Step To The Plan

God will always order your steps.......but you still have to move your feet! - D. Washington

It didn't make much sense at the time, but Jericho's walls fell because of some orderly 'walking'. Hmm!

Hopscotch! How many of us remember this childhood game? Jumping, leaping squares to land in the appropriate box. The diagram was there right in front of you but as you progressed more effort was required, and if you weren't careful - you're out. Admittedly, it was fun even for some of us guys. The game bears some similarity to our faith walk. The way of the Christian is plainly laid out before us in the Word of God. This life we live is an open book test, and that book (bible) has great wisdom and direction to stay on target or even correct our course. Life only becomes fraught with obstacles to put us 'out' when we take or eyes off God. So why not add a little childhood flair to your steps as you walk with God today.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out." - Proverbs 10:9

Sermon Pop: The Right Order

Need to put some order in your life? Need a mid week spiritual lift?

Catch the premier of "Sermon Pop: The Right Order" Today at 10am on YouTube!

https://bit.ly/3XjQtrx

Curves Ahead

A bend in the road is not the end of the road - unless you fail to make the turn. - Anon

From the belly of the great fish Jonah suddenly had time to think and repent. WOW!

'Smooth sailin'!' 'Nothing but the open road, baby!' 'Puttin' the pedal to the metal!' All phrases we're familiar with that paint a picture of someone just movin' through traffic (life) with no cares or problems. However, sometimes there are curves to navigate and even turns to negotiate, which when traveling at the appropriate speed are easily manageable. If the curves and turns of life are upsetting to you maybe it's time to slow down a bit, and always remember God does allow U-turns.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me." - Psalm 119:133

His Way Will Prevail

Man may have his will, but God will have His way! – Anon

Jonah did all he could to get out of preaching to the folks at Nineveh. The moment they heard him they repented. Hmm!

The struggle for supremacy and direction in life is one of the battles we face consistently each and every day. Do we give in to the desires of the flesh, base thoughts of the mind, or follow the will of God. Often we get into our ‘stubborn’ streaks or ‘selfish’ ways and try to go against the will of God, and satisfy what we think are our own needs. But in the end it is God who wins out, and we’re sometimes bruised and battered for our troubles. God gave us the Bible that we might come to know Him and draw close to Him, and if we read it thoroughly we find out in the end in all things, He wins! God may allow us to go against the grain for a short time, but in the end His way will prevail, and we can save ourselves much trouble by getting with His program.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Who are you, Lord? Saul asked. I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” – Acts 9:4-6

Remaining Faithful

Don't mistake the discipline of God as abandonment by God. - Anon

Though Job was severely tormented and questioned God, he never let go of his faith. Hmm!

Though the bible tells us God does things "decently and in order" we often think that means immediately, particularly when it comes to OUR prayer requests. But what makes us think our blessing or deliverance will come immediately after we pray or fast. God let a whole generation die off before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. I'm sure some of them were praying. Joseph's life saw nothing but trouble for years between his god-given dreams and the actual reveal. I'm sure he remained faithful. God's ways of discipline to develop our character are far more advanced than we can fathom, but He's always there with us even in those lean, tough times. My parents disciplined me often (I needed it) but never left me or stopped loving me, and eventually it helped shape me into who I am. God is at work doing the same with us today. Now is not the time to give up but to stay strong.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"For the revelation awaits an appointed time.........Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." - Habakkuk 2:3

Moving God

Praying people are the deputies of God. They seek law, order, peace AND unity! - Anon

The walls and gates of Jerusalem were rebuilt on the prayers of Nehemiah and the people. AMEN!

It should not be a secret that God is moved by prayer, and earnest conversation with His people more than anything else. And as we search the scriptures, we realize it doesn't have to be a long drawn-out diatribe, nor a 'fill in the form' correctly submission. Just a reverent, honest confession of the heart. In the midst of a rebellious nation God was often 'moved' by the remnant that remained faithful and showed mercy. He seeks the prayers and solicitations of His people and is overjoyed when we invite Him into our lives, activities, and relationships. So, if we truly need action in our life, mountains moved, or any other favor of God, His ear is open.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry." - Psalm 34:16

Prayers of the People

Praying people are the deputies of God. They seek law, order, peace AND unity! - Anon

The walls and gates of Jerusalem were rebuilt on the prayers of Nehemiah and the people. AMEN!

It should not be a secret that God is moved by prayer, and earnest conversation with his people more than anything else. And as we search the scriptures we realize it doesn't have to be a long drawn out diatribe, nor a 'fill in the form' correctly submission. Just a

reverent, honest confession of the heart. In the midst of a rebellious nation God was often 'moved' by the remnant that remained faithful and showed mercy. He seeks the prayers and solicitations of His people and is overjoyed when we invite Him into our lives, activities, and relationships. So if we truly need action in our life, mountains moved, or any other favor of God, His ear is open.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry." - Psalm 34:16

Navigating and Negotiation the Curves

A bend in the road is not the end of the road - unless you fail to make the turn. - Anon

From the belly of the great fish Jonah suddenly had time to think and repent. WOW!

'Smooth sailin'!'  'Nothing but the open road, baby!' 'Puttin' the pedal to the metal!' All phrases we're familiar with that paint a picture of someone just movin' through traffic (life) with no cares or problems. However, sometimes there are curves to navigate and even turns to negotiate, which when traveling at the appropriate speed are easily manageable. If the curves and turns of life are upsetting to you maybe it's time to slow down a bit, and always remember God does allow U-turns.

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me." - Psalm 119:133

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.

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

Divinely Directed

The stops of a good man, as well as his steps, are ordered by the Lord. – G. Mueller

God stopped Paul from preaching in Asia and Bithynia, but then along came Philippi. The results were awesome! WOW.

We ask the Lord to order our steps, direct our paths, guide us along the way; all very noble prayer requests and desires. But it's funny sometimes, for even though we know the “race is not to the swift,” many of us still can’t seem to slow ourselves down or pause to get into God's stride. And so in our “Christian walk” we often end up running into situations God tried to shield us from or divert us around. Maybe it’s time we took a real serious look at who’s doing the leading. If God is still your co-pilot, don’t change seats, get out of the cockpit altogether.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:1-3 (KJV)

Complex Order

Life is much too complicated not to be orderly. – Anon

Daniel’s life was such that he needed to stop all he was doing to pray at least 3 times a day. It kept him focused!

It’s a debate that has been going on almost since the beginning of time: Did God actually create the heavens and the earth or did they just ‘spring’ forth from chaos (big bang). I think by now all of us are smart enough to know from personal experiences that chaos only creates more chaos, not order or peace. Man can explain how things may work in God’s creation, but he can’t explain why they work. And he knows if they don’t work properly we have chaos and disorder. The bottom line in all of this for us is that unless we put our life in proper order – God first in all things – we too will suffer chaos, disorder, and disappointment in greater proportion than normal.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” – I Corinthians 14:40