The Hardest Thing to Conquer

To many, total abstinence is better than perfect moderation, but neither gets practiced! - Augustine

Many of the godly kings of Judah destroyed the temples of Baal and Ashtoreth but neglected the high places. Hmm!

As those made in the highest order of creation, we are by far the more intelligent beings, able to ‘subdue and control’ the earth. But in all our conquering the hardest thing for us to learn is to temper our appetites, control our desires, or restrain our impulses. After all, nobody but nobody knows what’s better for us than we ourselves is our way of thinking. But God really does know better, He created us, knows what we can withstand, knows how He wants to bless us, and knows how He wants to use us in His service. Moderation is difficult, of course; but the rewards are numerous and long-lasting. To improve our finances, health, or general well-being; wisdom and moderation must be close traveling companions. God will leave the decision up to us, but then so are the consequences.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“…Better a patient man that a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city..” – Proverbs 16:32

Steps in the Right Direction

The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step - Chinese proverb

The bible says Jesus 'set his face to go to Jerusalem and the Cross.' That journey still continues today. WOW!

10,000 steps a day! Approximately 5 miles! According to many health advisory boards it's a goal we should aim for every day. Such activity can help lead to a decrease in chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and other metabolic syndrome issues, and increase one's overall health. A noble task indeed. So we grab the FitBit, Apple Watch, pedometer, or phone-app and off we go. Hooray for us! But this good application of ourselves does beg another question. How many of those steps are in the path the Lord chose for us this day? How many of them took us to where Jesus needed to be to minister through us, to encourage, give help or hope, spread love, show concern, or share in compassion or sympathy? If we're going to walk, why not be like Enoch and walk with God.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." - Proverbs 16:9

P.S. - Hope to see you tomorrow for Prayer Breakfast!

What's Your Motivation?

A man always has two reasons for what he does – a good one, and the real one. – J.P. Morgan

Ananais and Sapphira. Great intentions but wrong motives. We know the rest of the story. Hmm!

We’re very quick to question the motives of others, yet slow to question our own. When others hurt or harm us, we always assume they had the worst of intentions, but when we are the guilty party we often try to excuse ourselves making light of the offended; concluding they are ‘too sensitive,’ or taking things 'out of context.' Regardless of how we try to make ourselves appear ‘right’ God weighs our actions on His scales of righteousness – and we cannot deceive Him. Many things cause us to do what we do, and YES, it is possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason. No matter our reasons God will always look upon our heart. If we’re not motivated by love, no matter how sweet our actions; we’ve missed the point.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” – Proverbs 16:2

Health. Hope. Healing.

Health is a trust from God. - Anon

James' letter declares that 'the prayers of faith will make a sick person well.' Hmm!

Look at any burned out forest closely after a few weeks and you can spot them. Tiny little buds and sprigs of green. New growth occurring. Healing taking place. It's a slow but ongoing process. Our lives follow suit. When devastating, tragic events occur and seem to cover us in darkness, and deaden our senses, spirits, or emotions, God gets busy with new growth. He does so to give us hope and strength to hold on. All we need do is just look closely to see the evidence. An unexpected call from a friend offering reassurance and prayer, a long-forgotten memory recalled to lift our spirit, or even a new connection with someone we never thought we had anything in common with. These are all signs of God quietly asking us "Do you want to get well?" Well, do you? Look closely, healing is in abundance for God is at work.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." - Proverbs 16:24

Moving Forward

I'll go any direction as long as it's forward. - Anon

Even though the Israelites were 'armed for battle' when they left Egypt, God detoured them around the Philistines. He knew why. Amen!

Detour Ahead! Ugh. No one I know likes to see this sign on the open road. And usually it is a long, time-consuming way around your original mapped out plans. And even though it may be scenic, because it was forced upon us our spirit and minds-eye refuses to enjoy the views. It's the same way in life, it too has detours. Some of us are in one right now wondering when will it ever end. The point though is for us to adjust our spirit and pace to see/hear what God is trying to say to us. That 'intended' destination, relationship, job, etc., may not be good for us. He knows the plans He has for us -right! So, if it seems like you're traveling in circles now may be a good time to slow down and get in step with God. Lest we forget, at one time it took the Israelites 40 years of wandering before they could move forward.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." - Proverbs 16:9

Keys to Improvement

To many, total abstinence is better than perfect moderation, but neither gets practiced! - Augustine

Many of the godly kings of Judah destroyed the temples of Baal and Ashtoreth but neglected the high places. Hmm!

As those made in the highest order of creation, we are by far the more intelligent beings, able to ‘subdue and control’ the earth. But in all our conquering the hardest thing for us to learn is to temper our appetites, control our desires, or restrain our impulses. After all, nobody but nobody knows what’s better for us than we ourselves is our way of thinking. But God really does know better, He created us, knows what we can withstand, knows how He wants to bless us, and knows how He wants to use us in His service. Moderation is difficult, of course; but the rewards are numerous and long-lasting. To improve our finances, health, or general well-being; wisdom and moderation must be close traveling companions. God will leave the decision up to us, but then so are the consequences.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…Better a patient man that a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city...” – Proverbs 16:32

What's the Master Plan?

If you have no idea where you want to go, then any old road will take you there. – D. Swanberg

The bible is God’s love letter to us on how to reach His house. Based on the way we’re living apparently not many people want to go. Hmm!

It’s a common maxim but with a lot of truth: “Ready, aim, fire.” The truth of it is we’re more likely to hit the mark if we’re looking at the target and aiming for it. It’s the same in life, but it’s called planning. If our lives seem out of control it’s possibly because we have no plan to guide or direct us. Many of us flounder about in life because we have no stated or intended purpose or plan. Before it is possible for us to achieve anything we must chart a course or plan of attack to help keep us in line and measure our progress, otherwise we’ll never know how we’re doing or where we’re headed. The key thing in all of this though; is to make sure our master plans line up with our Master’s Plan.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:3

New Growth Healing

Health is a trust from God. - Anon

James letter declares that 'the prayers of faith will make a sick person well.' Hmm!

Look at any burned out forest closely after a few weeks and you can spot them. Tiny little buds and sprigs of green. New growth occurring. Healing taking place. It's a slow but ongoing process. Our lives follow suit. When devastating, tragic events occur and seem to cover us in darkness, and deaden our senses, spirits, or emotions, God gets busy with new growth. He does so to give us hope and strength to hold on. All we need do is just look closely to see the evidence. An unexpected call from a friend offering reassurance and prayer, a long forgotten memory recalled to lift our spirit, or even a new connection with someone we never thought we had anything in common with. These are all signs of God quietly asking us "Do you want to get well?" Well, do you? Look closely, healing is in abundance for God is at work.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." - Proverbs 16:24

What is it you want?

The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want. – B. Stein

All Solomon wanted was wisdom to rule God’s people righteously. He got that and more from God. AMEN!

The story of the dog who starts out on a foxhunt and ends up chasing his tail fits a lot of people. We are often distracted by what we see others enjoying and sometimes we  begin to secretly covet.  The fact is most of us really don’t know what we truly want. We say we want happiness, joy, peace, etc. but yet we refuse to come to the only one who can give it – Christ. The more we try to achieve the things of life our way, the more frustrating our life will become. To have the things we truly want, we must decide what they are and then be willing to sacrifice all other things to have them. The key to remember is if God is not in the plan our decisions are essentially empty.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” – Proverbs 14:12, 16:25

The REAL Reason

A man always has two reasons for what he does – a good one, and the real one. – J.P. Morgan

Ananais and Sapphira. Great intentions but wrong motives. We know the rest of the story. Hmm!

We’re very quick to question the motives of others, yet slow to question our own. When others hurt or harm us, we always assume they had the worst of intentions, but when we are the guilty party we often try to excuse ourselves making light of the offended; concluding they are ‘too sensitive,’ or taking things 'out of context.' Regardless of how we try to make ourselves appear ‘right’ God weighs our actions on His scales of righteousness – and we cannot deceive Him. Many things cause us to do what we do, and YES it is possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason. No matter our reasons God will always look upon our heart. If we’re not motivated by love, no matter how sweet our actions; we’ve missed the point.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” – Proverbs 16:2

Ready to Heal

Health is a trust from God. - Anon

James letter declares that 'the prayers of faith will make a sick person well.' Hmm!

Look at any burned out forest are closely after a few weeks and you can spot them. Tiny little buds and sprigs of green. New growth occurring. Healing taking place. It's a slow but ongoing process. Our lives follow suit. When devastating, tragic events occur and seem to cover us in darkness, and deaden our senses, spirits, or emotions, God gets busy with new growth. He does so to give us hope and strength to hold on. All we need do is just look closely to see the evidence. An unexpected call from a friend offering reassurance and prayer, a long forgotten memory recalled to lift our spirit, or even a new connection with someone we never thought we had anything in common with. These are all signs of God quietly asking us "Do you want to get well?"  Well, do you? Look closely, healing is in abundance for God is at work.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." - Proverbs 16:24  

Moderation and Wisdom

To many, total abstinence is easier than perfect moderation, but neither gets practiced! - Augustine

Many of the godly kings of Judah destroyed the temples of Baal and Ashtoreth, but neglected the high places. Hmm!

As those made in the highest order of creation, we are by far the more intelligent beings, able to ‘subdue and control’ the earth. But in all our conquering the hardest thing for us to learn is to temper our appetites, control our desires, or restrain our impulses. After all, nobody but nobody knows what’s better for us than we ourselves is our way of thinking. But God really does know better, He created us, knows what we can withstand, knows how He wants to bless us, and knows how He wants to use us in His service. Moderation is difficult, of course; but the rewards are numerous and long-lasting. To improve our finances, health, or general well-being; then wisdom and moderation must be close traveling companions. God will leave the decision up to us, but then so are the consequences.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“…Better a patient man that a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city..” – Proverbs 16:32

Controlling the Self

To many, total abstinence is easier than perfect moderation, but neither gets practiced! - Augustine

Many of the godly kings of Judah destroyed the temples of Baal and Ashtoreth, but neglected the high places. Hmm!

As those made in the highest order of creation, we are by far the more intelligent beings, able to ‘subdue and control’ the earth. But in all our conquering the hardest thing for us to learn is to temper our appetites, control our desires, or restrain our impulses. After all, nobody but nobody knows what’s better for us than we ourselves is our way of thinking. But God really does know better, He created us, knows what we can withstand, knows how He wants to bless us, and knows how He wants to use us in His service. Moderation is difficult, of course; but the rewards are numerous and long-lasting. To improve our finances, health, or general well-being; then wisdom and moderation must be close traveling companions. God will leave the decision up to us, but then so are the consequences.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…Better a patient man that a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city..” – Proverbs 16:32

Why we do what we do

A man always has two reasons for what he does – a good one, and the real one. – J.P. Morgan

Ananais and Sapphira. Great intentions but wrong motives. We know the rest of the story. Hmm!

We’re very quick to question the motives of others, yet slow to question our own. When others hurt or harm us, we always assume they had the worst of intentions, but when we are the guilty party we often try to excuse ourselves making light of the offended; concluding they are ‘too sensitive,’ or taking things 'out of context.' Regardless of how we try to make ourselves appear ‘right’ God weighs our actions on His scales of righteousness – and we cannot deceive Him. Many things cause us to do what we do, and YES it is possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason. No matter our reasons God will always look upon our heart. If we’re not motivated by love, no matter how sweet our actions; we’ve missed the point.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” – Proverbs 16:2  

Where ya goin?

If you have no idea where you want to go, then any old road will take you there. – D. Swanberg  

The bible is God’s love letter to us on how to reach His house. Based on the way we’re living apparently not many people want to go. Hmm!

It’s a common maxim but with a lot of truth: “Ready, aim, fire.” The truth of it is we’re more likely to hit the mark if we’re looking at the target and aiming for it. It’s the same in life, but it’s called planning. If our lives seem out of control it’s possibly because we have no plan to guide or direct us. Many of us founder about in life because we have no stated or intended purpose or plan. Before it is possible for us to achieve anything we must chart a course or plan of attack to help keep us in line and measure our progress, otherwise we’ll never know how we’re doing or where we’re headed. The key thing in all of this though; is to make sure our master plans line up with our Master’s Plan.  

Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:3