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

The New Disciples of Love

If what the world needs now is love, who will be the example? - Anon

Paul said he 'became' like those he was with to win them to Christ. AMEN!

It's no secret we live in a fallen society. A world where strife, division, and self-centered rhetoric is the menu of the day. Yes, far from perfect but yet still salvageable. It's why Jesus came, to share that message of hope and salvation for all and then give His life to prove it. Then He asked us to pay it forward, be a disciple. We think it a 'tough' go in today's setting, but maybe we just need to look at how Jesus did it and do likewise. The people accepted Jesus because of how He interacted with them. He 'loved' them as they were. Even in His teaching, He showed them great compassion, empathy, mercy, forgiveness, and often times healings. Though He was the promised 'Messiah' He walked amongst them with 'grace' not authority. He was a living/breathing example of God's great love for us. Like the motto of 'New Balance' every one of us should be saying "we got now!" Welcome to the New Year!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"A new command I give you.....As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples...." - John 13:34-35

Like Jesus or Waldo?

Christians are useless if they are fruitless. - H.C. Mears

Jesus told us to let our light "so shine" that others may see it, not have to go looking for it. Hmm!

The whole idea behind 'Where's Waldo' is that he is always deeply concealed within the masses. You have to look long and hard to find him. That was not the case with Jesus. He came to serve and not be served, and you didn't have to look hard to figure it out. You could easily find Him in some of the most menial jobs (foot washing, cooking breakfast, etc.) and there never was a question of who was really in charge, He stood out like a 'sore thumb.' Though he had no outer beauty of His own, He was truly one who made a lot of heads turn, attracted crowds, and made leaders contemplate their actions and words carefully. Here's the question of the day: when it comes to our daily living would we be considered more like Jesus or Waldo?

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"....[Jesus said] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master..." - John 13:13-14

The Currency of Life When Expressed

Time is too slow for the impatient, too swift for the aged; too long for the grieving, too short for those rejoicing; but to those who love, time is eternity. – H. VanDyke

Everyone wanted to know when the end times would be but even Jesus said he didn’t know. He did hint at preparing for eternity. Hmm!

Most of us have heard the saying “only what you do for Christ will last.” There’s great truth there but unfortunately most of us spend a great part of our life and efforts focused on the wrong goal – money. Money is not bad per se, and it is something we need to live, but TIME is actually the currency of life. And God in His wisdom made sure it’s the one thing we each possess in equal measure each day regardless of our station or lot in life. Our goal for God and His kingdom is to invest it wisely that it may pay dividends (treasures in heaven); for though it is spelled TIME, when caringly given to someone else it comes out LOVE. And that is God’s command to us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35

NOTE: The Youth WILL NOT be meeting on campus tonight.

Lasting Legacy

Today and tomorrow will soon be past, only what you do for Christ will last. - Song refrain

Enoch's legacy was simply that he 'walked' with God. Hmm!

12 pairs of feet. Men of all different stages of the faith and belief. Yet Jesus washed every pair, no one was neglected, and all was done in genuine love and humility. This one event gets as much or more conversation than Jesus' death on the cross, though his death on the cross was the 'finishing act.' It makes me wonder have you ever considered what might be your lasting legacy act that others will remember you for? No one wants to die in ignominy or without a trace. And though we don't live our lives to be put on a pedestal for viewing, we do live to let our light shine for all to see and glorify God. What do you think that might look like for you. Now is really a good time to consider it.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"...I [Jesus] have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." - John 13:15

Here's Where You Come In...

‘Some assembly required’ means the only missing piece is YOUR obedience. - ANON

God gave the Israelites a land that had all the blessings they needed at their ‘fingertips,’ and they still soon forgot He was God. Hmm!

We live in a world where everyone wants it easy, and, if possible, they want it done FOR them as well. Which is why it’s truly amazing that the majority of people reject Christianity – it’s the easiest religion in the world, if you will, because God does it all for us. God saves us, He purifies us, He provides for us, He heals us, He changes our hearts, He places us in fellowship, and loves us relentlessly. But in truth, Christianity is also the hardest religion there is as well, not because of God, but because of US, for we so refuse to give up being autonomous or independent, often thinking we know better than God. If you’re finding it hard to live the faith, maybe you need to ease up on the ‘control’ issue.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master……Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” – John 13:16-17

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

The Straight Truth

The best way to show that a stick is crooked is not by argument or discussion, but by laying a straight stick alongside it. – D. L. Moody

When they were ready to stone the woman taken in the SIN of adultery, Jesus just laid out the truth about sin and everyone left. Hmm!

Often, a picture is worth a thousand words, and no more so than when it comes to foundational truths. In truth, the world knows that in every formal institution (marriage, government, church, education, health, finance, etc.) the Bible is where the foundation came from. They don’t like it and often want to change it, but its still truth. God expects us to remind them of this from day to day. He also expects us to live by it from day to day as well, and often this is where the problem arises and confusion enters when we refuse to walk by the ‘straight truth’ of His word. We often want and try to use the wisdom of this world to justify what’s true, what’s moral, and what’s just. What we need to do is just get the true measuring rod – The Bible – and let it speak to us and through us. God’s counting on each of us to be a measuring rod today.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35

A Good Example

Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it's the only thing. - A. Schweitzer

God often 'presented' himself in various ways (burning bush, pillar of fire, etc.) that others would know without a doubt it was Him. Hmm!

In our world today, good role models are hard to find, and sometimes Christians are even harder to find. In this world of increasing hostility, if we are going to win it for Christ we must be recognized as living for Him. Jesus prayed 'that the world might believe God sent Him' through us. This will be not so much by what we do on Sundays, but how we live every moment of every day. Somebody needs your example today.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Jesus said, 'I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master......" - John 13:15-16.

Time: Eternal Love

Time is too slow for the impatient, too swift for the aged; too long for the grieving, too short for those rejoicing; but to those who love, time is eternity. – H. VanDyke

Everyone wanted to know when the end times would be but even Jesus said he didn’t know. He did hint at preparing for eternity. Hmm!

Most of us have heard the saying “only what you do for Christ will last.” There’s great truth there but unfortunately most of us spend a great part of our life and efforts focused on the wrong goal – money. Money is not bad per se, and it is something we need to live, but TIME is actually the currency of life. And God in His wisdom made sure it’s the one thing we each possess in equal measure each day regardless of our station or lot in life. Our goal for God and His kingdom is to invest it wisely that it may pay dividends (treasures in heaven); for though it is spelled TIME, when caringly given to someone else it comes out LOVE. And that is God’s command to us.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35

Standout or Blend In

Christians are useless if they are fruitless. - H.C. Mears

Jesus told us to let our light "so shine" that others may see it, not have to go looking for it. Hmm!

The whole idea behind 'Where's Waldo' is that he is always deeply concealed within the masses. You have to look long and hard to find him. That was not the case with Jesus. He came to serve and not be served, and you didn't have to look hard to figure it out. You could easily find Him in some of the most menial jobs (foot washing, cooking breakfast, etc.) and there never was a question of  who was really in charge, He stood out like a 'sore thumb.' Though he had no outer beauty of His own, He was truly one who made a lot of heads turn, attracted crowds, and made leaders contemplate their actions and words carefully. Here's the question of  the day: when it comes to our daily living would we be considered more like Jesus or Waldo?
Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"....[Jesus said] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master..." - John 13:13-14

Live the Faith, Obey!

‘Some assembly required’ means the only missing piece is YOUR obedience. - ANON

God gave the Israelites a land that had all the blessings they needed at their ‘fingertips,’ and they still soon forgot He was God. Hmm!

We live in a world where everyone wants it easy, and if possible they want it done for them as well. Which is why it’s truly amazing that the majority of people reject Christianity – it’s the easiest religion in the world, if you will; because God does it all for us. God saves us, He purifies us, He provides for us, He heals us, He changes our hearts, He places us in fellowship, and loves us relentlessly. But in truth, Christianity is also the hardest religion there is as well, not because of God, but because of us, for we so refuse to give up being autonomous or independent, often thinking we know better than God. If you’re finding it hard to live the faith maybe you need to ease up on the ‘control’ issue.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“…I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master……Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” – John 13:16-17

The Power of Visual

The best way to show that a stick is crooked is not by argument or discussion, but by laying a straight stick alongside it. – D. L. Moody

When they were ready to stone the woman taken in the SIN of adultery, Jesus just laid out the truth about sin and everyone left. Hmm!

Often, a picture is worth a thousand words, and no more so than when it comes to foundational truths. In truth, the world knows that in every formal institution (marriage, government, church, education, health, finance, etc.) the Bible is where the foundation came from. They don’t like it and often want to change it, but its still truth. God expects us to remind them of this from day to day. He also expects us to live by it from day to day as well, and often this is where the problem arises and confusion enters when we refuse to walk by the ‘straight truth’ of His word. We often want and try to use the wisdom of this world to justify what’s true, what’s moral, and what’s just. What we need to do is just get the true measuring rod – The Bible – and let it speak to us and through us. God’s counting on each of us to be a measuring rod today.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35