Stay Courageous

He who loses wealth loses much, he who loses a friend loses more, but he who loses his courage loses all. – Miguel de Cervantes

Of all the things Judas lost on that fateful night, his courage to seek a forgiving Christ cost him most. Ouch!

Often we don’t want to face the trials God puts before us, meet the challenges His church requires of us, or step out on faith as His word tells us, but we must. For it is in going through the circumstances of life we grow our faith and our courage for the next battle. We need remember, Satan’s best and most used tool is “discouragement,” and he keeps it at the ready. And he doesn't use it in big 'doses' but little by little, in very subtle ways, so that it begins to wear us down and lead us to apathy. So we must pray that the Spirit will empower us for today, for the challenges, they are a'comin.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith, be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” – I Corinthians 16:13-14

Reviving Our Faith through the Diagram

Faith is not a thing which one "loses," we merely cease to shape our lives by it. – G. Bernanos

When the Prodigal Son moved away from his father and his God, it wasn’t long before he realized what shape he was really in. Hmm!

Growing up one of the things we were taught was to ‘color in between’ the lines. No matter what the diagram or picture was we were instructed to color ‘inside’ the shape. This was not really just an object lesson on creativity but also an important life lesson on structure and discipline, for without structure or discipline life becomes meaningless and unfulfilling. Could you imagine trying to play hop-scotch, or basketball, or even checkers without a meaningful diagram to aid you? So it is with our faith, when we cease to live by it we become adrift in a world which does not care nor have our best interests at heart. And prolonged drifting begins to change or harden our hearts and ways towards God and others. The good news though is that we can revive our faith simply by coming back to God and allowing Him to reshape us.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” – Hebrews 11:1-2

God Sees You

Laser vision is great but I trust more in a God who never loses focus. - Anon

Hagar thought no one cared for her and her son Ishmael, until the 'God who sees' spoke to her in the desert. Wow!

Pigeons, crows, gulls, chee-chee birds - what a nuisance! We see them all the time and rarely give them any thought - other than to curse them for messing up our cars. But to see a flock of ducks/geese flying overhead in that familiar V-pattern we give a more focused view and even regal thought to. Life at times may make us feel like a nuisance or pest, or even non-existent or unworthy of others time or interest. It's in these moments we need to remember the most important truth of all time: Christ died for us too! And that means we have immeasurable worth and value. So even when others don't see us - God does.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God......Don't be afraid, you are worth much more than many sparrows." - Luke 12:6-7

Burn Brighter Together

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. – Anon

What would have happened if Andrew had not told his brother Simon about finding the Christ? I can’t imagine Pentecost any other way. WHEW!

A burning candle is useless if no one is around to enjoy it, its heat and radiance goes unnoticed, and its purpose goes unfulfilled. The same is true of us when we try to exist in solitude and singleness of purpose. We were made to be interdependent upon one another. That’s where our strength, stamina, and resiliency come from. Anyone who has ever tried to blow out candles on a birthday cake knows it takes a lot of effort, and the more candles lit, the more effort required. God has indeed called us to be light in a dark world. Imagine how our lives could be strengthened and burn brighter with others like us in a small community of believers. Are you in or out?

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“…..In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.” – II Corinthians 7:13

The Shape of Your Faith

Faith is not a thing which one "loses," we merely cease to shape our lives by it. – G. Bernanos

When the Prodigal Son moved away from his father and his God, it wasn’t long before he realized what shape he was really in. Hmm!

Growing up one of the things we were taught was to ‘color in between’ the lines. No matter what the diagram or picture was we were instructed to color ‘inside’ the shape. This was not really just an object lesson on creativity but also an important life lesson on structure and discipline, for without structure or discipline life becomes meaningless and unfulfilling. Could you imagine trying to play hop-scotch, or basketball, or even checkers without a meaningful diagram to aid you? So it is with our faith, when we cease to live by it we become adrift in world which does not care nor have our best interests at heart. And prolonged drifting begins to change or harden our hearts and ways towards God and others. The good news though is that we can revive our faith simply by coming back to God and allowing Him to reshape us.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” – Hebrews 11:1-2

P.S. - We will be holding Bible Study tonight for those who would like to come out. Your prayers are always appreciated!

Our Time in His Hand

He who waits on God loses no time. – V. Havner

While the disciples were waiting for the ‘promise’ of Pentecost, they became avid prayer warriors. AMEN!

The art of waiting may have been lost by man but not by God; He has not changed. He moves not according to the watch we wear or the clock we look at, but according to His own schedule. We say “God is in control” but our actions often reflect otherwise as we try to push, prod, and pull Him into action when we deem it best. All of us have at one time or another been a personal recipient of God’s timeliness, which should serve as a constant reminder that we need to be patient. The world gives the illusion today that it moves faster than it did years ago but we must remember it’s the same world, and He’s the same God. Waiting on Him is one of the greatest acts of trust and obedience.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.” – Psalm 31:15

Face It

He who loses wealth loses much, he who loses a friend loses more, but he who loses his courage loses all. – M. de Cervantes

Of all the things Judas lost on that fateful night, his courage to seek a forgiving Christ cost him most. Ouch!

Often we don’t want to face the trials God puts before us, meet the challenges His church requires of us, or step out on faith as His word tells us, but we must. For it is in going through the circumstances of life we grow our faith and our courage for the next battle. We need remember, Satan’s best and most used tool is “discouragement,” and he keeps it at the ready. So we must pray that the Spirit will empower us for today, for the challenges, they are a'comin.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith, be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” – I Corinthians 16:13-14

Burn Together

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. – Anon

What would have happened if Andrew had not told his brother Simon about finding the Christ? I can’t imagine Pentecost any other way. WHEW!

A burning candle is useless if no one is around to enjoy it, its heat and radiance goes unnoticed, and its purpose goes unfulfilled. The same is true of us when we try to exist in solitude and singleness of purpose. We were made to be interdependent upon one another. That’s where our strength, stamina, and resiliency come from. Anyone who has ever tried to blow out candles on a birthday cake knows it takes a lot of effort, and the more candles lit, the more effort required. God has indeed called us to be light in a dark world. Imagine how our lives could be strengthened and burn brighter with others like us in a small community of believers. Are you in or out?

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“…..In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.” – II Corinthians 7:13

God Time

He who waits on God loses no time. – V. Havner

While the disciples were waiting for the ‘promise’ of Pentecost, they became avid prayer warriors. AMEN!

The art of waiting may have been lost by man but not by God; He has not changed. He moves not according to the watch we wear or the clock we look at, but according to His own schedule. We say “God is in control” but our actions often reflect otherwise as we try to push, prod, and pull Him into action when we deem it best. All of us have at one time or another been a personal recipient of God’s timeliness, which should serve as a constant reminder that we need to be patient. The world gives the illusion today that it moves faster than it did years ago but we must remember it’s the same world, and He’s the same God. Waiting on Him is one of the greatest acts of trust and obedience.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.” – Psalm 31:15