When Times Get Tough...

Security is not the absence of danger, but the presence of God no matter what. – Anon

Daniel knew it was dangerous for him to offer prayers to his God, but he knew without prayer he was without his God. Hmm!

When we were younger we played games like hide-and-seek, chain-tag, freeze-tag, etc. Games that had the advantage of a home base where we were safe. No matter how close the enemy came to us as long as we were at ‘home base’ we were safe and secure. Looking back on it now the idea seems strange – home base – but the concept is true. God offers us security. Not so much from the harsh realities of life – we need them to shape our character – but from the hopelessness and despair they can inflict on us if left alone. Without God we don’t stand a chance against life. And in the end He gives us eternal security. AMEN!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way…” – Psalm 46:1-2

Faith to Get Back Up

It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you have the courage to get back up. – Vince Lombardi

Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers and later thrown into prison by his owner, yet Pharaoh made him 2nd in command to all of Egypt. WOW!

Contrary to popular belief the object of football is not just to knock your opponent down but to score. But the action of the game does make a good analogy to life. We spend our life in the pursuit of fruitful things, worthwhile goals, etc. But in our everyday living there will be some big hits, painful blows that knock us down, put us in a daze even. Personal and spiritual attacks from within and without, job issues, health matters just to name a few. But if we really have the faith we profess we’ll be able to pick ourselves up and go on no matter what. Today will give ample opportunity for progress.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” – II Corinthians 4:8-9

Clothed In Joy

Joy is the best makeup! - Anon

In all that he went through Joseph’s countenance never seemed to fall. He always trusted God in all things. Hmm!

In sports it’s called putting on your ‘game face.’ That expression that lets people know you are serious minded and physically ready to play. For those of us in the faith it is not a game face but a heart condition – JOY. A life truly filled with joy will always impact those around it. Why, because in all situations, circumstances, and events; hope is perpetually on exhibit. The trials, pains, and hardships of life don’t change the expression of the heart, and that expression is always evident. As Christians we are not exempt from the problems of the world, we don’t get a free pass; but we have complete confidence in the One who will ensure ‘it will work out for our good.’ Dress appropriately today!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed…” – II Corinthians 4:8-9

Life Reverb

Life pays back in kind! - Anon

Haman's hatred of the Jews was rewarded by his hanging on his own devices. Hmm!

Echo! An exact reverberation of a sound or something said. It generally only happens in certain settings like a cave, tunnel, mountains, or cavernous building. But it also occurs in life - YES life. Like an echo life generally brings back to us what we put out. If we sow anger, discord, divisiveness, selfishness, etc., it's generally what life will bring back to our doorstep. A negative attitude refuses to see any good God produces. believing that anything that could go wrong will or wrong. But daily time with God and the Word are great attitude adjusters. The choice we have is do we want a day filled with HOPE or despair?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

".....A man reaps what he sows....." - Galatians 6:7

Hope Does Not Disappoint

The greatest enemy of man is not disease, old age, or death. It is despair. – Anon

When tragedy struck them Job’s wife told him he should “curse God and die.” Job knew God was really all he needed. Amen!

Though life is full of good days and bad days, often at times if we’re not careful we tend to dwell more on the bad, leading to despondency. The greatest tool of our enemy is despair, and it is used more often than any other. A man without hope is a beaten, defeated man. You can be sure situations will arise today to steal your joy, reminders from the past will arise to try and hold you back, and pessimists will be present within any opportunity presented to try and deflate your spirit. Don’t lose focus!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” –Romans 5:2-5

Put on your Joy face!

Joy is the best makeup! - Anon

In all that he went through Joseph’s countenance never seemed to fall. He always trusted God in all things. Hmm!

In sports it’s called putting on your ‘game face.’ That expression that lets people know you are serious minded and physically ready to play. For those of us in the faith it is not a game face but a heart condition – JOY. A life truly filled with joy will always impact those around it. Why, because in all situations, circumstances, and events; hope is perpetually on exhibit. The trials, pains, and hardships of life don’t change the expression of the heart, and that expression is always evident. As Christians we are not exempt from the problems of the world, we don’t get a free pass; but we have complete confidence in the One who will ensure ‘it will work out for our good.’ Dress appropriately today!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed…” – II Corinthians 4:8-9

You got that Hope man? You need that Hope man!

The greatest enemy of man is not disease, old age, or death. It is despair. – Anon

When tragedy struck them Job’s wife told him he should “curse God and die.” Job knew God was really all he needed. Hmm!

Though life is full of good days and bad days, often at times if we’re not careful we tend to dwell more on the bad, leading to despondency. The greatest tool of our enemy is despair, and it is used more often than any other. A man without hope is a beaten, defeated man. You can be sure situations will arise today to steal your joy, reminders from the past will arise to try and hold you back, and pessimists will be around with any opportunity presented. The question we’ll be faced with is: Who’s report will we believe – God or Satan’s?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” –Romans 5:2-5