Weathering Storms

Sometimes God puts a storm in our lives to blow our sails in the right direction. - Anon

God was ready to 'blow a ship apart' because Jonah wouldn't listen. It only got worse for him. Hmm!

Even though giant cruise ships can sail through almost any kind of weather, they never knowingly sail into bad storms. But oftentimes the storm finds them at sea. It can be a harrowing experience. The same is true of us in life. We would rarely venture into a storm (we hate the first sign of rain) but quite often God has something in mind for us when He allows the storms of life we face. His goal is often a course correction for us to a different conclusion than the one we had in mind. The key is to hang on, not abandon ship, and remember to praise when the smooth sailing returns. He alone knows the plans, places, and events that lie ahead for us.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" " Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting... Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'" Acts 9:3-6

Observable Servanthood

You can experience a whole lot just by paying attention! - Anon

Jesus came not just to speak God's Word, but to reveal the extent of God's love. WOW!

Object lessons at times are so much more powerful and meaningful than spoken lessons. The objective as seen goes directly into the eyes of the mind and then to the heart. That was Jesus' intention when He washed the disciples' feet. To 'teach' them service comes from a heart of love. It sees a need and is greatly moved, compelled even. to seek out and fulfill it. The lesson itself wasn't so much the actual 'washing' of the feet as it was the 'heart/mind' seeing the need and being unable to restrain itself from acting out of love regardless of the perceived hierarchy. Servanthood is the steppingstone to greatness. Any takers?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...As the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

Prayer And More

We should never ask God to do things independent of prayer that He only promised to do through prayer. – Anon

Before Nehemiah approached the king with his request it took him a few days to get properly ‘dressed’. Hmm!

No one likes pain, particularly continual pain. The ongoing 'throbbing', continuous 'aching' that makes rest and peace almost an impossibility. For some we take medicine but still get no relief. Some we pray about but again, no relief. What to do? The disciples got a fresh look and lesson firsthand as Jesus drove out the demon they couldn't seem to budge from the child on their own. Later they asked Jesus why and He told them plainly "you need a little more prayer and fasting in your life!" The lesson here is very much in play for us today as well. Many of us are dealing with situations, circumstances, issues, and yes, we pray and pray and pray some more. Maybe we need to go all in as Jesus said and add fasting to our diet. It really, really couldn't hurt!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them." Psalm 126:5-6

Spirit Ignited

What is truly sad is when something dies inside a man while he is still living. – Albert Einstein

Because of his continued willful disobedience God removed His “favor” from king Saul. He became a very vexed man who died a horrible death. Hmm!

“I’m okay!” It’s a statement we all use from time to time to tell ourselves and others all is right. But is it really? Just because life goes on as usual does not mean all is okay. Saul continued in his kingship devoid of God’s blessing and coverage, but hell bent on destroying David, a friend who had shown only love for him. Though we may attend to the “religious” detail of our life; without the livelihood of the indwelling Spirit we’re just going through the motions. What made Job truly remarkable in God’s sight was not only his obedience, but his attitude towards righteousness (he offered sacrifices just in case his children sinned). As we conduct our ‘check-up from the neck-up’ may our Spirit be alive and well.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17