Anywhere

The will of God has far more to do with our spiritual condition than with our geographical location. – P. Smith

Even exiled in a foreign land, Daniel still held fast to his ‘dietary’  regimen for God’s purposes. Hmm!

Were you to ask any real estate broker or agent the primary factor that helps move a house for sale, they’ll give you their professional credo: location, location, location! Often we tend to think the same way when it comes to serving God, we’ve got to be ‘at church’ or in some ‘sort of setting.’ But God is not so much interested in our location as He is with our hearts condition. Truth is, there is no place we can go where God is not. So wherever we may be today, may we do His will. All it takes is a willing heart.

Until Monday…….

Pastor Botts

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” – Psalm 139:7

World Change One Mind At A Time

Before doing the impossible you have to start with the necessary. - Anon

Before being cured of his leprosy, Naaman had to be cured of his pride. Ouch!

Many of us set out to conquer the world first, then our friends, spouses, and neighbors, changing it to suit our ideology, often ignoring the fact that it is not them but we who need to change. A good leader realizes the only conquests that leave no regrets are the victories over himself. World change is totally possible and all it really takes is a small change in our own personal worldview. Starting there means a lot less stress and heavy lifting.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

".....do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2 

Patience at the Right Time

Sometimes God allows what he hates to accomplish what he loves. - J. E. Tada

The Israelites 'waited' over 400+ years for their day of delivery, yet God was still on time. Hmm!

Patience means being able to accept or tolerate delay in our deliverance or understanding without our getting angry, anxious, or upset. We must acknowledge that at times in our life it will appear that heaven is silent and we have to wait. But we can rest assured that God has not abandoned us, and let hope remind us He’s always at His work. So therefore, resolution is on its way. It is in these waiting times we should praise and give thanks that we could be counted worthy to suffer for the Lord as He willingly did so for us.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

"You see, at just the right time, when we

were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." - Romans 5:6

Patience to Finish

Patience may be a slow driver, but she is sure of the destination. - Anon

Jesus may have said “the least in the kingdom is greater than John the Baptist”, but at least John was in the kingdom. Hmm!

They won the race and finished in World Record Time, and for many their record still stands. These folks did great feats in our eyes. We hold them in high esteem, even celebrate them. But in the race of life and faith in the eyes of God they are no better or greater than us. For with God the great ones are those who repent, follow Jesus, and finish the race. It doesn’t matter to God in what place you finish, it could be dead last. What matters is that you persevered and finished. The reward is a crown of life like everyone else before you and a heavenly reward. I’ll take that any day!

Until tomorrow

Pastor Botts

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness….” – II Timothy 4:7-8

If There Is A Problem, YO! Go Solve It!

The best way to escape from your problem is to solve it. – R. Anthony

The Prodigal Son got remedy to his problem by admitting his error and going back home. Hmm!

When it comes to problems most of us have mastered the art of procrastination, sweeping them under the rug, or just wishing they would go away – they don’t. Life’s circumstances come upon us to sharpen and refine us in our character. The longer we try to hide from them, put them off, or try to get someone else to take them off our hands, the longer we live in torment and actually slow our growth. God alone knows what each one of us can bear and He alone knows what circumstances to bring upon each one of us for the desired growth He has in mind. So as you face the issues of the day, whether in sickness or in health; remember the best way to escape is to go through it.

Until Monday………

Pastor Botts

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

Find the Right Road

The Christian is not one who has gone all the way with Christ. None of us has. The Christian is the one who has found the right road. – C.L. Allen

Paul told the people of Philippi he had not yet obtained “the Prize” but he was definitely on the right road and nothing or no one was going to deter him. Amen!

Frustration. It’s something we all face, sometimes more often than we’d like. And like it or not when faced with it enough our human nature often wants to change directions, paths, or programs because we begin to think this one may not be the right one to connect us with our goal. But if our goal is Christ and His righteousness then frustration, opposition, despair, and many other roadblocks or offramps will appear on the horizon. That’s why we are called to live life through the Spirit, He knows the path or road God has laid out for us. He will keep the miscues, offramps,  and wrong-turns to a minimum, redirect us when we do get off course, and keep our temperament in check. If you’re traveling unfamiliar territory right now give the steering wheel over to Him.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’” – Luke 9:62

Worship: Remembering What's Good With God

"Praise is who I am, I will praise Him while I can...." - William Murphy Shekinah Glory

After being beaten and thrown into prison, all Paul and Silas could do was worship God. And boy was God 'moved'. Amen!

Life does get burdensome at times, and often brings pain and bruises. But don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshiping what's right with God. So often in our "all about me" way of thinking we forget what worship is all about. Worship is forgetting about what's wrong with you, what's wrong with the world around you, and remembering what is right with God. It's like hitting the refresh key on your computer screen. Worship brings focus where it should be, on God. It brings restoration to the spirit, gives vitality to the heart, renewal to our mind, and strength and encouragement to our very being; reminding us that we are not facing this thing called life alone - God is beside us. Mark Batterson says "worship not only changes the spiritual atmosphere, it RECHARGES those involved." Why, because God is there, and where God is it's never plain and ordinary. God is ready to be moved and move today!

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"I will bless the Lord at all times.....his praise shall continually be on my lips." - Psalm 34;1

Doin Too Much

Never make an impression bigger than you are. Remember, shadow boxers never score a knockout! – Anon

When Naaman went to Elisha the priest to be cured of his leprosy, he left mad – and still diseased – because the man of God didn’t make a big fuss over him. Hmm!

Social media posts, blogs, podcasts, etc. We live in the era of 'grand celebration,' where folks announce with fanfare anything they do to the world be it great or small, looking for a stroke of the ego or special recognition. And admittedly at times if we're not careful, we too, like Naaman, often like the great and spectacular to accompany anything we do, for we love to appear larger that life itself. But God has called on us to do the small, holy and righteous tasks day in and day out; and victory is assured. Any aura we give off bigger than ourselves should only point others to the ONE whom we serve.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:11-12

Wonderful Matchless Gift of Grace

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace. – R. Otto

Abraham, Jacob, David, Peter, Paul….the list could go on and on with men like these who knew God lives on both sides of the grace equation. And that’s a good thing. AMEN!

As he so often does; the enemy of God tries to deceive us into thinking we are unworthy of God’s goodness in any case whether good or bad. If sin besets us, he screams “you’re not worthy of His forgiveness or mercy.” If blessings become us, he states “you don’t deserve such favor.” But God looks for opportunity in either case to extend His wonderful matchless grace to us. No matter what comes your way today or tomorrow, always remember “His grace is sufficient.”

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many….But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” – Romans 5:15, 20

Always Have The Master's Plan

A man without a plan for the day is lost before he starts. – L. Bendele

The bible tells us Jesus often started his day

very early in the morning meeting with his Father. He never once lost HIS WAY! Hmmm.

Most, if not all of us would say we always have plans. And we’ve got our schedules on our phone, I-pad, PC, wall/desk calendars to remind us. We’ve also got, agendas, to-do lists, and errands to work on to keep them in order. But if we truly believe we were made for God’s glory and God’s purposes then we must realize nothing on our horizon should supplant his desires. To start our day without seeking his will, direction, guidance, and protection, is to start without a plan, and failure is imminent. Did you REALLY stop to pray this morning?

Until Monday…….

Pastor Botts

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.”

– Proverbs 3:5-7

Roads Not Traveled Again

If you must make mistakes, it would be more to your credit if you’d make a new one each time. – Sparks

Though Peter denied the Lord on that fateful night, as imperfect as he was he never went down that road again. Hmm!

No matter how long we’ve been around “learn from your mistakes,” is a siren call we’ve heard almost all of our lives. And true to the task many of us have learned, albeit the wrong way. We still commit the offense (sin), but we’ve learned how to make it seem plausible, acceptable, even almost necessary; that we may live with the guilt. Our old excuses may work with one another, but God looks on our hearts and no matter how we want to perceive it, with God it is still wrong, and one for which we will have to give an answer. His will is that we learn to avoid the mistakes, not grow to accept them. He knew we were imperfect which is why He sent a redeemer and reconciler. But if we continue in our ways we cannot be His disciples.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” – Romans 6:1-2

P.S. - To access the daily devotional (The Word for You Today) go to mydevoapp.com. The app access code is ISO.

A World of Possibilities

Some of the world’s greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible. – D. Larson

Before Peter came to his “senses” and started to sink, his faith had allowed him to walk on water. Wow!

Breaking the sound barrier! Discovering Penicillin! Building the Golden Gate Bridge! All examples of the impossible being done by people not “book smart” enough to know it couldn’t be done, but with faith and determination to go at it until they did. Truthfully, if we all took a few moments to reflect back over our lives I’m sure we’ll see the impossible has been worked quite often there as well. Trials, tribulations, mountains, problems, situations that we thought were impossible to overcome have suddenly become vague items in the rear view mirror of life because of God’s blessing. Life’s situations may seem hard today, but remember, nothing’s impossible.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“’If you can’?  said Jesus. Everything is possible for him who believes.” – Mark 9:23

Joyful Reminders

Death leaves a scar only God can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. – Anon

When Thomas saw Jesus’ scars he cried out ‘My Lord and My God!’ – Hmm!

Scars! We all have them, physical, emotional, spiritual. The question is how do we ourselves view them? Are they bitter reminders of the hurt or trauma we experienced that often bring back the pain of the event, or are they joyful reminders of how God in His infinite grace stepped in to bring healing and restore our hope? If it is really true that ‘all healing comes from God’ then maybe that’s an indication of the direction we should lean. But in any case, God leaves the choice of how we view our scars to us.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…Finally, let no one cause me trouble for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”

-Galatians 6:17

The Pain Process

To hurry away pain is to leave a classroom still in session. – Y. Lababidi

Because of his great endurance, Job learned to know and love God in a whole new way. AMEN!

No one likes pain, but it is a reminder of our humanness, our frailties. God has so designed it that pain is often our timekeeper, reminding us of our limitations. It is the heart or body’s mechanism to signal something is wrong, something needs to be addressed – and we can’t go on like this until it is noted and healed. Pain is never without reason and what we need to understand is you can’t rush the healing of a broken heart or spirit, or relationship. The pain is there to remind us we’re just not quite ready, we need more time (to hear God’s calling). So we need not fear to admit we have pain, for it should inspire us to know that God is still working in our lives and we need to seek His understanding in it.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11

Work on Far Greater Things

To be physically fit, one has to actually get ‘physical.’ - Anon

David was a valiant warrior because he

trained himself to be one, just ask Saul. OUCH!

Whether we want to believe it or not, this

great God we serve has a plan for every aspect of our lives, and that actually includes provisions for our physical well-being. True, most of us work hard at work, but we seldom work hard on our health. But God expects us to do so “bodily exercise is of value.” (I Tim. 4:8). Our culture and society is one where leisure is glorified and mass consumption is worshiped. But God did not create us to live lives of gluttony or laziness. He created us to do far greater things. The truth is the more we exercise and learn to say ‘no’ to those times of temptation to just skip it or give in, the stronger we also grow in our battle to resist the enemy in his other deceptive tactics upon our lives, and in both cases we become better fit to serve.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“….so, whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God…” – I Corinthians 10:31

Sunglasses of Faith

Some things have to be believed to be seen. – A. Hodgson

Noah had never seen rain in his life, but that didn’t stop him from building the ark. It came in handy later on. WOW!

We readily “ooh” and “aah” and applaud thunderously at magicians with their sleight of hand, smoke and mirrors, and trick angle presentations to amuse us, though we know its trickery. But everyday God presents an incomparable array of natural beauty, windows of great opportunity, and unconditional love; yet He barely gets a raised eyebrow from most. We often miss it because of our self-centered focus. God does reward those who truly seek after Him, for it is only through the eyes of faith that we can actually see Him at work, and when we do it is a most beautiful sight. If we’ve been missing God, it’s not because He’s not there, it’s because we have too much glare (distractions) in our lives. Maybe we need to put on the sunglasses of faith to see a bit more clearly.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice….Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.” – Hebrews 11:17,19

P.S. - Hello Southside Family. Today is the National Day of Prayer. I'm asking, if you're able, for us to fast and pray until NOON today. Using Luke 18:1 as a guide pray that this world crisis will begin to turn our hearts back to God.

I Am A Friend Of...

Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his friends for his life. – J. Thorpe

Abram left everything (family, homeland, etc.) to follow God’s call. He was later called a ‘friend of God.’ Hmm!

The saying ‘birds of a feather flock together’ has a lot of truth to it. By nature we generally associate and befriend those that are somewhat like us. That’s okay if and when we’re trying to live for Christ, but often we want to live for Jesus but keep the same old friends and the same old habits. One of the best ways to break a habit is to get away from those who aid us in keeping it. That may mean letting go of some of our ‘well intentioned’ friendships and associations. God’s word calls on us to ‘forsake mother, father, sister, and brother’ if they will in any way impede our coming to Him, meaning some of our closest relationships may need to be broken in our quest for  eternal life. The question is how much do we love God?

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” – James 4:4

Love Intended

To truly love a person means to see them as God intended them to be. – G. Dostoyevsky

When Jesus first called Simon by the name of Peter, he had a vision of who Peter would become one day, and then he helped him get there. WOW!

We all can look back and see where we’ve come from and how we’ve changed; and generally we like the changes that have occurred. We can see the habits we’ve broken or overcome by God’s grace. God did not condemn us in our sin, but loved us through them. God does not accept our sin but loves us in spite of it. As those made in His image we are called to display the same grace with others – to love them through their shortcomings, no matter what they may be; for in doing so we will aid them in achieving their godly purpose. As God directs people our way today, may our eyes look to the heart.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do not consider his appearance or his height….The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – I Samuel 16:7

Spring Clean Up

A trip to nostalgia now and then is good for the spirit, so long as you don’t set up housekeeping. – D. Bartolovic

After witnessing Jesus' transfiguration, Peter wanted to stay there and build altars. God said no, follow My Son. AMEN!

Closets, attics, trunks, garages, refrigerators. What do they all have in common - they are storage spaces. But the other thing they have in common is every so often they need to be cleaned, purged of old useless, spoiled, outdated items. True, some of these items carry great memories, but yet and still they must go to make room for new ones. Even God told His people "forget the past, behold I'm doing a new thing...." All too often our holding on to items, relics, etc., make us complacent and unable to move forward. But move on we must, and the truth is we will experience even greater marvels of God's glory in our lives. So maybe it's time we do a little housecleaning in eager expectation that something good is on the way.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....But one thing I do: 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......" - Philippians 3:13-14

Helping to Build

You can stand tall without standing on someone, and you can be a victor without having victims. – H. Woods

Jesus said “there is none greater in heaven than John the Baptist,” and all he did was preach and baptize. Hmm!

One of the worldly perspectives we digest early on in life is that there is always a winner and a loser, that someone has to come out on top; and at all costs we’re to make sure that someone is us. And in truth we spend an inordinate amount of time trying to ‘scratch and claw’ our way up the ladder of success, for success requires the type of thinking and action where one must fight for all they get. In the search for significance, however; one seeks how they may best benefit society and those around them. Their way of thinking is not self-fulfillment but the enrichment of others, which is wholly in line with God’s desires, for we never stand taller than when we reach down to help someone else up.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself….” – Romans 15:2-3