Sermon Pop What's In Your Hand -Komaa Evans

Catch the premier of the latest Sermon Pop "What's In Your Hand" by Pastor Komaa Evans on our YouTube channel today at 10:15am! #SouthsideSunday #TuesdayThoughts

Online Service Outdoors 9/20/20 [Full] #SouthsideSunday

Premiering today!

Southside Announcements 9/20/20

Virtual Women's Retreat

Managing the Time

You may delay, but time will not. – Benjamin Franklin 

Though God wears not a watch nor has a calendar, He knew exactly when to rescue Israel AND send us a Savior. Hmm!

The ‘inevitable.’ Whatever it is, it’s what everyone wants to put off until the last moment. But try as we may, time will not stop, slow down, nor be added to keep it from happening. God has given us each an allotted number of days in His book, and the desire of His heart is that we come to know Him personally and fulfill the purpose for which He created us. Today we are a bit closer to the end of our time than the beginning, so it should motivate us to set our relationships right, live at peace with each other, and most of all square things with God.

I will be leaving for a few days of vacation beginning today. So until I return this keyboard will be silent…..

Pastor Botts

“….all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” – Psalm 139:16

Online Service Outdoors 09-13-20 [Full]

Catch the premier at 10:15am!

Responding to Revelation

Any fool can know, the point is to understand! - Albert Einstein

Even though the disciples walked with Jesus daily it wasn't until His death, burial and resurrection that they truly 'got him!' - WOW!

There's a song with the refrain "I wish I knew then what I know now..." intimating that if I had only known these things about life when I was younger, I would've made different choices and been better off. Really! Would we? Nobody gets to live life backwards. There are many things we know right now that are bad for us, yet we continue in them anyway. Habits or vices that are unhealthy, unproductive, or even downright sinful. Revelation is not given to us to review or spotlight the past, but to help prepare us for the future, for that's where we're headed. And revelation is always given at the proper time never before. The question we must answer is whenever it is given, what will be our response?

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...." - Philippians 3:13-14

The Demand for Truth

As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand.  – J. Billings

Pilate ‘claimed’ he really wanted to know what truth was. Jesus was standing right in front of him. Hmm!

Ask anyone what they prefer, truth or fiction; and inevitably they all choose the truth. The sad thing is we only want that portion of truth that agrees with or coincides with the way we want to live our lives. However, truth is either absolute (applies equally to everyone) or it is no truth at all.  We all know 99% truth and 1% falsehood makes the entire statement false. And it’s not so much in the knowing of the truth as it is the showing of the truth in our daily living. Truth has no special time; its hour is now- ALWAYS! Remember, even if no one else is watching – God is.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” – John 17:17-18

Southside Announcements 9/13/20

Knowing the REAL nemy

When it’s time to fight a war, it’s best you know who the enemy is – and who it isn’t. – M. Nappa

During his kingship, Saul spent a great amount of time and energy pursuing David as his enemy. He should have just looked in the mirror for that. Hmm!

Anyone who has ever tried to do something worthwhile knows it often comes amid battle. Trying to live the righteous and Christian life is no different. However, the battles we fight are often of our own making and against our own ally (God) because of our hardness of heart and selfish desires. Like Paul we often ‘kick against the pricks’ when God is trying to work in corrections, or bring blessings in our lives. Life would be much easier if we could get ourselves out of the way!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.’” – Matthew 16:23

Doing Something Together

Just because you can’t do everything, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do anything! – Anon

The widow’s mite wasn’t much in the overall total, but yet it had great impact. Wow!

The paralysis of analysis. We all often reach this plateau in life situations. Seeing what needs to be done, how it needs to be done, and realizing we’re just one person we get overwhelmed and tend to shut down, and nothing gets done. It’s the “me” attitude. You know the slogan “if it’s going to be, it’s up to me!” In truth, this is as unscriptural as you can get. God Himself said “it is not good for man to be alone.” The real mantra of the Bible is ‘teamwork makes the dream work.’ God set us in families, churches, communities, and other relationships that we may work together, edifying, building up, and strengthening one another. Like a ripple in a pond one small act of service has unlimited potential in its outreach. So today, remember God is not counting on us to do everything, but He is looking for us to do something. May the kingdom go forward today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…” – Colossians 3:23

Sermon Pop "StandOnTheRock" -Bruce Tanner Gross

The Language of Great Imagination

Reality leaves a lot to the imagination. - John Lennon

You ever wonder what language the heavens use to 'declare' God's glory? WOW!

Here is a mind-blowing truth: God is ALWAYS bigger than anything He says or promises. Why, because words are truly inadequate to fully express His person and what He can truly do. Language is OUR means of communication - with its ideas and definitions - with one another. And as grandiose as we can make it, words could never contain or express the fullness of God Himself, no matter it be Latin, Greek, Hebrew, or the King's perfect English! And if God transcends language, can you truly imagine how great then His promises must be? And how powerful His Spirit at work in us can and should be? So I guess the question is: How great is our God, and how GREAT should He be?

Until Monday.....

Pastor Botts

"..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...." - Ephesians 3:20

Work of Heart

It’s not the job you work, but how you work the job! – Anon

Paul’s vocation was a tentmaker. Whether he was making them for sale or building one for the Lord (a church) it was all the same to him. Hmm!

Dream Jobs! Everybody seems to have one in mind, which usually includes a tropical locale or no stress or strain; and would let them reach their fullest potential and make a great contribution to society and the world. But often, the dream job we have in mind is not the one God has in mind for us. He knows exactly what He made us for and where we need to be. Whatever the job we have, it is important if it is what God gave us to do. Sometimes it may be a short stint to maybe reach one or two people, other times it may be a long stay to teach us patience or trust. The key is to make any job a work of the heart, not just an exercise of ‘muscle.’

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” – Colossians 3:23

Online Service Outdoors 9/6/20 #SouthsideSunday

Miss service live? No worries, catch the edited premier today on our official YouTube page at 10:15am! Miss the premier? You can always watch it again after it airs. Don't forget to "Like", "Subscribe" and "Share" our YouTube page.🙏🏽

Trusting Through Difficulties

Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are. – B.J. Reagon

When Jesus asked the question of him, he knew Philip had neither money nor knowledge of where to buy food for the crowd. It was a test of his faith. WOW!

It’s not hard to notice we are in some very difficult economic times. Jobs are scarce or even in hiding it seems, and even those who are working are asked to sacrifice through wage reductions, reduced hours, furloughs, etc., and yet prices for goods or services just continue to rise. But the essence of our lives rests not on how much we spend, but in how much we give of ourselves. The God we serve asks us to trust He will meet all our needs, therefore we have no need to shrink or pull back from the work He has called us to do. Why not surprise yourself today and see how much you can get for a smile, a few kind words, or a helping hand. God would be pleased!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty….” – Philippians 4:12

Time to make the BEST investment this planet has to offer

You cannot kill time without injury to eternity. – Henry David Thoreau

Jesus told his disciples they MUST work while it is day, for it would soon come a time when they couldn’t. OUCH!

Alarms, bells, whistles, chimes, etc. We’re surrounded by gadgets that each day remind us of the time. Time is the most precious commodity on planet earth. It is even more valuable than money. We can get more money, but we cannot get more time.  Each morning we all awake with the same 24-hour timeframe with which to work. How we spend it will well determine where we go when our time is no more. The key is not to waste it on fruitless endeavors, dead-end roads, harboring resentment and hate, or meaningless living; but rather invest it in lives and projects that will make an eternal difference. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “the time is always right to do what is right.” And that time is now, for none of us is getting younger by the day.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12

Show the Way

A picture is a poem without words. – Horace

Many of the things that she saw him do, Jesus’ mother just ‘pondered’ them in her heart.

The Grand Canyon. A solar eclipse. A Hawaiian sunrise or sunset. What do they have in common? All are pictures in our mind which bring a speechless sense of awe and wonder of the greatness of God. In this sin darkened world God also expects our lives to bring about the same response in those around us. As one great philosopher of our time has said, “preach the gospel, and if necessary; then use words.” May we all “preach” boldly today.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

In everything set them an example by doing what is good……. So that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” – Titus 2:7-8

Sermon Pop: "Live Life" Mr. Ron

Live Premier 9/8 at 10:15am

Online Service Outdoors 8/30/20 #SouthsideSunday

The Desire to Know

Learning comes not from having books, writings, or even teachers; but the DESIRE within to know. – Anon

God chose many of His servants not based on what they knew, but WHO they pursued. AMEN!

Pre-school! High School! Colleges, universities, the ‘school of hard knocks.’ All avenues of education, life preparation, and social maturation. Each student has access to all they need to learn, but yet teachers still use grades such as A,B,C… to show their progress, which in truth is a measure of the student’s desire to actually know and understand. Similarly, in our Christian lives we have the same equal access to the bible, spiritual teachers/mentors, and fellowship with other Christians, to help us grow in the faith. And we see the same results, not all of us pursue spiritual growth with the same passion or desire. God is calling us into a relationship to ‘know Him’ not just know about Him. And as gracious as He is, He won’t be using a grading scale like our earthly teachers.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“…One thing I ask of the Lord. This is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.” – Psalm 27:4

Fighting for God Time

Where there is no battle there is no victory. The greater the battle the greater the victory. - J. Morse

Paul in writing to the Philippians said, if anything in his life didn't bring him towards Christ he counted it as lost. Wow!

We know God prunes us from time to time, taking away that which is unproductive and sapping in our spiritual life that we may be more fruitful. But here's a question, do we ever prune ourselves? Do we ever take time  to review our situation/circumstances to see where we're giving or expending energy to projects, people, entertainments, etc., that really isn't giving new life back to us? As an example, if I'm constantly spending to repair my car, maybe it's time to get another one. Or, if I'm constantly rescuing a friend or family member maybe it's time to let them go 'in love.' If I'm constantly glued to the TV or other recreation at the time of study, worship, or other life-giving fellowships, maybe I need to cut away from it  and allow God space to work. It's not so much the question of what do you have to lose, but more so what you might gain. And more time with God is always a good investment.

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"A man ought to examine himself...." - I Corinthians 11:28

Sometimes You Just Gotta Laugh

If you don’t have a sense of humor, you probably don’t have any sense at all. – Anon

 

When Abraham heard from God he was to have a son in his ‘ripe’ old age, he didn’t know what to do, so he just laughed. Hmm!

 

A smile! A light chuckle! A gut-busting laugh! Just a few ways we acknowledge some of the lighter things in life and how we cope. Life’s activities and circumstances are geared to elicit some sort of response from us, and it was God who gave us the ability to laugh, cry, be happy, or sad. To take everything so serious and never allow any humor in our lives is to invite much more stress and anxiety on us than necessary, and it will take its toll. In the toughest of circumstances, oftentimes, showing a sense of humor is showing our faith and trust in God, the One who knows everything. Today might require you to exercise this gift.

 

Until tomorrow….

 

Pastor Botts

 

“There is a time for everything……a time to weep and a time to laugh….” – Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

At God's Pace

If you're not running your race, then you're running at someone else's pace. - Anon

When the Prodigal Son 'found' himself life got a whole lot simpler and more rewarding. Hmm!

If you've ever watched a track and field meet, in the distance races it seems someone always tries to set the pace. A pace they are comfortable with but with little concern for the others. The objective is to force the other runners to adjust to your stride hopefully tiring them out and taking the life out them. In life, when we let issues like conceit, prejudice, bitterness, envy, jealousy, comparison - just to name a few - crowd and direct our lives, we're in essence running someone else's race or running at someone else's pace. We're allowing them to control us through these mechanisms, suck the joy out of daily life, and miss out on the beautiful life God has for us. If anything, Enoch's life story shows us that walking at God's pace can be quite rewarding. Care for a stroll?

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." - Hebrews 12:1