Opportunities Abound

We are all continually faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems. – J. W. Gardner

Moses, as leader of the Israelites, is the prime example of developing faith on the job. AMEN!

The internet. A great tool of invention that opens us up to a host of opportunities to communicate, research, do media, and even do commerce. However, it is also a tool fraught with pitfalls and danger. It requires a little work to “surf” the web successfully. Similarly, every day and moment God grants us is an opportunity to bring glory to Him. Every individual we meet is an opportunity to share Christ’s love with them. Yes, opportunities abound, but like the internet they require a little effort or “work” to be beneficial. That’s how we grow.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” – I Corinthians 16:8-9

A Leadership Mindset

A leader's most powerful ally is his or her own example. - John Wooden

Paul said he became 'whatever' it took to win one to Christ. Wow!

Magic vs. Bird. Steph vs. Lebron. All champions in their own right, but it seems Magic and Steph have a charisma that infected those they played beside with enthusiasm, excitement, and FUN. Our faith should be somewhat like that, so noticeable that it impacts and infects those we're with a good deal of the time. We should live our life and do our jobs as if Jesus were our immediate supervisor (He is). Who we work for and the type of work doesn't really matter, our attitude is what's important, and it's what God looks upon (heart). Each day we should seek the Holy Spirit and ask Him to help us do the job with pleasure, determination, and confidence - this will not only attract others, but also allow us the opportunity to 'infect' them. Not only is it a great feeling, but it leaves the door open for great things to happen, and that's what leaders do, provide opportunities for greatness to enter. Are you in?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...Mordecai the Jew was........preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews." - Esther 10:3

Yet Praise Him

You cannot make yourself feel something you do not feel, but you can make yourself do right in spite of your feelings. – Pearl S. Buck

Job lost everything he had, including his health. His wife wanted him to curse God. He just couldn’t do it. AMEN!

At times in life it seems like everything we’re involved in is collapsing or going bad. Investments go south, friendships go stale, careers get sidetracked, etc. Difficult as these times are they are good opportunities to stop and examine what is truly important to us; our relationship with our Heavenly Father. In spite of all that is happening He is still worthy of praise. It might not come easily but it should come. Without God we would be totally lost. Our praise for Him does not depend on our success but on His goodness, grace, mercy, and faithfulness. No matter what happens to us in life we can always choose to praise Him.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls – Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” - Habakkuk 3:17-18

Show Some Love

If we look for opportunities to show love, we’ll bypass many, many opportunities to hate. – Anon

The town was stirred with hatred and ready to stone the adulterous woman, but Jesus seized a chance to practice love. Hmm!

Often, because someone is not of our ilk, or up to our standards, or allowing us the freedoms we want, we shamelessly find ways to “put them down.” But if we’re to “love even our enemies,” then hatred, division, or separation should be the last thing we seek. If God loves us in our imperfect status because He sees what we can be, we should love others the same. Love may not make the world go round, but it does often make the ride worthwhile, and you’ll find life a bit less stressful as well.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:16-17

Doing Your Part

Opportunities today are the results of actions taken yesterday. - Anon

Andrew spending that 1st day with Jesus ultimately led to 3,000 souls being saved on Pentecost. Wow!

Being involved in Christ’s mission to save mankind can be overwhelming if we forget our place. It is easy to get burnt out when we think it is all on us. But God is not asking you or me to individually solve the injustices of the world, He’s asking us to reach out and help the individuals He places in our path. True, there will be many, and it may seem like our contribution is small and won’t change anything, but the success of our actions is not what gets measured, nor whether they accept Christ or not. What God looks upon is the measure of faith by which we shared the love of Christ inside us, that’s what’s important; for we never know how far reaching it will be. We need only remember that Jesus’ actions already saved the world, we’re just to remind them about it.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” – I Corinthians 3:5-6

Seeing the Hidden Opportunities

We are all continually faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as unsolvable problems. – J. W. Gardner

Moses as leader of the Israelites, is the prime example of developing faith on the job. AMEN!

The internet. A great tool of invention that opens us up to a host of opportunities to communicate, research, do media, and even do commerce. However, it is also a tool fraught with pitfalls and danger. It requires a little work to “surf” the web successfully. Similarly, every day and moment God grants us is an opportunity to bring glory to Him. Every individual we meet is an opportunity to share Christ’s love with them. Yes, opportunities abound, but like the internet they require a little effort or “work” to be beneficial. That’s how we grow.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” – I Corinthians 16:8-9

Numbering Our Time

Time is a versatile performer. It flies, marches on, heals all wounds, runs out, AND will tell! - F.P. Jones

Jesus never hurried a day in his life, yet he could still proclaim "It is finished." WOW!

Time! It's the one thing we can't get more of. It is God's gift to us to be enjoyed, and used wisely. But we often find ourselves abusing it by putting off for tomorrow those things we should do today, which then puts us in a frenzied state. So often one person's constant hurry becomes another's stress. There is great spiritual value to living in the present moment. Being able to 'stop and smell the roses,' or 'give someone your full undivided attention,' or even 'play games freely and unhurriedly with your children or family.' What truly makes the present moment so special is God dwells there. When we live, work, and play by a frenzied pace, we develop a 'just get it done' mentality, and it quickly makes the situation more important than the relationship. We then miss opportunities to connect that bring closeness, intimacy, joy, peace, and contentment. So no matter the situation before us today we need to make God's gift of time 'holy' by being aware of those with whom we are sharing it with.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

".....teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom...." - Psalm 90:12

Growing Resolution

Been there, done that, got a T-Shirt! - Anon

Realizing one-size didn't fit everyone, Paul said he "became all things to all men to win just one." Hmm!

Plain and simple, life means risks. Getting uncomfortable, feeling a bit uneasy at times, waiting for the end result. But that's what makes life - life. The possibility of failure is always among us, and yes, we should be concerned about it but not paralyzed by it. When we look at things with the proper attitude failure plays a really productive role in success. It provides valuable insight and information, lets us know which roads we no longer have to travel, which mountains we don't have to climb again, and which oceans we no longer need to set sail on, which in turn narrows our focus and increases our chances for succeeding the next time. God gives us many, many opportunities to serve Him, so today is just one more chance to get it right.

Until Monday.....

Pastor Botts

"...let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up..." - Galatians 6:9

Today's scripture reading: Proverbs 31

Today's scripture reading question: Would you consider verses 10-31 an actual woman or a summation of wisdom?

P.S. - Hope to see you Sunday morning at 9am to further discuss these jewels.

A Heart for Others

The average human heart beats 100,000 times a day. Has anybody felt yours? - Anon

Jesus said ‘the poor we would have with us always!’ Was that an offer or just a statement? Hmm!

Generally, at the sound of the alarm clock most of us are off and running. Focused, determined, energetic, we get prepared to meet the plans and needs of OUR day. We think “Yes, it’s a day that God has made, and ‘Yes’ I’ll rejoice in it,” but I must take care of the things at hand. But God asks us will we take time for someone else. Will we use a portion of our daily quota of heartbeats and make them count for someone else. We should have and show care and concern for our fellow man whether they be saint or sinner, and our hearts should truly beat harder for those that are not yet a part of the kingdom of God. Oftentimes, interruptions in life don’t just occur, they are God engineered opportunities for sharing. Do we have the

 time?

Until tomorrow……..

Pastor Botts

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:40

A Little Work For A Great Opportunity

We are all continually faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems. – J. W. Gardner

Moses as leader of the Israelites, is the prime example of developing faith on the job. AMEN!

The internet. A great tool of invention that opens us up to a host of opportunities to communicate, research, do media, and even do commerce. However, it is also a tool fraught with pitfalls and danger. It requires a little work to “surf” the web successfully. Similarly every day and moment God grants us is an opportunity to bring glory to Him. Every individual we meet is an opportunity to share Christ’s love with them. Yes, opportunities abound, but like the internet they require a little effort or “work” to be beneficial. That’s how we grow.

Until Monday……..

Pastor Botts

“But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” – I Corinthians 16:8-9

P.S. - tickets for our upcoming 'Nite at the Movies' will be $10. Movie time will be approximately 7pm. Please indicate on your communication card this Sunday if you will be attending.

Seek Love

If we look for opportunities to show love, we’ll overlook many, many opportunities to hate.  – Anon

The town was stirred with hatred and ready to stone the adulterous woman, but Jesus seized a chance to practice love. Hmm!

Often, because someone is not of our ilk, or up to our standards, or allowing us the freedoms we want, we shamelessly find ways to “put them down.” But if we’re to “love even our enemies,” then hatred and separation should be the last thing we seek. If God loves us in our imperfect status because He sees what we can be, we should love others the same. Love may not make the world go round, but it does often make the ride worthwhile, and you’ll find life a bit less stressful as well.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:16-17

The Great Opportunity

Great opportunities come to those who make the most of small ones. - Anon

Because a little boy came prepared and was willing to share his lunch, five-thousand plus were fed. WOW!

Those who we see somewhat successful in life and/or strong in the faith are really only those who made the most of an opportunity, blessing, or hardship that came into their lives. Situations do not make themselves known as the 'great opportunity' but only as a circumstance with consequences; which is when we should turn to God for guidance. His direction and guidance will bring the best out of every situation and open doors for even greater blessing and opportunity. Just as He led the Israelites, making way after way for them; He waits to do the same for us. It really is just a small thing to trust in a GREAT GOD!

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"....and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work....." - II Corinthians 9:8

Don't miss em!

Too many people miss the ‘silver’ lining because they’re expecting gold. – M. Setter

Pilate and Herod stood face to face with Jesus and missed out on the opportunity because their minds were elsewhere. Wow!

Though things in our life may not be where we want them to be, the question is, are they where God wants them to be? Blessings and opportunity abound all around us but we miss them for we have already predetermined what should happen, what the expected end result should be. It’s often that way even in our prayer life, we give God a set of parameters to work with, and anything less is unacceptable. But in prayer it’s not so much how God answers, for we should be elated that He even hears us, and then when He answers we should jump for joy understanding that God’s answers are always better than we could and should expect. We truly deserve nothing from Him, but the fact that He answers time and again should endear us to Him more and more. A truly understanding person realizes they can get just as rich from a lot of silver as they can from a little gold.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread….” – Psalm 37:25

Opportunities to Serve

Opportunities today are the results of actions taken yesterday. - Anon

Andrew spending that 1st day with Jesus ultimately led to 3,000 souls being saved on Pentecost. Wow!

Being involved in Christ’s mission to save mankind can be overwhelming if we forget our place. It is easy to get burnt out when we think it is all on us. But God is not asking you or me to individually solve the injustices of the world, He’s asking us to reach out and help the individuals He places in our path. True, there will be many, and it may seem like our contribution is small and won’t change anything, but the success of our actions is not what gets measured, nor whether they accept Christ or not. What God looks upon is the measure of faith by which we shared the love of Christ inside us, that’s what’s important; for we never know how far reaching it will be. We need only remember that Jesus’ actions already saved the world, we’re just to remind them about it.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” – I Corinthians 3:5-6

Our Limitations, God's Opportunities

Your limitations become your prison only when you treat them as such. – Anon

The Israelite army felt powerless against Goliath and the Philistines, letting him severely taunt them for 40 days. Then David and his GOD came along. VICTORY!

For most of us as Christians or children of God there are many things we draw the line at saying “I just can’t do it.” Not that we don’t think the task worthy, we just don’t think it’s in us or we possess the ability. But we serve a God who has always equipped his children in their ‘hour of need’ as they sought him out. In reality our limitations are God’s opportunities. We should just give them over to God and watch the miracles unfold.

I will be taking the next week off, so this keyboard will be silent until I return. So until then Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Pastor Botts

“Ah. Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” – Jeremiah 32:17

P.S. - Don't forget we start at 9AM this Sunday.

How to face a challenge

The way to face a challenge is to be convinced that the challenge can be met. – C. R. Powell

David vs. Goliath. Daniel in the lions den. Jesus feeding 5,000. All these men were convinced GOD could handle what they faced. HE Did. AMEN!

In life we all face opposition, hardship, limited or no resources, unscheduled changes, the desires of the flesh, etc. We call them challenges, trials, tribulations, etc. The key is to see them as training opportunities God has placed before us to prove our worthiness, but also our complete dependence on him for success and deliverance.  There is no problem you will face in your life today or tomorrow that is too hard for God. Convincing proof is all around you!

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him graciously give us all things?” – Romans 8:31-32

Opportunities Abound

We are all continually faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems. – J. W. Gardner

Moses as leader of the Israelites, is the prime example of developing faith on the job. AMEN!

The internet. A great tool of invention that opens us up to a host of opportunities to communicate, research, do media, and even do commerce. However, it is also a tool fraught with pitfalls and danger. It requires a little work to “surf” the web successfully. Similarly every day and moment God grants us is an opportunity to bring glory to Him. Every individual we meet is an opportunity to share Christ’s love with them. Yes, opportunities abound, but like the internet they require a little effort or “work” to be beneficial. That’s how we grow.

Until tomorrow……..

Pastor Botts

“But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” – I Corinthians 16:8-9