When It Doesn't Work Out

Huge failures are often divine redirections. – D. Harvey

Paul thought he was cut out to be a Pharisee, but 'Oh,' what a fisherman he became. Hmm!

We sing a song entitled ‘God Never Fails,’ and firmly know that to be true. The scriptures even bear it out that God cannot fail. But we are often heart broken and ready to give up our faith when something we think we’re doing for God goes awry or flat out fails. While God does not fail, it was never promised that all we strive to do for Him would succeed. He himself knows the purpose for which He created each and every one of us, and He will bring it about in His time. So though we may fail at one thing and suffer a little heartache, it is not final. Life is not defined by one or two events, but the sum total of all we do. And God can and will bring it all together for us if we allow Him some ‘wiggle room.’ If things aren’t the way we want them, maybe we should look to God's design.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Freed from the "Norm"

Many of us live as prisoners of others expectations, rather than one set free by divine promises. – Henry Nouwen

The Samaritan woman at the well thought this was all life had to offer. Then she met Jesus and it all changed. Hmm!

It is a wonderful thing to live within an arena of family and friends who provide us with affection, encouragement, stimulus, and even challenge. These things are necessary to help us in our development. But there is a possible downside to this, when these inputs become binding, restrictive ties that do not allow us to grow into our ‘giftedness’ from God. Though our strong points/qualities may blaze through like the sun, they should not keep us in the proverbial ‘box,’ and not allow us to develop further as God orchestrates our lives. Others' expectations based on what they see or perceive they need from us should never overshadow what God is currently doing in and through us. God is always at His work, and you are His project.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“...It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery….” – Galatians 5:1

The Authority to Love

God’s right to rule is His desire to love his people. – C. Ringma

 

Joseph had a right to be angry with his brothers for what they did to him, but love showed up. WOW!

 

Imagine having not just the authority to do something, but the divine right to do it; and then willingly giving it up in hope that you will not be disappointed. That’s what God did with us. He could condemn us at any time and be justified, but yet He desires not to. His love does the opposite of what we would normally expect. It fills empty rather than full hands. It pursues the worst to make it the best. It makes the weak strong and rules with love rather than force or coercion. And God does so freely, risking rejection. We are so well loved, that we ourselves ought to love others well. Time’s a wastin’ friend!

 

Until tomorrow….

 

Pastor Botts

 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:35

God had a different idea

Huge failures are often divine redirections. – D. Harvey

Paul thought he was cut out to be a Pharisee, but 'Oh,' what a fisherman he became. Hmm! 

We sing a song entitled ‘God Never Fails,’ and firmly know that to be true. The scriptures even bear it out that God cannot fail. But we are often heart broken and ready to give up our faith when something we think we’re doing for God goes awry or flat out fails. While God does not fail, it was never promised that all we strive to do for Him would succeed. He himself knows the purpose for which He created each and every one of us, and He will bring it about in His time. So though we may fail at one thing and suffer a little heartache, it is not final. Life is not defined by one or two events, but the sum total of all we do. And God can and will bring it all together for us if we allow Him some ‘wiggle room.’ If things aren’t the way we want them, maybe we should look to God's design. 

Until tomorrow….. 

Pastor Botts 

“And we know that in all things God works for

the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

– Romans 8:28

Today's scripture reading: Proverbs 28

Today's scripture reading question: Regarding verse 9, which 'law' is he referring to, God's law, government laws, or both?

Going Beyond Expectation

Many of us live as prisoners of others expectations, rather than one set free by divine promises. – Henry Nouwen

The Samaritan woman at the well thought this was all life had to offer. Then she met Jesus and it all changed. Hmm!

It is a wonderful thing to live within an arena of family and friends who provide us with affection, encouragement, stimulus, and even challenge. These things are necessary to help us in our development. But there is a possible downside to this, when these inputs become binding, restrictive ties that do not allow us to grow into our ‘giftedness’ from God. Though our strong points/qualities may blaze through like the sun, they should not keep us in the proverbial ‘box,’ and not allow us to develop further as God orchestrates our lives. Others expectations based on what they see or perceive they need from us should never overshadow what God is currently doing in and through us. God is always at His work, and you are His project.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“…..It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery….” – Galatians 5:1

P.S. - We'll be dealing with EMOTIONAL HEALTH this Sunday during our Devotional time at 9AM. Really hope you can make it.

The Story Imma Tell

Lives are ‘lived’ but stories are what gets told of them. – Anon

Joseph, David, Esther, Lydia, Paul and on and on. We remember these biblical folks names mainly because of the story behind them. Amen!

We look closely in the mirror and then we see it. Time that has passed from the past to the present and going towards the future. We live by it on our calendars, wristwatch, phones, I-Pods, etc., marking our chronological progress by it: tick-tock, tick-tock. But life is much more than this, and so are we, for we are eternal beings. And it’s those things that happen in ‘heaven’s time’ and 'heaven's love' that we will be remembered for. A God moment, occasion, divine intersection, or instant revelation that brings unanticipated joy, and makes life more worthwhile and exciting – these are the stories of living. God provides the stimulus but each of us gets to write the story line that we will be remembered for. And the good thing about that friend, is God has given us today to make sure we might put a good ending to our story.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end…” – Ecclesiastes 3:11   

Is it really a failure?

Huge failures are often divine redirections. – D. Harvey

Paul thought he was cut out to be a Pharisee, but 'Oh', what a fisherman he became. Hmm!

We sing a song entitled ‘God Never Fails,’ and firmly know that to be true. The scriptures even bear it out that God cannot fail. But we are often heart broken and ready to give up our faith when something we think we’re doing for God goes awry or flat out fails. While God does not fail, it was never promised that all we strive to do for Him would succeed. He himself knows the purpose for which He created each and every one of us, and He will bring it about in His time. So though we may fail at one thing and suffer a little heartache, it is not final. Life is not defined by one or two events, but the sum total of all we do. And God can and will bring it all together for us if we allow Him some ‘wiggle room.’ If things aren’t the way we want them, maybe we should look to God's design.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28