That Unchangeable Truth

Facts do not cease to exist just because they are ignored. - Aldous Huxley

Though Adonijah declared himself king with celebrations and such, it just wasn't so. Hmm!

"Face the facts!" Boy, haven't we heard that expression a ton of times in our lives. And deservedly so. It normally happens when we begin to think everything is about us, and for us, and we try to make it so, but the logic just does not apply to our situation. You just can’t change the truth. And often we forget or try to ignore the very first truth of all things: God made the world and everything in it first, BEFORE He made us! So, the world and everything in it operates under His providential design. Even though God put man in 'charge' of it, He never gave man authority to change anything. And if we know anything of the scriptures, we can clearly see life continues to happen just as God ordained it. So now, today would be a good time for us to wise up.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man...." - Ecclesiastes 12:13

There's No Balancing This

The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross, not the scales. – J. Stott

In Luke 18 the Pharisee wanted God to see how well balanced and pious his life was by his acts of service. God was not impressed. Hmm!

All too often we’re like the Pharisee, we’ll do just enough to balance things out, give God just enough time, offering, praise, etc. to cover the blessings He gives. But we miss the boat. The cross represents the symbol of our Lord’s suffering. It is where He was hung and crucified with OUR sins. Nothing we do can atone for His sacrifice or “balance out” the deed. We are forever in His debt. Jesus did not call us to balance the books but to “take up our cross daily” and follow Him.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat?’ Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink…So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants, we have only done our duty,” – Luke 17:7-10

Choice, Circumstances and Conclusions

In the grand scheme of things there is God in ALL things. - Anon

Rahab is in the genealogy of Jesus for a reason. Hmm!

"How did the world wind up like this?" "How did I wind up in this position?" Why are people so evil...?" Honest questions we all ask from time to time. The 1-word answer - SIN! God did not create sin but He knew it was an inevitable possibility with giving us free will. But even with that He created a way out for us (Jesus) and a place for those who don't want Him (Hell). Again, letting us by our own free will make the choice. Life is full of choices. No one is a victim of their circumstances; they are victim of their free will choices to the circumstances that presented themselves. The good thing is that though we may make a bad decision from time to time, God can take it and make it work out for our good if we're willing to trust Him. It doesn't mean He will take the situation away, but He will give us a new perspective and a renewed spirit to see and deal with it in a way that brings glory to Him, and that ain't all bad.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind." - Ecclesiastes 12:13

Listening for the Master

The first duty of LOVE – is to LISTEN! – Tillich

To love Jesus is to know His Word. To know His Word is to listen. Hmm!

We start out as babies in the crib listening for the calming voices of our parents. Then we proceed to adolescence where we’re instructed by those we love to listen to the voice of authority to guide us correctly in life. Somehow it seems in adulthood we forget this process, or assume it’s unnecessary, or tune into the wrong frequency, thus making our life messy. If our goal truly is heaven, I think we need to learn this lesson over again and ‘listen’ for the Master, as He’s the only one with directions on how to get there.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’ And the Lord said to Samuel: ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle’” – I Samuel 3:10-11

You're Gonna Do What You Want

What you want to do, you do. The rest is just talk. – J. Clark

The bible tells us “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Why, because He WANTED to. Hmm!

No matter how we try to package it and dress it up or try to excuse it, our life is simply a culmination of the things we do. Evil or good, deeds are done simply because we “wanted” to do them. Paul stated, “So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” In truth we all have the same 24-hour day to work with, various pressures put upon us, limited resources to work with, and great expectations of others from us. The key to wholeness of life though is to make what “God wants for us” as what we want to do. We must remember “it’s not about us.”

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

The Story of Our Life

Life is like a full library owned by an author. In it are a few books which he wrote himself, but most of them were written for him. – H.E. Fosdick

Most of the kings in the bible kept records of their monarchy, but it was always God’s Word that prevailed over them. Hmm!

The passing on of information and knowledge is a good thing, particularly those things that are helpful, insightful, and edifying. And books are a great resource for such a transaction. And yes, we should want to tell a story with our lives, but that story should be in context with the greater story of the God who made us. So we need to read and obey His book before we try and write ours. So often many of us are trying to write great screenplays, how-to books, or life guidance novels with our life story for those who come after us, when all we really need to do is as Solomon said “fear God and keep His commands.” That’s the story we should be writing with our lives for those who come after us. Life itself is the greatest gift we have, and if we live it right, tell it correctly, and write it succinctly for others, we will have all eternity to discuss it with them in glory. Today’s a good day to jot down a few notes.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Of making many books there is no end and much study wearies the body….here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” – Ecclesiastes 12:12-13

Don't Just Chew On This

Chewing gum only proves that you can have motion without progress. – Sparks

The Israelites wandered for 40 years on a trek that should have roughly only taken them 2-weeks or so. WOW!

Merry-go-rounds. You've seen them spinning with the horses going up and down, a lot of motion and activity. But when they stop, you're still in the place you started - no progress made. Often people are just like that in their commitment to God. Many of us sometimes just go through the motions, fooling only ourselves. God is not deceived, for remember “he looks on the heart” and “knows the thoughts and intents of man.” So it is not our keeping of ‘duty’ that stirs God, but our desire for relationship with Him. Out of this communion spring all the details of life’s actions. Our steps truly become ordered, our words truly become seasoned, our time truly invested in others for the sake of the kingdom, and our labor is not in vain. Are you game?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” – Luke 6:46

Being Better

You can always be better. – Anon

Abel was not just content to offer God the ‘fat portions’ of his increase, he took them from the firstborn of his flock. Hmm!

“Close enough!” If ever a phrase limited man that’s it. We’ve become a people or society that lives by that credo. It’s given us license to reset the target, lower our expectations, and rest our pursuits. But today was given to us for just one purpose – we can all always be better. Better at loving, better at forgiving, better at extending mercy, better at lending a hand, better at listening with an open heart, better at speaking gracefully, better at exercising patience, better at stewardship, better at friendship, and even better at work or play. The list can go on and on and on – for we were all made in the image of God (in character and nature) and He has ALWAYS given us His best, so in truth we have nothing but upside potential. Besides, by getting better in any of the above we actually get better at giving God praise, and in the end that’s what really matters.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty….’” – Luke 17:10

Not an Afterthought

Give not from the top of your purse, but from the bottom of your heart. – Anon

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and teachers of the law often for their traditions of men which adhered to the 'letter' of the law but ignored the 'spiritual intent' of the law. He said they should do both. Hmm!

Often, in terms of what we give to God; whether it be praise, worship, offering, service, etc.; is done without much thought and preparation, but out of a sense of duty or obligation. God wants neither. He is seeking our love for Him, and our respect of His will. Just as we would never really want to be an 'afterthought' in people's dealings, God should not be in ours. If He is truly KING of Kings and LORD of Lords then only our best, as we have prepared ourselves will do. Remember you can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving. As we embark upon today may our heart be our guide.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“The Lord says; These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” – Isaiah 29:13

Listen up Love

The first duty of LOVE – is to LISTEN! – Tillich

To love Jesus is to know His Word. To know His Word is to listen. Hmm!

We start out as babies in the crib listening for the calming voices of our parents. Then we proceed to adolescence where we’re instructed by those we love to listen to the voice of authority to guide us correctly in life. Somehow it seems in adulthood we forget this process, or assume it’s unnecessary, or tune into the wrong frequency, thus making our life messy. If our goal truly is heaven, I think we need to learn this lesson over again and ‘listen’ for the Master, as He’s the only one with directions on how to get there.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’ And the Lord said to Samuel: ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle’” – I Samuel 3:10-11

Good Better Best

You can always be better. – Anon

Abel was not just content to offer God the ‘fat portions’ of his increase, he took them from the firstborn of his flock. Hmm!

“Close enough!” If ever a phrase limited man that’s it. We’ve become a people or society that lives by that credo. It’s given us license to reset the target, lower our expectations, and rest our pursuits. But today was given to us for just one purpose – we can all always be better. Better at loving, better at forgiving, better at extending mercy, better at lending a hand, better at listening with an open heart, better at speaking gracefully, better at exercising patience, better at stewardship, better at friendship, and even better at work or play. The list can go on and on and on – for we were all made in the image of God (in character and nature) and He has ALWAYS given us His best, so in truth we have nothing but upside potential. Besides, by getting better in any of the above we actually get better at giving God praise, and in the end that’s what really matters.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty….’” – Luke 17:10

The Scales don't Balance

The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross, not the scales. – J. Stott

In Luke 18 the Pharisee wanted God to see how well balanced and pious his life was by his acts of service. God was not impressed. Hmm!

All too often we’re like the Pharisee, we’ll do just enough to balance things out, give God just enough time, offering, praise, etc. to cover the blessings He gives. But we miss the boat. The cross represents the symbol of our Lord’s suffering. It is where He was hung and crucified with OUR sins. Nothing we do can atone for His sacrifice or “balance out” the deed. We are forever in His debt. Jesus did not call us to balance the books but to “take up our cross daily” and follow Him.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat?’ Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink…So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants, we have only done our duty,” – Luke 17:7-10