The Hardest Thing to Conquer

To many, total abstinence is better than perfect moderation, but neither gets practiced! - Augustine

Many of the godly kings of Judah destroyed the temples of Baal and Ashtoreth but neglected the high places. Hmm!

As those made in the highest order of creation, we are by far the more intelligent beings, able to ‘subdue and control’ the earth. But in all our conquering the hardest thing for us to learn is to temper our appetites, control our desires, or restrain our impulses. After all, nobody but nobody knows what’s better for us than we ourselves is our way of thinking. But God really does know better, He created us, knows what we can withstand, knows how He wants to bless us, and knows how He wants to use us in His service. Moderation is difficult, of course; but the rewards are numerous and long-lasting. To improve our finances, health, or general well-being; wisdom and moderation must be close traveling companions. God will leave the decision up to us, but then so are the consequences.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“…Better a patient man that a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city..” – Proverbs 16:32

Conquering Self

Before doing the impossible you have to start with the necessary. - Anon

Before being cured of his leprosy, Naaman had to be cured of his pride. Ouch!

Many of us set out to conquer the world first, then our friends, spouses, and neighbors, changing it to suit our ideology, often ignoring the fact that it is not them but we who need to change. A good leader realizes the only conquests that leave no regrets are the victories over himself. World change is totally possible and all it really takes is a small change in our own personal worldview. Starting there means a lot less stress and heavy lifting.

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

P.S. - Hope you can join us for Prayer this evening at 5:30pm.

Love Outside the Lines

Patience and fortitude conquer all things – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The book of Judges shows clearly how God just refused to give up on His people. Hmm!

If you watch any sport (soccer, football, basketball, baseball, tennis, etc.) you see them – boundary lines. They dictate the field of play. Fair play is limited to in between the lines. Cross the line and you’re out of bounds, play ends. Though these ‘lines’ are good for sports action and even when we set them in our personal lives for effective relationships; we should be grateful beyond measure that God’s love knows no boundary lines. His love is relentless in the pursuit of our heart, going all out trying to ‘woo’ us. It will go to the farthest or deepest point to reach us with His mercy, compassion, and patience to remind us we matter to Him and that He is for us. Now that is a love too great to pass up, don’t you think?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge…” – Ephesians 3:17-19

Prepare to Conquer

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

David often sought out God before he went into battle. A wise strategy that often paid dividends. Hmm!

We see it in sports all the time. The great big high ranking university takes it for granted they can beat the little puny unranked, unknown college and BAM – major upset. We see it in God’s word as 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.  Many times in our lives sin gets the best of us and we often settle saying “I guess it was 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.” I pray in Christ you will be a winner everyday.

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. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:36-39