Finish It

If I never start, I will never finish. - S. Wakefield

Jesus cried out "It is finished!" Those words started a movement that continues to grow today. WOW!

Most of us look at 'last place' as a losing effort. No crown, no glory, not even a positive mention. Focus is on the winners, first, second, etc. But as you think it through, finishing, even in last place is far greater than the one who never started. To finish something, it means you have to get started, put in the work, develop a plan and work it to completion. To be disciplined and dedicated no matter the obstacles. To stop putting off for tomorrow what you know you can and should do today, for tomorrow is not promised. And even if God does bless us with tomorrow, He may have a completely different theme for that day in our lives. It's understandable that nobody likes to finish 'dead last' but it still means you started and completed the journey. But you can't finish if you never start out. Time's a wastin'.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." - Acts 20:24

Everyday, "Average" Perseverance

With my whole heart for my whole life - Anon

Though the bible is filled with some great names and stories, it is filled with even more whose names never even got an honorable mention. They were just as important and SAVED as well. Hmm!

Perseverance! We generally hear about or read of it in reference to those exceptional individuals who overcame a lot of adversity to excel in life (athletes, stars, famous folks, physically disadvantaged, etc.). They speak of the monumental challenges of life they had to overcome (economics, ethnicity, education, physical barriers, etc.) to get to this level. We applaud them and rightly so, but what about the greater number who go about unnoticed. The parents of a special needs child who devote their lives to caring and loving them, or the wife who bravely rears her young children after her husband's untimely death. Or what about the person who continuously works 3 part-time jobs to make ends meet, even after sending out resume #400. I think these are the examples James had in mind in writing James 1:3. The idea of someone 'opting' to remain under hard circumstances rather than run from them, even when there is no promise or hope of a happy ending in this life. Those who consistently choose what's right over what's easy. That's a life of faith - not looking toward 'when will it be over' but looking at what can I do to just 'win the day' for God. Ready to start?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance MUST FINISH its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:3-4

Patience to Finish

Patience may be a slow driver, but she is sure of the destination. - Anon

Jesus may have said “the least in the kingdom is greater than John the Baptist”, but at least John was in the kingdom. Hmm!

They won the race and finished in World Record Time, and for many their record still stands. These folks did great feats in our eyes. We hold them in high esteem, even celebrate them. But in the race of life and faith in the eyes of God they are no better or greater than us. For with God the great ones are those who repent, follow Jesus, and finish the race. It doesn’t matter to God in what place you finish, it could be dead last. What matters is that you persevered and finished. The reward is a crown of life like everyone else before you and a heavenly reward. I’ll take that any day!

Until tomorrow

Pastor Botts

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness….” – II Timothy 4:7-8

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

Refreshing Rest

Work is not always required. There is such a thing as sacred idleness. – G. MacDonald

The Israelites were not allowed to plow or plant their fields every 7th year. They were to trust that God would provide. He did!

Though money is not required to buy one necessity of the soul, we often work like it is. The work week stretches from 40 to 50 or 60+ hours a week. We often look for extra hours or weekends to pad the paycheck. This is not necessarily bad, but it often interferes with or cuts time we could spend replenishing body, mind and spirit, particularly the time God set aside for us to visit His house. It’s important to remember that when God made us He made us human, not machines.

Until Monday…….

Pastor Botts

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from ALLHIS WORK.” – Genesis 2:2

P.S. - Hope you can make our Family/Friends Game Night tonight at 6:30pm.

Don't forget this Sunday's Devotional time at 9AM - we're looking at the book of Philemon.

Is it Over Yet?

Everything works out in the end. If it hasn’t worked out yet, it’s not the end. – Richard Murray

God gave Joseph a ‘dream.’ He gave David a ‘promise.’ He said there was ‘none’ like Job on the earth. They all had major issues in life, but God made the end result worth it. AMEN!

We’re all familiar with the cliché “it’s not over till it’s over.” Though a tiresome phrase, the truth and veracity of it are ever true. And this is refreshing news. It gives us great hope that God is not finished with us yet. The dreams He gave us, promises in His Word, or blessings He's ascribed are still available to us. Life may have us in a headlock at the moment, our vision may be somewhat blurred right now, or a relationship may have soured today, but it’s not the end, God’s purposes will be worked out in life. It’s not for us to know the when and the how, ours is just to wait and be faithful.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6

Prayer Power

Things begun in prayer usually end in power. – Anon

The early church prayed for power to speak the truth ‘boldly’ and caused an earthquake. WOW!

When you get right down to the nuts and bolts of what we do and how we do it, we all want and look for things to end well, with pizzazz, fireworks, crescendos, flair, or just plain ol’ great success. That’s just human nature. But the end result is often predicated on the start and follow through that we put into it. This is particularly true in the ways of God. There is nothing we should ever attempt to do for Him without consulting Him first, even when it comes to our daily living. And when He answers, whether big or small request; it’s not hard to see His hand in the process. But we must remember it is not titles, awards, past performance, or special recognition that guarantees such results, it is by prayer. Prayer accomplishes much and it is the ‘work’ of the faithful. The key to an effective prayer life is to value that which we know brings glory and honor to the Father.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” – Colossians 4:2