Getting Strong Now

To be physically fit, one has to actually get ‘physical.’ - Anon

David was a valiant warrior because he trained himself to be one, just ask Saul. OUCH!

Whether we want to believe it or not, this great God we serve has a plan for every aspect of our lives, and that actually includes provisions for our physical well-being. True, most of us work hard at work, but we seldom work hard on our health. But God expects us to do so “bodily exercise is of value.” (I Tim. 4:8). Our culture and society is one where leisure is glorified and mass consumption is worshiped. But God did not create us to live lives of gluttony or laziness. He created us to do far greater things. The truth is the more we exercise and learn to say ‘no’ to those times of temptation to just skip it or give in, the stronger we also grow in our battle to resist the enemy in his other deceptive tactics upon our lives, and in both cases we become better fit to serve.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….so, whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God…” – I Corinthians 10:31

Round and Round We Go

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten! - Anon

In the book of Judges the Israelites over and over and over “did evil in the sight of God,” and over and over and over He gave them “over to their enemies.” Hmm!

It’s been said insanity is doing the exact same thing over and over and each time expecting different results. Just because “we’ve always done it this way,” doesn’t necessarily make it right, nor mean it has to continue that way. God doesn’t want our rituals or legalism, but our hearts; for that is where transformation takes place. If we are still today spiritually where we were 2-3 years ago, maybe we need to consider a slight change in our habits. Look for God to be doing a ‘new thing’ in your life today.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

Check Your Path

If you keep heading in the same direction, you are likely to get where you are headed. – Rick Rusaw

The Israelites were in constant rebellion toward God’s leadings. If memory serves correctly, they were in constant bondage as well. Hmmm!

Maps are great tools to assist us in getting to our point of destination. Follow the map route and you’re assured of reaching your end point. God gave us a map – The Bible – that we might get to know Him and make it to heaven. It too, has very specific directions but with two destinations. God is EXACT in His directions, and there is only one way to our heavenly home - JESUS. If sin is “heading” our lives, now is the time to very seriously stop and take a look at the path we are on and make any necessary course corrections. And though we may feel okay with our current relationship with God, remember He does not like “lukewarmness” either.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14

What God Never Forgets

It's easier to get older than it is to get wiser. - Anon

Thank goodness David was a man 'after God's own heart' for he sure seemed to forget God's ways at times. Hmm!

It happens to all of us. We see a familiar face approach us, begin a conversation; and for the life of us we can't recall their name. We wreck our minds and come up empty. Or we walk from one room to the next and forget what we were going after. Or in our normal day to day busy living we forget and a special birthday, occasion, or appointment may slip by us. Some days we forget where we put the car keys, other days we forget where we parked the car. It's all part of being HUMAN! The bible is full of forgetful folks. The nation of Israel forgot God had delivered them and turned back to worshipping idols. Peter forgot Jesus' words and denied Him three times that very night. And often we are guilty of forgetting God's goodness in our lives and His promises to us. The good news though is that God NEVER forgets us nor forsakes us. And for that we should say Hallelujah!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne. Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands...." Isaiah 49:15-16

Change For the Better

Our reward is what we become, not what we get. – Anon

Paul considered becoming more ‘like Christ’ far greater than anything else he had done in his life. Hmm!

We live in a saturated society of more, more, more. We’re told to chase the ‘American Dream,' to follow 'the money'. We’re told 'newer is always better, older is passé'. We learn to measure others by what they possess, where they live, what they do. It should be easy for us to see that our buy-in to such thinking does nothing but keep us on a treadmill trying to reach the next plateau. And until we realize that life is much more about significance (making an impact on other’s lives) than success (gathering trophies and trinkets), we will never be satisfied. God is about changing our character and heart in preparing us for heaven. The hardest part is ours, realizing we do need to be changed, and asking God for help. He’s the Master at making masterpieces, and He thinks we’re worth the change. Welcome to the New Year.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“[And Jesus said]: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” – Matthew 18:3

Master Craftsmen

Amazing. The more often I try something, the better I get at it! - G. Richards

Nehemiah, the more he prayed, the more he had need to pray. Amen!

When you hear titles like 'Virtuoso,' 'Master Craftsman,' 'Expert,' etc., you tend to think of individuals who are very, very good at what they do. They've mastered their craft or skill through hours and hours and hours of repetition and testing. The same dynamic holds true for us as well. We can and do become proficient at anything we do often enough, and with continued practice/application become highly skilled or a master. But here is the caveat - when we don't practice the things that make us strong and help us to grow in our faith, we are actually in fact practicing the things that will turn us away from God. We either practice righteousness or unrighteousness - there is no in-between or sitting still. We're often tempted not to do something for God for we fear we will do a poor job. That's just the enemy getting in our head. We need to remember every giant in the faith before us started out just as us, but just kept on being faithful. Remember we're responsible for the work, the increase is up to God.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters." - Matthew 12:30

The Power of a Good Rest

Blessed are the balanced; they shall outlast everyone. – Rick Warren

Though he was always extremely busy; Jesus was never stressed or ‘out of sorts.’ His secret: balanced living. AMEN!

One of the events of the Olympics is the decathlon. It is composed of ten events that will tax every physical ability of the athlete. The goal is to do well or succeed in every event, not just three or four. The good thing is however, the events are spread out over several days. Life itself at times seems like a decathlon with all the events happening at once. If we try to survive in this mode we will truly get stressed and burn out. We must learn to make the most efficient use of our time and resources to aid us in our daily trek. Sometimes the best resource available is to just get away (Jesus often withdrew to lonely places…). We can never underestimate the power of a good rest, after all, even God took a rest after the creation. It helps with the balancing of life. Maybe we should try it!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“[Jesus said to them] ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” – Mark 6:31-32

 

Give and Forgive

Some people give and forgive, others get and forget. - Richard Murray

God spared David's life from Saul and gave him the kingdom of Israel and Judah, but as soon as David laid eyes on Bathsheba, he forgot all about God. Hmm!

Here's a quick quiz. Look at your surroundings - are you "great-full" or grateful? The God we serve has said repeatedly He is willing to give us all good things "no good thing will He withhold from His children.' It's ironic that we, being made in the image of God; wherein we possess His character traits, seem to have more a desire to get than to give. God is not against the 'abundant' life, but the abundance He speaks of is in joyful relationships, not things. Relationship with Him and with those He places in our lives - those we would be willing to share our lives with. It's virtually impossible to love someone and not be willing to forgive them a trespass. The good thing is that in spite of what David did, God still forgave him. Our challenge today is to be more like our Heavenly Father.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.'" - Acts 20:35

The Best at What We Do

Amazing. The more often I try something, the better I get at it! - G. Richards

Nehemiah, the more he prayed, the more he had need to pray. Amen!

When you hear titles like 'Virtuoso,' 'Master Craftsman,' 'Expert,' etc., you tend to think of individuals who are very, very good at what they do. They've mastered their craft or skill through hours and hours and hours of repetition and testing. The same dynamic holds true for us as well. We can and do become proficient at anything we do often enough, and with continued practice/application become highly skilled or a master. But here is the caveat - when we don't practice the things that make us strong and help us to grow in our faith, we are actually in fact practicing the things that will turn us away from God. We either practice righteousness or unrighteousness - there is no in between or sitting still. We're often tempted not to do something for God for we fear we will do a poor job. That's just the enemy getting in our head. We need to remember every giant in the faith before us started out just as us, but just kept on being faithful. Remember we're responsible for the work, the increase is up to God.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters." - Matthew 12:30

Change IS the Reward

Our reward is what we become, not what we get. – Richard Murray

Abraham became a ‘friend’ of God, Moses became ‘God’s man’ and neither of them made it to the Promised Land God spoke of. Hmm!

All to often in our prayer lives we go to God asking Him to give, grant, supply, or meet our needs – which are mostly physical – and rarely do we thank Him for what He is making of us. All of us can look back and see the changes God has made in us and for this we should be profusely thankful. The idea of getting things is great, but just like a new toy when the novelty wears off, we’re back to asking for more. Life is not so much about getting as it is becoming, and that becoming or manifesting all of what God made us for. So if there is no getting today, just give thanks for what God is making of you.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” – John 15:1-2

What Road Are You On?

If we keep heading in the same direction, we are likely to get where we are headed. – Rick Rusaw

The Israelites were in constant rebellion toward God’s leadings. If memory serves correctly, they were in constant bondage as well. Hmmm!

Maps are great tools to assist us in getting to our point of destination. Follow the map route and you’re assured of reaching your end point. God gave us a map – The Bible – that we might get to know Him and make it to heaven. It too, has very specific directions but with two destinations. God is EXACT in His directions, and there is no “wiggle room.” If sin is “heading” our lives, now is the time to very seriously stop and take a look at the path we are on and make any necessary course corrections. And though we may feel okay with our current relationship with God, remember He does not like “lukewarmness” either.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14

What's on Deposit?

Each day we make deposits into the memory banks of others. – Charles Swindoll

Though deceased, Jonathan’s past friendship with young David, earned his son Mephibosheth a place at the King’s table. Hmm!

Banks deal in one commodity – MONEY. They take it in (deposits) and pay it out (withdrawals). But it’s all they deal in. You can’t go there and buy groceries, gas, etc., only monetary transactions. And just as you can’t get blood from a turnip, generally speaking people only pay back in currency what they received from the individual making the withdrawal. If we’ve been mean, hostile, selfish, and abusive to them we get it in return. Therefore if we don’t like what others are giving back to us then we should begin to think about the words, deeds, and pictures we’ve deposited into them. If we know we’ll need a healthy withdrawal later now is the time to begin making the deposits, and like any good investment portfolio it’s always good to spread your wealth around.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” – John 15:8.

Realize the Need for Change

Our reward is what we become, not what we get. – Anon

Paul considered becoming more ‘like Christ’ far greater than anything else he had done in his life. Hmm!

We live in a saturated society of more, more, more. We’re told to chase the ‘American Dream,' to follow 'the money.' We’re told newer is always better, older is passé. We learn to measure others by what they possess, where they live, what they do. It should be easy for us to see that our buy-in to such thinking does nothing but keep us on a treadmill trying to reach the next plateau. And until we realize that life is much more about significance (making an impact on other’s lives) than success (gathering trophies and trinkets), we will never be satisfied. God is about changing our character and heart in preparing us for heaven. The hardest part is ours in realizing we do need to be changed, and asking God for help. He’s the Master at making masterpieces, and He thinks we’re worth the change.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“[And Jesus said]: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” – Matthew 18:3

More than one type

You cannot get out of prison if you don’t know you’re in one. – P. Drucker

It took him a while, but the Prodigal Son finally realized he had the only key to set himself aright again. Hmm!

Because we are generally sight oriented individuals many of us know a jail or prison when we see one, having seen many in books and on screen. But such environments really only limit an individuals movement. There are far greater prisons that even in freedom hinder our growth, happiness, and joy. Many of us live lives controlled by debt, remain in relationships that are unhealthy, or stay chained to habits that destroy or bankrupt us physically and/or morally, often going to great lengths to convince ourselves this is the way it should be. These are prisons. However, Jesus promised us an ‘abundant life’ this side of heaven. Not so much on prosperity, but a life to fully be all God meant us to be. The decision to change our circumstances has always resided with us. The question to answer truthfully is "do they need changing?”

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32

P.S. - Reminder: Clean-up day tomorrow beginning at 7:30AM.

Also, due to work going on in the Sanctuary, Sunday services will be held in Parmes Hall.

What's for us

Faith will not always get us what we want, but it will get us what God wants us to have. – Sparks

Paul cried out in faith to God several times to have his ‘thorn in the flesh’ removed. God gave him humility instead. Amen!

True, the bible says with a little faith you could move mountains, and true the bible says if you ask, believing, you shall receive it. But often we overlook the fact that what we ask for is ALWAYS subject to God’s will and purpose for our lives. If God gave us everything we wanted, He would be a puppet on a string or heavenly vending machine. God grants to us what we need and often supplies our wants within reason for His glory. The sad part is often we just don’t see it because it doesn’t come the way we expect it. God will be granting us all something special today. Don’t miss it!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” – Isaiah 30:18

Not The Same Ol

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten! - Anon

In the book of Judges the Israelites over and over and over “did evil in the sight of God,” and over and over and over He gave them “over to their enemies.” Hmm!

It’s been said insanity is doing the exact same thing over and over and each time expecting different results. Just because “we’ve always done it this way,” doesn’t necessarily make it right, nor mean it has to continue that way. God doesn’t want our rituals or legalism, but our hearts; for that is where transformation takes place. If we are still today spiritually where we were 2-3 years ago, maybe we need to consider a slight change in our habits. Look for God to be doing a ‘new thing’ in your life today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

P.S. - Please lift up Virginia Fox in prayer. Her eldest daughter passed away last night.

Alllll of a Sudden

A ready person never needs to get ready. - Oswald Chambers

Thomas with his doubts and the other disciples were in the house when Jesus just 'showed up.' WOW!

We rarely worry about people who predict they know when Jesus will return to the earth. So many have tried and failed, besides the bible says 'no one knows the day or the hour.' But there is a phrase we use to describe a completely unexpected event or action that occurs. We say "all of a sudden,,,." But here's a twist, Jesus said His return will be 'all of a sudden', and yet most of us aren't prepared. The certainty of His coming is sure, the exact time though is uncertain, but it will be 'all of a sudden.' Here it is today and 'all of a sudden' we're a day older, but are we any closer to the Lord? In closing out the book of Revelation Jesus proclaimed "Yes, I am coming soon", and John added "Amen, come Lord Jesus!" Are we ready to make that statement as well. For it could happen 'all of a sudden!'

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"...For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." - Matthew 24:27

Be A Giver

Some people give and forgive, others get and forget. - R. Murray

God spared David's life from Saul and gave him the kingdom of Israel and Judah, but as soon as David laid eyes on Bathsheba he forgot all about God. Hmm!

Here's a quick quiz. Look at your surroundings - are you greatful or grateful? The God we serve has said repeatedly He is willing to give us all good things "no good thing will He withhold from His children.' It's ironic that we, being made in the image of God; wherein we possess His character traits, seem to have more a desire to get than to give. God is not against the 'abundant' life, but the abundance He speaks of is in joyful relationships, not things. Relationship with Him and with those He places in our lives - those we would be willing to share our lives with. It's virtually impossible to love someone and not be willing to forgive them a trespass. The good thing is that in spite of what David did, God still forgave him. Our challenge today is to be more like our Heavenly Father.

Until Monday.....

Pastor Botts

"Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.'" - Acts 20:35

Practicing for What

Amazing. The more often I try something, the better I get at it! - G. Richards

Nehemiah, the more he prayed, the more he had need to pray. Amen!

When you hear titles like 'Virtuoso,' 'Master Craftsman,' 'Expert,' etc., you tend to think of individuals who are very, very good at what they do. They've mastered their craft or skill through hours and hours and hours of repetition and testing. The same dynamic holds true for us as well. We can and do become proficient at anything we do often enough, and with continued practice/application become highly skilled or a master. But here is the caveat - when we don't practice the things that make us strong and help us to grow in our faith, we are actually in fact practicing the things that will turn us away from God. We either practice righteousness or unrighteousness - there is no in between or sitting still. We're often tempted not to do something for God for we fear we will do a poor job. That's just the enemy getting in our head. We need to remember every giant in the faith before us started out just as us, but just kept on being faithful. Remember we're responsible for the work, the increase is up to God.

Until Monday......

Pastor Botts

"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters." - Matthew 12:30

You get out what you put in

It takes as much stress to be a success as it does to be a failure. – E. Trujillo

After meeting Jesus, the apostle Paul worked just as hard or harder to build up the church as he did beforehand when he tried to destroy it. Hmm!

There is a common saying that “you get out of life what you put into it.” The thought behind it being that you get to determine how far you want to go in life. The common denominator in life is not intelligence, money, race, or chance; its effort and discipline. And no matter one’ s station in life it takes effort and discipline to maintain it. No one fails because they have to, it’s generally because they were not willing to do all necessary to have success. God grants us all we need for an abundant life here and offers us second and third chances that we may be overcomers. The question is what’s holding you back?

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” – Galatians 6:7