The NEW spot for Southside's Thoughts for the Day as penned by our pastor Herbert Botts
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Taking Life Off Pause
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Honoring Your Vows
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Let's Get On With It
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Commitment Beyond Feeling
A commitment is doing what you said you would do long after the feeling you said it in has passed. – R. Gilbert
When summoned by the king, Uriah the Hittite even refused to go home and be with his wife because of his commitment to protecting his king in battle. AMEN!
Just as a man and woman in Christian marriage are committed to one another ‘until death,’ our relationship with God is the same. And the reality is there can be no adjustment in our commitment or vow with God. Anything short of honoring what we vowed is sin. Its true God is forgiving, however we should not “put Him to the test.” The blessings that God puts into our lives such as family, work, hobbies, education, etc. are never given to supplant Him as having first place in our heart and lives, or change the commitments we made to Him and His church. Emotions come and go, but commitment is based on our own will. Just as God faithfully keeps His promises to us He expects the same from us. Today's a good day to start.
Until tomorrow…….
Pastor Botts
“When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.” – Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
Friday, February 21, 2014
Get on with it
Even if you can’t get over it, get on with it! – R. Gilbert
Esau was infuriated with his brother Jacob for ‘stealing’ his blessing, but he managed to make a good life for himself and his people. It changed his heart too! WOW!
Life is a series of actions, circumstances, and events that come upon us all. And oftentimes the end results are not pleasant or to our liking. But we must remember God is not so much concerned about our ‘comfort’ in life as He is with our character. The things He allows (and yes sometimes he uses our enemies) are to help shape and mold us into what He needs us to be. We injure ourselves and slow our progress when we hold grudges or revenge in our heart – its just excess baggage. Our lives should not be on hold because of what happened yesterday, we should be continually pressing on toward ‘the prize.’
Until Monday…..
Pastor Botts
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw of everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance, the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1


