Loved Into the Kingdom

God so loved the world..........what about you? - Anon

Even though his brother Jacob stole his birthright and blessing, Esau learned to forgive and forget. Wow!

Admittedly, we live in a fallen world full of corruption, greed, deceit, selfishness and all other kinds of ills one could imagine. And, we don't have to go very far to see it, for it's all around us, often directly impacting our personal space. We can bemoan the situation, speak evil of it, or even condemn to hell those practicing such things. But the sobering truth is God requires much more of us. Jesus was born into such a fallen world to save "all who would believe" and He loved many of those who practiced such sinful activities into the kingdom, including us. He was not tolerant of their sins, but He loved them 'more' than their sin, and His love won out. Now it's our turn. So before we speak evil or condescendingly of anyone, let's remember why we were actually saved and sent.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick......For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" - Matthew 9:12-13

Use Me?

God uses broken people like you and me to rescue broken people like you and me. - Anon

Of all the people Jesus could have sent to preach in the Decapolis, he chose a man he had just healed of many demons. Wow!

You ever wonder about Mary, mother of Jesus; and her willing obedience when Gabriel spoke to her? Why? You have to know she was taught the scriptures from an early age. And remembering how God would often use ordinary people (Gideon, Jonah, Esther, etc....) to save His people, she knew and believed in her heart that could be her at any time. So, when Gabriel spoke, hence her reply "so be it as the Lord wills." What about us? Would we be so willing for God? Though we know the ways of God are often mysterious, would it be so unexpected and hard to fathom that He'd want to use you in a mighty way? God's redemption story is still unfolding today, and He still uses ordinary people to bring it about. Wherever you may be in your current livelihood (up, down, hurting, joyful...) just know that your life is part of His ongoing story. He's counting on us to make it interesting and inviting!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message...." - John 17:20

The Personal Touch

To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world. – R. Otto

When Andrew found Jesus he went and got his brother Peter. That meeting changed Peter’s world. Amen!

It’s an amazing fact that is often overlooked by most. We read the Acts 2:38-41 account and often come away feeling that's how the world will be won - with a major miracle event, such as the often-seen Franklin Graham or Greg Laurie crusades, tent revivals, or feel-good conferences. These things are well and good and have their place, but it still took someone to personally invite the individuals who pack these events. See, in reality souls are won one by one, PERSONALLY. It takes a Christian to make another Christian or introduce them to Christ, and we know the enemy is not doing it. So, that leaves us. Maybe we should ask God to help us be the one to do so today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth, and someone would bring him back, remember this, whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” – James 5:19-20

Who We Become

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as who you become by achieving them. - Henry David Thoreau

Do you honestly believe the actions of the Good Samaritan changed only 1 heart? Hmm!

If you've ever watched sports you see it often. Dropped passes in football, flubbed/mis-played balls in baseball, false starts in track and field. All because someone was eager to make the most of the opportunity ahead of them before they actually made the play in front of them. We can probably all raise our hands and say guilty as charged. We often see 'opportunity' as a call to take advantage of a situation for personal gain. But what if the idea was expanded beyond self. To view it as an opening to bless or encourage someone else. That makes it a true win-win deal. To encourage or offer someone hope is to truly evangelize, sow seed as a disciple. And anything can happen after that because now the God of the 'impossible' has something to work with.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Be very careful, then, how you live......making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16

May the Lord Lead

Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still. – E.M. Bounds

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray and ask His Father for insight on what to do and say. Hmm!

Moody, Spurgeon, Tozer, Evans, Stanley, Swindoll, your local pastor. All great men past and present who make known God’s will to men and women with great clarity and conviction. But I would dare say to you that none of these men would ever try to talk to men about God, without talking to God first. In fact, talking to God first is the only thing that gives them the utmost confidence to talk to man. May we all take a lesson here today. Evangelism starts when God sparks the heart.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts 

“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…” – Ephesians 6:19