Different Lessons Daily

You can learn many things from children – like how much patience you have, for instance. – Franklin P. Jones

Peter vowed to ‘fight to the death’ for Jesus. When the pressure was on he learned his words were hollow. OUCH!

Most people in life don’t mind learning, they just don’t like to be taught. And many of us look for our lessons and learning to come from standardized routine methods, but God works in many diverse ways to show himself to us and teach us his ways. Pressure, blessings, adversity, friends, are just a few of the tools He may use to teach. No day is ever routine no matter how often we do the same thing day in and day out. God will engineer different people in our lives, different circumstances to the job, or even different resources to work with on a daily basis; all in an effort to get us to focus on Him. He will be at work in our lives TODAY hoping we learn more of Him and His ways. The key is to look expectantly at every situation that arises as an invitation.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” – James 1:2-3

What Develops From Difficulties

What seems a hindrance often becomes a way of progress. – Henry Nouwen

Paul said his ‘chains’ (prisoner status) actually aided him in furthering the gospel message. AMEN!

Admittedly, we seldom do well in difficulty. Hindrances and difficulties seem to frustrate us, make us angry with others, even God at times. And because we are self-centered more than we ought to be, hindrances and difficulties often make us feel victimized, “why me?” And our natural response is to try and sidestep them if at all possible. In truth, difficulties can and do tell us much about ourselves, and they are an important factor in change. God knows this and He creatively often uses hindrances and difficulty to get our attention or focus on what’s really important. The truth of the matter is when we take time to pray, be still, and face the hindrance or difficulty head on, we’ll discover that it was not what it first seemed – a hindrance – but in fact a way to a new experience with God. And in the end, isn’t that what we’re after?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance…” – James 1:2-3

When Difficult Is the Right Choice

With my whole heart for my whole life - Anon

Though the bible is filled with some great names and life accounts, it is filled with even more whose names never even got an honorable mention. They were just as important and just as SAVED as well. Hmm!

Perseverance! We generally hear about or read of it in reference to those exceptional individuals who overcame a lot of adversity to excel in life (athletes, stars, famous folks, physically disadvantaged, etc.). They speak of the monumental challenges of life they had to overcome (economics, ethnicity, education, physical barriers, etc.) to get to this level. We applaud them and rightly so, but what about the greater number who go about unnoticed. The parents of a special needs child who devote their lives to caring and loving them, or the wife who bravely rears her young children after her husband's untimely death. Or what about the person who continuously works 3 part-time jobs to make ends meet, even after sending out resume #400. I think these are the examples James had in mind in writing James 1:3. The idea of someone 'opting' to remain under hard circumstances rather than run from them, even when there is no promise or hope of a happy ending in this life. Those who consistently choose what's right over what's easy. That's a life of faith - not looking toward 'when will it be over' but looking at what can I do to just 'win the day' for God. Ready to start?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance MUST FINISH its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:3-4

Hard But Good

Don’t wish it were easier, pray you get better! – J. Rohn

Solomon prayed not for easy guidelines to rule God’s people but for an increase in wisdom to do it justly. AMEN!

Make no bones about it, life at times is hard. But God never promised it would be a bed of roses every day. Often, if we’re not careful we find ourselves wishing life weren’t so hard, problems weren’t so many, even praying to God asking Him to make IT better (easier). But in reality, WE should be striving to get better, become more dedicated to the tasks, asking for strength to endure and understand God’s purpose rather than relief from the situation or circumstance. Taking the easy way out may save face, but it never helps to forge our character. The whole of this life is to prepare us for eternity, when we put on perfection.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….The testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:3-4