Equipped for What's Ahead

Use what talents you possess: The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those who sang best. – H. VanDyke

God sent Moses on his way to liberate His people from Pharaoh with just a ‘staff’ in his hand. It actually worked! WOW!

Training, preparation, honing one's skills. All things we do in life to help us get better and move forward - sort of. Often we don't, we get used to the preparation, and sometimes we let the preparation become our goal, rather than what it should be preparing us for. We begin to overanalyze the situation and tell ourselves we're not quite ready, we need a little more training. So we often shrink back from the work or call of God, figuring we’re not prepared, qualified, or rightly situated to do it. It's called 'paralysis by analysis.' But in reality God has equipped each of us with exactly what we need for each new encounter. Remember, God never gives the test until He has equipped us, or reminded us we need to call on Him. May we all ‘sing’ for Him today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us...” – Romans 12:6

P.S. - As we end 'Black History' month please feel free to wear your Ethnic Attire this Sunday.

Mere Mortals

The best of men are still men at best. – Anon

Peter’s sermon brought 3,000 plus into the church on Pentecost, but he still had a problem with Gentiles. Hmm!

We put a lot of stock and confidence in individuals for their accomplishments, deeds, and contributions to society, and well we should. But we should always remember that God was and is in the plans. The fact that He chooses to remain anonymous does not dismiss us from giving glory to Him. No man yet has accomplished anything by himself (except condemning himself to hell) and without the strength, wisdom, resources, and blessing of God he is no more than mortal and sin driven. Thanks be to God that He uses ordinary men to do extraordinary things. Look up, for today it may just be your turn.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me……Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” – Romans 7:21-25

Online Service 02/21/21 #SouthsideSunday

Here's the latest Online Service 02/21/21. Comin at ya via YouTube at 10am! Is Jesus being Unreasonable? Find out here! SouthsideSunday

https://youtu.be/fUdI0u7GmVI

Sermon Pop "What Now?" #SouthsideSunday

Catch the latest Sermon Pop premier "What Now?" today at 10am via YouTube Can God use you? Southside Sunday

https://youtu.be/gTPXCGBef_c

No Growth Shortcuts

A Christian is never in a state of completion, but always in the process of becoming. – Martin Luther

Moses thought he was ready at age 40 to lead God’s people. God didn’t call until he reached the age of 80. Hmm!

Everybody is looking for the quick and easy way to make it. The truism that ‘slow and steady wins the race’ has been somewhat kicked to the curb. Just look around us, in sports its now steroids or PED’s for success, in finance its trading on insider information. In health its now fad diets, highly concentrated exercise plans, or even medical procedures. And this kind of thinking often filters its way into other areas of life. But with our spiritual development and growth there are no steroids, fast-track plans, insider tips, or invasive procedures to pump up our souls. As much as we try to force it, rearrange it, or change it, God still builds our faith, character, integrity, and trust the old fashioned way – through discipline and love. You can’t hurry either of these. So if we’re looking to grow, and we should; then we need to apply ourselves to a regimen of study, submission, AND application to what the Spirit of God reveals to us. Today will have a few exams, I hope we’re all prepared.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” – I Corinthians 13:11

Price Value Worth

Price is not the same as value! - Anon

Don't ask Esau the value of a birthright. OUCH!

Price! So many different terms (wholesale, retail, discount, sales, etc.) it's hard to truly determine worth. And worth itself is somewhat objective depending on the individual. And what's worse is we've confused all of this with value. Example, we'll pay a star athlete or top-movie star millions a year to excite or entertain us for a few hours, but teachers and educators almost pennies on the dollar (comparatively) to educate us and help prepare us for life. Go figure! God referred to Esau as 'godless' for selling his birthright for a bowl of stew; meaning he did not know the true value of what he possessed. As a society often we're not far behind. God is not against fame or fortune, he just wants us to realize in the grand scheme of life they are not that important. What we add to life by way of the blessings He gives to us is the key. Don't miscalculate the value of your life or your contribution to God's work. We will all give an account one day.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"...the Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are His delight." - Proverbs 11:1

Did You Catch That?

True, there is nothing new under the sun, but everyday is new with God. – A. Bierce

When Jesus taught the people from the very scriptures they had known all their lives they were in a word – AMAZED!

Routine is as routine does. For most of us our life is a series of routines. Rote prayers, rote activities, and rote expectations. What is sad is that we have come to accept it this way and expect it, often getting bent out of shape when it doesn’t happen. Though God may be the same “yesterday, today and forever,” the way He reveals Himself to us each day is not. With Moses it was a burning bush, with Elijah a gentle whisper. Expect the unexpected today?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“For God does speak – now one way, now another – though man may not perceive it.” – Job 32:14

4 For Christ December 2020 Set

To get you ready for Mens Day 21 this Sunday, here's some 4 For Christ melodies from December for your Music Monday! Premiering at 10am via YouTube

https://youtu.be/5jwjz8BRDa4

Sermon Pop "Calling All Unsung Heroes"

Now taking applications! It's the latest Sermon Pop premier "Calling All Unsung Heroes" today at 10am via YouTube SouthsideSunday

Betta Recognize

A good conscience is rarely heard because most people do not take advice from strangers. – Anon

Though God was their guiding cloud by day and fire by night, and did many miracles among them, He was still a stranger to the Israelites. Hmm!

“I should have listened to my first mind.” It’s a refrain we’ve all heard and even said many times in our lives, generally when things are not going as they should or we’re in distressing situations behind our decisions. Often, it’s the same way in our faith walk. No matter the amount of time we invest in prayer, study, and meditation, we seem to make decisions as if we’ve never consulted God, even at times ignoring the obvious. True, life is a summary of our experiences, but nowhere in His Word did God say they all had to be ‘personal experiences.’ Life is often rough because we take matters into our own hands against sound judgment. We can and should learn from others experiences and God’s Word to enrich our lives. As the circumstances and situations of life arise today, remember God’s Spirit is friend, not foe.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:27

Online Service 2/14/21 #SouthsideSunday

Catch what you missed from this past Sunday's Valentines Day Online Service 2/14/21 SouthsideSunday Premiering at 10am via YouTube

https://youtu.be/D0Ub5Udfc74

Trust in the Unseen

Just because YOU can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there. - Anon

Blind Bartimaeus couldn't actually see Jesus passing, but he knew HEALING was there for the asking. WOW!

We've all done it, and often. Searching for something that was right in front of us, so close in fact, that had it been a snake it would have had us. And when we see it, we're dumbfounded; wondering how or why we missed it to begin with. Could you then imagine how our God feels. He's always there, watching, waiting, offering Himself, but so often we miss seeing or hearing Him, because we've made up in our heart and mind how He should appear. God has said "I will never leave or forsake you" so maybe we should just take Him at His word and trust that if we want Him, He'll stay with us all the day.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.......but the Lord was not in the wind.....but the Lord was not in the earthquake.... but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper......Then a voice said to him.....What are YOU doing here, Elijah?'" - II Kings 19:11-13

Unfulfilled Desires

If we have not what we desire, we have more than we deserve. – T. Watson

The Prodigal Son may have lost his resources and dignity, but he never lost his father’s love. WOW!

To be alive in this world is to live with unfulfilled desires. This does not mean that God has not given us the ‘desires of our heart,’ nor failed to meet our needs. It simply means that in our humanness, our desires will always outpace our living. It’s a God thing. Unchecked, such desires can frustrate and disillusion us, making us ungrateful and self-centered, when in truth all our desires should be for the things of God and His kingdom purposes. In Christ, our desires or aspirations don’t go away, we continue to pursue them, but we realize it’s God who defines us, keeps us, and provides for us; and in the end that is more than enough.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” – Philippians 4:11

Precious Time

By labor we can find food and water, but all of our labor will not find for us another hour. – K. Patton

Genesis regales us of accounts of men living 600-900+ years. But in the end they all died at their appointed time. Hmm!

When we were little we wanted to stay up an extra hour or two. Now with our technology we try to stretch it more and more. But in reality we can never increase what God has set in proper order. And in truth, it is not so much how much time we have but how we use it that really matters. Though God’s Word does say to us there is a “time for every thing” it does not truly tell us we get to DO everything – so we must make wise choices. God has set today before us and left the decisions to us. Remember, that which you truly want to do you will make the time for.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” – Matthew 6:27

"Scary" Love

Do one thing every day that scares you. - Eleanor Roosevelt

Esther's fear of approaching the king was overridden by her fear of losing her people. Hmm!

The truth is, all human hearts are yearning for something more. Why, because God put the yearning there. We look to fill it by striving for a better job, more money, dream relationships, and more stuff because we are empty on our own. This goes for everyone! We are meant for Heaven, and we’ll never find completeness in this world and its offerings. We can taste satisfaction, happiness, enjoyment - for a minute - but the THINGS that bring them are temporal. The completeness and joy we seek cannot be found in things, but in relationship, and that ONLY with Christ at the center. In Him we can find a perfect love that fills our yearning hearts and takes our satisfactions, happiness, and enjoyments to an even higher plane. It is good to seek, but only if you know what you're truly seeking after.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"So Moses thought, 'I will go over and see this strange sight - why the bush does not burn up.'" - Exodus 3:3

This Is the Way

If you don’t know where you’re going, you will probably end up somewhere else. – L. Peter

Because of their hard-heartedness, the Israelites wound up in the desert, instead of the Promised Land. OUCH!

One thing about life is there are plenty of options to choose from. We have a great menu listing that we can peruse and select from, but we must always keep the end result in mind. If heaven is your goal, then there is only one way – GOD’S WAY. The road HE places us on may not seem right to us, but only HE knows the directions to HIS place. The path may not be the most popular, the easiest, or most scenic, nor get you much notoriety, but it will get you to the destination. He’s hoping we’ll let him lead today!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.” – Psalm 27:11

P.S. - Charles Drew University (CDU) now has the opportunity to support individuals 65+ to get the COVID-19 vaccination through a facilitated process and is reaching out to local churches to provide a listing of seniors who would like to sign-up. If you would like to be included please let me know. I would like to forward a listing to them ASAP.

Online Service 2//7/21 #SouthsideSunday

Unsung Heroes Apply here! Check out the 2/7/21 Online Service Premier via YouTube at 10am to see if you qualify!😉🦸🏽‍♀️🦸🏽‍♂️ SouthsideSunday

https://youtu.be/qh4160gBjUI

Called to Be Witnesses

Never let the desire to influence be replaced with the need to control. – Anon

The Sanhedrin Council was the 'religious' right of the time, but Jesus was the 'go to' guy and ANSWERman. HMMM!

The Great Commission was a command given to one and all believers and followers of Christ. We are called to tell the “good news.” But oftentimes the message of grace and love is missed because the messenger has overwhelmed the receiver or overshadowed the message. We must be careful in our zealousness to never try to be the central point (it’s not about us) or “commanding” in our sharing. We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” – I Peter 3:15

Sermon Pop "Pearl Wisdom"

The latest SermonPop is here! Catch the premier of "Pearl Wisdom" at 10am via YouTube! GoGetIt! SouthsideSunday

https://youtu.be/eN8gipOzj2U

Living Legacy

Most people simply accept their lives - they don't lead them. - Anon

Until God called him 'mighty warrior' Gideon was content to hide in the winepress. Hmm!

Most of us know the frustration of driving or walking behind someone who's just plodding along aimlessly, purposeless, just plain in the way. It's aggravating. Truthfully, most people live this way. They seem to have no purpose, no direction, and no thought for those coming behind them, or those looking up to them. Every one of us will leave some sort of legacy or lasting impression in all our relationships be it good or bad. The key is to know what kind of legacy you want to leave and begin to live it now. Life is the most precious gift of God, and His expectation is that we will live to influence and lead others to Him. Today is a gift from God, how we use it is our gift to Him others. Live On!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord......bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God...." - Colossians 1:10

By Faith Do Your Part

One person with a belief is greater than a force of 99 who only have interests. – Plato

Jonathan, with one sword and only his armor bearer slew some 20 men, while his father and 600 soldiers caroused under a tree. Hmm!

Most of us as Christians will say we have faith and mean it. The problem is sometimes we don’t understand it. Faith is not a noun or adjective, but a VERB. That means it takes more than lip service, it takes or requires action or our part. We often refer to the 11th chapter of Hebrews as the "Hall of Faith" as it bears out what our ancestors DID in their lives announcing “by faith they did…… . whatever their part.” God doesn’t expect us to do it all, He only expects us to allow Him to work through us to accomplish His purposes, or in other words do our part to continue in writing HIS-story. We were made for a purpose – HIS. Charge!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“You dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” – I John 4:4

Win the Day Where You Are

I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody who can save anybody! - Anon

Though a valiant warrior and statesman himself with a right to the throne, Jonathan gladly stepped aside to let the kingdom pass to David. WOW!

It's true when you think about it, nobody grows up with the idea of becoming vice president or second in command, it's always the idea of president or owner. We have a desire to be on top. But the truth is no matter our desire most of us are not really cut out or molded for the top position. That being said we can still honor our God mandated purpose, for He created us to be on top of our game for Him rather than on top of an organization or structure, as someone who knows how to influence or make an impact on others, society, and the culture around us for His glory. So whether we're top or middle management, clerk level, or even unemployed, we still have cause to win the day.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...but in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be...." - I Corinthians 12:18

Navigating the Course of Life

Yes times does fly, but remember you’re the pilot. – M. Altshuler

At 17, Joseph was sold into slavery and later went to prison. At 30, he was second in command only to Pharaoh. Why – he flew according to God’s plan. Hmm!

Here we are in February 2021, and the pace is moving along pretty quickly. Time will continue to march forward as God Himself pre-ordained it. But the good thing about it is He has set the pace such that life can be lived to its fullest potential, enjoyed immensely, and shared with others; as long as He is kept first. It’s only when we allow life and its circumstances and events to ‘pilot’ us that we seem to lack the time necessary for godly virtues and values. A good pilot knows his destination and weather conditions before he even takes off, allowing him to navigate the course smoothly and timely. If things are moving too fast maybe you need to seek God about a course correction.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.” – Proverbs 15:21

Online Service 01/31/21 #SouthsideSunday

01/31/21 Online SouthsideSunday Service Premiering at 10am via Youtube! How are you feeling? And Don't miss worship with VO3!!!

https://youtu.be/hAILm_nqt-o

Learning God's Context

All things being equal, all things are never equal. - Anon

Cain brought God an offering while Abel brought God his offering. We know which one God honored. Hmm!

I’m sure we can all recall spelling bees and spelling tests from our past, and how we studied and were drilled in this. It helped us learn to read, write, communicate, and understand one another and the things of life better. And then we learned that certain words had more than one meaning so we had to learn the ‘context’ to get it right (i.e. bread – foodstuff, money). That’s one of the keys to understanding God at work in our lives. He often has a completely different spelling or understanding of words we encounter. We see them one way and He has a completely different expectation. For example:


Us                God

Problem =     opportunity

Love =          time

Faith =         obedience

The key is for us to learn these and other words in the context God presents them and respond accordingly, and remember the end result is always for His glory.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…. For my thoughts are not your thoughts….” – Isaiah 55:8

Sermon Pop: Remembering Responsibility

Catch the latest SermonPop Premier: Remembering Responsibility" today at 10am via YouTube! SouthsideSunday Be Inspired

https://youtu.be/HxBgA2FPUqQ

Going God's Way?

"Going MY way??????" - God

Pharaoh's blindness to God eventually came 'crashing' down on him. Hmm!

It's a gruesome sight to behold - a head on collision. Devastation, destruction, generally nothing but heartache comes out of it. We drive oh so carefully to avoid such tragedies. But yet we think nothing much of it in the way we live our day to day lives running into head-on collisions with God on almost a daily basis. God says 'go-do-speak-serve' and we say NO! Do we really want the God of Heaven working against us? Life is hard enough when we're walking in step with Him, why should we want to go against Him. We know the results - just ask Jonah! But yet, in our quiet strong-willed independence we do it almost every day. God becomes an afterthought to OUR plans. And even when trouble arises and we find ourselves in a jam, we stop to review OUR strategy, revise OUR plans, and test them out. Then, as a last effort we offer a prayer. Why not ask God into our day ahead of time. It's better to meet Him this way and get on the right path than to meet Him otherwise.

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." - Proverbs 14:12

"Because" Faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for…… - Hebrews 11:1

It took Nathaniel a minute when he first met Jesus, but after that he ‘believed.’ WOW!

BECAUSE! What a word. Usually it is followed by a rational or logical reason as to why something occurred, “this happened because this or that…..” That’s how we as adults understand its use. But it wasn’t always that way. As children we took it purely by faith. We’d ask our parents or someone we trusted a question, and often the answer was the single word ‘because’ and we were completely satisfied. This is the kind of faith God is searching for in our hearts today: childlike, unpretentious, trusting faith. He doesn’t mind us asking or even testing Him at times, but eventually we should get to a point where “‘because’ God said it, it’s settled and I’ll trust Him in it". The when, where, how, etc., is His business, ours is just to trust and believe it will come to pass.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….[Jesus said]…I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3

Max Yield

Our greatest need is not to do all things for good, but to believe all things work together for good. – Oswald Chambers

When Jesus came to town Martha worked herself into a tempest making sure everything was perfectly prepared and placed. Jesus said “good,” but not “great.” Hmm!

Ask any farmer and they'll tell you they don't expect to harvest every seed they sow, but they do fully believe they will harvest a good crop. And so they work to ensure not a perfect yield, but a maximum yield. It is the same with us in our work for Christ. Often, many of us get stuck in our efforts, or don't even try because we feel we can't do it perfectly. We must take care not to develop a “hardcore” Martha perspective. Yes we are saved to good works, but it is not so much the work, but the “faith” behind the works that really matters. It’s a false idea to think we can barter with God for results based on our activities. God looks within and without regarding our actions. The work He gives us today is important - yes - but not more important than the faith we do it with.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” – Acts 24:14-16