Reach up

If you want to have a horizontal reach, you need to have a vertical focus. - Robin H.

Paul had great success in his ministry because he 'counted everything loss for the sake of Christ,' which is all he preached. Hmm!

Some things in life are so simple that we often overlook the obvious. We attend programs, seminars, classes, buy the latest bestsellers, trying to learn the latest insight, methodology, or buzz words on how to be successful for Christ. This is all noble and good, but the obvious is overlooked. When we plant a seed the first thing it does is break through the dirt reaching upward to the sky. Then as it grows it begins to spread its branches and leaves outward. That's the key, we need to look up first, and make sure we're hooked up properly. The point is that anything we attempt to do for Christ and His church must begin with Him. Meaning we need to be connected to Him, filled with His spiritual presence, and submitting to His leading. The work of Christ has always been empowered by His Spirit and always will be. If we're struggling with success for Him maybe we need to make sure the connections are in proper order.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

Get To the Root of It

Thousands hack at the branches of evil when it only takes one good strike at the root. - Henry David Thoreau

The Gadarene demoniac had often been chained and quartered by the people to no avail, but one moment with Jesus changed his life. Wow!

Anyone who has ever planted a garden or cared for a lawn knows you will get weeds. And the only way to get rid of them is not to cut them (they grow back) or spray them (they still grow back), but to uproot them completely (dig them out of the ground by their roots). The same is true of sin and unrighteousness in our hearts. We can identify and attack the activities in our lives where it is evident, but unless we destroy it in the heart it will manifest itself again in a whole new way. The only way to destroy it at the root is to repent and turn our heart over to God for renewal. If we’re really seeking to change, God can make it happen.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“However, this kind (sin) does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” – Matthew 17:21

P.S. - Our 40-hour Prayer Fast begins this evening at 6:30pm and ends Saturday morning at 10:30am.

-No solid foods (broths, pureed soups, etc. are okay).
-Prayer points to consider:
    Being a better disciple(r)
    Breaking free from a sinful habit
    A greater burden for the lost
Join us at Prayer Breakfast this Saturday morning at 9:30 am to break the fast.

Change IS the Reward

Our reward is what we become, not what we get. – Richard Murray

Abraham became a ‘friend’ of God, Moses became ‘God’s man’ and neither of them made it to the Promised Land God spoke of. Hmm!

All to often in our prayer lives we go to God asking Him to give, grant, supply, or meet our needs – which are mostly physical – and rarely do we thank Him for what He is making of us. All of us can look back and see the changes God has made in us and for this we should be profusely thankful. The idea of getting things is great, but just like a new toy when the novelty wears off, we’re back to asking for more. Life is not so much about getting as it is becoming, and that becoming or manifesting all of what God made us for. So if there is no getting today, just give thanks for what God is making of you.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” – John 15:1-2

The Root of It

Thousands hack at the branches of evil when it only takes one good strike at the root. - Henry David Thoreau

The Gadarene demoniac had often been chained and quartered by the people to no avail, but one moment with Jesus changed his life. Wow!

Anyone who has ever planted a garden or cared for a lawn knows you will get weeds. And the only way to get rid of them is not to cut them (they grow back) or spray them (they still grow back), but to uproot them completely (dig them out of the ground by their roots). The same is true of sin and unrighteousness in our hearts. We can identify and attack the activities in our lives where it is evident, but unless we destroy it in the heart it will manifest itself again in a whole new way. The only way to destroy it at the root is to repent and turn our heart over to God for renewal. If we’re really seeking to change, God can make it happen.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“However, this kind (sin) does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” – Matthew 17:21

Independently Dead

The devil did not tempt Adam & Eve to steal, lie, kill, or even commit adultery. He just tempted them to live independently of God – B. Jones Sr.

The book of Judges is a testimony against God’s people who tried to live without Him. OUCH!

It’s an amazing truth that often we at times look at our lives as religious or faithful based on the “sins” we don’t or didn’t commit. But this is the same type of legalistic pride that Jesus condemned in the religious leaders of His day, who were zealous for the laws of man over the commands of God. Though we are obedient to the commands of God, they are not our motivation or purpose for living, it is our passionate love and zeal for God and continual communion with Him in every detail of life. If there is any truth to Paul’s statement, “for in Him we live and move and have our being,” then we must realize that living independent of God and His word even without committing the “sins” of life means certain death. It’s always been about the relationship.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I am the vine, you are the branches…..apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

Remain in Him

If you want to have a horizontal reach, you need to have a vertical focus. - Robin H.

Paul had great success in his ministry because he 'counted everything loss for the sake of Christ,' which is all he preached. Hmm!

Some things in life are so simple that we often overlook the obvious. We attend programs, seminars, classes, buy the latest bestsellers, trying to learn the latest insight, methodology, or buzz words  on how to be successful for Christ. This is all noble and good, but the obvious is overlooked. When we plant a seed the first thing it does is break through the dirt reaching upward to the sky. Then as it grows it begins to spread its branches and leaves outward. That's the key, we need to look up first, and make sure we're hooked up properly. The point is that anything we attempt to do for Christ and His church must begin with Him. Meaning we need to be connected to Him, filled with His spiritual presence, and submitting to His leading. The work of Christ has always been empowered by His Spirit and always will be. If we're struggling with success for Him maybe we need to make sure the connections are in proper order.

Until Monday.....

Pastor Botts

"...I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5