The Many Speeds of Life

Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use. – Charles M. Schultz

James and John wanted to ‘call down fire’ on the Samaritans because they didn’t welcome Jesus. Jesus got them to relax and later on faith won the day. HMMM!

Look on any freeway at any time and you’ll see them – Porsche’s, Maserati’s, Ferrari’s – built for excessive speed yet limited by the law, sheer pictures of frustration. Most of us live life that way as if we have only 1 speed. It is either a blistering race to the finish line (which we have no idea is where or when), or a scenic snails pace stopping at every turn (not making any progress). The life Jesus calls us to requires us to be very flexible – sometimes waiting and fasting, sometimes stealing away quickly, and sometimes taking long journeys – to experience the ‘abundance’ He promised. The idea is to take it 1 day at a time using all the gifts God has given us at the pace God sets, for He gives ‘grace sufficient for the day.’

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” – Romans 12:1

Let Him Install the New OS on Your Mainframe

"You have heard that it was said....., but I tell you......" - Jesus

After meeting Jesus on the Damascus road, Paul spent close to 3 years learning what he thought he already knew as a 'holy' man. Hmm!

Just like a computer has an operating system to guide and direct it, our mind serves the same role with us. And whatever we allow in becomes part of our operational way of life and thinking. And just as a computer often needs an upgrade to its operational system, so do we. And if we study the teachings of Jesus we see that a great deal of His time was spent on the goal of 'unlearning' with His disciples. Half of spiritual growth is learning what we don't know about Christ, but the other half is 'unlearning' what we think we know. And it is often our failure to 'unlearn' those irrational fears, misconceptions, and ideologies about Him that keep us from becoming truly who God made us to be. And the truth of the matter is 'unlearning' is twice as hard as learning, for the hardest lesson to learn is the one we thought we already knew. It is so much harder to get old thoughts out of your mind than it is to get new thoughts in, which is why Jesus often led with the premise, "You have heard that it was said....., but I tell you......" We should all be alert as Jesus will be attempting to install some new programming today!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

".....but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...." Romans 12:2

Being Passionate About Your Purpose

Trivial Pursuit is a game, not a way of life. – Anon

Gideon was content to eke out an obscured, hidden life; but God said ‘No way!’ AMEN!

Motivation – it’s what fuels winners, successes. The desire to be a success drives them to be passionate about their craft – to work at it, sweat at it, give it all they have. It becomes their purpose. The fact of the matter is God created each one of us for a purpose. And just as God is passionate about His creation, within each of us is a passion He’s given us to somehow make the world a better place, make life better for those around us, and make His name known among everyone. The trick is to find out what you’re passionate about and ask God to help you make it work for His glory, that will give our lives purpose, direction, fulfillment, and use for God. There is no reward nor overtime pay for procrastination. Doing the work of God is a responsibility for each of us. Well, today is here, and God is waiting, so “if it’s going to be, it’s up to…..” [Me]

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord…” – Romans 12:11

Use Em

Burying your talents does not make them grow. - Anon

The servant who buried his master's money had no growth to report, and it cost him big time. OUCH!

Agriculture teaches us that when seeds are properly planted and cared for, they grow and plants/flowers/trees are the natural results. You get a variety of flora that is both beautiful and useful. It is a reminder that God wastes nothing that He has made. The same is true of us. Each of us has been gifted with skills and talents by God. And He expects or wants us to use these to bring glory to Himself. For us to sit on them, deny them, or keep them bottled up inside is to deny the God we say we love and serve. To Him it doesn't matter if someone has the same or similar skill/talent you have, like the beautiful scene of nature He expects us to find a way to let ours shine for kingdom purposes. We don't want to be like the lazy servant, so it's time to get in gear and get in the game.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"If a man's gift is....... ........let him use it in proportion to his faith." - Romans 12:6

More In Common

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear these walls down!" - Ronald Reagan

Even though the religious leaders continuously opposed him, Jesus still gave them soul-saving instructions. Hmm!

Buffets! If you've ever been to a lunch or dinner buffet it's tantalizing, with so many great choices. The idea is to present enough foods to satisfy everyone's different cravings. It's a good way to get a group of people who can't decide on a particular cuisine to come together and eat. To me, this is comparable to our Christian walk. We won't always agree with everyone in our circle of influence, but we can have peace among us when we realize we often have more in common that binds us together than separates us. Paul reminds us in the letter to the Christian church in Rome. He said we need to 'seek new ways that we may co-exist in peace'. Someone has actually said Romans 12 should be titled 'How To Love Those YOU Can't Stand!' putting all the emphasis on 'YOU!' Well, there it is.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." - Romans 12:18

Round and Round We Go

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten! - Anon

In the book of Judges the Israelites over and over and over “did evil in the sight of God,” and over and over and over He gave them “over to their enemies.” Hmm!

It’s been said insanity is doing the exact same thing over and over and each time expecting different results. Just because “we’ve always done it this way,” doesn’t necessarily make it right, nor mean it has to continue that way. God doesn’t want our rituals or legalism, but our hearts; for that is where transformation takes place. If we are still today spiritually where we were 2-3 years ago, maybe we need to consider a slight change in our habits. Look for God to be doing a ‘new thing’ in your life today.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

Conquering Self

Before doing the impossible you have to start with the necessary. - Anon

Before being cured of his leprosy, Naaman had to be cured of his pride. Ouch!

Many of us set out to conquer the world first, then our friends, spouses, and neighbors, changing it to suit our ideology, often ignoring the fact that it is not them but we who need to change. A good leader realizes the only conquests that leave no regrets are the victories over himself. World change is totally possible and all it really takes is a small change in our own personal worldview. Starting there means a lot less stress and heavy lifting.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

".....do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2

P.S. - Hope you can join us for Prayer this evening at 5:30pm.

It's How You Come

Present your body as a living sacrifice. – Romans 12:1

When Peter recognized it was Jesus he saw, he quickly girded himself with the proper attire before coming ashore. Hmm!

We all know the cliché ‘You never get a second chance to make a first impression!’ And I’m sure it’s played out many times over in our lives in various settings both good and bad. And the truth is it plays out in our faith walk every day as well. Whether we are at work, school, vacation, or home; God is thoroughly concerned with the way we present ourselves before others as we live for Him. The bible speaks on grooming, being properly ‘adorned’ for service, being washed, clean, and unnoticeable in our times of fasting, and by not using or offering our ‘temple’ for acts of unrighteousness, including our eyes (what we see) and ears (what we hear). The bible calls us ‘ambassadors’ and that carries a certain air of expectancy with it. This is not to say we always walk around formally dressed and coiffed, but that we are ‘presentable.' The idea is if people are going to look to Jesus to have hope, first they will look to us as representatives of that hope. The question then becomes not how much do you know, but do they want to know you?

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself.” – John 12:32

Influence the Culture

You might as well listen to a thief lecture on honesty as watch for Hollywood and the Media to teach values. – Anon

Until Paul met Christ on the Damascus Road, he actually thought he was doing God’s will. Scary huh?

What you thought before has led to every choice you have made, and this adds up to YOU at this moment. For most people, us included, these thoughts are pretty much exclusive to what we have seen from Hollywood and heard in the mainstream media. Therefore, we are not so much in our way of thinking, children of our parents but offspring of the culture. If we want to change who we are physically, mentally, and spiritually, we will have to change what we think. Godly people were never meant to be influenced by the culture, but to be influencers OF their culture, to promote ways of righteousness and light in a world that wants to hide in darkness. As we watch the ‘big screen’ remember others are watching us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” – Romans 12:2

The Power to Transform

Scripture should more than inform us, it should transform us. – Anon

When King Hezekiah received the threatening letter from Sennacherib, he was moved to prayer. God was moved too! AMEN!

“We like it, we love it, we want some more of it.” That seems to be the cry of most of us as “Christians” today, “I need to know more bible, or more about the bible.” But scripture should be much more than information to us, it is food to nourish our soul and spirit, to power the life we live. The Word of God is “alive and powerful”, and able to change or transform us when given license through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we all face the circumstances and situations of life, we need to remember it’s not how much scripture we know, but will it show in our life.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

Peaceful Living

The way to win an atomic war is to make sure it never starts. – Omar Bradley

To save his life Jacob’s mother sent him away to relatives he’d never met. It was a wise move. Hmm!

If you think about it, war is actually a last resort. It is the result of failed attempts to resolve an issue, and atomic war is a desire to completely annihilate the enemy. Often, if we’re not careful we find ourselves not only in a war, but an atomic one, ruing the birth of our enemy. This should not be, for as people of God we’re called to live at peace with our neighbor. It’s not easy at times, but we must remember God will not accept excuses at the door of heaven. The way to win a fight - keep the peace. The way to win an argument – speak only in love. And the way to best Satan – stay in company with God. Peace, I leave with you!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath…” – Romans 12:18-19

Don't Snowball

When things go wrong, don’t go with them. – Anon

David's one act of adultery eventually led him to murder. OUCH!

Try as we might to avoid it through prayer, meditation, scripture reading and study, sometimes Satan trips us up and we sin. However, we should immediately confess it and repent before Almighty God, and not try to conceal it with further lies and other sinful acts. This allows Satan to build his fortress in our hearts and surround it with walls of our silence and shame, bringing further calamity. God is ready and quick to forgive those who seek Him and ask it, and restore them to Himself, that you may continue to walk upright with Him. I pray we will be conquerors today.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody…….Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:17, 21

Peace Through Forgiveness

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal to throw at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha

Even knowing what Judas did, Jesus still washed his feet. WOW!

Just the sight of them makes our blood boil. Just the thought of them upsets our stomach or peace. Most of us have people like this in our lives. We know we shouldn’t, but hey we’re human. Thank God for the scripture that says “grow in grace!” Yeah, we need to grow that we may forgive and move on. The question arises though, how long should it take us to grow that much? I think if we’re honest we already know the answer. Colossians 3:13 tell us “forgive as the Lord forgave you.” If God forgives us and extends grace instantly when we repent and confess to Him, then our response to others should be equally the same. So, we must ask ourselves: how forgiven am I by God? Well, have you asked?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“If it is possible, ….as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” – Romans 12:18

Physical Limits

We can only give what we are, not what we would like to be. – C. Ringma

When the disciples could not heal the demon possessed boy, Jesus reminded them that sometimes prayer and fasting is necessary. Hmm!

Although the scripture tells us “we can do all things through Christ…..” we must realize we cannot be everything to everybody. We are limited, and not just in terms of our human frailties. God has given us all certain gifts and talents to aid in our walk of faith, but to actually think we can do anything and everything is really a presumption upon His will for our lives. Yes God expects us to love and serve others in ways that express who we are, but also to remember where we end and He begins. Hopefully others will see Him in plain view through us today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” – Romans 12:11

Equipped for What's Ahead

Use what talents you possess: The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those who sang best. – H. VanDyke

God sent Moses on his way to liberate His people from Pharaoh with just a ‘staff’ in his hand. It actually worked! WOW!

Training, preparation, honing one's skills. All things we do in life to help us get better and move forward - sort of. Often we don't, we get used to the preparation, and sometimes we let the preparation become our goal, rather than what it should be preparing us for. We begin to overanalyze the situation and tell ourselves we're not quite ready, we need a little more training. So we often shrink back from the work or call of God, figuring we’re not prepared, qualified, or rightly situated to do it. It's called 'paralysis by analysis.' But in reality God has equipped each of us with exactly what we need for each new encounter. Remember, God never gives the test until He has equipped us, or reminded us we need to call on Him. May we all ‘sing’ for Him today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us...” – Romans 12:6

P.S. - As we end 'Black History' month please feel free to wear your Ethnic Attire this Sunday.

Your Passionate God Work

Trivial Pursuit is a game, not a way of life. – Anon

Gideon was content to eke out an obscured, hidden life; but God said ‘No way!’ AMEN!

Motivation – it’s what fuels winners, successes. The desire to be a success drives them to be passionate about their craft – to work at it, sweat at it, give it all they have. It becomes their purpose. The fact of the matter is God created each one of us for a purpose. And just as God is passionate about His creation, within each of us is a passion He’s given us to somehow make the world a better place, make life better for those around us, and make His name known among everyone. The trick is to find out what you’re passionate about and ask God to help you make it work for His glory, that will give our lives purpose, direction, fulfillment, and use for God. There is no reward nor overtime pay for procrastination. Doing the work of God is a responsibility for each of us. Well, today is here, and God is waiting, so “if it’s going to be, it’s up to…..”

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“….Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord…” – Romans 12:11

World Change One Mind At A Time

Before doing the impossible you have to start with the necessary. - Anon

Before being cured of his leprosy, Naaman had to be cured of his pride. Ouch!

Many of us set out to conquer the world first, then our friends, spouses, and neighbors, changing it to suit our ideology, often ignoring the fact that it is not them but we who need to change. A good leader realizes the only conquests that leave no regrets are the victories over himself. World change is totally possible and all it really takes is a small change in our own personal worldview. Starting there means a lot less stress and heavy lifting.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

".....do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2 

YOUR Part

Don’t let what you can’t do interfere with what you can do. – John Wooden

Though the little boy knew his lunch could not feed the multitude he still offered it. I think Jesus stretched it to 5,000 plus. Wow!

Believe it or not, we all have shortcomings. No one person can do everything. Though we are all gifted and talented in certain areas, not one of us is a “Jack of all Trades”. God made us this way so that we would learn to depend on one another, and on him ultimately – that’s community. And it takes all of us doing our part, great or small, to help build up and strengthen God’s kingdom. Rest assured you will be called upon for your part today.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“So in Christ we who are many form one body……we have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously, if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” – Romans 12:5-8

Flex Life

Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use. – Charles Schulz

James and John wanted to ‘call down fire’ on the Samaritans because they didn’t welcome Jesus. Jesus got them to relax and later on faith won the day. HMMM!

Look on any freeway at any time and you’ll see them – Porsche’s, Maserati’s, Ferrari’s – built for excessive speed yet limited by the law, sheer pictures of frustration. Most of us live life that way as if we have only 1 speed. It is either a blistering race to the finish line (which we have no idea is where or when), or a scenic snails pace stopping at every turn (not making any progress). The life Jesus calls us to requires us to be very flexible – sometimes waiting and fasting, sometimes stealing away quickly, and sometimes taking long journeys – to experience the ‘abundance’ He promised. The idea is to take it 1 day at a time using all the gifts God has given us at the pace God sets, for He gives ‘grace sufficient for the day.’

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” – Romans 12:1

Reeducation

"You have heard that it was said....., but I tell you......" - Jesus

After meeting Jesus on the Damascus road, Paul spent close to 3 years learning what he thought he already knew as a 'holy' man. Hmm!

Just like a computer has an operating system to guide and direct it, our mind serves the same role with us. And whatever we allow in becomes part of our operational way of life and thinking. And just as a computer often needs an upgrade to its operational system, so do we. And if we study the teachings of Jesus we see that a great deal of His time was spent on the goal of 'unlearning' with His disciples. Half of spiritual growth is learning what we don't know about Christ, but the other half is 'unlearning' what we think we know. And it is often our failure to 'unlearn' those irrational fears, misconceptions, and ideologies about Him that keep us from becoming truly who God made us to be. And the truth of the matter is 'unlearning' is twice as hard as learning, for the hardest lesson to learn is the one we thought we already knew. It is so much harder to get old thoughts out of your mind than it is to get new thoughts in, which is why Jesus often led with the premise, "You have heard that it was said....., but I tell you......" We should all be alert as Jesus will be attempting to install some new programming today!

Until Monday.....

Pastor Botts

".....but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...." Romans 12:2

P.S. - Hope you can make it for our monthly Sunday Devotional this Sunday at 9am.