Trust. Don't Wait

Procrastination is the fertilizer that helps difficulties grow. – J. Maxwell

Because the Israelites didn’t think they were ready to take the Promised Land it cost them 40 years in the desert wilderness. OUCH!

Small projects that have become monumental tasks. Small issues that have become mega problems filled with drama. All because we did not attack them when they first surfaced. The truth is all problems grow if we don’t focus on them immediately and plan some course of action. The first step is always to remember who we are and who we belong to. And since there’s nothing too hard for our God, we should trust Him for the strength, wisdom, knowledge, and other resources we will need. Since tomorrow is not promised today is a good day to start.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….and my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

Procrastination made it grow

Procrastination is the fertilizer that makes difficulties grow. – J. Maxwell

Because the Israelites didn’t think they were ready to take the Promised Land it cost them 40 years in the desert wilderness. OUCH!

Small projects that have become monumental tasks. Small issues that have become mega problems filled with drama. All because we did not attack them when they first surfaced. The truth is all problems grow if we don’t focus on them immediately and plan some course of action. The first step is always to remember who we are and who we belong to. And since there’s nothing too hard for our God, we should trust Him for the strength, wisdom, knowledge, and other resources we will need. Since tomorrow is not promised today is a good day to start.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….and my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

Beauty in Difficulty

A pearl is a beautiful thing produced by an injured, interrupted life. – S. Hoeller

Nathanael thought nothing good could ever come out of Nazareth. Boy was he ever wrong. Hmm!

Truth be known most of us want a simple care-free, stress-free, painless life. We want everything to go our way, on our schedule, and yield to our will. And we seek out ways and people to make this happen. Thankfully, God loves us too much to allow life to happen according to our whims and desires. He is working in us and through us to produce something far more beautiful than we could ever imagine on our own. The key for us is to not grow frustrated with His ‘interruptions’ or feel inferior because of the heartaches and setbacks. Just as the oyster coats the ‘injury’ with its tears to produce its gem, we too can always recover and produce a meaningful, inspiring offering to God. Why not start this weekend.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – II Corinthians 12:10

P.S. - Hope you can make it for our Sunday Devotional at 9AM. We'll discuss 'financial' health. 

Life through difficulty

Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage; for the human spirit grows strong by conflict. – W. E. Channing

The Apostle Paul suffered many great perils in his life. He was also one of the greatest missionaries the church has ever seen. AMEN!

Truth be known, most of us like life easy. We want things to fall neatly into place, people to do what they’re supposed to do, and all lights to be green. Where’s the fun or challenge in that? How would we ever develop our character?  Today you will get hit with difficulties, circumstances, and situations that will seem like Mt. Everest. The key is to not be discouraged by the outlook, but encouraged by “looking up.” There is nothing too hard for God, and there is nothing He won’t do for His children. It may get perilous and painful, but the outcome is already assured.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12

The Challenging Pressure

When we long for life without difficulties, we should remember diamonds are not made without undergoing great pressure. – P. Marshall

After Paul fully understood God’s grace, he began to revel in his infirmities. – WOW!

The challenges are what bring out the best in us, and without them we would seldom if ever seek to improve ourselves or our lot in life on our own. God does not allow challenges or difficulties into our life to defeat or frustrate us, but to grow our faith and trust in Him and move us along the path on our journey towards eternity with Him. And remarkably, God does not mind when we cry out to Him in the midst of our difficulties, He rather prefers it; as it shows we believe and trust He can do something about it or help us bear up under it. The key is to understand that as challenges come along, it’s actually God just loving on us.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation….” – Philippians 4:12

Play the Game

God has called us to play in the game of life, not to referee and keep score. – R. Murray

Abraham, Joseph, David, Job; despite what hardships they encountered in life they persevered in faith. AMEN!

When it comes to playing games, if the truth be told; all of us like the rules when they favor us, and dislike them when they don’t. We often take the same attitude towards life as well. We want to stop it, make it fair, get the score (are we up or down), and even change the rules we don't like or agree with. But this is not our right nor our privilege. We were made to bring God glory in all things, period. I say it very deliberately – trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes even defeat, are the very foods that fuel the growth of our faith. We grow through such ‘game time encounters’ when we persevere without looking for the easy way out, and God has promised to pay what is right.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right’.” – Matthew 20:3

Year Round

July is the toughest month of the year. Others are December February, June, September, October, January, March, November, April, August, and May. – Mark Twain

James said “the patient farmer waits for the autumn and spring rains.” Two different seasons held together by the word ‘patient.’ Hmm!

We’ve all heard stories like “the hot month’s bring an increase in violence,” or “the winter month’s decrease spending,“ etc. But in reality all month’s, just as all days; have an equal opportunity to present joy or difficulty. It’s all in the way we perceive and receive what comes our way. Trouble is not anymore opportunistic in summer months as opposed to winter, neither are blessings from God. If God’s mercies and compassions are ‘new every morning’ then it matters not what month or date is on the calendar – but the amount of faith is in our hearts. Yes, we will have some difficulties in life as we suffer like Jesus, but our good days will far outweigh our bad days. So wherever we are, we can always look back and see where we’ve come from, and realize it’s really not so tough right now.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

Procrastination: Growing Trouble

Procrastination is the fertilizer that makes difficulties grow. – J. Maxwell

Because the Israelites didn’t think they were ready to take the Promised Land it cost them 40 years in the desert wilderness. OUCH!

Small projects that have become monumental tasks. Small issues that have become mega problems filled with drama. All because we did not attack them when they first surfaced. The truth is all problems grow if we don’t focus on them immediately and plan some course of action. The first step is always to remember who we are and who we belong to. And since there’s nothing too hard for our God, we should trust Him for the strength, wisdom, knowledge, and other resources we will need. Since tomorrow is not promised today is a good day to start.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….and my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

Transformed Tragedies

A pearl is a beautiful thing produced by an injured, interrupted life. – S. Hoeller

Nathanael thought nothing good could ever come out of Nazareth. Boy was he ever wrong. Hmm!

Truth be known most of us want a simple care-free, stress-free, painless life. We want everything to go our way, on our schedule, and yield to our will. And we seek out ways and people to make this happen. Thankfully, God loves us too much to allow life to happen according to our whims and desires. He is working in us and through us to produce something far more beautiful than we could ever imagine on our own. The key for us is to not grow frustrated with His ‘interruptions’ or feel inferior because of the heartaches and setbacks. Just as the oyster coats the ‘injury’ with its tears to produce its gem, we too can always recover and produce a meaningful, inspiring offering to God. Why not start this weekend.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – II Corinthians 12:10