Letting God Cook

God gives his very best to those who leave the choice to him. – Anon

King Solomon asked only for wisdom to rule God’s people, and God ‘THREW IN’ everything else. Hmmm!

Often in our prayer lives rather than just opening up and sharing with God, trying to sense his heart, and listening for His response and directions, we wind up directing Him on what we want Him to do or who or what we need Him to bless. This is not necessarily bad prayer etiquette, for God loves when we actually do come to Him in prayer; but we must remember HE IS in charge here. The simple truth is God knows what’s best for us and wants to give His best to us, but we must give Him opportunity to do so in our lives. And as Augustine of Hippo said, “God gives where he finds empty, willing hands.”

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” – II Corinthians 9:8-9

Out of the Ordinary

Life is for one act only; improvisation is required! – Anon

Gideon and his 300 men defeated the Midianites without a sword among them. Just trumpets, empty jars, shouts, and of course – God. Hmm!

Complacency, conformity, and rigidity are too common in our lives. We love being where we are, who we are; and will fight anyone tooth and nail to keep things the way they are. We forget we serve a God who manifested Himself in many diverse ways. He’s the master of improvisation. He made even ‘devout’ folks like Elijah and Peter eat things they considered unclean, or go places they felt beneath them, just to bring glory to His name. So we, though confident in our faith; should never feel God won’t ‘stretch’ us in ways that require us to improvise. We need remember that though God loves us as we are, He’s making us into what He wants us to be, and that may require us being ‘bent out of shape’ by Him and for Him. Here’s hoping we’re all somewhat flexible.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….I can do everything through Him who gives me strength…” – Philippians 4:13

Living The Way

First say to yourself what you will be; then do what you have to do to be. – Epictetus

Joshua made his choice loud and clear to all who would listen “me and my house will be servants of the Lord” and backed it up. He was a blessed man. AMEN!

God has given us many assurances of who we are as his children (loved, accepted, redeemed, protected, chosen, lenders not borrowers, the head not the tail, etc.) and what we should be. The decision has always been up to us to live like it. Maybe, just maybe at this point in our life we need to give up on trying to find the ‘secret’ to life and accept THE WAY of life. It’s the only way we can then claim the heritage and promises God has already laid out for us. There is no magic to it, just an acceptance of who God is and what He’s already done. To be anywhere outside the will of God makes no sense at all, but the choice is all ours.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

Content in Our Lane

Envy shoots at others and wounds herself. - Anon

Haman’s ire and dislike for Mordecai was the beginning of his own downfall and eventual hanging. OUCH!

We don’t say it out loud, but often if we’re not careful we can be caught being envious or jealous of someone else. Many of our statements about others belie our true feelings. Their position in life, their possessions, their looks or even their personality, how we wish we were like them, even if it were just for a little while. But this type of thinking only stunts our own individual development and growth, and that in itself causes pain and sorrow, for if we are not growing we are dead. We must soon realize that we are who God needs us to be right now, and that He’s shaping us for who He will need us to be later. If we see the world and others through the eyes of God, then love; and not envy is the end result.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” – Proverbs 14:30

A Little Fellowship Pick Me Up

There’s only one thing more precious than our time and that’s who we spend it on. - L. Christopher

When the Prodigal Son returned home, can you imagine how the father's heart felt? Hmm!

You've probably seen it, possibly experienced it. One car connected to another by battery cables for a jump. Yeah, a jolt to get it started. When you meditate on this scene for a minute or two it shows the importance of fellowship. We all need a jump or jolt every now and then in our spiritual lives. Those times God may seem distant, or like He's not hearing our prayers, and the doubts keep multiplying in our heads. We need a jump to bring us back the reality that no matter the current situation, God is still good and He has not forgotten nor forsaken us. Fellowship with other believers helps recharge/revive our spirit and refocus our vision. So if you're in need of a jump, join the fellowship. And if you don't need a jump, join the fellowship for you may be just the one to give someone else that jolt!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." - Isaiah 40:29

The Happy State

There is no key to happiness, the door is always open. – Anon

Governor Festus thought all of Paul’s ‘learning’ made him a mad man. Paul was just happy to share the gospel, even while in chains. Hmm!

Blaring car horns, glaring facial scowls, grumpy greetings – it’s enough to make one think this world is full of mad, angry, unfulfilled people – and often its us, we’re the unhappy campers in the mix. Maybe that’s because we have the wrong idea or assumption. We often think happiness is tied to achieving certain stations in life or particular blessings. But in truth happiness is a state of mind or attitude we can willingly choose anytime, no matter what is going on around us or in our immediate lives. God’s Word does actually tell us to ‘rejoice in all situations’ which is an indication of the attitude we should have at all times. Maybe life would be much more bearable and enjoyable if we tried it God’s way.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God…” Ecclesiastes 2:26

Attitude of Faith

Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right. – Henry Ford

Jonathan thought he could overcome a garrison of soldiers, he was right. David thought he could defeat Goliath, he was right. Cain didn’t think he could please God, so he went out and proved himself right. Hmm!

Life happens to all of us, and it doesn’t wait around to see if we’re up to speed or feeling well, or putting our best foot forward, it just comes in waves. But it’s not that life comes at us fast or hard that dictates the circumstances of our lives, but how we respond to it. Attitude and faith are of primary importance to us in our Christian walk, and they go hand in hand. The determinant in every situation that arises will be our attitude, and that is something only we can control. Nothing is impossible, but with self it’s highly improbable. The key is to remember it’s not you but who lives within you.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

What a Friend We CAN Have In Jesus

Friendship consists in forgetting what one gives and remembering what one receives. - Alexandre Dumas

Can you imagine all the things Mary - the mother of Jesus - treasured in her heart? Hmm!

Grandma's hands! Grandpa's jokes! Mom/dad's voice! Coach barking out instructions! Amazingly, we can still 'feel' or 'hear' those voices loud and clear in our moments of reflection, and what joy and inspiration they bring. How much more so then, should we enjoy hearing from Our Lord. He said "my sheep hear my voice and a stranger they will not follow." Is the Word of God and voice of the Holy Spirit inviting and pleasing to us, or do we view them as an intrusion and killjoy to all we would want to do? Though God is God and our ultimate judge, He would rather walk and talk with us daily in relationship as a friend. And maybe, out of all the friends we have, we might consider moving Him up on the list. Amen!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend..." - Exodus 33:11

Flex As Necessary

Life is for one act only; improvisation is required! – Anon

Gideon and his 300 men defeated the Midianites without a sword among them. Just trumpets, empty jars, shouts, and of course – God. Hmm!

Complacency, conformity, and rigidity are too common in our lives. We love being where we are, who we are; and will fight anyone tooth and nail to keep things the way they are. We forget we serve a God who manifested Himself in many diverse ways. He’s the master of improvisation. He made even ‘devout’ folks like Elijah and Peter eat things they considered unclean, or go places they felt beneath them, just to bring glory to His name. So we, though confident in our faith; should never feel God won’t ‘stretch’ us in ways that require us to improvise. We need remember that though God loves us as we are, He’s making us into what He wants us to be, and that may require us being ‘bent out of shape’ by Him and for Him. Here’s hoping we’re all somewhat flexible.

I'll be taking a few days off.....so until next week…

Pastor Botts

“….I can do everything through Him who gives me strength…” – Philippians 4:13

God At Work Through Us

Without God I can’t, but without me God won’t. – Augustine

God promised the Israelites a land ‘flowing with milk and honey.’ They still had to rely on Him and ‘take it’ by force. They DID!

Though we live in a day and time 2000+ years removed from when Jesus actually walked the earth, He is still present with ‘skin on’ today. When we do the good works God prepared for us to do are we not Jesus with skin on? Did not Jesus do all the things His Father asked of him? YES! We can look at the condition of society, the heartache and pains of others and cry out to God in prayer, demanding He 'do something,' and His answer will always be “I sent you!” God is always at His work doing great things in little ways. He’s looking for hands, feet, voices, and hearts that will allow Jesus to fill them and continue the work. Are you in or out?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

Keep At It!

You just can't beat the person who never gives up. - Babe Ruth

Through many conflicts, persecutions, and even imprisonment Paul never quit proclaiming Jesus. Amen!

The Grand Canyon. Without question it is one of nature's greatest miracles to behold. In trying to describe it, someone once said "the Colorado River has shown what can be done just by 'keeping at it.' It was the constant flow of that river that carved such a masterpiece." Are you 'keeping at it?' We must realize our lives are not a sprint, relay, nor a lap or two around the track, but a marathon to be run with perseverance. The greatest thing that can be said of any of us after we've gone on to glory, is not the achievements or awards we collected, nor the great discoveries we may have made, but the fact that we 'plodded on' or kept at it no matter what. None of us know where our race will take us, how many hills, valleys, deserts, or mountains we'll have to endure even in sickness or dire circumstances, but hopefully they will be able to say, he/she was a 'plodder', they never gave up, even when it seems they were beat, they kept at it. That's a life Jesus will one day call "good and faithful servant...."

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain." - I Corinthians 15:58

P.S. - I'm still looking for volunteers to facilitate our Wednesday Night Studies for September beginning with this week. Let me know ASAP.

If There Is A Problem, YO! Go Solve It!

The best way to escape from your problem is to solve it. – R. Anthony

The Prodigal Son got remedy to his problem by admitting his error and going back home. Hmm!

When it comes to problems most of us have mastered the art of procrastination, sweeping them under the rug, or just wishing they would go away – they don’t. Life’s circumstances come upon us to sharpen and refine us in our character. The longer we try to hide from them, put them off, or try to get someone else to take them off our hands, the longer we live in torment and actually slow our growth. God alone knows what each one of us can bear and He alone knows what circumstances to bring upon each one of us for the desired growth He has in mind. So as you face the issues of the day, whether in sickness or in health; remember the best way to escape is to go through it.

Until Monday………

Pastor Botts

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

Opportunities to Grow

What we call adversity, God gives as opportunity. – Anon

Jesus once asked Philip if they had enough to ‘feed’ all the people. Philip begrudgingly calculated how much it would cost them. It wasn’t about money but faith.

Rise AND shine, hope AND pray, rejoice in ALL circumstances. Sometimes admittedly we seem to do okay on the front end, but not the other. We wonder why do we have to be cordial, why should I pray one more time or why should I be happy this is happening to me. It is then we need to take off our ‘glasses’ and put away our ‘thoughts’ and seek what God is trying to work out in our lives. He never wastes an opportunity for us to grow into maturity, for in so doing we give Him even greater glory. So today is the day, may we not miss the opportunities.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” – James 5:11

Kneel in Strength

When life gives you more than you can stand.......KNEEL!- Anon

David, Paul. Just a couple of men with great burdens like us who were often found kneeling. Hmm!

Subjection, oppression, weakness. In our cultural way of thinking all of these words indicate a position of vulnerability, inadequacy, the inability to measure up and we tie them with kneeling before another. But not so with God. His way of thinking is far from ours. To kneel doesn't indicate any of this. When we kneel before Him, He sees it as our plea for help, restoration, supplication in life in all matters that are really too great for us to go alone. We have to remember that after all God gave us 'flexibility' in our legs for more than just walking or running.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." - Psalm 95:6

Asking

God gives his very best to those who leave the choice to him. – Anon

King Solomon asked only for wisdom to rule God’s people, and God ‘THREW IN’ everything else. Hmmm!

Often in our prayer lives rather than just opening up and sharing with God, trying to sense his heart, and listening for His response and directions, we wind up directing Him on what we want Him to do or who or what we need Him to bless. This is not necessarily bad prayer etiquette, for God loves when we actually do come to Him in prayer; but we must remember HE IS in charge here. The simple truth is God knows what’s best for us and wants to give His best to us, but we must give Him opportunity to do so in our lives. And as Augustine of Hippo said, “God gives where he finds empty, willing hands.”

Until Monday...…

Pastor Botts

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” – II Corinthians 9:8-9

P.S. - Hope you can make it tonight at 5:30 for our Good Friday Services and Movie Night.