Fresh Eyes

The greatest challenge of any day is how to bring about a revolution in the heart for God. – Anon

In OT times the enemy that threatened God’s people most was not other nations but the ‘dictatorship’ of the routine! Hmm.

Truthfully sometimes, most of us operate by routine or rote. Each morning we arise and go pretty much through the same motions. We’ve come to the place where everything in our lives can be almost predicted and we really don’t expect or want anything new or unusual from God. Maybe its time for us to look up to the heavens with “fresh” eyes and an open heart today. God is into new things!

I'll be taking some time for rest and relaxation, so until then....

Pastor Botts

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not see perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:18-19

That All You Got??

“You call what you’re doing a living sacrifice?” – God

Jacob had to leave his family, slept alone with a ‘rock’ for a pillow, and still got up and praised God. Hmm!

Often most of us just fall into the rut of life, just doing what we need to do to get by, make ends meet, keep the lights on, etc. And unfortunately the same attitude falls upon our ministry and worship efforts. But if God is a God of life, joy, vibrancy, and one who is ‘doing a new thing’ should not our lives somewhat parallel the one in whose image we were made? The spirit-filled individuals we read about in His word had problems as well, but it seems they went out of their way and normal routines to please God. If God is the same ‘yesterday, today, and forever,’ I think the same type of attitude and effort is still what pleases Him. Hopefully we’re all up for it today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“{God said} Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” – Job 1:8

Answers in The Word

If God should descend from heaven a hundred times, he would reveal nothing we need to know in addition to what he has already said. – John Calvin

Jesus once fed 5,000 plus and 4,000 plus. Yet when he died there were maybe only 300-400 true believers. Hmm!

Man has made many trips to the moon and thus far what have we learned. Well, it’s not made of cheese, it is presently uninhabited, and oh yes, IT’S REAL! Pretty much what God said all along in His Word. We tend to think there is more to things that we can’t see or touch or feel – showing our need or desire to control them – than there really is. The moon is just the moon, the wind is just the wind, etc. And truthfully, though there is more to God than we could ever imagine, all we need to know about Him to love and acknowledge Him is given to us in His Word. Were we to truly get the Word into our hearts we would most definitely see more of God than we ever imagined to begin with. Today’s a good day to start.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man….....the Lord God Almighty is His name.” – Amos 4:13

Don't Lose It

If a man can have salvation and not know it, he can lose it and not miss it. – A. Rogers

Samson slept hard and not only lost his hair, but lost his strength as well. The LORD had “departed” from him.

It's a truth that 'no one wants to be taken for granted.' People like to feel or believe they can offer something to the relationship - even God. But like Samson, many of us often walk day after day believing our relationship with God is all right, never really taking time to stop and commune with Him. But if we find ourselves committing the same sins over and over and constantly asking forgiveness, it’s a sure sign the LORD has departed from us; for His presence would give us true spiritual power to overcome the enemy or situation, whatever it may be. God is willing to walk with us to get us there, the question is: are we willing to walk with Him? His ways are exacting!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” – Joshua 1:8

Don't Fake Action

Action indeed is the sole medium for the expression of ethics or faith. – J. Addams

Abraham, Jacob, Daniel, etc. Even in a foreign land these men held fast to their ‘open’ worship of God. Hmm!

We’ve all heard the expression “they talk a good game but they don’t back it up.” A good question is how does that apply to us? The bible tells us to be instant ‘in season and out of season.’ The ‘season’ does not refer to the time of year, but to the time right now, meaning whether we feel like it or not we should be a light for Christ. Many of us at times suffer from our tendency to be instant ‘out of season,’ or in other words only when certain others will see it. If we do only what we feel inclined or compelled to do, some of us would do nothing forever and ever. But the proof that we are rightly related to God and His kingdom is that we do our best for Him whether we feel supernaturally inspired or not. We cannot give ourselves to God only when we think it best or when we feel the ‘Spirit,’ He requires all of us at all times.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21

Faith Through It

Faith doesn’t get you around trouble, it gets you through it. – Stanley Smith

Hebrews 11 tells us of the many who made it through great sufferings and circumstances because of their faith. WOW!

Oftentimes when troubles interrupt or upset our lives we’re left questioning, “why me, I’ve prayed, read the Word, and meditated on it, so why is this happening to me. I thought I was faith-proofed for the day.” God never said we would live trouble free lives, but trouble and circumstances are there to grow us and test our faith. Remember what the psalmist David wrote in the 23rd psalm, “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” – the key words being ‘walk through’ – not stay. When troubles come our way we must shine the light of faith upon them to get a clear path to follow.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold….may be proved genuine.” – I Peter 1:6-7

P.S. - Don't forget your Tropical wear for Aloha Sunday! 便

Peace in the Storm

Sometimes the Lord calms the storm; and sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child. – Anon

The Israelites calmly walking across the raging Red Sea on dry ground or Jesus calming the storm for his disciples. Either way, God was AWESOME!

If there is one thing we know it is we will face storms (battles, trials, troubles) in life. No one is immune from it. Jesus even promised it. God will “refine” us through various trials to perfect our character, that it may reveal His glory. But the great news is no matter where we are in the storm, God is right there with us. And depending on our needs and request, He will either calm the storm or calm us, but He will not leave us. The important thing is that we have enough faith to leave it up to Him to decide.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“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

Give Your Best to the Master

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. - G. Halas

Even after they hung him on the cross, Jesus was still praying for them. Wow!

Oaths, vows, pledges. We all make them for the various groups, teams, or callings we sign-up for. The question is how committed are we to them? Do we value loyalty and follow-through, or is it when things get tough, or the heat is on and we need to "put up or shut up" commitment becomes a gray area. It's an interesting and thought provoking issue, particularly when it comes to our relationship with Christ - are we fully committed. If compromise or quitting is even an option in our faith, then maybe we need to re-evaluate what we covenanted. God is always searching our hearts for commitment, that is why He 'tests' us from time to time. He's not always looking for a perfect response to the situation, but moreso a heart that will confess Him no matter what. And any of us who have lived long enough know it is much easier to lie down at night and sleep when we know we gave our best and stood our ground.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"...Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him...." - Job 13:15

Move In Harmony

Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet. – Anon

John in his gospel tells us that many people, after they heard the hard words of what it means to follow Jesus went back and “walked with him no more.” A tragic decision. Hmm!

Often, we forget that ours is a Christian journey; being led by our Lord. We willingly signed up when we accepted His call to “follow me.” Though the path may not seem “wise” to us or even dangerous, we must remember, “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death , thou art with me,” we are not alone. He alone knows the path to His Father’s house for “He came from the Father,” and “He goes back to the Father.” We often feel we know our way around down here better than anyone, and that may be true, but it is not “down here” we want to stay if we expect eternal glory one day. So as Jesus or the Word of God speaks to us, let us move in harmony with the request.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?...the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built his house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” – Luke 6:46,49  

More than Dreamers

To always dream of the person you’d like to be is a waste of the person you are. – Anon

The apostles had visions of being great leaders in a restored Jerusalem. Jesus wanted them to be servants in a coming kingdom. They finally got it!

Growing up we all had dreams of what we’d be, firemen, doctors, lawyers, president, etc. But these noble ideas never kept us from being the rambunctious kids that we were. When we feel we must be perfect before we can be of benefit to God’s kingdom we waste valuable time and miss the point. The person we want to be can only come into existence through the guidance and direction of the hand of God and He is working perfection out in us through the daily routines of life’s circumstances. Be careful in today’s decisions, God is at work building your character.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15-16

Reaching Hearts With A Smile

No matter how empty your pockets, purse, mattress, or bank account; everyone can afford to give away a smile. – Anon

Jesus was referred to by many as a friend of man, not for what He could physically do for them through the power of miracles, but because He treated them all with the “respect” of being God’s creation. Hmm!

It’s true oftentimes we are battered, torn, bruised, and worn down by the trials and cares of life; barely able to lift our heads, let alone be joyful and glad. But even in those moments God expects us to let the light of His love shine forth – to show our faith is real in spite of our circumstances. The best way God can truly reach out to other people is through us. And the greatest tool invented for bridging that gap is a smile. Not only will it reach across the room, it will also reach into other folks heart as well our own, and that is where God resides.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38

Perfect For This Age

God took a forty year old conceited somebody, spent forty years showing him he was a nobody, and forty more years to demonstrate what He can do with anybody. – R. D. Foster

Caleb was 85 years old when he ‘took’ the town of Hebron for his own.  Not bad for a young fella’!

One-armed ballplayers! Blind mountain climbers! Deaf composers! The world is full of examples of those who did not let a disability hinder their creativity or natural ability. We serve a God who is new every day, and no matter where we are in life He can and will use us if we’re willing. Who’s to say God has not actually kept us in check until such a time as this? We need to put our excuses aside. Our past life; good, bad, or indifferent, was necessary to bring us to this present moment. It’s not so much the age that concerns God, it’s the heart. God is ready to use us in His story, the question is: can He?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14

Faith Tested

All sunshine and no rain make for a desert. – Arab Proverb

Job accepted the ‘heartaches’ of his life just as easily as he accepted the blessings. He knew it was all in God’s hand. AMEN!

As much as we would like it to be, life is not always rosy, good, or great. There are times when we go through tests, trials, and circumstances that make us uncomfortable. And often, these situations are not of our own making – God is at the helm. He knows how He wants and needs us to grow, and the path that He wants us to follow. Left to our own devices we would always choose the easy route, but God loves us too much to let that happen. So as we enter, persevere through, or exit our test or trial we should say HALLELULAH!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4

Truth + Love= Life

Do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. – W.C. Stone

Boaz didn’t have to mention there was another kinsman redeemer for Ruth and Naomi, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Hmm!

In our courts systems a witness is sworn in by being asked to ‘tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.’ The idea is there will be no shading or jading or shortage of facts in their testimony. It’s a matter of integrity, loyalty and honesty – not personal benefit to the individual. God expects the same of us in our everyday dealings with one another, to live out the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and to live by love, complete love, and nothing but unbiased love. True such living may cause some uncomfortable situations, and may require more of us than we’re willing to give; but in those instances we should be reminded of the Cross and what Jesus did for us. So as today unfolds before us with its many situations and circumstances the question is ‘how then shall we live?’

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” – Proverbs 11:3

It's Really No Secret

No one is free who is not master of himself. – Claudius

Joseph would not let himself stoop to levels of sin and indecency before his master and God with Potiphar’s wife. He considered the whole idea “wicked.”

One of Satan’s lies is that you can do things in secret that no one will know. It’s a clever little ploy to keep us in bondage to sin. Temptation to sin comes to all of us, but for us as Christians so does the power and opportunity to escape the sin. We must remember in all situations that it is not about us and our desires, but our heavenly Father and His will for us. God will not withhold any good thing from His people. I pray we will rise above all selfish desires today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Therefore I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” – I Corinthians 9:26-27

[YOU!] Do Unto Others!

Just as mirrors only reflect what they see, our lives only produce what we believe. - Anon

God often brought unpleasant circumstances before His people just to see what was in their heart. Hmm!

No doubt about it, we all would like the world to be a better place. That’s a great sentiment, and a noble desire. But the question we need answer is:  ’What can we do to make it a better place?’ We all know the ‘Golden Rule’ – treat others in the same way you want to be treated – but do we really believe and practice it as Jesus commanded? To go the extra mile. To be kind in spite of others. To love expecting nothing in return. To go beyond our comfort zone. True faith never asks whether good works are to be done or even considered. Faith just acts on impulse for the works are its lifeblood, faith without works is dead.  Everyone wants to change the world but no one wants to start with himself, so we often leave it to others ‘greater’ than our self. God will not ask us why weren’t we more like Paul, Esther, David, etc., He’s just going to ask were we faithful and true. Hopefully our answer is already being written in the affirmative, and we’re doing all we can to confirm it each day.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“…So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12

Doubt vs. Unbelief

Doubt is a part of religion. All the great believers before us were doubters. – I. B. Singer

Moses and the burning bush. Gideon and the fleece. Thomas and the disciples. All these doubted at first, but fully believed later. AMEN!

It can be strongly argued that the beginning of faith and wisdom is found in doubting; for by doubting we come to the question: “can it truly be so?”. And by seeking the answer we come upon the truth. But we must distinguish between doubt and unbelief. God will forgive us our doubts, for doubt is a condition of the mind, but He will not excuse our unbelief, for that is a condition of the heart. Though God need not prove Himself to anyone; He ‘delights’ in those who seek after Him and His ways, lovingly revealing more and more of His character to them. As we grow into maturity our doubting should began to cease and our marvels increase as we gain a firmer understanding of who God truly is and how He loves us. May we all learn to trust Him a little more today!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them, Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.” – Psalm 111:2-3

Faith Stretched Uphill

The road to the next level is ALWAYS uphill, and you can't coast there. - J. Maxwell

Faith led Jonathan and his armor-bearer up the cliff and God did the rest. Hmm!

To get ahead in anything you have to be willing to move forward, to take risks. For most of us we do, albeit we tend to like the calculated and certain, those in the 'safe' zone. But often with God the risk factor is incalculable. It's just the nature of our relationship with Him. Walking in, and by faith requires risk taking. God often designs situations and circumstances in our life to see if we'll be willing to trust Him to grow our faith to the next level. So if you're being stretched in your faith right now - praise God. If you're not being stretched or challenged in your faith - ask God why. In either case it's a good reason to open up the prayer lines.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.......They said 'Rabbi, where are you staying?' 'Come,' [Jesus] replied, 'and you will see.'" - John 1:37-39

Flex Life

Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use. – Charles Schulz

James and John wanted to ‘call down fire’ on the Samaritans because they didn’t welcome Jesus. Jesus got them to relax and later on faith won the day. HMMM!

Look on any freeway at any time and you’ll see them – Porsche’s, Maserati’s, Ferrari’s – built for excessive speed yet limited by the law, sheer pictures of frustration. Most of us live life that way as if we have only 1 speed. It is either a blistering race to the finish line (which we have no idea is where or when), or a scenic snails pace stopping at every turn (not making any progress). The life Jesus calls us to requires us to be very flexible – sometimes waiting and fasting, sometimes stealing away quickly, and sometimes taking long journeys – to experience the ‘abundance’ He promised. The idea is to take it 1 day at a time using all the gifts God has given us at the pace God sets, for He gives ‘grace sufficient for the day.’

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” – Romans 12:1

What Really Matters Most?

The things which matter most, must never be at the mercy of things which matter least. – Goethe

Jesus had a word for the Pharisees and religious leaders of the day for their love and respect for ‘traditions’ rather than God’s word -Hypocrites!

On average, most of us say we know what’s important. Hmmm! We’ll work 60-80 hours a week to provide for our family because they are important, yet we’re too busy working to spend time with them. We’ll say our marriage is important, yet we willfully spend inordinate amounts of time away from our spouse. We’ll even say our relationship with God is of prime importance, yet we struggle to give Him 5-10 minutes a day. The fact of the matter is no matter what we say, the life we live bears the truth, because you will only do that which matters to you! The question is to determine what matters to you most.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, “Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’.” – Matthew 22:37-40