Being Thankful for Mercies Extended

Every mercy we receive from God should obligate us to walk closer to Him. - M. Henry

In his prayer, the tax collector desired nothing of God except His mercy. AMEN!

We serve a God who is gracious by nature. He says "ask and it shall be given you." He bestows blessing upon blessing upon blessing on us and in our lives, and by nature most of us are thankful for His benevolence. YES, asked blessings we take note of , but we seldom reflect on His mercies and favor. At our best, we're imperfect, self-centered beings putting ourselves on God's throne, making it all about us. He has the right to be offended, but yet He shows great patience. It's true, grace has saved us, but His mercies sustain us, otherwise we would be 'consumed' by His wrath and life would be unbearable. As we enter today with its situations, as mercy is extended, be thankful and let it pass to others.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy.....He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities." - Psalm 103:8,10

Better Left Unsaid

Dignity is the capacity to hold back on the tongue what never should have been in the mind in the first place. – Anon

When Jesus was being scourged for our sins the bible says he “never said a mumbling word.” Such a loud, grand, and dignified response. Amen!

There is an old cliché which states: ‘Please engage your brain before putting your mouth in gear,’ meaning we need to stop and think before we speak. As children of God we need to seriously consider this truth. Often, we speak too quickly and sometimes harshly, when it would be best to remain silent and prayerful. God is not against us being instructional or critical in our speaking, as long as it's done in an encouraging and engaging manner. But we must also know that no matter the case 'as above with Christ' sometimes some things are often left better unsaid and unthought. I pray you much success today!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.” – Proverbs 22:11

One Day We'll Have to Cross That Bridge

The man who refuses to show mercy destroys the bridge over which he himself must cross. – C. Moody

After being forgiven a great sum, the ungrateful servant tried to choke the little he was owed from a friend. That little act only cost him everything. Wow!

We have a common saying, “what goes around, comes around,” and it’s true. The bible puts like this, “a man reaps what he sows.” In either case the intent is very clear – we will get back in kind what we pay out. As children of God who need his mercy EVERYDAY, we should extend it in like manner to others EVERYDAY. Our claims that many who cross us are undeserving of such mercy should be measured by our own standing before God. Again, God leaves the choice up to us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy.” – Psalm 103:8

Blessed At Any Age

Don’t ever regret growing older. It’s a privilege denied to many. – Anon

Methuselah lived 969 years, but I’m sure he would have taken one more day had God offered it. Hmm!

It is said that ‘age is mind over matter,’ - if you don’t mind, it really doesn’t matter. There is a lot of truth in this way of thinking. Oftentimes people get caught up in the idea aging or growing older, not wanting anyone to know their age or so forth. But not one of us had anything to do with our being here, it was God and our parents, so timing was not up to us. And God has been very gracious to allow us to remain here while others have gone. So we should celebrate each day and give glory to Him, aches, pain, troubles and all, for the alternative is not too pretty.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout….It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Luke 2:25-26

Not a Mumbling Word

Dignity is the capacity to hold back on the tongue what never should have been in the mind in the first place. – Anon

When Jesus was being scourged for our sins the bible says he “never said a mumbling word.” Such a loud, grand, and dignified response. Amen!

There is an old cliché which states: ‘Please engage your brain before putting your mouth in gear,’ meaning we need to stop and think before we speak. As children of God we need to seriously consider this truth. Often we speak too quickly and sometimes harshly, when it would be best to remain silent and prayerful. God is not against us being instructional or critical in our speaking, as long as it's done in an encouraging and engaging manner. But we must also know that no matter the case 'as above with Christ' sometimes some things are often left better unsaid and unthought. I pray you much success today!

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.” – Proverbs 22:11 

Live On and Live Well

Death leaves a heartache only God can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. - Anon

The prophetess Anna lost her husband after only 7 years of marriage, but had God for a lifetime thereafter. WOW!

It happens all around us everyday - DEATH! But when it hits in our personal space and our loved ones, it's especially hard and painful at times to go on. But go on we must for God is at His work still, filling the void and reshaping our life, taking away the bitter sting and making the warm memories more vivid. So as we grieve, it's not overwhelming or as if we have no hope, we trust in the promise of the One who conquered it for us. So though today is 1 more day in life without them, we rejoice because it is also 1 day closer to that great re-union with Jesus and our loved ones. So live on and live well.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate." - Psalm 111:4

In the Meantime, Praise!

Until God opens the next door - praise Him in the hallway! - Anon

Even while in exile hoping to return home Daniel still sought God at least 3 times a day. WOW!

Waiting, Ugh! No one likes it. We all seem to have better things to do with our time. People to see, places to go, money to make.... REALLY? Waiting is a reality of life, it teaches us patience, endurance, and dependency -we can't do it alone. And the trick to make it not seem unbearable is to find something enjoyable to do to pass the time. Truthfully, there is nothing more enjoyable and rewarding than praising God. No matter that it may appear our life is standing still and God seems not to be in a hurry, praise Him. Just like 'whistling while you work' seems to make the job easier and the time fly, praise seems to bring God closer and answers quicker. So if you're waiting on God what have you got to lose by giving a little praise? It couldn't hurt!

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

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

Sweet Mercy

Every mercy we receive from God should obligate us to walk closer to Him. - M. Henry

In his prayer, the tax collector desired nothing of God except His mercy. AMEN!

We serve a God who is gracious by nature. He says "ask and it shall be given you." He bestows blessing upon blessing upon blessing on us and in our lives, and by nature most of us are thankful for His benevolence. YES, asked blessings we take note of , but we seldom reflect on His mercies and favor. At our best, we're imperfect, self-centered beings putting ourselves on God's throne, making it all about us. He has the right to be offended, but yet He shows great patience. It's true, grace has saved us, but His mercies sustain us, otherwise we would be 'consumed' by His wrath and life would be unbearable. As we enter today with its situations, as mercy is extended, be thankful and let it pass to others.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy.....He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities." - Psalm 103:8,10

Hold your Tongue

Dignity is the capacity to hold back on the tongue what never should have been in the mind in the first place. – Anon

When Jesus was being scourged for our sins the bible says he “never said a mumbling word.” Such a loud, grand, and dignified response. Amen!

There is an old cliché which states: ‘Please engage your brain before putting your mouth in gear,’ meaning we need to stop and think before we speak. As children of God we need to seriously consider this truth. Often we speak too quickly and sometimes harshly, when it would be best to remain silent and prayerful. God is not against us being instructional or critical in our speaking, as long as it's done in an encouraging and engaging manner. But we must also know that no matter the case 'as above with Christ' sometimes some things are often left better unsaid. I pray you much success today!

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.” – Proverbs 22:11

Attitude of Grattitude

Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to remember past mercies. – C. Jefferson

The publican in his prayer request. Paul in his letter to Timothy. They both understood “it” – Grace!

Did you ever stop to wonder why God gave us the ability to remember things? I think the main reason is so that we would never forget what He’s already done for us. It’s true, were we to actually stop for a minute and try remembering our past blessings, we would truly realize how gracious and merciful God has been to us; which in turn should make us the most gracious and merciful people on earth. The question of the day is are you humbly grateful or grumbly hateful? Gratitude is a great attitude. Happy Thanksgiving!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” – Psalm 103:1-5