Trust the Invisible To Do the Impossible

It is only the impossible that is possible for God. – S. Weil

When the Israelites needed an escape path (Red Sea), food (manna), water (rock); God was there. He still is today. AMEN!

Looking at it from afar, life seems unfair and impossible to overcome. The challenges it presents seem overwhelming, and our resources meager. And that is our major problem in life, we look at it from afar, and we begin attempting to do what only God CAN do. Life is designed to mature us, and adversity is designed to strengthen us. But this is only possible if we view it through God’s eyes and go at it through God’s strength. If we’re honest we can all count the number of times we’ve tried to ‘move mountains’ and failed on our own only to have God show us how easy it is once we fully gave it over to Him. To overcome the impossible we must trust the INVISIBLE. The choice is ours!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’” – Luke 18:27

God At Work

What we see depends truly on what we're actually looking for! - Anon

Many folks saw Noah working on the ark but none of them believed God was with him. Hmm!

Jesus said "my Father is always at His work!" So the question I guess is how often throughout the day do we actually see God working? It's all a matter of perspective and understanding. Many people look at a tree and just see a tree. A person of faith sees 'God at work' with all that the tree provides - homes for birds and other animals, shade/shelter, food - not to mention greenery for beauty and to aid in the production of oxygen for us. Many people see children at play and that's it, but a person of faith sees 'God at work' reminding us to choose joy and happiness in the midst of an imperfect world. Our perspective is shaped and informed by what we know. So the more we know of God and His Word the more we will see Him 'at His work' in and around our lives. Praying today may be eye opening and breathtaking to us all.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." - Psalm 27:13

How Do You Remember?

Death leaves a scar only God can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. – Anon

When Thomas saw Jesus’ scars he cried out ‘My Lord and My God!’ – Hmm!

Scars! We all have them, physical, emotional, spiritual. The question is how do we ourselves view them? Are they bitter reminders of the hurt or trauma we experienced that often bring back the pain of the event, or are they joyful reminders of how God in His infinite grace stepped in to bring healing and restore our hope? If it is really true that ‘all healing comes from God’ then maybe that’s an indication of the direction we should lean. But in any case, God leaves the choice of how we view our scars to us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…Finally, let no one cause me trouble for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” – Galatians 6:17

New Point of View

We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are. – Anais Nin

Mary & Martha believed Jesus as the son of God but could only see him as human like them. When Lazarus died, their “eyes” were opened! Wow!

Often, the hardest thing to see is what is right before us. Why, because we often have a fixed or made-up mind of what it should be. We live most of life this way. But God is asking us to trust Him, have faith that He knows what He is doing though it may not appear so to us. We must remember just as God is not through with us, He also is not through with those around us and those in our lives. Our call is not to make or pass judgment on them based on our flaws or imperfections but to see every bit of God at work in their life as much as possible, and help it along.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Peter replied, ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." - Acts 10:14-15

Look Up

Even when you don't notice the stars they are still shining. - M Santoso

It's truly hard to imagine that the Wise Men or Magi were the only ones to see the 'Star' that year. Hmm!

"Oh, what a day!" It's a proclamation we've all made a time or two. Usually when the issues or problems of daily living seem to suck all the joy out of life. This happens when we fix our gaze upon ourselves and forget about God. Since the beginning of creation He has given us a beacon to remind us of His great love, care, concern, and presence - all we need do is look up. And if that's not enough just look outward. God always gives us something good to enjoy despite life's current situations. It may be our loving family, energetic grandkids, playful pets, or even a good warm memory to get us out of that 'funk' and remind us of His goodness, closeness, and ability to work it out for our good and His glory. Though we are a little lower than the angels He is still "ever mindful of us!"

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge." - Psalm 19:1-2

The Color of Life

Attitude is the mind’s paintbrush – it can color any situation – any color you want it. – Anon

Even after Isaiah pronounced God’s judgment on him, Hezekiah held fast his trust in God. God granted him 15 more years. WOW!

Life, as we know it is a series of responses to Today’s offerings. No matter what the sky above looks like, the truth of the matter is the day presents back to us exactly the color or attitude we give to it. If we are gray and gloomy it will be long and slow. If we’re hopeful and optimistic it will be fast paced and full of opportunity. The choice is ours and ours alone to make. Circumstances may enter, like loss of sleep, little financial resources, strained relationships – but how we respond is clearly our own choice of color. The fact that God has granted us life today begs the question – do we have any reason to be upset or negative?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“[Jonah] said, ‘O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.’ But the Lord replied, ‘Have you any right to be angry.’” – Jonah 4:3-4

What We Need

I can see clearly now.....the rain is gone.....- Song refrain

After God 'spoke' Job had a whole new perspective on his life's meaning. Amen!

REGRET! It's a backwards looking word. Where we 'replay' various scenes or situations in our life and wish we would have chosen 'better.' Or we wonder why didn't God step in or show up at that time. Why would He allow me to suffer such pain/anguish, or go without, or even lose out on the blessing? But if we truly know God, then we know a few things. First, He does not owe us an explanation for anything. He is Sovereign. Second, we know even though God loves to be involved in our lives He will not force Himself or His will upon us and our decisions. Third, we know God will at times allow trials to 'grow' our faith. And we know He takes 'all things' and works them out for our good. That's even true in our current situation, whatever it may be. Even in this, someday, when we look back, we'll be really, really grateful that God gave us or allowed what we NEEDED instead of what we thought we wanted. Why, because our Heavenly Father ALWAYS knows best. So there really should be no regret of life.

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

Then of Course the Choice is Yours

Some people complain that rose bushes have thorns while yet others rejoice that thorn bushes have roses. – Anon

Cain thought being his “brother’s keeper” was too great a burden, while Joseph thought keeping his entire family was what he was made for. Hmm!

It's an ability we are all blessed with, and no one has a greater amount or opportunity than the next person. What is it? The ability to choose our attitude on a daily basis, our response to any situation, our expectations from other individuals. Life is geared to bring all sorts of external stimuli to our doorsteps, but it is still up to us to choose our reaction. To borrow a line from the old TV show 'The Outer Limits,' we control the "horizontal and vertical" elements of our mood, outlook, and activity. How we respond is what makes it what it is. The attitude we choose is solely up to us. Whether God gifts us rain or sunshine, warmth or coldness, He gifts us with each day; He didn’t have to but He did. How we greet it is left to our own devices. If our day is going bad, or our current situation seems sour, we alone have the power to change it, and can do so without seeking anyone else’s permission. So, if things are looking down you can always look up.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self….to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24

Through the Eyes of Faith

When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change! - Anon

Interestingly enough, Jacob never considered the 'limp' God gave him as a bad thing. Amen!

Pentecost! 12 men endowed with the Holy Spirit turned the world upside down. Wow! Though Jesus walked with these men daily and knew their flaws and shortcomings, Pentecost is all He actually saw! That's walking and living by faith. Faith is not exercised in the physical 'seeing' of things but in the 'Spiritual' believing that God can bring it to pass for His glory. Most of God's blessings in life AND solutions to our circumstances, problems, or issues can only be seen through the eyes of faith, because faith sees things that are 'out of sight!'

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....We live by faith, not by sight....." - II Corinthians 5:7

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

New Attitude of Mind

Some people complain that rose bushes have thorns while yet others rejoice that thorn bushes have roses. – Anon

Cain thought being his “brother’s keeper” was too great a burden, while Joseph thought keeping his entire family was what he was made for. Hmm!

It's an ability we are all blessed with, and no one has a greater amount or opportunity than the next person. What is it? The ability to choose our: attitude on a daily basis, our response to any situation, and our expectations from other individuals. Life is geared to bring all sorts of external stimuli to our doorsteps, but it is still up to us to choose our reaction. To borrow a line from the old TV show 'The Outer Limits,' we control the "horizontal and vertical" elements of our mood, outlook, and activity. How we respond is what makes it what it is. The attitude we choose is solely up to us. Whether God gifts us rain or sunshine, warmth or coldness, He gifts us with each day; He didn’t have to but He did. How we greet it is left to our own devices. If our day is going bad, or our current situation seems sour, we alone have the power to change it, and can do so without seeking anyone else’s permission. So if things are looking down you can always look up.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self….to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24

Keeping Minor Frustrations Just That

Life is often unfair, that’s why there’s God. - Anon

Even on the worst day of his life, when he lost everything; Job still refused to give up or get mad with God. Hmm!

Sometimes the toast gets burnt, the kid spills the milk, the car breaks down, or maybe we get stuck in a traffic jam. These are minor frustrations of life, but we must catch ourselves, slow down, gain perspective and not let these minor frustrations become a major attitude issue. Every day God gives us is perfect, but yet it doesn’t mean everything that happens will be good and perfect. But His promise is to take it all and bring good from it in His good time if we remain faithful and true. The frustrations that happen to us rob God neither of His power or promises. So in spite of the frustrations we might face, an attitude of gratitude will win the day with God.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God…..For the Lord your God is a merciful God…..” – Deuteronomy 4:30-31