Constantly Committed to the Cause of Christ

Better to act and not be successful than never to have responded at all. – C. Ringma

Though he was unsuccessful in his attempt, Abraham at least pleaded with God for Sodom’s safety. Hmm!

Truth be told, we do want to see changes take place in our world, and in particular changes to situations which perpetuate sin, evil, or injustice. But sadly we are often slow to act because we don’t often make ourselves aware of them or because we avoid seeing things for what they really are. We often wait until the evil or injustice becomes more magnified before we respond, and then we often claim it’s too late or our little effort won’t help any. But faithfulness can never be measured in terms of successes, but only in terms of commitment. It does not matter the odds or conditions we’re up against. God has called us to be committed to the cause of Christ at all times, not just when it’s convenient or feels good, and often the cause of Christ will justify us going out into the public arena to try and help right injustice or stand up against evil. The one truth you can always say of a fighter – “at least he fought.”

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes, if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor then honor.” – Romans 13:7

The Power to Love

God’s right to rule is His desire to love his people. – C. Ringma

Joseph had a right to be angry with his brothers for what they did to him, but love showed up. WOW!

Imagine having not just the authority to do something, but the divine right to do it; and then willingly giving it up in hope that you will not be disappointed. That’s what God did with us. He could condemn us at any time and be justified, but yet He desires not to. His love does the opposite of what we would normally expect. It fills empty rather than full hands. It pursues the worst to make it the best. It makes the weak strong and rules with love rather than force or coercion. And God does so freely, risking rejection. We are so well loved that we ourselves ought to love others well. Time’s a wastin’ friend!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:35

All We Need

Being is always more important than having. – C. Ringma

Joseph, Daniel, Paul. With all their ups and downs they never lost sight of whose child they were. Hmm!

We all like the taste of success and all that it brings. The accolades, the praise, the rewards and notoriety. Truth be known, it is to this end we were created by God; “to do ‘good works’ which He created beforehand for us to do.” So we strive to be successful in all we do. But we must be careful not to let these successes define us, where we began to think what we do and what we’ve achieved from it is more important than who we are, or that the successes make us who we are. We need to remind ourselves that we are more than our work and possessions. We need to remember we are ‘vessels’ used by God for His glory, and whether we have a million dollars or none, a fancy title or none; we are still the most precious in His sight and have all we need in Him. I can personally guarantee that you will have all you NEED today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” – Matthew 6:25

Physical Limits

We can only give what we are, not what we would like to be. – C. Ringma

When the disciples could not heal the demon possessed boy, Jesus reminded them that sometimes prayer and fasting is necessary. Hmm!

Although the scripture tells us “we can do all things through Christ…..” we must realize we cannot be everything to everybody. We are limited, and not just in terms of our human frailties. God has given us all certain gifts and talents to aid in our walk of faith, but to actually think we can do anything and everything is really a presumption upon His will for our lives. Yes God expects us to love and serve others in ways that express who we are, but also to remember where we end and He begins. Hopefully others will see Him in plain view through us today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” – Romans 12:11

Factually Focused Faith

It is not so much a matter of great faith, but faith in a great God. – C. Ringma

The heroes of the bible weren’t perfect bible quoting folks, they just believed God was who He said He was. Hmm!

The boastful! We’ve heard their claims, and often we’ve been the ones making the claims. Claims of what we would or could do if faced with extreme circumstances. In truth, our faith is often fragile, and when sorely tested it often falls short. That’s often because of what we’ve placed our faith in, a fallible being. In our Christian walk we sometimes do the same, we place our faith in faith and not in God. Faith in faith is meaningless, as faith must have a person to be grounded in. God is our Rock. Yes our faith is shaky and incomplete, for God is still ‘growing’ it through life’s circumstances; but it should always be focused on Him who gives grace, forgiveness, and strength for the journey. True faith looks to God’s keeping power rather than its own ability.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…..If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it….But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” – Daniel 4:17-18

Measure Faithfulness By Commitment

Better to act and not be successful than never to have responded at all. – C. Ringma

Though he was unsuccessful in his attempt, Abraham at least pleaded with God for Sodom’s safety. Hmm!

Truth be told, we do want to see changes take place in our world, and in particular changes to situations which perpetuate sin, evil, or injustice. But sadly we are often slow to act because we don’t often make ourselves aware of them or because we avoid seeing things for what they really are. We often wait until the evil or injustice becomes more magnified before we respond, and then we often claim it’s too late or our little effort won’t help any. But faithfulness can never be measured in terms of successes, but only in terms of commitment. It does not matter the odds or conditions we’re up against, God has called us to be committed to the cause of Christ at all times, not just when it’s convenient or feels good, and often the cause of Christ will justify us going out into the public arena to try and help right injustice or stand up against evil. The one truth you can always say of a fighter – “at least he fought.”

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes, if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor then honor.” – Romans 13:7

The Authority to Love

God’s right to rule is His desire to love his people. – C. Ringma

 

Joseph had a right to be angry with his brothers for what they did to him, but love showed up. WOW!

 

Imagine having not just the authority to do something, but the divine right to do it; and then willingly giving it up in hope that you will not be disappointed. That’s what God did with us. He could condemn us at any time and be justified, but yet He desires not to. His love does the opposite of what we would normally expect. It fills empty rather than full hands. It pursues the worst to make it the best. It makes the weak strong and rules with love rather than force or coercion. And God does so freely, risking rejection. We are so well loved, that we ourselves ought to love others well. Time’s a wastin’ friend!

 

Until tomorrow….

 

Pastor Botts

 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:35

On the plus side of doubt

Doubt is the main highway which when traveled leads to certainty. – C. Ringma

Thomas’ refusal to believe what the others told him opened a door for Jesus himself to enter. WOW!

It should come as no surprise that we as Christians don’t always live in a state of certainty regarding our faith. It’s not uncertainty about God or His existence, but our faith in Him to do as ‘He hath said.’ God knows all about us and just as He provided a way for Thomas to erase all doubts in his heart and mind, He will provide a path for us to make certain we are secure and strengthened in our faith as well, for it is by faith that we please Him. The only issue before us is when He places our feet on that path today are we going to be willing to walk into the faith He’s trying to perfect/increase in us or turn and go another way?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I write these things to you who believe in the mane of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” – I John 5:13

Committed to the Cause

Better to act and not be successful than never to have responded at all. – C. Ringma

Though he was unsuccessful in his attempt, Abraham at least pleaded with God for Sodom’s safety. Hmm!

Truth be told, we do want to see changes take place in our world, and in particular changes to situations which perpetuate sin, evil, or injustice. But sadly we are often slow to act because we don’t often make ourselves aware of them or because we avoid seeing things for what they really are. We often wait until the evil or injustice becomes more magnified before we respond, and then we often claim it’s too late or our little effort won’t help any. But faithfulness can never be measured in terms of successes, but only in terms of commitment. It does not matter the odds or conditions we’re up against, God has called us to be committed to the cause of Christ at all times, not just when it’s convenient or feels good, and often the cause of Christ will justify us going out into the public arena to try and help right injustice or stand up against evil. The one truth you can always say of a fighter – “at least he fought.”

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes, if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor then honor.” – Romans 13:7

Focused Faith

It is not so much a matter of great faith, but faith in a great God. – C. Ringma

The heroes of the bible weren’t perfect bible quoting folks, they just believed God was who He said He was. Hmm!

The boastful! We’ve heard their claims, and often we’ve been the ones making the claims. Claims of what we would or could do if faced with extreme circumstances. In truth, our faith is often fragile, and when sorely tested it often falls short. That’s often because of what we’ve placed our faith in, a fallible being. In our Christian walk we sometimes do the same, we place our faith in faith and not in God. Faith in faith is meaningless, as faith must have a person to be grounded in. God is our Rock. Yes our faith is shaky and incomplete, for God is still ‘growing’ it through life’s circumstances; but it should always be focused on Him who gives grace, forgiveness, and strength for the journey. True faith looks to God’s keeping power rather than its own ability.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…..If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it….But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” – Daniel 4:17-18

More than our work

Being is always more important than having. – C. Ringma

Joseph, Daniel, Paul. With all their ups and downs they never lost sight of whose child they were. Hmm!

We all like the taste of success and all that it brings. The accolades, the praise, the rewards and notoriety. Truth be known, it is to this end we were created by God; “to do ‘good works’ which He created beforehand for us to do.”  So we strive to be successful in all we do. But we must be careful not to let these successes define us, where we began to think what we do and what we’ve achieved from it is more important than who we are, or that the successes make us who we are. We need to remind ourselves that we are more than our work and possessions. We need to remember we are ‘vessels’ used by God for His glory, and whether we have a million dollars or none, a fancy title or none; we are still the most precious in His sight and have all we need in Him. I can personally guarantee that you will have all you NEED today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” – Matthew 6:25