The Challenge of Godly Faith

Living by faith is never convenient! – Anon

The Good Samaritan just somehow knew he should do something. Hmm!

We like safe! We like tidy! We like comfort! And admittedly these are all good things to pursue in life, for no one really likes those who live with reckless abandon, nor seem to care for themselves or others. To walk and live by faith doesn’t call us to live with reckless abandon, but it does put us on notice that a convenient tidy life that is “all about me” is no longer appropriate. Godly faith challenges us to go beyond the norms we’ve set for ourselves. To consider others, to assist, care for, help others in their time of need, not necessarily ‘our time’ of convenience or when it’s not taxing us. Godly faith requires us to think like and let Jesus live through us to love, touch, embrace, edify, encourage, and respect others as the person God made them to be. Yes, actually to live by faith is to let Jesus – the one who died for us – live through us.

I will be taking some time off, so until I return this keyboard will be silent.

Blessings…

Pastor Botts

“Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, a stranger, or naked, or in prison {and minister to you?} The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:37-40

Godly Therapy

At times, you need a therapist much more than you need a theologian. - LeCrae

In Old Testament times the kings had prophets, priests, and ADVISERS to serve them. Hmm!

Have you ever thought about your 'circle of influence?' Those who can speak into your life and those whose life you can speak into! There's a reason why God put certain people in our lives. Many times He speaks through them. Just as our parents were the voice of reason when we were kids growing up, though we may not be under their tutelage anymore; we still need reliable, God-fearing people in our lives to help us make sense of things at times. And at times that may include a licensed clinician/therapist. To be able to confide in someone trustworthy and non-judgmental, is a necessity for everyone of us, for life often throws things at us that don't neatly fit into the 'doctrinal' box. If we take a step back and look at the life of Jesus we can see that's pretty much who He was, an approachable friend. He was much more a 'Godly' therapist who 'touched' the lives of folks more so than a hard preaching theologian. It's why they were often amazed at His sayings. May you have/and or be a good 'therapist.' Amen!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....Therefore confess your faults to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16

What's On Your Mind?

I refuse to let any one walk through my mind with dirty feet! - Gandhi

There was a reason Jesus told us to be 'wise as serpents but harmless as doves' - SATAN. Hmm!

It's called sub-liminal advertising. The subtle art of placing items/ideas/visions in our psyche without us being aware, to manipulate our actions, decisions, and desires. Advertisers do it all the time, it's how they sell. We often forget our enemy is the greatest 'Adman' of all time, and lives by and in subtlety. He will not cease to use every tool at his disposal (music, video, art, recreation, etc.). When done properly and enough times it gets us to the point of belief that to see or hear these things in everyday life is just 'keeping it real', that life is just like that. NO, life is not a lot of anger, hatred, swearing, and over sexualized content, at least not according to God's Word. The bible paints a clear picture of what a godly person dwells on in (Psalm 1). Also Paul tells us in Philippians 4 the kinds of things we ought to think on in our daily lives. If you want to 'guard' your heart the bible is a great way to do so.


Until tomorrow......


Pastor Botts


"How can a young person keep their ways pure? By living according to your word." - Psalm 119:9

Practiced Prayer Principles

Prayer does not need proof, only practice. - Sparks

Jesus chided the Jewish crowd that had gathered because they sought a sign or miracle from him before they would believe. None was given!

We love to see, touch, and feel results, and we often want great signs and wonders done before we will truly commit ourselves to something. But prayer is one of the greatest gifts to us from God, and often it is seldom used by us to commune with God. We want blessings, and the kind we can see, but God loves the art of conversation. True, answered prayer is one of the sweetest touches from God we can receive, but the proof of prayer is not so much in the answer it brings, but in the life of the individual it changes. And this change can only come by sustained, disciplined, heartfelt petitioning. May our vocabulary in this area be greatly expanded!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.” – Psalm 32:6

On Display

People will look at your example long before they listen to your advice. – Anon

When Moses tried to advise a Hebrew slave that it was wrong to hit his fellowman, he was reminded he ‘secretly’ killed an Egyptian. Hmm!

In his book 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' Carnegie states "people are drawn by example". The thing to remember is people will see what we do long before they hear what we say. The things we do tell all the world who we really are, and there is not a moment when you are not being who you are. Though we may not be aware of it our every action is being watched and observed, whether by strangers, family, or those we’re dealing with at the moment. So whether we’re cursing or caressing, someone is watching our example. The question is are we giving them ‘godly’ advice.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” – I Corinthians 11:1

Godly Direction

My great concern is not whether God is on my side; my great concern is to be on God’s side. – Abraham Lincoln

Even though David knew God was for him, he always sought God’s direction before his battles. Hmm!

History (which is God’s story) is written by God through the activity of those he chooses to work through. But oftentimes, we are so busy trying to bring God into our activity that we fail to recognize Him at work all around us. He seeks to redirect our attention so that we may join HIM – not the other way around – but we tend to be very self-centered, evaluating everything by how it affects or impacts only us. We must remember: the servant never sets the agenda – the MASTER does. If we are confused in life’s decisions maybe we need to revisit our role.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Jesus answered: ‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself, he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.’” – John 5:19