Lock In on the Guide

I try to avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward. – Charlotte Bronte

God was a ‘cloud’ by day and a ‘pillar’ of fire by night leading the Israelites. He’s still looking for a few good folks to lead today. Hmm!

As anyone who has ever been on a guided tour knows, you always keep your eyes and ears on the Tour Guide. They know the way, what’s important along the way, how much time should be spent at a station and so on…to lose sight of them is to risk getting lost, getting in trouble, or missing out on the tour’s main offering. Life is very similar to this as we journey each day. To keep looking back is to live with the shame, regrets, pain, and heartache of the past, which drastically lessens our hope and encouragement that things will get better. To keep looking into the future is to run the danger of moving beyond God’s stride and direction, running ahead of His plans and purposes and ending up unfulfilled. That’s why it’s imperative that we keep our focus on God, walk at His pace, never letting go of His hand. He will allow us to take time and enjoy His creation, but also ensure we never get lost, never have need to fear, and never linger longer than necessary at any point.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…..Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith….” – Hebrews 12:2

The Story of Our Life

Life is like a full library owned by an author. In it are a few books which he wrote himself, but most of them were written for him. – H.E. Fosdick

Most of the kings in the bible kept records of their monarchy, but it was always God’s Word that prevailed over them. Hmm!

The passing on of information and knowledge is a good thing, particularly those things that are helpful, insightful, and edifying. And books are a great resource for such a transaction. And yes, we should want to tell a story with our lives, but that story should be in context with the greater story of the God who made us. So we need to read and obey His book before we try and write ours. So often many of us are trying to write great screenplays, how-to books, or life guidance novels with our life story for those who come after us, when all we really need to do is as Solomon said “fear God and keep His commands.” That’s the story we should be writing with our lives for those who come after us. Life itself is the greatest gift we have, and if we live it right, tell it correctly, and write it succinctly for others, we will have all eternity to discuss it with them in glory. Today’s a good day to jot down a few notes.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Of making many books there is no end and much study wearies the body….here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” – Ecclesiastes 12:12-13

One On One Instruction

I have always felt that the true textbook for the pupil is his teacher. – Mahatma Gandhi

The Pharisees were satisfied with the ‘Law of Moses’ but missed out on connecting with the AUTHOR to Moses. Hmm!

At last count we have over 20 different versions of The Bible in print, in almost any language imaginable. This is phenomenal in itself, but it is also frustrating at times as well. Too often we as people rely on ‘the good book’ more than we rely on the author of it. The bible was given to us that we might come to know God personally, not just about Him and His word. Reading the book is great, but conversing with the author is far better, as you get insight not on the pages. God is waiting to express Himself in ways we can’t even imagine, now that’s exciting teaching!

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” – Psalm 25:4-5

P.S. - don't forget church clean-up day tomorrow starting at 8am.

The Way To...

I glory in conflict that I may hereafter exult in victory. - Frederick Douglass

Matthew the tax collector hated his job and was hated by his people. Along came Jesus. AMEN!

Life as we experience it can sometimes appear overwhelming, and it happens every day, like clockwork. It can often get on top of us and smother us, suck all the hope, joy, and pleasure out of us if we're not careful. That friend, is our enemies goal. To keep us so preoccupied, so self-absorbed with a defeatist attitude that we seem to stay in a gloomy, doomsday frame of mind. Hopeless despair. But life is a gift from God, not to be endured but lived to the fullest with great joy. The most critical step to overcoming the enemy's attack is to believe there is a WAY, and then to seek that WAY. Jesus assures us there is a way and HE is it. He is not just the WAY to the Father, He is the WAY to all of life. He is the 'bread' of life, 'living' water, the 'truth', the 'source' of joy and above all 'victorious' over all things. So all we really need to do is re-focus. Stop looking at life and look at Jesus.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith......" - Hebrews 12:2

Life in context of God's Book

Life is like a full library owned by an author. In it are a few books which he wrote himself, but most of them were written for him. – H.E. Fosdick

Most of the kings in the bible kept records of their monarchy, but it was always God’s Word that prevailed over them. Hmm!

The passing on of information and knowledge is a good thing, particularly those things that are helpful, insightful, and edifying. And books are a great resource for such a transaction. And yes, we should want to tell a story with our lives, but that story should be in context with the greater story of the God who made us. So we need to read and obey His book before we try and write ours. So often many of us are trying to write great screenplays, how-to books, or life guidance novels with our life story for those who come after us, when all we really need to do is as Solomon said “fear God.and keep His commands.” That’s the story we should be writing with our lives for those who come after us. Life itself is the greatest gift we have, and if we live it right, tell it correctly, and write it succinctly for others, we will have all eternity to discuss it with them in glory. Today’s a good day to jot down a few notes.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Of making many books there is no end and much study wearies the body….here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” – Ecclesiastes 12:12-13