YOUR Part

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because we can only do a little. – S. Smith

Aaron helping Moses lift his arms in prayer during the battle was a small thing, but not to Joshua. Amen!

Every ant colony or beehive is so built, established and run with efficiency because each one does their part. It is not so much that it is a small part to play, it’s the fact that it is a necessary role to be filled. Without it, the whole cannot be completed, so each ant or bee works diligently without complete knowledge of the others doing their part, but with conviction the task they themselves  are doing is beneficial to the cause leading to greater benefits. God in His wisdom has never asked us to do it all, He only asks us to do what we know needs to be done. He can work around us, but He would rather Jesus live in us and work through us, than in spite of us. We just need remember ‘inch by inch it’s a cinch!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“…greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world….” - I John 4:4

Sitting on Truth

Unused truth becomes as useless as unused muscle. – A.W. Tozer

Paul wrote in Romans of those who knew God and his truth but did not want to live accordingly saying “God gave them up.” Another word would be WORTHLESS!

A popular cartoon show from years ago had a character named ‘Riff Raff.’ He was a villain being pursued by the hero. Riff Raff always carried with him a ‘just in case.’ You never knew what it was, he never used it, and it was burdensome to carry, but nevertheless he kept it with him just in case…. Oftentimes we are like this character when it comes to knowledge of the truth. Most of us know the truth, can often cite chapter and verse, but that is not the issue. The issue is will we live by the truth even when it convicts us or causes us pain or discomfort? In reality we grow in our faith and our love for God when we stand firm in the truth. Truth is not a matter of convenience, it is a discipline of life.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do not merely listen to the word, and deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22

Recovery Mode

What is crucial in life is not how we get out of pain, but rather, what we get out of it. - A. Christing

After being beaten, flogged, and cast into prison, in the midst of their pain Paul and Silas began to praise God. Wow, what a relief!

Pain, be it physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, etc., no one likes it and the sooner we can get out/rid of it, the better. Truthfully though it serves a purpose, to let us know something is amiss, or out of order in our life. And to try and hurry to the cure or relief point without understanding the cause is like cutting down weeds without pulling up the root - they will grow back. The key is to know why it occurs, then put into practice habits and actions that will keep it from re-occurring. God won't allow more on us than we can bear, but often He has to leave the burden much longer than necessary because of our slowness to understand why and apply His remedies.

Until tomorrow.......

Pastor Botts

"...Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me..." - II Corinthians 12:9

Everyday Thankful For

What if you woke up TODAY with only the things you thanked God for YESTERDAY? - Anon

Nebuchadnezzar, king one day and wild animal the next. God was trying to get his attention. Hmm!

If you've ever tried it, you know it's true - it is impossible to count your blessings. But for the average person that's not an issue for we very often forget we're blessed, or very often feel we deserve what we've been blessed with. In either case God gets overlooked and slighted, rarely thanked, and even growled at because we don't have 'more.' No one likes to be taken for granted, and that includes God, the giver of every good and perfect gift. And because He is so loving, kind, merciful, and forgiving, it makes His GRACE all the more unsearchable. Maybe today would be a good time to start with a prayer of Thanksgiving and ThanksLiving.

Until Monday........

Pastor Botts

".....Give thanks with a grateful heart....."

Thoughtfully Thankful

A lack of thankfulness is directly tied to a lack of thoughtfulness. – T. Abram

God freed the Israelites from 430 years in bondage to the Egyptians, and as soon as they got to the Red Sea the complaints started. WOW!

This idea we celebrate once a year is really one that should be celebrated DAILY. Each of us, no matter what our lot in life may be at the present; have an abundance of blessings heaped upon us each day by Almighty God. Were we to try and count them it would be impossible. How could you number God’s Wondrous Works, His Daily Provisions, His Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness, His Daily Revelations, His Future Plans for Us, Others to Fellowship With, just to name a few. HAPPY THANKSGIVING indeed!  

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” – Psalm 100:4-5 (KJV)

Overlooking It

The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook. – W. James

Paul suffered a great many injustices and hardships in his missionary and evangelistic campaigns. But he knew these ‘momentary trials’ could never compare to what awaited him eternally. Hmm!

We know for sure troubles come upon us, but we equally know they don't always last. It may seem like it but they do pass. And true, there are many things and people in our lives that will continue to upset us, frustrate us, and irritate us, but that’s life, and the world we live in. But God often uses those very experiences to help shape and mold us for His glory. The key is to remember God often has the same frustrations and irritations with us, yet He loves us just the same. If God is willing to overlook or forgive us an infraction, maybe we should do the same.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – II Corinthians 4:16-18

Not Guilty

Being on a guilt trip is no way to travel. -Anon

She came to the well at mid day trying to avoid everyone, but Jesus knew her schedule. Hmm!

Crowd avoidance. Skipping fellowship opportunities. A taciturn conversationalist. Though we are fully alive and moving about many of us live our lives in darkness and covert ways, fearing we'll be found out, our secret will come to light, and we'll be destroyed. The truth is all of us have a past, stained with sin, and though it's not a badge of honor, it should not be a veil of shame, guilt, or disgrace either. For those of us who have confessed our past to Christ and repented of our sins, it stands as a marker of forgiveness and redemption - our wholeness. Christ doesn't actually change what happened in our past, but He takes away the power and penalty it held over us, freeing us to walk with our head held high and our heart rejoicing, enjoying our new found life in the light of truth - His truth!

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"....Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, I will confess....and you forgave the guilt of my sin." - Psalm 32:5

Faith Does It

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s faith or courage. – A. Nin

Joseph went from slave to prisoner to second in command of all Egypt because of his faith. WOW!

Many people mistake living life in the ‘fast lane’ – doing all sorts of reckless stunts or endeavors – as living life to the fullest. They are not the same. Living life to the fullest is about exercising faith in God or the courage to trust God to extend us beyond our normal ranges of comfort or complacency for OUR benefit. From beginning to end life is a journey, one God truly wants us to enjoy, not recklessly; but with an ever increasing awareness of His presence and His creativity. After all, He made all this for us that we might come to know Him fully.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10

Special Moments Everyday

We are not made rich by what is in our pockets or portfolios, but by what is in our hearts. – Sparks

The disciples were indignant that the woman ‘wasted’ her expensive perfume to anoint Jesus. He said it was a beautiful thing for her to do. Hmm!

Fine China. Fancy Silverware. Candles and Table linens. An expensive restaurant – NO! For most of us it’s our cabinets at home. They're stuffed with these things. We’re waiting for the special moments or occasions to break them out. Often, we live or lives for Jesus in the same way, waiting for those special moments to show our best. But he asks us to spend our costs daily “take up your cross;” not holding back anything. As you enter into the heart of today may you spend God’s grace and mercy profusely, you won’t run out!

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Freely you have received, freely give.” – Matthew 10:8

Patient Actions

Patience is also a form of action. – A. Rodin

God waited 40 years for Moses to become the man he needed him to be to set the Israelites free from Pharaoh and his people. WOW!

Waiting! It’s an issue of life we’re never really comfortable with. To us it seems to be a waste of time, lack of desire or motivation. We live in a hurry-up world, a do it now culture, which we learned from birth. We want and need answers immediately, results soon, and payoffs now to all of life’s ills or circumstances. But if we put our focus back on God’s ways we will clearly see that patience is truly an asset of the wise. God has NEVER been in a hurry. Hurried thoughts, actions, and words often lead to errors that can cause hurt and long term heartache. Being patient is not wasting time waiting; it’s taking action against doing the wrong thing.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” – Hebrews 6:12

Better Connection

People who matter are most aware that everyone else does too. - M. Forbes

Amidst a throng of people pushing and shoving, Jesus 'stopped' because someone touched Him. Wow!

It happens all the time. You pull up behind them at the stop light. It changes, they still don't move - asleep at the wheel. Not physically sleep, but caught up with their phone, distracted. How often has that been us, distracted? When our brother/sister needed us, asleep. When they were really trying to connect and communicate, we're asleep or distracted because we could not or would not turn away from the phone, PC, TV, etc., only half-hearing their desperate plea for connection and intimate conversation. It's really ironic when you think about it. Devices that should aid in information sharing and connection actually prohibit face to face sharing. Thankfully, God never sleeps. Nothing gets in the way of His watching over us, listening for our call/prayers. Maybe we should take a cue from Him and realize sometimes 'old school' works the best.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you..." - Psalm 121:4-5

Never Give Up

You just can't beat the person who never gives up. - Babe Ruth

Through many conflicts, persecutions, and even imprisonment Paul never quit proclaiming Jesus. Amen!

The Grand Canyon. Without question it is one of nature's greatest miracles to behold. In trying to describe it, someone once said "the Colorado River has shown what can be done just by 'keeping at it.' It was the constant flow of that river that carved such a masterpiece." Are you 'keeping at it?' We must realize our lives are not a sprint, relay, nor a lap or two around the track, but a marathon to be run with perseverance. The greatest thing that can be said of any of us after we've gone on to glory, is not the achievements or awards we collected, nor the great discoveries we may have made, but the fact that we 'plodded on' or kept at it no matter what. None of us know where our race will take us, how many hills, valleys, deserts, or mountains we'll have to endure even in sickness or dire circumstances, but hopefully they will be able to say, he/she was a 'plodder', they never gave up, even when it seems they were beat, they kept at it. That's a life Jesus will one day call "good and faithful servant...."

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain." - I Corinthians 15:58

Handling Ourselves

The smaller we are the more room God has. - Anon

Though Jacob was deceived with Leah after working 7 years for a wife, his love for Rachel kept him tempered. Hmm!

The world has win/lose standards, and we're expected to measure up and carry ourselves by these standards. It can be a major task and stress inducer, leading us into actions we may want to reconsider. Why, because in Christ, it's not win/lose, but 'worth'. No matter the game, circumstance, tone of conversation, etc., the question is did we conduct ourselves worthy of the one who lives in us. Yes, the situation or person before us may perplex or frustrate us, may even get the better of us, but what about our response. Though it may be fueled by our bruised ego, insulted intellect, or stance on the truth; is it worthy of the Jesus we died unto and who now lives in us.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"...whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that  you stand firm in the one Spirit....." - Philippians 1:27

New Man New Life

God is not just interested in the creating of 'new' man, but also in the creating of new conditions through man. - D. Bonhoeffer

To the woman 'taken in adultery,' after Jesus forgave her He also told her to 'leave' that life of sin. Hmm!

You have to admit, accepting Christ was the greatest decision we could have ever made in our lives. Being forgiven, accepted by God, and heaven bound is truly mind-boggling. But for many that's where our 'Christianity' begins AND ends - with our 'new life' in Christ. But God expects so much more from us. There are more who need to know about Him, there are inhumane conditions that need to be addressed, wrongs that need to be righted, love that needs to be extended. In short, a better world; a godly world to be worked out. And that's where each of us come in. The Great Commission is to 'go and make disciples', but even if we never make a disciple we need to make sure that at least we make a difference.

Until Monday......

Pastor Botts

"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." - Matthew 7:19-20

Truth: Friend or Foe

Truth is either the greatest of friends or an unbeatable foe. – Anon

As Jesus stood before him, Pilate had a major decision to make about the truth. We know how it ended with him. WOW!

TRUTH – Courts of law search for it; we demand it in our daily interactions. Yes, truth is something we are to seek after, embrace, and affirm. Yet it is not so much a matter of us finding the truth as it is us surrendering to it. Jesus said “You shall know the truth and it will set you free.” To know means to understand, accept, and abide in.  Our surrender to ‘truth’ is what establishes our foundation for a life of integrity, honesty, and righteousness before God and others. The point we often overlook is that when we find the truth and refuse to surrender it no longer remains our friend but actually becomes the foe that condemns us. God leaves the choice to us.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice…” – Proverbs 21:3

Life Interrupted

A horse must be “broken” before he’ll work. So must some people. – Anon

God at one time made King Nebuchadnezzar ‘unfit’ for society until he acknowledged God’s greatness and sovereignty. Amen!

In the midst of turmoil or struggles in our life we are prone to ask the "why me" question. And though trouble comes to all men equally, there are times when God speaks directly to our situation and relationship with Him. Like Nebuchadnezzar, we often chase our own success, satisfaction, and glory to the detriment of our relationship with God. Often we think we’re giving God His due, but it’s merely ritual platitudes and tokenism. And though it pains Him to do so, sometimes God has to completely ‘interrupt’ or ‘subdue’ us (financial crises, ill health, detached relationships, etc.) to get our attention, to show us the error of our ways. So our question should not so much be "why me," but what is God trying to tell me?

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17

Election Day Faith

Ninety-eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hard-working, honest Americans. It's the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then, we elected them. -  L. Tomlin

Jesus’ main opposition wasn’t the people he came to save, it was the religious rulers they were under. Hmm!

Today will be both historic and memorable. Historic for the US Presidency and memorable for the Church. Though morality should never have to be legislated we have reached that point. It has been noted that “democracy is the worst form of government when the people are bent on being evil,” and we can clearly see evidence of that in this day and age, in some of the people on the ballot and the initiatives. There’s a lot to be said for integrity, morality, ethics, and virtue – all godly qualities – which is what our votes should consider and stand for. As part of the ninety-eight percent that just want to live decent god-fearing lives, let’s make sure we get the other 2 percent in line. VOTE as if God were depending on you.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established….” Romans 13:1

Sweet Memories Sweet God

God gave us memories so that we might have roses in December. - J. Barrie

When the 2 on the road to Emmaus realized it was actually Jesus with them, it was an actual case of 'heart burn'. AMEN!

Popcorn popping, coffee brewing, scented candles/burning incense. It's amazing the effect and power certain smells or aromas have on us. Their ability to transport us to faraway/favorite places in our minds, slow our pulse, lower our blood pressure, or even perk up our attitudes and hopes. Time and again it happens over and over. Realistically, these are the types of effects our coming before Almighty God should bring to us. It's why Jesus himself "often withdrew to quiet/lonely places to pray.." To shut out the world, slow life down, and be encouraged by the Great Encourager. No matter who we are or where we are in life we could all use a bit more of this. The truth is God waits daily to give us a full dose. If you've been missing out or cutting short your devotion time (bible reading, prayer, meditating) you've only got yourself to blame. Now if popcorn, coffee, incense, etc., can have that effect on us imagine a true encounter with God. Better health and a better outlook are just a moment away.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. YET this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.." Lamentations 3:19-22  

Killing Time

You cannot kill time without injury to eternity. – H. D. Thoreau

Jesus told his disciples they MUST work while it is day, for it would soon come a time when they couldn’t. OUCH!

Alarms, bells, whistles, chimes, etc. We’re surrounded by gadgets that each day remind us of the time. Time is the most precious commodity on planet earth. It is even more valuable than money. We can get more money, but we cannot get more time.  Each morning we all awake with the same 24-hour timeframe with which to work. How we spend it will well determine where we go when our time is no more. The key is not to waste it on fruitless endeavors, dead-end roads, harboring resentment and hate, or meaningless living; but rather invest it in lives and projects that will make an eternal difference. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “the time is always right to do what is right.” And that time is now, for none of us is getting younger by the day.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12

P.S. - Don't forget our Sunday School Devotional time this Sunday at 9AM. Also, don't forget to set your clocks back 1-hour this Saturday night as Daylight Savings ends.

Worst to Best

There is no saint without a past, and no sinner without a future. – Anon

Paul called himself the “chief of sinners,” yet he was one of the greatest evangelists and missionaries to ever live. Wow!

Most High School Yearbooks carry photos of those voted ‘Most Likely to…..?’ I’m sure if we compare then and now for the most part the pictures were way off base. The same can be said of us in our way of thinking. We often portray people we meet as ‘Most Likely to…? or ‘Most Unlikely to….?, particularly when it comes to being Christian. If we’ll own up to it there are just some people we thought would NEVER belong to God. And the sad truth is when we find out that they do, we often doggedly try to find areas, circumstances, and actions to discredit them. When you think about it, it’s amazing how often we want grace and forgiveness extended to us but we seldom want to extend it to others, but that’s the great thing about grace – it applies to everyone equally. God can take the worst sinner and make him/her a saint, not perfect but saintly, and we should just leave it at that.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“All those who heard him were astonished and asked, ‘Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?....Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.” – Acts 9:21-22

God Speaks

If the heavens declare God’s glory, imagine what the world you live in shouts about Him! – Anon

The burning bush really got Moses’ attention, and a withered fig tree caught Peter’s eye. They were made to wonder. Hmm!

Admittedly, sleeping through the sermon is nothing new; it has been going on through the ages. And though most of us will proudly proclaim we never would do such a thing, ALL of us often sleep through some of God’s most compelling sermons; for they are not always from the pulpit or the preacher. God is a phenomenal and wise communicator if we would just take the time to look, listen and meditate on what we encounter. A newborn baby, a thunderstorm, blooming flowers, or even a pain in our body. God sends out messages, lessons, or sermon after sermon to see if our reception is any good. “He who has ears let him hear…..” Yes, preaching has its place in the church and we should eagerly look forward to hearing from God this way, but He also loves for us to observe His many messages that come from nature, experiences, and life, for they give greater impact and application to what we hear on any Sunday. So, now that you know…..

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“so then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled….” – I Thessalonians 5:6

Wise Roads

There are years that ask questions, and years that answer; and sadly, often they are not the same. – Zora Neale Hurston

Esau never questioned why Jacob wanted his ‘birthright’ and lived to regret having that bowl of red stew. OUCH!

Upon reflecting upon life’s decisions, if we’re honest about it most of us have at one time or another “wished we knew then what we know now.” Oh, the heartache we could have avoided, the financial mistakes, the relationship miscues, and all the ‘drama’ we could have done without – if we knew then what we know now. But as much as we complain we must ask ourselves: what is life without such adventure. The real problem we have is not ‘knowing now what we wished we knew then’ but in not learning then what we should have learned then, not being patient and seeking out the wisdom needed. The lessons came to teach us, but often we didn’t get the right answer to the lesson and suffered many repeats and other consequences. The silver lining in all of this is we serve a God who desperately wants us to get all the right answers to His questions, and He allows us an open book test.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: And with all thy getting get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:7 (KJV)