Time to Prune

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 moreso what you might gain. And more time with God is always a good investment.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

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

Don't Get Duped!

Don’t throw away the old bucket until you know whether the new one holds water. – Anon

The Israelites asked for judges and then a king to rule over them, never realizing they had God all the time. OUCH!

We live in a disposable world, where if you don’t like what you have or who you are just start over. We do it with our stuff, our friends, our bodies, even our ‘faith.’ Nothing is off-limits it seems. We jump from one trend or friend to another, without so much a thought of what we’re leaving or where we’re going. And all too often we later find that what we had in the beginning was much better than what we are now stuck with. It’s okay to move on to better things in life, but we need to make sure they really are better. Our enemy is the master of deceit and subtlety, and he never tires. God’s ways are tried and true and never change. The choice is ours.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” I Corinthians 11:14-15

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

On Display

People will look at your example long before they listen to your advice. – Anon

When Moses tried to advise a Hebrew slave that it was wrong to hit his fellowman, he was reminded he ‘secretly’ killed an Egyptian. Hmm!

In his book 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' Carnegie states "people are drawn by example". The thing to remember is people will see what we do long before they hear what we say. The things we do tell all the world who we really are, and there is not a moment when you are not being who you are. Though we may not be aware of it our every action is being watched and observed, whether by strangers, family, or those we’re dealing with at the moment. So whether we’re cursing or caressing, someone is watching our example. The question is are we giving them ‘godly’ advice.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” – I Corinthians 11:1

Disposable Faith?

Don’t throw away the old bucket until you know whether the new one holds water. – Anon

The Israelites asked for judges and then a king to rule over them, never realizing they had God all the time. OUCH!

We live in a disposable world, where if you don’t like what you have or who you are just start over. We do it with our stuff, our friends, our bodies, even our ‘faith.’ Nothing is off-limits it seems. We jump from one trend or friend to another, without so much a thought of what we’re leaving or where we’re going. And all too often we later find that what we had in the beginning was much better than what we are now stuck with. It’s okay to move on to better things in life, but we need to make sure they really are better. Our enemy is the master of deceit and subtlety, and he never tires.  God’s ways are tried and true and never change. The choice is ours.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” I Corinthians 11:14-15

Is it REALLY better?

Don’t throw away the old bucket until you know whether the new one holds water. – Anon

The Israelites asked for judges and then a king to rule over them, never realizing they had God all the time. OUCH!

We live in a disposable world, where if you don’t like what you have or who you are just start over. We do it with our stuff, our friends, our bodies, even our ‘faith.’ Nothing is off-limits it seems. We jump from one trend or friend to another, without so much a thought of what we’re leaving or where we’re going. And all too often we later find that what we had in the beginning was much better than what we are now stuck with. It’s okay to move on to better things in life, but we need to make sure they really are better. Our enemy is the master of deceit and subtlety, and he never tires.  God’s ways are tried and true and never change. The choice is ours.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” I Corinthians 11:14-15