2025 One Chapter Closes Another Opens

Another year is dawning…

Abraham got up early in the morning taking Isaac along with him in obedience to God, for an experience that changed them both forever. Hmm!

Though our God is ‘outside’ of time as we know it, He is still the divine keeper and ruler of time and space. He knows exactly when to act and to will His good purposes for us. Just think “at just the right time” Jesus was born. Or “when the time had fully come (Pentecost) the Holy Spirit was poured out” and the church was birthed. If God is truly God, He has it all mapped and planned out. We need not spin our wheels like those we see darting in and out of traffic causing all kinds of mayhem and danger trying to get ‘there’ first -whatever that may be. Our lives may not be where we want or expected it to be right now, but we can pray and trust God will be there at the appropriate time to do what only He can do, and no amount of hurrying or worrying will speed up His arrival.

“This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles…” - Psalm 34:6

FYI – After much prayer and meditation, I write to let you know this will be the last post for ‘The Thought for Today’. It’s been 21 years since I began this and I think this season has run its course for me. I pray it has been a blessing in your life for I know it was in mine. What’s next I do not know, but I trust God will guide and direct us all. Thank you for giving me your eyes all these years.

Blessings!

Pastor Botts

Reach up

If you want to have a horizontal reach, you need to have a vertical focus. - Robin H.

Paul had great success in his ministry because he 'counted everything loss for the sake of Christ,' which is all he preached. Hmm!

Some things in life are so simple that we often overlook the obvious. We attend programs, seminars, classes, buy the latest bestsellers, trying to learn the latest insight, methodology, or buzz words on how to be successful for Christ. This is all noble and good, but the obvious is overlooked. When we plant a seed the first thing it does is break through the dirt reaching upward to the sky. Then as it grows it begins to spread its branches and leaves outward. That's the key, we need to look up first, and make sure we're hooked up properly. The point is that anything we attempt to do for Christ and His church must begin with Him. Meaning we need to be connected to Him, filled with His spiritual presence, and submitting to His leading. The work of Christ has always been empowered by His Spirit and always will be. If we're struggling with success for Him maybe we need to make sure the connections are in proper order.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

Investing Wisely

You cannot kill time without injury to eternity. – Henry David Thoreau

Jesus told his disciples they MUST work while it is day, for it would soon come a time when they couldn’t. OUCH!

Alarms, bells, whistles, chimes, etc. We’re surrounded by gadgets that each day remind us of the time. Time is the most precious commodity on planet earth. It is even more valuable than money. We can get more money, but we cannot get more time. Each morning we all awake with the same 24-hour timeframe with which to work. How we spend it will well determine where we go when our time is no more. The key is not to waste it on fruitless endeavors, dead-end roads, harboring resentment and hate, or meaningless living; but rather invest it in lives and projects that will make an eternal difference. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “the time is always right to do what is right.” And that time is now, for none of us is getting younger by the day.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts


“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12

Look What I Can Do

One act of obedience is better than a hundred sermons preached. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Though the apostle Paul wrote many letters to the churches he instructed them to look at his life as an example. Hmm!

When we were kids we always wanted our parents, siblings, and anyone else around to watch us when we did something we thought was extra special. Now that we are grown and knowing that we are possibly the only ‘bible’ some folks will ever read we need to ask ourselves do we still have that “watch me” mentality. Example is contagious behavior and often the only way to reach someone. And a sermon isn’t really preached until it is put into action. We need to be mindful that as instruments of God, somebody is receiving a message loud and clear, so we should pray our walk is in line with our talk.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. “ – Matthew 7:20

Making It Through

The best way out is always through. - Robert Frost

The only way into the Promised Land was through the nations of people God would help the Israelites conquer. They thought otherwise but finally trusted God's commands and were rewarded. AMEN!

No one likes pain or distress, and when they come we immediately try to circumvent them. But when God engineers situations for us He is shaping, pruning, and perfecting our character for His glory, and our perseverance is the order of the day. To quit, give up, or seek another avenue is to miss out on the blessings and growth He desires for us. True, it may be hard, unpleasant, distasteful, and seem lonely right now; but we must remember what He tells us in His Word "though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death....He is with us." Situations and circumstances in our life may not be the best, but that only means we've not quite made it through yet. We should just trust God and enjoy the journey.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12

Sound the Alarm!

After the referee throws the flag or blows his whistle is too late. - Anon

After Peter heard the rooster crow that night, he knew he messed up. Hmm!

The U.S. Coast Guard requires all seagoing vessels to carry distress signals. The type and number of signals required depends on how far at sea they go. The type of signal used will dictate the type of response. In a roundabout way, I think that's the importance Christ tries stressing with us, the need to have intimate fellowship with one another and to be accountable to one another. We can then sound the alarm when we see our brother/sister getting into deeper water or going adrift and off course. Prayers commence, calls of support get made, and a towline is tied on to help bring them to safety. Being there for one another means we need to learn how to ask for help AND we need to know how to offer it. May we all be aware of our own surroundings and be on the lookout for others.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

".....And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." - Hebrews 10:24

How to Live with Unfulfilled Desires

If we have not what we desire, we have more than we deserve. – T. Watson

The Prodigal Son may have lost his resources and dignity, but he never lost his father’s love. WOW!

To be alive in this world is to live with unfulfilled desires. This does not mean that God has not given us the ‘desires of our heart,’ nor failed to meet our needs. It simply means that in our humanness, our desires will always outpace our living. It’s a God thing. Unchecked, such desires can frustrate and disillusion us, making us ungrateful and self-centered, when in truth all our desires should be for the things of God and His kingdom purposes. In Christ, our desires or aspirations don’t go away, we continue to pursue them, but we realize it’s God who defines us, keeps us, and provides for us; and in the end that is more than enough.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” – Philippians 4:11

Do Right, Get Talked About

All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism. – N. DeKalb

Though Job’s wife and friends were critical of him about his faith and position before God, he held fast. God later brought vindication!

It’s record breaking temperatures and we rant. It’s raining heavily and again we rant. It’s foggy, cloudy, cold, etc. and we vent. Isn’t it good to know that no matter what we say there’s always more weather tomorrow, that it doesn’t go away mad never to return. God in His word told us we would often face the same type of persecution; sometimes from those closest to us. But when we’re doing right we will be criticized, for that is the job of wrong – to criticize or eliminate what is right. Criticism may sting at times – not because it’s true – but because our ‘flesh’ wants to retaliate. But remember Jesus, He was hung on a cross and still forgave them.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” – Psalm 27:12-14

Bloom Where You are

'Thrive' - Kaiser Permanente Healthcare slogan

Joseph. Daniel. A couple of men whose lives were lived in harsh conditions, but yet they thrived. Hmm!

If you've ever watched a few of the National Geographic or Planet Earth shows you'll notice they show the beauty of nature under some of the harshest conditions. Plants, trees, ponds, etc., that get watered sporadically, maybe once a year. But boy, when they get it they thrive - all of life in all its beauty and activity burst out. The saying is 'bloom where you are'! For possibly all of us, life isn't quite what we envisioned or expected in certain areas (job, marriage/singlehood, health, finances, etc.) but be that as it may, God's grace, mercy, and compassions are NEW every day, so we should still be full of life and hope, a display of God's beauty for all to see. May we be more attracting than distracting to the kingdom today.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Living the Slower Pace

Sure, the tortoise is slow, but he is surefooted in his progress. - Anon

Noah took 100+ years to build the ark because that’s what God gave him. Hmm!

It’s no secret that most automobile accidents are caused by someone driving to fast. Likewise, it’s also no secret that most lives are destroyed by fast-living. Life is not meant to be fast. It is meant to be lived, experienced, and savored. Haste truly does make waste. When we take the time to actually live life and savor our experiences, then we can begin to determine what is really important and necessary and what is not. If we were to analyze it we would find that most of our life is just busy work – just look at all of our gadgets. If we read through the scriptures we find there is never a time that God or His Son Jesus was in a hurry. No matter how much we want to speed things up so that we can multi-task and experience it all, we can’t change the laws of nature, that’s God’s business. When we continually move too fast we miss opportunities to stop, gaze, and savor the world through God’s eyes. Care to take a look?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things you will never fall…” – II Peter 1:10

Tempering Your Speech

When words are 'heated' they lose their sweetness! - Anon

When they brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus, he thought long and hard before he spoke. Hmm!

Coffee! Cocoa! Chili! Some things are good served piping hot. It adds to their overall presentation and enjoyment. We couldn't imagine receiving it any other way. But when it comes to conversation our words are not one of them. The bible tells us 'practice self-control', 'be slow to speak, slow to get angry', and 'in your anger do not sin'! Why, because in our anger not only do our tempers rise (think temperature) but our desire to inflict hurt, harm, and pain on others also increases. It's a mixture of self-presentation combined with pride, and everyone knows that's not a recipe to help build community. It's true, there are times we need to 'say what we need to say', but it should always be thought through and said constructively and in love. Sometimes silence sends an even greater message.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." - Colossians 4:6

Pursuing God

If we lose God, it is not God who is lost. – Anon

The book of Judges shows the folly of God's people trying to live without Him in their midst. Time and again they came looking for God to save them. Ouch!

It is said "those who forget history are doomed to repeat it." Could that be us at times. Having the history of our ancestors recorded for our posterity, you would think we should know of a certainty which way to go - God's way. Though He won't forsake us, it is possible we can forsake Him. If you are continually being defeated by everything you face, it's possible you have lost God's favor and your heart has departed from Him; for He has assured victory for His children. Maybe now is a good time to check our life compass.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity...." - Jeremiah 29:13-14

Responses to Life

What life does to us depends on what life finds in us. – Richard Murray

In all that Joseph went through, he never lost his composure or his God. Hmm!

Insurance – most people that buy it hope they never have to use it but are glad they have it when they need it. Our faith on the other hand is a definite must-have and use daily requirement. Faith is what allows us to overcome the most difficult setbacks, hurdles, and heartaches. You or I cannot always change or control the world around us, but we can always control what happens within us. If we truly want to gauge how strong our relationship with Christ is all we need do is look at our responses to the everyday circumstances of life. The question is does life make us bitter or better, we know with Jesus it was the latter.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Yah's Way

If you don’t know where you’re going, you will probably end up somewhere else. – L. Peter

Because of their hard-heartedness, the Israelites wound up in the desert, instead of the Promised Land. OUCH!

One thing about life is there are plenty of options to choose from. We have a great menu listing that we can peruse and select from, but we must always keep the end result in mind. If heaven is your goal, then there is only one way – GOD’S WAY. The road HE places us on may not seem right to us, but only HE knows the directions to HIS place. The path may not be the most popular, the easiest, or most scenic, nor get you much notoriety, but it will get you to the destination. He’s hoping we’ll let Him lead today!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.” – Psalm 27:11

Singing in the Shelter

The greater our present trials and troubles, the louder our future songs of praise will be. – Charles H. Spurgeon

The Psalms, Mary's 'Magnificat'. When you remember the sufferings of people like Moses, David, and even Mary - it gives greater meaning to their songs of praise. AMEN!

Life is exact in its dealings with us. It plays no favorites. From time to time all of us must face discouragement and defeat. Winter, spring, summer or fall, the season nor our age gets us a pass. And sometimes, we experience life-changing personal losses that may leave us reeling. It is what we do in those moments that determine who we are and whose we are. The same God we praise is ready to be called upon when we are in trouble, waiting, standing at the ready to heal, restore, protect and comfort us according to His good pleasure and will. So if our world seems to be trembling or crumbling beneath our feet, we need to seek the protection of the One who can’t be moved. The God who made this universe and everything in it will keep us if we ask Him….so let’s ask Him. We’ve got nothing to lose and stand to gain everything, and if we actually think about it, what He’s already done, we should sing until we’re hoarse.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….this is what the Lord….says…I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you….” – II Kings 20:5

Correct Concentration

There may be more to learn in climbing the same mountain a hundred times than by climbing a hundred mountains. – R. Nelson

God commanded the Israelites to gather before him at least 3 times a year in ‘special’ praise and celebration feasts. It was for their good, not His. Hmm!

Déjà vu! Coincidence! Kismet! These are the terms we tend to use for circumstances that seem to continually happen again and again in our lives. But maybe, beneath the surface God is trying to do more with us. Moses climbed God’s mountain several times and each time he came back wiser and more righteous than before, so much that at some point the Israelites could not behold his face. In our quest to learn more, get more, achieve more, be more, maybe we need to stop running all over chasing the latest and greatest revelation and narrow our focus to God and God alone.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”- Psalm 1:2

Remembering the Good Things

Life would be truly wonderful if we could forget our troubles as quickly as we seem to forget our blessings. – Anon

The Israelites cried out to God for over 400 years to be free of their Egyptian oppressors. As soon as He set them free and they came to the Red Sea they were ready to go back. Hmm!

Truthfully speaking, it is a great day and a great time to be alive. No matter the circumstances of our lives or what station we occupy now, we are blessed beyond measure. Hardships may come, sickness may strike, but these don’t last always and often God will use these instances to help us grow stronger in our faith – and draw us closer to Him – that He may bless us even more. If we are to be in heaven praising eternally, God wants us to be long in memory and character as to what that really entails, so as the day unfolds God wants us to practice keeping our focus on Him and his purposes no matter what may arise.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.” – I Chronicles 16:11-12

Letting God Cook

God gives his very best to those who leave the choice to him. – Anon

King Solomon asked only for wisdom to rule God’s people, and God ‘THREW IN’ everything else. Hmmm!

Often in our prayer lives rather than just opening up and sharing with God, trying to sense his heart, and listening for His response and directions, we wind up directing Him on what we want Him to do or who or what we need Him to bless. This is not necessarily bad prayer etiquette, for God loves when we actually do come to Him in prayer; but we must remember HE IS in charge here. The simple truth is God knows what’s best for us and wants to give His best to us, but we must give Him opportunity to do so in our lives. And as Augustine of Hippo said, “God gives where he finds empty, willing hands.”

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” – II Corinthians 9:8-9

He's the One That Can Make Us Better

The human race has improved everything, except the human race. – Richard Murray

Rehoboam saw God’s favor in his father Solomon’s reign. One can only wonder why he didn’t follow suit. His ways brought ruin on the people. Hmm!

We constantly live in a world of change. Everything around us and everything we use is always being made over new or improved upon. From what we eat, to what we drive, to what we watch, even to how we serve God. The only problem here is we continually look outward to make improvements and rarely look inward. This is why once the novelty has worn off the 'new' product the same old feelings and thoughts of despair arise. The only way to have true peace and inner joy is to make ourselves 'new' from within. God is in the reclamation and restoration business. He reclaims broken hearts and restores them to better than new when He’s done. If we want to be a better human, we have to defer to the MAKER, not His creation. Today’s a good day to start.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen.” – Romans 1:25

Living With Enthusiasm

Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come from miles around to watch you burn. – John Wesley

The ‘change’ in the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well was so stark, it excited the whole town to come see this Jesus. Wow!

We’ll drive great lengths, we’ll wait in long lines, even sit in not-so-great seats just to have a chance to see ‘our’ team, to cheer them on, scream and yell with exuberance our support, proudly wear the ‘uniform, and talk them up. But when it comes to matters of faith it’s sad that so many of us have a ‘form of Christianity’ that just seems to drain us, tire us out, take our joy, and leave us flat and unappealing to others. Jesus actually said, “I come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” That sounds like exuberance and enthusiasm. To be enthusiastic for Christ is not just reciting bible verses to people, handing out gospel tracts, or just telling the lost Jesus loves them. To be enthusiastic is to be active in showing others the love, compassion, forgiveness, mercy, grace, humility, and help Jesus would show them if He were present (actually He is in us) in such a way that they could not mistake it for anything else but the favor of God reaching out to them. May we all have fun for Christ today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden…..” – Matthew 5:14