That Unchangeable Truth

Facts do not cease to exist just because they are ignored. - Aldous Huxley

Though Adonijah declared himself king with celebrations and such, it just wasn't so. Hmm!

"Face the facts!" Boy, haven't we heard that expression a ton of times in our lives. And deservedly so. It normally happens when we begin to think everything is about us, and for us, and we try to make it so, but the logic just does not apply to our situation. You just can’t change the truth. And often we forget or try to ignore the very first truth of all things: God made the world and everything in it first, BEFORE He made us! So, the world and everything in it operates under His providential design. Even though God put man in 'charge' of it, He never gave man authority to change anything. And if we know anything of the scriptures, we can clearly see life continues to happen just as God ordained it. So now, today would be a good time for us to wise up.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man...." - Ecclesiastes 12:13

The Security Superstition

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature. - Helen Keller

Elijah had no idea where he was going when he took off running from Jezebel, but God led him to where he needed to be. Hmm!

Walking by faith and not by sight is how we seek to live, but it is not easy. And if we're honest in times of great stress where major decisions beckon, we tend to walk more by sight than faith. We tend to make 'safety/security' the basis or foundation of our decision. For example, our decisions on where to go to school or buy a home are often made in proximity to relatives and/or friends. It's hard to argue the point that security is one of our most basic priorities. And that's with good reason. But here's a question that we must truly consider: What decision will require us to trust God the most? Think about Abram leaving his family. The Israelites knowingly going into captivity for 70 years. Paul walking away from Judaism for Christ. Security is a basic need but we must realize we can never secure our lives and futures on our own, it takes the will and work of God. He "knows the plans He has for us" and will surely bring them to fruition in good time. Ours is to be faithful and trusting on the journey.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will never leave you nor forsake you." - Joshua 1:5

Are You Willing To Change?

To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly. - H. Bergson

Though Jesus was pronounced 'The Savior' at his birth, he actually grew into the role. Hmm!

The beautiful butterfly we see today was once an unappealing caterpillar. What happened - transformation or change. Transformation is what God is after in our lives as well. But there has to be a willingness on our part and that willingness has to be complete and total submission to God. When we skeptically enter the process with limitations already in place - lines we won't cross OR methods we won't accept - we've handicapped the process before it begins and shown we really aren't willing. The caterpillar has to completely surrender (die to self) in his cocoon to become the beautiful butterfly we later see. We should look on the cocoons of our life not with disgust, but with appreciation for what happens in them as God works to beautify and perfect us even more. More change is coming, and that's actually a good thing.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out." - Luke 8:1-2

The Security in Faith

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature. - Hellen Keller

Elijah had no idea where he was going when he took off running from Jezebel, but God led him to where he needed to be. Hmm!

Walking by faith and not by sight is how we seek to live, but it is not easy. And if we're honest in times of great stress where major decisions beckon, we tend to walk more by sight than faith. We tend to make 'safety/security' the basis or foundation of our decision. For example, our decisions on where to go to school or buy a home are often made in proximity to relatives and/or friends. It's hard to argue the point that security is one of our most basic priorities. And that's with good reason. But here's a question that we must truly consider: What decision will require us to trust God the most? Think about Abram leaving his family. The Israelites knowingly going into captivity for 70 years. Paul walking away from Judaism for Christ. Security is a basic need but we must realize we can never secure our lives and futures on our own, it takes the will and work of God. He "knows the plans He has for us" and will surely bring them to fruition in good time. Ours is to be faithful and trusting on the journey.

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will never leave you nor forsake you." - Joshua 1:5

Living or Existing

You don’t grow old by living, but by losing interest in living. – R. Murray

After Joseph’s ‘perceived death’ Abraham lost a lot of his zest for life. God later ‘revived’ him. Wow!

Life comes one day at a time, and as we accumulate the days we grow older. That’s been the formula since the beginning of time. But though our bodies age our zest for life need not, for there is ever excitement and wonder afoot in God’s creation. The sad truth is though, most of us aren’t even living, we’re just existing. Going through the paces or routines of everyday life, in a rut. Not expecting anything different to happen, not expecting to make a difference because we’re so focused on ourself. God gave us life and He receives glory when we live it for Him, and the same is true for us. Our lives will be fuller and much more meaningful when we learn to live them with, and for others, in such a way that they see the goodness of God, and we live without thought of being compensated for all we do. Life is God’s gift to us and it should never feel like a sentence or prison. Each day should be seen as an opportunity to see just what God is up too.  What will you do with today’s gift?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…as long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no man can work….” – John 9:4