God Assisted Aspirations

If it doesn’t scare you a little, you are dreaming way too small! – Richard Murray

Moses said to God “who am I to go before Pharaoh?” God reminded him with “I’m going!” Amen!

They’re called big events! Life-changers. The ‘wedding’ day! The ‘home purchase’ day. The ‘baby comes’ day. Yes, these and others like them cause you to pause and wonder, with some trepidation about your readiness and ability to succeed. The challenge that lies ahead. Can you meet it alone? That’s the reality of dreams and aspirations for life. If they aren’t challenging enough for us to be dependent on someone greater than ourselves – GOD – then they really aren’t big enough. God walks with us every step of the way, but He will not do for us what He knows we can do for ourselves. But when it comes to the ‘impossible’ that’s His domain, and He remains at the ready if only we are willing to ask, for He wants to bring us good and glory to His name. If you have the dream you also have the means.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8

Stay Courageous

He who loses wealth loses much, he who loses a friend loses more, but he who loses his courage loses all. – Miguel de Cervantes

Of all the things Judas lost on that fateful night, his courage to seek a forgiving Christ cost him most. Ouch!

Often we don’t want to face the trials God puts before us, meet the challenges His church requires of us, or step out on faith as His word tells us, but we must. For it is in going through the circumstances of life we grow our faith and our courage for the next battle. We need remember, Satan’s best and most used tool is “discouragement,” and he keeps it at the ready. And he doesn't use it in big 'doses' but little by little, in very subtle ways, so that it begins to wear us down and lead us to apathy. So we must pray that the Spirit will empower us for today, for the challenges, they are a'comin.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith, be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” – I Corinthians 16:13-14

Your Focus Determines Your Reality -Qui Gon Jinn

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal. – H. More

Peter was able to walk on water until he took his eyes off Jesus and noticed the wind. The good thing is JESUS SAVED!

Today, there will be new challenges to reaching your goals. Life will do the same thing it does everyday through the circumstances and situations that arise on the job, in school, in your home life, and relationships. The question is how will you respond. The enemy (sometimes it's us) is very subtle at trying to take our focus off of all that is good and right or godly, to discourage. Will you see it as an opportunity to stretch out in faith or an obstacle and shrink back? It will all depend on what you really want, and God is willing to leave the choice up to you.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12

Trusting Through Difficulties

Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are. – B.J. Reagon

When Jesus asked the question of him, he knew Philip had neither money nor knowledge of where to buy food for the crowd. It was a test of his faith. WOW!

It’s not hard to notice we are in some very difficult economic times. Jobs are scarce or even in hiding it seems, and even those who are working are asked to sacrifice through wage reductions, reduced hours, furloughs, etc., and yet prices for goods or services just continue to rise. But the essence of our lives rests not on how much we spend, but in how much we give of ourselves. The God we serve asks us to trust He will meet all our needs, therefore we have no need to shrink or pull back from the work He has called us to do. Why not surprise yourself today and see how much you can get for a smile, a few kind words, or a helping hand. God would be pleased!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty….” – Philippians 4:12

Try It His Way

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

Overcome the Impossible

It is only the impossible that is possible for God. – S. Weil

When the Israelites needed an escape path (Red Sea), food (manna), water (rock); God was there. He still is today. AMEN!

Looking at it from afar, life seems unfair and impossible to overcome. The challenges it presents seem overwhelming, and our resources meager. And that is our major problem in life, we look at it from afar, and we begin attempting to do what only God CAN do. Life is designed to mature us, and adversity is designed to strengthen us. But this is only possible if we view it through God’s eyes and go at it through God’s strength. If we’re honest we can all count the number of times we’ve tried to ‘move mountains’ and failed on our own only to have God show us how easy it is once we fully gave it over to Him. To overcome the impossible we must trust the INVISIBLE. The choice is ours!

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’” – Luke 18:27

The Challenging Pressure

When we long for life without difficulties, we should remember diamonds are not made without undergoing great pressure. – P. Marshall

After Paul fully understood God’s grace, he began to revel in his infirmities. – WOW!

The challenges are what bring out the best in us, and without them we would seldom if ever seek to improve ourselves or our lot in life on our own. God does not allow challenges or difficulties into our life to defeat or frustrate us, but to grow our faith and trust in Him and move us along the path on our journey towards eternity with Him. And remarkably, God does not mind when we cry out to Him in the midst of our difficulties, He rather prefers it; as it shows we believe and trust He can do something about it or help us bear up under it. The key is to understand that as challenges come along, it’s actually God just loving on us.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation….” – Philippians 4:12

A Setback or a Step Up?

The only difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is in the way you use them. – Anon

In the parable of the talents, the first 2 stewards saw it as a great opportunity, the other steward saw it as a liability. Hmm!

Abraham Lincoln. Thomas Edison. Joseph. Paul. Just a few names from history that if you researched you would find overcame many obstacles to be a great benefit to God and contributor to society. We’ve been gifted with the same tools and insight, and God gave and continues to give to everyone generously. We’ll have similar challenges and situations as well. The difference we make will be in our determination and perseverance. Will we allow life’s trials or storms to trip us up, knock us down, or stall our efforts, or will we step up to a higher calling for God.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God..” – I Corinthians 1:22-

Responding to Obstacles

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal. – H. More

Peter was able to walk on water until he took his eyes off Jesus and noticed the wind. The good thing is JESUS SAVED!

Today, there will be new challenges to reaching your goals. Life will do the same thing it does everyday through the circumstances and situations that arise on the job, in school, in your home life, and relationships. The question is how will you respond. The enemy (sometimes it's us) is very subtle at trying to take our focus off of all that is good and right or godly,to discourage.  Will you see it as an opportunity to stretch out in faith or an obstacle and shrink back? It will all depend on what you really want, and God is willing to will leave the choice up to you.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12

Easy as...huh?

Living a good life is like eating with chopsticks, it looks easy until you try it. – Anon

In his mind Peter was ready to die for Jesus, that is, until his physical life was at stake. Good thing Jesus forgives. AMEN!

Lots of things in life look easy enough, that is as long as we stay on the sidelines. But get us in the game action and we find complexities and challenges we never imagined, and a skill set that seems all thumbs at times. It is something we should always bear in mind with others we see and encounter, possibly doing their best and giving it their all, just because it doesn’t measure up to what we expect. God only knows the struggles or hardships they are dealing with, so our response should be one of encouragement. Besides, the same holds true for us as well. In our ‘all thumbs’ episodes of life God never once criticizes, He only offers encouragement, help, and of course hope.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – I Thessalonians 5:11

Discover You

Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are. – B.J. Reagon

When Jesus asked the question, he knew Philip had neither money nor knowledge of where to buy food for the crowd. It was a test of his faith. WOW!

It’s not hard to notice we are in some very difficult economic times. Jobs are scarce or even in hiding it seems, and even those who are working are asked to sacrifice through wage reductions, reduced hours, furloughs, etc., and yet prices for goods or services just continue to rise. But the essence of our lives rests not on how much we spend, but in how much we give of ourselves. The God we serve asks us to trust He will meet all our needs, therefore we have no need to shrink or pull back from the work He has called us to do. Why not surprise yourself today and see how much you can get for a smile, a few kind words, or a helping hand. God would be pleased!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty….” – Philippians 4:12

Stumble or Step Up

The only difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is in the way you use them. – Anon

In the parable of the talents, the first 2 stewards saw it as a great opportunity, the other steward saw it as a liability. Hmm!

Abraham Lincoln. Thomas Edison. Joseph. Paul. Just a few names from history that if you researched you would find overcame many obstacles to be a great benefit to God and contributor to society. We’ve been gifted with the same tools and insight, and God gave and continues to give to everyone generously. We’ll have similar challenges and situations as well. The difference we make will be in our determination and perseverance. Will we allow life’s trials or storms to trip us up, knock us down, or stall our efforts, or will we step up to a higher calling for God.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God..” – I Corinthians 1:22-24