Influence the Culture

You might as well listen to a thief lecture on honesty as watch for Hollywood and the Media to teach values. – Anon

Until Paul met Christ on the Damascus Road, he actually thought he was doing God’s will. Scary huh?

What you thought before has led to every choice you have made, and this adds up to YOU at this moment. For most people, us included, these thoughts are pretty much exclusive to what we have seen from Hollywood and heard in the mainstream media. Therefore, we are not so much in our way of thinking, children of our parents but offspring of the culture. If we want to change who we are physically, mentally, and spiritually, we will have to change what we think. Godly people were never meant to be influenced by the culture, but to be influencers OF their culture, to promote ways of righteousness and light in a world that wants to hide in darkness. As we watch the ‘big screen’ remember others are watching us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” – Romans 12:2

Godly Therapy

At times, you need a therapist much more than you need a theologian. - LeCrae

In Old Testament times the kings had prophets, priests, and ADVISERS to serve them. Hmm!

Have you ever thought about your 'circle of influence?' Those who can speak into your life and those whose life you can speak into! There's a reason why God put certain people in our lives. Many times He speaks through them. Just as our parents were the voice of reason when we were kids growing up, though we may not be under their tutelage anymore; we still need reliable, God-fearing people in our lives to help us make sense of things at times. And at times that may include a licensed clinician/therapist. To be able to confide in someone trustworthy and non-judgmental, is a necessity for everyone of us, for life often throws things at us that don't neatly fit into the 'doctrinal' box. If we take a step back and look at the life of Jesus we can see that's pretty much who He was, an approachable friend. He was much more a 'Godly' therapist who 'touched' the lives of folks more so than a hard preaching theologian. It's why they were often amazed at His sayings. May you have/and or be a good 'therapist.' Amen!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....Therefore confess your faults to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16

Life As An Influencer

Every life is a profession of faith, and exercises an inevitable and silent influence. – H. Amiel

Not much detail is given, but Naomi had a deeply profound effect on her daughter-in-law Ruth, who left all to follow her. And the rest as we know it is HIS STORY!

What we think! Our opinions! Our outlook on the world! Believe it or not many people have helped shape these values in us. From our parents, to our teachers, to our friends, our psyche has been impacted by them. So, no matter how much we want to believe our life is ours to live alone, the truth is it will in some way impact others, and often in very profound ways that we’re not even aware of. Most of us are our parents children. Having said such, remember the old adage: “you get from people what you give them.” Remember your faith is on trial today.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:5-6

Called to Be Witnesses

Never let the desire to influence be replaced with the need to control. – Anon

The Sanhedrin Council was the 'religious' right of the time, but Jesus was the 'go to' guy and ANSWERman. HMMM!

The Great Commission was a command given to one and all believers and followers of Christ. We are called to tell the “good news.” But oftentimes the message of grace and love is missed because the messenger has overwhelmed the receiver or overshadowed the message. We must be careful in our zealousness to never try to be the central point (it’s not about us) or “commanding” in our sharing. We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” – I Peter 3:15

On Display

People will look at your example long before they listen to your advice. – Anon

When Moses tried to advise a Hebrew slave that it was wrong to hit his fellowman, he was reminded he ‘secretly’ killed an Egyptian. Hmm!

In his book 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' Carnegie states "people are drawn by example". The thing to remember is people will see what we do long before they hear what we say. The things we do tell all the world who we really are, and there is not a moment when you are not being who you are. Though we may not be aware of it our every action is being watched and observed, whether by strangers, family, or those we’re dealing with at the moment. So whether we’re cursing or caressing, someone is watching our example. The question is are we giving them ‘godly’ advice.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” – I Corinthians 11:1

Interconnected

Every life is a profession of faith, and exercises an inevitable and silent influence. – H. Amiel

Not much detail is given, but Naomi (Israelite) had a deeply profound effect on her daughter-in-law Ruth (Moabite), who left all to follow her. And the rest as we know it is HIS STORY!

The saying goes, "no man is an island," meaning none of us can truly go it alone, we need other people and relationships to be healthy. So no matter how much we want to believe our life is ours to live alone, the truth is it is not, and it will in some way impact others, and often in very profound ways that we’re not even aware of. Most of us are our parents children. We not only look like them, we often have their mannerisms, morality, and worldview. And that's okay assuming they were/are God-fearing folk.  Having said such, we need remember the old adage: “you get from people what you give them.” The greater question I guess is what do we want to receive today?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:5-6

Unknown Influence

Every life is a profession of faith, and exercises an inevitable and silent influence. – H. Amiel

Not much detail is given, but Naomi had a deeply profound effect on her daughter-in-law Ruth, who left all to follow her. And the rest as we know it is HIS STORY!

What we think! Our opinions! Our outlook on the world! Believe it or not many people have helped shape these values in us. From our parents, to our teachers, to our friends, our psyche has been impacted by them. So, no matter how much we want to believe our life is ours to live alone, the truth is it will in some way impact others, and often in very profound ways that we’re not even aware of. Most of us are our parents children. Having said such, remember the old adage: “you get from people what you give them.”  Remember your faith is on trial today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:5-6

Spreading Joy

You can never give another person the joy you’ve found, but you can make him homesick for what you have. – O. Chambers

After talking with Jesus at the well, the Samaritan woman excited the whole town with what she found there. AMEN!

If there’s one thing this present world could use it is joy. Economic news, world news, and even local news all seems to be negative; and in the home there is little or no peace. We are called to be a light, to be a joyful people – these traits attract others – that we might impact the world around us. We must remember our joy isn’t determined by what we have, but who we have. If our immediate sphere of influence is dark and dreary and without hope, we shouldn’t look outward, but inward; and then upward. If our Christian walk is not attracting or impacting others, then we’re really not living for Jesus we’re living for ourselves. May we all be ‘infectious’ today!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” – John 15:11

Not Greater than The Message

Never let the desire to influence be replaced with the need to control. – Anon

The Sanhedrin Council was the 'religious' right of the time, but Jesus was the 'go to' guy and ANSWERman. HMMM!

The Great Commission was a command given to one and all believers and followers of Christ. We are called to tell the “good news.” But oftentimes the message of grace and love is missed because the messenger has overwhelmed the receiver or overshadowed the message. We must be careful in our zealousness to never try to be the central point (it’s not about us) or “commanding” in our sharing. We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” – I Peter 3:15