Focused Faith

It is not so much a matter of great faith, but faith in a great God. – C. Ringma

The heroes of the bible weren’t perfect bible quoting folks, they just believed God was who He said He was. Hmm!

The boastful! We’ve heard their claims, and often we’ve been the ones making the claims. Claims of what we would or could do if faced with extreme circumstances. In truth, our faith is often fragile, and when sorely tested it often falls short. That’s often because of what we’ve placed our faith in, a fallible being. In our Christian walk we sometimes do the same, we place our faith in faith and not in God. Faith in faith is meaningless, as faith must have a person to be grounded in. God is our Rock. Yes our faith is shaky and incomplete, for God is still ‘growing’ it through life’s circumstances; but it should always be focused on Him who gives grace, forgiveness, and strength for the journey. True faith looks to God’s keeping power rather than its own ability.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…..If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it….But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” – Daniel 4:17-18

Desire to Know

Learning comes not from having books, writings, or even teachers; but the DESIRE within to know. – Anon

God chose many of His servants not based on what they knew, but WHO they pursued. AMEN!

Pre-school! High School! Colleges, universities, the ‘school of hard knocks.’ All avenues of education, life preparation, and social maturation. Each student has access to all they need to learn, but yet teachers still use grades such as A,B,C… to show their progress, which in truth is a measure of the student’s desire to actually know and understand. Similarly, in our Christian lives we have the same equal access to the bible, spiritual teachers/mentors, and fellowship with other Christians, to help us grow in the faith. And we see the same results, not all of us pursue spiritual growth with the same passion or desire. God is calling us into a relationship to ‘know Him’ not just know about Him. And as gracious as He is, He won’t be using a grading scale like our earthly teachers.

Until tomorrow…..

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

That REAL You

A man’s reputation is the opinion people have of him, his character is what he really is. – J. Miner

Jesus chided the religious leaders calling them “whitewashed tombs” because their hypocrisy knew no bounds. OUCH!

It’s amazing the lengths we’ll go to at times to make sure we “look” just right to outsiders and other Christian brethren so that they may think highly of us. It is good to be well liked and appreciated, but it is best to be righteous, true, and holy in our character, for it’s all we’ll take with us when we leave here, and this is what God looks for. We should always remember it's easier to acquire a good reputation than to erase a bad one. God is the final judge on what is 'good' and He set those parameters way back in the Garden of Eden and they haven't changed since. He doesn't look at the person we see in the mirror each morning, He looks on the heart of that person we see in the mirror.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.’” – Matthew 7:22-23