You get out what you put in

It takes as much stress to be a success as it does to be a failure. – E. Trujillo

After meeting Jesus, the apostle Paul worked just as hard or harder to build up the church as he did beforehand when he tried to destroy it. Hmm!

There is a common saying that “you get out of life what you put into it.” The thought behind it being that you get to determine how far you want to go in life. The common denominator in life is not intelligence, money, race, or chance; its effort and discipline. And no matter one’ s station in life it takes effort and discipline to maintain it. No one fails because they have to, it’s generally because they were not willing to do all necessary to have success. God grants us all we need for an abundant life here and offers us second and third chances that we may be overcomers. The question is what’s holding you back?

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” – Galatians 6:7

Unknown Influence

Every life is a profession of faith, and exercises an inevitable and silent influence. – H. Amiel

Not much detail is given, but Naomi had a deeply profound effect on her daughter-in-law Ruth, who left all to follow her. And the rest as we know it is HIS STORY!

What we think! Our opinions! Our outlook on the world! Believe it or not many people have helped shape these values in us. From our parents, to our teachers, to our friends, our psyche has been impacted by them. So, no matter how much we want to believe our life is ours to live alone, the truth is it will in some way impact others, and often in very profound ways that we’re not even aware of. Most of us are our parents children. Having said such, remember the old adage: “you get from people what you give them.”  Remember your faith is on trial today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:5-6

The Words Can Get in the Way

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 hostility or with ‘superlative’ laced commentary; and refrain from ‘adding’ our two-cents in 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

Valuable Relationships

Unfortunately, most blessings in life are not valued till they are gone. – T. Fuller

The Israelites gave Moses much grief along their journey, but when he died they mourned some 30 days for him. WOW!

We prize ‘possessions’ not relationships. We gather ‘things and gadgets’ not people. It is wonderful to have some possessions in life, for they help to make it a bit more bearable. But it’s the people in our lives that make it full, and God that makes it complete. These are the 2 greatest blessings one could have, but we seem bent on giving them very low priority. We could survive without the big screen TV, membership at the spa, even without steak and lobster. But without a relationship with God, and without relationships with family and friends life is pretty unbearable. And the deeper the relationship the richer we become. Today is a good day to re-connect with or strengthen an existing relationship, or even build a new one. Remember, God’s kingdom will be filled with people, not products.

Until tomorrow……..

Pastor Botts

“….then their eyes were opened and they recognized [Jesus], and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” – Luke 24:31-32

The Will to...

Most people have will power. It’s won’t power that they lack. -  J. Shedd

Paul said if eating meat (which he liked) would cause his brother to stumble, he’d no longer eat it. Hmm!

Lay’s Potato Chips original slogan was ‘betcha can’t eat just one!’ It was actually more a test of one’s intelligence moreso than will power (you don’t buy a bag for just 1 chip). Sin operates in much the same way if we’re not careful. Once you get a taste of it, it continually works on your will and better judgment to wear you down. He that knows what he should do and doesn’t do it – sins. The desires of the flesh are strong, and the enemy crafty and wise. You can be sure you will be sorely tested today somehow and someway. Will you or won’t you?

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” – I Corinthians 10:23-24

Practice Love

Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me and I may be forced to love you. – W.A. Ward

Jesus not only taught the people about the love of God, he showed them firsthand as our example. Hmm!

There’s a reason our first initial contact with someone new is called an ‘impression,’ for it will form an almost indelible mark in their heart. That’s a serious consideration. And while each person we meet or know may present a different set of circumstances or challenges, our ultimate goal as children of God is to show them some degree of God’s love. A kind word or deed from a heart of gratitude, whether rewarded or not, can go a long way.  The surest way to get rid of an enemy is to make him a ‘friend,’ a word Jesus used quite often. Practicing love is sometimes tough and painful, but the rewards always far out weigh the costs, and that’s the heart of God and His desire for us.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one…” – John 17:20-21

Wise Counsel

Don’t ask the barber if you need a haircut. – D. Greenberg

Solomon’s son refused the advice of the elders and sought the counsel of those he knew would tell him what he wanted to hear. Hmm!

Advice, insight, wisdom – it is good to seek it out at times to help make the best decisions of life. And where we go for advice is equally important as well. True, we all have those we hold in high esteem we can seek out, but God and His Word should ALWAYS come first. Too often we seek out advice until we hear what we want to hear or find the individual that will go along with what we want to do. God and His Word will not always tell us what we want to hear, but He will tell us what is always the right thing to do. And as Dr. King would say, “it’s always the right time to do right.”

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, ‘First seek the counsel of the Lord.’” – I Kings 22:5

With God We Can

I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish HE wouldn’t trust me so much. – Mother Teresa

Moses didn’t think he could go and face Pharaoh to free the Israelites. God had to remind him “I’m going with you.” WOW!

In God’s eyes we are SOMEBODY! We’re HIS. But if we’re not careful we will find ourselves lamenting (complaining) over the things going on in our life, as if they will soon overwhelm us, and they will if we try and go it all alone. God has placed us in the particular situations we’re in because He believes we are the best available for the task He wants to work ‘through us.’ He’s trusting we will be available and willing, and He will equip us with the strength, wisdom, or other resources we need when we need it and not a moment sooner. He expects us to remain faithful in all circumstances. Remember what he said in his word, “to whom much is given, much will be required.” We must admit we are richly blessed!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because the take refuge in him.” – Psalm 37:39-40

Future Plans

The great thing about the future is it is written one day at a time. - Anon

The ‘Prodigal Son’ lost it all and was subsequently restored. God still works the same way? Hmm!

God has already told us His plans for our life – and they are GREAT! We also know that He does not and cannot lie, nor desire to withhold any good thing from us. The question is how bright and pleasing do we believe our future to be? In spite of what we see happening around us, dire economic predictions and forecasts, and even our own current limitations; how much faith and trust will we put in God. The way we think about our future will be a powerful driving determinant in how things turn out. Yes we pray like everything depends on God, but we also work life everything depends on us. God loves it when His people are willing to work as they pray for it gives Him great latitude in the ways which He can work. So really, the only way we can’t be expecting a terrific tomorrow is if we’re not working and trusting in God. So our lives or ‘fortunes’ will unfold just as we help to determine it.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future….” – Jeremiah 29:11

Count & Contact

When you’re unable to pray, count your blessings. – Anon

King Saul sought out a medium or spiritist in his turmoil. David continued faithful and waited on God for his answer. We know which one was God’s man!

There are times in life when it seems like our prayer link to God is broken, we just can’t seem to get through when we really need Him most no matter how often we call. In truth, there are times that God is silent not because of our sin or distance, but because He has already “graced” us with blessings that fulfill all we need. All we need do is to try counting those blessings. Not only will we not be disappointed, we’ll soon be again in contact and communion with God in a whole new light.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts