An On Call God

He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and joyful life. - W. Law

David sought the Lord and actually received deliverance from his troubles. Really. Wow!

Lawyers on retainer! Agents on commission! Doctors on call! Men or women who will do whatever we ask them to do - ON DEMAND (for a price) - to appease or satisfy our wants or needs. For many of us these are only pipe dreams, we don't fit in the category of wealth to have such luxuries at our fingertips on speed dial. But there is another type of 'on call' relationship we can have where money/wealth is not involved at all. In fact, it is only available to those who consider themselves 'poor and needy.' It is God's promise to never fail in hearing and responding to His children's cries, prayers, petitions, and requests. The thing we have to remember is God is not 'on demand' to do as we ask but He is 'on call' to hear us and provide the deliverance we need according to His grace. So why don't we just give Him a call today, Really!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly." - Luke 18:7-8

No Shine, Glitz or Glam Needed

I have learned that to be with those I like is enough. - Walt Whitman

Korah and his cohorts thought they should have a prominent place in the 'Lord's assembly.' That frame of mind was costly. OUCH!

How often do we get upset when our name doesn't get specifically mentioned when accolades are passed around? It often seems the more prominent folks get the notice and then 'the rest' or the 'supporting cast' gets casually mentioned. I've come to realize that's really not such a bad place or group to be in with God. When it comes to 'heavenly visions' the Word of God often mentions phrases like - 'a great crowd of witnesses', 'people from every tribe, language, and nation', 'those who had been victorious over the beast' - standing, celebrating, and praising in God's presence. I don't think anyone in those settings cares that they weren't given specific mention, only that they are part of the cast that made it in. And truly, that's all that should really matter. You are somebody to God!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right...." - Acts 10:34-35

More Lessons Learned

I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught. – Winston Churchill

Jesus questioned Peter 3 times about his love for him. Each time Peter squirmed, but answered truthfully. Pentecost says he PASSED the test!

The book ‘All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten’ sold thousands of copies in the stores. It was a bit misleading as it only talked about basic premises for life, not that our education was through at this level of schooling. Sadly, many people feel they are through learning when their prescribed course of education is completed. But life is an ever evolving educational process. Our education begins the day we are born and ends the day we die. God knows exactly how much time He’s allotted for us and He will use each and every moment to bring us into a deeper understanding of who He is. At times some lessons are more painful than others, not because of God but because of our own schemes. As you go through the day remember God is the Master of the pop quiz.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves….” – Hebrews 12:7-8

Pass it on

I’ve learned that you can’t give what you’ve never received. – Max Lucado

Paul had many trials and persecutions in his life that we will never face. But of all of them he said to follow his example, for he followed Christ. Hmm!

The one constant about life is that it goes on no matter what. Circumstances, problems, and troubles seem to always be in great supply. And they always seem to include other people. The key to winning at life is how we respond to the people in these situations with us. The true mark or identity of the Christian is that they are totally willing and looking for opportunity to pass on the best gifts of God (love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, etc.) that others may know Him as we do. It’s how God often manifests Himself to others – through us. If we find it difficult or impossible to extend these great gifts maybe we need to review our relationship with the God we serve.

I'll be taking some time off until the New Year. See you shortly....

Pastor Botts

“Freely you have received, freely give….” 

– Matthew 10:8

Still Learning

I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. – Maya Angelou

Enoch was 365 years old, but yet he walked and talked with God daily. Eventually God just kept him to himself.

Retired. Graduate. President. Matured. All words that indicate we’ve reached the top, the pinnacle, and no longer need to listen to anyone or learn anything new. Au contraire friend! Life is an educational process from day one, and we serve a God that is endless in the ways He can and will manifest His glory and wondrous ways to us and among us. The process of learning is ever evolving that we may perfect the process of giving ourselves fully to the will of God. The fact that God is still bringing new experiences into our lives shows He cares, the question is – do we?

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” – Acts 17:11

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

Coming Together

A river is powerful only because many drops of water have learned the secret of cooperation.  – R. Murray

In the early Christian church where they had “all things common,” they also had power to ‘shake the earth’ through prayer! Hmm.

It is true, each of us must come to Christ individually and have a personal relationship with him directly, but it does not negate the fact that he built the church to have power here on earth. When the church (collective body) comes together in prayer, evangelism, outreach, and missions it is a force within a force (God’s Spirit) to be reckoned with. When we try to go it alone or do it outside the church’s purview, we’re going against God’s plan. Remember, there is no such thing as a Lone Ranger Christian.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.” – Acts 2:42-44

Desiring God

If we have not what we desire, we have more than we deserve. – T. Watson

The Prodigal Son may have lost his resources and dignity, but he never lost his father’s love. WOW!

To be alive in this world is to live with unfulfilled desires. This does not mean that God has not given us the ‘desires of our heart,’ nor failed to meet our needs. It simply means that in our humanness, our desires will always outpace our living. It’s a God thing. Unchecked, such desires can frustrate and disillusion us, making us ungrateful and self-centered, when in truth all our desires should be for the things of God and His kingdom purposes. In Christ, our desires or aspirations don’t go away, we continue to pursue them, but we realize it’s God who defines us, keeps us, and provides for us; and in the end that is more than enough.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” – Philippians 4:11

Learning since day 1!

I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. – Maya Angelou

Enoch was 365 years old, but yet he walked and talked with God daily. Eventually God just kept him to himself.

Retired. Graduate. President. Matured. All words that indicate we’ve reached the top, the pinnacle, and no longer need to listen to anyone or learn anything new. Au contraire friend! Life is an educational process from day one, and we serve a God that is endless in the ways he can and will manifest His glory and wondrous ways to us and among us. The process of learning is ever evolving that we may perfect the process of giving ourselves fully to the will of God. The fact that God is still bringing new experiences into our lives shows he cares, the question is – do we?

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” – Acts 17:11