Discovering A New Way to Worship

Nothing in all of humanity had ever “been done that way before” until someone tried it. – Anon

Though God made the seas during creation, no one tried sailing the waters until Noah’s time. Hmm!

Problems…problems…problems. It seems life is filled with them. But God is not so much interested in us solving problems as He is in us being available to Him that He may solve them through us. We’re the hands, feet, heart, eyes, etc. that He works through. And He is as diverse in His ways as the entire color spectrum. Failure is never certain until we stop or give up trying. We’ve all been faced with challenges and obstacles to overcome that seemed insurmountable, but yet by the grace and provision of God here we are today. Why, because we tried doing something and it worked out. The key here is to try, never to give in, but to seek God’s way to see you through. If we’re wrestling with God over something maybe He’s trying to show us a ‘new way’ of doing His will.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” – Isaiah 43:18-19

A True Reflection of His Glory

Some people are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. – Shakespeare

The great heroes of Hebrews 11 were noteworthy not for what they did per se, but for their faith in God. Hmm!

However you want to define it – GREATNESS – is expected of us. God made us not to be mediocre, but a true reflection of his glory IN ALL THINGS! Though we may often think and feel no one notices us, our Heavenly Father does. No matter what comes our way today, large or small, we must be up to the challenge of being GREAT. Our greatness will not be measured by humanistic thinking but only in the eyes of Him who wants to one day look at us and say “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.” – Psalm 18:35

Diverting from the Dictatorship of the Daily Drill

The greatest challenge of any day is how to bring about a revolution in the heart for God. – Anon

In OT times the enemy that threatened God’s people most was not other nations but the ‘dictatorship’ of the daily routine! Hmm.

Truthfully sometimes, most of us operate by routine or rote. Each morning, we arise and go pretty much through the same motions. We’ve come to the place where everything in our lives can be almost predicted, and we really don’t expect or seek after anything new or unusual from God. Prayers are said but not really 'prayed', bible reading is done but not really 'digested' and often church attendance is there but without any real 'worship'. Maybe it's time for us to look up to the heavens with “fresh” eyes and an open heart today. God is into new things and always ready to show us something!

Pastor Botts

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not see perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:18-19

Use the Information

Some people will pay their tuition, and then defy you to give them an education. – R.A. Cook

Naaman traveled long and hard to get ‘cured’ of his leprosy, and then decided he didn’t like the remedy given. Hmm!

We live in the information age. It comes at us from all directions – TV, radio, internet, billboards, magazines, newspapers, and of course the phone at our fingertips – all the time. Most of the time we willingly go after it, but in the end its just news to us, it requires nothing of us, no changes, no challenges. Often, we use the same application process when it comes to our reading and studying of God’s Word. We love the information content, and though it does challenge us to change or charge us to be obedient, our old attitude wins out and we do nothing. Though the world’s news may not require anything of us God has said “we will all one day have to give an account.” If we’re going to acquire the understanding of His Word, it’s only practical to put it to use. That’s what life is for.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

The New Thing Challenge

The greatest challenge of any day is how to bring about a revolution in the heart for God. - Anon

In OT times the enemy that threatened God's people most was not the other nations but the 'dictatorship' of the customary. Israel had become accustomed to ROUTINE. Hmm!

Truthfully sometimes, most of us operate by routine or rote. Each morning we arise and go pretty much through the same motions. We've come to the place where everything can be predicted and we really don't expect anything new or unusual from God, even though He wants to 'do a new thing' in our lives. May you look up to the heavens with 'fresh' eyes and an open heart today. God has a surprise waiting.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19

Created for Fellowship

Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. – Anon

In creation there was the Trinity (Father, Spirit, Son). When Jesus came to earth He chose 12 to be with Him. I think I see a pattern. Hmm!

Truth be known, we are often our own worst enemies. We feed our fears, deny our abilities and gifts, doubt God’s grace and forgiveness, and often undermine our own confidence. God knew this about us, which is why He is big on fellowship and relationship. We need others to encourage us, challenge us, even confront us at times to spur us on. And as Christians we need other Christians around us who can speak God’s Word and wisdom into our lives. Yes we were created to be unique and special, but never isolated or alone. God has created us all for a purpose and that purpose includes having others in our lives, and helping those who are not. Friendship is required for heaven.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24

P.S. - We'll be gathering for prayer today at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. Why not join us!

Still Rise

Don’t let life discourage you, everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was. – R. Evans

Joseph’s life had many stops, detours, and set-backs. But he arrived at God’s destination for him right on time! Hmm.

According to legend Sisyphus spent his life trying to roll a giant stone up a steep hill - he never made it. Sometimes we may feel like that’s our lot too, problem upon problem, deadline upon deadline with no rest or reward in sight. The greatest tool the enemy has in his arsenal is discouragement, and he’ll feed you just enough to get you to quit. But if God truly is our “strength” and He renews us each day, we are more than able to meet the challenges that come. As you journey on to your hopes and dreams remember to trust in God’s strength.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

On the Brighter Side

No man has ever injured his eyesight by looking on the bright side of things. – T. T. Crabtree

Though sold in into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten by man, Joseph was never down in Spirit. He knew God was still at work. Hmm!

Bad Weather, bad news, sickness, family problems, you name it; we’ve all had it at one time or another in our lives. And we’ll have it again in the future. Jesus said “in this life you will have trouble.” Our challenge is not so much the ‘trouble’ itself but how we respond to it. Maybe God wants us to learn to look at these situations and circumstances for the opportunities they bring to deepen our faith, and increase our praise and worship of Him. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain by looking at it this way, and it does make life more bearable.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you..." I Thessalonians 5:18

The Prepared Heart

The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win. – Anon

Goliath knew the victory was in the bag because of his size and history, however little ruddy David had been preparing his “heart” with God. God WON!

We see it in sports all the time. The great big high ranking university takes it for granted they can beat the puny little unranked, unknown college and BAM – major upset. This scenario plays out in our life all too many times as well. Sin gets the best of us and we often settle by saying “I guess it was just a lesson I needed to learn anyway.” But that’s not necessarily true. Often it’s just because we were not willing to properly “discipline” ourselves to be alert, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led people of God. To be a conqueror takes more than just talent, it takes a “prepared heart.” God wants us to master the challenge.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“As it is written: ‘for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him [Jesus] who loved us.” – Romans 8:36-37 

Fresh Eyes

The greatest challenge of any day is how to bring about a revolution in the heart for God. – Anon

In OT times the enemy that threatened God’s people most was not other nations but the ‘dictatorship’ of the routine! Hmm.

Truthfully sometimes, most of us operate by routine or rote. Each morning we arise and go pretty much through the same motions. We’ve come to the place where everything in our lives can be almost predicted and we really don’t expect or want anything new or unusual from God. Maybe its time for us to look up to the heavens with “fresh” eyes and an open heart today. God is into new things!

I'll be taking some time for rest and relaxation, so until then....

Pastor Botts

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not see perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:18-19

Life Doesn't Procrastinate

Somebody said it couldn’t be done – it wasn’t God. – Anon

God was willing to work with Gideon and the ‘fleece’ in any fashion to show him the time was now. Hmm!

It’s amazing how we always want our turn when playing a game or receiving a blessing, but how we want to put our turn off when it comes to something unpleasant. We don’t seem to mind procrastinating then. When you really stop to think about it, the habit of procrastination takes a 2-fold toll on us. First, important work that needs to be done goes undone. Second, valuable energy we could use in doing the work gets wasted in activities we ‘drum up’ to avoid what we should be doing. So what results is delay, followed by anxiety, then a hurried, harried attempt to catch-up, leading to more anxiety or stress. The truth is we procrastinate out of fear, fear that we’re somehow inadequate at the time to do the job. But God gives us all we need beforehand, or will equip us with what we need ‘during’ the test so we need not fear, only ask His help to tackle the task. So if we meet the challenge head on we can avoid untold trouble, worry, and stress. Life doesn’t procrastinate – neither should we.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself….” – Matthew 6:34

Half Heart Full Loss

Half-heartedness never won a battle. – W. McKinley

Gideon started with 32,000 men and God whittled it down to 300 warriors. Hmm!

The pre-game chat. The Sales Team meeting. The self-confidence pep talk. We’ve all seen, possibly heard and/or participated in something similar to these. That time where we are gathered, greeted, focused, and inflamed with a passion to put forth our all, to achieve victory, conquer the enemy, or finish the task. Life is challenging, but it is necessary to prove us and improve us. God is after those that have a heart after Him, a heart that is willing to give all to Him and for Him just as He did for us with Jesus. And just as we become suspicious when someone offers us a limp handshake or wry smile, imagine how God feels when we offer a half-hearted effort. Today is given to re-ignite your passion for God, here’s hoping it works.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” – Matthew 5:8

Being Great

Some people are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. -Shakespeare

The great heroes of Hebrews 11 were noteworthy not for what they did per se, but for their faith in God. Hmm!

However you want to define it -GREATNESS – is expected of us. God made us not to be mediocre, but a true reflection of his glory IN ALL THINGS! Though we may often think and feel no one notices us, our Heavenly Father does. No matter what comes our way today, large or small, we must be up to the challenge of being GREAT. Our greatness will not be measured by humanistic thinking but only in the eyes of Him who wants to one day look at us and say “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Until tomorrow…...

Pastor Botts

“You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.” – Psalm 18:35

Spark a Revolution

The greatest challenge of any day is how to bring about a revolution in the heart for God. – Anon

In OT times the enemy that threatened God’s people most was not other nations but the ‘dictatorship’ of the routine! Hmm.

Truthfully sometimes, most of us operate by routine or rote. Each morning we arise and go pretty much through the same motions. We’ve come to the place where everything in our lives can be almost predicted and we really don’t expect or want anything new or unusual from God. Maybe its time for us to look up to the heavens with “fresh” eyes and an open heart today. God is into new things!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not see perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:18-19

Someone to roll with

Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. – Anon

In creation there was the Trinity (Father, Spirit, Son). When Jesus came to earth He chose 12 to be with Him. I think I see a pattern. Hmm!

Truth be known, we are often our own worst enemies. We feed our fears, deny our abilities and gifts, doubt God’s grace and forgiveness, and often undermine our own confidence. God knew this about us, which is why He is big on fellowship and relationship. We need others to encourage us, challenge us, even confront us at times to spur us on. And as Christians we need other Christians around us who can speak God’s Word and wisdom into our lives. Yes we were created to be unique and special, but never isolated or alone. God has created us all for a purpose and that purpose includes having others in our lives, and helping those who are not. Friendship is required for heaven.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“…And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24

How to face a challenge

The way to face a challenge is to be convinced that the challenge can be met. – C. R. Powell

David vs. Goliath. Daniel in the lions den. Jesus feeding 5,000. All these men were convinced GOD could handle what they faced. HE Did. AMEN!

In life we all face opposition, hardship, limited or no resources, unscheduled changes, the desires of the flesh, etc. We call them challenges, trials, tribulations, etc. The key is to see them as training opportunities God has placed before us to prove our worthiness, but also our complete dependence on him for success and deliverance.  There is no problem you will face in your life today or tomorrow that is too hard for God. Convincing proof is all around you!

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him graciously give us all things?” – Romans 8:31-32