What We Take In

Those who would play with kittens must expect to be scratched. – Cervantes

The Israelites gave their daughters in marriage and took other nations daughters in marriage in direct violation of God’s word. Though marriage was honorable in this case it was wrong. They later felt God’s wrath. Hmm!

Often in life, the easiest choices carry heavy consequences that can mar and scar our lives deeply. Our choice of friends, entertainment, and recreation will impact the way we think and act. Our choice of intellectual stimulation, lack of continued disciplined spiritual development will impact our morals, values, and contribution to life. In essence, what we take in will most definitely make an indelible mark on our conscience. Satan often presents sin as something rather glamorous, adoring, and necessary. It is only after we’re entangled that we realize it’s not for us. The good news is that God is willing and able to forgive us of such transgressions, but he expects us to knowingly avoid such temptations. Actions and decisions have results, and life is full of both, but our ultimate aim should be to please God in all we do.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” – Numbers 32:23

Called Out

The person who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back to the crowd. - Max Lucado

Ruth left her 'family' of people to find the God of family. - AMEN!

"Get in where you fit in!" It's a phrase we toss about mainly to portray there's a place for any and everyone who wants to be a part of what's going on. Just jump on the bandwagon, join the team. But that's not our calling when it comes to Christ and His church. We're actually called 'out from among them.' to be counter-cultural. And admittedly, that's a tough assignment to try and live out. But it's only because we like being attached to the crowd, a part of the big scene. Jesus'

call is to follow Him. It might bring a little suffering, hardship, or pain -but He promises joy, in this life and the life to come, and after all isn't that what we seek from the crowd.

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

Spirit Decisions

In order to be right or wrong you must first make a decision! – F. Giampietro

Abraham’s decision to ‘offer’ his son Isaac wasn’t easy at all, but the Spirit within told him to trust God. You know the rest of the story. AMEN!

In the investment arena there is no such thing as certainty or guaranteed results. In life there is – Jesus. Yet, for those of us who follow Christ, often certainty and our faith do not always merge together, and we sometimes find it hard to determine if it’s God’s voice or our own telling us what to do. These times call for us to admit that we are vulnerable and powerless, and to submit to the Holy Spirit within. The discernment He gives will always be to make the choice that glorifies God no matter the cost. The payoff, though we may not see it at times; will always far exceed the investment, for God rewards faithful service.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“….But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak of his own; he will speak only what he hears, and tell you what is yet to come….” – John 16:13

P.S. - Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday morning at 9AM for our Sunday School Devotional time.

Push Press Progress

To keep proper focus always remember: From where you came; Where you are going; and to Whom you must give account. – R. Murray

In all of his misery Job never forgot that “naked I came into the world and naked I shall depart, but the Lord is to be praised.” WOW!

With all that’s going on in the world around us and in our immediate lives sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. The number one goal of our enemy is to get us to take our focus off of God and major in the minor things in our life, our imperfections, failures, our losses. When we get caught up in self pity we leave little room for God to work in us and on us. We can’t wallow in the moment, we must remember we’re on a journey for God. Progress sometimes is slow, but if we keep moving forward we will one day have a good report.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” – Philippians 3:12

The Exact Answer

To find the exact answer, one must first ask the exact question.  - S. T. Webster

Jesus’ answer to the rich man to ‘sell all he had and come and follow me’ upset him. It wasn’t the answer he wanted.  OUCH!

Far too often we strive to live in the ‘grey’ area of life. It’s the areas that we’ve reasoned in our minds that leave a little ‘wiggle room’ for our proclivities. We believe God does have a ‘good and perfect will’ but if we never ask the questions or do the reading we will not be held accountable. But, “there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” God is and always has been exact friend, and there is no wiggle room in Him or His word. And, we are commanded by the Word to ‘study and show ourselves approved’ so not reading it or never asking the questions will not get us off the hook. If our exact destination is heaven, then the Bible is the book to answer all of our questions EXACTLY!

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and t walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8

Loving Correction

To find direction from God you must take correction from God. – Anon

Before Isaiah uttered his familiar refrain to God, “Here am I, Send me,” God had to purge and cleanse him for the task. Hmm!

All too often we want God to just pour out His blessing on us without speaking a word into our lives. But God is a God of relationship and covenant, our Heavenly Father; and as such has the authority to “correct” us when we stray. Just as our parents spoke into our lives and provided for us as we were growing up, the pattern they followed was given by God. So if we want and expect His blessings we must seek His ways. If we heed not the correction His ways require we are not his children nor entitled to the blessings. I pray we may all find our way today.

Until romorrow...

Pastor Botts

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and he chastises everyone He ACCEPTS as a son.” – Hebrews 12:5-6