Friend or Foe? Love Em Both!

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people. - G.K. Chesterton

Jesus preached, loved, and reached out to sinner and saint alike, often converting the former to the latter. AMEN!

“Friend or foe!” was the shout given by the sentry when someone unknown approached his station. Their answer would then dictate his response, whether to relax and receive them or to prepare to defend his post. Though we don’t shout it today we are in a similar position, however our charge is only to befriend in either case. And though we say it’s hard to do so, it really isn’t if we let the Holy Spirit rule in our life. The love of God is unconditional and the Spirit of God within us will manifest that love if we submit our will to Him. It may seem irrational and hard at times, but when it does all we need do is just imagine God loving us at all.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” – James 2:8

Don't let it go to your head

Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly. – G. K. Chesterton

Though Paul started many churches and had audiences with kings, he never forgot that he was just a servant of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Fame, titles, positions, possessions – if not careful; these things can tend to give one an attitude of superiority or pride. Success in and of itself is not bad or sinful, but when we allow it to dictate to others how we should be treated, or demand special considerations because of it, we’ve set ourselves up for a fall. Yes, life is a serious matter. But we, like the people we deal with on a daily basis are imperfect creatures too. So no matter our success we must remember that it too has been by God’s grace, not so much our own making. Remember, God “sets up and knocks down kings” as He purposes.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” – Romans 12:3

Neighbor? Enemy? Love!

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people. - G.K. Chesterton

Jesus preached, loved, and reached out to sinner and saint alike, often converting the former to the latter. AMEN!

“Friend or foe!” was the shout given by the sentry when someone unknown approached his station. Their answer would then dictate his response, whether to relax and receive them or to prepare to defend his post. Though we don’t shout it today we are in a similar position, however our charge is only to befriend in either case. And though we say it’s hard to do so, it really isn’t if we let the Holy Spirit rule in our life. The love of God is unconditional and the Spirit of God within us will manifest that love if we submit our will to him. It may seem irrational and hard at times, but when it does all we need do is just imagine God loving us at all.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” – James 2:8

Sin. Always out of fashion.

Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies just because they become fashions. – G.K. Chesterton

The idolatry practiced by their neighbors looked like fun and good times to the Israelites, but God thought otherwise. Ouch!

Fads. New wave. Cutting edge. Avant Garde. Lifestyles, etc.  Call it what you will, but we now live in a society where it is fully acceptable to find new ways to lower morality and shun any personal responsibility, or acknowledge Almighty God. Everybody has turned to his own way. Even we as Christians if we’re not careful can get easily tangled up in the worldly offerings (media, leisure, clothing, idols, affirmations, etc.). But no matter what society calls it or how society sells it, before God it is still SIN, period! Don’t just do it, do it righteously.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” – I Thessalonians 5:19-22

No big heads here

Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly. – G. K. Chesterton

Though Paul started many churches and had audiences with kings, he never forgot that he was just a servant of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Fame, titles, positions, possessions – if not careful; these things can tend to give one an attitude of superiority or pride. Success in and of itself is not bad or sinful, but when we allow it to dictate to others how we should be treated, or demand special considerations because of it, we’ve set ourselves up for a fall. Yes, life is a serious matter; but we like the people we deal with on a daily basis are imperfect creatures too. So no matter our success we must remember that it too has been by God’s grace, not so much our own making. Remember, God “sets up and knocks down kings” as He purposes.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” – Romans 12:3