Remembering the Good Things

Life would be truly wonderful if we could forget our troubles as quickly as we seem to forget our blessings. – Anon

The Israelites cried out to God for over 400 years to be free of their Egyptian oppressors. As soon as He set them free and they came to the Red Sea they were ready to go back. Hmm!

Truthfully speaking, it is a great day and a great time to be alive. No matter the circumstances of our lives or what station we occupy now, we are blessed beyond measure. Hardships may come, sickness may strike, but these don’t last always and often God will use these instances to help us grow stronger in our faith – and draw us closer to Him – that He may bless us even more. If we are to be in heaven praising eternally, God wants us to be long in memory and character as to what that really entails, so as the day unfolds God wants us to practice keeping our focus on Him and his purposes no matter what may arise.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.” – I Chronicles 16:11-12

Where True Faith Rests

Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to. - G. Seaton

Even in the midst of being tossed into a fiery furnace with the thought of God not sparing them, the 3 Hebrew boys couldn't denounce the God they served and loved. You know the ending!

Without doubt, God is still in the miracle working business, but His primary desire is for relationship with His people. There are times when we seem to prefer the miracle over the miracle worker. There are times we get so carried away with our deliverance, or the revelation we've received, we forget the very God who's responsible. Miracles are only manifested to bring God glory. If we need them to sustain our faith or to prove God real, then our faith is in vain. True faith rests in the God of miracles, not the miracles themselves. God truly wants to be known and loved for who HE IS to us, not so much what He does for us.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"Then Jesus told him, 'because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." - John 20:29

"Sees" the Day

There is none so blind as they that will not see. – Jonathan Swift

God parted the Red Sea, rained down manna, and brought water from a rock to show Moses and the Israelites He was with them and for them. The people didn't get it. Hmm!

As believers we habitually seek to hear God’s voice through prayer, His Word, or His messengers. Yet, often we fail or miss hearing God speak through His activity. We are so set on ‘seizing' the day we often give very little thought to 'seeing' what it brings. Sensing God’s activity gives us a significant revelation about His heart and will, and our ability to discern what He is up to allows us to work faithfully with Him. The apostle Paul at one time sensed that “a great door” had been opened for him to preach the gospel. If we’re not hearing directly from God through His Word, or His people, maybe He’s speaking through the activity in our lives. Listen up!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Look among the nations and watch – be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.” – Habakkuk 1:5

Depend On Him

Don’t just believe in miracles, depend on them! – L. Peter

At the wedding feast in Cana, after speaking with her son, Jesus’ mother KNEW they would have a good batch of wine.

It is a sad commentary for us as Christians but often we challenge God to show himself to us through various avenues (miracles) to PROVE Himself and His love to us. But the truth of the matter is we are all walking breathing miracles. Anytime the supernatural (God) connects with the natural (us) it is a miracle. Our prayers to God and the life we live after such prayers should show us not expecting God to act out in miraculous ways but DEPENDING on Him to do so, for all of life really is a miracle; and because we can do “nothing outside of Him.” He wouldn’t have it any other way.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:4

Marvel Again

You know you’re getting old when you’ve lost all your marvels! – M. Browne

When Jesus would teach the people they were all astonished, and “marveled” at his ability to make the word of God come alive. Amen!

Admittedly, we often take life as it happens; and even that we take for granted. Because we've been at it for so long we just assume one day is just as ordinary as any other day, day after day, year after year. We rarely think of each new dawning where we can open our eyes as the greatest blessing ever. We scarcely think of our ups and downs as potential 'God moments,' just assuming they are all a part of life. But if God is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and He is continually seeking to be found and known by His people, you would have to conclude that He’s still in the “marveling” business, and today will be no exception. May we greet today with excitement for meeting Him in new ways.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise….” – I Chronicles 16:23-25

Miracles En Route

In order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles! - D. Ben-Gurion

At the wedding feast in Cana, Jesus' mother left it all up to him. Hmm!

It's very true. Every one of us has needs to be met. Those in addition to our daily bread and needs that God supplies without fail. And if we admit the truth we try and try to figure out ways to get God to meet them. We think "maybe God could do it this/that way if I do this....." or "maybe I could help God along with this...." The wrong in this is that we're then trying to manipulate God, and it just doesn't work that way. The source of God's supply, His miracle of deliverance for us never comes from where we think it will, it's always unexpected, it's the way God works. God is in the miracle working business, not us. Our role is to submit it to Him and trust in His ability and decision on the matter. He will work it out in a glorious fashion that allows us to praise Him even more. Whatever the miracle we await now is not the time to give up on it.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." - Matthew 21:22

Wonderfully Awesome

Before there can be wonders, there must be wonder. – Anon

Jesus did few miracles in his hometown. Small wonder, they were of little faith. OUCH!

Watch any child unwrap a new toy and you’ll see it. Genuine, wide-eyed, exhilarating excitement! When was the last time you got chill bumps or wide-eyed at what God was doing, in worship, on the job, or in your home? We often take for granted what He does, and we seldom look for the unexpected. We’ve somewhat ‘seasoned’ ourselves to planned response from God. But He can not be put in a box nor be expected to answer or act according to our preconceived ideas. If we truly believe God to be AWESOME, then every thing He does should be cause us to wonder. Maybe its time to reassess our relationship with Him.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“The Lord answered Job……Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! – Job 38:1, 4-5