The Light That Shines Through

Never doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light. – Anon

Job questioned but never doubted God. We know his story ended well. Amen!

You look out on a bright sunny day and you see them. What are they – shadows. And they grow in size and shape as the light begins to shift or fade. Sometimes big and foreboding, other times just a sliver. But the reason behind them is the same, the presence of light. Shadows only occur with the presence of light. It’s a great analogy for our lives as well, as sometimes the issues of life (health, finances, grief, relationships, etc.) can overshadow us with a sense of foreboding doom. It would behoove us then to remember though there may be a shadow, the ‘light’ of God is still present. As the scripture tells us God is the light that shines in darkness. His grace, mercy, and favor can still shine on us if we but turn and look for Him. He’s always there and ready to shine to show us a way through. Just give Him a call.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows.” – James 1:17

P.S. - For those who have not been able to attend this week's Purpose Driven Life study, we will be meeting this Sunday at 8am on campus in Room 304.

Shining Through the Shadows

Never doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light. – Anon

Job questioned but never doubted God. We know his story ended well. Amen!

You look out on a bright sunny day and you see them. What are they – shadows. And they grow in size and shape as the light begins to shift or fade. Sometimes big and foreboding, other times just a sliver. But the reason behind them is the same, the presence of light. Shadows only occur with the presence of light. It’s a great analogy for our lives as well, as sometimes the issues of life (health, finances, grief, relationships, etc.) can overshadow us with a sense of foreboding doom. It would behoove us then to remember though there may be a shadow, the ‘light’ of God is still present. As the scripture tells us God is the light that shines in darkness. His grace, mercy, and favor can still shine on us if we but turn and look for Him. He’s always there and ready to shine to show us a way through. Just give Him a call.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows.” – James 1:17

Uncovering the Cover-up

When things go wrong, don't go with them. - Anon

King David and Bathsheba tried to cover up their sin and it just led to greater troubles. OUCH!

Try as we might to avoid the enemy through prayer, meditation, scripture reading/study, sometimes Satan gets the best of us and we sin. However, when this happens we should immediately confess it and repent before Almighty God, and not try to conceal it with further lies or other sinful acts, for it plays right into our enemies hands. We need remember Jesus said 'what is done in the dark will come to light.' Repentance and confession stops us and the enemy cold, and restores us back to God.

Until Monday.....

Pastor Botts

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody..... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
- Romans 12:17,21

P.S. - Don't forget Part II of our Sunday School Devotional this Sunday at 9AM. Hope you can make it!

Incog-Christo

A celebrity is a person who works hard all their life to become well known, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized. – Fred Allen

On the fateful night Jesus was betrayed, Peter, his most outspoken disciple; did all he could to avoid being identified as his follower. Hmm!

Why do I go to church on Sunday, and forget everything I heard on Monday. Why do I sing “My Life to Him I Give,” and never in my daily walk for Him do I live….. True they are only words from a poem, but they have a degree of truth to them. When we look at the world around us there is often little, if any, difference between them and us. It’s honestly hard to tell if someone belongs to Christ. And no, God doesn’t expect us to go around wearing clothing emblazoned with ‘Jesus’ on it – it’s our actions and conversation that should speak loudly to others who we are, and to WHOM we belong. If people are truly searching for Jesus, they should be able to see him living in us.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him, when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” – Mark 8:38

Not Guilty

Being on a guilt trip is no way to travel. -Anon

She came to the well at mid day trying to avoid everyone, but Jesus knew her schedule. Hmm!

Crowd avoidance. Skipping fellowship opportunities. A taciturn conversationalist. Though we are fully alive and moving about many of us live our lives in darkness and covert ways, fearing we'll be found out, our secret will come to light, and we'll be destroyed. The truth is all of us have a past, stained with sin, and though it's not a badge of honor, it should not be a veil of shame, guilt, or disgrace either. For those of us who have confessed our past to Christ and repented of our sins, it stands as a marker of forgiveness and redemption - our wholeness. Christ doesn't actually change what happened in our past, but He takes away the power and penalty it held over us, freeing us to walk with our head held high and our heart rejoicing, enjoying our new found life in the light of truth - His truth!

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"....Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, I will confess....and you forgave the guilt of my sin." - Psalm 32:5