The Prayer Formula?

Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed. – St Francis de Sales

That Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray, that his disciples went to the temple at the hour of prayer seems important.

Early morning, late afternoon, 5 minutes, 1 hour or more – these are all variables bantered about when it comes to prayer and meditation with God. The truth of the matter is there is no secret formula or one-size fits all. What is important is that we take time from our busy lives each day to spend with God, talking to and LISTENING to Him. The One who planned the day surely knows how it will pan out and the direction He has purposed for us. It is important to note that the more time we spend with God the more we hear and understand His heart and the less inclined we are to go off on our own path.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6

Downtime

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

Always Pray

If you are too busy to pray, you are much busier than God wants you to be. – Richard Murray

Before he ‘rushed’ into battle, David often took a few minutes to consult with God. Hmm!

You have to marvel at them. Indy car drivers racing at speeds upwards of 200mph, contending with twists, turns, other cars, and of course keeping an eye on the dash to maintain optimum performance. Whew, that’s a lot going on! Oh, and don’t forget to add to the mix they have an open conversation going with their pit crew. Thank goodness, life moves at a much slower pace for us. But though we don’t move at such speeds, many of us still seem to lack time for a consistent and meaningful prayer life. We still don’t seem to note a need to be involved in the prayer life of the church. God is moved by prayer more than anything else. He actually ‘inclines’ His ear to listen for them. If we truly seek change in the world and in ourselves, God says He’s willing to listen. If there’s any one command of Jesus we should keep it’s to pray and never give up.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” – Luke 18:1

Just Admit It

Many people could learn from their mistakes, if they weren’t so busy denying them. – H. Smith

Sapphira later continued with the same hoax her husband had launched and died from earlier. It cost her the same! Hmm.

We live in an imperfect world, and we are imperfect people. Yet, even though we know this to be true, we continually try and mask our shortcomings and failures amongst one another. Life would and could be so much simpler if we let go of the excess baggage we carry around trying to impress others, denying we have imperfections or are capable of miscalculations. Though Christ told us to “be ye perfect,” He realized it’s a lifelong journey that requires daily walking with Him.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” –Romans 3:23-24

Meditation 101: How Much?

Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed. – St Francis de Sales

That Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray, that his disciples went to the temple at the hour of prayer seems important.

Early morning, late afternoon, 5 minutes, 1 hour or more – these are all variables bantered about when it comes to prayer and meditation with God. The truth of the matter is there is no secret formula or one-size fits all. What is important is that we take time from our busy lives each day to spend with God, talking to and LISTENING to Him. The One who planned the day surely knows how it will pan out and the direction He has purposed for us. It is important to note that the more time we spend with God the more we hear and understand His heart and the less inclined we are to go off on our own path.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6

A Little Pitstop

You ever notice the Indianapolis 500 often has a ‘pace’ car on the track! - Anon

When Jesus saw how harried, harassed, and hungered the crowds looked, He made them take a ‘time out’. WOW!

We’ve all seen the pet hamster in the cage running on the circular wheel. Running hours on end going nowhere! For him, it’s just exercise, but how often for us does that seem a way of life? Even in this pandemic riddled year, our personal world can still be so busy we find it a challenge to really, really rest. Overwhelming needs abound – family, financial, physical, mental, spiritual – and seemingly continue to push us. We get so busy ‘doing’ we have little or no time for ‘being’. If anything, 2020 has given us all a new perspective on life. It’s as if God were saying “you’ve been running on empty, why not come to me. The peaceful, tranquil, and purposed life you seek begins with me.” Truthfully speaking, I can’t think of anyone I’ve ever known or read about being harmed by spending too much time with God. If time is truly in His hands and runs at His command, maybe we should adjust our lives to His pace.

I'll be taking a few days off, so until I return…

Pastor Botts

“…..[Jesus said] ‘come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” – Mark 6:31

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?

Inspired by the Work

To be inspired one has to actually be busy. – B. Pile

After the early church prayed and prayed, the power of God came upon them and they were filled with the Spirit and 'acted' with boldness. Hmm!

Often in our lives many of us are like the search lights we see flashing across the night skies, searching for something that is not there. We wait, we procrastinate, we put things off, believing something will happen to inspire us to take action. But inspiration is an additive, not a starter. It aids, lends strength, gives momentum, like the Spirit of God. God is ready to inspire us today, all He needs is our step of faith.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

"We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” -  I Thessalonians 1:2-3

Confidence in God

Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night. - L. Aikman

Though Paul expressed 'concern' for all the churches, he was a very 'content' man. Hmm!

WORRY, FRET, ANXIETY! Words no one really likes in their daily lives, and neither does God want them there. Why does God tell us not to worry? Well, if you think it through, worry is the opposite of faith. To worry is to practice 'negative' meditation (going over and over things in your mind/heart). Instead of thinking on the goodness, grace, favor, and mercies of God, when we worry we're saying "I can't trust the Creator of the Universe with this." In truth, this is an actual insult to God when we act as if He isn't big enough, strong enough, resourceful enough, or close enough to meet or overcome the challenges we face in life. If scripture reveals quite the opposite, maybe we ought to begin believing it. As life arises today will we be completely confident in the God we serve?

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....was my arm too short to ransom you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert....." - Isaiah 50:2

Let it Meditate

Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed. – St Francis de Sales

That Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray, that his disciples went to the temple at the hour of prayer seems important.

Early morning, late afternoon, 5 minutes, 1 hour or more – these are all variables bantered about when it comes to prayer and meditation with God. The truth of the matter is there is no secret formula or one-size fits all. What is important is that we take time from our busy lives each day to spend with God, talking to and LISTENING to Him. The One who planned the day surely knows how it will pan out and the direction He has purposed for us. It is important to note that the more time we spend with God the more we hear and understand His heart and the less inclined we are to go off on our own path.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6

Can't Do It All

There are really only 2 things you “have to” do in life. You “have to” die, and you “have to” live until you die. You make up all the rest. – R. Anthony

Moses felt he needed to do everything for the Israelites and neglected himself. His father-in-law showed him a better way. AMEN!

Whether we will admit it or not, most of us are too busy. We’re trying to do it all and have it all, with little or no time for the MAKER of all. Satan, our enemy; will either make us bad (sinful) or busy (unholy), both are equally bad positions to be in. God has never said we must do it all by ourselves, nor must we do it all. He wants us to redeem the time and use it wisely, and the best way is to make sure all we do is for His Glory and not our own egos or pocketbooks!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1

What you SHOULD do

When we are busy doing what we should, there is no time to do what we shouldn’t. – Anon

While talking with Jesus after his failures Peter wanted to know about John’s role. Jesus told Peter it was not his concern. Hmm!

It’s amazing to me, but if you were to ask the average person if they had enough to do in life the answer would be a resounding YES! But yet, in spite of their full life and schedule the average person seems to have time to get involved in things they shouldn’t. God’s word has a laundry list of things he despises, but often it seems we work overtime doing “the laundry.” The life God planned for each of us would be much simpler if we just stuck to the basics. Remember, if being a team player requires doing what is wrong, you’re on the wrong team.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” – II Timothy 2:22

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

God O'Clock

Maintaining a complicated life is a great way to avoid changing it - NOT! – E. St. James

The Pharisees were proud of their traditions, rituals, and aided-law ways that set them apart. Jesus called them EMPTY TOMBS! Hmm.

Back in the creation account God gave man dominion over all the earth and a helpmate too. They ruled over it all and had plenty of time to walk and talk with God in the Garden each day. Believe it or not, God is searching for the same type of relationship with us today. If He took care of sin through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection shouldn’t the scales tip heavily in his favor instead of towards all the gadgetry, entertainment, and busyness that consumes us? Let us not get so busy that we too become empty tombs! Remember, it was never left to us to HAVE it all or to DO it all.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“The Lord answered, [Martha] ‘you are worried and upset by many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” – Luke 10:41-42