The Proper Mindset

A person who is always finding fault seldom finds anything else. – Anon

Nathanael thought nothing good could ever come from Nazareth. Jesus changed his heart and mind on that. Hmm!

Truth is we live in a fallen world. It’s easy to look around and see the wrongs of mankind. What’s more, the media of today’s world tends to glorify the ills and failures of mankind all too frequently with little or no regard given to successes. It’s enough to make one become a cynic. But we have “freedom” of choice in terms of what we dwell on or how we perceive the information or events of life that impact us. The proper mindset can change your attitude and outlook. Here’s hoping you have a thoughtful day.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, ...noble, ....right, ...pure,.....lovely, ....admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." - Philippians 4:8

Limitless Methods of Experience

Never make a principle out of your own experience; let God be as original with others as He is with you. – Oswald Chambers

God spoke to the Israelites from the mountaintop with thunder, lightning, fire and smoke. He spoke to Elijah in a whisper. The key is He spoke. Amen!

Exercise regimens. Cold remedies. Financial successes. We’re quick to offer others our pet methods and ways for the success we may have achieved in certain areas, telling them if they do exactly what we did they’ll get the same results. Rarely is that the case but more importantly it puts God in a box, limiting Him and His creative power. Sharing experiences is great, but we must let God be God in all things and allow Him to work in our lives “according to His good pleasure,” and not our expectations. God has been known to move and answer in some mysterious ways. Keep an open eye!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“For God does speak – now one way, now another – though man may not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night….he may speak in their ears….” – Job 33:14-16

Listening for God's Voice

True, there is nothing new under the sun, but God is new every day. - A. Bierce

When Jesus taught the people from the very scriptures they had known all their lives, they were in a word - Amazed!

Routine is as routine does. For most of us our life is a series of routines and patterns. Rote prayers, rote activities, and rote expectations. What is sad is that we have come to accept it this way often never looking for ways to change or improve upon it, just going through the motions, missing out on new opportunities to grow. Though God is unchanging in His very nature the way He reveals Himself to us each day is not. With Moses it was a burning bush, with Samuel it was a late-night calling, and with Elijah it was a gentle whisper. How about with us today? Here's hoping our hearts are open to see and hear!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"For God does speak - first one way, then another - though man may not perceive it." - Job 32:14

He Knows and STILL Loves

For this you can be thankful. Only you and God have all the facts about yourself. – Anon

When the tax collector prayed “God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” he knew God already had the facts. Hmm!

Resumés are wonderful documents, listing all of our personal highlights, goals, accomplishments, and aspirations. They make us out to be the one everybody should want on their team or staff. They put us in the best light possible. And in truth, that’s the way God views us as well. Even though He knows all about us, imperfections and all; He can only see us through the blood of His Son which perfects us. God is a true friend who loves to forgive and forget; and He will when we readily confess our wrongs; that we might remain in communion with Him. Others may know us well, but God knows us best AND He still loves us. WOW!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” – Psalm 139:1-2

P.S. - Don't forget Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend. Set your clocks AHEAD 1-hour Saturday night before you go to bed!

Did You Catch That?

True, there is nothing new under the sun, but everyday is new with God. – A. Bierce

When Jesus taught the people from the very scriptures they had known all their lives they were in a word – AMAZED!

Routine is as routine does. For most of us our life is a series of routines. Rote prayers, rote activities, and rote expectations. What is sad is that we have come to accept it this way and expect it, often getting bent out of shape when it doesn’t happen. Though God may be the same “yesterday, today and forever,” the way He reveals Himself to us each day is not. With Moses it was a burning bush, with Elijah a gentle whisper. Expect the unexpected today?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“For God does speak – now one way, now another – though man may not perceive it.” – Job 32:14

Tune In!

A great deal of what you hear depends on what you’re listening for. – Anon

God called out to him 4 times before the boy Samuel finally realized WHO was calling. It was the beginning of a great relationship. AMEN!

A telephone ring. An emergency siren. A favorite song. There are certain sounds that are very familiar to us. It’s not that we hear them any more often than others but that we’ve tuned or trained ourselves to hear them, and hear them only from certain sources.  Like Samuel, God’s voice is often foreign to us, not because He doesn’t speak but because we’re not tuned in or listening for Him in the various ways He speaks. But He does speak, and in volumes. George Washington Carver said “nature is an unlimited broadcasting system through which God speaks to us every hour, if we would only tune in.”  Just look and listen and you’ll know you’re loved.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man’s words? For God does speak – now one way, now another – though a man may not perceive it.” – Job 33:14

P.S. - Don't forget our HarvestFest is tomorrow afternoon (1 - 5pm). As such there will not be any Vesper services Sunday evening.

Old Ideas

Preconceived notions are the locks on the door that lead to wisdom and happiness. – M. Brown

If Moses had never given the burning bush a closer look…….Hmm!

It’s said that when the ostrich doesn’t want to deal with life he sticks his head in the ground. It’s a coping mechanism. True or not for the ostrich, many of us have a coping mechanism to this life called preconceived notions (ideas). These are not thoroughly investigated and proven out, they are just little ‘safety valves’ we fall back on to keep us from stretching or risking growth, and to keep our world orderly and neat. Sadly, this type of attitude creeps into our lives when we begin to get away from God or try limit what He can do. If we really do some soul searching each of us can look back and see where God – like He did with Moses and the burning bush – tested us and erased some erroneous thoughts we had and stretched our borders. God is still looking to do the same today and everyday. Are you game?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it…….? Isaiah 43:19

Amazing Newness

True, there is nothing new under the sun, but everyday is new with God. – A. Bierce

When Jesus taught the people from the very scriptures they had known all their lives they were in a word – AMAZED!

Routine is as routine does. For most of us our life is a series of routines. Rote prayers, rote activities, and rote expectations. What is sad is that we have come to accept it this way and expect it, often getting bent out of shape when it doesn’t happen. Though God may be the same “yesterday, today and forever,” the way He reveals Himself to us each day is not. With Moses it was a burning bush, with Elijah a gentle whisper. Expect the unexpected today?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“For God does speak – now one way, now another – though man may not perceive it.” – Job 32:14