The Necessary Heartbreak

If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart. – Oswald Chambers

God heard Hannah’s painful heart-broken prayers. He answered by giving her a son mighty in the priesthood. AMEN!

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but pain, sweat, and tears are what get the job done. Now admittedly, we all have an aversion to pain of any kind. With so much to do, so many places to go, or people to interact with we seldom have time to be laid up or sidelined with it. But that is the call of an intercessor, to have a deep-hearted pain for others that only God can soothe and heal. Pain is not optional in our Christian walk, it is inevitable; and as much as we try to avoid it, sometimes we need to ask God to break our heart.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17

Sometimes We Need A Break

A horse must be “broken” before he’ll work. So must some people. – Anon

God at one time made King Nebuchadnezzar ‘unfit’ for society until he acknowledged God’s greatness and sovereignty. Amen!

In the midst of turmoil or struggles in our life we are prone to ask the "why me" question. And though trouble comes to all men equally, there are times when God speaks directly to our situation and relationship with Him. Like Nebuchadnezzar, we often chase our own success, satisfaction, and glory to the detriment of our relationship with God. Often we think we’re giving God His due, but it’s merely ritual platitudes and tokenism. And though it pains Him to do so, sometimes God has to completely ‘interrupt’ or ‘subdue’ us (financial crises, ill health, detached relationships, etc.) to get our attention, to show us the error of our ways. So our question should not so much be "why me," but what is God trying to tell me?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17

Life Hurts, Stay Faithful

A broken heart is what makes life so wonderful – 5 years later. - Richard Murray

The birth of her grandson Obed renewed a long dormant spirit in Naomi’s heart. Hmm!

Live long enough and you’ll learn sooner or later that life hurts sometimes. The truth of the matter is life will break our hearts a few times. God does not always give us what we want or ask for. He in His divine wisdom knows what’s best for us – but He will always, always show us or tell us why He did not answer in the way we desired if we remain faithful and give Him time to show us His much greater plan or vision. We must remember life doesn’t all happen in the here and now moment, and that God is much more concerned with our eternal destiny than our immediate temporary comforts, but even still in this, He will not put more on us that we can bear. So, no matter where we are or what we’re going through right now, we just need to hang in there and hang on to God.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" - Philippians 4:4

P.S. - From this point forward we will be fasting from all social media use until Saturday morning 11am, including internet usage (unless needed for work). This will be the last TFT transmission until next week.

Use Me?

God uses broken people like you and me to rescue broken people like you and me. - Anon

Of all the people Jesus could have sent to preach in the Decapolis, he chose a man he had just healed of many demons. Wow!

You ever wonder about Mary, mother of Jesus; and her willing obedience when Gabriel spoke to her? Why? You have to know she was taught the scriptures from an early age. And remembering how God would often use ordinary people (Gideon, Jonah, Esther, etc....) to save His people, she knew and believed in her heart that could be her at any time. So, when Gabriel spoke, hence her reply "so be it as the Lord wills." What about us? Would we be so willing for God? Though we know the ways of God are often mysterious, would it be so unexpected and hard to fathom that He'd want to use you in a mighty way? God's redemption story is still unfolding today, and He still uses ordinary people to bring it about. Wherever you may be in your current livelihood (up, down, hurting, joyful...) just know that your life is part of His ongoing story. He's counting on us to make it interesting and inviting!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message...." - John 17:20

Dead Inside

What is truly sad is when something dies inside a man while he is still living. – Albert Einstein

Seemingly taking it for granted, Samson woke one fateful morning and found his 'strength' had left him. Hmm!

“I’m okay!” It’s a statement we all use from time to time to tell ourselves and others all is right. But is it really? Just because life goes on as usual does not mean all is okay. Because of his continued willful disobedience God removed His “favor” from king Saul. Saul continued in his kingship devoid of God’s blessing and coverage, but hell bent on destroying David, a friend who had shown only love for him. He died a tragic death. Though we may attend to the “religious” detail of our life; without the livelihood of the indwelling Spirit we’re just going through the motions. What made Job truly remarkable in God’s sight was not only his obedience, but his attitude towards righteousness (he offered sacrifices just in case his children sinned). As we conduct our ‘check-up from the neck-up’ may our Spirit be alive and well.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17

Break It Down

A horse must be “broken” before he’ll work. So must some people. – Anon

God at one time made King Nebuchadnezzar ‘unfit’ for society until he acknowledged God’s greatness and sovereignty. Amen!

In the midst of turmoil or struggles in our life we are prone to ask the "why me" question. And though trouble comes to all men equally, there are times when God speaks directly to our situation and relationship with Him. Like Nebuchadnezzar, we often chase our own success, satisfaction, and glory to the detriment of our relationship with God. Often we think we’re giving God His due, but it’s merely ritual platitudes and tokenism. And though it pains Him to do so, sometimes God has to completely ‘interrupt’ or ‘subdue’ us (financial crises, ill health, detached relationships, etc.) to get our attention, to show us the error of our ways. So our question should not so much be "why me," but what is God trying to tell me?

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17

The Good from the Broken

God has an amazing way of bringing good vibrations out of broken chords – Anon

Adam & Eve’s fall in the Garden. David and Bathsheba’s sin. Peter’s denial. All tragic events that could have destroyed the very lives of the individuals involved, yet God still used them all in a mighty way. Hmm!

Many of us have a somewhat jaded view of God. We believe He can do great things, but not for us; that our situation is beyond His reach and repair, or that we’re so far gone He wants nothing more to do with us. But nothing can be further from the truth, He continually seeks communion with us. Perhaps you have traveled down the road of sin and feel broken and separated from the Heavenly Father. He’s still in the reclamation business and has great desire to use you for His glory. He can do ‘abundantly more than we can imagine.’ All we need do is seek Him out, confess our sin, repent, and allow Him to work in our life again. Today can be a new beginning if we so desire.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:17

It's STILL the Truth

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. – Anon

Judas, Herod, Pilate. They didn’t know it at the time but their actions toward Jesus were all in God’s plan. Hmm!

Truth! Wisdom! Enlightenment! We all seek after such things for in the righteousness of God they make life a lot simpler and even more bearable. But sometimes God puts the wisdom or instruction we need in people we think have nothing to contribute to society or our lives. Salvation came through a “child in a manger” while the Jews were looking for a majestic war general. We tend to get caught up sometimes thinking that unless someone is pedigreed, well-educated, or hugely successful in life, they can’t speak into our lives at all. Sometimes the best way to avoid failure is to listen to someone who has been down that road. As we ask God to speak into our lives we should not be so quick to rule out whom He may use.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?....For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom…” – I Corinthians 1:20,25

Comfort in Time

A broken heart is what makes life so wonderful – 5 years later. - Richard Murray

The birth of her grandson Obed renewed a long dormant spirit in Naomi’s heart. Hmm!

Live long enough and you’ll learn sooner or later that life hurts sometimes. The truth of the matter is life will break our hearts a few times. God does not always give us what we want or ask for. He in His divine wisdom knows what’s best for us – but He will always, always show us or tell us why He did not answer in the way we desired if we remain faithful and give Him time to show us His much greater plan or vision. We must remember life doesn’t all happen in the here and now moment, and that God is much more concerned with our eternal destiny than our immediate temporary comforts, but even still in this, He will not put more on us that we can bear. So, no matter where we are or what we’re going through right now, we just need to hang in there and hang on to God.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts                                                

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4

Connection Issues? Count Your Blessings!

When you’re unable to pray, count your blessings. – Anon

King Saul sought out a medium or spiritist in his turmoil. David continued faithful and waited on God for his answer. We know which one was God’s man! Hmm.

Prayer is our most important communication link with God. He covets it and there is never a time when He does not hear us. But there are times in life when it seems like our prayer link to God is broken, we just can’t seem to get through when we really need Him most no matter how often we call. In truth, there are times that God is silent not because of our sin or distance, but because He has already “graced” us with blessings that fulfill all we need. Just try counting, I’m sure you’ll find you won’t be disappointed.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; BLESSED is the man who takes refuge in him.” – Psalm 34:8

Broken Hearted Love

If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart. – Oswald Chambers

God heard Hannah’s painful heart-broken prayers. He answered by giving her a son mighty in the priesthood.  AMEN!

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but pain, sweat, and tears are what get the job done. Now admittedly, we all have an aversion to pain of any kind. With so much to do, so many places to go, or people to interact with we seldom have time to be laid up or sidelined with it. But that is the call of an intercessor, to have a deep-hearted pain for others that only God can soothe and heal. Pain is not optional in the Christian walk, it is inevitable; and as much as we avoid it, sometimes we need to ask God to break our heart.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17

Life Interrupted

A horse must be “broken” before he’ll work. So must some people. – Anon

God at one time made King Nebuchadnezzar ‘unfit’ for society until he acknowledged God’s greatness and sovereignty. Amen!

In the midst of turmoil or struggles in our life we are prone to ask the "why me" question. And though trouble comes to all men equally, there are times when God speaks directly to our situation and relationship with Him. Like Nebuchadnezzar, we often chase our own success, satisfaction, and glory to the detriment of our relationship with God. Often we think we’re giving God His due, but it’s merely ritual platitudes and tokenism. And though it pains Him to do so, sometimes God has to completely ‘interrupt’ or ‘subdue’ us (financial crises, ill health, detached relationships, etc.) to get our attention, to show us the error of our ways. So our question should not so much be "why me," but what is God trying to tell me?

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17

Fixing the Broken Chords

God has an amazing way of bringing good vibrations out of broken chords – Anon

Adam & Eve’s fall in the Garden. David and Bathsheba’s sin. Peter’s denial. All tragic events that could have destroyed the very lives of the individuals involved, yet God still used them all in a mighty way. Hmm!

Many of us have a somewhat jaded view of God. We believe He can do great things, but not for us; that our situation is beyond His reach and repair, or that we’re so far gone He wants nothing more to do with us. But nothing can be further from the truth, He continually seeks communion with us. Perhaps you have traveled down the road of sin and feel broken and separated from the Heavenly Father. He’s still in the reclamation business and has great desire to use you for His glory. He can do ‘abundantly more than we can imagine.’ All we need do is seek Him out, confess our sin, repent, and allow Him to work in our life again. Today can be a new beginning if we so desire.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:17

Wisdom in unexpected places

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. – Anon

Judas, Herod, Pilate. They didn’t know it at the time but their actions toward Jesus were all in God’s plan. Hmm!

Truth! Wisdom! Enlightenment! We all seek after such things for in the righteousness of God they make life a lot simpler and even more bearable. But sometimes God puts the wisdom or instruction we need in people we think have nothing to contribute to society or our lives. Salvation came through a “child in a manger” while the Jews were looking for a majestic war general. We tend to get caught up sometimes thinking that unless someone is pedigreed, well-educated, or hugely successful in life, they can’t speak into our lives at all. Sometimes the best way to avoid failure is to listen to someone who has been down that road. As we ask God to speak into our lives we should not be so quick to rule out whom He may use.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?....For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom…” – I Corinthians 1:20,25