Reach up

If you want to have a horizontal reach, you need to have a vertical focus. - Robin H.

Paul had great success in his ministry because he 'counted everything loss for the sake of Christ,' which is all he preached. Hmm!

Some things in life are so simple that we often overlook the obvious. We attend programs, seminars, classes, buy the latest bestsellers, trying to learn the latest insight, methodology, or buzz words on how to be successful for Christ. This is all noble and good, but the obvious is overlooked. When we plant a seed the first thing it does is break through the dirt reaching upward to the sky. Then as it grows it begins to spread its branches and leaves outward. That's the key, we need to look up first, and make sure we're hooked up properly. The point is that anything we attempt to do for Christ and His church must begin with Him. Meaning we need to be connected to Him, filled with His spiritual presence, and submitting to His leading. The work of Christ has always been empowered by His Spirit and always will be. If we're struggling with success for Him maybe we need to make sure the connections are in proper order.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

The Cherished Friend

I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not even consult his calendar. – R. Brault

Jesus stayed and talked with the two on the Emmaus Road until they finally saw the 'light'. Hmm!

The numbers bear out a startling truth. The more we are connected socially in this wireless, WiFi society the more we disconnected physically. It seems more and more we’re all trying to find time to do it all and have it all. And what often happens is we wind up with sometimes shallow conversations and face time fellowship with the ONES who supposedly love us most, because the gadgets never leave our hand or our side and certainly not our attention. It's the same with Christ, the ONE who loves us more than anything, we've somewhat relegated Him to the electronic device, and without it we can't seem to function. Maybe it's time we took a closer look at HIS example of friendship where no boundaries or interruptions exist, and HE sits just waiting for US to come. I pray we'll become HIS 'cherished' friend.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"..........that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple...." - Psalm 27:4

Jammed Signal?

Prayer - the best wireless connection ever! - Anon

Going to the temple to pray every day was not a ritual but a necessity to the early disciples. Hmm!

A short! Faulty wiring! It's a nuisance. It drains the battery, causes static in the music or the TV picture. Causes the car to stall, etc. It robs us of the intended use of our devices causing much frustration. Here's a question to consider. What do we allow to steal our energy and grieve the Holy Spirit within us? Our spiritual well-being and growth is energized by our connection with God and His Word. It can be greatly diminished by small little parasites and distractions, things that may seem minute and inconsequential to us, but a major impediment to our connection. It all depends on where and how we stop to feed ourselves. If we're giving more time to social media feeds, worldly passions/pursuits, or even earthly success, we're being drawn away from our true source of power. God doesn't distance Himself from us, but we can distance ourselves from Him, allowing for much interference.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer....." - Acts 3:1

Don't Leave Home Without Him

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. - Philip K. Dick

Jesus just couldn't seem to convince the rich young ruler to take his mind off of his riches for something far better. Hmm!

"Don't leave home without it!" AMEX - at one time maybe, but now the tagline belongs to something else more noteworthy in our lives. The cell phone! Nobody, but nobody leaves home without it. It must be in our hands or on our person within reach at all times. We'll turn around and go back home to get it if we've left it behind. We've even put it in our children's hands. And though we try to convince ourselves it's for communication/connection purposes, that's the least of our usage. Oh, if only we were that devoted to being connected with God. Where His praise was always on our lips, His words were always being meditated upon, our soul was boasting about His goodness. God is constant in His call for us to return to Him, to stay connected to Him. If only there was some way we could reach Him by phone. Hmm!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." - Joshua 1:8

The Proper Hook Up

If you want to have a horizontal reach, you need to have a vertical focus. - Robin H.

Paul had great success in his ministry because he 'counted everything loss for the sake of Christ,' which is all he preached. Hmm!

Some things in life are so simple that we often overlook the obvious. We attend programs, seminars, classes, buy the latest bestsellers, trying to learn the latest insight, methodology, or buzz words on how to be successful for Christ. This is all noble and good, but the obvious is overlooked. When we plant a seed the first thing it does is break through the dirt reaching upward to the sky. Then as it grows it begins to spread its branches and leaves outward. That's the key, we need to look up first, and make sure we're hooked up properly. The point is that anything we attempt to do for Christ and His church must begin with Him. Meaning we need to be connected to Him, filled with His spiritual presence, and submitting to His leading. The work of Christ has always been empowered by His Spirit and always will be. If we're struggling with success for Him maybe we need to make sure the connections are in proper order.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"...I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5