Constantly Committed to the Cause of Christ

Better to act and not be successful than never to have responded at all. – C. Ringma

Though he was unsuccessful in his attempt, Abraham at least pleaded with God for Sodom’s safety. Hmm!

Truth be told, we do want to see changes take place in our world, and in particular changes to situations which perpetuate sin, evil, or injustice. But sadly we are often slow to act because we don’t often make ourselves aware of them or because we avoid seeing things for what they really are. We often wait until the evil or injustice becomes more magnified before we respond, and then we often claim it’s too late or our little effort won’t help any. But faithfulness can never be measured in terms of successes, but only in terms of commitment. It does not matter the odds or conditions we’re up against. God has called us to be committed to the cause of Christ at all times, not just when it’s convenient or feels good, and often the cause of Christ will justify us going out into the public arena to try and help right injustice or stand up against evil. The one truth you can always say of a fighter – “at least he fought.”

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes, if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor then honor.” – Romans 13:7

Don't Waste It, Embrace It

If you waste an hour in the morning you'll spend the day looking for it! - Anon

Those 'early morning' prayer times seemed to always keep Jesus on point. Hmm!

The common adage is "if it wasn't for the last minute nothing would get done!" Unfortunately many of us live in that zone - the last minute. Running in haste to finish projects or assignments, make necessary reservations/arrangements, midnight calls to God, etc. An early start seems out of the question for us. But the reality is time is our most precious commodity in life but also the one we waste the most. It's the one gift God grants everyone every day that makes us all equal, no matter our status - 24 hours each day for everyone. He allows us to determine how to use it, but know that once it's gone, it's gone, and it cannot be recaptured. We can perhaps recapture a moment of our youthful vigor or mindset, but not the time. Each morning we wake up the clock starts anew, so with today's gift here's hoping we all make the best of it for the glory of God.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"...The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." Romans 13:11

Hope to see you tomorrow morning for Prayer Breakfast at 9:30am.

Measure Faithfulness By Commitment

Better to act and not be successful than never to have responded at all. – C. Ringma

Though he was unsuccessful in his attempt, Abraham at least pleaded with God for Sodom’s safety. Hmm!

Truth be told, we do want to see changes take place in our world, and in particular changes to situations which perpetuate sin, evil, or injustice. But sadly we are often slow to act because we don’t often make ourselves aware of them or because we avoid seeing things for what they really are. We often wait until the evil or injustice becomes more magnified before we respond, and then we often claim it’s too late or our little effort won’t help any. But faithfulness can never be measured in terms of successes, but only in terms of commitment. It does not matter the odds or conditions we’re up against, God has called us to be committed to the cause of Christ at all times, not just when it’s convenient or feels good, and often the cause of Christ will justify us going out into the public arena to try and help right injustice or stand up against evil. The one truth you can always say of a fighter – “at least he fought.”

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes, if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor then honor.” – Romans 13:7

Don't Hate the Player

You can safely assume that you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that He hates all the same people you do. – A. LaMott

James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven and destroy the Samaritans because they did not want Jesus in their village. He went to another village – later the Samaritans were saved. AMEN!

"THEM! Oh those people, they make me so mad. How could they even think God loves them?” It’s a statement we often cavalierly or casually make, but it shows what’s in our hearts, how we feel about a certain class of people, “out of the heart the mouth speaks.” Remember, God does not hate anyone. He hates the sin within them but he loves the individual and wants to save them from their sins. And He’s calling on us to share His message and love with them. As we encounter friends, co-workers, or even strangers today remember we were once ‘lost’ too. Let's give them a godly chance.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law…….Love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:8,9b

The Meter's Running

Just because you can’t see God doesn’t mean He isn’t near. – Anon

The angel of the Lord stood right in front of Balaam, yet only the donkey saw him. Hmm!

Gas, water, electric – meters. Every house or apartment has them, and they report how much we use. Now the regulators are not there, but the meter runs everyday or every time you use the services. The regulators don’t see you use it, they don’t see how you use it (good, bad, illegal, etc .), and they don’t see what you use it on. But at the appointed time they send you a bill. We may get angry when it comes and dispute the amount, but we pay it because we don’t like the consequences of being without. God too, has a meter – our heart or conscience – and there will come a time when the ‘bill’ is due. The question that must be answered is will it show we had a heart for and after Him or for other things. Here’s hoping we know for sure where we stand.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

“….And do this, understanding the present time….because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” – Romans 13:11

Committed to the Cause

Better to act and not be successful than never to have responded at all. – C. Ringma

Though he was unsuccessful in his attempt, Abraham at least pleaded with God for Sodom’s safety. Hmm!

Truth be told, we do want to see changes take place in our world, and in particular changes to situations which perpetuate sin, evil, or injustice. But sadly we are often slow to act because we don’t often make ourselves aware of them or because we avoid seeing things for what they really are. We often wait until the evil or injustice becomes more magnified before we respond, and then we often claim it’s too late or our little effort won’t help any. But faithfulness can never be measured in terms of successes, but only in terms of commitment. It does not matter the odds or conditions we’re up against, God has called us to be committed to the cause of Christ at all times, not just when it’s convenient or feels good, and often the cause of Christ will justify us going out into the public arena to try and help right injustice or stand up against evil. The one truth you can always say of a fighter – “at least he fought.”

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes, if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor then honor.” – Romans 13:7

Election Day Faith

Ninety-eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hard-working, honest Americans. It's the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then, we elected them. -  L. Tomlin

Jesus’ main opposition wasn’t the people he came to save, it was the religious rulers they were under. Hmm!

Today will be both historic and memorable. Historic for the US Presidency and memorable for the Church. Though morality should never have to be legislated we have reached that point. It has been noted that “democracy is the worst form of government when the people are bent on being evil,” and we can clearly see evidence of that in this day and age, in some of the people on the ballot and the initiatives. There’s a lot to be said for integrity, morality, ethics, and virtue – all godly qualities – which is what our votes should consider and stand for. As part of the ninety-eight percent that just want to live decent god-fearing lives, let’s make sure we get the other 2 percent in line. VOTE as if God were depending on you.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established….” Romans 13:1

The meter's running

Just because you can’t see God doesn’t mean He isn’t near. – Anon

The angel of the Lord stood right in front of Balaam, yet only the donkey saw him. Hmm!

Gas, water, electric – meters. Every house or apartment has them, and they report how much we use. Now the regulators are not there, but the meter runs everyday or every time you use the services. The regulators don’t see you use it, they don’t see how you use it (good, bad, illegal, etc.), and they don’t see what you use it on. But at the appointed time they send you a bill. We may get angry when it comes and dispute the amount, but we pay it because we don’t like the consequences of being without. God too, has a meter – our heart or conscience – and there will come a time when the ‘bill’ is due. The question that must be answered is will it show we had a heart for and after Him or for other things. Here’s hoping we know for sure where we stand.

Pastor Botts

“….And do this, understanding the present time….because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” – Romans 13:11