Vexing The Devil

We cannot vex the devil more than by teaching, preaching, singing and talking of Jesus. - Martin Luther

When Satan attacked him, Jesus just let God’s Word do the talking. How simple. Hmm!

Just as certain as us waking this morning, our enemy is already planning ways to pounce on our parade. And he has a distinct advantage because he’s been awake all night plotting against us. And since the Garden scene he’s used the same method all these years, deceit and deception. He’s the master of putting so much into our lives and deceiving us into thinking it’s necessary, that we can’t seem to find time to spend with Jesus; for he knows that’s our only way to defeat him. The bible tells us he has no defense against Jesus. So if the day gets burdensome and heavy laden maybe we need to do a bit more ‘vexing’ than complaining. It’s guaranteed to change the outlook.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:19

For Best Results, Take No Shortcuts

A Christian is never in a state of completion, but always in the process of becoming. – Martin Luther

Moses thought he was ready at age 40 to lead God’s people. God didn’t call until he reached the age of 80. Hmm!

Everybody is looking for the quick and easy way to make it. The truism that ‘slow and steady wins the race’ has been somewhat kicked to the curb. Just look around us, in sports its now steroids or PED’s for success, in finance its trading on insider information. In health its now fad diets, highly concentrated exercise plans, or even medical procedures. And this kind of thinking often filters its way into other areas of life. But with our spiritual development and growth there are no steroids, fast-track plans, insider tips, or invasive procedures to pump up our souls. As much as we try to force it, rearrange it, or change it, God still builds our faith, character, integrity, and trust the old fashioned way – through discipline and love. You can’t hurry either of these. So if we’re looking to grow, and we should; then we need to apply ourselves to a regimen of study, submission, AND application to what the Spirit of God reveals to us. Today will have a few exams, I hope we’re all prepared.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” – I Corinthians 13:11

Never Outdated

The bible is neither antique nor modern, it is eternal. – Martin Luther

Earth still being in existence is proof enough that God’s Word is still valid. Hmm!

The wisdom, insight, truth, and foundational principles for life found in God’s Holy Word are as changeless and timeless as is He. It is a treasure that waits to be found, that increases in value the more we dig into it. Real truth never changes and cannot be made ‘less’ true, no matter the time or circumstance. God is God, always has been and always will be, in spite of what goes on in the world today. We may evolve in our cultural ‘norms’ and technologies and even try to ignore God or say He’s outdated; but a quick look around tells us things are still going according to His ‘Providential’ design. Trees still grow and blossom as He prescribed, seasons still follow one after another, night still follows day, and death still haunts us. And if we were to give careful consideration to what man has been up to the last few hundred years or so, I’m sure we’d all agree we’d rather have God over us than man.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.” – Psalm 119:152

No Growth Shortcuts

A Christian is never in a state of completion, but always in the process of becoming. – Martin Luther

Moses thought he was ready at age 40 to lead God’s people. God didn’t call until he reached the age of 80. Hmm!

Everybody is looking for the quick and easy way to make it. The truism that ‘slow and steady wins the race’ has been somewhat kicked to the curb. Just look around us, in sports its now steroids or PED’s for success, in finance its trading on insider information. In health its now fad diets, highly concentrated exercise plans, or even medical procedures. And this kind of thinking often filters its way into other areas of life. But with our spiritual development and growth there are no steroids, fast-track plans, insider tips, or invasive procedures to pump up our souls. As much as we try to force it, rearrange it, or change it, God still builds our faith, character, integrity, and trust the old fashioned way – through discipline and love. You can’t hurry either of these. So if we’re looking to grow, and we should; then we need to apply ourselves to a regimen of study, submission, AND application to what the Spirit of God reveals to us. Today will have a few exams, I hope we’re all prepared.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” – I Corinthians 13:11

Timeless Still

The bible is neither antique nor modern, it is eternal. – Martin Luther

Earth still being in existence is proof enough that God’s Word is still valid. Hmm!

The wisdom, insight, truth, and foundational principles for life found in God’s Holy Word are as changeless and timeless as is He. It is a treasure that waits to be found, that increases in value the more we dig into it. Real truth never changes and cannot be made ‘less’ true, no matter the time or circumstance. God is God, always has been and always will be, in spite of what goes on in the world today. We may evolve in our cultural ‘norms’ and technologies, and even try to ignore God or say He’s outdated; but a quick look around tells us things are still going just as He purposed them. Trees still grow and blossom as He prescribed, seasons still follow one after another, night still follows day, and death still haunts us. And if we were to give careful consideration to what man has been up to the last few hundred years or so, I’m sure we’d all agree we’d rather have God over us than man.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.” – Psalm 119:152

That Vexing Tune

We cannot vex the devil more than by teaching, preaching, singing and talking of Jesus. - Martin Luther

When Satan attacked him, Jesus just let God’s Word do the talking. How simple. Hmm!

Just as certain as us waking this morning, our enemy is already planning ways to pounce on our parade. And he has a distinct advantage because he’s been awake all night plotting against us. And since the Garden scene he’s used the same method all these years, deceit and deception. He’s the master of putting so much into our lives and deceiving us into thinking it’s necessary, that we can’t seem to find time to spend with Jesus; for he know that’s our only way to defeat him. The bible tells us he has no defense against Jesus. So if the day gets burdensome and heavy laden maybe we need to do a bit more ‘vexing’ than complaining. It’s guaranteed to change the outlook.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:19

Vexing the Devil

We cannot vex the devil more than by teaching, preaching, singing and talking of Jesus. - Martin Luther

When Satan attacked him, Jesus just let God’s Word do the talking. How simple. Hmm!

Just as certain as us waking this morning, our enemy is already planning ways to pounce on our parade. And he has a distinct advantage because he’s been awake all night plotting against us. And since the Garden scene he’s used the same method all these years, deceit and deception. He’s the master of putting so much into our lives and deceiving us into thinking it’s necessary, that we can’t seem to find time to spend with Jesus; for he know that’s our only way to defeat him. The bible tells us he has no defense against Jesus. So if the day gets burdensome and heavy laden maybe we need to do a bit more ‘vexing’ than complaining. It’s guaranteed to change the outlook.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:19

Steady Progress

A Christian is never in a state of completion, but always in the process of becoming. – M. Luther

Moses thought he was ready at age 40 to lead God’s people. God didn’t call until he reached the age of 80. Hmm!

Everybody is looking for the quick and easy way to make it. The truism that ‘slow and steady wins the race’ has been somewhat kicked to the curb. Just look around us, in sports its now steroids or PED’s for success, in finance its trading on insider information. In health its now fad diets, highly concentrated exercise plans, or even medical procedures. And this kind of thinking often filters its way into other areas of life. But with our spiritual development and growth there are no steroids, fast-track plans, insider tips, or invasive procedures to pump up our souls. As much as we try to force it, rearrange it, or change it, God still builds our faith, character, integrity, and trust the old fashioned way – through discipline and love. You can’t hurry either of these. So if we’re looking to grow, and we should; then we need to apply ourselves to a regimen of study, submission, AND application to what the Spirit of God reveals to us. Today will have a few exams, I hope we’re all prepared.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” – I Corinthians 13:11  

God is STILL God

The bible is neither antique nor modern, it is eternal. – Martin Luther

Earth still being in existence is proof enough that God’s Word is still valid. Hmm!

The wisdom, insight, truth, and foundational principles for life found in God’s Holy Word are as changeless and timeless as is He. It is a treasure that waits to be found, that increases in value the more we dig into it. Real truth never changes and cannot be made ‘less’ true, no matter the time or circumstance. God is God, always has been and always will be, in spite of what goes on in the world today. We may evolve in our cultural ‘norms’ and technologies, and even try to ignore God or say He’s outdated; but a quick look around tells us things are still going just as He purposed them. Trees still grow and blossom as He prescribed, seasons still follow one after another, night still follows day, and death still haunts us. And if we were to give careful consideration to what man has been up to the last few hundred years or so, I’m sure we’d all agree we’d rather have God over us than man.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.” – Psalm 119:152