Removing the Unnecessary

The longer you entertain what’s NOT for you, the longer you postpone what is! – D. Washington

In the wilderness temptation Jesus rebuffed Satan’s attacks quickly, and angels immediately appeared to care for him. Amen!

We all know the scripture “bad company corrupts good morals!” (I Cor. 15:33). One thing we often forget though is so does the enemy. And he is very, very subtle at getting us to believe certain people, recreations, and habits are good for us when in reality they hinder our growth and progress. It’s why the Israelites spent 40 years in the desert wandering – God getting rid of a generation who didn’t trust in Him. It is why God gave them commands NOT to intermingle and accept the ways of their neighbors. It led to corruption and faithlessness, something on the surface they could not see of themselves. The question we have to ask is what might we ourselves be in lock-step with that may be actually hindering our complete joy with Christ? Who or what may we have made ‘respectable’ in our lives but still lies outside of God’s will and Word? God is always ready to gift us, but He will never do it in competition with anything we possess.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….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

No Happenstance

Everything in life happens for me, not to me. - B. Katie

In prison, Joseph 'just happened' to meet Pharaoh's cupbearer. Hmm!

We call them 'chance' encounters. Those unexpected, unscripted, meetings that make a major impact in our lives. The way we met our spouse or friend, the way we found out about the career we're in, or the way we got 'unintended' news that changes our own little world for the better. Yeah, we call them chance encounters - God does not. But here's the thing, when we think back on these encounters they generally occur when we're doing something positive or worthwhile for others that we'd rather not be doing. If God is the one who truly 'orders our steps' then there is a reason in our life for every person we encounter. Whether to give something to them or receive something from them is ours to determine, but hopefully the meeting ends up a win-win for both. Maybe not immediately, but soon!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" - Hebrews 13:2