Thinking Thankfully Every Day

A lack of thankfulness is directly tied to a lack of thoughtfulness. – T. Abram

God freed the Israelites from 430 years in bondage to the Egyptians, and as soon as they got to the Red Sea the complaints started. WOW!

This idea we celebrate once a year is really one that should be celebrated DAILY. Each of us, no matter what our lot in life may be at the present; have an abundance of blessings heaped upon us each day by Almighty God. Were we to try and count them it would be impossible. How could you number God’s Wondrous Works, His Daily Provisions, His Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness, His Daily Revelations, His Future Plans for Us, Others to Fellowship With, just to name a few. HAPPY THANKSGIVING indeed!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” – Psalm 100:4-5 (KJV)

Worry Release

The greatest amount of worrying still cannot outdo the smallest prayer. – Anon

While Andrew worried about how they would feed 5,000 with just a few fish and loaves, Jesus just prayed. Everybody ate their fill. Wow!

There are many times in life when we are ‘anxious’ about our children, family, finances, friends, etc. It sometimes seems that we even worry about worrying. Needless to say however, our anxious thoughts are seldom productive and often only serve to intensify our level of worry and stress. These are times we need to turn things over to God, but we must be careful that when we approach God we’re not just talking anxiously at Him as well. The burden(s) can only change shoulders if we’re really intent on trusting Him with our concerns and leaving them on the altar. God needs not our help in bringing blessing or deliverance, only our faith and trust in Him.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God….” – Philippians 4:6

Another Day of Thanks and Blessings

Before you enjoy the gift of ‘gobble’ why not practice your gift of gab with God. – Anon

Thanksgiving is defined as a public acknowledgement of gratefulness OR a celebration of God’s divine goodness. As you gather today, may you be able to amply do both. And as you come together with family, friends, and others remember God made each of us in a unique way, personality quirks and all. So let us be grateful and thankful for those in our lives and the God who has blessed us beyond measure.

Until later…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another.” – Colossians 3:12-13

Going On Your Prayer List

Don’t put people down – unless it’s on your prayer list. – S. Michalski

Jesus got even with those who crucified him by…….PRAYING! Hmmmn…..

Proud. Boastful. Arrogant. Loud. Obnoxious. Unkempt.….you kind of get the hint. We all have people of this sort in our circle or sphere of influence. Sometimes WE are them. So it makes sense then that we should never denigrate or try to humiliate them, but put them down for prayer. If it’s true that “the prayer of a righteous man avails much,” why not give it a try and see what develops.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” – I Timothy 2:1-3

Remember the Thanks

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues. – Cicero

The Psalms tell us indirectly there are 2 words the Lord never tires of – “thank you.” Maybe we should try it, Hmm!

So often, we allow ourselves to become so preoccupied with the demands of daily living that we forget to say ‘thank you’ to the Giver of all good gifts. Worship and praise should be a part of everything we do for it is who we are at our core – a work of praise and worship to God. Praise is effusive in thanksgiving and adoration, and it opens our hearts to walk even more closely with God. It is when we forget to praise Him that we are so easily overwhelmed by life’s issues and lose our perspective. Work may be hard and strenuous, but we should thank Him for the means to provide for ourselves. Heartache may visit us from time to time, but we should thank Him that we have learned what love is all about. No matter the situation we may currently be facing, we should praise Him. Not only does it pay to praise God, but it lifts the spirit of our hearts, and that friend, is a blessing in itself.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“….through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name….” – Hebrews 13:15

"Thank God" :More than an Expression

What if you woke up TODAY with only the things you thanked God for YESTERDAY? - Anon

Nebuchadnezzar, king one day and wild animal the next. God was trying to get his attention. Hmm!

If you've ever tried it, you know it's true - it is impossible to count your blessings. But for the average person that's not an issue for we very often forget we're blessed, or very often feel we deserve what we've been blessed with. In either case God gets overlooked and slighted, rarely thanked, and even growled at because we don't have 'more.' No one likes to be taken for granted, and that includes God, the giver of every good and perfect gift. And because He is so loving, kind, merciful, and forgiving, it makes His GRACE all the more unsearchable. Maybe today would be a good time to start with a prayer of Thanksgiving and ThanksLiving.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

".....Give thanks with a grateful heart....."

A Thanksgiving Shot in the Arm

Happy Thanksgiving! Today I'm passing on some words of encouragement from a friend, Dusty Rubeck at CDF. May they help us all appreciate this day even more.

Imagine if there was a vaccine for Thanksgiving. 

One single, painless, shot in the arm that would remove all anger and anxiety and replace it with an overwhelming spirit of gratitude. If there was ever a year our nation needed such a vaccine, this is the one.


I know, I know…a vaccine as powerful as this would need to go through months of testing before receiving FDA approval. And of course, it would probably be in limited supply for months, only available to those who needed it the most.


But as long as we are imagining, let’s just imagine it is freely available to all of us right now.


The instructions accompanying the Thanksgiving Vaccine might go something like this:


Step 1: Thank God for His Protection, and pray it continues.


Step 2: Thank God for His Provision, and commit to share our bounty with others.

Step 3: Thank God for His Promises, and look forward with faith to see them fulfilled.
May your Thanksgiving celebration this year have special meaning as you pause to reflect on what you have been through, how far you have come, and the road that lies ahead.


"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever."- I Chronicles 16:34


Blessings!
Bro. Botts

Happy Thanksgiving 2019

Prayer is a privilege, but answered prayer is a blessing! – Anon

As we gather today, and consider our blessings and think about the many things that have come our way, let’s not forget we have a God who has graced us with mercies, grace, forgiveness, and favor in ways we will never fully deserve or understand. So let us make sure we take time today to stop for a moment and thank God for the prayers He has answered in your life, AND the prayers He has answered that others prayed for you.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Bless the Lord O’ My soul, and forget not

all his benefits….” – Psalm 103:2

Pray About It

Don’t put people down – unless it’s on your prayer list. – S. Michalski

Jesus got even with those who crucified him by…….PRAYING! Hmmmm…..

Proud. Boastful. Arrogant. Loud. Obnoxious. Unkempt.….you kind of get the hint. We all have people of this sort in our circle or sphere of influence. Sometimes WE are them. So it makes sense then that we should never denigrate or try to humiliate them, but put them down for prayer. If it’s true that “the prayer of a righteous man avails much,” why not give it a try and see what develops.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” – I Timothy 2:1-3

Prayer > Worry

The greatest amount of worrying still cannot outdo the smallest prayer. – Anon

While Andrew worried about how they would feed 5,000 with just a few fish and loaves, Jesus just prayed. Everybody ate their fill. Wow!

There are many times in life when we are ‘anxious’ about our children, family, finances, friends, etc.  It sometimes seems that we even worry about worrying. Needless to say however, our anxious thoughts are seldom productive and often only serve to intensify our level of worry.  These are times we need to turn things over to God, but we must be careful that when we approach God we’re not just talking anxiously at Him as well. The burden(s) can only change shoulders if we’re really intent on trusting Him with our concerns and leaving them on the altar. God needs not our help in bringing blessing or deliverance, only our faith and trust in Him.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God….” – Philippians 4:6

Thanksgiving Reflections

When gratitude is your seed, grace is your harvest! - Anon

November 23, 2017. Today, as you gather with family and friends from far and near, I pray that the meal itself won't be the only thing you're thankful for, and I pray you'll take a minute to lift up those less fortunate than you. With the year pretty much behind us, I think if we all take a minute to reflect, we'll see His face. Happy Thanksgiving!

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits...." - Psalm 103:2

Thoughtfully Thankful

A lack of thankfulness is directly tied to a lack of thoughtfulness. – T. Abram

God freed the Israelites from 430 years in bondage to the Egyptians, and as soon as they got to the Red Sea the complaints started. WOW!

This idea we celebrate once a year is really one that should be celebrated DAILY. Each of us, no matter what our lot in life may be at the present; have an abundance of blessings heaped upon us each day by Almighty God. Were we to try and count them it would be impossible. How could you number God’s Wondrous Works, His Daily Provisions, His Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness, His Daily Revelations, His Future Plans for Us, Others to Fellowship With, just to name a few. HAPPY THANKSGIVING indeed!  

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” – Psalm 100:4-5 (KJV)

Attitude of Grattitude

Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to remember past mercies. – C. Jefferson

The publican in his prayer request. Paul in his letter to Timothy. They both understood “it” – Grace!

Did you ever stop to wonder why God gave us the ability to remember things? I think the main reason is so that we would never forget what He’s already done for us. It’s true, were we to actually stop for a minute and try remembering our past blessings, we would truly realize how gracious and merciful God has been to us; which in turn should make us the most gracious and merciful people on earth. The question of the day is are you humbly grateful or grumbly hateful? Gratitude is a great attitude. Happy Thanksgiving!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” – Psalm 103:1-5

Why Worry?

If you can solve your problem, then what’s the need of worrying? If you can’t solve it, then what’s the use of worrying? – R. Murray

Even in the lion’s den Daniel never worried, and neither did God. And It all worked out wonderfully. Hmm!

We try to get by saying things like “I’m just thinking about something,” or “I’ve just got a little something on my mind,” or even “I’m just meditating.” But in reality it’s worry – the inability to trust God to work things out in His time and His way. Worry, like fear; causes us to shrink back from action, to limit what we believe God can do or will do in our case.  It’s a highly prized tool of our enemy because worry gets us to take our focus off of God, and place it on our finite resources or strength. But if God is God, He’s still in control and knows our every need, and will keep His promise to supply all that we need to serve Him. Worry only comes when God is not truly our choice. The only surefire way to worry about nothing is to pray about everything.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God…..will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

Pray for em!

Don’t put people down – unless it’s on your prayer list. – S. Michalski

Jesus got even with those who crucified him by…….PRAYING! Hmmmn…..

Proud. Boastful. Arrogant. Loud. Obnoxious. Unkempt.….you kind of get the hint. We all have people of this sort in our circle or sphere of influence. Sometimes WE are them. So it makes sense then that we should never denigrate or try to humiliate them, but put them down for prayer. If it’s true that “the prayer of a righteous man avails much,” why not give it a try and see what develops.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” – I Timothy 2:1-3