God of the Impossible

God doesn’t give us what we can handle, He helps us handle what we are given. – Anon

At the Red Sea crossing when Moses cried out, God replied “what’s that in your hand?” It worked a miracle. WOW!

Impossible! By definition it means it cannot be done, achieved, overcome, or changed. In life, there are situations we seem to face day after day and twice on Sundays. Maybe you’re there right now…looking at an impossible situation. In truth, it’s just a mindset that must be overcome. The enemy wants to keep us looking at it that way – impossible. But our Lord has given us the weapon to overcome and change things – FAITH! With faith in God all things are possible. No matter what it is. God has a way of adjusting our attitudes and understanding of things to make it possible, and if necessary even change the actual situation to give us victory. It all depends on the amount of faith we’re willing to live by. Today may be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be impossible.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….Is anything too hard for the Lord?” – Genesis 18:14

Trust and Remain Faithful

I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish HE wouldn’t trust me so much. – Mother Teresa

Moses didn’t think he could go and face Pharaoh to free the Israelites. God had to remind him “I’m going with you.” WOW!

In God’s eyes we are SOMEBODY! We’re HIS. But if we’re not careful we will find ourselves lamenting (complaining) over the things going on in our life, as if they will soon overwhelm us, and they will if we try and go it all alone. God has placed us in the particular situations we’re in because He believes we are the best available for the task He wants to work ‘through us.’ He’s trusting we will be available and willing, and He will equip us with the strength, wisdom, or other resources we need when we need it and not a moment sooner. He expects us to remain faithful in all circumstances. Remember what he said in his word, “to whom much is given, much will be required.” We must admit we are richly blessed!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because the take refuge in him.” – Psalm 37:39-40

God STILL Delivers!

God can handle it even when we don’t see how! – Richard Murray

The Red Sea parting was a physical impossibility in the eyes of the Israelites and Egyptians – but God works outside physical limitations. Hmm!

If we take a minute to think about it, the sun rose this morning like clockwork and we had nothing to do with it. And it will eventually pass through the day and nightfall will come and we can’t prevent it. God has been doing this and many other miraculous things since the beginning of time. And not only is He involved in nature, but He wants to be involved in every detail of our lives as well. We often say “I know who holds tomorrow/future” referring to God, but the proof of our faith is in our ‘casting all of our cares on Him.” God has been in the ‘delivery’ business since He put man on the earth, so though we may not see how our situation can be worked out, it can; we need to just trust Him a bit longer.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23

Using Discernment

To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart. – Anon

When the other leaders and officials conspired against Daniel, he continued his prayers ‘openly.’ God eventually brought him vindication. OUCH!

We all know what we want and expect out of life and as such we set goals, objectives, and parameters, etc., on ourselves to help maintain focus and purpose. But when it comes to relating to others, though our desires may be noble, we cannot force those same goals, objectives, and parameters on them. One thing God’s patience with us screams very loudly is that the ‘grace card’ can NEVER be overplayed. As He extends mercy, forgiveness, compassion, love, grace, and provision to us each and every day in abundance, so should we in dealing with our fellow man. This does not mean we are completely accepting of others sinful ways - as God is not with us and expects repentance – but that we are not condemning them in their sin, leaving the door of repentance and change open to them. The situations and people God brings before us today will be worked out not so much by what God gives us, but by what we use.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong….” I Kings 3:9

Anger Danger

People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing. – Sparks

Rehoboam’s harsh, angry reply to the Israelites request didn’t cost him much. Only half his kingdom and many wars! Hmm!

There is a saying that “anger is one letter short of danger,” which is true. Anger however, is not sinful in and of itself, it is when and how we act upon it that takes us into the realm of danger and sin. As children of God we are expected to learn and exercise self-control at all times, just as God exercises great restraint in showing mercy to us. If life’s little trials send you “flying off the handle,” maybe it’s time to make sure God is the pilot of your life and all the landings will be uneventful.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” – Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

Renouncing Sin

The way you handle your sin is as important as the sin itself. – R. Blackaby

Job offered sacrifices for his children ‘in case’ they sinned. One can only wonder what he did for his own sins. God called him blameless. AMEN!

Life and all its decisions come upon us at times very fast. And as much as we try to live a blameless and perfect life we sometimes miss the mark and sin. It’s what we do next that really matters. Blameless does not mean perfect. It means that in EVERY situation we do the correct thing. If we sin against someone, we’re to repent, confess our sin and ask forgiveness. If we transgress God’s will, we’re to repent and immediately obey. When we attempt to conceal our sin, justify it, deny it, or even blame others for it, we make the original offense much worse. God expects us to live above reproach in all areas of our lives. It’s important for us to remember that in all things heaven is looking down on us!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“He who conceals his sin does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13

Open Up!

To understand the bible requires openness; first you open it, then you open you. – Anon

When Jesus taught them from the ‘scriptures’ of old they wondered where did he get such wisdom. Hmm!

The bible is a priceless gift, a tool for Christians to live by. It’s a love letter from God. The reason we so often get ‘love’ all mixed up and confused is because we search for it in every other thing and every other place, not understanding that we can never fully know love until we understand it from God’s perspective, the giver of the gift. And because we often keep this great tool closed and/or out of sight we mutter through life unfulfilled. The world is filled with hungering folks who have exactly what they need at their fingertips. We cannot truly love God and live fully unless we know Him, and He wants to be known. God’s Holy Word is indeed, a priceless, one-of-a-kind treasure. Yes, it needs to be handled with care, but more importantly, we need to handle it every day. Today’s great day to start.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God…” – Matthew 4:4

There for You

It is so much easier to tell others how to handle their problems than to just simply stand with them in their pain. - Anon

Job’s ‘friends’ offered little comfort in their convicting him of sin. OUCH!

Though we won’t readily admit it we all at times tend to play ‘The Great Guru’ with answers to everyone’s problems or situations. We dispense advice, give counsel, play mentor, or spiritual advisor like the ‘professionals’ when given the opportunity. It’s a coping mechanism we use to keep our ‘space.’ But nothing can take the place of a friend who will just sit and listen, wait and walk, or just lend a shoulder to lean on. No suggestions of easy fixes, just a promise to help see you through, and intercessory prayer to back it up. Psychologists have their place, as well as talk shows and self-help books, but God has asked us to help bear one another’s burdens. Today someone may need us, if we just take time to listen as opposed to counsel.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:3  

Faith in the Faithful One

God can handle it even when we don’t see how! – Richard Murray

The Red Sea parting was a physical impossibility in the eyes of the Israelites and Egyptians – but God works outside physical limitations. Hmm!

If we take a minute to think about it, the sun rose this morning like clockwork and we had nothing to do with it. And it will eventually pass through the day and nightfall will come and we can’t prevent it. God has been doing this and many other miraculous things since the beginning of time. And not only is He involved in nature, but He wants to be involved in every detail of our lives as well. We often say “I know who holds tomorrow/future” referring to God, but the proof of our faith is in our ‘casting all of our cares on Him.” God has been in the ‘delivery’ business since He put man on the earth, so though we may not see how our situation can be worked out, it can; we need to just trust Him a bit longer.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23

With God We Can

I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish HE wouldn’t trust me so much. – Mother Teresa

Moses didn’t think he could go and face Pharaoh to free the Israelites. God had to remind him “I’m going with you.” WOW!

In God’s eyes we are SOMEBODY! We’re HIS. But if we’re not careful we will find ourselves lamenting (complaining) over the things going on in our life, as if they will soon overwhelm us, and they will if we try and go it all alone. God has placed us in the particular situations we’re in because He believes we are the best available for the task He wants to work ‘through us.’ He’s trusting we will be available and willing, and He will equip us with the strength, wisdom, or other resources we need when we need it and not a moment sooner. He expects us to remain faithful in all circumstances. Remember what he said in his word, “to whom much is given, much will be required.” We must admit we are richly blessed!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because the take refuge in him.” – Psalm 37:39-40

The heart of the matter

To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart. – Anon

When the other leaders and officials conspired against Daniel, he continued his prayers ‘openly.’ God eventually brought him vindication. OUCH!

We all know what we want and expect out of life and as such we set goals, objectives, and parameters, etc., on ourselves to help maintain focus and purpose. But when it comes to relating to others, though our desires may be noble, we cannot force those same goals, objectives, and parameters on them. One thing God’s patience with us screams very loudly is that the ‘grace card’ can NEVER be overplayed. As He extends mercy, forgiveness, compassion, love, grace, and provision to us each and every day in abundance, so should we in dealing with our fellow man. This does not mean we are completely accepting of others sinful ways - as God is not with us and expects repentance – but that we are not condemning them in their sin, leaving the door of repentance and change open to them. The situations and people God brings before us today will be worked out not so much by what God gives us, but by what we use.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“…So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong….” I Kings 3:9