Prayer Posture

Most people asking for advice are usually looking for an accomplice. – M. LaGrange

The rich young ruler didn’t really want Jesus’ thoughts on eternal life, just his blessing on the way he wanted to obtain it. Hmm!

All of us have family or friends we shy away from in giving advice for we know their intent is to incorporate us into their affairs somehow. This is a noble task on our part, but how often do we turn around and do the same thing to God. Often in our prayers we really are not seeking God’s will, but trying to get God to bless what we’ve already proposed or launched into. This is tantamount to putting God in a box. God will hear and answer the prayers of His people, but He will not be limited in any way to our anticipated responses, nor cover for our overzealous desires and wants. God sees prayer as a time of communion where our hearts conform to His, then the blessings will flow, and since He is holy, He can’t be an accomplice to anyone.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“’Be careful,’ Jesus said to them. ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:6

Not What It May Seem

If the grass seems greener on the other side of the fence, it only means yours needs fertilizer. – Anon

The “Prodigal Son” couldn’t wait to get away and experience life on his own. He soon found himself back on familiar turf – HOME!

Temptation! Self-indulgence! Evil begetting riches! We live in a world today that appears to reward those who do wrong. It seems as if they have a care-free life and all they need. We may sometimes wonder why our life is not like that, why we can’t have it all. But things are not always as they appear to be. We must remember our enemy “masquerades as an angel of light” (false hope, false security, etc.). Though it may seem appealing it is really only a façade, something designed to shift your focus from God, and his purposes for fulfillment in your life.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“[Jesus said] be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:11-12

God Unlimited

Most people asking for advice are usually looking for an accomplice. – M. LaGrange

The rich young ruler didn’t really want Jesus’ thoughts on eternal life, just his blessing on the way he wanted to obtain it. Hmm!

All of us have family or friends we shy away from in giving advice for we know their intent is to incorporate us into their affairs somehow. This is a noble task on our part, but how often do we turn around and do the same thing to God.  Often in our prayers we really are not seeking God’s will, but trying to get God to bless what we’ve already proposed or launched into. This is tantamount to putting God in a box. God will hear and answer the prayers of His people, but He will not be limited in any way to our anticipated responses, nor cover for our overzealous desires and wants. God sees prayer as a time of communion where our hearts conform to His, then the blessings will flow, and since He is holy, He can’t be an accomplice to anyone.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“’Be careful,’ Jesus said to them. ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:6

Say it

Silent gratitude isn’t of much use to anyone! – G. Stein

The Pharisees wanted the crowd to stop praising Jesus at the triumphal entry. He replied “if the people were silenced the stones would cry out.” WOW!

The ‘Didache’ community has a saying of “whether receiving or giving, it involves the action of stretching forth one’s hands,” meaning there must be specific intent made. How much moreso then, with an expression of gratitude. If it is not uttered in a timely manner it is wasted and lost forever. We should not take today or the events and people that bless our lives for granted, nor should we assume they know how we feel. We should tell them. We can't thank God enough, but we can at least give thanks! Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.” – Psalm 34:1-2 (KJV)

Improving your Aim

Failure to hit the bulls-eye is never the fault of the target. - Anon

The Pharisees and religious rulers of the day 'missed' Jesus because they had their minds already made up. Hmm!

Generally when 'X' marks the spot, 'X' is not mobile or ambulatory. That's the one constant we need to hone in on to make sure we hit the bulls-eye. Interestingly enough, God and His Word never change, they are both the same 'yesterday, today, and forever' yet we continually seem to miss. Biblically speaking, sin is described as 'missing the mark.'  Missing at times is okay, for God is truly gracious, but when we continue to miss in the same area, it should be a strong indicator to us that we need to improve our aim. That may mean letting go of certain friends, habits, routines, or conveniences that hinder our ability to concentrate and focus on the bulls-eye. True God's patience is long, but we never want to be found 'trying it.'

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart...." - Jeremiah 29:13

The Bad Habit of...

Bad habits are like comfortable beds, easy to fall into but hard to get out of. – Anon

Jesus jumped all over the Scribes, Pharisees, and religious leaders of His day because of their love for ‘the traditions of men’ rather than GOD. OUCH!

Sometimes, if we’re not careful we can easily fall into self-fulfilling acts or rituals that take us away from God’s program and think ourselves righteous. A habit doesn’t have to be sinful to be bad, but if it takes our focus off of Almighty God and places it on our own desires we need to re-evaluate our commitment. God will present situations to see who will be first in our life today!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“I am the Lord your God….you shall have no other gods before me.” – Exodus 20:2-3  

Jeet Yet? (Did you eat yet)

Jets run on jet fuel, rockets run on rocket fuel, diesels run on diesel fuel. Most Christians run on….….empty! - Anon  

Jesus called the Pharisees and teachers of the law (the religious leaders of his day) hypocrites – inside they were empty, full of dead men’s bones. OUCH!  

It’s no secret that everything has a power source. Whether it be liquid, solid, electrical, heat, light, or even physical; everything has a power source. What’s amazing is how we can go great distances or spans of time without any connection to the Heavenly Father or His Son. Just as our physical body requires daily nourishment for development, strength, and endurance; our spiritual nature requires it so much more. If we are truly fighting a ‘spiritual battle’ it only makes sense we nourish our spirit with the things it needs to properly develop that we may fight a good fight. Sunday’s are great, but not quite enough to last a whole week. If God is doing new things everyday it only makes sense to check in with Him each day. No man has ever been defeated or humiliated for spending too much time with Him.  

Until tomorrow…..   Pastor Botts  

“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for the received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” – Acts 17:11