Purpose in the Interruption

Maybe God is interrupting your plans to accomplish His purposes. - Anon

God often had to put people on a 'timeout' to show them He had plans for their lives. AMEN!

"I thought I'd be further along than this! I thought I'd have finished this project by now! I thought my life would be more settled by now!" For many of us these and other thoughts along the same line ruminate in our minds. We had such high hopes, great aspirations, and GOOD intentions for ourselves. And here we are at this age, and wondering what happened. How'd we get sidetracked? But, if we were made for 'such a time as this' and 'such a place as this' maybe we're not sidetracked at all, we're just looking at our life from the wrong point of view. God is working through us to fulfill His story and the things that bring us glory are not His major concern.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." - Proverbs 19:21

Reverse! Reverse!

God has to often use reverse to move us forward. – Anon

Though he was depressed and afraid while on the run, God told Elijah to go right back to where he left off and then follow His instructions. AMEN!

It would be hard to imagine an automobile without a reverse gear. It’s just a given that sometimes you need to go in reverse to maneuver. That is true of any type of forward progress, sometimes we must back up to maneuver around or over obstacles. Many of us don’t like the idea of going backwards but it is often very necessary in life. Often, we ourselves are the obstacle God has to slow down and turn around for a minute. When we run ahead of God or when we run without God we will eventually come to a time when reverse is necessary, and no matter how much we kick and scream against it, no matter how much pain it causes us, God will make the corrective action in our lives because He loves us. So though life may seem tough right now, or we may be back at square one again, we can rejoice that God still loves us, and is still working in us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves….” – Hebrews 12:5-6

Sermon POP: "The Stories We Tell Ourselves"

Good Morning! Get to the root of it and check your narrative in this SermonPOP "The Stories We Tell Ourselves" Premiering today at 10am on YouTube ! SouthsideSunday

https://bit.ly/3iTNzV7

Facing Opposition

The greater the opposition, the greater the opportunity. – Anon

Paul ventured into a city full of idol gods thinking he could actually make a difference for Christ. HE DID!

One thing is sure in life and that is opposition. We get it on every hand. From our friends, from our co-workers, and even from our own family members. Sometimes it seems like opposition just seeks us out specifically. Though we often would prefer to avoid it, it’s primarily the way opportunity comes dressed to us, in the form of opposition. The world opposed Jesus, yet he’s the greatest opportunity for the world. We’re sure to find great opposition in our life today and tomorrow, but God is expecting us, like his Son to make a positive difference.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…” – Matthew 5:11-12

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Life is a given, the destination and how is a choice! - Anon

The good thing about the Prodigal Son is that he wound up back at his beginning, his father's house. Hmm!

Rollercoasters! In our prime we loved them. The speed, the jerks and turns, and of course the 'stomach in your throat' downhill runs. It was a somewhat scary thrill but we did it again and again with eager expectations. When considered, daily life is just like that, a rollercoaster ride with all the effects. Truthfully, none of us asked to be here, but we were blessed with life by God, and even told by Him which rollercoaster to choose 'blessing or cursing, life or death....choose - LIFE' for the best results, but He left the final decision to us. So if we're not enjoying life, if it has too many thrills that 'stress us out' or leave us 'broken' God will allow you to change. Remember Jesus' words "I am come that they might have life to the fullest..." I think He expects us to enjoy the ride.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

”...anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." - James 4:4

Can You picture That

Logic will get you from point A to point B. Imagination will take you everywhere. - Albert Einstein

When Daniel opened his windows to pray where do you think his spirit went? Hmm!

As kids our imagination had no end. We could easily envision ourselves in character form. We were superheroes, star athletes, princesses, and of course 'world conquerors'. Nothing could stand in our way. But then we grew up and our imagination shrunk, or in a lot of cases completely went away. Why? We can say it's because we 'put away childish thinking' but is that really what God wants from us. If He truly is the God who can do "much more than we can think OR imagine" shouldn't our imaginations still have no end? Shouldn't we still be able to envision ourselves and His church doing great things? If God has given us the vision He will make provision. Can you imagine that?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Now 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

Online Service 7/18/21 #SouthsideSunday

Check out last week's Online Service 7/18/21 on @YouTube today at 1pm. #SouthsideSunday

https://bit.ly/3kTVog7

Praise And Trust

When we look back on the faithfulness of God, we praise Him. When we look forward to God’s faithfulness, we trust Him. – K. Watters

God knew the shortness of the human mind which is why He instituted ‘feast days’ and ‘memorials.’ It’s all about HIM! Amen.

Well it's Friday, the end of another week. For most of us we sit back and reflect on the weekly activities and interactions to determine if it was good or bad. Some of us even go so far as to let the workweek activities dictate how we will spend the weekend. But no matter which way you look, backwards or forward you must admit, God has been faithful. Praise or Trust. Praise and Trust. Either way you can’t lose.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples. For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.” – Psalm 117

Revisiting The Truth

There may be more to learn in climbing the same mountain a hundred times than by climbing a hundred mountains. – R. Nelson

God commanded the Israelites to gather before him at least 3 times a year in ‘special’ praise and celebration feasts. It was for their good, not His. Hmm!

Déjà vu! Coincidence! Kismet! These are the terms we tend to use for circumstances that seem to continually happen again and again in our lives. But maybe, beneath the surface God is trying to do more with us. Moses climbed God’s mountain several times and each time he came back wiser and more righteous than before, so much that at some point the Israelites could not behold his face. In our quest to learn more, get more, achieve more, be more, maybe we need to stop running all over chasing the latest and greatest revelation and narrow our focus to God and God alone.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”- Psalm 1:2

Sermon POP: Curse the Barren Fig Trees!

Good Morning! Let nothing hinder you on your way to win TODAY! Check out this SermonPOP inspiration "Curse the Barren Fig Trees", today at 10am on YouTube ! SouthsideSunday

https://bit.ly/3rvPmTZ

Practice and Develop

Good habits are as easy to form as bad ones. – T. McCarver

The writer of Hebrews admonished the saints for neglecting the ‘habit’ of meeting together. He said something about it being a sinful practice. Hmm!

Most of us know it isn't hard to be good from time to time. What's tough is being good every day. And the only way to achieve such a lifestyle is to develop good habits. We must take the time and effort to deliberately force ourselves into acts of obedience and righteousness. This is how both habits and skills are developed, by doing it over and over again, building a 'winning streak'. The only difference is with skills we’re intentional about developing them, with habits we’re not. This is often why we develop bad habits before we know it. If we don’t continuously practice good habits, bad habits are the natural result. The question we must all answer is: If all we take into eternity with us is our character – what type of character would please God? I think we already know…

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true....noble...right...pure...lovely...admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice." - Philippians 4:8-9

Blessed At Any Age

Don’t ever regret growing older. It’s a privilege denied to many. – Anon

Methuselah lived 969 years, but I’m sure he would have taken one more day had God offered it. Hmm!

It is said that ‘age is mind over matter,’ - if you don’t mind, it really doesn’t matter. There is a lot of truth in this way of thinking. Oftentimes people get caught up in the idea aging or growing older, not wanting anyone to know their age or so forth. But not one of us had anything to do with our being here, it was God and our parents, so timing was not up to us. And God has been very gracious to allow us to remain here while others have gone. So we should celebrate each day and give glory to Him, aches, pain, troubles and all, for the alternative is not too pretty.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout….It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Luke 2:25-26

Beyond Common Sense

Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to. - G. Seaton

Even in the midst of being tossed into a fiery furnace with the thought of God not sparing them, the 3 Hebrew boys couldn't denounce the God they served and loved. You know the ending!

Without doubt, God is still in the miracle working business, but His primary desire is for relationship with His people. There are times when we seem to prefer the miracle over the miracle worker. There are times we get so carried away with our deliverance, or the revelation we've received, we forget the very God who's responsible. Miracles are only manifested to bring God glory. If we need them to sustain our faith or to prove God real, then our faith is in vain. True faith rests in the God of miracles, not the miracles themselves. God truly wants to be known and loved for who HE IS to us, not so much what He does for us.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"Then Jesus told him, 'because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." - John 20:29

Love From Lillies

I just called to say…..’I love you!’ – Stevie Wonder

Whenever He was in town, Jesus would stop by the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Hmm!

Roses, carnations, daisies, daffodils, tulips, poppies! Have you ever stopped to wonder why our wise God created flowers? It’s the same reason we send them to one another. Simply to say ‘I love you!’ He broadcasts this message every day. Just look around. Flowers bloom in backyards, front yards, in slum towns, in ritzy neighborhoods, in desert areas, in Communist countries, in free countries, all over the world. One does not have to be well-educated, or highly paid to have flowers grow in their yards – they just grow because of our Great God. Every color and shape, with a fragrant inviting aroma. The world around us can sometimes be a daunting, hurting, hateful place. I think God painted it with flowers just to remind us how much we are loved. So if you can’t get enough hugs today, just ‘consider the lilies of the field…

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys…..” – Song of Songs 2:1

Online Service Outdoors 7/11/21 #SouthsideSunday

Good morning! Monitor the Clock, It's time for the premier of Online Service 7/11/21! 10am on @YouTube ! It's even better the second go round! #SouthsideSunday

https://bit.ly/3rclTOZ

Timely Daily Renewal

Time with God is never wasted, only invested; in YOU! - Anon

Even as a high-ranking official in the king’s court, Daniel still carved out time to meet with God at least 3 times a day. Hmm!

Go! Don’t stand still! Do Something! We are constantly driven and programmed to be outwardly focused. So many things demand our attention – work, children, house duties, friendships, recreation, and church to name a few. We are so busy doing things, and often even in the doing of these things we are thinking of other things that we need to get to. Small wonder we become restless when there’s nothing to do. And though God Himself gave us permission to ‘GO’ in the Great Commission, He never meant for us to go before consulting Him. We need time to look inward and be refreshed each day. God only gives us enough of Himself just for the day. Since tomorrow is not promised He has gifted us with all we need for today, with an earnest expectation that we will meet Him at the dawn of tomorrow, should we be so blessed; to be filled again. That’s why it is imperative that we spend time in inner renewal each day to gain new insights and direction for what lies ahead. Without such planning we’re pretty much lost for the day.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” – Lamentations 3:22-24

SUPER Sermon Pop: Peace Be Still #SouthsideSunday

Good Morning! Unleash the power behind the words Peace Be Still in the special SUPER #SermonPOP premier today at 10am on @YouTube #SouthsideSunday

https://bit.ly/3xJ2LKT

Online Service 7/4/21 #4thofJuly #SouthsideSunday

Even Better the 2nd time around! Check out the 7/24/21 4thofJuly Service on YouTube ! SouthsideSunday https://bit.ly/3z1dbWg

An Attitude of Great Expectations

Attitude: a very little thing that makes a world of difference. - Theodore Roosevelt

Jacob felt no pain or discomfort in the 7 years he had to work for Rachel's hand in marriage. WOW!

NFL/NBA Draft Day. Now if you're one of the top 5 draftees, you wake up that morning with a lot of nervous energy. The day has arrived, all your hard work, discipline, dedication to your craft will be rewarded. Oh you know there will still be more hard work ahead, but right now this is the moment, the day. Nothing much else will bother you today - no bad news. A fender-bender - pshaw! A little spill - forget about it! Nothing will overshadow what is about to take place for you. Well, likewise if we truly believe Christ would come at any moment shouldn't our countenance, attitude, and expectations be as great. TODAY! If Christ could return at any moment shouldn't we not let those small trivial irritations in life get us rattled, upset to the point of 'speaking out of anger' or 'brewing hatred' in our heart, vengeance in our spirit. If the victory is assured, let's act like we're on the winning side!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." - Philippians 4:4-5

Sermon Pop: "Flip The Script" #SouthsideSunday

Good Morning! Unhappy with the way life is going? Learn how to "Flip the Script" in this SermonPOP premier today at 10am on YouTube! SouthsideSunday

https://bit.ly/3yW5UY1

Hypocritical Thinking

Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits. –Mark Twain

Martha wanted Jesus to make Mary more ‘helpful’ like her. Jesus said Mary has chosen what she has chosen. Hmm!

It is a foregone conclusion that this world could be a better place to live. It’s in the song we often hear or sing ourselves, “What The World Needs Now Is Love – Sweet Love.” We see people who are selfish, arrogant, boisterous, evil, you name it. But the question we must all ask ourselves is: What does that have to do with me? The only way we can change the world is to change ourselves. There is an old proverb that says, “Our faults irritate us most when we see them in others.” As we face the events of the day that God has engineered for us, we need to remember we’re to be world changers.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“How can you say to your brother, ‘let me take the speck out your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:4-5

The Power We Have

No power can make us do wrong without our consent. – Anon

Eve did not force the forbidden fruit upon Adam, he was a willing accomplice. It cost him and us dearly. OUCH!

Flip Wilson popularized the line “the devil made me do it”. But in reality we know though Satan is real, he only has the power of suggestion, he needs our consent to carry out his schemes and ungodly behaviors. This is why the Word of God tells us to “resist the devil and he will flee” from us. The moment we try to debate or outwit him we lose, for he is the craftiest of them all. We must also realize that sometimes our silence or refusal to “flee” the presence of evil is indeed implied consent. As you journey today remember who you are, to WHOM you belong, and the POWER you have.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger of sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:35-37

Music Pops: "It's Already Getting Better"

Happy MusicMonday to ya! Enjoy some MusicPops inspiration by the Southside Choir "It's Already Getting Better". Premiering now on YouTube! SouthsideSunday https://bit.ly/3ecoTFz

Redeeming Time for His Glory

There are really only 2 things you “have to” do in life. You “have to” die, and you “have to” live until you die. You make up all the rest. – R. Anthony

Moses felt he needed to do everything for the Israelites and neglected himself. His father-in-law showed him a better way. AMEN!

Whether we will admit it or not, most of us are too busy. We’re trying to do it all and have it all, with little or no time for the MAKER of all. Satan, our enemy; will either make us bad (sinful) or busy (unholy), both are equally bad positions to be in. God has never said we must do it all by ourselves, nor must we do it all. He wants us to redeem the time and use it wisely, and the best way is to make sure all we do is for His Glory and not our own egos or pocketbooks!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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

Online Service 6/27/21 #SouthsideSunday

Good Morning! Let us take you to Church with this YouTube Premier today at 10am! Online Service 6/27/21 SouthsideSunday

https://bit.ly/3qLse3I

The Wisdom to See the Help

It takes two to tango! – Anon

God gave Adam a helpmate named Eve. It’s kind of been that way ever since. Hmm!

Though total self-sufficiency is a myth, the idea that we need only God’s help in our difficulties is an over spiritualized way of thinking. We need each other for encouragement, support, help, and care; which is why God puts us in families and brings us friends. The things we need to AVOID are turning to family and friends when we know we need to turn to God, and waiting on God when we know He’s surrounded us with help aplenty. Yes we continually pray and ask for wisdom and guidance, but we need to remember that God still works through people, whether it’s THROUGH us or FOR us.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“God sets the lonely in families…..” – Psalm 68:6

Sermon Pop: "Making It Meaningful" #SouthsideSunday

Change is on the horizon! Can you do it? Check out the latest SermonPOP: "Making It Meaningful" and be inspired! 10am today on YouTube SouthsideSunday

https://bit.ly/361qucS