Discover God

God is actually closer than you think! – J. Ortberg

Elijah, at one time thought God to be in the mighty wind, then in the powerful earthquake and fire, but found Him in the gentle whisper that followed. WOW!

When it comes to life’s lessons the best ones are those we discover on our own. For example, we know fire is hot, not so much because our parents told us so, we discovered it to be true by getting too close to the stove or heater or other open flame. Lessons like these form an unforgettable impression on our mind so we remember how to respond appropriately each time. In the same way God longs to be discovered by us in new ways. Too often we settle for the providential things of God (“His rain falls on the just and the unjust”) and miss out on new discoveries of His nature. If God was a ‘cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night’ to guide the Israelites, if He used a ‘donkey to speak to a man’, and if He ‘cursed a fig tree and it withered’, then surely if anything He is unpredictable. GOOD - but unpredictable, and that’s worth discovering.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” – Acts 17:27

Buried or Planted

Sometimes when you're in a dark place you think you've been buried, but in actuality you've been planted by God. - Anon

I'm sure it wasn't the life Joseph 'dreamed' of but it was the one God brought him through to reign. Hmm!

No doubt about it, to the faithful God is a prayer answering God. Sometimes it's YES, sometimes NO, and other times it's WAIT. And often, in those wait times we wonder and question why? We become perplexed and stressed by not getting an answer, God not doing what we've asked, not changing our life or situation. But if you take a step back and look things over, it's funny how often we're asking God to change our situation being completely unaware that He put us in the situation to change us. And God always aims to finish what He's started. Maybe our answer is staring us right in the face and we just need to see the 'light.'

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me." - Psalm 138:7

Work on Far Greater Things

To be physically fit, one has to actually get ‘physical.’ - Anon

David was a valiant warrior because he

trained himself to be one, just ask Saul. OUCH!

Whether we want to believe it or not, this

great God we serve has a plan for every aspect of our lives, and that actually includes provisions for our physical well-being. True, most of us work hard at work, but we seldom work hard on our health. But God expects us to do so “bodily exercise is of value.” (I Tim. 4:8). Our culture and society is one where leisure is glorified and mass consumption is worshiped. But God did not create us to live lives of gluttony or laziness. He created us to do far greater things. The truth is the more we exercise and learn to say ‘no’ to those times of temptation to just skip it or give in, the stronger we also grow in our battle to resist the enemy in his other deceptive tactics upon our lives, and in both cases we become better fit to serve.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“….so, whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God…” – I Corinthians 10:31

You're open, take the shot!

To score the basket you actually have to shoot the ball. - Anon

When you think about it, there are more 'unnamed' saints than named saints in God's story. Hmm!

Though there are no 'secret agents' or 'Lone Rangers' in the army of the Lord, God does often call on us to be a force of one. We often like to work behind the scenes for Jesus, but in truth that's an impossibility. Jesus said 'If I be lifted up I'll draw all men to me.....' and that can happen only when they see, feel, experience, or hear him in us and through us, not somebody we wish they could talk to. God gives ample opportunity for this to happen through those divine intersections we have throughout each day. The ball is in your hands....

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"...but when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - Matthew 6:3-4

VBS kicks off today at 6:30PM. Hope to see you there!

Expect it to work out good

An optimist is a fellow who believes a housefly is actually looking for a way to get out. – G. Nathan

Throughout all his afflictions Job looked for God’s response and insight. He was well rewarded. Amen!

Life pays back in kind, and much of what we will receive is based upon how we respond to the stimuli in life. The key is to trust that no matter what God brings into our lives today via work, family, friends, or even strangers; He is going to work it out “for good.” The truth is we have Christ, so we should always have hope and look for the best, whether it be with people or circumstances. And just as God sees us as we can be, not as we actually are; we too should also see others in the same way. The trick is not to get rankled, riled up, or fly off the handle, but believe.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” – Genesis 50:20

Inspired by the Work

To be inspired one has to actually be busy. – B. Pile

After the early church prayed and prayed, the power of God came upon them and they were filled with the Spirit and 'acted' with boldness. Hmm!

Often in our lives many of us are like the search lights we see flashing across the night skies, searching for something that is not there. We wait, we procrastinate, we put things off, believing something will happen to inspire us to take action. But inspiration is an additive, not a starter. It aids, lends strength, gives momentum, like the Spirit of God. God is ready to inspire us today, all He needs is our step of faith.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

"We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” -  I Thessalonians 1:2-3

Your Rep

Not only do actions speak louder than words, they actually cause conversation! - Anon

The crucifixion happened over 2,000 years ago. Yet people still talk about it non-stop and wonder. Hmm!

Though we have a given name we are often known by our actions, or reputation as some call it. Those we know see us and the things we do and compare these to the values, morals, and truths we say we hold dear - and voila, reputation is born. Having a reputation is not necessarily a bad thing, particularly if our lives are authentic; meaning our actions line up with our beliefs, no matter the time, place, or situation. And it's not a one-time occurrence, it's who we are at all times. There's a lot to be said for authenticity, and the hope and prayer is that it is true of us!

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....Simply let your 'YES', be 'Yes,' and your 'NO,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." - Matthew 5:37

Do

To be physically fit, one has to actually get ‘physical.’ - Anon

David was a valiant warrior because he trained himself to be one, just ask Saul. OUCH!

Whether we want to believe it or not, this great God we serve has a plan for every aspect of our lives, and that actually includes provisions for our physical well-being. True, most of us work hard at work, but we seldom work hard on our health. But God expects us to do so “bodily exercise is of value.” (I Tim. 4:8). Our culture and society is one where leisure is glorified and mass consumption is worshiped. But God did not create us to live lives of gluttony or laziness. He created us to do far greater things. The truth is the more we exercise and learn to say ‘no’ to those times of temptation to just skip it or give in, the stronger we also grow in our battle to resist the enemy in his other deceptive tactics upon our lives, and in both cases we become better fit to serve.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“….so, whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God…” – I Corinthians 10:31

Take the Shot

To score the basket you actually have to shoot the ball. - Anon

When you think about it, there are more 'unnamed' saints than named saints in God's story. Hmm!

Though there are no 'secret agents' or 'Lone Rangers' in the army of the Lord, God does often call on us to be a force of one. We often like to work behind the scenes for Jesus, but in truth that's an impossibility. Jesus said 'If I be lifted up I'll draw all men to me.....' and that can happen only when they see, feel, experience, or hear him in us and through us, not somebody we wish they could talk to. God gives ample opportunity for this to happen through those divine intersections we  have throughout each day. The ball is in your hands....

Until Tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"...but when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - Matthew 6:3-4