Perfection Takes Time

Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid of only standing still. – Richard Murray

Jesus was twelve when he stymied the teachers of his day, but didn’t start his ministry until he was 30 – he needed the time. Hmm!

When it comes to change, too often we want it now, in the dramatic, miraculous fashion; and we grow weary and ready to give up when it doesn’t happen that way. But if we look around and understand God and His nature He always takes His time in developing or growing plans. He made man on the 6th day, not the first. Christ came as a ‘baby in a manger’ not a full-grown man. God is always at work, ‘He neither slumbers nor sleeps,’ so He is working on us. Our role is to be patient, steady, and persevere under the circumstances in which He has placed us. None of us are where we truly want to be maturity wise, but if we look back we should see a steady pattern or progression of betterment in our lives and with that - REJOICE!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6

Looking Beyond Fear

Courage doesn't mean you don't get afraid. Courage means you don't let fear stop you! - Anon

After being beaten and imprisoned for 'preaching' Jesus, Paul and Silas just sang out loud about Him. AMEN!

FEAR! It can cripple the best of us. Stop us dead in our tracks. Make us pull back. Why? The answer lies with us. So often we look at our own mortality, our own status/position, our own possessions, etc., things we'd rather not lose. Notice the emphasis on 'our own'. That's self-centered thinking. Courage requires us to look beyond ourselves and see the greater good. Perhaps that's why there at about 366 verses in the bible that tell us in various ways "not to fear." That's a verse for each day of the year, including leap years. God wants us to focus our faith on Him, put our trust in Him, and when He truly becomes the center of all that we are, He drives out fear and replaces it with peace. And that seems like a great trade-off to me.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." - I John 4:4

Are You Afraid of...?

Fear is the darkroom where 'negatives' are developed. - Anon

One man - Goliath - struck fear in a whole army, that is until David came along. WOW!

Kryptonite! It was Superman's weakness. It completely immobilized him and his superpowers. What about us, what might ours be - FEAR! Not the 'scared of the dark' kind of fear, but the fear of inadequacy, fear of not measuring up. We fear our past cropping up to embarrass us. We fear our future will be too difficult. We fear letting others down, letting ourselves down. Our fears keep us from reaching out, and often reaching UP to God. The enemy's greatest ploy is to fill us with fear. That's why God's Word directs us and commands us time and again not to be afraid. Just as He told Joshua to be 'strong and courageous' going into a foreign land, as we commune with God each morning we should leave that encounter 'strong and courageous' as we enter into the new territory of TODAY. As long as we are walking faithfully we really have no need to fear for God has our back, front, sides, etc., for He is all encompassing around us. So, we have nothing to fear but.......actually nothing!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you...Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid..." - John 14:27

Patience with Progression

Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid of only standing still. - Richard Murray

Jesus was 12 when he stymied the teachers of his day but didn't start his ministry until he was 30 - he needed the time. Hmm!

When it comes to change all too often we want it yesterday, in the dramatic miraculous fashion. And we grow weary and ready to give up when it doesn't happen that way. But if we look around and understand God and His nature, He always takes His time in developing or growing plans. He made man on the 6th day, not the first. Christ came as a 'babe in a manger' not a full-grown redeemer. God is always at work for He never rests, therefore He is still at work in us. Our role is to be patient, steady, and persevere under the circumstances and conditions in which He has placed us. None of us are where we truly want to be maturity wise, but if we look back we should see a steady pattern of progression or improvement in our lives and with that we can rejoice.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry if on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6

Fear God

We fear men so much, because we fear God so little. One fear cures another. – W. Gurnall

Saul’s fighting men greatly feared Goliath and allowed him to taunt them 40 days. But along came scrawny little David and his God. AMAZING!

Most of us remember a time when as children, though our parents weren’t around we were well behaved because we feared what would happen if they found out we misbehaved. God, as our Supreme Father commands the same respect. But often the TRUTH of the matter is ‘out of sight, out of mind.’ Because we don’t often see a physical manifestation of God we have no fear of Him. But the REALITY of the matter is God is ever present, - ‘I will not leave you or forsake you;’ – we just refuse to see Him and submit in obedience to Him. The antidote to fear is love – ‘perfect love drives away fear’. God will not force His will upon us at any time, but then again neither will He force HEAVEN upon us later. The choice is always ours.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” – Matthew 10:28

Cleansing Laughter

It is the heart that is not yet sure of its God, that is afraid to laugh in His presence. – G. MacDonald

When God promised her a son Sarah referred to Him as ‘the God who brought me laughter.’ AMEN!

No matter how we try to stifle it, hide it, suppress it – laughter will sneak out at what seems like the most inappropriate times, yes even in church. It’s just a natural reaction friend. God Himself gave us the ability to laugh, and not only that, He made it so that it is therapeutic to our well being. What soap does for our body laughter does for the soul. Laughter helps take the edge off of life’s sometimes unexplainable circumstances and events. It brings the blood pressure and stress levels down, and alleviates anger, and allows us to see our imperfections – Praise God. Yes life is to be taken seriously if we’re to fulfill our purpose, but the God who had serious intent when He made us also expects us to enjoy the journey on the way.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

…..”a time to weep, and a time to laugh….” – Ecclesiastes 3:4

Be Strong and Courageous

Fear is the darkroom where 'negatives' are developed. - Anon

One man - Goliath - struck fear in a whole army, that is until David came along. WOW!

Kryptonite! It was Superman's weakness. It completely immobilized him and his superpowers. What about us, what might ours be - FEAR! Not the 'scared of the dark' kind of fear, but the fear of inadequacy, fear of not measuring up. We fear our past cropping up to embarrass us. We fear our future will be too difficult. We fear letting others down, letting ourselves down. Our fears keep us from reaching out, and often reaching UP to God. The enemy's greatest ploy is to fill us with fear. That's why God's Word directs us and commands us time and again not to be afraid. Just as He told Joshua to be 'strong and courageous' going into a foreign land, as we commune with God each morning we should leave that encounter 'strong and courageous' as we enter into the new territory of TODAY. As long as we are walking faithfully we really have no need to fear for God has our back, front, sides, etc., for He is all encompassing around us. So, we have nothing to fear but.......actually nothing!

Until tomorrow.......

Pastor Botts

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,.......Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid...." - John 14:27

The Truth About Peace of Mind

There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience. – French Proverb

 

After Samuel anointed Saul as king over Israel, he had the people testify against himself and his priesthood. It was for his own exoneration and an example to Saul. HE PASSED! Saul did not.

 

For anyone, believer or not; one of the main things sought after is “peace of mind,” the ability to not have to worry about what you said or did yesterday or last week coming back to haunt you. The truth of the matter is it is entirely possible to have. All one has to do is speak the truth in all things (in love) and live for God in all things as Samuel did. The conscience is at peace when it does not have to worry about anything but the truth we’ve told, the righteous life we’ve lived, and the helping hand we’ve lent. Well, this sounds like a believer to me. May we do the things necessary that our minds rest easy.

 

Until Monday……

 

Pastor Botts

 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27

Steady Progress

Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid of only standing still. – Richard Murray

Jesus was twelve when he stymied the teachers of his day, but didn’t start his ministry until he was 30 – he needed the time. Hmm!

When it comes to change too often we want it now, in the dramatic, miraculous fashion; and grow weary and ready to give up when it doesn’t happen that way. But if we look around and understand God and His nature He always takes His time in developing or growing plans. He made man on the 7^th day, not the first. Christ came as a ‘baby in a manger’ not a full grown man. God is always at work, ‘He neither slumbers nor sleeps,’ so He is working on us. Our role is to be patient, steady, and persevere under the circumstances in which He has placed us. None of us are where we truly want to be maturity wise, but if we look back we should see a steady pattern or progression of betterment in our lives and with that - REJOICE!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6

Trust the One Who knows

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. - Corrie Ten Boom

Though ABRAM left his homeland and knew not where he was going, he trusted God would get him there. Hmm!

Seated in an airplane I find I can rest easy, almost fall asleep before take-off. Seated in a car with someone else driving I have often felt the need to 'assist' the driver. Trying to keep their eyes focused on the road, giving directions/lane assignments, even mindlessly braking or accelerating where possible. At times I often find myself doing the same thing with God even as I ask Him to 'order my steps' or 'direct my path.' If you're honest you'll admit you're good at this too. We've tried to get Him to speed things up in certain areas, slow it down in others; and even turn around or stop altogether. If God truly is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and knows what really lies ahead, then maybe beginning today we should let Him have total control and rest in His care. After all, He does know the way to His own house.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." - Proverbs 3:5

P.S. - here are a few more sites to assist in your research for the upcoming elections:

Www.afaaction.net
Www.californiafamily.org
Www.CapitolResource.org

Church is a Funny Place

It is the heart that is not yet sure of its God, that is afraid to laugh in His presence. – G. MacDonald

When God promised her a son Sarah referred to Him as ‘the God who brought me laughter.’ AMEN!

No matter how we try to stifle it, hide it, suppress it – laughter will sneak out at what seems like the most inappropriate times, yes even in church. It’s just a natural reaction friend. God Himself gave us the ability to laugh, and not only that, He made it so that it is therapeutic to our well being. What soap does for our body laughter does for the soul. Laughter helps take the edge off of life’s sometimes unexplainable circumstances and events. It brings the blood pressure and stress levels down, and alleviates anger, and allows us to see our imperfections – Praise God. Yes life is to be taken seriously if we’re to fulfill our purpose, but the God who had serious intent when He made us also expects us to enjoy the journey on the way.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

…..”a time to weep, and a time to laugh….” – Ecclesiastes 3:4

Fear Cure

We fear men so much, because we fear God so little. One fear cures another. – W. Gurnall

Saul’s fighting men greatly feared Goliath and allowed him to taunt them 40 days. But along came scrawny little David and his God. AMAZING!

Most of us remember a time when as children, though our parents weren’t around we were well behaved because we feared what would happen if they found out we misbehaved. God, as our Supreme Father commands the same respect. The TRUTH of the matter though often is ‘out of sight, out of mind.’ Because we don’t often see a physical manifestation of God we have no fear of Him. But the REALITY of the matter is God is ever present, - ‘I will not leave you or forsake you;’ – we just refuse to see Him and submit in obedience to Him. The antidote to fear is love – ‘perfect love drives away fear’. God will not force His will upon us at any time, but then again neither will he force HEAVEN upon us later. The choice is always ours.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” – Matthew 10:28

Walking out from Fear

Fear is the darkroom where 'negatives' are developed. - Anon

One man - Goliath - struck fear in a whole army, that is until David came along. WOW!

Kryptonite! It was Superman's weakness. It completely immobilized him and his superpowers. What about us, what might ours be - FEAR! Not the 'scared of the dark' kind of fear, but the fear of inadequacy, fear of not measuring up. We fear our past cropping up to embarrass us. We fear our future will be too difficult. We fear letting others down, letting ourselves down. Our fears keep us from reaching out, and often reaching UP to God. The enemy's greatest ploy is to fill us with fear. That's why God's Word directs us and commands us time and again not to be afraid. Just as He told Joshua to be 'strong and courageous' going into a foreign land, as we commune with God each morning we should leave that encounter 'strong and courageous' as we enter into the new territory of TODAY. As long as we are walking faithfully we really have no need to fear for God has our back, front, sides, etc., for He is all encompassing around us. So, we have nothing to fear but.......actually nothing!

Until tomorrow.......

Pastor Botts

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,.......Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid...." - John 14:27

Slow Work

Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid of only standing still. – R. Murray

Jesus was twelve when he stymied the teachers of his day, but didn’t start his ministry until he was 30 – he needed the time. Hmm!

When it comes to change too often we want it now, in the dramatic, miraculous fashion; and grow weary and ready to give up when it doesn’t happen that way. But if we look around and understand God and His nature He always takes His time in developing or growing plans. He made man on the 7th day, not the first. Christ came as a ‘baby in a manger’ not a full grown man. God is always at work, ‘He neither slumbers nor sleeps,’ so He is working on us. Our role is to be patient, steady, and persevere under the circumstances in which He has placed us. None of us are where we truly want to be maturity wise, but if we look back we should see a steady pattern or progression of betterment in our lives and with that - REJOICE!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6

Slow Progression is still Progression

Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid of only standing still. - R. Murray

Jesus was 12 when he stymied the teachers of his day, but didn't start his ministry until he was 30 - he needed the time. Hmm!

When it comes to change all too often we want it yesterday, in the dramatic miraculous fashion; and we grow weary and ready to give up when it doesn't happen that way. But if we look around and understand God and His nature, He always takes His time in developing or growing plans. He made man on the 7th day, not the first. Christ came as a 'babe in a manger' not a full grown redeemer. God is always at work for He never rests, therefore He is still at work on us. Our role is to be patient, steady, and persevere under the circumstances and conditions in which He has placed us. None of us are where we truly want to be maturity wise, but if we look back we should see a steady pattern of progression or improvement in our lives and with that we can rejoice.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry if on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6