The Good That Will Come

There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation, create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at creation, he did it at the cross, and he’ll be doing it today. – Handley C. G. Moule

The parting of the Red Sea, water from a rock, manna from heaven, feeding 5,000 - you get the idea here. Amen!

Oftentimes when we’re up against life, and our circumstances or relationships are overbearing and taxing us, or our resources are thread-bare and stressing us, we forget about the God who has brought us thus far, or we feel like He can’t handle this one. But if earth has no problems heaven can’t solve, we must keep trusting Him in all situations, and see things from His perspective and purpose, knowing that His purposes are always for our good.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Letting God Rule

If there is good in everyone, then there is God in everyone. The key is letting God rule. - Anon

Do you ever really wonder why you were made in God's image? Hmm!

God accepts us as we are - all scarred, sinful, battle-beaten, fearful - but sees us as we were meant to be as made in His image. When the farmer plants that handful of hard, dried, often mis-shaped seeds in the soil, he already sees in his mind a full harvest. Yes, it will take cultivating, pruning, watering, and great patience to get there, but the reward is well worth the labor. This is how God sees us - He has an amazing pair of 'rose colored' glasses - as bearers of His image. We are eternal spiritual beings going through a human cultivation process, bearing rewarding fruit here on earth AND building treasure in heaven. The whole key to successful transition is letting God rule. When you take a look at nature and all His creation you can see He's mighty good at it.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." - Romans 8:28

Live Courageously

Being an optimist after you’ve gotten everything you want doesn’t count. – F.M. Hubbard

When Jesus’ mother troubled him about the wine at the wedding feast, she knew something would be done, and it would be good. Wow!

Make no mistake friend, this world can present itself as a very formidable and powerful opponent; with its shocking human interest stories, depressing economic news, or downright evil activities of mankind seemingly going on all day, every day. But as those who trust in God, we must always know He is in control, nothing happening is catching Him off-guard, and He is always with us. So, in the midst of our surroundings, we can still live courageously, not shrinking back or retreating at all, but holding steady, listening for His call to move forward or move out of the way. Yes, this world will test us, but we only need remember the battle is the Lord’s and He has already assured us of the victory. So, whatever today brings, know that if we hold fast, we will overcome.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him….” – Romans 8:28

God had a different idea

Huge failures are often divine redirections. – D. Harvey

Paul thought he was cut out to be a Pharisee, but 'Oh,' what a fisherman he became. Hmm! 

We sing a song entitled ‘God Never Fails,’ and firmly know that to be true. The scriptures even bear it out that God cannot fail. But we are often heart broken and ready to give up our faith when something we think we’re doing for God goes awry or flat out fails. While God does not fail, it was never promised that all we strive to do for Him would succeed. He himself knows the purpose for which He created each and every one of us, and He will bring it about in His time. So though we may fail at one thing and suffer a little heartache, it is not final. Life is not defined by one or two events, but the sum total of all we do. And God can and will bring it all together for us if we allow Him some ‘wiggle room.’ If things aren’t the way we want them, maybe we should look to God's design. 

Until tomorrow….. 

Pastor Botts 

“And we know that in all things God works for

the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

– Romans 8:28

Today's scripture reading: Proverbs 28

Today's scripture reading question: Regarding verse 9, which 'law' is he referring to, God's law, government laws, or both?

Past memories future events

We cannot change our memories, but we can change their meaning and the power they have over us. – D. Seamans

Joseph let God erase all the hatred from his heart against his brothers for what they had done. He even ‘cried’ when he saw them again. The reunion was all good. AMEN!

The thing about life is it throws many events our way, some good; some bad. The things that have happened to us cannot be undone. We cannot go back and change it but we should not fear it either, nor let it hold us prisoner. One can only truly fear future events. And since our future is not set in stone, fear is just a head trip. Oftentimes we get stuck in a way of thinking, in a behavior, or in our expectations because we have been hurt before and we have not truly brought the situation to God. From God’s perspective events from our past (good and bad) are stepping stones to move forward in righteousness and faith, for He can bring good out of any situation. Pain is sometimes inevitable, but allowing a memory to keep us in suffering is a choice. God can adjust our attitudes if we allow him.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him….” – Romans 8:28

The Bright Side

Being an optimist after you’ve gotten everything you want doesn’t count. – F.M. Hubbard

When Jesus’ mother troubled him about the wine at the wedding feast, she knew something would be done, and it would be good. Wow!

Make no mistake friend, this world can present itself as a very formidable and powerful opponent; with its shocking human interest stories, depressing economic news, or downright evil activities of mankind seemingly going on all day, every day. But as those who trust in God, we must always know He is in control, nothing happening is catching Him off-guard, and He is always with us. So in the midst of our surroundings we can still live courageously, not shrinking back or retreating at all, but holding steady, listening for His call to move forward or move out of the way. Yes, this world will test us but we only need remember the battle is the Lord’s and He has already assured us of the victory. So whatever today brings, know that if we hold fast we will overcome.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“…and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him….” – Romans 8:28