Let His Beauty Shine Through

Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder! – Anon

To those with a pure heart the CROSS is a thing of beauty. AMEN!

Mirrors, Ugh! How we often try to avoid them. They seem to show all our flaws. The pimples, scars, years of aging. The gray hairs, receding hairline, tired eyes. And no matter how much we try to keep our shape, physique, beauty (exercise or otherwise( the mirror has something to point out that we worry about. But thankfully God cares nothing about the mirror image. He looks on the heart, and He looks through the blood of His perfect Son that cleanses us. What He sees is pure beauty, and what He blesses us with each day is to help make that beauty even more inspiring. So friend, let us let that ‘light shine.’

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“God saw all that He had made, and it was VERY good…” – Genesis 1:31

Fully Known, Fully Loved

Your individuality should never surpass your identity. - Anon

John the apostle wrote in Revelation about the scene he saw in heaven saying he saw a ‘host of folks that could not be numbered’. Hmm!

Imagine it! 9 billion (with a B) plus living individuals on the earth, not to mention those who have already gone on to glory before us; and each one fully distinguishable by our One True God. Though we were all created in His image, each one of us is fully distinguishable from anyone else ever born to Him. Just as God knows every star by name, because He hung them Himself; He knows each of us even more intimately than we really know ourselves. There is nothing hidden from His sight. And here’s the kicker, He has enough love, mercy, and forgiveness to offer every one of us our needed portion every day in just the way we need it. Maybe today would be a good time to cozy up to Him and ask for some.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” Psalm 139:13-14

Enjoy TODAY!

Some people are making such thorough preparation for rainy days that they aren’t enjoying today’s sunshine. – W. Feather

Martha was so busy making preparations for Jesus’ visit to their home, she never really got an opportunity to visit with him when he came. OUCH!

Though the calendar on the wall or in our pocket may show a 7-day weekly period, or 30-day month, today is all we have. All the other days have either disappeared into oblivion or darkness, or not yet emerged from it. It is wise to plan for the future ahead of us but never at the expense of sucking all the joy out of right now. We cannot fully experience or praise God unless we take time out to enjoy Him and His creation right now. The ability to ‘earn our keep’ by the work we do is a grand opportunity to experience God working through us. Rainy days or hardships may come or may already be upon us, but nevertheless, today is still all we have. If we live by the Spirit we will find opportunity to enjoy what God is doing right now and give Him praise.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

Forged in the Mundane

Character is not made in a crisis, it is only exhibited. – Sparks

Moses spent 40 years toiling as a shepherd. God felt that was long enough to develop him into a leader for his people. Hmm!

We often look for character-building ideas and exercises to help us prepare for the major emergencies and turmoil in our life, on our jobs, and elsewhere. But true character is not learned in the classroom or high pressure situations, it can only be forged through the mundane activities of the day. It is a maturing process that comes over time, mainly time spent alone with God. The general truth is that what you do while you’re alone, you’ll do when the heat is on as well. If our character is suspect in the dark, it will be suspect in the light of the moment as well. Life’s situations will be calling upon us today, hopefully we'll be ready?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that that you should follow in his steps…..When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” – I Peter 2:21, 23

The Value of Originality

Everyone is born an original, but sadly many will die as a copy. – Abraham Lincoln

Early in his reign king Asa trusted God and received favor. Later he trusted more in men, lost God’s favor and died diseased and lonely. Hmm!

The US Treasury spends millions each year to protect our currency from counterfeiters, for they know counterfeit currency de-values the original and is bad for our overall economy. It’s a noble and righteous pursuit. But interestingly enough, when it comes to us as people, most of us spend money profusely, use our bodies wildly, and educate ourselves illicitly to fit in with the culture and practices of everyone else. We thus devalue the originality God gave us, becoming in essence a counterfeit or copy. This is a clever ruse of the enemy. God designed each one of us uniquely according to His good purpose and desire for us, and great craftsmanship needs no other work upon it, just care and nurturing. If we won’t be who God made us to be, who will?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14

Stewarding Grace and Mercy

We are not made rich by what is in our pockets or portfolios, but by what is in our hearts. – Sparks

The disciples were indignant that the woman ‘wasted’ her expensive perfume to anoint Jesus. He said it was a beautiful thing for her to do. Hmm!

Fine China. Fancy Silverware. Candles and Table linens. An expensive restaurant – NO! For most of us it’s our cabinets at home. They are stuffed with these things. We’re waiting for the special moments or occasions to break them out. Often, we live or lives for Jesus in the same way, waiting for those special moments to show our best. But he asks us to spend our costs daily “take up your cross;” not holding back anything. As you enter into the heart of today may you spend God’s grace and mercy profusely, you won’t run out!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Freely you have received, freely give.” – Matthew 10:8

Seeing the Beauty

Beauty winks back at us each day! - Anon

Even seeing us at our worst, God still took on the form of a human to redeem us. Hmm!

Donna Karan! Louis Vuitton! Georgiou! We prize and admire these icons of fashion and beauty and others like them for their designs. Such talent and God-given ability to create. But yet, in all they do it still cannot compare to the creativity and beauty of what God has done. Jesus himself even goes so far to say "Solomon in all his splendor" could not compare to the natural beauty God made. Everything God made was good and beautiful, and that includes you and me. The things around us, or the clothes/accessories we adorn ourselves with may 'add' to the beauty, but unless we see ourselves as God's most prized and beautiful creation, we have a somewhat warped sense of what true beauty is. Made in His Image - now that's a picture of perfect design and beauty. May we see it and express it to others.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"He has made everything beautiful in its time....." - Ecclesiastes 3:11

Following God

When the map and the terrain don't match, follow the terrain. Man made the map; God made the terrain. - General Boykin

As Pharaoh pursued the Israelites God told Moses to stretch his rod out towards the sea. What do you know, it worked! Hmm...

Life is full of decisions (single/marriage, work/self-employ, rent/own, etc.) that don't have a clearly defined roadmap for success. We know what we want and trust that through our obedience to God things will work out okay. But often, the path God chooses for us to follow will include some geography that doesn't make sense - that's where faith comes into play. Will we be willing to trust God to blaze the trail way for us, or will we insist on not moving until we can clearly see the roadway and choose the safest lane. Faith is not always having certainty or assurance in hand; it's trusting in the One who has NEVER given us any reason to doubt Him or His promises. If we ever take time to look back and see where we've come from or in reality seeing what God has brought us through, then we can continue in our task of just putting one foot in front of the other.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"And God said.....this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain..." - Exodus 3:12

Keep Fighting

Moses didn't make it into the 'Promised Land' but he made it into the PROMISED LAND. - Anon

Paul said he 'trained and beat his body' in such a way as not to be disqualified for the prize. Amen!

Every Major Sport has a team or individual that is eventually crowned as champion. They go through seasons or tournaments being tested. They battle opponents, time, injuries, weather, even themselves to prove they are worthy of that 'championship' title and honor. And though it is an achievement of great note, it will always pale in comparison to what God offers us. Make no doubt about it, life is just as tough if not tougher than sports. And in life we must continue the battle daily and here's why. In the kingdom of God as long as you're still fighting, you're winning. Remember, God doesn't hand out awards for performance, He hands out CROWNS for perseverance.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will award me on that day...." - II Timothy 4:8

P.S. - Please join us today in the sanctuary at 5:30 pm for PRAYER today!

What We Will Be

True, we were made in God’s image, but rest assured He’s not finished with us yet. – W. Wiersbe

God told Jeremiah that He formed him in his mother’s womb. But he still shaped him for his ministry. AMEN!

Let’s face it, not one of us is the person we used to be – Thank God! But going a little further, hopefully not one of us is the person we truly want to be either. If we were, it would mean God was indeed through with us, our purpose completed. But each new day is another opportunity for Him to work more perfection into our lives. It is easy to get enamored with oneself and our accomplishments, etc., thinking nothing else is necessary, but if we truly think about God’s glory and nature, we soon realize He has a long way to go on each of us. And, unless we’re afraid of hard work; that should really excite us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” – I John 3:2

At Just the Right Time

Hell is truth seen too late. – T. Hobbes

God has always loved us and been for us and at "just the right time" sent His Son to prove it. Hmm!

TIMING – we all know it’s critical. A second too soon or too late could spell disaster. But when it comes to God we often don’t relate Him to the here and now. We often relate to Him in terms of what He’s done in the past for us, or how we’re asking Him to help us defeat this gigantic problem we’re up against. But He is the God of the here and now – time exists solely because of Him alone – and He’s ever present in every second. Often we spend time ‘waiting’ on God to move or act and fail to realize we can still enjoy Him in the process. One does not preclude the other. He’s an ever-present God. So as the song says ‘Don’t Wait Til’ Midnite’, CALL NOW! And I can guarantee the time will be that much better.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“He has made everything beautiful in its time….” – Ecclesiastes 3:11

Time Focus

There are no more hours in a bad day than in a good one. - Richard Murray

Though Daniel spent the night in the lion's den, it was but a short respite from the world. He and God were OKAY, WOW!

Time flies when you're having fun, but seems to slow to a crawl or snail's pace when things are bad or circumstances are grim. But maybe, just maybe it's in the way we look at it. Often when we take our eyes off of God and His purposes we tend to get narrow minded and a bit more impatient, which only tends to make bad situations appear to last longer. If we focus on God and His goodness, the day never really is long enough to give proper thanks.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be GLAD in it. " - Psalm 118:24

Being YOU-nique

The first part of winning is just showing up. - Anon

A nation was saved because Esther was willing to risk standing outside the king's hall. Hmm!

On the job – come payday everyone likes to show up and get paid, and get paid for what THEY did, and that’s completely understandable. Well, God made you – YOU! He didn’t make anyone else like you. He made you to be the YOU the world needs, not to hide behind an ‘identity’ or mask, nor to be a shape-shifter living to please everyone around. YOU are a unique creation of God, made for a specific purpose in His story of love and redemption for all of mankind, and our God knows all about YOU. He knows your comings and your goings, your lying down and rising up; yes, even your inner most thoughts. So, if He’s okay with you, why not be the YOU He made you to be. The choice is yours!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” – John 12:27-28

Declare His Glory

The things that take our breath away were created by the One who gave it. - L. Fasking

God used and earthquake, fire, and a mighty wind to get Elijah's attention so that he could hear Him whisper. WOW!

A double or triple rainbow. The Northern Lights, the Grand Canyon, or Petrified Forest. The very 1st cry of a newborn baby. We can all think of instances or moments in life that took our 'breath away.' Those times when we realized the overwhelming grandeur of all that was happening, and the fact there had to be a grand designer behind it all. When we consider all of God's creation, and the intellect required to design so vast a highly interrelated universe, and the power and strength needed to carve out and create such beauty; then we can understand why 'day after day and night after night' the Heavens declare His glory. So should we. Why not start today!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

".....All you have made will praise you, O Lord; your saints will extol you." - Psalm 145:10

A New View

One secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes. – B. Disraeli

Isaiah didn’t fully know what his role would be, but he did say “here am I, send me!” Amen.

The New Year is upon us. An open road, clear window – however you view it – is present. How about we start it out with a solid foundational point of reference: “I am a beautiful representation of the God who made me!” A start from here should lay to rest any and all ego issues, comparison issues, and/or value issues. We no longer have to try and seek the approval of others, wish we looked like a movie star or other hero, think we’re less than because we’re not worth millions, or feel we can’t tell others about Jesus because we barely know a scripture or two. Just trusting in the God who made us, and resting in the truth that God loves us no matter what should be enough. May we all learn to value and love ourselves better in His sight this year.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:14

Leave It All On the Table

We are not made rich by what is in our pockets or portfolios, but by what is in our hearts. – Sparks

The disciples were indignant that the woman ‘wasted’ her expensive perfume to anoint Jesus. He said it was a beautiful thing for her to do. Hmm!

Fine China. Fancy Silverware. Candles and Table linens. An expensive restaurant? NO! For most of us it’s our cabinets at home. They are stuffed with these things. We’re waiting for the special moments or occasions to break them out. Often, we live our lives for Jesus in the same way, waiting for those special moments to show our best. But he asks us to spend our costs daily “take up your cross;” not holding back anything. As you enter into the heart of today may you spend God’s grace and mercy profusely, you won’t run out!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Freely you have received, freely give.” 

– Matthew 10:8

Everyday is an Opportunity

July is the toughest month of the year. Others are December February, June, September, October, January, March, November, April, August, and May. – Mark Twain

James said “the patient farmer waits for the autumn and spring rains.” Two different seasons held together by the word ‘patient.’ Hmm!

We’ve all heard stories like “the hot months bring an increase in violence,” or “the winter months decrease spending,“ etc. But in reality all months, just as all days; have an equal opportunity to present joy or difficulty. It’s all in the way we perceive and receive what comes our way. Trouble is not anymore opportunistic in summer months as opposed to winter, neither are blessings from God. If God’s mercies and compassions are ‘new

every morning’ then it matters not what month or date is on the calendar – but the amount of faith is in our hearts. Yes, we will have some difficulties in life as we suffer like Jesus, but our good days will far outweigh our bad days. So wherever we are, we can always look back and see where we’ve come from, and realize it’s really not so tough right now.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

Simple to Follow

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. – Albert Einstein

Listening to man and then thinking about God’s creation; it becomes clear why God made us last. OUCH!

“Why is the sky blue?” “Why is water wet?” “Where does the rain come from?” etc. etc. We’ve heard these questions countless times, probably even asked them ourselves a time or two earlier in our lives. And they are great questions. God in His infinite wisdom designed things just so ‘simple’ that we might seek after Him for He wants to be known. All of creation was designed with a single simple purpose - that we might seek after the Creator. And all it takes is simple seeking on our part. We tend to love the complex and the deeply theoretical, thinking the keys to life could never really be so easy, but we must remember we did not design it, God did. Why, because He wants to be known, but He will never force Himself on any of us.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each of us…” – Acts 17:27

The Challenging Pressure

When we long for life without difficulties, we should remember diamonds are not made without undergoing great pressure. – P. Marshall

After Paul fully understood God’s grace, he began to revel in his infirmities. – WOW!

The challenges are what bring out the best in us, and without them we would seldom if ever seek to improve ourselves or our lot in life on our own. God does not allow challenges or difficulties into our life to defeat or frustrate us, but to grow our faith and trust in Him and move us along the path on our journey towards eternity with Him. And remarkably, God does not mind when we cry out to Him in the midst of our difficulties, He rather prefers it; as it shows we believe and trust He can do something about it or help us bear up under it. The key is to understand that as challenges come along, it’s actually God just loving on us.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation….” – Philippians 4:12

Don't Die a Counterfeit

Everyone is born an original, but sadly many will die as a copy. – Abraham Lincoln

Early in his reign king Asa trusted God and received favor. Later he trusted more in men, lost God’s favor and died diseased and lonely. Hmm!

The US Treasury spends millions each year to protect our currency from counterfeiters, for they know counterfeit currency de-values the original and is bad for our overall economy. It’s a noble and righteous pursuit. But interestingly enough, when it comes to us as people, most of us spend money profusely, use our bodies wildly, and educate ourselves illicitly to fit in with the culture and practices of everyone else – thus de-valuing the originality God gave us – becoming in essence a counterfeit or copy. This is a clever ruse of the enemy. God designed each one of us uniquely according to His good purpose and desire for us, and great craftsmanship needs no other work upon it, just care and nurturing. If we won’t be who God made us to be, who will?

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14