Enjoying the Ride

A truly joyful person enjoys the scenery on a detour. – Anon

Though the Israelites had to wander 40 years in the wilderness before they entered the Promised Land, it was worth it to Caleb. Hmm!

SigAlerts, accidents, road closures, one-way streets. Oftentimes things of this nature take us out of our normal “driving” patterns and cause us to map out different strategies and routes, and even with GPS it still often gets under our skin. Life is very similar in that oftentimes we must make detours or put off until later things ‘we’ deemed needful and necessary now. Just consider this current ‘pandemic.’ It has caused some major changes to all of life. It seemed Joseph’s life was one detour after another, but in reality it was all God’s plan to bring him before Pharaoh and to eventually save his people. Perhaps God has a plan for you in your detours, so maybe you should relax and enjoy the views.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“But Joseph said ………You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” – Genesis 50:19-20

Love Intended

To truly love a person means to see them as God intended them to be. – G. Dostoyevsky

When Jesus first called Simon by the name of Peter, he had a vision of who Peter would become one day, and then he helped him get there. WOW!

We all can look back and see where we’ve come from and how we’ve changed; and generally we like the changes that have occurred. We can see the habits we’ve broken or overcome by God’s grace. God did not condemn us in our sin, but loved us through them. God does not accept our sin but loves us in spite of it. As those made in His image we are called to display the same grace with others – to love them through their shortcomings, no matter what they may be; for in doing so we will aid them in achieving their godly purpose. As God directs people our way today, may our eyes look to the heart.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do not consider his appearance or his height….The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – I Samuel 16:7

Expect it to work out good

An optimist is a fellow who believes a housefly is actually looking for a way to get out. – G. Nathan

Throughout all his afflictions Job looked for God’s response and insight. He was well rewarded. Amen!

Life pays back in kind, and much of what we will receive is based upon how we respond to the stimuli in life. The key is to trust that no matter what God brings into our lives today via work, family, friends, or even strangers; He is going to work it out “for good.” The truth is we have Christ, so we should always have hope and look for the best, whether it be with people or circumstances. And just as God sees us as we can be, not as we actually are; we too should also see others in the same way. The trick is not to get rankled, riled up, or fly off the handle, but believe.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” – Genesis 50:20