That Road Less Traveled

Sometimes the majority only means that all the fools are on the same side. – Anon

After only 2 of the 12 spies reported favorably on their trip into the Promised Land, the people were against going forward. That decision cost them dearly. Hmm!

It’s true we were created for fellowship, however we must often be careful with whom we fellowship with and what we allow to pass as fellowship; “for what has light to do with darkness.” All too often if we’re not careful we are swept up into the crowd hysteria and mentality. Public opinions and emotions may be strong one way or the other, but we are not to be known by our opinions but by our faith and fruit. In the marketplace of ideas may we not conform but seek transformation. Here's hoping we bear fruit for Him today!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14

Love Intended

To truly love a person means to see them as God intended them to be. – G. Dostoyevsky

When Jesus first called Simon by the name of Peter, he had a vision of who Peter would become one day, and then he helped him get there. WOW!

We all can look back and see where we’ve come from and how we’ve changed; and generally we like the changes that have occurred. We can see the habits we’ve broken or overcome by God’s grace. God did not condemn us in our sin, but loved us through them. God does not accept our sin but loves us in spite of it. As those made in His image we are called to display the same grace with others – to love them through their shortcomings, no matter what they may be; for in doing so we will aid them in achieving their godly purpose. As God directs people our way today, may our eyes look to the heart.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do not consider his appearance or his height….The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – I Samuel 16:7

You CAN'T Do It All

Devoting a little of yourself to everything means committing a great deal of yourself to nothing. – M. LeBoeuf

The Israelites tried serving the gods of their neighbors and Almighty God. Eventually they found themselves with neither. Hmm!

We live in a world that says you can have it all, and unfortunately many believe just that. Sacrifice is not a part of the vocabulary. Many of us are stretched thin, involved in every “in” thing, going to every “in” place. And like our fashionable attendance to these major events (arrive late, leave early) we do the same with our God walk. But God has indeed called us to humbly submit our whole heart to Him alone, and has promised us all other things will fall into place if we do. And if we give it some serious thought, doing less but with a more defined purpose is really not half-bad.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33

Undeterred

To hold fast to one’s goals means to dismiss many others. – Richard Murray

No matter the number of miracles he performed, Jesus constantly reminded his disciples his goal was the cross. WOW!

It is so easy to become distracted in the Christian life! The moment we seem to grasp what God wants or calls us to do, it seems as though everything and everyone around us requires our time and attention. It takes a strong resolve not to lose focus or get sidetracked by the issues or cares of life, and the enemy is crafty at bringing such things in our periphery. Discipline or dedication is a very, very hard thing. Like Jesus, our resolve to go where God is calling us ought to be clearly evident to those around us. We should never let temptation or ‘opportunity’ keep us from obedience to God’s calling.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” – Proverbs 4:25-27

Not What It May Seem

If the grass seems greener on the other side of the fence, it only means yours needs fertilizer. – Anon

The “Prodigal Son” couldn’t wait to get away and experience life on his own. He soon found himself back on familiar turf – HOME!

Temptation! Self-indulgence! Evil begetting riches! We live in a world today that appears to reward those who do wrong. It seems as if they have a care-free life and all they need. We may sometimes wonder why our life is not like that, why we can’t have it all. But things are not always as they appear to be. We must remember our enemy “masquerades as an angel of light” (false hope, false security, etc.). Though it may seem appealing it is really only a façade, something designed to shift your focus from God, and his purposes for fulfillment in your life.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“[Jesus said] be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:11-12

That Broad Way

Sometimes the majority only means that all the fools are on the same side. – Anon

After only 2 of the 12 spies reported favorably on their trip into the Promised Land, the people were against going forward. That decision cost them dearly. Hmm!

It’s true we were created for fellowship, however we must often be careful with whom we fellowship with and what we allow to pass as fellowship; “for what has light to do with darkness.” All too often if we’re not careful we are swept up into the crowd hysteria and mentality. Public opinions and emotions may be strong one way or the other, but we are not to be known by our opinions but by our fruit. In the marketplace of ideas may we not conform but seek transformation. Here's hoping we bear fruit for Him today!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14