Look What I Can Do

One act of obedience is better than a hundred sermons preached. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Though the apostle Paul wrote many letters to the churches he instructed them to look at his life as an example. Hmm!

When we were kids we always wanted our parents, siblings, and anyone else around to watch us when we did something we thought was extra special. Now that we are grown and knowing that we are possibly the only ‘bible’ some folks will ever read we need to ask ourselves do we still have that “watch me” mentality. Example is contagious behavior and often the only way to reach someone. And a sermon isn’t really preached until it is put into action. We need to be mindful that as instruments of God, somebody is receiving a message loud and clear, so we should pray our walk is in line with our talk.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. “ – Matthew 7:20

Forged in the Mundane

Character is not made in a crisis, it is only exhibited. – Sparks

Moses spent 40 years toiling as a shepherd. God felt that was long enough to develop him into a leader for his people. Hmm!

We often look for character-building ideas and exercises to help us prepare for the major emergencies and turmoil in our life, on our jobs, and elsewhere. But true character is not learned in the classroom or high pressure situations, it can only be forged through the mundane activities of the day. It is a maturing process that comes over time, mainly time spent alone with God. The general truth is that what you do while you’re alone, you’ll do when the heat is on as well. If our character is suspect in the dark, it will be suspect in the light of the moment as well. Life’s situations will be calling upon us today, hopefully we'll be ready?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that that you should follow in his steps…..When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” – I Peter 2:21, 23

A Leadership Mindset

A leader's most powerful ally is his or her own example. - John Wooden

Paul said he became 'whatever' it took to win one to Christ. Wow!

Magic vs. Bird. Steph vs. Lebron. All champions in their own right, but it seems Magic and Steph have a charisma that infected those they played beside with enthusiasm, excitement, and FUN. Our faith should be somewhat like that, so noticeable that it impacts and infects those we're with a good deal of the time. We should live our life and do our jobs as if Jesus were our immediate supervisor (He is). Who we work for and the type of work doesn't really matter, our attitude is what's important, and it's what God looks upon (heart). Each day we should seek the Holy Spirit and ask Him to help us do the job with pleasure, determination, and confidence - this will not only attract others, but also allow us the opportunity to 'infect' them. Not only is it a great feeling, but it leaves the door open for great things to happen, and that's what leaders do, provide opportunities for greatness to enter. Are you in?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...Mordecai the Jew was........preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews." - Esther 10:3

The New Disciples of Love

If what the world needs now is love, who will be the example? - Anon

Paul said he 'became' like those he was with to win them to Christ. AMEN!

It's no secret we live in a fallen society. A world where strife, division, and self-centered rhetoric is the menu of the day. Yes, far from perfect but yet still salvageable. It's why Jesus came, to share that message of hope and salvation for all and then give His life to prove it. Then He asked us to pay it forward, be a disciple. We think it a 'tough' go in today's setting, but maybe we just need to look at how Jesus did it and do likewise. The people accepted Jesus because of how He interacted with them. He 'loved' them as they were. Even in His teaching, He showed them great compassion, empathy, mercy, forgiveness, and often times healings. Though He was the promised 'Messiah' He walked amongst them with 'grace' not authority. He was a living/breathing example of God's great love for us. Like the motto of 'New Balance' every one of us should be saying "we got now!" Welcome to the New Year!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"A new command I give you.....As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples...." - John 13:34-35

Like Jesus or Waldo?

Christians are useless if they are fruitless. - H.C. Mears

Jesus told us to let our light "so shine" that others may see it, not have to go looking for it. Hmm!

The whole idea behind 'Where's Waldo' is that he is always deeply concealed within the masses. You have to look long and hard to find him. That was not the case with Jesus. He came to serve and not be served, and you didn't have to look hard to figure it out. You could easily find Him in some of the most menial jobs (foot washing, cooking breakfast, etc.) and there never was a question of who was really in charge, He stood out like a 'sore thumb.' Though he had no outer beauty of His own, He was truly one who made a lot of heads turn, attracted crowds, and made leaders contemplate their actions and words carefully. Here's the question of the day: when it comes to our daily living would we be considered more like Jesus or Waldo?

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"....[Jesus said] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master..." - John 13:13-14

Bright Shining Examples of Christ

The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion. - Paulo Coelho

Though wrongly accused and imprisoned, Paul said his 'chains' helped bring people to Christ. Hmm!

Movie critics! Talk-show hosts! Armchair quarterbacks! And on and on it goes. We have a litany of those who offer opinions on everything in life, as they say from 'soup to nuts!' And as is often true, their opinions are rarely based on facts or actual experiences, it's just their way of thinking. But life is not lived by opinion, it's lived in real time actual events. And when we can experience it with those who have 'been there, done that, got a T-shirt' folks, it makes our decisions somewhat easier. God did that for us through Jesus. He was 'tempted/tested' in all things like us but was found without sin. As we live day to day and see the worlds offerings and people looking for answers on how to improve it, let us remember the example of Jesus, where He didn't give us His opinion, He gave us His life. Amen!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Let YOUR light shine before others, that they may see YOUR good deeds, and glorify your FATHER in heaven." - Matthew 5:16

Lasting Legacy

Today and tomorrow will soon be past, only what you do for Christ will last. - Song refrain

Enoch's legacy was simply that he 'walked' with God. Hmm!

12 pairs of feet. Men of all different stages of the faith and belief. Yet Jesus washed every pair, no one was neglected, and all was done in genuine love and humility. This one event gets as much or more conversation than Jesus' death on the cross, though his death on the cross was the 'finishing act.' It makes me wonder have you ever considered what might be your lasting legacy act that others will remember you for? No one wants to die in ignominy or without a trace. And though we don't live our lives to be put on a pedestal for viewing, we do live to let our light shine for all to see and glorify God. What do you think that might look like for you. Now is really a good time to consider it.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"...I [Jesus] have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." - John 13:15

Where Are You Looking?

You can learn a lot just by observation. - Anon

The bible often tells us "Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John." I'm sure the other disciples were pretty close in tow as well. Hmm!

Turn on the news or grab the newspaper and the odds are great that your name won't be mentioned or appear in print. Celebrities get the spotlight for their upcoming events or life issues, politicians for their latest bill, gaffe, or stance on a particularly pressing issue (i.e. - gas relief) or some organization highlighted for their latest outreach or sleight. We, as Christians are generally in the minority, behind the scenes, often overlooked. And at times it can get hard to love a world of people like those above when it seems all they care about is themselves. But 'called' to love them we are. And Jesus, our perfect example, shows us how. It is Him we should desire to be like. So our prayers should be filled with requests for patience, understanding, compassion, and conviction to walk like Him. And it should be a comfort to us to know that God neither looks at the news nor reads the newspapers, but that He looks on the heart of everyone and sees the intent of our actions. This is the way heavenly rewards are earned.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - I Samuel 16:7

Strive For The Target

"Stay on target..." Gold Five- Star Wars

God was exact in all His measurements. I wonder if we should take a lesson there. Hmm!

Bullseye! Everyone is familiar with the term. It's the center of the target - dead aim center; what we all shoot for. The mark of perfection. Now when it comes to our profession of Christ it brings up a question. Are we ourselves moving towards it in a way others can see and praise or are we moving away from it, tarnishing the glory of the God we serve. One of the harshest words Jesus used for the 'religious right' of His day was hypocrite, as they were actually making it almost impossible for the people to see and witness God's presence. We will all struggle from time to time in our walk, that's not the issue, the issue is whether those around us who really know us would be able to say with certainty that we are still striving for the target or actually doing a disservice to the Lord. Since the target has not moved or changed the answer lies within us.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind..." - Matthew 22:37

Illuminate the path and walk on it

Train up a child in the way he should go, and don’t forget to walk there yourself. - American Proverb

One of the major criticisms Jesus had with the religious leaders of the day was their hypocrisy, not practicing what they were preaching. Hmm!

It’s amazing sometimes how we think. It’s true we grow up and put away ‘childish ways and thinking,’ but what is TRUE and what is RIGHT doesn’t change from one stage of life to the next. If truth is absolute, and IT is; and if right is absolute, and IT is also; then our paths should always take us along the same routes we would prescribe for our children. We can try to shade both the truth and what we know to be right to our own situations to justify what we do but, “there is a way that seems right to a man but it leads to death.” A major part of ‘training our children’ is being a living example of righteousness right before their eyes, and the best way to do that is to always let God’s Word be “a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.”

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” – James 3:1

Show the Way

A picture is a poem without words. – Horace

Many of the things that she saw him do, Jesus’ mother just ‘pondered’ them in her heart.

The Grand Canyon. A solar eclipse. A Hawaiian sunrise or sunset. What do they have in common? All are pictures in our mind which bring a speechless sense of awe and wonder of the greatness of God. In this sin darkened world God also expects our lives to bring about the same response in those around us. As one great philosopher of our time has said, “preach the gospel, and if necessary; then use words.” May we all “preach” boldly today.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

In everything set them an example by doing what is good……. So that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” – Titus 2:7-8

God Rest

God worked then rested a whole day. Whatever happened to that example? – Anon

When king Darius threw Daniel into the lions den, he was the one who went without rest. Hmm!

Life has its rhythm of day and night, spring and summer, birth and death. There is also a time to be still and rest; all ordained by God. Our hearts wants outside of God’s desires for us have caused us to try and gradually increase the speed of life, amount of consumption, and rate of living; trying to have it all and have it right now. But life on this planet has never been about having it all, it’s about enjoying God along the journey we take (think Enoch) and letting Him set the pace. He said in His Word He would ‘give us rest.’ As you walk today and begin to feel the desire to increase the pace, make sure God is still beside you.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.” – Psalm 104:21-23

A Beautiful Example or A Tragic Warning

If you can’t be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning. – C. Aird

Noah, Moses, Job, David, Peter, the Babylonians, Assyrians, Canaanites. God used them all: some He saved, some He didn’t save. Hmm!

It is said that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” meaning its left open to the interpretation of the individual. What one may consider beautiful, magnificent, or breath-taking; someone else may find hideous and gross. Though the statement holds a lot of truth, the bottom line is that most if not all folks would rather fall on the side of beauty – something to behold and appreciate; and we’re no different. And if we think it through this is exactly what our lives are about. We are either being molded into something of beauty for God that others can appreciate and model or we’re becoming an ‘icon of poison’ for others to see and avoid. And since there is really no such thing as an ‘unfulfilled life’ the question we need be asking ourselves is on which end of the spectrum are we treading?

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us….. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” – I Corinthians 10:11-12 

Built Character

Character is not made in a crisis, it is only exhibited. – Sparks

Moses spent 40 years toiling as a shepherd. God felt that was long enough to develop him into a leader for his people. Hmm!

We often look for character-building ideas and exercises to help us prepare for the major emergencies and turmoil in our life, on our jobs, and elsewhere. But true character is not learned in the classroom or high pressure situations, it can only be forged through the mundane activities of the day. It is a maturing process that comes over time, mainly time spent alone with God. The general truth is that what you do while you’re alone, you’ll do when the heat is on as well. If our character is suspect in the dark, it will be suspect in the light of the moment as well. Life’s situations will be calling upon us today, hopefully we'll be ready?

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that that you should follow in his steps…..When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” – I Peter 2:21, 23

Today's scripture reading: Proverbs 20

Today's scripture reading question: Verse 11 speaks of reputation, what do you try to project for yours?

On Display

People will look at your example long before they listen to your advice. – Anon

When Moses tried to advise a Hebrew slave that it was wrong to hit his fellowman, he was reminded he ‘secretly’ killed an Egyptian. Hmm!

In his book 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' Carnegie states "people are drawn by example". The thing to remember is people will see what we do long before they hear what we say. The things we do tell all the world who we really are, and there is not a moment when you are not being who you are. Though we may not be aware of it our every action is being watched and observed, whether by strangers, family, or those we’re dealing with at the moment. So whether we’re cursing or caressing, someone is watching our example. The question is are we giving them ‘godly’ advice.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” – I Corinthians 11:1

Set an Example

Preach the gospel, and if necessary use words. - St. Francis of Assisi

God spoke very highly of Job not because of his words and sacrifices, but because  of his heart and deeds. AMEN!

If it is true that 'a picture is worth a thousand words', (and I believe it is) then the message we preach by what we do comes through loud and clear to all those around us. Though most of us would rather speak of our 'Christianity' most people prefer to see it in action, and God most of all. The deeds we do today may be the only sermon some people will hear this week. The setting God has placed us in today is just perfect for the occasion.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks, or the church of God.....Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." - I Corinthians 10:32

A Good Example

Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it's the only thing. - A. Schweitzer

God often 'presented' himself in various ways (burning bush, pillar of fire, etc.) that others would know without a doubt it was Him. Hmm!

In our world today, good role models are hard to find, and sometimes Christians are even harder to find. In this world of increasing hostility, if we are going to win it for Christ we must be recognized as living for Him. Jesus prayed 'that the world might believe God sent Him' through us. This will be not so much by what we do on Sundays, but how we live every moment of every day. Somebody needs your example today.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Jesus said, 'I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master......" - John 13:15-16.

Watch Me

One act of obedience is better than a hundred sermons preached. – Dietrich  Bonhoeffer

Though the apostle Paul wrote many letters to the churches he instructed them to look at his life as an example. Hmm!

When we were kids we always wanted our parents, siblings, and anyone else around to watch us when we did something we thought was extra special. Now that we are grown and knowing that we are possibly the only ‘bible’ some folks will ever read we need to ask ourselves do we still have that “watch me” mentality. Example is contagious behavior and often the only way to reach someone. And a sermon isn’t really preached until it is put into action. We need to be mindful that as instruments of God, somebody is receiving a message loud and clear, so we should pray our walk is in line with our talk.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. “ – Matthew 7:20

Standout or Blend In

Christians are useless if they are fruitless. - H.C. Mears

Jesus told us to let our light "so shine" that others may see it, not have to go looking for it. Hmm!

The whole idea behind 'Where's Waldo' is that he is always deeply concealed within the masses. You have to look long and hard to find him. That was not the case with Jesus. He came to serve and not be served, and you didn't have to look hard to figure it out. You could easily find Him in some of the most menial jobs (foot washing, cooking breakfast, etc.) and there never was a question of  who was really in charge, He stood out like a 'sore thumb.' Though he had no outer beauty of His own, He was truly one who made a lot of heads turn, attracted crowds, and made leaders contemplate their actions and words carefully. Here's the question of  the day: when it comes to our daily living would we be considered more like Jesus or Waldo?
Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"....[Jesus said] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master..." - John 13:13-14

Infectious Greatness

A leader's most powerful ally is his or her own example. - John Wooden

Paul said he became 'whatever' it took to win one to Christ. Wow!

Magic vs. Bird. Steph vs. Lebron. All champions in their own right, but it seems Magic and Steph have a charisma that infected those they played beside with enthusiasm, excitement, and FUN. Our faith should be somewhat like that, so noticeable that it impacts and infects those we're with a good deal of the time. We should live our life and do our jobs as if Jesus were our immediate supervisor (He is). Who we work for and the type of work doesn't really matter, our attitude is what's important, and it's what God looks upon (heart). Each day we should seek the Holy Spirit and ask Him to help us do the job with pleasure, determination, and confidence - this will not only attract others, but also allow us the opportunity to 'infect' them. Not only is it a great feeling, but it leaves the door open for great things to happen, and that's what leaders do, provide opportunities for greatness to enter. Are you in?

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"...Mordecai the Jew was........preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews." - Esther 10:3