Emulating The Father's Values

Values are like fingerprints – you leave them all over everything you touch. – Anon

Jacob was such a man of integrity that even foreigners mourned his passing. Wow!

Children are noteworthy when they learn to walk in the values and virtues of their parents. Fathers are broad-chested when their sons emulate them, mothers are elated when their daughters become little ladies. If we feel this way with our children have we ever stopped to think how we make our Heavenly Father feel as his children? He wants so much for us to emulate Him, to hold dear what He holds dear, to love what He loves, to value what He values. Perhaps the only reason we fall short is not that He hasn’t tried to teach us, but just maybe we’ve been a bit out of His touch.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 7:21

Step To The Plan

God will always order your steps.......but you still have to move your feet! - D. Washington

It didn't make much sense at the time, but Jericho's walls fell because of some orderly 'walking'. Hmm!

Hopscotch! How many of us remember this childhood game? Jumping, leaping squares to land in the appropriate box. The diagram was there right in front of you but as you progressed more effort was required, and if you weren't careful - you're out. Admittedly, it was fun even for some of us guys. The game bears some similarity to our faith walk. The way of the Christian is plainly laid out before us in the Word of God. This life we live is an open book test, and that book (bible) has great wisdom and direction to stay on target or even correct our course. Life only becomes fraught with obstacles to put us 'out' when we take or eyes off God. So why not add a little childhood flair to your steps as you walk with God today.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out." - Proverbs 10:9

On Mission

"Stay on target..." -Gold Five (Star Wars)

God was exact in all His measurements. I wonder if we should take a lesson there. Hmm!

Bullseye! Everyone is familiar with the term. It's the center of the target - dead aim center; what we all shoot for. The mark of perfection. Now when it comes to our profession of Christ it brings up a question. Are we ourselves moving towards it in a way others can see and praise or are we moving away from it, tarnishing the glory of the God we serve. One of the harshest words Jesus used for the 'religious right' of His day was hypocrite, as they were actually making it almost impossible for the people to see and witness God's presence. We will all struggle from time to time in our walk, that's not the issue, the issue is whether those around us who really know us would be able to say with certainty that we are still striving for the target or actually doing a disservice to the Lord. Since the target has not moved or changed the answer lies within us.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind..." - Matthew 22:37

Living THE Truth

Do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. – W.C. Stone

Boaz didn’t have to mention there was another kinsman redeemer for Ruth and Naomi, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Hmm!

In our courts systems a witness is sworn in by being asked to ‘tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.’ The idea is there will be no shading or jading or shortage of facts in their testimony. It’s a matter of integrity, loyalty and honesty – not personal benefit to the individual. God expects the same of us in our everyday dealings with one another, to live out the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and to live by love, complete love, and nothing but unbiased love. True such living may cause some uncomfortable situations, and may require more of us than we’re willing to give; but in those instances we should be reminded of the Cross and what Jesus did for us. So as today unfolds before us with its many situations and circumstances the question is ‘how then shall we live?’

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” – Proverbs 11:3

If A Tree Falls in the Forest...

We need to get a sense of worth of our own selves and understand that no one is more deserving of our best behavior than we are. – R. Pennington

Though Saul sought to slay him, David couldn't even formulate in his mind a thought to harm God's anointed. Hmm!

If a tree falls in the middle of the forest and no one is around to see it, does it make a sound? A somewhat silly question, and one we often answer with “who cares." But the logic of the question is pure. And if we were to apply it to our daily living it sounds a powerful truth. Regardless of where we are or who we're with, how good or bad the situation, the greatest benefactor of our righteous, holy living is US, not God. Why, because we can't make God any holier than He already is, we can only bear witness of His holiness by the way we live. I pray you may appreciate yourself today!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” – I Corinthians 9:26-27

Playing on Team Integrity

If being a team player requires doing what is wrong, you’re on the wrong team. – Chuck Swindoll

Rehoboam and his young advisors conspired against God’s people. Ananias and Sapphira his wife conspired against the Lord and his church. They all lost big time! Hmmm.

We live in a world that says things like ‘winning is everything,’ or ‘win at all costs,’ or ‘just win baby.’ That is the motto for survival of the fittest. It doesn’t matter what it takes to get the win, land the account, get the signature, make the sale, or even get rid of the ‘loser.’ Integrity is passé. Honor is outdated, “just do it.” But God calls us to a higher standard, away from the ways of the world. His ways require us to be truthful in all accounts, go the extra mile when necessary, and show care and concern when no one else will for we are His ambassadors. Rest assured there will be exams today and hereafter in your life.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.” – Job 34:12

Truth + Love= Life

Do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. – W.C. Stone

Boaz didn’t have to mention there was another kinsman redeemer for Ruth and Naomi, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Hmm!

In our courts systems a witness is sworn in by being asked to ‘tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.’ The idea is there will be no shading or jading or shortage of facts in their testimony. It’s a matter of integrity, loyalty and honesty – not personal benefit to the individual. God expects the same of us in our everyday dealings with one another, to live out the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and to live by love, complete love, and nothing but unbiased love. True such living may cause some uncomfortable situations, and may require more of us than we’re willing to give; but in those instances we should be reminded of the Cross and what Jesus did for us. So as today unfolds before us with its many situations and circumstances the question is ‘how then shall we live?’

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” – Proverbs 11:3

A Higher Standard of Honesty

There are no degrees of integrity. Either we are honest or we are not. – Sparks

Eli the priest and his sons. They paid dearly for their cheating ways. God won out! Hmm!

We live in a fallen world and it’s easy to fall in to it’s ways. Everyone is out for themselves, but God has called us to a higher standard – honesty in all things. We don’t act with honesty or integrity to get noticed, or to score points, or even to appease our conscience. We do it because it is right. True, it is sometimes inconvenient, but that does not change the fact that it is the right thing to do. If we would expect people to treat us with honesty and integrity, we must be willing to give the same at all times. And inasmuch as we are always before the eyes of our Heavenly Father, honesty should always be our way of life.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” – Luke 16:10

P.S. - Hope you can make it this Sunday at 9am for our Devotional time. We'd love to see you there!

Also, there WILL NOT be Vesper Services as we will be setting up for VBS.

Keep it 100

Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do. – D. Galen

Though Judas knew Jesus was talking about him as the betrayer, he still asked, “Is it I?” Hmm!

The consensus is generally no one likes a liar or a person who does not keep their word. We tend to look for and associate with people who honor their words and commitments no matter life’s circumstances. But the greater question of the day is can we be counted on to do what we know we should do and promised to do when no one else is around or will we just say we did or promise to do it later? Faith is faith whether someone is watching or not, and integrity is not a suit of clothing but a heartfelt conviction.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” – Proverbs 22:1

Bear Witness of God's Holiness

We need to get a sense of worth of our own selves and understand that no one is more deserving of our best behavior than we are. – R. Pennington

Though Saul sought to slay him, David couldn't even formulate in his mind a thought to harm God's anointed. Hmm!

If a tree falls in the middle of the forest and no one is around to see it, does it make a sound? A somewhat silly question, and one we often answer with “who cares." But the logic of the question is pure. And if we were to apply it to our daily living it sounds a powerful truth. Regardless of where we are or who we're with, how good or bad the situation, the greatest benefactor of our righteous, holy living is US, not God. Why, because we can't make God any holier than He already is, we can only bear witness of His holiness by the way we live. I pray you may appreciate yourself today!

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” – I Corinthians 9:26-27

Truth: Friend or Foe

Truth is either the greatest of friends or an unbeatable foe. – Anon

As Jesus stood before him, Pilate had a major decision to make about the truth. We know how it ended with him. WOW!

TRUTH – Courts of law search for it; we demand it in our daily interactions. Yes, truth is something we are to seek after, embrace, and affirm. Yet it is not so much a matter of us finding the truth as it is us surrendering to it. Jesus said “You shall know the truth and it will set you free.” To know means to understand, accept, and abide in.  Our surrender to ‘truth’ is what establishes our foundation for a life of integrity, honesty, and righteousness before God and others. The point we often overlook is that when we find the truth and refuse to surrender it no longer remains our friend but actually becomes the foe that condemns us. God leaves the choice to us.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice…” – Proverbs 21:3

Election Day Faith

Ninety-eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hard-working, honest Americans. It's the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then, we elected them. -  L. Tomlin

Jesus’ main opposition wasn’t the people he came to save, it was the religious rulers they were under. Hmm!

Today will be both historic and memorable. Historic for the US Presidency and memorable for the Church. Though morality should never have to be legislated we have reached that point. It has been noted that “democracy is the worst form of government when the people are bent on being evil,” and we can clearly see evidence of that in this day and age, in some of the people on the ballot and the initiatives. There’s a lot to be said for integrity, morality, ethics, and virtue – all godly qualities – which is what our votes should consider and stand for. As part of the ninety-eight percent that just want to live decent god-fearing lives, let’s make sure we get the other 2 percent in line. VOTE as if God were depending on you.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established….” Romans 13:1

Whatcha gonna do?

Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do. – D. Galen

Though Judas knew Jesus was talking about him as the betrayer, he still asked, “Is it I?” Hmmm.

No matter what age, gender, or even culture one comes from; life comes full force everyday with its load of circumstances and decisions that must be made. The question of the day is can we be counted on to face it faithfully without wavering to the left or right, or will we just say we did or promise to do it later? God is depending on us for the former, not the latter.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” – Proverbs 22:1

Prefer Honor

Fame is something that must be won; honor is something that must never be lost. – A. Schopenhauer

The people of Lystra fawned over Paul and Barnabas and thought they were ‘gods’ in human form. Paul and Barnabas clearly stated they were only ‘men of God.’ WHEW!

Truth be told, everyone wants a bit of notoriety, praise, or credit for their special successes, and that's okay; for in and of itself fame is not bad. However we must never confuse it with honor or integrity. There is a vast difference between the two. Fame is prestige or reputation you receive for an achievement, primarily from people you don’t know or see (fans), honor is hard earned trust from those who know you best. One of the keys of life is never to trade the latter for the former. As we face the circumstances and situations of the day that God puts before us, it shouldn’t be too hard to guess which way He leans.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” – Mark 9:36-37

Doing Right

Do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. – W.C. Stone

Boaz didn’t have to mention there was another kinsman redeemer for Ruth and Naomi, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Hmm!

In our courts systems a witness is sworn in by being asked to ‘tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.’ The idea is there will be no shading or jading or shortage of facts in their testimony. It’s a matter of integrity, loyalty and honesty – not personal benefit to the individual. God expects the same of us in our everyday dealings with one another, to live out the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and to live by love, complete love, and nothing but unbiased love. True such living may cause some uncomfortable situations, and may require more of us than we’re willing to give; but in those instances we should be reminded of the Cross and what Jesus did for us. So as today unfolds before us with its many situations and circumstances the question is ‘how then shall we live?’

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” – Proverbs 11:3

Worth through Integrity

We need to get a sense of worth of our own selves and understand that no one is more deserving of our best behavior than we are. – R. Pennington

Though Saul sought to slay him, David couldn't even formulate in his mind a thought to harm God's anointed. Hmm!

If a tree falls in the middle of the forest and no one is around to see it, does it make a sound? A somewhat silly question, and one we often answer with “who cares." But the logic of the question is pure. And if we were to apply it to our daily living it sounds a powerful truth. Regardless of where we are or who we're with, how good or bad the situation, the greatest benefactor of our righteous, holy living is US, not God. Why, because we can't make God any holier than He already is, we can only bear witness of His holiness by the way we live. I pray you may appreciate yourself today!

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” – I Corinthians 9:26-27        

Principles- It's what's inside that counts

We may be better than our reputation, but we are never better than our principles. – Anon

Biblically speaking, most people refer to Job as a man with a reputation for enduring great suffering. Actually he was a man of great principle – he never doubted God! Amen.

It happens every morning. It happens pretty much the same every morning. We get up, wash up, and spend time in the mirror preparing the external outlook of the person the world will see that day. We want to look our best for much is at stake. But no matter how good we look externally we can we can never be greater than what we have within. Life is lived from the inside out, which is why God is so adamant about transforming the heart of man, for it is the seat of all living. Man may know us by our reputation, but God will know us by our principles.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” – Luke 6:45

Good Emulation

Values are like fingerprints – you leave them all over everything you touch. – Anon

Jacob was such a man of integrity that even foreigners mourned his passing. Wow!

Children are noteworthy when they learn to walk in the values and virtues of their parents. Father’s are broad-chested when their sons emulate them, mother’s are elated when their daughters become little ladies. If we feel this way with our children have we ever stopped to think how we make our Heavenly Father feel as his children? He wants so much for us to emulate Him, to hold dear what He holds dear, to love what He loves, to value what He values. Perhaps the only reason we fall short is not that He hasn’t tried to teach us, but just maybe we’ve been a bit out of His touch.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 7:21

The Truth About Integrity

Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do. – D. Galen

Though Judas knew Jesus was talking about him as the betrayer, he still asked, “Is it I?” Hmm!

The consensus is generally no one likes a liar or a person who does not keep their word. We tend to look for and associate with people who honor their words and commitments no matter life’s circumstances. But the greater question of the day is can we be counted on to do what we know we should do and promised to do when no one else is around or will we just say we did or promise to do it later? Faith is faith whether someone is watching or not, and integrity is not a suit of clothing but a heartfelt conviction.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” – Proverbs 22:1

Honestly Speaking

There are no degrees of integrity. Either we are honest or we are not. – Sparks

Eli the priest and his sons. They paid dearly for their cheating ways. God won out! Hmm!

We live in a fallen world and it’s easy to fall in to its ways. Everyone is out for themselves, but God has called us to a higher standard – honesty in all things. We don’t act with honesty or integrity to get noticed, or to score points, or even to appease our conscience. We do it because it is right. True, it is sometimes inconvenient, but that does not change the fact that it is the right thing to do. If we would expect people to treat us with honesty and integrity, we must be willing to give the same at all times. And inasmuch as we are always before the eyes of our Heavenly Father, honesty should always be our way of life.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” – Luke 16:10