Happy with Yours

The gift of Christmas leaves none wanting or wishing if it is truly received. - Anon

The Israelites had God as their loving leader,  instead after looking at their neighbors they wanted a king like everyone else. It really cost them. Hmm!

Admittedly, we are imperfect human beings in nature. We know what God says to us in His Word, but yet we go against it anyway. For instance, we know that envy is sin, but sometimes in our human frailness and particularly in this time of the year where we see the blessings, gifts, and fellowships others are enjoying envy can rear its head. Thus, we must guard ourselves against that natural tendency to feel resentment and jealousy towards others because of their good fortune. As a believer, we have absolutely no right or reason to be envious of anyone, because we ourselves are already possessors of the greatest gift of all creation: God’s Grace through Christ. Nothing matches it, exceeds it, or compares with it, and it abounds more and more each day. So a simple suggestion guaranteed to keep us satisfied and content is to fill our hearts with God’s love, His promises, and His Son, and that will not leave any room for any bitter activity.

We will be taking a few days off until the New Year, so until then …..

Pastor Botts

“…..therefore, laying aside all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy……desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” – I Peter 2:1-2

Wishing vs Praying

Wishing will never be a substitute for prayer. – E. Cole

The persistent widow got relief because she kept on personally ‘troubling’ the ungodly magistrate, not just wishing and hoping he would do something. Hmm!

Most people live life in the ‘wishing’ phase. They wish for this change or that possession, they wish life wasn’t so bad, or for just a little more. Unfortunately, most of us Christians practice prayer the same way - we don’t actually pray we just wish it would be so. But God is a prayer answering God, and takes delight when His children confide in Him and truly seek His intervention. But we must remember prayer is hard work and there is no substitute for the dedication, perseverance, and discipline it requires. Thinking something over is not the same as praying. God expects us to put in the work. Though Jesus was the Son of God he never assumed His Father would just act on his behalf, he ALWAYS prayed first.

Until Monday…….

Pastor Botts

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – II Chronicles 7:14