Being Zealous in God Things

Try not to become a person of great success, but rather try to become a person of virtue. – Albert Einstein

We read often of men like Abraham, Joseph, and David who had great success in their lifetimes. Not because they pursued it, but because they pursued God, and he granted it. Hmm!

It’s true we live in a world that measures you by your professional title, wallet, possessions, education, etc., however it’s important to remember we are not ‘of the world’ but called of God to make a difference in the world. There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to do well in our social endeavors, but NOTHING should impede our ability and opportunity to serve Almighty God. I pray we will be zealous in all our endeavors for Him.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these….But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:28-29, 33

Is Your Home Where Your Heart Is?

If our destination home is Heaven, then this life is only the trip to get there. - B. Snyder

When God told Abram to "leave his country and go to a place He would show him," Abram had no problem as long as God was leading. Hmm!

"Home is where you 'make it'!" It's an intriguing statement. Does it mean home is where you decide to settle, the plot, place, and address you acquire? Or does it mean home is where you grow and learn to live and make something out of your life? Or maybe it's both. The unfortunate truth though is most of us as Christians have accepted it this way. We've dug in our heels here on earth, planted our homestead, built our house and raise our family as if we'll be here permanently. It's like we spend every available resource on the house, our recreation, family moments or gatherings, and have little or nothing to give back to God. If we're truly just 'pilgrims passing through this land' should we not be trying to store up some heavenly treasures. Though God doesn't want us to live as paupers, He also wants us to remember our lives don't consist of the things we own, but exists in The One who owns us, and wants us to be with Him in glory one day. Let's make sure we're on the right path.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21

Something Came Up...

It’s amazing how quickly an emergency arises the moment you start saving for one. – Sparks

After healing Peter’s mother-in-law and many others, Jesus slipped away to pray. Or so he thought he did! Hmm!

Good intentions – we all get started on them but often find ourselves falling short. Saving for a home/car/vacation, and suddenly something else catches our eye. Enrolling in school or exercise classes and suddenly another opportunity opens up. Resolving to give more time to God/church and suddenly new friends and outings are before us. Call it test or trial if you will, but the issue still is what will you prioritize, for the final decision is always up to you. God expects us to be wise to the deceptive practices of our enemy and not lose focus. He will never put a hindrance to us coming to Him, so maybe we need to re-evaluate that emergency.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” – Matthew 6:20

P.S. Hope to see you tonight at 5:30pm for our Prayer Meeting.

The Prayer Formula?

Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed. – St Francis de Sales

That Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray, that his disciples went to the temple at the hour of prayer seems important.

Early morning, late afternoon, 5 minutes, 1 hour or more – these are all variables bantered about when it comes to prayer and meditation with God. The truth of the matter is there is no secret formula or one-size fits all. What is important is that we take time from our busy lives each day to spend with God, talking to and LISTENING to Him. The One who planned the day surely knows how it will pan out and the direction He has purposed for us. It is important to note that the more time we spend with God the more we hear and understand His heart and the less inclined we are to go off on our own path.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6

Prison Release

Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing you were the prisoner! - Max Lucado

Though Daniel spent the night in the lion’s den, King Darius was the one held prisoner in his own heart. Then morning came and he was relieved. Hmm!

Prisons are ominous places. True they house some vile people, but they also house those who have to keep watch over them. It is a tough grueling job with little if any benefits. This is also a true picture of us when we can’t practice forgiveness. The thing is when we refuse to forgive someone, when we decide to harbor ill will or hatred toward them; it is really ourselves that we keep locked up. We have to make sure that person never gets free to have a pleasant life or ruin someone else’s life. We in essence become jail keepers in the dungeons of our own heart. That’s why God ‘commands’ us to forgive one another as He forgave us. Life is too short to be locked up of your own will. Forgiving is not necessarily forgetting what happened, but it is allowing yourself to live freely and fully for God, and it works wonders for your heart and spirit.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15

P.S. - Hope to see you at our Prayer Meeting tonight at 5:30pm.

Living in the Today

Best exercise for stress relief – release your grip on tomorrow. – M. Barroso

Jesus told his disciples he didn’t even know where he would lay his head to sleep. But you know, that didn’t bother him one bit. Hmm!

Tomorrow! A simple word meaning ‘the next day.’ Doesn’t sound ominous, overbearing, or threatening in any form of fashion. But yet it brings great anxiety to us. Why? Simply because we try to bring all of its anticipated cares, issues, and needs into today. We begin to worry if we’ll have enough strength, resources, ability, etc., to meet the needs of it, often forgetting that tomorrow is not even promised to us. We need to relax and remember that if indeed it does come we have a God who promised to meet our needs for the day. And He’s never failed us yet, for it’s an impossibility for God to fail. So, it’s far better for us to just live in the TODAY God has granted and do all we can leaving the rest up to Him.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34

P.S. - Please join us on campus today at 5:30pm for our monthly prayer gathering.

Get Better, Take Your Meds

When we worry…..it’s like putting God on hold. – Anon

After the crucifixion Peter suffered with anxiety. At that breakfast on the beach Jesus put it all to rest. AMEN!

Aspirin! Ibuprofen! Acetaminophen! All readily available over-the-counter medicines to help alleviate, reduce, and even eliminate our aches and pains. But for many of us, myself included, we just don’t like the idea of medicines if we can avoid it, so we do. We’ll deal with the pain as best we can. Often, we treat our God the same…..choosing to ‘worry’ rather than pray and seek His counsel, choosing to fret over the issue rather than invite Him into our suffering. Just like we put off the pain reliever we put off God…..putting Him on hold in our lives. The One who supplies all our needs and ‘gives strength to the weary’ is always at the ready to assist. So next time you pray…. don’t press the ‘hold’ button – just cast all your cares on Him.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” – Matthew 6:27

More Than Enough

How much is enough? "Just a little more!" - John D. Rockefeller (billionaire)

After David's 'sin' with Bathsheba God told him through Nathan the prophet, "if what I gave you wasn't enough, I would've given you more...." Hmm!

Admittedly, when it comes to work and particularly finances, many of us have worried about not having enough. Some of us are probably still suffering this anxiety. Worries about providing for our family, future, and comfort continue to push us harder and harder to grab more and more. And often it's to the point where we begin to forget God - our ultimate provider. He has promised to meet all our needs. He's promised us a 'hope and a future!' He's granted us 'all the riches that are in Christ Jesus!' And, I might add, He promised us 'our daily bread!' If we could take a moment to look back over our life we will see God has been faithful in every promise He made. And that should encourage us to trust Him even more. True, our resources may be 'tight' at the moment, but if it's what God has provided it is more than enough! Maybe we just need to let Him show us how.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33

Just The Sermon 8/25/24 "Choose Your Priority"

Premiering today at 10am and available for re-watch later on YouTube, it's Just the Sermon portion of the 8/25/24 worship service LIVE in Da Buildin! "Choose Your Priority"

https://bit.ly/3T928XM

Lighten Your Load Today

There will always be enough for today, without taking on yesterday or tomorrow. – Richard Murray

God rained down manna on a daily basis for the Israelites to eat. In their craftiness they tried to save some of it for the next day. It only created other problems. Hmm!

It has often been said that “worry is the interest paid on tomorrow’s trouble - today.” Yet even knowing this we still have a habit of carrying this excess weight with us, and it impacts our lives and testimony for God. The truth of the matter is when we agonize over yesterday’s decisions or fret over tomorrow’s possibilities, we show a lack of trust and faith in our Heavenly Father. He is so willing to forgive us our past mistakes, and He is so willing to help us with tomorrow when it comes. What He wants though, is for us to just live for Him in the current moment. As 'His mercies, grace, provisions, are new every morning' today is our turn to represent Him as light and life in a dark world.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” -Matthew 6:34

Don't Worry, Trust

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith. – G. Muellar

The moment Peter took his eyes off Jesus he started sinking in the water. Hmm!

Well, it's here – Morning! Today is that tomorrow you worried about so incessantly yesterday. It came anyway. If you don’t have an action plan yet, I would suggest you give it over to God right now! We shouldn’t live life so worried about future events that we can’t enjoy the present, that’s why God wants us to ‘cast our cares on Him.’ The more we lean on Him and learn to trust in Him, the less we’ll have to worry or fret about. True, in this game of life we’ll win some and lose some, but when we look back over our life we can see in all things God has been completely trustworthy, and stuck with us through it all, making the best of every situation. And He’ll do the same with our current worries or fears if we give them over to Him. As the day unfolds, I hope we don’t take too long to make up our minds.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34

Charting Your Destiny

Choices are the hinges of destiny. – Edwin Markham

The rich young ruler chose his earthly treasures, which he identified with, over Jesus and everlasting life. He also went away sad. OUCH!

“I wish I had done .....” “I should have gone to .......” “I shouldn’t have ......” These are all statements we often make when reflecting on our life. We are right now a summation of all the choices we made in the yesterdays of life. To look back over our life and lament over those choices is useless, we are where we are right now. To look back over them and learn from them and to chart the hand of God “working” throughout for our good regardless is breathtaking. Even better is the fact that God has gifted us TODAY, with every opportunity to make good choices that will determine our tomorrows and our eternity. Are you up to the challenge?

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.” – Matthew 6:24

Closet Time With Jesus

A holy life is not lived in the closet, but it cannot survive without one. - Anon

Paul's letters mention how he 'often' prayed for those who came to faith. I'm sure that's not all he prayed for. Hmm!

We wash them in 'Woolite'! We get them professionally dry-cleaned! We hang them properly, sometimes in plastic bags in the closet. What are they, our clothes or garments. Those pieces we always want to look good in, in public. Whether it be clothes, cars, jewelry, etc., we all have things we give much more attention and protection to, ensuring their presentation always draws attention. That should ever be the case with our faith walk with God. It deserves the utmost of care in terms of preparation (study, prayer, fasting) and presentation (avoiding the appearance of sin). It's true that life has a frenetic pace, but it's equally true that we don't have to participate in everything that makes it that way. If our lives are starting to get frayed around the ends, maybe some closet time with Jesus is just what we need.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"......But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen....." - Matthew 6:6

Don't Delay

Somebody said it couldn’t be done – it wasn’t God. – Anon

God was willing to work with Gideon and the ‘fleece’ in any fashion to show him the time was now. Hmm!

It’s amazing how we always want our turn when playing a game or receiving a blessing, but how we want to put our turn off when it comes to something unpleasant. We don’t seem to mind procrastinating then. When you really stop to think about it, the habit of procrastination takes a 2-fold toll on us. First, important work that needs to be done goes undone. Second, valuable energy we could use in doing the work gets wasted in activities we ‘drum up’ to avoid what we should be doing. So what results is delay, followed by anxiety, then a hurried, harried attempt to catch-up, leading to more anxiety or stress. The truth is we procrastinate out of fear, fear that we’re somehow inadequate at the time to do the job. But God gives us all we need beforehand, or will equip us with what we need ‘during’ the test so we need not fear, only ask His help to tackle the task. So if we meet the challenge head on we can avoid untold trouble, worry, and stress. Life doesn’t procrastinate – neither should we.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“….Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself….” – Matthew 6:34

Return, Reclaim and Revive

It's a truism, you always find what you lost right where you lost it. - Anon

David said, "I was glad when they said let us go into the house of the Lord!" Seems like he couldn't wait. Amen!

In Luke 15 we read of Jesus' presentation of a lost coin, sheep, and a son. Each item was precious to its owner. We see the Prodigal Son realizes what he's lost, and though he doesn't think it can be fully recaptured, he at least tries to get as close to it as possible. How many of us are like this in life? We've lost what we think we'll never find again - innocence, hope, family, joy, purpose, etc., and seem aimless or listless in life? Jesus tells us these parables to let us know we can find it again. All we need do is follow the instructions He gave to the people of the church of Ephesus in the Book of Revelation: "You have forsaken your first love, go back to it!" Many folks have left a church, even Southside (moved, marriage, school, work-related) and are no longer attending church at all, wondering why their lives seem to be missing something. Perhaps God is saying "You've forsaken your first love - ME! Come back to ME." True, a church is unique because of the people, but that's not why we attend. God is always the focal point. Find Him first and everything else will fall in line. If you're missing God why not try His local address.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33

Forgiveness Not Revenge

An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind. – Mahatma Gandhi

Jesus asked not for retribution on his suitors. but forgiveness. Hmm!

Live long enough and you will be wronged – accidentally, by oversight, and often intentionally. It’s the price we must pay for living with imperfect beings like ourselves. But often, the problem is not in being wronged, it is in our expectation and desire to set things right. We often think the only antidote or solution to being wronged is revenge, to get even by a similar action on our part. God’s way of thinking is different, and often much easier – FORGIVE. Rather than scheme and plot and possibly suffer more retribution and harm, why not just forgive. It’s refreshing and saves a lot of wear and tear on the body and the heart.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15

Release the Prisoners

It's crazy how God forgives us DAILY, but yet we hold grudges FOREVER! - Anon

When Peter tried to quantify forgiveness, Jesus had him look inward and heavenward. Hmm!

Long before the 'Hatfields and the McCoys' there were the folks of Edom - Esau's descendants! Though Esau had been wronged by his brother Jacob, the two of them reconciled. But Esau's descendants would not let it go. They terrorized their relatives for many, many years until God called down judgment upon them. It seems silly, but many of us are just like them. Oh, we may not 'terrorize' our victims, but we hold them in prison in our hearts, wishing all kinds of 'ill will' towards them. We forget how much God loves us, and showers mercy, forgiveness, and grace upon us every day though we don't deserve it. If there is anything to learn here it's that forgiveness is a God thing, and maybe we should practice it even more. Who knows that God may not do to us what He did to the folks of Edom for their hardheartedness. If we're going to 'hold' these folks in our hearts, may it be in prayer.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." - Matthew 6:15

Fair Financial Future

Yes, men do make counterfeit money, but more often than naught, money makes counterfeit men. - S. Harris

Rehoboam's focus on more taxation made him a lesser man than his father Solomon. OUCH!

The love of money, the attraction, the affectations it brings, the power it yields, the satisfaction and happiness it promises - it's all smoke and mirrors. Yes, we need money to survive in this life, exist in this culture, but no matter how much we have it does not and should not define us, nor should others measure us by it. Jesus told us we should use 'worldly wealth to gain friends' so that one day we 'might be welcomed into eternal dwellings.' Though God requires the tithe of us, I think the question we should sometimes ask ourselves is: what are we doing with the other 90%, how is that portion showing out in my life? That does bear some thought, doesn't it? Will anybody be in heaven based on my spending patterns? The best use of your dollar$ and ¢ent$ is to be $en$ible in preparation for tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....for where your treasure is there your heart will be also..." - Matthew 6:22

Blooming Right Where You Are

Brighten the corner where YOU are! - Song refrain

His brother Peter got more print and notice, but Andrew had great impact as well. AMEN!

We live in a culture/society where it's all about ME! I take "center stage." Shine the spotlight on MY deeds of greatness, follow MY life on social media, or hear about MY vast amount of need and right to exist. But what if it really isn't about YOU! The poet Thomas Gray wrote "full many a flower is born to blush unseen and waste its sweetness in the desert air." It means some flowers are never seen - they never make it into the floral bouquet, table centerpiece, hospital room, secretary's desk, or wives hands. They grow in some distant, dark place, but yet they grow and bloom and give beauty to that place. You may not ever write a book, preach a sermon, sing a solo, or stand in front of a crowd, but you can still bloom for God just by SERVING where you are with what you have. Shine On!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....see how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these...." - Matthew 6:27-28

Pick A Side. Take A Stand. Make A Difference.

There’s nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes….and roadkill. – J. Hightower

Not only is fence sitting painful, Jesus said it was impractical. Hmm!

Though we as people are often highly opinionated on almost every issue, many of us often try to live our lives in the middle of the road. We don’t really want to hurt or harm anyone. But the truth of the matter is in the arena of principle, morality, and all things righteous no one can remain neutral, nor should we want to; for neutral men are the devil’s allies. God calls for us to take a stand, leave the holy huddle and get in the game. When we try to placate both sides by remaining neutral we’re actually giving the enemy the upper hand, as the only necessity for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. And like cigarette smoke, evil does not know how to stay in its own section, it soon touches all facets of life. God is giving us TODAY with all of its ‘fullness’ to make a difference. Now it's up to us.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“No man can serve two masters. Wither he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” – Matthew 6:24