What's Your Motivation?

A man always has two reasons for what he does – a good one, and the real one. – J.P. Morgan

Ananais and Sapphira. Great intentions but wrong motives. We know the rest of the story. Hmm!

We’re very quick to question the motives of others, yet slow to question our own. When others hurt or harm us, we always assume they had the worst of intentions, but when we are the guilty party we often try to excuse ourselves making light of the offended; concluding they are ‘too sensitive,’ or taking things 'out of context.' Regardless of how we try to make ourselves appear ‘right’ God weighs our actions on His scales of righteousness – and we cannot deceive Him. Many things cause us to do what we do, and YES, it is possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason. No matter our reasons God will always look upon our heart. If we’re not motivated by love, no matter how sweet our actions; we’ve missed the point.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” – Proverbs 16:2

YOUR View from Here

The issue is not where you are, but how you live wherever you are. – Henry Nouwen

Though Paul spent a great deal of his life imprisoned, you’d hardly know it from his writings. Wow!

We frequently think to ourselves “if only my circumstances were different, then things would be better.” And so we begin the merry-go-round of wishful thinking: “if only I had a different job,” “if only I had a different spouse,” “if only I had stayed in school,” “if only, if only….” But such thinking is unproductive and actually blinds us to all that is good that God has placed in our lives and present situation. No matter where we are presently in life, it is good. The view we need to undertake is trying to seek out what God is trying to do through us in our present status or circumstances. What we’ll find often is that it’s not the circumstances that need change so much as it is our inner self and attitude. Remember, with God results count, excuses don’t.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…..” – Philippians 4:11

Roads Not Traveled Again

If you must make mistakes, it would be more to your credit if you’d make a new one each time. – Sparks

Though Peter denied the Lord on that fateful night, as imperfect as he was he never went down that road again. Hmm!

No matter how long we’ve been around “learn from your mistakes,” is a siren call we’ve heard almost all of our lives. And true to the task many of us have learned, albeit the wrong way. We still commit the offense (sin), but we’ve learned how to make it seem plausible, acceptable, even almost necessary; that we may live with the guilt. Our old excuses may work with one another, but God looks on our hearts and no matter how we want to perceive it, with God it is still wrong, and one for which we will have to give an answer. His will is that we learn to avoid the mistakes, not grow to accept them. He knew we were imperfect which is why He sent a redeemer and reconciler. But if we continue in our ways we cannot be His disciples.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” – Romans 6:1-2

P.S. - To access the daily devotional (The Word for You Today) go to mydevoapp.com. The app access code is ISO.

Finish It

Life has two rules: Number One -Never quit.  Number Two -Always remember rule number One. - Duke Ellington

Abraham, Joseph, David, Job, Paul. In spite of the difficulties and trials in their life they always kept God first. God never quit on them either. AMEN!

Growing up playing games as a kid the last thing anyone of us wanted to be known as was a quitter. Scrapes, bruises, bleeding, even darkness didn't matter - we played on and on. Quitting was dishonorable. What happened? If we're truly honest with ourselves it's amazing how often we quit on God. We start something and almost at the drop of a hat or the first hardship we quit. Attending church, bible study, prayer time, giving, even righteous living go out the door when it's an inconvenience to us. Thankfully God is gracious, though He will not be forever. And though He may not deal directly with us now, rest assured that one day we "will have to give an account." And with God, results count; excuses don't.

Until tomorrow........

Pastor Botts

"Jesus replied, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'" - Luke 9:62

Perfect For This Age

God took a forty year old conceited somebody, spent forty years showing him he was a nobody, and forty more years to demonstrate what He can do with anybody. – R. D. Foster

Caleb was 85 years old when he ‘took’ the town of Hebron for his own.  Not bad for a young fella’!

One-armed ballplayers! Blind mountain climbers! Deaf composers! The world is full of examples of those who did not let a disability hinder their creativity or natural ability. We serve a God who is new every day, and no matter where we are in life He can and will use us if we’re willing. Who’s to say God has not actually kept us in check until such a time as this? We need to put our excuses aside. Our past life; good, bad, or indifferent, was necessary to bring us to this present moment. It’s not so much the age that concerns God, it’s the heart. God is ready to use us in His story, the question is: can He?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14

Reality: The Results of Life

We can ignore reality, but we cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality. - Ayn Rand

The Garden of Eden in the presence of God is where mankind started, but look at us now. Hmm!

The statement 'results count, excuses don't' will always be true. And the real results of life (reality) stare us in the face every day, but somehow we manage to put them off for another day. The realities of our unhealthy diets and eating binges and/or not getting enough exercise (weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.); the realities of our not budgeting, planning, or being economical with our finances (bad credit, no savings, living paycheck to paycheck, etc.); and the realities of our inconsistent faith practice (sporadic church attendance, little or no prayer/bible study/giving). We often wonder why 'life' isn't better but in truth we know, we just don't want to admit it, accept it, and then apply ourselves to change it. If we're waiting for that 'one day' to make a change, TODAY is the gift God has given.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"...Then you will know the truth, and the TRUTH will set you free..." - John 8:32

REMINDER: today is the National Day of Prayer!

YOU Know...

True, the exact age of the human race is unknown; but it is certainly old enough to know better! - Anon

Achan knew in his heart it was wrong to take the sacred things, but he did it anyway. It cost his people and it cost his life. OUCH!

When you get right down to it: right is right, and wrong is wrong; and we know it. We may not like it, but we know it. Some of the crutches we often use to defend our sinfulness is the phrase “I’m not that strong spiritually”, or “I haven’t reached that level of maturity yet.” The reality of the situation is that it is not how strong you are or what ‘level’ you’re on, it’s what you know and WHOM you trust. The common sins we continue to fall prey to, we know better. And God knows we know better because He has given us His instructions. We can offer up excuse after excuse for our actions but God doesn’t take excuses, only results.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Jesus said, ‘If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.’” – John 9:41

Knowing Disobedience

Knowing and not doing are equal to not knowing at all. – Anon

Peter and John were arrested and charged not to “preach in the name of Jesus” anymore. It was the only NAME they knew. And boy did they preach!

It’s never a minor thing to know God’s will and not do it. The bible calls this sin. We can make excuses for our lack of obedience, “I’m just not ready yet,” or “I’ll do it later,” or “I can’t afford to,” etc. Other times we may even deceive ourselves into thinking that good intentions equal obedient actions. But good intentions without corresponding action is still disobedience. God has granted us TODAY with its host of opportunities to get it right, to make a difference. Go for it!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” – James 4:17  

Not the same twice

If you must make mistakes, it would be more to your credit if you’d make a new one each time. – Sparks

Though Peter denied the Lord on that fateful night, as imperfect as he was he never went down that road again. Hmm!

No matter how long we’ve been around “learn from your mistakes,” is a siren call we’ve heard almost all of our lives. And true to the task many of us have learned, albeit the wrong way. We still commit the offense (sin), but we’ve learned how to make it seem plausible, acceptable, even almost necessary; that we may live with the guilt. Our old excuses may work with one another, but God looks on our hearts and no matter how we want to perceive it, with God it is still wrong, and one for which we will have to give an answer. His will is that we learn to avoid the mistakes, not grow to accept them. He knew we were imperfect which is why He sent a redeemer and reconciler. But if we continue in our ways we cannot be His disciples.

Until ……

Pastor Botts

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” – Romans 6:1-2

P.S. - Don't forget Prayer Breakfast tomorrow morning at 9AM and our Christmas Presentation Sunday morning at 9AM. Blessings!