Forward! March!

Regret is mostly caused by not having done anything. - Charles Bukowski

It made no sense at all to march around Jericho 7 times until it did. - Hmm!

Remember Lot's wife, after receiving God's instructions not to look back she did anyway, and it cost her dearly. Why did she do it? Possibly because she was a little uncomfortable leaving the 'familiar'. It's true, many of us are uncomfortable leaving the familiar, the tried and true. It's what we know, it fits well, and it's easy. One consequence of looking back is it makes moving forward much, much harder than it need be. True, moving forward is uncertain and often calls for us to exert ourselves in new ways we're not sure of. But move forward we must, and the great thing about it is we can trust God to provide all we need as doors and opportunity open up. Remember He prepares the way so we're always in a forward march position. Here's praying we can stay in step.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The [Master replied] well then, you should have put my 'talent' on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest." - Matthew 25:27

Prepare for Transmission

Prayer must mean something to us if it is to mean anything to God! - Richard Murray

Daniel let nothing and no one interfere with his prayer time with God. Hmm!

Growing up in our home, we as kids all learned that the phone was not a toy. It was to be used to conduct business, stay in touch, and pass along information. So when you picked it up to dial someone you had a purpose for doing so. The idea of 'just talking loud and saying nothing,' where the conversation was meaningless, pointless, and without purpose or conviction was not tolerated. Truth is, nobody likes conversation like that. Not even God. And though He has inclined His ears to hear our every call, we should always prepare our hearts before we call on Him, and we should have something worthwhile to chat about when we call Him. Even if it's just to tell Him we love Him there should be some conviction in our tone, or if it's to praise Him there should be some passion in our voice. Remember, as we talk He's looking at our heart.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart......" - Psalm 24:3-4

The Best Lubricant for Life

The cure for anything is salt water, whether it be sweat, tears, or the sea! - I. Dinesen

An in-depth view of Jesus' life shows that He 'served' often, wept at times, and did some of His best teaching by the seashore. Hmm!

God said, "by the sweat of your brow you'll earn your keep!" We say, "never let them see you sweat!" God said, "a broken and contrite heart He will not despise!" We say, "never let them see you cry!" God said, "take a day of rest to enjoy Him!" We say, "learn to multitask and get more done!" Seemingly, all the ways God gave to us to show we're human and frail, we've turned into ways and ideas to show our strength and ability to go beyond. But it begs the question: What are we going 'beyond' to and for whose benefit? Maybe it's no small wonder why we live in a culture of burnt-out, substance dependent, anxiety laden people - our methods just don't work. I'll agree God is not against us being more efficient, but I stand fast on the fact the best lubricant for us is our life is salt water. Why not start with a trip to the seashore for a sunrise or sunset. It couldn't hurt and you might meet God there.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus." - John 21:4

God of the Impossible

God doesn’t give us what we can handle, He helps us handle what we are given. – Anon

At the Red Sea crossing when Moses cried out, God replied “what’s that in your hand?” It worked a miracle. WOW!

Impossible! By definition it means it cannot be done, achieved, overcome, or changed. In life, there are situations we seem to face day after day and twice on Sundays. Maybe you’re there right now…looking at an impossible situation. In truth, it’s just a mindset that must be overcome. The enemy wants to keep us looking at it that way – impossible. But our Lord has given us the weapon to overcome and change things – FAITH! With faith in God all things are possible. No matter what it is. God has a way of adjusting our attitudes and understanding of things to make it possible, and if necessary even change the actual situation to give us victory. It all depends on the amount of faith we’re willing to live by. Today may be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be impossible.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….Is anything too hard for the Lord?” – Genesis 18:14

Post-It Prayers

Once you choose hope, anything is possible. - Christopher Reeve

The angel told Cornelius his many prayers came up as a memorial before God. Hmm!

Years ago, the 3M Company (Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co.) came out with a great invention: 'Post-It' Notes. Those little yellow sticky note pads that allowed you to leave a note for someone 'stuck' to a place they couldn't avoid seeing. It was a winner. Soon, these little notes were seen all over the place, often as reminders to ourselves to do something important. Just a short, quick, note! Maybe this is something we should adopt in our prayer lives. Not so much the note; but short, quick, prayers. I'm sure God is honored when we take time in our closets or 'in the WILD' but I'm sure He loves it even more when we take time throughout the day to 'stick' a prayer request, or a thank you note, or even a song of praise on His 'window'. And the more, the better. For it keeps Him centered in our daily walk. So, let's 'Post-It!'

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...." - Ephesians 6:18

Won't He Do It

When God is about to do something great, he starts with a difficulty. When He's about to do something truly magnificent, He starts with an impossibility. - A. Gesswein

When the Israelites 'fretted' at the Red Sea, God's glory parted it. When Satan thought he had won, God's Son rose from the dead. Next!

Well, it's Monday morning and God is already on the move and ready to bless, change lives, heal relationships, mend broken hearts, set free the captives, and lift-up turned down heads. Just because we can't see it happening in the 'midst' of our difficulty or impossible situation doesn't mean God isn't at work. This is where our faith comes in. Faith sees what we cannot. The same God who blesses our neighbor and fellow church-member can take our difficulties and impossibilities and turn them upside down. The truth of the matter is God CAN do anything, anytime, in anyone's life. The question however, is do we believe HE WILL DO IT in our lives and will we ALLOW Him to? It's good to be alive!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" - Genesis 18:14

Moving Forward

Regret is mostly caused by not having done anything. - Charles Bukowski

It made no sense at all to march around Jericho 7 times until it did. - Hmm!

Remember Lot's wife, after receiving God's instructions not to look back she did anyway, and it cost her dearly. Why did she do it? Possibly because she was a little uncomfortable leaving the 'familiar'. It's true, many of us are uncomfortable leaving the familiar, the tried and true. It's what we know, it fits well, and it's easy. One consequence of looking back is it makes moving forward much, much harder than it need be. True, moving forward is uncertain and often calls for us to exert ourselves in new ways we're not sure of. But move forward we must, and the great thing about it is we can trust God to provide all we need as doors and opportunity open up. Remember He prepares the way so we're always in a forward march position. Here's praying we can stay in step.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The [Master replied] well then, you should have put my 'talent' on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest." - Matthew 25:27

No Complaints

Jesus can turn water into wine, but he can’t turn whining into anything. – M. Steele

The Israelites grumbled against God in the desert and it cost them dearly. 40 years to be exact. OUCH!

It’s a given that we will not always like everything that happens to us in life. Adversity, trials, soured relationships, etc. come upon us all. God is testing us, proving us, shaping us for greater work ahead. It’s not so much what happens to us in life, as it is how we respond. God is not expecting murmurings of discontent or grumblings of objection, but OBEDIENCE. Our willful obedience to His will is the sign of growth in The Spirit. If we truly believe God knows what He’s doing in our lives and He can make all things “work together for good” then there’s nothing left to say.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a depraved and crooked generation….” – Philippians 2:14-15

Doing Something Together

Just because you can’t do everything, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do anything! – Anon

The widow’s mite wasn’t much in the overall total, but yet it had great impact. Wow!

The paralysis of analysis. We all often reach this plateau in life situations. Seeing what needs to be done, how it needs to be done, and realizing we’re just one person we get overwhelmed and tend to shut down, and nothing gets done. It’s the “me” attitude. You know the slogan “if it’s going to be, it’s up to me!” In truth, this is as unscriptural as you can get. God Himself said “it is not good for man to be alone.” The real mantra of the Bible is ‘teamwork makes the dream work.’ God set us in families, churches, communities, and other relationships that we may work together, edifying, building up, and strengthening one another. Like a ripple in a pond one small act of service has unlimited potential in its outreach. So today, remember God is not counting on us to do everything, but He is looking for us to do something. May the kingdom go forward today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…” – Colossians 3:23

Meaningful Conversations

Prayer must mean something to us if it is to mean anything to God! - Richard Murray

Daniel let nothing and no one interfere with his prayer time with God. Hmm!

Growing up in our home, we as kids all learned that the phone was not a toy. It was to be used to conduct business, stay in touch, and pass along information. So when you picked it up to dial someone you had a purpose for doing so. The idea of 'just talking loud and saying nothing,' where the conversation was meaningless, pointless, and without purpose or conviction was not tolerated. Truth is, nobody likes conversation like that. Not even God. And though He has inclined His ears to hear our every call, we should always prepare our hearts before we call on Him, and we should have something worthwhile to chat about when we call Him. Even if it's just to tell Him we love Him there should be some conviction in our tone, or if it's to praise Him there should be some passion in our voice. Remember, as we talk He's looking at our heart.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart......"

- Psalm 24:3-4

Down Time's A Good Time

We are so busy doing everything that we have no time to be anything. – V. Havner

Jethro’s advice to his son-in-law Moses, was not only sound, it brought times of refreshing to him and the people. WOW!

From covered-wagon to SUV’s, steam-locomotives to bullet trains, trans-atlantic ships to around the world flights, one thing is for sure, we have progressed technologically. These are all great God-given ideas to make life easier, but I’m not so sure God meant for them to speed our lives up. We were created to have ‘complete’ cycles of down time as evidenced when He put Adam to sleep to create Eve. We were also created to have ‘complete’ cycles of time alone with Him as evidenced when He and Adam walked alone in the Garden. God offers us a peace that surpasses our understanding, but many of us are moving so fast it can’t catch up to us. We have our Smart-phones/PC’s, Smart-TV’s, Smart-cars, we virtually live on-line, and have Apps for every need all at our fingertips – just press and go. But life has a God given pace (it’s not always faster, quicker, right now) which when found is almost worry free. Enoch found it as he ‘walked’ with God, and Paul found it as he learned ‘contentment’ in Christ. Today, God has said “it’s your move.”

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it…” – Isaiah 30:15

Today's scripture reading: Proverbs 30

Today's scripture reading question: Using verses 18-19 as a reference: What are 2 or 3 things about God or His creation that are too amazing for you fully understand?

Find Fault Miss the Point

A person who is always finding fault seldom finds anything else. – Anon

Nathanael thought nothing good could ever come from Nazareth. Jesus changed his heart and mind on that. Hmm!

Truth is we live in a fallen world. It’s easy to look around and see the wrongs of mankind. What’s more the media of today’s world tends to glorify the ills and failures of mankind all too frequently with little or no regard given to successes. It’s enough to make one become a cynic. But we have “freedom” of choice in terms of what we dwell on or how we perceive the information or events of life that impact us. The proper mindset can change your attitude and outlook. Here’s hoping you have a thoughtful day.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, ...noble, ....right, ...pure,.....lovely, ....admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." - Philippians 4:8

P.S. - NOTE: the community meeting on rent control has been pushed back a week to March 1st.

Smile Through

If you can't do anything else to help along, just smile. - E. Kirk

God's Word makes it abundantly clear that a 'cheerful heart' causes stress in the face which is called a smile. Hmm!

Smile! It's what we say to the person we're taking a picture of. Why, because no one really likes to see a picture of sadness or frowns. A cheerful face somehow seems to make others perk up. A smile indicates pleasure or a joy deep within. As Christ followers, knowing what God has already done for us and blessed us with should bring joy to our hearts and a smile on our face. AND knowing what lies ahead for us on the other side of this life should always spark that joy within and bring a smile. Yes, life might be tough right now; meager or no supplies, aching/diseased body, strained relationships with family or friends, but none of this is new, God delivered before, and has promised never to leave or forsake us. So all that is left is for us to just trust in Him, look up and SMILE!

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....A happy heart makes the face cheerful...." - Proverbs 15:13

Worry, No Good. Prayer, All Good!

Anything worth worrying about is worth praying about. – Anon

In the midst of hostility and deceit, Nehemiah worked and prayed, prayed and worked. God answered. WOW!

Stressed out, worried sick, anxiety-laden, or just plain fearful. These are emotional states to avoid for we know no good thing can arise from them. But yet we often find ourselves going through these emotions over some of the smallest matters (an unreturned phone call, a non-existent rumor, a friend’s strange stare or non-stare, etc.). It is a testament to what we believe about our God in terms of what we will take before Him in prayer, and how soon we’ll take it there. Worry does nothing good for us and it keeps us from fully trusting in God. There will always be uncertainties in life and things we just can’t know at the time, but God doesn’t want them to interfere with us fully enjoying what He has given us right here, right now, so pray if you must.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

“Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.” – Psalm 55:22

Walk With

We are so busy doing everything that we have no time to be anything. – V. Havner

Jethro’s advice to his son-in-law Moses, was not only sound, it brought times of refreshing to him and the people. WOW!

From covered-wagon to SUV’s, steam-locomotives to bullet trains, trans-atlantic ships to around the world flights, one thing is for sure, we have progressed technologically. These are all great God-given ideas to make life easier, but I’m not so sure God meant for them to speed our lives up. We were created to have ‘complete’ cycles of down time as evidenced when He put Adam to sleep to create Eve. We were also created to have ‘complete’ cycles of time alone with Him as evidenced when He and Adam walked alone in the Garden. God offers us a peace that surpasses our understanding, but many of us are moving so fast it can’t catch up to us. We have our Smart-phones/PC’s, Smart-TV’s, Smart-cars, we virtually live on-line, and have APP’s for every need all at our fingertips – just press and go. But life has a God given pace (it’s not always faster, quicker, right now) which when found is almost worry free. Enoch found it as he ‘walked’ with God, and Paul found it as he learned ‘contentment’ in Christ. Today, God has said “it’s your move.”

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“….This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it…” – Isaiah 30:15

Meaningful Prayer

Prayer must mean something to us if it is to mean anything to God! - R. Murray

Daniel let nothing and no one interfere with his prayer time with God. Hmm!

Growing up in our home, we as kids all learned that the phone was not a toy. It was to be used to conduct business, stay in touch, and pass along information. So when you picked it up to dial someone you had a purpose for doing so. The idea of 'just talking loud and saying nothing,' where the conversation was meaningless, pointless, and without purpose or conviction was not tolerated. Truth is, nobody likes conversation like that. Not even God. And though He has inclined His ears to hear our every call, we should always prepare our hearts before we call on Him, and we should have something worthwhile to chat about when we call Him. Even if it's just to tell Him we love Him there should be some conviction in our tone, or if it's to praise Him there should be some passion in our voice. Remember, as we  talk He's looking at our heart.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart......" - Psalm 24:3-4