Do Right No Matter What

You cannot make yourself feel something you do not feel, but you can make yourself do right in spite of your feelings. – Pearl S. Buck

Job lost everything he had, including his health. His wife wanted him to curse God. He just couldn’t do it. AMEN!

At times in life it seems like everything we’re involved in is collapsing or going bad. Investments go south, friendships go stale, career gets sidetracked, etc. Difficult as these times are they are good opportunities to stop and examine what is truly important to us; our relationship with our Heavenly Father. In spite of all that is happening He is still worthy of praise. It might not come easily but it should come. Without God we would be totally lost. Our praise for Him does not depend on our success but on His goodness, grace, mercy, and faithfulness. No matter what happens to us in life we can always choose to praise Him.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls – Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” - Habakkuk 3:17-18

The Habits to Break

First we make our habits, and then our habits make us. – Anon

Daniel’s enemies knew exactly where he would be and what he would be doing at the hour of prayer. Wow!

When you get right down to it, most of what we do in our day to day life is out of habits we have developed over time. Just getting dressed we develop them (right leg first or left in putting on pants, right arm first or left in putting on a shirt or jacket), comfortable ‘motions’ that we rarely think about – habits. Some habits will inevitably bring us closer to God and others will lead us away from His path and blessings. And often many of those that lead us away are presented innocently through ‘friends’ and acquaintances and seem quite harmless. But any activity that hooks us and creates a conscious ‘tug’ in our hearts between serving God in righteousness and appeasing our own desires should be examined closely. God has never been against us enjoying life, but our enjoyment of life should never precede our enjoying and yielding to Him in all things. God is ready to help us change or break those habits that hinder our growth in Him, so, if at first you don’t succeed – try praying.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts“

….Do not be deceived: ‘evil company corrupts good habits…..” – I Corinthians 15:33

Solid Convictions

Beliefs are what you hold, convictions are what hold you. – H.G. Wells

Joseph could not bring himself to sin against his God with Potiphar’s wife. Samuel could not sin against his God by failing to pray for His people. Beliefs no, convictions YES!

There is a common saying we’re all familiar with “talk is cheap,” meaning we are proven by our actions rather than by our words. Many a person has gone down in flames because they got their beliefs confused with their convictions. The enemy will always attack our beliefs - he attacked Jesus in Matthew 4 - just to see our response. For one growing in the faith there comes a crossing over point where we truly realize, feel, and understand the great love God has lavished on us, and we are convicted in our hearts never to cross or sever that bond nor leave its confines. That’s a worldview worth having.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” – II Corinthians 5:13-15

Slow to Anger

If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape 100 days of sorrow. – Chinese Proverb

Though James and John were angry with the Samaritans and wanted to destroy them because of their opposition, Jesus made them hold their peace. John was later invited to pray with them. WOW!

ANGER! An emotion that often gets out of hand when it’s “not about us.” The key to remember is the enemy knows this and often toys with us. A person who is not able to control their emotions and urges is ripe for disaster, with results that tend to be burdensome and long-lasting. If we fix our hearts and minds with the desire to bring God glory in all situations today, our tomorrows will certainly be rewarded.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22

Being Friends

God evidently does not intend us all to be rich, or powerful, or great, but He does intend us all to be friends. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Jonathan would not let the kingship nor his father, king Saul, take from him what he cherished most – FRIENDSHIP with David. Hmm!

In any society there are only so many that can be leaders, standouts, or greats if you will. But in reality they cannot be such without the support of the people, so to be a standout or great is really nothing without friends to support you. One of the key elements God looks for in us down here is our ability to love one another in spite of our different stations, cultures, or preferences, and to prefer one another over ourselves – that’s a picture of true friendship. Remember, it’s easier to be a friend than to find one.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“You are my friends if you do what I command.” – John 15:14

I'm Chasing After Who?

It’s more important to have something to live for, than plenty to live on. – Anon

Though she only had the 2 coins to give, the widow's giving showed she lived by faith. Hmm!

We live in a land of plenty and we’re constantly bombarded with ads that say more is better, that you need the latest, greatest gadget or model to make your life easier, or free up your time to do more. And to no one’s surprise we’re constantly chasing the AMERICAN DREAM. This is not to say that having an abundance is sinful, but God never sent us on a quest for the American dream. He put within us a yearning, a strong desire for communion with Him. And not only did He promise to supply all that we need, He said He would consider our wants as well. So as we work today, this month, etc., let us consider who or what it truly is we are chasing – God or Americana.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21

BEING Like Christ

If you walk, just walk, if you sit, just sit. But whatever you do, don’t wobble. – Anon.

Not much is said about Enoch’s life, but we know his talk must have matched his walk as he walked with God daily. Then God TOOK HIM!

Here it is Monday. We’re away from the saints, the ‘hallelujahs and Amens,’ and God’s house; out and about on public display. What will we do/say, who will we be? Life in the church building or sanctuary is easy, life in everyday settings is not. Temptation abounds (gossip, lying, crude talk or language, self-promotion,  keeping bad company, etc., )so our prayers should be that the visible evidence we put forth today would be enough to convict us beyond a reasonable doubt that we truly belong to Christ.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your

‘No’, ‘No.’ anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” – Matthew 6:37

The Practice of Habit Changing

Habit is overcome by habit.  – T. Kempis

Daniel’s ‘prayer’ habit kept him close to God and got him out of a few close calls. Hmm!  

It’s no secret that we get good at what we practice. The more times we repeat a process, the stronger and more refined it becomes in our psyche and way of life. This is okay if the action is virtuous and wholesome, but more often that naught because we often seek the easy, quick, and less burdensome application of ourselves we develop some bad habits. The good news is they can be overcome. And the way to overcome bad habits is the same as developing good habits – practice. We can’t wish them away, send them away, nor ignore them; we simply must put something more beneficial in their place and continue to practice it until it completely roots it out and replaces it. Prayer can help, but only to the extent we’re willing to do or practice what we’re praying about. Change can begin today if we’re just willing to develop the habit.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“[Jesus] went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom.” – Luke 4:16

Be Better

If you are good, be better. – Anon

Cornelius lived a righteous and devout life and loved giving alms to God. Peter told him how to live even better. AMEN!

A wise Elder of ours lived his life by the credo “education begins the day you’re born and ends the day you die.”  Many of us often live our lives as if we’ve peaked, we’ve reached a certain age or status and so we’ve settled in there – “good enough” we say. Some of us have accomplished major goals and aspirations and we’ve settled there – “I made it” we say. But just as the products we buy are often ‘New and Improved’ God is always at his work in our lives, trying to better shape, purge, refine, and polish us that we may shine even brighter for Him. So no matter how far we’ve come and how miraculous our change for the better has been, He’s not finished so neither should we be.

Until tomorrow………

Pastor Botts

“He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor.” – Proverbs 21:21

A More Beautiful Tomorrow

What a caterpillar calls the end of the world, God calls a beautiful butterfly.  – Anon

Jesus went to the cross not so much to die, but moreso that we might live. Hmm!

For most of us there are things that we say we just can’t do without, that life would not be worth it if we had to give up __________ (fill in the blank). Often we even rationalize with ourselves and question why God would want to keep us from such things. The reason is that He knows what tomorrow holds, plain and simple. Because God is always at His work, there may be some things He is trying to bring to an end in our lives that the new life may begin. Those habits, quirks, ‘needs,’ that we just can’t seem to live without, God is trying to show us the beauty life can bring without them. As the circumstances of life come upon us today and in the near future, maybe we need to pay attention to what God is addressing in us, for there is much more beauty in all of us to behold.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time…” Ecclesiastes 3:10-11

Great Conversation Great Sacrifice

Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and tangible. – A. Murray

Jesus fasted 40 days and also withdrew to lonely places to pray. You can’t beat His results. Hmm!

It doesn’t happen often but sometimes in life we are faced with the delight of choosing between the better of two very appealing options (steak or lobster, cake or pie, exercise or rest, etc.). In our relationship with God it’s no different. He always welcomes us in prayer, enjoying the time we spend in conversation with Him. But also, He is elated with our times of sacrifice in order that we may draw closer to Him as well. Hmm... what shall we choose? Either way we can’t lose.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts 

“…When you fast put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father….” – Matthew 6:17-18

P.S. - Thank You for helping us celebrate our 40th anniversary in such a special way. It refreshed our spirits to see so many of your faces in person as opposed to 'on screen'. Your thoughtfulness and generosity is greatly appreciated. You are a special people. 

With our love,

Bro. & Sis. Botts

Good Through the Bad

Expecting life to treat you well because you are a good person is like expecting a hungry bear not to charge you because you're a vegetarian. - S. Barr

For all the good he did for Saul, David couldn't understand why Saul wanted him dead. The kingdom maybe. Hmm!

Live long enough and you will find that bad things do happen to good people - OFTEN! We seem surprised at times that the hardships or misfortunes of life come home to implode on us. We even sometimes become indignant about it, as if we have a free pass because we're good people, we do everything right, we play fair and by the rules. But the issues of life apply to all, no one is above hardship or exempt from misfortune. These are often learning and growth opportunities for our faith and maturity. If we trust "that in all things God works for the good..." in perfecting our faith, then we must have a few of these events in our lives for Him to work through. So as these situations arise in our lives we shouldn't look for an escape clause but for God's purpose and an opportunity to grow closer.

Until Monday......

Pastor Botts

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." - Matthew 5:11

Invitations To Decline

Once you open the floodgates, you cannot tell the water where to run. – T. Sowell

Yes, Job's friends were miserable comforters

indeed, but he did invite them over. Hmm!

Once a dam or levee breaks or gives way, the

only thing left to do is assess the damage afterwards. And it always seems there is much more damage than expected or estimated. So it is when we decide to engage our enemy - Satan. So often, when Satan comes our way with his calling card many of us will hold a debate with him. This is wrong and plays right into his hands, just ask Eve. The implications of one sinful encounter are enormous and impact far more people than you will ever imagine. Satan will always take us further than we want to go, stay longer than our invitation, and cost us more than we ever anticipated. As the day unfolds may we be wise and practice much self-control.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid

every kind of evil.” – I Thessalonians 5:21-22

The Best at What We Do

Amazing. The more often I try something, the better I get at it! - G. Richards

Nehemiah, the more he prayed, the more he had need to pray. Amen!

When you hear titles like 'Virtuoso,' 'Master Craftsman,' 'Expert,' etc., you tend to think of individuals who are very, very good at what they do. They've mastered their craft or skill through hours and hours and hours of repetition and testing. The same dynamic holds true for us as well. We can and do become proficient at anything we do often enough, and with continued practice/application become highly skilled or a master. But here is the caveat - when we don't practice the things that make us strong and help us to grow in our faith, we are actually in fact practicing the things that will turn us away from God. We either practice righteousness or unrighteousness - there is no in between or sitting still. We're often tempted not to do something for God for we fear we will do a poor job. That's just the enemy getting in our head. We need to remember every giant in the faith before us started out just as us, but just kept on being faithful. Remember we're responsible for the work, the increase is up to God.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters." - Matthew 12:30

Releasing the Old

To become a butterfly you must be willing to give up being a caterpillar. – T. Paulus

Much of Paul’s success as a missionary for Christ was because he ‘counted’ his former life as a Pharisee as nothing. Hmm!

No doubt about it, a butterfly catches your eye. The way it flits about without a care, the beauty of its colorful wings waving in the breeze. We admire and often desire such beauty in our lives. But make no mistake about it friend, it took a lot for this creature to arrive at this point, a whole lot. In this case of metamorphosis the caterpillar ceases to exist completely (dies to self) that the beautiful butterfly may be born. Wow! In our quest for such beauty some of us like to settle for the cosmetic or wardrobe change thinking this will be all that is required, maybe fooling those around us but certainly not fooling ourselves, and certainly not God. The person we truly desire to be for God is possible, but it will require like the caterpillar that we ‘die to self’ that our new creation may gain life. I can guarantee that you will indeed love the ‘new you!’

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” – II Corinthians 5:17

Life in an Orderly Fashion

Life is much too complicated not to be orderly. – Anon

Daniel’s life was such that he needed to stop all he was doing to pray at least 3 times a day. It kept him focused!

It’s a debate that has been going on almost since the beginning of time: Did God actually create the heavens and the earth or did they just ‘spring’ forth from chaos (big bang). I think by now all of us are smart enough to know from personal experiences that chaos only creates more chaos, not order or peace. Man can explain how things may work in God’s creation, but he can’t explain why they work. And he knows if they don’t work properly we have chaos and disorder. The bottom line in all of this for us is that unless we put our life in proper order – God first in all things – we too will suffer chaos, disorder, and disappointment in greater proportion than normal.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” – I Corinthians 14:40

Fellowship with One Another

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. - Anon

The first thing Paul often sought on his many journeys was the town's temple or meeting place. Why, that's where the other believers were. AMEN!

Fellowship with other believers is essential for all of us. We learn and benefit from hearing each other’s stories. These times allow us to share in each other’s lives and grow closer together and united. True Christian fellowship serves as a vital intersection of our relationship with God and with one another. The scriptures are very clear and expressive about this: “It is not good for man to be alone….”, “two are better than one….”, “a cord of many strands is not easily broken…” There is in each of us a sincere desire to know we’re not alone, to find those like us for fellowship. And just as the Lone Ranger had Tonto, our group may not look much like us either.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

"...if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another..." - I John 1:7

To Love A Fallen World

God so loved the world..........what about you? - Anon

Even though his brother Jacob stole his birthright and blessing, Esau learned to forgive and forget. Wow!

Admittedly, we live in a fallen world full of corruption, greed, deceit, selfishness and all other kinds of ills one could imagine. And, we don't have to go very far to see it, for it's all around us,  often directly impacting our personal space. We can bemoan the situation, speak evil of it,  or even condemn to hell those practicing such things. But the sobering truth is God requires much more of us. Jesus was born into such a fallen world to save "all who would believe" and He loved many of those who practiced such sinful activities into the kingdom, including us. He was not tolerant of their sins, but He loved them 'more' than their sin, and His love won out. Now it's our turn. So before we speak evil or condescendingly of anyone, let's remember why we were actually saved and sent.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick......For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" - Matthew 9:12-13

Look For the Good

Some people miss the silver lining because they’re expecting gold. – M. Setter

Though the ‘agreed upon’ wages were enough to support them and their families, some vineyard workers were upset when the paymaster paid everyone in full. The key is they were paid.

We are truly a blessed people, moreso than we will ever know. We live in a land of plenty with great freedoms, yet we are often upset or angry at life. But everything God allows upon us has a place in His perfect plan – because He’s working it out for our good. So even in the valley of despair we can have hope and joyful expectation that ‘good’ is ours to find for He works ‘all things’ together that way. The key is to see it from God’s point of view and not our own. He never promised our walk would always be easy, but He did promise to walk with us. And besides, all that glitters isn’t gold anyway!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

P.S. - If you're joining us tonight via ZOOM for Bible study you might want to make sure your browser/system is updated to version 5 for registration. 

Victorious In Jesus

“I'm a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn't have the heart to let him down.” - Abraham Lincoln

Paul considered everything he suffered a ‘momentary’ thing compared to what awaited

him in glory. Hmm!

In the ‘Road Less Traveled’ (Scott Peck) the book opens with an ominous but very

obvious truth: Life is difficult! And for many of us that is putting it mildly. We not only experience difficulties, we endure tragic accidents and illnesses. We endure family where addictions, habits, emotional and mental issues just seem to expand the dysfunctional nature. It seems our spirit is under attack on a daily basis. We try to live with authenticity, but we know within we’re not bullet-proof or immune to the effects. The one truth we should NEVER forget though is God is with us too! What no calamity can do is devour our faith. Test it – YES, devour it – NEVER! In Christ we are victors not victims. Our battle may not be won today, but it will be won. Life is full of buzzer-beating examples, why not be one of them!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will

look in triumph on my enemies.” – Psalm 118:7

The Wonder of Tears

Tears are like rain. They loosen up the ‘soil’ of our hearts so we can grow towards God. – V. Casey

At the home of Simon the Pharisee, a sinful ‘teary eyed’ woman had a life changing event at the feet of Jesus. Hmm!

In the movie ‘A League of Their Own’ Tom Hanks as the coach screams “there’s no crying in baseball” at one of his players as she breaks out in tears on the field. There may be no crying in baseball, but there certainly is in life. Male or female, God made us all just the same, and shedding tears often admits our hurts, fears, and failures to ourselves and to God. And that’s a good thing friend.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

”Restore our fortunes, O Lord like streams in

the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” – Psalm 126:4-6