Divinely Directed Decisions

When in doubt, be decisive! – Anon

Moses stretching forth the rod. The Israelites marching around Jericho’s walls. On the surface these things make no sense, but underneath there was God at work. Wow!

Life has its major decision moments, its fork in the road opportunities, and seemingly it’s almost like they happen every day. The key is to not let these times stop our progress or forward motion. Procrastination is the great enemy of progress, and when we can’t make up our minds we tend to make ourselves miserable. So when the time for action arrives, we should act. This is not to say we rush into any and everything, but if our prayer life is alive and well, we’ve been in communication with God already, and He’s promised to guide our footsteps. We just need to relax and listen for our inner voice (spirit) to whisper ‘this is the way.’ There really is no need for us to fear the decisions of life when we truly know Jesus, for His name means Wonderful Counselor.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…an indecisive man is unstable in all his ways…..” James 1:8

Which Door Will You Open?

Opportunity knocks sparingly, but temptation beats at the door every day. – Anon

Every time the angels came to present themselves before God, though he was not invited; Satan showed up anyway. Hmm!

We all know everyday life is filled with choices and decisions. It’s the stuff that makes it exciting and even daring at times. The key is to determine which are true opportunities versus urging temptations. Sometimes we might be perplexed as to which is which, however if we listen to the Spirit within us, He will lead us to understand that ‘opportunity’ ALWAYS allows us to do what is right and honorable; whereas temptation loves to hang in the shadows of darkness and concealment and uncertainty. Remembering we’re called to ‘let our light shine’ the choice or decision really then shouldn’t be that hard.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” – Colossians 4:5

Something Came Up...

It’s amazing how quickly an emergency arises the moment you start saving for one. – Sparks

After healing Peter’s mother-in-law and many others, Jesus slipped away to pray. Or so he thought he did! Hmm!

Good intentions – we all get started on them but often find ourselves falling short. Saving for a home/car/vacation, and suddenly something else catches our eye. Enrolling in school or exercise classes and suddenly another opportunity opens up. Resolving to give more time to God/church and suddenly new friends and outings are before us. Call it test or trial if you will, but the issue still is what will you prioritize, for the final decision is always up to you. God expects us to be wise to the deceptive practices of our enemy and not lose focus. He will never put a hindrance to us coming to Him, so maybe we need to re-evaluate that emergency.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” – Matthew 6:20

P.S. Hope to see you tonight at 5:30pm for our Prayer Meeting.

Choose Wisely

It’s choice – NOT CHANCE – that determines your destiny. – J. Nidetch

Moses refused to be known as Pharaoh’s son, choosing to be with his people. God made him more famous than Pharaoh ever was. Amen!

We live in a world where people believe many things about how they arrive at certain critical situations in life (Karma, Fate, Kismet, Déjà vu, etc.). The reality of life is all of our situations are based on the choices or decisions we made along the way. It was not Fate, Karma, Kismet or any other thing that put us in a bad relationship, bad health, or a financial bind, nor put us on easy street if that's where we are; it was choices we made. The good news is regardless of where we are now, God is offering us the opportunity to make changes in our current situation and make our eternal destiny secure. We must make sure we choose wisely from today’s activities.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” – Deuteronomy 30:19

Following God

When the map and the terrain don't match, follow the terrain. Man made the map; God made the terrain. - General Boykin

As Pharaoh pursued the Israelites God told Moses to stretch his rod out towards the sea. What do you know, it worked! Hmm...

Life is full of decisions (single/marriage, work/self-employ, rent/own, etc.) that don't have a clearly defined roadmap for success. We know what we want and trust that through our obedience to God things will work out okay. But often, the path God chooses for us to follow will include some geography that doesn't make sense - that's where faith comes into play. Will we be willing to trust God to blaze the trail way for us, or will we insist on not moving until we can clearly see the roadway and choose the safest lane. Faith is not always having certainty or assurance in hand; it's trusting in the One who has NEVER given us any reason to doubt Him or His promises. If we ever take time to look back and see where we've come from or in reality seeing what God has brought us through, then we can continue in our task of just putting one foot in front of the other.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"And God said.....this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain..." - Exodus 3:12

The Choice Is Yours

You are exactly who you’ve chosen to be! – Anon

Joseph’s character was never in question, and he made sure it stayed that way. Just ask Potiphar’s wife. Hmm!

From the moment we wake up each day until the moment we nod off at night, our life’s tapestry is knitted together by the decisions and choices we make. What to do, what to say, what to meditate on, etc… You can choose to dwell on your health problems, financial issues, or other challenges in your life, or you can choose to remind yourself of the blessings God has brought to you and brought you through. The choice of being bitter or better is not ‘forced’ upon us by life’s situations, it’s a conscious choice or decision we make alone. The one thing that should always remain in our consciousness is that ‘if God is God?’ our every decision should be made in light of His wisdom…… and man o’ man, does God have some answers.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….but the wisdom that comes from heaven, is first of all pure; then peace-loving” – James 3:17

It's Up To You

You are exactly who you’ve chosen to be! – Anon

Joseph’s character was never in question, and he made sure it stayed that way. Just ask Potiphar’s wife. Hmm!

From the moment we wake up each day until the moment we nod off at night, our life’s tapestry is knitted together by the decisions/choices we make. What to do, what to say, what to meditate on, etc… You can choose to dwell on your health problems, financial issues, or other challenges in your life, or you can choose to remind yourself of the blessings God has brought to you and brought you through. The choice of being bitter or better is not ‘forced’ upon us by life’s situations, it’s a conscious choice or decision we make alone. The one thing that should always remain in our consciousness is that ‘if God is God?’ our every decision should be made in light of His wisdom…… and man o’ man, does God have some answers.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“….but the wisdom that comes from heaven, if first of all pure; then peace-loving” – James 3:17

Sow a Seed

All the blooms of all your tomorrows are in the seeds you plant today! – Anon

Haman plotted evil against the Jews. He was hung on the very gallows he built for Mordecai. Enoch walked with God and was taken. HMMM!

Whether joyous or not, the life we have today is a result of the decisions and actions we made in days and years past. We truly reap what we sow. Any farmer knows you don’t plant corn and get peas. Nor can we live a life of sin, disobedience, and unrighteousness and expect only good to happen to us all our days. God’s ways are exact and unchanging, and He “works for the good of those who love him.” As a saintly brother of ours used to say, “if you don’t like what you’ve been getting,’ think about what you’ve been giving.’ The choice is OURS!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” – Galatians 6:7

What is it you want?

The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want. – B. Stein

All Solomon wanted was wisdom to rule God’s people righteously. He got that and more from God. AMEN!

The story of the dog who starts out on a foxhunt and ends up chasing his tail fits a lot of people. We are often distracted by what we see others enjoying and sometimes we  begin to secretly covet.  The fact is most of us really don’t know what we truly want. We say we want happiness, joy, peace, etc. but yet we refuse to come to the only one who can give it – Christ. The more we try to achieve the things of life our way, the more frustrating our life will become. To have the things we truly want, we must decide what they are and then be willing to sacrifice all other things to have them. The key to remember is if God is not in the plan our decisions are essentially empty.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” – Proverbs 14:12, 16:25

Take Your Time

Patience is the companion of wisdom. – Anon

God took all the time he needed, using 6 days to create a perfect world; before he created man. Hmm!

“Haste makes waste.” It’s a familiar refrain we all probably remember from our early school years. There’s great truth to this saying, although most of us only pick up on its tangible properties. Haste does make waste when dealing with spilled milk, excess glue, cut-n-paste papers, etc. But it also makes waste in lives as well. Irrational decisions, non-thought out actions or reactions, giving in to impulsive or emotional urges, can wreak havoc in our lives and those we care about for years to come. God in His Word calls us to “seek His ways” for they are wise and will keep us from a lot of heartache and misfortune. Though life does come at us fast, it does not require that we handle it all at once.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” – Proverbs 19:11

The Right Decision

Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But, conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because one's conscience tells one that it is right. – MLK, Jr.

David neither wanted in the army, nor the armor of Saul, or in the battle with Goliath. He really just wanted God to be praised. Hmm!

One glaring truth about life is that it is filled with decisions. Day in and day out we make them, else we stand still. However, the issue is what ‘basis’ do we use in our decision making process. As much as we are tempted by the world to think issues are not ‘black and white’ but contain a shade of ‘grey,’ we must adhere to the tenets of the One we profess as Savior and Lord. There is no specific time for truth or righteousness, their time is always NOW, including those times when it would be an inconvenience to us to stand firm. Right will always be right, and truth will always be truth, the question is: Will we? Today will require your decision on this many times over.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.” – II Thessalonians 3:13

Tomorrow: The Result

Whether your tomorrow holds fond memories or regrets, it will come from today’s decisions. – Anon

In Luke 16 the rich man and Lazarus the beggar both die. One opens his eyes in eternal torment, and one to eternal joy. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Hmm!

One of the greatest gifts God granted us was the ability to make our own decisions. However, each decision, no matter large or small carries consequences that come with it. And though we may try, you cannot DETACH the consequences from a decision. They may not come instantaneously, but they will come. But God has gifted us also with His Word, His Spirit, and His Presence, that we might make the right decisions and have many fond memories and few regrets. May we decide in wisdom.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.” – Galatians 5:16-18

Whatcha gonna do?

Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do. – D. Galen

Though Judas knew Jesus was talking about him as the betrayer, he still asked, “Is it I?” Hmmm.

No matter what age, gender, or even culture one comes from; life comes full force everyday with its load of circumstances and decisions that must be made. The question of the day is can we be counted on to face it faithfully without wavering to the left or right, or will we just say we did or promise to do it later? God is depending on us for the former, not the latter.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” – Proverbs 22:1

Future Decisions

The nicest thing about the future is that it will be what we make it to be. - Anon

No matter what befell Joseph, he never let go of his 'dreams' or his God. Hmm!

It's true, no one really knows the future, but if we were to take a close look at the past - our past - we can see in all honesty how we helped shape the life we're in now. The decisions we made that propelled us, as well as those that gave us great learning experiences that we NEVER want to go through again. The bottom line is we see through the grace of God we had a hand in getting ourselves to the 'here and now.' And it is with that understanding that we can apply ourselves - again, through the grace of God - for the 'then and later.' And the great thing through all of this is that God works with us in such a way that we have no need to fear what lies ahead. On your mark, get set, go - with God!

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today...." - Exodus 14:13

Controlling the Self

To many, total abstinence is easier 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; then wisdom and moderation must be close traveling companions. God will leave the decision up to us, but then so are the consequences.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

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

Decisions and Consequences

Whether your tomorrow holds fond memories or regrets, it will come from today’s decisions. – Anon  

In Luke 16 the rich man and Lazarus the beggar both die. One opens his eyes in eternal torment, and one to eternal joy. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Hmm!

One of the greatest gifts God granted us was the ability to make our own decisions. However, each decision, no matter large or small carries consequences that come with it. And though we may try, you cannot DETACH the consequences from a decision. They may not come instantaneously, but they will come. But God has gifted us also with His Word, His Spirit, and His Presence, that we might make the right decisions and have many fond memories and few regrets. May we decide in wisdom.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.” – Galatians 5:16-18