Stick With It

Big shots are only little shots who kept on shooting. – C. Morley

Peter started out as a lowly fisherman, a doubtful fisher of men, and a flameout under pressure. But he also preached 3,000 into the kingdom. Hallelujah!

Most of us have people we admire and sometimes hold in awe for what they were able to accomplish or presently do. We love the way they pray, their knowledge of the bible, their dedication to God’s church, the way they take care of business, their families, their people, etc. The truth is they were not always that way, but they stuck to it until they got better and better. God has made us in the same way and expects us to stick with it as well. True, there was only 1 Paul, 1 David, 1 MLK, Jr., but with God the sky is the limit. All he asks is our obedience.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day…So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” – II Corinthians 4:16, 18

The Miracle of Being Kept

The most important thing is to find out what is the most important thing. - S. Suzuki

Though the Israelites waited 40 years to enter the Promised Land the time was filled with the miraculous. Hmm!

We often hear people or friends say "I'm waiting for my miracle!" Whether it be one of healing, supplication, relationship, etc., they continue to hold fast and true to God waiting for the day of deliverance. Time and again you ask them and they reply "I'm still waiting!" It's both admirable and praiseworthy. In spite of their present and seemingly unchanging conditions they still seek God. But, maybe there's a secret or two along the way that was missed. God says He will always "uphold us with His righteous right hand." Maybe that in itself is just the miracle they're seeking. It should be pointed out that sometimes God just 'keeping us' is the miracle! Through it all, others may have fallen away or pulled back but God has never left our side. Maybe in the midst of what we're seeking, just knowing God is there is miracle enough!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10

Following God's Lead

If you haven’t learned to follow, you can’t lead. – H.C. Mears

What made Jesus such a great leader was that he followed His Father’s will. Hmm!

King, Prince, Monarch, etc. – they are all born to rule or lead. But the fact of the matter is history has shown us being 'born to lead' does not necessarily make one a good leader. Noble leadership is learned, and learned through the model of servitude – God’s model. To trust someone with such great responsibility, he should be tested with small responsibilities first, to prove himself worthy of the honor. The hardest lesson in life to learn- though it is also the simplest lesson- is to follow instructions. Following God’s instructions is submitting our will to His, then we can lead. God has called us to be leaders in our own way, that we should point others to Christ.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” – I Samuel 13:14

Watch Your Step

Temptation is an irresistible force at work on a moveable body. - H.L. Mencken

The prodigal son's journey into a 'far country' began with his first step. - Anon  

Growing up we used to think of the world as this big, big place with far away distant lands that seemed unreachable, almost unimaginable to us. Today with planes, trains, and autos, the world has become a much smaller place. But that doesn't mean we can't wander into a 'far distant' place away from God. It is not so much the place travelled as it is the decisions we make. In truth, a 'far country' is any decision or move we make that takes us away from God. It may seem like a small step or two, but every journey begins with the first step. And once that journey begins it could take months or years to return. So as we are putting on our shoes today let's be careful and watch where we step.

Until Monday......

Pastor Botts

"...I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word." - Psalm 119:101  

Oh the pets we keep

Pets are creatures that are willingly kept by their owner, so I’ve never understood a pet peeve. - Sparks

No matter what Moses did the people were always finding fault and never satisfied. No wonder God called them ‘stiffnecked.’ OUCH!

If we’re honest about it, there’s probably something in most of us that at the slightest infraction gets our blood boiling; and our enemy knows it. The question is why does it have such a grip on us? It’s true we will be frustrated and upset at times, but we’re to never let our anger linger over anything nor carry it around day to day. This is not only stressful it is sinful for the bible says “let not the sun go down on your wrath.” This means we should not have any anger or malice in our hearts toward anyone. God doesn’t ask us to practice forgiveness He COMMANDS us to do so. And even if we were the one wronged, forgiveness lies within our own heart. Maybe it’s time we let God work it out for us, unless we like keeping useless pets.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” – Psalm 55:22