk to men about God, without talking to God first. In fact, talking to God first is the only thing that gives them the utmost confidence to talk to man. May we all take a lesson here today.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…” – Ephesians 6:19

Invest in Preparation

Don’t anticipate your ship coming in to port if you’ve never sent one out. – Anon

Joseph told Pharaoh he needed to prepare for the future for severe famine was on the way. With Joseph in charge the Egyptians never faced want. Wow!

It’s amazing how often people think things will magically work out. They often hold out for the day their ‘luck’ will change and everything will fall into line when ‘their ship’ comes in. But just as we would never go to a bank to withdraw money when we’ve never deposited any or expect a paycheck for a job we’ve never worked, it’s just as foolish to expect our life to be changed by an event that cannot happen because we’ve done nothing to cause it to happen. It’s amazing how we often expect our lives to become more godly and Christ like when we don’t do the things to cause it to happen. To reap the rewards of an investment you must invest. Today is another opportunity God has given us to prepare.

Until tomorrow….

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

Windmill like patience

Patience! The windmill never strays in search of the wind! - A. Sklivis

Throughout the whole bible there was never a time God or His Son was in a hurry. Hmm!

Haste makes more than waste, it makes folks tired. There is almost an inverse relationship when you really think about it. The more patient we are, the more accepting we will be of what is, rather than insisting that life be exactly as we would like it to be. Without patience, life is extremely frustrating. We become easily annoyed, bothered, and irritated. Patience adds a degree of ease and acceptance to life, and it’s essential for inner peace. One key to having this patience is learning to look for and see the innocence in the situations that arise that test us. People interrupt us or situations arise not out of conspiracy but because life happens. Our loved ones show up unexpectedly, street lights slow us up, long lines crop up, not because of a vendetta against us; but because life was never supposed to be catered to us but lived by us. To try and hurry it along only brings stress, and I imagine it makes God laugh a bit too!

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"....But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience...." - Galatians 5:22