Slow it Down

For fast acting relief, try slowing down. – Lily Tomlin

The moment Elijah stopped running from Jezebel, God ministered to him in a mighty way. Hmm!

Nationwide Insurance used the slogan, “because life comes at you fast.” The truth of the matter is that it’s not life that comes fast; but life’s situations. But there is nothing written that says we have to respond at equal velocity. When we act quickly or rashly we often play right into the hands of the enemy, because he knows a quick or rash answer is not often thought out, not prayed over – the consequences and all. God tells us in His world in many ways to be cautious – be slow to speak or take offense, don’t be quick to run to sin, etc – for our own good. Life is not a wind sprint but a long journey, so to avoid ‘burnout’ and be successful it’s best for us to pace ourselves.

I will be taking some time off to rest. So until I return this keyboard will be silent.

Until then…..

Pastor Botts

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted above the earth.” – Psalm 46:10

Careful Thoughts

Beware of your thoughts. They can become words at any moment. – W. C. Brumby

Jephthah’s rashly spoken vow to God cost him his only daughter in sacrifice. OUCH!

Alarm clocks, car alarms, emergency sirens, screams, etc. These are all unexpected noises beyond our control that invade our mind and our inner peace. How much more so injurious are words from our mouths that hurt, maim, and tear down others. If it is true we speak from our hearts, we should be very careful what we feed it and we should “capture every thought” and make it subject it to Jesus before we act on it. Circumstances and situations will arise today that may upset our peace or plans, for that is the enemies goal. Ours is to live, love, and speak for Christ.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

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

Is your agenda authorized?

Work for God should always be done with God. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Though Saul was anointed ‘king’ by God he tried to rule God’s people by his own thinking. It cost him dearly. Hmm!

Sometimes the things that we claim we do for God have nothing to do with Him at all. They are merely our own agendas, for often we have never even stopped long enough to whisper a prayer or listen for directions from God about what it is we're doing or considering. The Word of God tells us that it is impossible to do the work of God without the authorization or ‘power’ of God, and that any such activity is empty of promise. Running with our own agendas leaves no room for God’s grace, promise, or enabling power. Serving others is difficult enough with God’s direction and blessing, so we would be foolish to try it in our own strength. So before we act maybe we should pray.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“The disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’….He replied,. ‘…….But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.’” – Matthew 17:19, 21

Crafting the Future

You cannot change the past, so change the future. – H.G. Wells

Rahab choose the life of a prostitute and suffered the shame of her family. Yet in the end it was she who saved them from destruction.

Too often, many of us spend vast amounts of time trying to “pretty up” our past so others might think more highly of us. But that’s an impossibility, no one can go back; and to relive the past is to relinquish or give up the future. Besides, failures and mistakes are part of what we experience to increase our reliance on God. We should remember time was never created with the power to hold us back. Like Rahab, we should take opportunity to look forward to making a better life NOW! Press on!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 3:14

Here to Help

It takes two to tango! – Anon

God gave Adam a helpmate named Eve. It’s kind of been that way ever since. Hmm!

Though total self-sufficiency is a myth, the idea that we need only God’s help in our difficulties is an over spiritualized way of thinking. We need each other for encouragement, support, help, and care; which is why God puts us in families and brings us friends. The things we need to avoid are turning to family and friends when we know we need to turn to God, and waiting on God when we know He’s surrounded us with help aplenty. Yes we continually pray and ask for wisdom and guidance, but we need remember that God still works through people, whether it’s through us or for us.

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

“God sets the lonely in families…..” – Psalm 68:6

A True Friend

True friends are God's way of taking care of us. - Anon

Jonathan, the son of King Saul, and David, the man whom God chose to replace King Saul. Mortal enemies right - NO, it was a friendship made by God. Hmm!

We often take them for granted, and seldom remember how they came into our lives - friends. But that's just it - they are in our lives - and we would be somewhat at a loss if they weren't. They step up when others step back, add to you instead of taking away from you. Remember what the bible says, 'every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father...' I pray we may all be a true friend and have a true friend.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." - Proverbs 27:6

Still Just Men

The best of men are still men at best. – Anon

Peter’s sermon brought 3,000 plus into the church on Pentecost, but he still had a problem with Gentiles. Hmm!

We put a lot of stock and confidence in individuals for their accomplishments, deeds, and contributions to society, and well we should. But we should always remember that God was and is in the plans. The fact that He chooses to remain anonymous does not dismiss us from giving glory to Him. No man yet has accomplished anything by himself (except condemning himself to hell) and without the strength, wisdom, resources, and blessing of God he is no more than mortal and sin driven. Thanks be to God that He uses ordinary men to do extraordinary things. Look up, for today it may just be your turn.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me……Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” – Romans 7:21-25

The Light that Illuminates

There are 2 kinds of light - the glow that illumines, and the glare that obscures. - James Thurber

John in his 3rd letter writes about a church leader named Diotrephes. Leader - yes, but true light - NO. Hmm!

Without question as Christians we are called to be 'light' in a dark world. Just as Jesus came to be light, as ambassadors we are to let our light shine. However we need to make sure we are the light that illuminates a path for others to see Jesus clearly, not blind them that all they see is us or worst a very poor representation of Him. So as we 'glow' today let us make sure we're not blinding anyone.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.....'" - Acts 13:47

Whose lead are you following?

Though important to know where you are going, better still is to know who you are following. – Sparks

Paul/Saul knew he was a highly dedicated and well-trained man on a mission for God, until he met Jesus on the road. WOW!

Upon reflection, I’m sure most of us can remember a journey or two we took where we didn’t like the end results. And in most cases it was more than likely because we did not know fully the details, we were ‘excited to be invited.’ However, without question; whether it be trend or person the majority of people today will still follow along without question. The common thinking is often that the “consensus can’t be wrong, the excitement can’t be false,” so this must be real.  Though God has given us the church, pastors, teachers, leaders, friends, etc; His call for us is not to them but to Him and His Word. People are fallible and may stray, but God’s Word will always lead us to Him. In circumstances that come upon us the question to ask is ‘whose lead are we following?’

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong…… do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.” – Exodus 23:2

Uncovering the Cover-up

When things go wrong, don't go with them. - Anon

King David and Bathsheba tried to cover up their sin and it just led to greater troubles. OUCH!

Try as we might to avoid the enemy through prayer, meditation, scripture reading/study, sometimes Satan gets the best of us and we sin. However, when this happens we should immediately confess it and repent before Almighty God, and not try to conceal it with further lies or other sinful acts, for it plays right into our enemies hands. We need remember Jesus said 'what is done in the dark will come to light.' Repentance and confession stops us and the enemy cold, and restores us back to God.

Until Monday.....

Pastor Botts

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody..... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
- Romans 12:17,21

P.S. - Don't forget Part II of our Sunday School Devotional this Sunday at 9AM. Hope you can make it!

Daring Moves

Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward. They may be beaten, but they may also start a winning game. - Goethe

Andrew brought a small boy with 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish to Jesus to feed 5,000. A sensible move – NO! A daring move - you bet!

In business, an 'entrepreneur' is one who has an idea or dream and is willing to risk everything they have to see it come to pass, realizing there is always a small possibility of failure. It's that type of spirit that should empower our faith and deeds. In truth, often for our faith to work or have value we have to step out on the “ledge of risk.” Not every program or every thing we do for God will work, but we will never know until we try, and the bottom line is that God will never be disappointed with our faithful efforts. PERHAPS.....

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed…..For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus sake, so that His life may be revealed in our mortal body.” – II Corinthians 4:8-9,11

Face It

He who loses wealth loses much, he who loses a friend loses more, but he who loses his courage loses all. – M. de Cervantes

Of all the things Judas lost on that fateful night, his courage to seek a forgiving Christ cost him most. Ouch!

Often we don’t want to face the trials God puts before us, meet the challenges His church requires of us, or step out on faith as His word tells us, but we must. For it is in going through the circumstances of life we grow our faith and our courage for the next battle. We need remember, Satan’s best and most used tool is “discouragement,” and he keeps it at the ready. So we must pray that the Spirit will empower us for today, for the challenges, they are a'comin.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith, be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” – I Corinthians 16:13-14

Forming Good Habits

Good habits are as easy to form as bad ones. – T. McCarver

The writer of Hebrews admonished the saints for neglecting the ‘habit’ of meeting together. He said something about it being a sinful practice. Hmm!

Most of us know it isn't hard to be good from time to time. What's tough is being good every day. And the only way to achieve such a lifestyle is to develop good habits. We must take the time and effort to deliberately force ourselves into acts of obedience and righteousness. This is how both habits and skills are developed, by doing it over and over again. The only difference is with skills we’re intentional about it, habits we’re not; which is often why we develop bad habits before we know it. If we don’t continuously practice good habits, bad habits are the natural result. The question we must all answer is: If all we take into eternity with us is our character – what type of character would please God? I think we already know…

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true....noble...right...pure...lovely...admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice." - Philippians 4:8-9