Learning to let go

Abundance is a process of letting go; that which is empty can receive. - B. McGill

We know Jacob wrestled with God - I'm quite sure he would have taken the blessing of God without the limp. Hmm!

We've all played it at one time or another. The old 'tug-o-war' game, trying to pull your opponents over the dividing line into the mud puddle. It was a lot of fun as kids, But I wonder if we realize we never left the basics of the game behind as we matured. When you think about those periods of restlessness, anxiety. edginess, and even selfishness in our lives, could it not be we are playing the game with God, trying to win Him to our way of thinking or our personal desires. We take our prayer requests and lay them before Him, but yet we kept hold of the rope ourselves (worry, impatience, gloom, etc.) trying to get the exact outcome we wanted. If we would just take a moment and look back we will see that God is true to His promises. Everything in the past He has worked out or is working out for our good. So why not just let go of the rope in this current crisis or situation and let God be God. It's much better this way and you won't get as muddy!

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

Letting Go

Some people think it’s holding on that makes one strong, sometimes it’s letting go. – S. Robinson

Paul said he was a Hebrew of Hebrews, and a Pharisee of Pharisees. But on that Damascus road he realized Jesus was all he needed. He counted everything else a loss. Hmm!

Learning how to walk! Learning how to ride a bike! Living on our own! All of these breakthroughs in our lives involve letting go of someone we’ve relied on and trusting in our own ability. Done successfully, we become stronger, and more confident. Our relationship with God is the same. We must learn to fully trust in an unseen, yet fully alive God; and let go of the ‘crutches’ we have in our lives. To move forward at times we must let go of the comfortable, the known, the sure thing, and move toward the unknown to which God is calling us for maturity, and just trust Him. Remember, we walk by faith, not sight or certainty.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” – Philippians 3:7-8

Prayer And Fasting

Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and tangible. – A. Murray

Jesus fasted 40 days and also withdrew to lonely places to pray. You can’t beat His results. Hmm!

It doesn’t happen often but sometimes in life we are faced with the delight of choosing between the better of two very appealing options (steak or lobster, cake or pie, exercise or rest, etc.). In our relationship with God it’s no different. He always welcomes us in prayer, enjoying the time we spend in conversation with Him. But also, He is elated with our times of sacrifice in order that we may draw closer to Him as well. Either way we can’t lose.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“…When you fast put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father….” – Matthew 6:17-18

P.S. – Don’t forget our Sunday School Devotion time this Sunday at 9AM in Parmes Hall. We may be answering YOUR question.