Don't Waste It, Embrace It

If you waste an hour in the morning you'll spend the day looking for it! - Anon

Those 'early morning' prayer times seemed to always keep Jesus on point. Hmm!

The common adage is "if it wasn't for the last minute nothing would get done!" Unfortunately many of us live in that zone - the last minute. Running in haste to finish projects or assignments, make necessary reservations/arrangements, midnight calls to God, etc. An early start seems out of the question for us. But the reality is time is our most precious commodity in life but also the one we waste the most. It's the one gift God grants everyone every day that makes us all equal, no matter our status - 24 hours each day for everyone. He allows us to determine how to use it, but know that once it's gone, it's gone, and it cannot be recaptured. We can perhaps recapture a moment of our youthful vigor or mindset, but not the time. Each morning we wake up the clock starts anew, so with today's gift here's hoping we all make the best of it for the glory of God.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"...The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." Romans 13:11

Hope to see you tomorrow morning for Prayer Breakfast at 9:30am.

Get Better, Take Your Meds

When we worry…..it’s like putting God on hold. – Anon

After the crucifixion Peter suffered with anxiety. At that breakfast on the beach Jesus put it all to rest. AMEN!

Aspirin! Ibuprofen! Acetaminophen! All readily available over-the-counter medicines to help alleviate, reduce, and even eliminate our aches and pains. But for many of us, myself included, we just don’t like the idea of medicines if we can avoid it, so we do. We’ll deal with the pain as best we can. Often, we treat our God the same…..choosing to ‘worry’ rather than pray and seek His counsel, choosing to fret over the issue rather than invite Him into our suffering. Just like we put off the pain reliever we put off God…..putting Him on hold in our lives. The One who supplies all our needs and ‘gives strength to the weary’ is always at the ready to assist. So next time you pray…. don’t press the ‘hold’ button – just cast all your cares on Him.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” – Matthew 6:27

Hold On Just A Little While Longer

Even the darkest hour has only sixty minutes. – M. Mandel

Joseph being sold by his brothers, Daniel’s night in the lion’s den – mere blips on the radar of life that they lived for the God they trusted. Hmm!

When you take time to think it through it’s amazing how we can sit through a nail biter of a ballgame that lasts 3-4 hours (though they only play 60 minutes) enjoying every moment of every anxiety filled play and think nothing of it, even rehashing and relishing the replays, but yet when trials come upon us we want relief as fast as Rolaids (60 seconds). The key to perseverance in the midst of dark trials is not to focus on the trial itself but on the One who is there with us – God. If we truly believe in His promise ‘never to leave or forsake us', then though the trial be painful, it is bearable; with an ending that we know will be for our good and His glory. All we need to do is hang on a minute longer.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18

Precious Time

By labor we can find food and water, but all of our labor will not find for us another hour. – K. Patton

Genesis regales us of accounts of men living 600-900+ years. But in the end they all died at their appointed time. Hmm!

When we were little we wanted to stay up an extra hour or two. Now with our technology we try to stretch it more and more. But in reality we can never increase what God has set in proper order. And in truth, it is not so much how much time we have but how we use it that really matters. Though God’s Word does say to us there is a “time for every thing” it does not truly tell us we get to DO everything – so we must make wise choices. God has set today before us and left the decisions to us. Remember, that which you truly want to do you will make the time for.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” – Matthew 6:27

The Art of Waiting

Could you not watch with me one hour...... - Jesus

Saul grew impatient waiting on Samuel to arrive, and it cost him dearly. OUCH!

Technology, with its many instantaneous forms of communication has opened up the floodgates for conversation, idea exchanges, discussion, etc., which are all very good. Almost everyone with a cell phone, I-Pad, or PC can join in. The dark side of this communication phenomenon is that it has begun to make us very impatient. Just think of the times you've texted or e-mailed someone, then called to see if they received your message because their response wasn't quick enough for you. And sadly, we've let this impatient attitude creep into our relationship with God. We want our prayers answered in an instant. We want our faith built in a day, our character perfected through 1 or 2 bible study sessions at most. God cannot and will not be rushed. And if we become frustrated with His apparent delays to our needs we must remember He is not so much concerned with our comfort as He is our character. And character is developed by a faith forged through perseverance and patience.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." - Psalm 27:14  

Let it Meditate

Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed. – St Francis de Sales

That Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray, that his disciples went to the temple at the hour of prayer seems important.

Early morning, late afternoon, 5 minutes, 1 hour or more – these are all variables bantered about when it comes to prayer and meditation with God. The truth of the matter is there is no secret formula or one-size fits all. What is important is that we take time from our busy lives each day to spend with God, talking to and LISTENING to Him. The One who planned the day surely knows how it will pan out and the direction He has purposed for us. It is important to note that the more time we spend with God the more we hear and understand His heart and the less inclined we are to go off on our own path.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6

No Extra Time

By labor we can find food and water, but all of our labor will not find for us another hour. – K. Patton

Genesis regales us of accounts of men living 600-900+ years. But in the end they all died at their appointed time. Hmmm!

When we were little we wanted to stay up an extra hour or two. Now with our technology we try to stretch it more and more. But in reality we can never increase what God has set in proper order. And in truth, it is not so much how much time we have but how we use it that really matters. Though God’s word does say to us there is a “time for every thing” it does not truly tell us we get to DO everything – so we must make wise choices. God has set today before us and left the decisions to us. Remember, that which you truly want to do you will make the time for.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” – Matthew 6:27