Open Up!

To understand the bible requires openness; first you open it, then you open you. – Anon

When Jesus taught them from the ‘scriptures’ of old they wondered where did he get such wisdom. Hmm!

The bible is a priceless gift, a tool for Christians to live by. It’s a love letter from God. The reason we so often get ‘love’ all mixed up and confused is because we search for it in every other thing and every other place, not understanding that we can never fully know love until we understand it from God’s perspective, the giver of the gift. And because we often keep this great tool closed and/or out of sight we mutter through life unfulfilled. The world is filled with hungering folks who have exactly what they need at their fingertips. We cannot truly love God and live fully unless we know Him, and He wants to be known. God’s Holy Word is indeed, a priceless, one-of-a-kind treasure. Yes, it needs to be handled with care, but more importantly, we need to handle it every day. Today’s great day to start.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God…” – Matthew 4:4

Peace Through Release

For true peace of mind, you must resign as General Manager of the universe. – L. Eisenberg

Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law gave him some sound advice on trying to rule God’s people - 'trust it to God'!

Whether we want to believe it or not God created the universe and all therein BEFORE He created us, therefo

re we neither have the know-how or wherewithal to run it, though we often try. God also created each individual unique to HIS specifications to serve His purposes, not ours. Everything may not go our way today, but as the day unfolds I pray we see His hand at work and be at peace with it.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

Strength Perfected in Weakness

The greatest barrier between us and God’s omnipotent power is our own supposed strength. – Anon

Samson got comfortable with his situation and began to trust in himself. He soon found his strength “sapped.” Hmm!

Though we earnestly say we believe in God and expect Him to be active in our lives, often our actions prove otherwise. We often rely on our own strength, resources, and knowledge to handle situations in our life. We tend mentally to divide our problems into two categories: problems that we know require God’s help and those we think we can handle on our own. We must remember “God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.” It’s true God ‘gifted’ us with strength, know-how, resources, etc.; but we must always remember none of it is of any use if He is not involved.  As the events of the day unfold we should make sure God has the lead part.

Until tomorrow……..

Pastor Botts

“Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his?” – Job 40:9

That Little Push

Sometimes the best helping hand you can get is a good, firm push. – J. Thomas

The light that ‘knocked’ Saul to the ground on the Damascus road, pushed him into a whole new world! Amen.

Though we rarely if ever think about it, all of us got our start in life this way, by our mother’s ‘pushing’ during the birth process. And there we were, in a brand new surrounding; unsure of what just happened and what would happen. But in retrospect that little push was the greatest thing to ever happen to us. God does not ‘push’ us per se, but often He does allow our self created circumstances to help us see the path we must travel. And though we may not like it at the time, the beauty of the journey into the unexpected is that He’s promised to be with us every step of the way. If we’re not happy with who we are or where we’re at all we need do is ask for a good firm push and let God work out the details. That’s what faith is all about.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me." - Psalm 119:133

The Right Time

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. – Ralph Waldo

Emerson

When Jairus asked Jesus to help with his daughter, they immediately set out to go. Though sidetracked and late, Jesus got the job done. WOW!

We all have good intentions and plans to help others – often telling ourselves we’ll do it just as soon as we get our lives in order or our business straight. But life keeps interrupting; just as soon as one area is in order another area flares up. Like our Lord and Master, we must learn to be very intentional about our acts and deeds, for time is a great thief; stealing more than it brings. The time for kindness, gentleness, sharing, caring, comforting is always now, not tomorrow. God has granted this day that we may show kindness to some and be shown kindness by some. Ours is not to pick and choose but to give ourselves.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” – Romans 5:6

Desire Greater Spiritually

The biggest human temptation is to settle for too little. – T. Merton

God’s prophet Elisha was angered because Jehoash was willing to settle for minor victories over his enemies when God was ready to completely destroy them. Wow!

When we actually sit down and look at all the facts, the only difference between us and the great ones of the faith that we admire, is desire. Not economics, education, geography, or race – just desire. The desire to ask ‘big’ things of God, things only God could do, and then earnestly desire and entreat Him to do them. If we’re asking God to ‘enlarge our territory,’ the least we could do is point out the ground, and prepare for a harvest.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21

Don't Miss The Signs

There is none so blind as they that will not see. – J. Swift

God parted the Red Sea, rained down manna, and brought water from a rock to show Moses and the Israelites He was with them and for them. The people didn't get it. Hmm!

As believers we habitually seek to hear God’s voice through prayer, His Word, or His messengers. Yet, often we fail or miss hearing God speak through His activity. We are so set on ‘seizing the day’ we often give very little thought to seeing what it brings. Sensing God’s activity gives us a significant revelation about His heart and will, and our ability to discern what He is up to allows us to work faithfully with Him. The apostle Paul at one time sensed that “a great door” had been opened for him to preach the gospel. If we’re not hearing directly from God through His Word, or His people, maybe He’s speaking through the activity in our lives. Listen up!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Look among the nations and watch – be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.” – Habakkuk 1:5

The Most Important Title

A Note from God: “My kid saved your honor student.” – Anon

Paul stated he’d rather have Jesus than anything, counting all his other worldly goods as ‘rubbish.’ WOW!

Whether it be honor student, perfect attendance, club awards, etc., we sometimes do tend to get carried away with notoriety for our children, and oftentimes even with titles for ourselves. Awards and titles have their place in our lives, but we must keep the main thing the main thing. None of this would be possible if it had not been for what Jesus did for us, and secondly and of even more import; none of this means anything if Jesus is not our personal savior. Besides, when we get to heaven God is not going to check our credentials for awards or titles, he’s going to check our hearts and bodies for battle scars (the marks of Jesus).

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” – Jude 3

P.S. - No Bible Study tonight but there is VBS. Why don't you come on by?

Necessary Corrections

To find direction from God you must take correction from God. – Anon

Before Isaiah uttered his familiar refrain to God, “Here am I, Send me,” God had to purge and cleanse him for the task. Hmm!

All too often we want God to just pour out His blessing on us without speaking a word into our lives. But God is a God of relationship and covenant, our Heavenly Father; and as such has the authority to “correct” us when we stray. Just as our parents spoke into our lives and provided for us as we were growing up, the pattern they followed was given by God. So if we want and expect His blessings we must seek His ways. If we heed not the correction His ways require we are not his children nor entitled to the blessings. I pray we may all find our way today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and he chastises everyone He ACCEPTS as a son.” – Hebrews 12:5-6

P.S. - Never been to a VBS night, why not try tonight. You won't be disappointed! 6:30pm at Southside.

You're open, take the shot!

To score the basket you actually have to shoot the ball. - Anon

When you think about it, there are more 'unnamed' saints than named saints in God's story. Hmm!

Though there are no 'secret agents' or 'Lone Rangers' in the army of the Lord, God does often call on us to be a force of one. We often like to work behind the scenes for Jesus, but in truth that's an impossibility. Jesus said 'If I be lifted up I'll draw all men to me.....' and that can happen only when they see, feel, experience, or hear him in us and through us, not somebody we wish they could talk to. God gives ample opportunity for this to happen through those divine intersections we have throughout each day. The ball is in your hands....

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"...but when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - Matthew 6:3-4

VBS kicks off today at 6:30PM. Hope to see you there!

A Higher Standard of Honesty

There are no degrees of integrity. Either we are honest or we are not. – Sparks

Eli the priest and his sons. They paid dearly for their cheating ways. God won out! Hmm!

We live in a fallen world and it’s easy to fall in to it’s ways. Everyone is out for themselves, but God has called us to a higher standard – honesty in all things. We don’t act with honesty or integrity to get noticed, or to score points, or even to appease our conscience. We do it because it is right. True, it is sometimes inconvenient, but that does not change the fact that it is the right thing to do. If we would expect people to treat us with honesty and integrity, we must be willing to give the same at all times. And inasmuch as we are always before the eyes of our Heavenly Father, honesty should always be our way of life.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” – Luke 16:10

P.S. - Hope you can make it this Sunday at 9am for our Devotional time. We'd love to see you there!

Also, there WILL NOT be Vesper Services as we will be setting up for VBS.

Initiative: Permission Not Required

Initiative consists simply of doing the right thing without being told. – I. Mack

Jonathan charged a garrison of Philistine soldiers that led to an Israelite conquest. Was he told to do it? NO! Was he right to do it? YES!

"I wonder what I should do!" It's a question we often ask ourselves, with hopes someone else will direct us. If we are honest about it, many of us have never outgrown our adolescent need of being told what to do. It’s comforting to us, because it somewhat absolves us of responsibility and inspiration. However, God leaves us with many choices to make; and the one expectation He has in each case is that we will do the right thing. Many of us are waiting for permission to do what God has already commissioned us to do. The charge is to ‘GO’ until we hear God say ‘STOP!’

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” – James 4:17

Our Time in His Hand

He who waits on God loses no time. – V. Havner

While the disciples were waiting for the ‘promise’ of Pentecost, they became avid prayer warriors. AMEN!

The art of waiting may have been lost by man but not by God; He has not changed. He moves not according to the watch we wear or the clock we look at, but according to His own schedule. We say “God is in control” but our actions often reflect otherwise as we try to push, prod, and pull Him into action when we deem it best. All of us have at one time or another been a personal recipient of God’s timeliness, which should serve as a constant reminder that we need to be patient. The world gives the illusion today that it moves faster than it did years ago but we must remember it’s the same world, and He’s the same God. Waiting on Him is one of the greatest acts of trust and obedience.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.” – Psalm 31:15

No Know It Alls Here

It is okay not to know, it is not okay to pretend you know, when you don’t. – Richard Murray

Even Jesus himself said He didn’t know the time His Father had set for the end of times. Hmm!

‘How To’ books – the shelves are full of them, from A to Z, on whatever suits your fancy. Most are tried and true, which is of great benefit to those of us who want to learn the ‘How’s’ of life. Unfortunately there are scores of these books that are purely fictional, theoretical, and guesswork. In this great creation of God there are some things God kept to Himself, and we should in no wise try to guess, theorize, or fill in what is missing. It’s okay for us to say “I don’t know!” The great thing is that He gave us enough to know Him and love Him, and in the end that’s all that matters.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….The secret things belong to the Lord our God…” – Deuteronomy 29:29

Unlock the Door to Wisdom & Happiness

Preconceived notions are the locks on the door that lead to wisdom and happiness. – M. Brown

If Moses had never given the burning bush a closer look…….Hmm!

It’s said that when the ostrich doesn’t want to deal with life he sticks his head in the ground. It’s a coping mechanism. True or not for the ostrich, many of us have a coping mechanism to this life called preconceived notions (ideas). These are not thoroughly investigated and proven out, they are just little ‘safety valves’ we fall back on to keep us from stretching or risking growth, and to keep our world orderly and neat. Sadly, this type of attitude creeps into our lives when we begin to get away from God or try limit what He can do. If we really do some soul searching each of us can look back and see where God – like He did with Moses and the burning bush – tested us and erased some erroneous thoughts we had and stretched our borders. God is still looking to do the same today and everyday. Are you game?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it…….? Isaiah 43:19

Staying On Course

It’s very hard to take the wrong turn when you’re looking in the right direction. – Anon

Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness on 3 different occasions, each time Jesus looked to His Father and His Word. Hmm!

No one likes to ‘crash and burn’ in life yet it happens very often, when we take our eyes off the goal. And the one thing that’s a certainty in life everyday is our enemies attempt to get us to take our focus off of God and His Word. Our enemy uses every avenue or medium, every subtlety or deception, and every emotional appeal to trip us up, and YES, he even knows our every weakness. That’s why it’s very critical for us to keep God and His Word in the center of our lives. It’s virtually impossible to get off course when we are led this way. We may not like some of the scenery along the way but we can take comfort in knowing God is with us and directing our paths.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“My eyes are always looking to the Lord for help, for he alone can rescue me from the traps of my enemies.” – Psalm 25:15 (NLT)

The Battles Ahead

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

Go for it... with God!

TODAY is that tomorrow you’ve been putting things off for. - Anon

The 5 foolish virgins thought someone would alert them before the bridegroom came so they could get oil for their lamps. OOPS!

As much as we watch clock and calendar, there is never an ideal time to do anything, and if we waited for such a time we would never move forward. God grants us the day, we have to seize it and the opportunities it brings, making the best of the good times and the bad times. And at times we must go with reckless abandon, trusting God will sort it all out. Though God’s Word tells us we should ‘count the costs’ before acting, we cannot always tally our resources before ‘charging the hill of Philistines’ ala Jonathan; we must sometimes leave room for God to act. God is always at the ready, the question is: Are we prepared for Today?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  - Joshua 1:9

Undeterred

To hold fast to one’s goals means to dismiss many others. – Richard Murray

No matter the number of miracles he performed, Jesus constantly reminded his disciples his goal was the cross. WOW!

It is so easy to become distracted in the Christian life! The moment we seem to grasp what God wants or calls us to do, it seems as though everything and everyone around us requires our time and attention. It takes a strong resolve not to lose focus or get sidetracked by the issues or cares of life, and the enemy is crafty at bringing such things in our periphery. Discipline or dedication is a very, very hard thing. Like Jesus, our resolve to go where God is calling us ought to be clearly evident to those around us. We should never let temptation or ‘opportunity’ keep us from obedience to God’s calling.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” – Proverbs 4:25-27

Automatic Faith Lifter

The world’s best cosmetic and cure-all for what ails you are one and the same – A SMILE! – Anon

Upon their reunion, when Jacob saw the joy on his brother Esau’s face; he too was comforted. AMEN!

None of us would ever think to leave home unclothed. Nor would we neglect to take medicine we knew we needed to get well or maintain health. This is just good sense. Sometimes we need to apply this understanding to daily living. A smile given is a wonderful face and faith lifter, yet we sometimes dole them out as if we were getting charged for them. As our Heavenly Father has blessed us beyond measure and continues to do so, we have much to smile about. And as He works on us through the day, often there are some situations or circumstances that He puts upon us that we just have to laugh about, knowing He’s at His work. Smile!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:13