Next Level Prayer

It’s good to believe in prayer, but what we believe about prayer is far greater. – B. Pile

Daniel prayed 3 times a day. Jesus prayed before every decision, miracle, or move He made. Their results speak loudly! Hmm.

The average person will say they believe a healthy diet and exercise is good for the body, but rarely will they do it. They will say they know they need to save money before an emergency arises, but again, it’s rare if they do. We’re told to ‘pray without ceasing’ but….. Most of us as Christians do pray. However, if we were to look at our prayer life we would see we’re often praying ‘after the fact’ rather than before the storm; which shows our belief about prayer is somewhat lacking. If prayer is able to “change things” or “move God” should we not be asking ahead?

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“[Uzziah] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done. He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.” – II Chronicles 26:4-5

Work Rest Day Night

God worked then rested a whole day. Whatever happened to that example? – Anon

When king Darius threw Daniel into the lions den, he was the one who went without rest. Hmm!

Life has its rhythm of day and night, spring and summer, birth and death. There is also a time to be still and rest; all ordained by God. Our hearts wants outside of God’s desires for us have caused us to try and gradually increase the speed of life, amount of consumption, and rate of living; trying to have it all and have it right now. But life on this planet has never been about having it all, it’s about enjoying God along the journey we take (think Enoch) and letting Him set the pace. He said in His Word He would ‘give us rest.’ As you walk today and begin to feel the desire to increase the pace, make sure God is still beside you.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.” – Psalm 104:21-23

YOUR Attitude

Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you. - Anon

Once she set her mind to it, the Canaanite woman was treated with indifference and insults in coming before Jesus. Nevertheless, her daughter was healed. AMEN!

Athletes call it 'putting on their game-face.' It's attitude. Our attitude impacts everything we do. It determines whether we give it our all or try to skate by with feebleness. Like the outer clothing we wear, our attitude cannot be hidden, it's in plain sight, molded by what we've let into our hearts and spiritual thinking. Attitude is what motivates and drives us. The question is where is it taking us right now? God has placed us right where we are right now to make a difference for his kingdom, whether that is interacting with others, or just being an example of righteousness. It's not too late to take charge of what is rightfully yours.

Until Monday......

Pastor Botts

"...But even if [God] does not rescue us, 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 3:18

Digging a deeper hole or filling it up?

If you’re already in a hole, it’s no use to continue digging. – R. Walters

While in the lion’s den Daniel didn’t antagonize the lions, he prayed. Hmm!

Live long enough and life’s activities or circumstances will deal you a setback upsetting your plans (finances, school, faith, etc.) putting you in a rut or hole. It happens – but the key is to not let it stop us dead in our tracks or make us tunnel further down. A hole only remains a hole if we do nothing to fill it, and gets deeper with worry. Putting off for tomorrow what we can do today, right now, is only digging a deeper hole. Hoping things will get better without doing anything about the situation is only digging a deeper hole. Hoping someone will rescue us is a start, but still we must cry out for the help. And when the help comes we must be willing to accept the instructions and not give directions. God is standing by right now.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” – Psalm 40:1-2