Is Your Home Where Your Heart Is?

If our destination home is Heaven, then this life is only the trip to get there. - B. Snyder

When God told Abram to "leave his country and go to a place He would show him," Abram had no problem as long as God was leading. Hmm!

"Home is where you 'make it'!" It's an intriguing statement. Does it mean home is where you decide to settle, the plot, place, and address you acquire? Or does it mean home is where you grow and learn to live and make something out of your life? Or maybe it's both. The unfortunate truth though is most of us as Christians have accepted it this way. We've dug in our heels here on earth, planted our homestead, built our house and raise our family as if we'll be here permanently. It's like we spend every available resource on the house, our recreation, family moments or gatherings, and have little or nothing to give back to God. If we're truly just 'pilgrims passing through this land' should we not be trying to store up some heavenly treasures. Though God doesn't want us to live as paupers, He also wants us to remember our lives don't consist of the things we own, but exists in The One who owns us, and wants us to be with Him in glory one day. Let's make sure we're on the right path.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21

Heaven Bound?

If our destination home is Heaven, then this life is only the trip to get there. - B. Snyder

When God told Abram to "leave his country and go to a place He would show him," Abram had no problem as long as God was leading. Hmm!

"Home is where you 'make it'!" It's an intriguing statement. Does it mean home is where you decide to settle, the plot, place, and address you acquire? Or does it mean home is where you grow and learn to live and make something out of your life? Or maybe it's both. The unfortunate truth though is most of us as Christians have accepted it this way. We've dug in our heels here on earth, planted our homestead, built our house and raise our family as if we'll be here permanently. It's like we spend every available resource on the house, our recreation, family moments or gatherings, and have little or nothing to give back to God. If we're truly just 'pilgrims passing through this land' should we not be trying to store up some heavenly treasures. Though God doesn't want us to live as paupers, He also wants us to remember our lives don't consist of the things we own, but exists in The One who owns us, and wants us to be with Him in glory one day. Let's make sure we're on the right path.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21

Meet Together Still

Though most people have never been home-schooled, they fully believe in being home-churched. – Anon

Though Abram was away from his homeland, he still sought out God’s high priest (Melchizedek) to worship. God called him friend. AMEN!

The early church (ekklesia = called out of God) met from house to house, or house to temple, but they always met together at the appointed times. God has always wanted his people to gather together to praise his name. Yes, we can worship by ourselves anywhere at anytime, but if Jesus truly came to establish the church we can be sure he had our attending it in mind. People today may think the church is archaic, old, out-dated, out of touch with reality, or run it's course. The question then becomes who gets to tell Jesus/God that. It's true God forgives us of our sins, but not our wanton disregard and excuses for not doing His will, and attending the church services is His will. As we progress through TODAY, let us begin to make preparations for Sunday.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Let us NOT give up meeting TOGETHER, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the DAY approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25

Been around the world

A man travels all over the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it. – G. Moore

When he 'came to himself' The Prodigal son knew exactly where he needed to go. Hmm!

One of our persistent difficulties is that we are always looking to find meaning, purpose, and satisfaction elsewhere than the place where we should be looking, reflecting just how restless we are. We come home and then need to go out. We come to the fountain of life (Jesus) and take small sips rather than drinking deeply, looking for other ways to be satiated. We even come to the truth (God’s Word) and then look for meanin

g elsewhere in the world. We “give” our lives to Christ and then live as if there is something important to be found outside of Him. The reason for this is somewhat geometrical. Yes we are God trusting people, but if He is not the center-point of focus in our lives, we will look elsewhere and be drawn away. The rest we seek, the peace we want, and the joy we desire all up to one person – Christ.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3

Blessed Intangibly

Strength, rest, grace, mercy, forgiveness, provision, guidance, help, unconditional love. What a God we serve! – E. Stenbock

Jesus said this wicked generation looks for a sign but none will be given. Our Heavenly Father gives many every day. Hmm!

It’s often said that the easiest thing to overlook is what’s right in front of you. How TRUE. We often take for granted the many blessings and mercies God extends to us each and every day. The worldview that blessings are only ‘tangible’ is a warped picture of who God really is. And if it is only tangible blessings we seek after we will never be satisfied, for our heart can only truly be satisfied by being ‘rightly related’ to God. The tangible blessings serve only as reminders of His great love for us and all the intangibles He has continued to provide. Were we never to receive another tangible blessing we can see He is still worthy of our praise.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I will cause my people and their homes around my holy hill to be a blessing. And I will send showers, showers of blessings, which will come just when they are needed” – Ezekiel 34:26 (NLT)