2025 One Chapter Closes Another Opens

Another year is dawning…

Abraham got up early in the morning taking Isaac along with him in obedience to God, for an experience that changed them both forever. Hmm!

Though our God is ‘outside’ of time as we know it, He is still the divine keeper and ruler of time and space. He knows exactly when to act and to will His good purposes for us. Just think “at just the right time” Jesus was born. Or “when the time had fully come (Pentecost) the Holy Spirit was poured out” and the church was birthed. If God is truly God, He has it all mapped and planned out. We need not spin our wheels like those we see darting in and out of traffic causing all kinds of mayhem and danger trying to get ‘there’ first -whatever that may be. Our lives may not be where we want or expected it to be right now, but we can pray and trust God will be there at the appropriate time to do what only He can do, and no amount of hurrying or worrying will speed up His arrival.

“This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles…” - Psalm 34:6

FYI – After much prayer and meditation, I write to let you know this will be the last post for ‘The Thought for Today’. It’s been 21 years since I began this and I think this season has run its course for me. I pray it has been a blessing in your life for I know it was in mine. What’s next I do not know, but I trust God will guide and direct us all. Thank you for giving me your eyes all these years.

Blessings!

Pastor Botts

Bloom Where You are

'Thrive' - Kaiser Permanente Healthcare slogan

Joseph. Daniel. A couple of men whose lives were lived in harsh conditions, but yet they thrived. Hmm!

If you've ever watched a few of the National Geographic or Planet Earth shows you'll notice they show the beauty of nature under some of the harshest conditions. Plants, trees, ponds, etc., that get watered sporadically, maybe once a year. But boy, when they get it they thrive - all of life in all its beauty and activity burst out. The saying is 'bloom where you are'! For possibly all of us, life isn't quite what we envisioned or expected in certain areas (job, marriage/singlehood, health, finances, etc.) but be that as it may, God's grace, mercy, and compassions are NEW every day, so we should still be full of life and hope, a display of God's beauty for all to see. May we be more attracting than distracting to the kingdom today.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Living the Slower Pace

Sure, the tortoise is slow, but he is surefooted in his progress. - Anon

Noah took 100+ years to build the ark because that’s what God gave him. Hmm!

It’s no secret that most automobile accidents are caused by someone driving to fast. Likewise, it’s also no secret that most lives are destroyed by fast-living. Life is not meant to be fast. It is meant to be lived, experienced, and savored. Haste truly does make waste. When we take the time to actually live life and savor our experiences, then we can begin to determine what is really important and necessary and what is not. If we were to analyze it we would find that most of our life is just busy work – just look at all of our gadgets. If we read through the scriptures we find there is never a time that God or His Son Jesus was in a hurry. No matter how much we want to speed things up so that we can multi-task and experience it all, we can’t change the laws of nature, that’s God’s business. When we continually move too fast we miss opportunities to stop, gaze, and savor the world through God’s eyes. Care to take a look?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things you will never fall…” – II Peter 1:10

Pursuing God

If we lose God, it is not God who is lost. – Anon

The book of Judges shows the folly of God's people trying to live without Him in their midst. Time and again they came looking for God to save them. Ouch!

It is said "those who forget history are doomed to repeat it." Could that be us at times. Having the history of our ancestors recorded for our posterity, you would think we should know of a certainty which way to go - God's way. Though He won't forsake us, it is possible we can forsake Him. If you are continually being defeated by everything you face, it's possible you have lost God's favor and your heart has departed from Him; for He has assured victory for His children. Maybe now is a good time to check our life compass.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity...." - Jeremiah 29:13-14

One of the Great Mysteries of Grace

God doesn’t always smooth the path, but sometimes He puts springs in the wagon. – M. Lucas

Joseph’s pathway to prominence as Pharaoh’s 2nd in command wasn’t the smoothest, but God’s hand of favor was always upon him. Amen!

Hardship is as much a part of life as the air we breathe. For if we had no hardship, we really would not know the true experience of joy. Troubles may come and not seem to get better with much prayer and meditation, but God has promised to be with us every step of the way, and where one area of our life may be particularly troubled, God is still blessing in other areas. That’s one of the great mysteries of ‘grace.’ If we count our blessings, we’ll see it’s true.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“There was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘MY GRACE is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”’ – 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Responses to Life

What life does to us depends on what life finds in us. – Richard Murray

In all that Joseph went through, he never lost his composure or his God. Hmm!

Insurance – most people that buy it hope they never have to use it but are glad they have it when they need it. Our faith on the other hand is a definite must-have and use daily requirement. Faith is what allows us to overcome the most difficult setbacks, hurdles, and heartaches. You or I cannot always change or control the world around us, but we can always control what happens within us. If we truly want to gauge how strong our relationship with Christ is all we need do is look at our responses to the everyday circumstances of life. The question is does life make us bitter or better, we know with Jesus it was the latter.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Remembering the Good Things

Life would be truly wonderful if we could forget our troubles as quickly as we seem to forget our blessings. – Anon

The Israelites cried out to God for over 400 years to be free of their Egyptian oppressors. As soon as He set them free and they came to the Red Sea they were ready to go back. Hmm!

Truthfully speaking, it is a great day and a great time to be alive. No matter the circumstances of our lives or what station we occupy now, we are blessed beyond measure. Hardships may come, sickness may strike, but these don’t last always and often God will use these instances to help us grow stronger in our faith – and draw us closer to Him – that He may bless us even more. If we are to be in heaven praising eternally, God wants us to be long in memory and character as to what that really entails, so as the day unfolds God wants us to practice keeping our focus on Him and his purposes no matter what may arise.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.” – I Chronicles 16:11-12

Living With Enthusiasm

Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come from miles around to watch you burn. – John Wesley

The ‘change’ in the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well was so stark, it excited the whole town to come see this Jesus. Wow!

We’ll drive great lengths, we’ll wait in long lines, even sit in not-so-great seats just to have a chance to see ‘our’ team, to cheer them on, scream and yell with exuberance our support, proudly wear the ‘uniform, and talk them up. But when it comes to matters of faith it’s sad that so many of us have a ‘form of Christianity’ that just seems to drain us, tire us out, take our joy, and leave us flat and unappealing to others. Jesus actually said, “I come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” That sounds like exuberance and enthusiasm. To be enthusiastic for Christ is not just reciting bible verses to people, handing out gospel tracts, or just telling the lost Jesus loves them. To be enthusiastic is to be active in showing others the love, compassion, forgiveness, mercy, grace, humility, and help Jesus would show them if He were present (actually He is in us) in such a way that they could not mistake it for anything else but the favor of God reaching out to them. May we all have fun for Christ today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden…..” – Matthew 5:14

For A Time...

“You are here!”, but…..” Anon

God’s people were in the wilderness for a while but ultimately made it to the Promised Land. Amen!

Life is to be lived out, and God sees the whole picture. Not just one frame or picture frozen in time. Where we are right now is where God needs us to be. He created us and knows all of our past failures and successes, and He knows the future He’s planned for each of us. It has to be something GRAND and more than we can imagine because God does only the extraordinary. So maybe we should begin to think a little bigger, dream a little more, and walk with more pep in our step because God is up to something for our good and ultimately His GLORY!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” – Daniel 12:3

That Unchangeable Truth

Facts do not cease to exist just because they are ignored. - Aldous Huxley

Though Adonijah declared himself king with celebrations and such, it just wasn't so. Hmm!

"Face the facts!" Boy, haven't we heard that expression a ton of times in our lives. And deservedly so. It normally happens when we begin to think everything is about us, and for us, and we try to make it so, but the logic just does not apply to our situation. You just can’t change the truth. And often we forget or try to ignore the very first truth of all things: God made the world and everything in it first, BEFORE He made us! So, the world and everything in it operates under His providential design. Even though God put man in 'charge' of it, He never gave man authority to change anything. And if we know anything of the scriptures, we can clearly see life continues to happen just as God ordained it. So now, today would be a good time for us to wise up.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man...." - Ecclesiastes 12:13

Opportunities For Investment

Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity! - H. Jackson Browne, Jr.

40 years! That was four decades of wandering in the desert for the Israelites all because they said ‘No’ to God’s offer. Hmm!

The digital photo platform was actually invented by a technician who worked for “Kodak’ at the time. He pitched the idea to the board and they passed on it seeing no future for it. Ouch! The plea for allowing the client to have a say in their investment opportunities was loud and clear. E.F. Hutton missed it. Neither are around anymore. We all sometimes look at our current life and say “If I knew then what I know now….how different might things be!” Well, the question we need to take a bit more seriously is ‘What are we doing with what we know now...to prepare for what may come later?” The gift of TODAY is an opportunity for a better tomorrow, but it depends upon how we invest it. God stands at the ready to give additional wisdom to what He’s already gifted us if we need it.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19

Eyes On the REAL Prize

Gaze at God, glance at life. - Carlos Whittaker

After all his great feats, accomplishments, and life projects, Solomon set his eyes back firmly on God and His commands. Hmm!

In school we make a plan, we plot our courses, electives, and time such that we come out with our preferred degree objective BA, BS, MBA, Doctorate, etc. This is great for our earthly existence, but what about our spiritual growth? Do we ever make a plan, plot out prayer/study time, seek opportunities/classes to help us grow in our spiritual disciplines. It is a proven fact that the way to get better at anything is through study and application. The bible tells us the undisciplined life is the way of a fool. It's not that God is trying to force us into a structured way of ritual living, but more of a communal way of walking with Him more closely like Enoch. And hey, that had a great ending!

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"[Abraham] was looking forward to the city without foundations, whose architect and builder is God." - Hebrews 11:10

The Doing Is What Matters

In life, words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are promises. But performance is reality. – H. Geneen

God said ‘His word would not return to Him void, it would accomplish the very purpose for which He spoke it.’ It still does! Hmm.

Years ago we used to live by the truism ‘a man’s word is his bond.’ This was so because one would only speak on or promise what he knew he alone could deliver without excuse. Today we have terms like ‘Spin Control’, or ‘Politically Correct.’ These are just terms of the day people now use to hide behind or keep themselves ‘safe’ from doing what is actually required of them. But there comes a time in all of our lives where we know it’s what we actually do that counts most, particularly when it comes to God and His kingdom purposes. No amount of words - no matter how well parsed or versed – will satisfy His call for our action. The question we must all face this day is ‘as God directs my path will I perform as needed, or try to talk my way around it?’ It will be our choice, but the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’ might bear looking into.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22

Looking At Who We're Becoming

Everyday we live we are in the process of becoming – look now before it’s too late. – R. Coons

Even while dying on the cross as a convicted criminal the thief still refused to change his heart. It was a waste of life. Hmm!

Each morning as we look in the mirror someone is looking back at us. It is the person we are. We can’t hide from it, and though we may try to “make it up” or put on our mask, the real person remains. There is no escaping it; we are the person we have become. Hopefully that news is a good, joyful revelation, and not one of regret. But if not, God is allowing us to start over TODAY to become who He wants us to be. The decision to change is up to each one of us individually. The bible says Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man, and became a “Perfect Lamb.” That’s God’s plan – what’s yours?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” – James 1:22-24

A True Treasure and Measure

When saving for old age be sure to put away a lot of good memories. – Richard Murray

As Jesus was growing and maturing his mother Mary ‘stored up’ a lot of his actions in her heart. It served her well at the cross. Hmm!

It’s no secret that life is fleeting. You finish school, work a little while and before you know it the ‘golden years’ are upon you. Those years where we spent time building and raising a family, acquiring material wealth, building a nest-egg, and finding our true self just zipped by. If we’re fortunate we learn the secret of the ‘golden years’ early on. Life is in the living not the acquiring, for what is acquired or accumulated can vanish very quickly. But good memories can never be lost or stolen and are a true treasure and measure of one’s lifetime of achievements. All the money in the world can’t erase a sad, regret-filled life, and God wants us to enjoy the life He’s given so today we need to invest in good memories.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.” – Proverbs 10:7

Safeguarding Your Selfhood

Our parents may have named us but our life truly speaks who we are. – Anon

In the Garden of Eden, God asked Adam "where are you?" not for his location but for his attitude. Sin had somewhat changed his identity. Hmm!

You've seen the commercials - LIFELOCK! NORD VPN! And others. Protect your identity. They talk about online identity theft and fraud, and your need to protect your financial/medical/life identity from cyber criminals on the web/internet. Sadly, this is very true. But yet, our identity is being stolen every day - openly. The government chips away at it with legislation and liberal laws, often where we don't even a have a voice in the decision. Society or culture chips away at it with its "all about me" attitude and demands. At times even our own children make us question our rights as their parents. “Who are you?” It is a lot to deal with. And if we're not careful we give in and even start to 'adapt' to these changes as God-ordained/approved. Here's the question we need to truly consider when it comes to identity, and that is: Does God know who you are? Is your identity unquestionable before Him? Is our walk and talk a great witness to Him and for Him? Or will He have a 'where's Waldo' moment trying to identify us? Today is a good day to make sure!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things you will never fail, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." II Peter 2:10-11

The Many Speeds of Life

Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use. – Charles M. Schultz

James and John wanted to ‘call down fire’ on the Samaritans because they didn’t welcome Jesus. Jesus got them to relax and later on faith won the day. HMMM!

Look on any freeway at any time and you’ll see them – Porsche’s, Maserati’s, Ferrari’s – built for excessive speed yet limited by the law, sheer pictures of frustration. Most of us live life that way as if we have only 1 speed. It is either a blistering race to the finish line (which we have no idea is where or when), or a scenic snails pace stopping at every turn (not making any progress). The life Jesus calls us to requires us to be very flexible – sometimes waiting and fasting, sometimes stealing away quickly, and sometimes taking long journeys – to experience the ‘abundance’ He promised. The idea is to take it 1 day at a time using all the gifts God has given us at the pace God sets, for He gives ‘grace sufficient for the day.’

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” – Romans 12:1

Guarding Against A Silent Killer

Hardening of the attitudes is the most dangerous disease on the face of the earth. – Zig Ziglar

Pharaoh’s heart was so hardened toward God and his people, that it cost him not only his pride, and his son, but his army in the Red Sea as well. OUCH!

High cholesterol is a silent attacker of the human body. It may take years but if left unchecked it begins to build blockages in the arteries (hardening) restricting life supplying blood flow. Hardening of the attitudes (heart) works in the same manner. If we’re not careful it will silently creep into our nature to where we are completely unaware that we have become hardened. We begin to snap at others, project hateful speech at certain groups, and find it plenty hard to practice grace. That’s why time in the word, meditation, and prayer are so important – not only are they good medicine – but they tend to make a happy heart.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

Applyling Your Heart

In worship, we would rather our heart be without words, than our words without heart. – L. Broschman

God’s prophet Jeremiah flat out called the priests of the day liars and arrogant men practicing before God – and the people seemed to love it. GOD FORBID!

For the average Christian, Sunday is the day of worship where we go to God’s house and sing, pray, and even say a few “hallelujah’s" or "Amen’s.” But God is not relegated to the church house and worship is not restricted to a once-a-week occurrence, it is a way of life that flows from the heart in all we do. God is looking for more than lip service, He wants life application. Our prayer should be that our worship during the work week will be as “charged and passion-filled” as it was in His house on Sunday.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“The Lord says: ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” – Isaiah 29:13

Deeper Conversation

A prayerless life for a Christian is a high crime against God. - Anon

When Jesus said "when you pray" he wasn't making a suggestion. Hmm!

As you look around it's hard to miss -phones. Yeah. People are talking/texting and what not in great numbers seemingly all the time. Everybody is having a conversation. God says He's 'listening' for one. He says His ears are open to the cries of His people. Wow, what an invitation. Prayer anyone! Admittedly, it is not the quantity of words in the prayer but the heart, but also admittedly, as our relationship grows with God our walk should draw us into deeper more meaningful 'conversations' with Him over time. Prayer should become a source of joy and inspiration to us (Jesus often withdrew to do so) and a necessary component to our daily survival. Prayer is the easiest and hardest of all things! Many people believe in it, but not many pray. How about you?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?' - Deuteronomy 4:7

REMINDER: All bible studies are suspended this week in lieu of Vacation Bible School. Come on out to the campus and join us each night at 6pm if you're available.