A Thankless Job

Beware every time you notice yourself doing a good thing because you ruin it by the notice. – O. Chambers

Jesus said the actions of the 'righteous' Pharisee went for naught because of his attitude and bragging in doing them. OUCH!

There is a lot of truth to the cliché “a good deed is its own reward.” Sure we all appreciate a good pat on the back, a kind “thank you,” or acknowledgement of our actions, but when we come to expect such a response for what should be our Christian duty or we talk them up like we just saved the world, we come dangerously close to being like our Pharisaical friend. Good deeds should just naturally flow (holding open a door for someone, helping out when needed without being asked, etc.) without any expectation of thanks or repayment. In so doing we are becoming more like Christ.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” –Colossians 3:23

Spreading Joy

You can never give another person the joy you’ve found, but you can make him homesick for what you have. – O. Chambers

After talking with Jesus at the well, the Samaritan woman excited the whole town with what she found there. AMEN!

If there’s one thing this present world could use it is joy. Economic news, world news, and even local news all seems to be negative; and in the home there is little or no peace. We are called to be a light, to be a joyful people – these traits attract others – that we might impact the world around us. We must remember our joy isn’t determined by what we have, but who we have. If our immediate sphere of influence is dark and dreary and without hope, we shouldn’t look outward, but inward; and then upward. If our Christian walk is not attracting or impacting others, then we’re really not living for Jesus we’re living for ourselves. May we all be ‘infectious’ today!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” – John 15:11

Broken Hearts

If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart. – O. Chambers

God heard Hannah’s painful heart-broken prayers. He answered by giving her a son mighty in the priesthood.  AMEN!

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but pain, sweat, and tears are what get the job done. Now admittedly, we all have an aversion to pain of any kind. With so much to do, so many places to go, or people to interact with we seldom have time to be laid up or sidelined with it. But that is the call of an intercessor, to have a deep-hearted pain for others that only God can soothe and heal. Pain is not optional in the Christian walk, it is inevitable; and as much as we avoid it, sometimes we need to ask God to break our heart.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17