Closet Time With Jesus

A holy life is not lived in the closet, but it cannot survive without one. - Anon

Paul's letters mention how he 'often' prayed for those who came to faith. I'm sure that's not all he prayed for. Hmm!

We wash them in 'Woolite'! We get them professionally dry-cleaned! We hang them properly, sometimes in plastic bags in the closet. What are they, our clothes or garments. Those pieces we always want to look good in, in public. Whether it be clothes, cars, jewelry, etc., we all have things we give much more attention and protection to, ensuring their presentation always draws attention. That should ever be the case with our faith walk with God. It deserves the utmost of care in terms of preparation (study, prayer, fasting) and presentation (avoiding the appearance of sin). It's true that life has a frenetic pace, but it's equally true that we don't have to participate in everything that makes it that way. If our lives are starting to get frayed around the ends, maybe some closet time with Jesus is just what we need.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"......But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen....." - Matthew 6:6

A Prayer and Praise Pick Me Up!

Some days you just gotta' praise your way through. - Anon

I think Daniel's prayer life had a lot to do with his success even while in captivity. Hmm!

Monster! RedBull! 5-Hour Energy! Coffee! Pick me up drinks, all pretty much filled with caffeine to give us that 'lift' we need to get us going and back in the pace of things. But what about our spirit, how is He cared for in these moments? What do we do to 'pick' Him up? Do we even concern ourselves with His well-being? Maybe if we try a time of prayer and praise, we'll often find it goes so well to pick us up we don't even need the energy drink. After all, the spirit is filled with the 'dunamis' (dynamic) power of God, which very often is all we need to make it through. Why not try a little today. It couldn't hurt!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"After they prayed...they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." - Acts 4:31

Tough Love

Sometimes you have to give up on people. Not because you don't care, but because they don't. - Anon

Jesus didn't stay long or do many miracles in his hometown because they didn't think they needed a Savior. Hmm!

Though any one of us would say the last thing we would ever do is become an 'enabler', often we are guilty of just that. Why, because we fail to practice 'tough love'! Admittedly, it's hard because it really involves turning it over to God. But sometimes we can only help a person by removing ourselves from their circle, to stop being 'taken for granted' and let them find their own way. And using the Bible as our measuring rod, it seems 'more often than naught' when the people didn't care for God and He left them to their own devices they eventually came back to Him confessing and repenting of their wrongs. It's true at times - love does hurt, but it shouldn't be a continual pain.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"I [God] will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction." - Joshua 7:12

Love Streams

Love does……. – Bob Goff

Apparently, there were plenty of examples of Dorcas’ love for the people to show Peter. Hmm!

2AM feedings! Constant diaper changes! Cooing and lullaby singing! All the things a mother does for her baby. Why, not because she has to, but because her love motivates her to. The love in her heart for her child won’t let her deny anything the child needs. The living water Jesus promises to flow through us is that same type of love that causes us to express kindness, care, and concern for others, be they family, friend, or mere acquaintance almost as a second nature. And these acts not only benefit those we serve, they satisfy a longing within us which is Jesus trying to live through us. How will He love someone through you today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” – John 7:38

He Sees You

“Every move you make, every breath you take….I’ll be watchin’ you!” – song refrain

Hagar tried to hide thinking no one cared until she realized God knew ‘exactly’ where she was and why she was. Hmm!

Just try it for 2-3 minutes. Sit still and watch a group of sparrows (chee-chee birds). The way they flit about, jump around, dart in and out of trees or bushes. You can’t tell them apart, but yet our Great God can. The bible tells us ‘not one of them will fall to the ground outside of God’s care!’ Now if God cares that much about them, imagine how much more He cares for us, His most valued creation. You may think your movements, actions, or current status are of no consequence to Him, but just as He looks in on those birds. He looks in with even greater attention to you. Sometimes it may not ‘feel’ like He’s there, but the One who loves you most knows exactly where you are and the status of things going on. The question is will you trust Him, surrender and allow Him to work it out for your good? Remember, you were made to bring Him glory – let it rise!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you…” – Psalm 121:4-5

God Cares for YOU!

Don't believe those who tell you they love you, believe those who show you they do! - E. Gaudette

When Jesus invited himself into his home it was a love song to Zacchaeus' heart. Hmm!

"And how was your day?" Whether it be parent, spouse, or close friend asking we tend to give superficial answers like "fine!", "it was okay", or even "don't ask!" Either because we want to keep the details personal, or we don't feel they are worth sharing. But in truth, those who ask aren't doing so because they want to hear an exciting story or find out what you've been doing, they ask simply because they care about us. And the same is true of the God we serve. God really wants to know what's causing us pain or weighing on our mind, pulling on our heartstrings. He loves to hear our personal thoughts and struggles. Nothing is really insignificant with God, and you won't bore Him at all. So, have at it.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - I Peter 5:7

Do YOU Care?

No one else has to care, so long as you do! – Anon

God had an adjective for the Samaritan who helped his prejudiced neighbor in need. I think it was “GOOD.”

Let’s face it. If we’re not careful we often do look around to see what everyone else is doing, and if anyone cares about the things we care for. But God has made each one of us and called us each individually, to do what WE KNOW to be right in His sight. The cross we are to bear daily is for His glory alone. As life comes at you today remember He cares for you and hopes you care for Him.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"The eyes of the Lord look continually for those who have a heart like him.” – II Chronicles 16:9

Tell the Lord About It

The complaint department is NOW OPEN! – God

Every time Moses cried out to God about these “stiff-necked, hard-hearted people” God had a ready and workable solution. WOW!

It’s a truth in life that we are not going to be happy with all that happens, that sometimes we might feel short-changed, or even get angry and upset with those we love, making us want to complain, complain, complain. But rather than complaining to friends who may form a ‘jaded’ opinion of us or even worse, spread our unhappiness to unwanted ears, why not just let our Heavenly Father know all about it. He’s big enough to bear the brunt of our charges, hear us out without making any judgments, and keep it just between us. Not only that, other than we ourselves, He’s the only other party that can do anything about it. And judging from what He says in His Word, He’s just waiting for the chance. The next move is ours!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Cast all your anxiety on him, because He cares for you…” – I Peter 5:7

Trusting God's Care

The optimist says the cup is half full, the pessimist says its half empty, the child of God says, “my cup runneth over.” – Anon

Paul traveled all over the country on a tentmaker’s salary. How? He trusted in a God who had unlimited resources. Hmm!

So far as I know, no bird ever tried to build more nests than his neighbor, no fox ever fretted over having only 1 lair in which to lay, and no dog ever lost sleep over not having enough bones buried for retirement. Often, we as people of God put emphasis on the wrong things, and worry needlessly over things beyond our control. If God does truly care for the sparrow, will he not care for us? He’s asking us to trust Him and see!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet our heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:26, 33

Glorious Intersections

Talk is cheap, at least that’s what you think until you get the phone bill. – Anon 

When God finally answered Job it was much more than he bargained for, but he was blessed as well. Hmm!

It is often said that no good deed goes unpunished. For example, how often is a friendly offering of “how are you?” commandeered into a blow-by-blow account of someone’s recent surgery or illness; or a smile you give is enough to have some stranger open up to tell their life circumstances to you. That’s because people are hurting in this world, and they’ve found very few people actually care, so a simple “how are you?” is all they need to hear. Instead of getting upset or thinking “oh my gosh” maybe we should think like Jesus. God’s desire is for us to make these intersections ‘moments of glory’ for Him and His kingdom purposes, so either we spread a little heavenly cheer to them, or we slow down and hear His voice through them. In either case the key is to open up your heart’s pocketbook.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be on my lips….” – Psalm 34:1

Why Worry?!

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith. – G. Muellar 

   

The moment Peter took his eyes off Jesus he started sinking in the water. Hmm! 

   

Well, its here – Morning! Today is that tomorrow you worried about so incessantly yesterday. It came anyway. If you don’t have an action plan yet, I would suggest you give it over to God right now! We shouldn’t live life so worried about future events that we can’t enjoy the present, that’s why God wants us to ‘cast our cares on Him.’ The more we lean on Him and learn to trust in Him, the less we’ll have to worry or fret about. True, in this game of life we’ll win some and lose some, but when we look back over our life we can see in all things God has been completely trustworthy, and stuck with us through it all, making the best of every situation. And He’ll do the same with our current worries or fears if we give them over to Him. As the day unfolds, I hope we don’t take to long to make up our minds. 

   

Until Monday…. 

   

Pastor Botts 

   

“….do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34

P.S. - We will be meeting for Prayer Breakfast tomorrow morning at 9am.

Church Clean-up Day is pushed back a week to 11/23 at 8am.

Give a Care

No one else has to care, so long as you do! – Anon

God had an adjective for the Samaritan who helped his prejudiced neighbor in need. I think it was “GOOD.”

Let’s face it. If we’re not careful we often do look around to see what everyone else is doing, and if anyone cares about the things we care for. But God has made each one of us and called us each individually, to do what WE KNOW to be right in His sight. The cross we are to bear daily is for His glory alone. As life comes at you today remember He cares for you and hopes you care for Him.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“The eyes of the Lord look continually for those who have a heart like him.” – II Chronicles 16:9