No Cheat Days

The first and worst of all frauds is to cheat oneself. – G. Bailey

When Ananais and his wife Sapphira tried to 'cheat' the Holy Spirit with their offering, they realized too late they were actually cheating themselves as well. Hmm!

In this day and age we ought to be truly THANKFUL that God does not deal with us today as He directly dealt with them then. But the truth of the matter is still the same. When we cheat or defraud ourselves we are in essence defrauding the Spirit God has placed within each of us, and limiting its potential to do great things in our lives. God deserves our best, and just because we may not 'feel' like giving our best or think it's too much at the time, we are not God nor do we sit in His place. May our best shine forth today!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” –James 1:26-27

Time to Come Clean

It's not so difficult confessing sins................as long as they're someone else’s. - A. Christing

The Pharisees and teachers of the law were glad to bring the adulterous woman before Jesus...........until he asked them to think about their own behavior. Hmm!

It's a conundrum! A mind boggler! A strange but true fact! As Christians we have admitted we were sinners saved by grace in need of a Savior. As Christians we know we now have a mediator between us and God to forgive us our sins - Christ Jesus who will never turn us away. But yet, for some reason we don't avail ourselves of this grace gift. Rather than confess our sins, oftentimes we try to hide them or legitimize them as 'not really that bad'. But any and all sin separates us from God, which is why He gave us this great gift of forgiveness. Holding on to our sin hinders our relationship with God in every way (blessings, praise, spiritual growth, etc.). It is when we readily and willingly admit our weaknesses and brokenness that we are ready for breakthroughs. And here's the kicker in all of this, we think the hardest person to tell our sins to is Jesus, it's not - He already knows. No, the hardest person to convince is ourselves. Hopefully, we're all ready to come clean today.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - I John 1:8-9

P.S. - Hope you can join us tonight for prayer at 5:30pm.

Light Breaks Through Illusion

No matter how good you are, you cannot put a quart in a pint cup. – C.P. Gilman

After lying and taking treasure from Naaman, Gehazi tried to give Elisha the illusion all was okay. He didn’t get away with it. Hmm!

Most of us have seen magicians do amazing things. Through sleight of hand and eye they seem to do the impossible be it large or small. It’s the power and allure of illusion. But it is just that – illusion. That’s the whole foundation of the enemy – he takes a lie and wraps it in the skin of the truth to deceive us. And if we’re not careful we bite into the lie that we of all people can do it, and without any ill effects or negative ramifications. We may be able to present an illusion for a time, but the truth will be brought to light. The reality of the matter is we cannot change one ‘truth’ of God’s Word or Creation. It is what it is and always will be.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way….for such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people.” – Romans 16:17-18  

Giving the Best

The first and worst of all frauds is to cheat oneself. – G. Bailey

When Ananais and his wife Sapphira tried to 'cheat' the Holy Spirit with their offering, they realized too late they were actually cheating themselves as well. Hmm!

In this day and age we ought to be truly THANKFUL that God does not deal with us today as He directly dealt with them then. But the truth of the matter is still the same. When we cheat or defraud ourselves we are in essence defrauding the Spirit God has placed within each of us, and limiting its potential to do great things in our lives. God deserves our best, and just because we may not 'feel' like giving our best or think it's too much at the time, we are not God nor do we sit in His place. May our best shine forth today!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” –James 1:26-27

No Talk Around It

In life, words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are promises. But performance is reality. – H. Geneen

God said ‘His word would not return to Him void, it would accomplish the very purpose for which He spoke it.’ It still does! Hmm.

Years ago we used to live by the truism ‘a man’s word is his bond.’ This was so because one would only speak on or promise what he knew he alone could deliver without excuse. Today we have terms like ‘Spin Control’, or ‘Politically Correct.’ These are just terms of the day people now use to hide behind or keep themselves ‘safe’ from doing what is actually required of them. But there comes a time in all of our lives where we know it’s what we actually do that counts most, particularly when it comes to God and His kingdom purposes. No amount of words - no matter how well parsed or versed – will satisfy His call for our action. The question we must all face this day is ‘as God directs my path will I perform as needed, or try to talk my way around it?’ It will be our choice, but the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’ might bear looking into.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22

Come Clean

It's not so difficult confessing sins................as long as they're someone else's.- A. Christing

The Pharisees and teachers of the law were glad to bring the adulterous woman before Jesus...........until he asked them to think about their own behavior. Hmm!

It's a conundrum! A mind boggler! A strange but true fact! As Christians we have admitted we were sinners saved by grace in need of a Savior. As Christians we know we now have a mediator between us and God to forgive us our sins - Christ Jesus who will never turn us away. But yet, for some reason we don't avail ourselves of this grace gift. Rather than confess our sins oftentimes we try to hide them or legitimize them as 'not really that bad'. But any and all sin separates us from God, which is why He gave us this great gift of forgiveness. Holding on to our sin hinders our relationship with God in every way (blessings, praise, spiritual growth, etc.). It is when we readily and willingly admit our weaknesses and brokenness that we are ready for breakthroughs. And here's the kicker in all of this, We think the hardest person to tell our sins to is Jesus, it's not - He already knows. No, the hardest person to convince is ourselves. Hopefully, we're all ready to come clean today.

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - I John 1:8-9

The Illusion Lie

No matter how good you are, you cannot put a quart in a pint cup. – C.P. Gilman

After lying and taking treasure from Naaman, Gehazi tried to give Elisha the illusion all was okay. He didn’t get away with it. Hmm!

Most of us have seen magicians do amazing things. Through sleight of hand and eye they seem to do the impossible be it large or small. It’s the power and allure of illusion. But it is just that – illusion. That’s the whole foundation of the enemy – he takes a lie and wraps it in the skin of the truth to deceive us. And if we’re not careful we bite into the lie that we of all people can do it, and without any ill effects or negative ramifications. We may be able to present an illusion for a time, but the truth will be brought to light. The reality of the matter is we cannot change one ‘truth’ of God’s Word or Creation. It is what it is and always will be.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way….for such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people.” – Romans 16:17-18