The Value of Originality

Everyone is born an original, but sadly many will die as a copy. – Abraham Lincoln

Early in his reign king Asa trusted God and received favor. Later he trusted more in men, lost God’s favor and died diseased and lonely. Hmm!

The US Treasury spends millions each year to protect our currency from counterfeiters, for they know counterfeit currency de-values the original and is bad for our overall economy. It’s a noble and righteous pursuit. But interestingly enough, when it comes to us as people, most of us spend money profusely, use our bodies wildly, and educate ourselves illicitly to fit in with the culture and practices of everyone else. We thus devalue the originality God gave us, becoming in essence a counterfeit or copy. This is a clever ruse of the enemy. God designed each one of us uniquely according to His good purpose and desire for us, and great craftsmanship needs no other work upon it, just care and nurturing. If we won’t be who God made us to be, who will?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14

Dying to Change

To become a butterfly, you must be willing to give up being a caterpillar. – T. Paulus

Much of Paul’s success as a missionary for Christ was because he ‘counted’ his former life as a Pharisee as nothing. Hmm!

No doubt about it, a butterfly catches your eye. The way it flits about without a care, the beauty of its colorful wings waving in the breeze. We admire and often desire such beauty in our lives. But make no mistake about it friend, it took a lot for this creature to arrive at this point, a whole lot. In this case of metamorphosis, the caterpillar ceases to exist completely (dies to self) that the beautiful butterfly may be born. Wow! In our quest for such beauty some of us like to settle for the cosmetic or wardrobe change thinking this will be all that is required, maybe fooling those around us but certainly not fooling ourselves, and certainly not God. The person we truly desire to be for God is possible, but it will require like the caterpillar that we ‘die to self’ that our new creation may gain life. I can guarantee that you will indeed love the ‘new you!’

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” – II Corinthians 5:17

Let the Sun Shine In

If you’re going to rise, you might as well shine. – Anon

Seems like every day of Jesus’ life something spectacular or amazing happened. Hmm!

Have you ever really thought about it? Every day we have daylight. It may be raining ‘cats and dogs’ as we say, with dark heavy clouds overhead but still there is daylight. The sun is still there somewhere on the other side of those clouds, up and shining brightly enough to provide daylight. Wow! If there were ever a positive attitude, this is it. God expects the same of us with each day He grants. Notwithstanding the circumstances that come with the day (bad health, finances, relationships) or those that may arise during the day (setbacks, mishaps, etc.) He still expects us to let the joy of His presence in our lives shine through. So now that you’re up and had your coffee, tea, whatever……it's time to let it happen.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“To live is Christ, to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21

It's the Principalities of it..

Staying angry is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die. – Anon

Jonah was angry enough to die just because God wanted to save the Ninevites. Wow!

Grudges. Chips on our shoulders. Vindication. Etc. Call it what you may but often these things are nothing more but concealed anger, thoughts we carry around in our heart on how to get even or get over on someone we feel has wronged us. Satan even gives it a colorful metaphor to help us when we say “it’s the principle of the matter.” True it may be, but to be angry and let it fester builds 'callouses' in our heart and in a way hinders us from truly living a pure and righteous life for Christ. We need to just let it go and let God do the rest.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” – Ephesians 4:26-27

Witnesses For God

God himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should we? – Sparks

Peter judged all Gentiles to be inferior and beneath him. God put him in a situation with Cornelius that changed his ‘vision.’ WOW!

Truth be told we are all often quick to play judge, jury, and executioner; and pass final judgment on those we see and meet as if we have the actual keys to heaven and hell. And we do it with little rhyme or reason (looks, impressions, etc.). But God calls us to be witnesses for him, not lawyers OR judges, but witnesses. And like our Supreme Creator we should hold out hope for all mankind to be redeemed. Regardless of where they stand, God wants to use us to make a difference in their lives today, for tomorrow their change just may come. We should remember that whatever ‘measure’ we use will be used on us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many….” – Hebrews 9:27-28

Pressing Forward

If you don't let the past die then it won't let you live. - Anon

Paul's lifework really shows what it means to 'bury' the old man and put on the new. Amen!

Sold into slavery at a young age by his brothers. Falsely imprisoned because of a woman scorned. Seemingly forsaken by an imprisoned 'friend.' But yet here was Joseph. 2nd in command only to Pharaoh. Despite the sleights, setbacks, and harsh realities they brought into his life, he was well-respected by men and highly favored by God. Why, because he refused to let those incidents define who he was. He continued to look forward trusting God had a purpose and plan for his life, and eventually it came to pass. The same is true for us. Though we are the sum total of our past experiences, they do not get to dictate what tomorrow will bring. That is still in the hands of the God we serve, who loves to do 'new things' in the lives of those transformed by His presence.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....one thing I do. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:13-14

Redeeming Time for His Glory

There are really only 2 things you “have to” do in life. You “have to” die, and you “have to” live until you die. You make up all the rest. – R. Anthony

Moses felt he needed to do everything for the Israelites and neglected himself. His father-in-law showed him a better way. AMEN!

Whether we will admit it or not, most of us are too busy. We’re trying to do it all and have it all, with little or no time for the MAKER of all. Satan, our enemy; will either make us bad (sinful) or busy (unholy), both are equally bad positions to be in. God has never said we must do it all by ourselves, nor must we do it all. He wants us to redeem the time and use it wisely, and the best way is to make sure all we do is for His Glory and not our own egos or pocketbooks!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1

Running Because...

All men should strive to learn before they die, who or what they are running from, or to, and why. – James Thurber

Paul told Timothy he ‘knew’ a crown of life was laid up for him which Jesus would then give him. WOW!

The atheist says there is no God, but yet he is caught up in this hectic, busy, non-stop world, growing older and striving each day – for what? The same could be said of the agnostic as well. Now for those of us who confess Christ the answer is obvious. But though we may know why and have a hope the others do not, we must make sure our ‘running’ is not in vain. God is exact in His laws and decrees on what He expects of His children. And though He is ‘plenteous’ in mercy, He will not change His word one iota to fit us in. If we’re running to Him we must remember the Cross is the starting point and the Bible is the standard. Anything else is useless and excuses won't be accepted.

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 

Don't Die a Counterfeit

Everyone is born an original, but sadly many will die as a copy. – Abraham Lincoln

Early in his reign king Asa trusted God and received favor. Later he trusted more in men, lost God’s favor and died diseased and lonely. Hmm!

The US Treasury spends millions each year to protect our currency from counterfeiters, for they know counterfeit currency de-values the original and is bad for our overall economy. It’s a noble and righteous pursuit. But interestingly enough, when it comes to us as people, most of us spend money profusely, use our bodies wildly, and educate ourselves illicitly to fit in with the culture and practices of everyone else – thus de-valuing the originality God gave us – becoming in essence a counterfeit or copy. This is a clever ruse of the enemy. God designed each one of us uniquely according to His good purpose and desire for us, and great craftsmanship needs no other work upon it, just care and nurturing. If we won’t be who God made us to be, who will?

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14

Choose Your Color

Attitude is the mind’s paintbrush – it can color any situation – any color you want it. – Anon

Even after Isaiah pronounced God’s judgment on him, Hezekiah held fast his trust in God. God granted him 15 more years. WOW!

Life, as we know it is a series of responses to Today’s offerings. No matter what the sky above looks like, the truth of the matter is the day presents back to us exactly the color or attitude we give to it. If we are gray and gloomy it will be long and slow. If we’re hopeful and optimistic it will be fast paced and full of opportunity. The choice is ours and ours alone to make. Circumstances may enter, like loss of sleep, little financial resources, strained relationships – but how we respond is clearly our own choice of color. The fact that God has granted us life today begs the question – do we have any reason to be upset or negative?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“[Jonah] said, ‘O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.’ But the Lord replied, ‘Have you any right to be angry.’” – Jonah 4:3-4  

Poisonous Anger

Staying angry is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die. – Anon

Jonah was angry enough to die just because God wanted to save the Ninevites. Wow!

Grudges. Chips on our shoulders. Vindication. Etc. Call it what you may but often these things are nothing more but concealed anger, thoughts we carry around in our heart on how to get even or get over on someone we feel has wronged us. Satan even gives it a colorful metaphor to help us when we say “it’s the principle of the matter.” True it may be, but to be angry and let it fester builds 'callouses' in our heart and in a way hinders us from truly living a pure and righteous life for Christ. We need to just let it go and let God do the rest.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

"In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” – Ephesians 4:26-27

Can't Do It All

There are really only 2 things you “have to” do in life. You “have to” die, and you “have to” live until you die. You make up all the rest. – R. Anthony

Moses felt he needed to do everything for the Israelites and neglected himself. His father-in-law showed him a better way. AMEN!

Whether we will admit it or not, most of us are too busy. We’re trying to do it all and have it all, with little or no time for the MAKER of all. Satan, our enemy; will either make us bad (sinful) or busy (unholy), both are equally bad positions to be in. God has never said we must do it all by ourselves, nor must we do it all. He wants us to redeem the time and use it wisely, and the best way is to make sure all we do is for His Glory and not our own egos or pocketbooks!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1

One of a kind

Everyone is born an original, but sadly many will die as a copy. – A. Lincoln

Early in his reign king Asa trusted God and received favor. Later he trusted more in men, lost God’s favor and died diseased and lonely. Hmm!

The US Treasury spends millions each year to protect our currency from counterfeiters, for they know counterfeit currency de-values the original and is bad for our overall economy. It’s a noble and righteous pursuit. But interestingly enough, when it comes to us as people, most of us spend money profusely, use our bodies wildly, and educate ourselves illicitly to fit in with the culture and practices of everyone else – thus de-valuing the originality God gave us – becoming in essence a counterfeit or copy. This is a clever ruse of the enemy. God designed each one of us uniquely according to His good purpose and desire for us, and great craftsmanship needs no other work upon it, just care and nurturing. If we won’t be who God made us to be, who will?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14

Know Why

All men should strive to learn before they die, who or what they are running from, or to, and why. – J. Thurber

Paul told Timothy he ‘knew’ a crown of life was laid up for him which Jesus would then give him. WOW!

The atheist says there is no God, but yet he is caught up in this hectic, busy, non-stop world, growing older and striving each day – for what? The same could be said of the agnostic as well. Now for those of us who confess Christ the answer is obvious. But though we may know why and have a hope the others do not, we must make sure our ‘running’ is not in vain. God is exact in His laws and decrees on what He expects of His children. And though He is ‘plenteous’ in mercy, He will not change His word one iota to fit us in. If we’re running to Him we must remember the Cross is the starting point and the Bible is the standard. Anything else is useless and excuses won't be accepted.

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