Web of Deception

When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion, roar and all. – Ethiopian Proverb

The great nation of Israel – God’s people – were routed in war because of Achan’s little secret sin. Hmm!

If you’ve ever given thought to a spider’s web you’ll see most are intricate patterns of beauty, convenience, and often hard to see, until it’s too late. The spider spins or repairs his web every day because he knows someone will get comfortable with themselves and not look out. Sin is just like that friend. It presents itself as an invitation that you just can’t seem to refuse. Starting off small and unassuming, they may not seem like much those ‘little’ sins we allow, even make excuse for in our life – after all we’re not as bad as ….   But enough of those little ‘pet’ or ‘respectable’ sins in our life can bind us and silence us as effective witnesses for our Lord, and in truth even 1 pet sin is too many. The bible calls on us to “resist the devil” and that would include all inclinations and invitations to sin, which is his basic calling card. Today is a gift to start unraveling our life. Are you game enough to ask God how?

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“….a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.” – II Peter 3:19

The Great Opportunity

Great opportunities come to those who make the most of small ones. - Anon

Because a little boy came prepared and was willing to share his lunch, five-thousand plus were fed. WOW!

Those who we see somewhat successful in life and/or strong in the faith are really only those who made the most of an opportunity, blessing, or hardship that came into their lives. Situations do not make themselves known as the 'great opportunity' but only as a circumstance with consequences; which is when we should turn to God for guidance. His direction and guidance will bring the best out of every situation and open doors for even greater blessing and opportunity. Just as He led the Israelites, making way after way for them; He waits to do the same for us. It really is just a small thing to trust in a GREAT GOD!

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"....and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work....." - II Corinthians 9:8

Push Press Progress

To keep proper focus always remember: From where you came; Where you are going; and to Whom you must give account. – R. Murray

In all of his misery Job never forgot that “naked I came into the world and naked I shall depart, but the Lord is to be praised.” WOW!

With all that’s going on in the world around us and in our immediate lives sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. The number one goal of our enemy is to get us to take our focus off of God and major in the minor things in our life, our imperfections, failures, our losses. When we get caught up in self pity we leave little room for God to work in us and on us. We can’t wallow in the moment, we must remember we’re on a journey for God. Progress sometimes is slow, but if we keep moving forward we will one day have a good report.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” – Philippians 3:12

Troubles today strength tomorrow

Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records. – W. Ward

In the most adverse circumstance Samson still brought down ‘the house’ for God. Hmm!

One thing in our life is certain, everyday will not be sunny, healthy, or easy; there will be storms and trouble. But we cannot abandon life because of it storms. The strongest trees are not found sheltered in the safety of the forest, rather they are often in open spaces – bent and twisted by the winds of all seasons. God knows that times of trouble can be useful. They can show us who we really are, and what kind of character and integrity we have, and help us grow stronger. When Jeremiah questioned God because of the trouble he faced, God asked him how he ever expected to face big challenges if the little ones tired him out. We should take time to understand the troubles we face today are training us for more difficult situations we’ll face in the future. Trust in God and you’ll stand firm.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life…” – James 1:12

Fulfilling yesterday's promises

Today is yesterday’s pupil. – T. Fuller

Adam’s first night of sleep must have been fitful, for he didn’t have a ‘yesterday’ as a point of reference. Hmm!

Quick! What’d you do yesterday, do you remember? What did you say, who did you say it to? Today is the opportunity to begin carrying out all the promises we committed to yesterday. As we worshipped, read His Word, sang His praise, and made promises of obedience, today is the result of said activity. It’s time to pay up or own up to what we said.  If God has not forgotten us, and He has not; we should not readily forget Him and what we promised. We’ve been blessed with the memory of many yesterday’s and the ability to pull the good out of them, and God has granted today, or opportunity; to fulfill them. We can’t let the day escape unused.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” – John 9:4

No Records

The surest way to win in a relationship: just don’t keep score! - Sparks

Though the disciples failed him many times and even fled, Jesus still entrusted the church to them. They later turned the world upside down for him. AMEN!

Record keeping is good for business matters, but bad for relationships. Relationships are built upon love, and God’s model is best. God is gracious, merciful, and forgiving. No matter the size of the infraction, He willingly forgives and shows mercy if we seek Him. This is not to say we continue in sin and error, it is just God’s way of letting us know He understands our imperfections and is willing to work with us to overcome them. Likewise He fully expects us to demonstrate the same traits in our daily lives (“freely you have received, freely give”) with those we interact with. The goal is not to win the war but to win the person.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – I Corinthians 13:4-7

Oh the pets we keep

Pets are creatures that are willingly kept by their owner, so I’ve never understood a pet peeve. - Sparks

No matter what Moses did the people were always finding fault and never satisfied. No wonder God called them ‘stiffnecked.’ OUCH!

If we’re honest about it, there’s probably something in most of us that at the slightest infraction gets our blood boiling; and our enemy knows it. The question is why does it have such a grip on us? It’s true we will be frustrated and upset at times, but we’re to never let our anger linger over anything nor carry it around day to day. This is not only stressful it is sinful for the bible says “let not the sun go down on your wrath.” This means we should not have any anger or malice in our hearts toward anyone. God doesn’t ask us to practice forgiveness He COMMANDS us to do so. And even if we were the one wronged, forgiveness lies within our own heart. Maybe it’s time we let God work it out for us, unless we like keeping useless pets.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” – Psalm 55:22

Connection Interrupted

Heaven's phone number has not changed but it seems to be getting fewer calls. - Anon

I Samuel 3:1 tells us 'there was a time when God's revelations were rare...' What do you think was the cause? Hmm!

Most of us have had that frustrating cell phone call where the person on the other end keeps cutting in and out. You may be talking while driving (hands-free of course), in the middle of a long story or a funny moment or even a serious problem, only to realize the call was dropped miles back. Don't you hate that? Have you ever thought maybe that's how our communication is with God? We think we are in conversation with Him, but in truth because of our continual practice of sin or unrepentant lifestyle our prayers cut in an out and get dropped. God has told us what it takes from us for Him to 'hear' our prayers, and He has never backed away from His desire to hear from us and commune with us. If we're out of reach or cell coverage it's not His fault but ours. When we place our call we need to make sure of our connections.

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

Not keeping misery company

True enough, misery may love company; but no one said it had to be you. – Sparks

The rich man died and opened his eyes in hell, then wanted the company of Lazarus to ‘wet’ his parched tongue. Abraham said sorry, no can do. AMEN!

There is a big difference between being comforting and just wallowing in misery. One is borne of love the other selfishness. Misery is a tool of the enemy that melts the heart. The real reason many of us often wind up in the company of misery is we fail to acknowledge the power of the Spirit within us to just say ‘NO,’ I will not be a part of this. The Word tells us ‘do not quench the Spirit.’ When we do, we’re on our own. We are each responsible for maintaining the inward joy Jesus brings to us, and SHARING that joy wherever we go. Go for it!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22

First things First

True Christians make prayer the first necessity, never the last extremity. - Anon

Before the disciples chose a replacement for Judas they prayed over it, asking God for guidance. Hmm!

We do live in a fast-paced society. Days whiz by, events come and go, and life's situations continually demand our attention. And that's often when we get into trouble. When we give life's situations our attention without first seeking God's direction and fellowship, we're putting the cart before the horse. All too often we get fully engaged in events, activities, planning, or relationships and then ask God's blessing, when it should be the other way around. We should seek His leading, not seek leading Him. And inasmuch as He has asked us "is there anything too hard for Him,' it seems to me that He wants to be involved in all of our affairs and activities, no matter how big or small. Extending the invitation is up to us.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33

Nega Prayer

Why worry when you can pray for free? – Anon

Though Sanballat and Tobiah were openly hostile to Nehemiah, he left it in God’s hands and continued to work on rebuilding the wall. He had great success. AMEN!

As long as we live there will always be something going on that begs to get our attention, that seeks to get our focus and energies diverted there – to worry about. When you think about it, worry is really just a negative way of praying. Worry really is just ‘you’ talking to yourself in your head, and allowing the doubts, fears, and unknowns to escape and impact your health. This leads to stress, anxiety, restlessness, lack of focus, and distrust. God invites us to come freely before Him to make our pleas and petitions known, tell Him the desires of our heart; and He will gladly bear our burdens. If your life seems heavy, anxiety filled, or unfocused, maybe you need some ‘closet’ time.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“…..Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life….” – Matthew 6:27

NOTE: We will not be having Vesper Services this Sunday evening, therefore the Men's Bible Study Group will meet Sunday morning at 9:15am.

toDAY Planner

A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow. - General George Patton

While Saul waited for perfect battle conditions, Jonathan acted on the plan he set before God. He was victorious. Wow!

A person without a plan or some idea of how they will use the opportunity granted them is lost already. When we look around us and see those who have fallen by the wayside or into despair, it is generally because they made no other plans, or decided to wait until later. But the only opportunity we have is TODAY - God's gift to us - and there is no better way to make plans for its use, than to begin it with seeking God's presence in the morning and asking His company throughout the day. Now that's a plan that will certainly work!

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." - Psalm 20:4

Sweet Mercy

Every mercy we receive from God should obligate us to walk closer to Him. - M. Henry

In his prayer, the tax collector desired nothing of God except His mercy. AMEN!

We serve a God who is gracious by nature. He says "ask and it shall be given you." He bestows blessing upon blessing upon blessing on us and in our lives, and by nature most of us are thankful for His benevolence. YES, asked blessings we take note of , but we seldom reflect on His mercies and favor. At our best, we're imperfect, self-centered beings putting ourselves on God's throne, making it all about us. He has the right to be offended, but yet He shows great patience. It's true, grace has saved us, but His mercies sustain us, otherwise we would be 'consumed' by His wrath and life would be unbearable. As we enter today with its situations, as mercy is extended, be thankful and let it pass to others.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy.....He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities." - Psalm 103:8,10

Past memories future events

We cannot change our memories, but we can change their meaning and the power they have over us. – D. Seamans

Joseph let God erase all the hatred from his heart against his brothers for what they had done. He even ‘cried’ when he saw them again. The reunion was all good. AMEN!

The thing about life is it throws many events our way, some good; some bad. The things that have happened to us cannot be undone. We cannot go back and change it but we should not fear it either, nor let it hold us prisoner. One can only truly fear future events. And since our future is not set in stone, fear is just a head trip. Oftentimes we get stuck in a way of thinking, in a behavior, or in our expectations because we have been hurt before and we have not truly brought the situation to God. From God’s perspective events from our past (good and bad) are stepping stones to move forward in righteousness and faith, for He can bring good out of any situation. Pain is sometimes inevitable, but allowing a memory to keep us in suffering is a choice. God can adjust our attitudes if we allow him.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him….” – Romans 8:28

Looking for something?

You'll never see the sunrise by looking westward. - D. Burraloe

The Jews could not see Jesus as the Promised Messiah because they were looking for a king. Hmm!

It's a given that you always find what you're looking for in the very last place you look. And often what we're looking for is right in front of us, but that's the last place we look, for it seems too easy. That's true with most of us in our spiritual lives as well. We seem to search for God in some of the strangest places at times. When trials, temptations, tribulation, trouble, heartache, etc., comes upon us we get so bogged down in despair looking at the problem, we forget to look at The One who said He would never leave or forsake us. God is right there with us, we have no need to run off and try to find Him. The issue is not the interruption, but can we still see God in spite of the interruption. Remember God never moves...

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:13

The Humble Servant

The man who sings his own praises is always off key. – Sparks

In the parable of the Pharisee and the publican we know who went home justified! Hmm!

Admittedly, it’s hard for us not to crave the limelight and glory for what we’ve accomplished or done, for no one can truly do it like we can. But consider Jesus for a moment friend. A true servant is just that, a servant. What he offers is from his heart and though thanks or an acknowledgement may be indicated, servants don’t wait around for it or get bent out of shape if it doesn’t come. He knows he works for God and his reward is in a job well done. Today is waiting.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men.” – Matthew 6:1-2

REMINDER: there will not be a MMA VISION CARE program tomorrow at the church.

Simple Sweet Moments of Life

Life is a great bundle of little things. – O.W. Holmes

As Mary watched her ‘child’ grow the bible says she treasured many moments and hid them in her heart. Hmm!

Remember as a kid biting into a nice freshly picked peach or apple maybe. All natural, plump, juicy, sweet as can be with no additives, preservatives, or artificial coloring. Much different than what you get today from the market. There’s a difference too, between the natural ‘sweetness’ of life and the things we think should be added to it. A hectic pace that keeps our calendars crowded and far from the pace God wants us to walk that we may savor the day(s), a vast number of online connections and conversations rather than a meaningful face to face encounter with a friend. God never said life has to be lived in the fast lane nor be crowded without margin. His idea is that we just enjoy the simple pleasures. Today would be a great time to start.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil…” – Proverbs 15:16

P.S. - Due to unforeseen circumstances we WILL NOT be hosting the Medical Missions Adventures VISION CARE program this Saturday. We will keep you updated when more information becomes available.

Compassion: The Extra Mile

A forgiven person forgives, a loved person loves, a nurtured person cares….you get the idea! – Henry Nouwen

On his way to being Savior of all mankind, Jesus never forgot to relate to mankind. Hmm!

Truth be told, we are good at critiquing others and even better at giving advice. We often assume we know what is best for others, particularly the more unfortunate members of our society or circle of friendship. But we are not so good at what Jesus asks of us, and that is compassionate participation. We often fail to draw close to others and pass on what we have freely received ourselves from the Master. Compassionate participation is seeing people where they are, no matter who they are, and extending to them that same grace, mercy, love, etc. that we receive daily from the Lord. It may require us to go the extra mile with them, but isn’t that what Jesus actually said we should do anyway?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” – I John 4:11

The Cost of Freedom

Freedom isn’t free, and its cost is eternal vigilance. – Anon

As we celebrate this ‘Independence Day’ let us not forget the costs paid and the paths forged that make it possible. First and foremost is what God did for us through His Son Jesus Christ to free us from sin and make us His children. Second, for this nation and the ‘Founding Fathers’ who risked life and death to build a nation who believed in God and His Word. We must forever be vigilant in adhering to, promoting, and protecting these gifts that cost so much. The battles ahead won’t be so much with guns and napalm, etc. on foreign shores, but with pen and votes here in our own backyard. May we realize now that our freedoms are left to us to defend. Blessings!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…” – John 8:32

Always moving forward

When your faith gets into the past tense, it becomes a pretense! - Anon

Peter's Pentecost sermon brought in 3,000+ souls. WOW! But God still sent him down to little 'ol Cornelius' house. Hmm!

The bible tells us "the Word of God is active and alive.....," although sometimes the way we serves may bring serious doubts to that. Whether we are new or seasoned in the faith, we can never, ever rest on what we did yesterday or yesteryear. God has done many mighty works in us and through us, but we must remember also "God is ALWAYS at His work." Today's opportunities, big or small; He's already planned, and He's hoping we're all available. May He use us without having to ask us.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." - John 9:4

The Everyday Miracle

Life is lived in the present. Yesterday, with all its memories is gone, tomorrow with all its hope is yet to be. Today is the miracle. – Anon

When Simeon held the baby Jesus in his arms at the temple he realized it was no ordinary day. It was rather miraculous. AMEN!

Though we may relish in the spiritual highs of yesterday or wish for a sunny tomorrow, we still must deal with the present God has given us right now, for it is all we have. As we count our own years, or those of our children, or growing nieces and nephews, we soon realize one more day (Today) is indeed a miracle. And no matter how we feel physically or mentally, spiritually we are blessed, and when God blesses us he has more than us in mind. We must then realize that whatever God is involved in can never be ordinary. So today it's up to us to let the extraordinary show. Though it's Friday no coasting is allowed.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” – Proverbs 27:1