A Moment to Stop

Sleep doesn't help if it's your soul that's tired! - Anon

Though Daniel was the one in the lion's den, it was the king who couldn't get any rest. Amen!

It's bright red! Octagonal in shape! The word 'STOP' is posted right in the middle of it. Yes, it's a STOP sign. Admittedly, as a California driver I've perfected the Cali-roll. It's not a complete stop, it's a slow down and then proceed. Now according to the 'law' a STOP sign means STOP completely, not slow down. Thinking along this line I'm reminded of God's law of a 'sabbath days rest'. When His people were commanded to STOP all other activity to honor Him. In honoring Him that way it was them who were blessed through their time of worship. It's a mystery how this works but it does. I always come away 'refreshed' from my time with God. It brings restoration to my mind, body, and entire being - something God knows we need. As we gather to worship He pours out blessing upon blessing. But in truth, many of us check in to church/worship to slow our roll, show our face, but never to really STOP and be still. And we often leave with the same stresses and pressures we came with. If that's you or your life is tiring because you are often stretched thin, maybe you should just STOP! Couldn't hurt.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10

Subtle Shakeups

We turn to God when our foundations are shaking only to learn it is God that is shaking them. – C. West

After his life was turned upside down king Saul sought the Lord, only to find it was God who was rejecting him as king. OUCH!

Stability, security, firm-footing, insurance. Admittedly, we all seek after such adjectives in our lives. Whether it be financial, educational, in relationships, or other areas; we like to know exactly how everything is going to turn out. We begin to pride ourselves on our titles, achievements, victories, and possessions. We often trust more in our own doings than in God’s provisions. And because He will not take second place to anyone or anything in our lives God often has to shake us to the very core of what we’ve begun to trust in when it is not of His making or plan for us. Yes God blesses us and expects us to plan for our future’s and so forth, but nothing we come across should usurp His role and authority in our lives, even blessings He brings to us. So if there’s a minor earthquake in your life right now you might want to look at your relationship to God.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10

Let's Begin Then

The one thing more powerful than the will to win, is the courage to begin. – Anon

Abram left his father’s house, his people, and his land to go to a place he knew not where. But the key fact is he went. AMEN!

As adults most of us know how to walk. We just put one foot in front of the other, and we find we can get almost anywhere. But if we were to think back to our infancy we would realize it took a lot of courage then to do what we do naturally now. The fact is that because we wanted to, we did it. Well, we still have wants. We want the best, we want to win, we want to be successful, we want to be loved. None of these desires are wrong, but we must realize that they are just desires or wants. They are obtainable but only if we go after them. Wanting them to happen doesn’t make it so, we must actually begin the journey to make it happen. The same is true in our walk with God. It takes great courage to believe Him unswervingly, follow Him unquestioningly, and serve Him faithfully. It is a lifelong journey but it still begins with the first step everyday. It’s up to us.

Until Monday…….

Pastor Botts

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” – Philippians 1:20