Bitter to Better

The fruit of the Spirit does not include sour grapes. – S. Stone

When Martha complained about the ‘lack of support’ from Mary in preparing dinner, Jesus reminded her who chose what! Hmm!

One of the first things you learn in your faith walk is ‘it is not about you,’ it’s about God. With a good understanding of that we should get along just fine, knowing that things are not going to go the way we want them to all the time, they’ll go the way God wants them to. Now generally, when you know what’s coming, even if it’s not what you would have wanted; you don’t get upset or bent out of shape. But with us it’s sometimes amazing how we go on griping and complaining about the troubles in our life when the one we live for told us we would have them, "in this world you will have troubles". The idea is not to become bitter by our trials but better by them. To gripe and complain is like adding more fuel to an existing fire. Sour grapes will only ruin the rest of the fruit.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another…” – Ephesians 4:30-32

Uniquely Loved

The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent upon it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do. – Galileo

When Jesus spoke he not only calmed the sea, he astonished each man there with him. WOW!

This is an amazing feature of God’s nature – yes He is running the universe, keeping the moon and the stars aligned, keeping nature balanced, making sure day follows night, etc – but in addition to all of that God loves each one of us as if we were the only one that matters. We were each uniquely made that He might love us each in our own unique way, and no matter what else goes on in the world God is always there for each one of us ALL THE TIME! And beyond this he still longs to be closer to each of us still. Yes God has time and eternity on His hands for us, the question is do we have time for Him.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem….how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” – Matthew 23:37

SORRY: Yesterday's scripture reference should have been Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25. I had the verses backwards.

There For You

The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent upon it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do. – Galileo

When Jesus spoke he not only calmed the sea, he astonished each man there with him. WOW!

This is an amazing feature of God’s nature – yes He is running the universe, keeping the moon and the stars aligned, keeping nature balanced, making sure day follows night, etc – but in addition to all of that God loves each one of us as if we were the only one that matters. We were each uniquely made that He might love us each in our own unique way, and no matter what else goes on in the world God is always there for each one of us ALL THE TIME! And beyond this he still longs to be closer to each of us still. Yes God has time and eternity on His hands for us, the question is do we have time for Him.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem….how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” – Matthew 23:37