The Many Speeds of Life

Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use. – Charles M. Schultz

James and John wanted to ‘call down fire’ on the Samaritans because they didn’t welcome Jesus. Jesus got them to relax and later on faith won the day. HMMM!

Look on any freeway at any time and you’ll see them – Porsche’s, Maserati’s, Ferrari’s – built for excessive speed yet limited by the law, sheer pictures of frustration. Most of us live life that way as if we have only 1 speed. It is either a blistering race to the finish line (which we have no idea is where or when), or a scenic snails pace stopping at every turn (not making any progress). The life Jesus calls us to requires us to be very flexible – sometimes waiting and fasting, sometimes stealing away quickly, and sometimes taking long journeys – to experience the ‘abundance’ He promised. The idea is to take it 1 day at a time using all the gifts God has given us at the pace God sets, for He gives ‘grace sufficient for the day.’

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” – Romans 12:1

Selling Out Should Not Be An Option

I detest millionaires, but it might be dangerous to offer me the position. - Mark Twain

The Jews hated being under Roman rule, but the position of tax collector was one they all coveted. Hmm!

A common cliché is that every man has his price, that for which he would sell out or compromise his values. And in the schools of negotiation it is often taught that “he who mentions price first – loses.” But what is uncanny is though we live in a world where our enemy is always the first to ‘offer’ (and he never offers full price – he can’t) people are often quick to compromise. Temptation is a fact of life for all of us each and every day, but God has guaranteed a way out if we so desire. In regards to sin our ‘NO’ should always be ‘NO’ and never ‘MAYBE’

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37

Remember the Thanks

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues. – Cicero

The Psalms tell us indirectly there are 2 words the Lord never tires of – “thank you.” Maybe we should try it, Hmm!

So often, we allow ourselves to become so preoccupied with the demands of daily living that we forget to say ‘thank you’ to the Giver of all good gifts. Worship and praise should be a part of everything we do for it is who we are at our core – a work of praise and worship to God. Praise is effusive in thanksgiving and adoration, and it opens our hearts to walk even more closely with God. It is when we forget to praise Him that we are so easily overwhelmed by life’s issues and lose our perspective. Work may be hard and strenuous, but we should thank Him for the means to provide for ourselves. Heartache may visit us from time to time, but we should thank Him that we have learned what love is all about. No matter the situation we may currently be facing, we should praise Him. Not only does it pay to praise God, but it lifts the spirit of our hearts, and that friend, is a blessing in itself.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“….through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name….” – Hebrews 13:15

An Offer You CAN Refuse

I detest millionaires, but it might be dangerous to offer me the position. - Mark Twain

The Jews hated being under Roman rule, but the position of tax collector was one they all coveted. Hmm!

A common cliché is that every man has his price, that for which he would sell out or compromise his values. And in the schools of negotiation it is often taught that “he who mentions price first – loses.” But what is uncanny is though we live in a world where our enemy is always the first to ‘offer’ (and he never offers full price – he can’t) people are often quick to compromise. Temptation is a fact of life for all of us each and every day, but God has guaranteed a way out if we so desire. In regards to sin our ‘NO’ should always be ‘NO’ and never ‘MAYBE’

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37

Sing your Song

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. - Maya Angelou

The Good Samaritan didn't solve all the world's problems, but he did do one thing - love his neighbor. God was well pleased. Hmm!

It would be great to know each day exactly what activities God wanted us to accomplish, or people He wanted us to witness to, but it is not always that simple. And if we stop and think about it, we don't need to know all the exact details, that's God's business; we just need to be obedient to what we already know to do - go and tell the good news, love one another - and that will suffice. May we all have that song in our hearts today.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." - Romans 12:1

Going Through

God does not offer us a way out of the adversities of life. He offers us a way through, and that makes all the difference. -W.T. Purkiser

God ‘parted’ the sea for the Israelites to walk through, he didn’t magically make it disappear, nor did He make them superhuman. Hmm!

Some years ago the Temptations recorded a song ‘Ball of Confusion – That’s What the World is Today.’ For many it still is. For we who belong to God, it can be when we begin to try and see it through our own eyes and conquer it in our own strength. One thing is certain whether we trust God or not - we will certainly see and experience adversity firsthand, and if we are not prepared it can often be quite confusing and impede our efforts. The instinct of a Christian is that we know adversity is a part of life, but we also know and trust that God will see us through it. So our prayers are not so much “Lord, get me out of this mess,” but moreso “Lord, I trust you will provide all I need to persevere, and I pray I will gain insight from this to give greater glory to you.” Knowing this makes any day bearable.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

P.S. - Don't forget tomorrow. If it's raining we gather at 9AM at the church for Prayer Breakfast. If it's not raining we gather at 10AM the park for the kick-ball rematch. Hope you can make it.