Singing in the Shelter

The greater our present trials and troubles, the louder our future songs of praise will be. – Charles H. Spurgeon

The Psalms, Mary's 'Magnificat'. When you remember the sufferings of people like Moses, David, and even Mary - it gives greater meaning to their songs of praise. AMEN!

Life is exact in its dealings with us. It plays no favorites. From time to time all of us must face discouragement and defeat. Winter, spring, summer or fall, the season nor our age gets us a pass. And sometimes, we experience life-changing personal losses that may leave us reeling. It is what we do in those moments that determine who we are and whose we are. The same God we praise is ready to be called upon when we are in trouble, waiting, standing at the ready to heal, restore, protect and comfort us according to His good pleasure and will. So if our world seems to be trembling or crumbling beneath our feet, we need to seek the protection of the One who can’t be moved. The God who made this universe and everything in it will keep us if we ask Him….so let’s ask Him. We’ve got nothing to lose and stand to gain everything, and if we actually think about it, what He’s already done, we should sing until we’re hoarse.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….this is what the Lord….says…I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you….” – II Kings 20:5

Convicted By Our Actions

Actions lie louder than words. – C. Wells

Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites because they did not 'practice' what they preached. Hmm!

If Jesus is to represent us in heaven before his Father, we must give him something to work with down here. Just as we can easily know what a person believes and thinks not by what they tell us, but by their actions, SO CAN God. And God is not impressed by our high and lofty thoughts, our intentions or speeches, or our wanting to do good, He desires our obedience to His will. None of His commandments are suggestions, food for thought, or take it or leave it theories. God sets the standard for righteousness and requires our obedience out of our love for Him and who He is. His word is life, and He expects us to strive each day to live it out. We can be certain that our actions will convict us, the only question is what will we be convicted of?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” – Luke 6:46

Future Praise

The greater our present trials and troubles, the louder our future songs of praise will be. – C.H. Spurgeon

The Psalms, Mary's 'Magnificat'. When you remember the sufferings of people like Moses, David, and even Mary - it gives greater meaning to their songs of praise. AMEN!

Life is exact in its dealings with us. It plays no favorites. From time to time all of us must face discouragement and defeat. Winter, spring, summer or fall, the season nor our age gets us a pass. And sometimes, we experience life-changing personal losses that may leave us reeling. It is what we do in those moments that determine who we are and whose we are. The same God we praise is ready to be called upon when we are in trouble, waiting, standing at the ready to heal, restore, protect and comfort us according to His good pleasure and will. So if our world seems to be trembling or crumbling beneath our feet, we need to seek the protection of the one who can’t be moved. The God who made this universe and everything in it will keep us if we ask Him….so let’s ask Him. We’ve got nothing to lose and stand to gain everything, and if we actually think about it, what He’s already done, we should sing until we’re hoarse.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“….this is what the Lord….says…I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you….” – II Kings 20:5

Individual Ambassadors

I found out a long time ago that “I must do something” allows much more freedom than “something must be done.” – L. Hallum

The Good Samaritan didn’t wait until a truce was called, or a law was passed to help his ‘neighbor,’ he just did it! WOW.

We’ve all heard the maxim “actions speak louder than words” – and it’s true, particularly for us as God-fearing people. When we act instead of waiting for others to act we are truly free to express our God-given talents, abilities, and resources in ways to benefit the kingdom and bring glory to God, than if we wait for “someone else” to do it. God often places us in such situations that we may share His love in some form with others. He doesn’t expect us to go beyond our means but will amply supply all that we require. As the day unfolds and situations arise we must each remember that we are the individual ‘ambassador’ God has chosen in this situation, because God only leaves the big jobs for someone important like us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Jesus replied, ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” – Matthew 14:16

Your Rep

Not only do actions speak louder than words, they actually cause conversation! - Anon

The crucifixion happened over 2,000 years ago. Yet people still talk about it non-stop and wonder. Hmm!

Though we have a given name we are often known by our actions, or reputation as some call it. Those we know see us and the things we do and compare these to the values, morals, and truths we say we hold dear - and voila, reputation is born. Having a reputation is not necessarily a bad thing, particularly if our lives are authentic; meaning our actions line up with our beliefs, no matter the time, place, or situation. And it's not a one-time occurrence, it's who we are at all times. There's a lot to be said for authenticity, and the hope and prayer is that it is true of us!

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....Simply let your 'YES', be 'Yes,' and your 'NO,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." - Matthew 5:37

Dark Days Great Praise

The greater our present trials and troubles, the louder our future songs of praise will be. – C.H. Spurgeon

The Psalms, Mary's 'Magnificat'. When you remember the sufferings of people like Moses, David, and even Mary - it gives greater meaning to their songs of praise. AMEN!

Life is exact in its dealings with us. It plays no favorites. From time to time all of us must face discouragement and defeat. Winter, spring, summer or fall, the season nor our age gets us a pass. And sometimes, we experience life-changing personal losses that may leave us reeling. It is what we do in those moments that determine who we are and whose we are. The same God we praise is ready to be called upon when we are in trouble, waiting, standing at the ready to heal, restore, protect and comfort us according to His good pleasure and will. So if our world seems to be trembling or crumbling beneath our feet, we need to seek the protection of the one who can’t be moved. The God who made this universe and everything in it will keep us if we ask Him….so let’s ask Him. We’ve got nothing to lose and stand to gain everything, and if we actually think about it, what He’s already done, we should sing until we’re hoarse.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….this is what the Lord….says…I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you….” – II Kings 20:5

To Do or Not To Do

Actions lie louder than words. – C. Wells

Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites because they did not 'practice' what they preached. Hmm!

If Jesus is to represent us in heaven before his Father, we must give him something to work with down here. Just as we can easily know what a person believes and thinks not by what they tell us, but by their actions, SO CAN God. And God is not impressed by our high and lofty thoughts, our intentions or speeches, or our wanting to do good, He desires our obedience to His will. None of His commandments are suggestions, food for thought, or take it or leave it theories. God requires our obedience out of our love for Him and who He is. His word is life, and He expects us to strive each day to live them out. Our actions will convict us, the only question is what will we be convicted of?

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” – Luke 6:46