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

Get Better, Take Your Meds

When we worry…..it’s like putting God on hold. – Anon

After the crucifixion Peter suffered with anxiety. At that breakfast on the beach Jesus put it all to rest. AMEN!

Aspirin! Ibuprofen! Acetaminophen! All readily available over-the-counter medicines to help alleviate, reduce, and even eliminate our aches and pains. But for many of us, myself included, we just don’t like the idea of medicines if we can avoid it, so we do. We’ll deal with the pain as best we can. Often, we treat our God the same…..choosing to ‘worry’ rather than pray and seek His counsel, choosing to fret over the issue rather than invite Him into our suffering. Just like we put off the pain reliever we put off God…..putting Him on hold in our lives. The One who supplies all our needs and ‘gives strength to the weary’ is always at the ready to assist. So next time you pray…. don’t press the ‘hold’ button – just cast all your cares on Him.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” – Matthew 6:27

Saying NO to Misery

True enough, misery may love company; but no one said it had to be you. – Sparks

The rich man died and opened his eyes in hell, then wanted the company of Lazarus to ‘wet’ his parched tongue. Abraham said sorry, no can do. AMEN!

There is a big difference between being comforting and just wallowing in misery. One is born of love the other selfishness. Misery is a tool of the enemy that melts the heart. The real reason many of us often wind up in the company of misery is we fail to acknowledge the power of the Spirit within us to just say ‘NO,’ I will not be a part of this. The Word tells us ‘do not quench the Spirit.’ When we do, we’re on our own. We are each responsible for maintaining the inward joy Jesus brings to us, and SHARING that joy wherever we go. Go for it!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22

God Knows Best

God’s best for you today may not be your preference. – Anon

I'm sure Paul didn't want to be imprisoned, but he made the best of it. Amen!

Castor oil, hog hoof tea, vapo-rub, cod liver oil, etc. – I’m sure we can remember these and other home remedies from our early childhood. Though we would have preferred a visit to the doctor, maybe a few days off from school and so forth; our parents ‘forced’ these remedies on us. And you know what; we are so much the better off today because they did. In truth, their intentions were right in line with the way God deals with us. Just as medicine is not always pleasant and easy to deal with, it is what is best for us when we are ill. The situations or circumstances God allows into our lives may seem harsh, unappealing, and distasteful to us; but He is always working in our best interests. So though we may not like the ‘state of things’ as they are right now, remember God knows what is best and has a plan for how it will all turn out for good.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – I Thessalonians 5:18

Forgiveness: The Great Medication

Remember that when you forgive you heal, when you let go, you grow!

I’m certain it took Peter at least a few days to fully understand Jesus’ math lesson on forgiveness. Hmm!

Ask any professional pitcher or quarterback and they’ll tell you there were many times in their career where the ‘moment’ the ball left their hand they wished they could have it back. The end result being a homerun given up or an interception thrown. Not a good feeling. But that bad feeling is not limited to sports. How many times in our lives have we wished we could take back our mis-timed or harshly spoken words, correct a mistake or action that hurt someone or caused a negative reaction? And though it's part of being human, that doesn’t make it feel any better. But forgiveness does. It’s a great medication. And like the pitcher or quarterback who plays on, with God we know that His forgiveness always comes with another chance to get it right. So, today is an opportunity to do better than yesterday. WOW!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23

Take a Rest

Rest has cured more people than all the medicine in the world. – H. J. Reilly

After six days of awe-inspiring work, God; who neither slumbers nor sleeps, did something else miraculous – HE RESTED!

A bygone fitness organization, Bodies In Motion; used the slogan “You can rest when you’re dead!” By the look of things in society it appears the majority of people firmly believe that. Almost everything now can be done 24/7, 365 days a year and we’re busy trying to keep pace with it and becoming worse off. But God COMMANDED, not suggested; that we take time out to rest. He made us and knows our bodies need physical rest and spiritual renewal. To avoid these is a recipe for disaster. No matter how much money we get, or how many ‘toys’ we acquire the best thing for our well-being is rest and spiritual renewal. Make sure you get both this weekend.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it HOLY, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” – Genesis 2:1-3

Good for What Ails Ya

God’s best for you today may not be your preference. – Anon

Though there were

cleaner pools of water near his home, Naaman had to dip in the ‘muddy’ Jordan

to be cleansed. HE DID!

Castor oil, hog hoof

tea, vapo-rub, cod liver oil, etc. – I’m sure we can remember these and

other home remedies from our early childhood. Though we would have preferred a

visit to the doctor, maybe a few days off from school and so forth; our parents

‘forced’ these remedies on us. And you know what; we are so much the better off

today because they did. In truth, their intentions were right in line with the

way God deals with us. Just as medicine is not always pleasant and easy to deal

with, it is what is best for us when we are ill. The situations or

circumstances God allows into our lives may seem harsh, unappealing, and

distasteful to us; but He is always working in our best interests. So though we

may not like the ‘state of things’ as they are right now, remember God knows

what is best and has a plan for how it will all turn out for good.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Give thanks in all circumstances

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – I Thessalonians 5:18

Automatic Faith Lifter

The world’s best cosmetic and cure-all for what ails you are one and the same – A SMILE! – Anon

Upon their reunion, when Jacob saw the joy on his brother Esau’s face; he too was comforted. AMEN!

None of us would ever think to leave home unclothed. Nor would we neglect to take medicine we knew we needed to get well or maintain health. This is just good sense. Sometimes we need to apply this understanding to daily living. A smile given is a wonderful face and faith lifter, yet we sometimes dole them out as if we were getting charged for them. As our Heavenly Father has blessed us beyond measure and continues to do so, we have much to smile about. And as He works on us through the day, often there are some situations or circumstances that He puts upon us that we just have to laugh about, knowing He’s at His work. Smile!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:13

Not keeping misery company

True enough, misery may love company; but no one said it had to be you. – Sparks

The rich man died and opened his eyes in hell, then wanted the company of Lazarus to ‘wet’ his parched tongue. Abraham said sorry, no can do. AMEN!

There is a big difference between being comforting and just wallowing in misery. One is borne of love the other selfishness. Misery is a tool of the enemy that melts the heart. The real reason many of us often wind up in the company of misery is we fail to acknowledge the power of the Spirit within us to just say ‘NO,’ I will not be a part of this. The Word tells us ‘do not quench the Spirit.’ When we do, we’re on our own. We are each responsible for maintaining the inward joy Jesus brings to us, and SHARING that joy wherever we go. Go for it!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22

A Healthy Dose of Rest

Rest has cured more people than all the medicine in the world. – H. J. Reilly

After six days of awe-inspiring work, God; who neither slumbers nor sleeps, did something else miraculous – HE RESTED!

A bygone fitness organization, Bodies In Motion; used the slogan “You can rest when you’re dead!” By the look of things in society it appears the majority of people firmly believe that. Almost everything now can be done 24/7, 365 days a year and we’re busy trying to keep pace with it and becoming worse off. But God COMMANDED, not suggested; that we take time out to rest. He made us and knows our bodies need physical rest and spiritual renewal. To avoid these is a recipe for disaster. No matter how much money we get, or how many ‘toys’ we acquire the best thing for our well-being is rest and spiritual renewal. Make sure you get both this weekend.

Until Monday.....

Pastor Botts

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it HOLY, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” – Genesis 2:1-3“

Best Medicine

God’s best for you today may not be your preference. – Anon

Though there were cleaner pools of water near his home, Naaman had to dip in the ‘muddy’ Jordan to be cleansed. HE DID!

Castor oil, hog hoof tea, vapo-rub, cod liver oil, etc. – I’m sure we can remember these and other home remedies from our early childhood. Though we would have preferred a visit to the doctor, maybe a few days off from school and so forth; our parents ‘forced’ these remedies on us. And you know what; we are so much the better off today because they did. In truth, their intentions were right in line with the way God deals with us. Just as medicine is not always pleasant and easy to deal with, it is what is best for us when we are ill. The situations or circumstances God allows into our lives may seem harsh, unappealing, and distasteful to us; but He is always working in our best interests. So though we may not like the ‘state of things’ as they are right now, remember God knows what is best and has a plan for how it will all turn out for good.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – I Thessalonians 5:18

Hard Heart Syndrome

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

The Miracle Smile

The world’s best cosmetic and cure-all for what ails you are one and the same – A SMILE! – Anon

Upon their reunion, when Jacob saw the joy on his brother Esau’s face; he too was comforted. AMEN!

None of us would ever think to leave home unclothed. Nor would we neglect to take medicine we knew we needed to get well or maintain health. This is just good sense. Sometimes we need to apply this understanding to daily living. A smile given is a wonderful face and faith lifter, yet we sometimes dole them out as if we were getting charged for them. As our Heavenly Father has blessed us beyond measure and continues to do so, we have much to smile about. And as He works on us through the day, often there are some situations or circumstances that He puts upon us that we just have to laugh about, knowing He’s at His work. Smile!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:13