Faithful to BEing

Men climb great mountains but yet stumble over pebbles. – E. Cady

Peter preached a sermon that brought 3,000 new souls to Christ, yet he found it hard to get over his prejudice of Gentiles. Hmm!

Without a doubt, most of us would have no problem signing up to do something great or noteworthy; it’s what we live for. The big job, the special assignment, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – count us in. We love being able to deliver the goods for everyone’s praise. But God never asks us to climb great mountains, or seek fame and fortune or praise; He only asks us to be faithful to Him each day, and for some reason it seems to be the hardest thing to do. Maybe therein lies the problem – we want to DO, we’re good at doing - but God says BE. If we realize that being faithful is the greatest thing we can DO maybe we can somewhat cure our stumbling problems.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;…..Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.” – Proverbs 3:21,23

Let It Begin with Me

Everyone prays for change in the world, but nobody wants to be the first volunteer! - Anon

When God asked 'who will go? "Isaiah immediately and without hesitation said "Here I am. Send me!" Hmm!

Think about it. We all have them, friends, associates, and even family members who could be a much better person if they just changed......... that about them. That one little thing that just 'irks' us. That one little thing about them that we so often point out to others about them. The truth we need to face is that our criticisms of others will never change them, but our prayers will. And the faith behind our prayers for others is actually that step we need to make to become a volunteer for change. Why, because God often has to do a work in us first that we may be able to see the changes He's making in others. So friend, let's keep praying!

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests......always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." - Ephesians 6:18

The New Disciples of Love

If what the world needs now is love, who will be the example? - Anon

Paul said he 'became' like those he was with to win them to Christ. AMEN!

It's no secret we live in a fallen society. A world where strife, division, and self-centered rhetoric is the menu of the day. Yes, far from perfect but yet still salvageable. It's why Jesus came, to share that message of hope and salvation for all and then give His life to prove it. Then He asked us to pay it forward, be a disciple. We think it a 'tough' go in today's setting, but maybe we just need to look at how Jesus did it and do likewise. The people accepted Jesus because of how He interacted with them. He 'loved' them as they were. Even in His teaching, He showed them great compassion, empathy, mercy, forgiveness, and often times healings. Though He was the promised 'Messiah' He walked amongst them with 'grace' not authority. He was a living/breathing example of God's great love for us. Like the motto of 'New Balance' every one of us should be saying "we got now!" Welcome to the New Year!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"A new command I give you.....As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples...." - John 13:34-35

Live the Changed Life

Be the change you want to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi

Paul went from Christ-hater to Christ-promoter and church builder. He said we should follow his example as he follows Christ. Hmm!

Dirty politicians. Immoral athletes. Greedy televangelists. Uncaring neighbors. Ungodly co-workers. The list could go on and on and on. Each of us somehow affected by others, but with the know how to make things better. It’s true, we all know how to change the world for the better, but no one wants to start with himself. God never called us to change the world, but to live a changed life in the world. That in itself would be quite an accomplishment and have a deep impact on the world. Let the revolution begin today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matthew 5:14

BE the Change!

Be the change you want to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi

The woman at the well. The Gadarene demoniac. Each one had a profound impact on their community after meeting Jesus. Hmm!

Dirty politicians. Immoral athletes. Greedy televangelists. Uncaring neighbors. Ungodly co-workers. The list could go on and on and on. Each of us somehow affected by others but with the know how to make things better. It's true, we all know how to change the world for the better, but no one wants to start with himself. In truth, God never called us to change the world, but to live a changed life in the world. That in itself would be quite an accomplishment and have a deep impact on the world. May we all be a change agent today.

Until tomorrow…….
 
Pastor Botts

“But be transformed by the renewing of YOUR mind...." - Romans 12:2

God's Way

Be God or let God be! – Anon

Jesus, at one time denounced Peter as Satan for his attempt to stand in the way of God’s program and Jesus ultimately on the cross. Hmm!

Like Peter, the hardest thing for us to do is to go along with God’s program when it doesn’t seem to make much sense or fit in with our expectations. But that is the true basis and foundation of faith and trust. God’s ways and thoughts are not ours. We can’t comprehend or respond the way God does. He created the universe and all there is and is working everything to His perfect conclusion. Our role is to have faith in all situations and believe He will work it out for our benefit and HIS GLORY! Let go and let God.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Know that the Lord is God. It is HE who made us, and we are HIS, we are HIS people, the sheep of HIS pasture. Enter HIS gates with thanksgiving, and HIS courts with praise.” – Psalm 100:3-4

About His Biz

It is not possible for us to be what we ought to be until we do what we ought to be doing. - R. Murray

Paul’s ‘resume of suffering’ for the church gave clear indication he knew he was a slave to Christ, but he was okay with it. Hmm!

Pictures - we have them possibly from our early ages to where we are now, and when we look at them and compare them, my how we’ve changed. We’ve grown from that little ‘runt’ or ‘puny kid’ into someone worth beholding. But if we think about it, have we really changed? Physically yes, but spiritually most times no. We grow up and in doing so we often adopt the world’s view of things – what life is about, what is truth, etc. The bible tells us an amazing fact about Jesus, that at an early age His thinking and speech ‘amazed’ the great leaders of the time so much so that when his parent’s asked Him about it He replied “I was just about my Father’s business”. In other words He was doing what He ought to be doing – making the Father’s will known to mankind. That’s our mandate, to make it known and help build up the kingdom, and until we fully understand this we’re not being who God made us to be. Yes, life is to be lived to the fullest, but God is to be glorified through it all.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” – James 4:17

Change the World

Be the change you want to see in the world. – M. Gandhi

Paul went from Christ-hater to Christ-promoter and church builder. He said we should follow his example as he follows Christ. Hmm!

Dirty politicians. Immoral athletes. Greedy televangelists. Uncaring neighbors. Ungodly co-workers. The list could go on and on and on. Each of us somehow affected by others, but with the know how to make things better. It’s true, we all know how to change the world for the better, but no one wants to start with himself. God never called us to change the world, but to live a changed life in the world. That in itself would be quite an accomplishment and have a deep impact on the world. Let the revolution begin today.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“You are the light f the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matthew 5:14