Not Your Average...

When you are "average" you are as close to the bottom as you are to the top. - Anon

God calls us to "stand out" not stand in. Hmm!

One of life's false assumptions is that everybody should fit in and follow the norm. That would be great if we based it all on God’s Word and His way for us, but we don’t. We base our laws and government not really on what is right and just, but on "what's best for the average person." And what’s even more saddening is that most of us at times don't even mind being an average Christian. But average is just that - average. God calls us to a better way of life, a purposeful life full of meaning, with edification (making things better not worse) being our goal. He calls us in His Word to excel, and to exalt Christ in our daily living. So, as you enter today, ask yourself - Why be average?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and glorify your heavenly Father." - Matthew 5:16

Bright Shining Examples of Christ

The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion. - Paulo Coelho

Though wrongly accused and imprisoned, Paul said his 'chains' helped bring people to Christ. Hmm!

Movie critics! Talk-show hosts! Armchair quarterbacks! And on and on it goes. We have a litany of those who offer opinions on everything in life, as they say from 'soup to nuts!' And as is often true, their opinions are rarely based on facts or actual experiences, it's just their way of thinking. But life is not lived by opinion, it's lived in real time actual events. And when we can experience it with those who have 'been there, done that, got a T-shirt' folks, it makes our decisions somewhat easier. God did that for us through Jesus. He was 'tempted/tested' in all things like us but was found without sin. As we live day to day and see the worlds offerings and people looking for answers on how to improve it, let us remember the example of Jesus, where He didn't give us His opinion, He gave us His life. Amen!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Let YOUR light shine before others, that they may see YOUR good deeds, and glorify your FATHER in heaven." - Matthew 5:16

Being YOU-nique

The first part of winning is just showing up. - Anon

A nation was saved because Esther was willing to risk standing outside the king's hall. Hmm!

On the job – come payday everyone likes to show up and get paid, and get paid for what THEY did, and that’s completely understandable. Well, God made you – YOU! He didn’t make anyone else like you. He made you to be the YOU the world needs, not to hide behind an ‘identity’ or mask, nor to be a shape-shifter living to please everyone around. YOU are a unique creation of God, made for a specific purpose in His story of love and redemption for all of mankind, and our God knows all about YOU. He knows your comings and your goings, your lying down and rising up; yes, even your inner most thoughts. So, if He’s okay with you, why not be the YOU He made you to be. The choice is yours!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” – John 12:27-28

What We Do In The Dark

Live in such a manner that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip. – Anon

The bible says Moses was more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. What a character reference. Hmm!

One thing is for sure in this life, we will all have good days and bad days, ups and downs, situations and circumstances sometimes all beyond our control. However, how we handle those times is completely within our control. God expects us to maintain self-control, with no “unwholesome” talk coming from our lips. We must remember that what we do in the dark will come to light. Though others may not see or hear you – GOD DOES!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” – I Peter 2:11-12

Temple Maintenance

No one owns his or her own body – it either belongs to God or is enslaved by sin. – Anon

Daniel loved God so much he felt that even eating the kings food was not good for him. He was right. Hmm!

Street Walkers! Junkies! Alcoholics! We sort of stand at a distance and look at such individuals and wonder how in the world they could abuse their bodies in such a wasteful manner. But in truth, oftentimes the only difference between them and us is they go at it openly and hard. God gifted us with the physical body to be a dwelling place (temple) for His holy presence within. When we use it or adorn it in any way that does not glorify Him – no matter how sleight – we are equally like them. It’s true we should be judged by what’s in our hearts, but with many folks they may never get that close because of the ‘wrapping’ we’re in. 

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God….Therefore honor God with your body.” – I Corinthians 6:19-20

Why Be Average!

When you are "average" you are as close to the bottom as you are to the top. - Anon

God calls us to "stand out" not stand in. Hmm!

One of life's false assumptions is that everybody should fit in and follow the norm. We base our laws and government on "what's best for the average person." Most of us at times don't even mind being an average Christian. But average is just that - average. God calls us to a better way of life. He calls us in His Word to excel, and to exalt Christ in our daily living. As you enter today, ask yourself - Why be average?

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and glorify your heavenly Father." - Matthew 5:16

P.S. - I need all Ministry/Outreach reports by this Friday, January 11th.

Called to be more than average

When you are "average" you are as close to the bottom as you are to the top. - Anon

God calls us to "stand out" not stand in. Hmm!

One of life's false assumptions is that everybody should fit in and follow the norm. We base our laws and government on "what's best for the average person." Most of us at times don't even mind being an average Christian. But average is just that - average. God calls us to a better way of life. He calls us in His Word to excel, and to exalt Christ in our daily living. As you enter today, ask yourself - Why be average?

Until Monday......

Pastor Botts

"Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and glorify your heavenly Father." -Matthew 5:16