Created On, With and For

Most people have no idea what to do in their life, yet they want it to last forever. – M. Kennicott

Esther went from a virtual nobody to Queen and relished it. Mordecai had to remind her that maybe God made her “for such a time as this.” Hmmm!

We live in a world where the majority of people do not like what they do for a living. We live in a world where a great number of people have no idea what they will do with an education. And we live in a world where the average person has little hope for a successful future. The common denominator in all of this is that of these groups all of them want life to go on ad infinitum. But we serve a God of purpose, a God of hope, and it is never too late to be what you might’ve been. The bottom line is God did have a purpose in mind when you were created, a character profile He wants to develop in you, one that will live forever. Why not start TODAY!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10

Never Outdated

The bible is neither antique nor modern, it is eternal. – Martin Luther

Earth still being in existence is proof enough that God’s Word is still valid. Hmm!

The wisdom, insight, truth, and foundational principles for life found in God’s Holy Word are as changeless and timeless as is He. It is a treasure that waits to be found, that increases in value the more we dig into it. Real truth never changes and cannot be made ‘less’ true, no matter the time or circumstance. God is God, always has been and always will be, in spite of what goes on in the world today. We may evolve in our cultural ‘norms’ and technologies and even try to ignore God or say He’s outdated; but a quick look around tells us things are still going according to His ‘Providential’ design. Trees still grow and blossom as He prescribed, seasons still follow one after another, night still follows day, and death still haunts us. And if we were to give careful consideration to what man has been up to the last few hundred years or so, I’m sure we’d all agree we’d rather have God over us than man.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.” – Psalm 119:152

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.

Immanuel for Times Like These

In times like these remember that we’ve always had times like these. – L. J. Harvey

The prophets of God (Jeremiah, Isaiah, Haggai, etc.) would often remind the people of God from whence they came, and WHO they belonged to. It was often reassuring. AMEN!

COVID! More COVID strains! Rising gas prices! Rising food prices! Rising homelessness rates. More dysfunction in our government! I could go on but I think you get the idea. When we stop to think about it, it seems there is a new obstacle or hardship popping up daily. Just as soon as we get one situation under control and check in, another one rears its head. If we’re not careful we’re prone to becoming distressed and depressed. That’s why daily time with the Lord and His Word is so crucial. It reminds us of all the ‘tough times’ we’ve already come through by way of grace, and gives us hope that the current crisis is nothing to fear and will soon pass. Tough times never last - “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning,” - is what the scriptures tell us. So, no matter wherever you are at this point, remember God won’t leave you there.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” – Psalm 37:25

Successful Servants

Greatness comes not because of position, but because of purpose. – Richard Murray

David was a great king not because of his many valiant battles and victories, but because he had a heart after God. Hmm!

Ebenezer Scrooge, Howard Hughes. One fictional, one real – both successful and rich – but miserable. Most of us spend our lives chasing after the one job, promotion, person, or possession that we believe will get us the happiness, recognition, and completeness in life we believe we’re missing. But if our forefathers were any indication, success in any of these endeavors did not equate to a happy fulfilled life nor greatness with God. The world values success and its trappings, God values significance. God is not against us having success or material blessings, but He calls us to live a life that places significance of Him and His kingdom above all else. A life lived for success alone is selfish, a life lived for significance is giving. The choice is ours.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Jesus called the twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” – Mark 9:35

Lasting Legacy

Today and tomorrow will soon be past, only what you do for Christ will last. - Song refrain

Enoch's legacy was simply that he 'walked' with God. Hmm!

12 pairs of feet. Men of all different stages of the faith and belief. Yet Jesus washed every pair, no one was neglected, and all was done in genuine love and humility. This one event gets as much or more conversation than Jesus' death on the cross, though his death on the cross was the 'finishing act.' It makes me wonder have you ever considered what might be your lasting legacy act that others will remember you for? No one wants to die in ignominy or without a trace. And though we don't live our lives to be put on a pedestal for viewing, we do live to let our light shine for all to see and glorify God. What do you think that might look like for you. Now is really a good time to consider it.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"...I [Jesus] have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." - John 13:15

Being Slow to Speak

When you have to have the last word, usually it’s an apology. – Sparks

Job so badly wanted to plead his cause to God he talked his friends ears off. After hearing God speak all he could say was OOPS, Sorry about that!

Because we have the ability or opportunity to say certain things doesn’t mean we should in all cases. Many of us often take the point of view that because I have something to say on the matter, I’m going to say it, and often our emphasis is in error. There’s a common saying that goes “Speak when you’re angry and you’ll make the greatest speech you’ll ever regret.” Sometimes swallowing our words now is much easier than eating them later.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.” - Proverbs 10:19-20

Unanswered Questions

Last time it was checked, omniscience belonged to God. It still does. - Anon

Jesus on earth was the ‘truth’ personified. But for many he left a lot of unanswered questions. Hmm!

One of the difficulties of life is that we cannot nicely clear everything up. Some things or circumstances just do not come to a happy resolution, no matter how hard we try. We can pray for resolution and peace, even confess or admit our part in the matter. The truth of the matter is that life does have some ‘loose’ strings that will remain and perplex us no matter what we do, because we live with and work among other imperfect beings like ourselves. We may never fully understand why, in such cases we can only commit these difficult, and maybe painful circumstances to our Heavenly Father who knows best and will give us the peace we seek to continue on. Today would be a great day to do so.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?” – Job 38:33

Eternal Purpose Starts Here

Most people have no idea what to do in their life, yet they want it to last forever. – M. Kennicott

Esther went from a virtual nobody to Queen and relished it. Mordecai had to remind her that maybe God made her “for such a time as this.” Hmmm!

We live in a world where the majority of people do not like what they do for a living. We live in a world where a great number of people have no idea what they will do with an education. And we live in a world where the average person has little hope for a successful future. The common denominator in all of this is that of these groups all of them want life to go on ad infinitum. But we serve a God of purpose, a God of hope, and it is never too late to be what you might’ve been. The bottom line is God did have a purpose in mind when you were created, a character profile He wants to develop in you, one that will live forever. Why not start TODAY!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10

Timeless Still

The bible is neither antique nor modern, it is eternal. – Martin Luther

Earth still being in existence is proof enough that God’s Word is still valid. Hmm!

The wisdom, insight, truth, and foundational principles for life found in God’s Holy Word are as changeless and timeless as is He. It is a treasure that waits to be found, that increases in value the more we dig into it. Real truth never changes and cannot be made ‘less’ true, no matter the time or circumstance. God is God, always has been and always will be, in spite of what goes on in the world today. We may evolve in our cultural ‘norms’ and technologies, and even try to ignore God or say He’s outdated; but a quick look around tells us things are still going just as He purposed them. Trees still grow and blossom as He prescribed, seasons still follow one after another, night still follows day, and death still haunts us. And if we were to give careful consideration to what man has been up to the last few hundred years or so, I’m sure we’d all agree we’d rather have God over us than man.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.” – Psalm 119:152

Not God's Doing

Not everything that happens is the will of God, yet in the last resort nothing happens outside of his will. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

God did not want sin in the world, yet when it entered in the Garden of Eden he had a plan to defeat it. Amen!

Often, we ask God ‘why?’ “Why did this happen to me?” or “Why did this occur?” We are a people who always seek after concrete answers. And though it’s not a bad idea we must realize we cannot trace everything that happens directly back to God. One thing we must know is that many things happen as a result of our own willing and doing, and also because of the pervasive evil in our world. God cannot be the responsible cause of everything, for that would eliminate our freedom of choice and responsibility. But no matter, He IS concerned about everything that happens to us. And because He is Sovereign and His Providence is unchangeable, we can be assured that all things do finally work for the good for those who love Him. The question is: Will you trust Him in the midst of what you’re in right now?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.” – Matthew 10:29

First things First

True Christians make prayer the first necessity, never the last extremity. - Anon

Before the disciples chose a replacement for Judas they prayed over it, asking God for guidance. Hmm!

We do live in a fast-paced society. Days whiz by, events come and go, and life's situations continually demand our attention. And that's often when we get into trouble. When we give life's situations our attention without first seeking God's direction and fellowship, we're putting the cart before the horse. All too often we get fully engaged in events, activities, planning, or relationships and then ask God's blessing, when it should be the other way around. We should seek His leading, not seek leading Him. And inasmuch as He has asked us "is there anything too hard for Him,' it seems to me that He wants to be involved in all of our affairs and activities, no matter how big or small. Extending the invitation is up to us.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33

Success or Significance

Greatness comes not because of position, but because of purpose. – R. Murray

David was a great king not because of his many valiant battles and victories, but because he had a heart after God. Hmm!

Ebenezer Scrooge, Howard Hughes. One fictional, one real – both successful and rich – but miserable. Most of us spend our lives chasing after the one job, promotion, person, or possession that we believe will get us the happiness, recognition, and completeness in life we believe we’re missing. But if our forefathers were any indication, success in any of these endeavors did not equate to a happy fulfilled life nor greatness with God. The world values success and its trappings, God values significance. God is not against us having success or material blessings, but He calls us to live a life that places significance of Him and His kingdom above all else. A life lived for success alone is selfish, a life lived for significance is giving. The choice is ours.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Jesus called the twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” – Mark 9:35