Just Do It...Righteously

Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies just because they become fashions. – G.K. Chesterton

The idolatry practiced by their neighbors looked like fun and good times to the Israelites, but God thought otherwise. Ouch!

Wokeism. Cultural appropriation. Personal pronouns. New Age. Avant-Garde lifestyles, etc. Call it what you will, but we now live in a society where it is fully acceptable to find new ways to lower morality and shun any personal responsibility or acknowledge Almighty God. Everybody has turned to his own way. Even we as Christians if we’re not careful can get easily tangled up in the worldly offerings (media, leisure, clothing, idols, affirmations, etc.). But no matter what society calls it or how society sells it, before God it is still SIN, period! Don’t just do it, do it righteously.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” – I Thessalonians 5:19-22

Purposely Good

Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something. – Henry David Thoreau

Joseph had many trials “hoisted” upon him and his character. But he rose above each one. WOW!

Most of us would probably say in all of God’s creation we could do without flies, mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, etc., that they seem to serve no purpose at all. But they must for God Almighty himself made them and we’ve all experienced in one way or another their handiwork firsthand. The same is true of us; we were made for this day to do more than just exist. The world is to come to know Jesus through the love we show to one another and them. We were made to be God’s ambassadors to the world. As the day unfolds with its many requests, issues, and urgent needs, remember you are a part of His labor force. May the light shine within!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“…..let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

Ain't No Half Steppin

A half-truth is a whole lie. – Anon

When Jesus stated “these people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me,” it wasn’t a one time occurrence. WOW!

We all know from our school and life lessons in logic that if any part of a statement is false, the whole statement is false. We should remember that deception in any form is a tool of the enemy. Half-truths are often told with the intent to deceive in some form or fashion. Unfortunately, many people seem to like living their lives this way. When we live by our own sense of morality, our own brand of truth, or our own standard of justice; and claim to belong to Christ also, we’re only half-right and in actuality only deceiving ourselves. Jesus said His way was the “ONLY” way. The Christian ‘life’ is in word and deed, not word only.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“…‘The most important {truth},’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength….Love your neighbor as yourself…” – Mark 12:29-31

P.S. - Don't forget our Sunday School Devotional this week at 9AM.

Election Day Faith

Ninety-eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hard-working, honest Americans. It's the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then, we elected them. -  L. Tomlin

Jesus’ main opposition wasn’t the people he came to save, it was the religious rulers they were under. Hmm!

Today will be both historic and memorable. Historic for the US Presidency and memorable for the Church. Though morality should never have to be legislated we have reached that point. It has been noted that “democracy is the worst form of government when the people are bent on being evil,” and we can clearly see evidence of that in this day and age, in some of the people on the ballot and the initiatives. There’s a lot to be said for integrity, morality, ethics, and virtue – all godly qualities – which is what our votes should consider and stand for. As part of the ninety-eight percent that just want to live decent god-fearing lives, let’s make sure we get the other 2 percent in line. VOTE as if God were depending on you.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established….” Romans 13:1