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

Successful Servants

Greatness comes not because of position, but because of purpose. – Richard Murray

David was a great king not because of his many valiant battles and victories, but because he had a heart after God. Hmm!

Ebenezer Scrooge, Howard Hughes. One fictional, one real – both successful and rich – but miserable. Most of us spend our lives chasing after the one job, promotion, person, or possession that we believe will get us the happiness, recognition, and completeness in life we believe we’re missing. But if our forefathers were any indication, success in any of these endeavors did not equate to a happy fulfilled life nor greatness with God. The world values success and its trappings, God values significance. God is not against us having success or material blessings, but He calls us to live a life that places significance of Him and His kingdom above all else. A life lived for success alone is selfish, a life lived for significance is giving. The choice is ours.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Jesus called the twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” – Mark 9:35

Choose Happiness

It is not our position that makes us happy or unhappy, it’s our disposition. – Richard Murray

Rehoboam took over the great kingdom of his father Solomon, and immediately got mad at the people. Hmm!

It takes all kinds of people to make up this crazy mixed-up world, unfortunately many are – sad, unhappy, depressed, etc. – and the truth is they don’t have to be that way, it all depends on how you look at life. God has gifted us with that life, but how we live it and enjoy its ups and downs, starts and stops, and sometimes indecipherable events is solely up to us as individuals. Material blessings may make life a bit more comfortable or easygoing, but they can never make one happy; for happiness is an attitude and heart choice. And though God says we should “choose life and its blessings;” He will not force us to do so. So if we’re waiting or looking for happiness, just know it’s been there all along.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:13

No Better Time Like the Present

The best time to plant a tree is 25 years ago. The 2nd best time is today. - Anon

Jesus gave Peter a second chance to be bold and Holy Pentecost! WOW!

It's true no matter who you talk to. Every person has something in their life they lament, something they maybe wished they started earlier upon, got more training in, etc. But none of that matters now. The truth of life is there's no time like the present to become an expert on something or at least improve on our position or lot in life. We may not be where we want to be or what we want to be. And thankfully, we serve a God who's not content to leave us where we are anyway. So the good news of today is "things are finally starting to look up!"

Until Monday....

Pastor Botts

"......being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6

Don't let it go to your head

Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly. – G. K. Chesterton

Though Paul started many churches and had audiences with kings, he never forgot that he was just a servant of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Fame, titles, positions, possessions – if not careful; these things can tend to give one an attitude of superiority or pride. Success in and of itself is not bad or sinful, but when we allow it to dictate to others how we should be treated, or demand special considerations because of it, we’ve set ourselves up for a fall. Yes, life is a serious matter. But we, like the people we deal with on a daily basis are imperfect creatures too. So no matter our success we must remember that it too has been by God’s grace, not so much our own making. Remember, God “sets up and knocks down kings” as He purposes.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” – Romans 12:3

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

Success or Significance

Greatness comes not because of position, but because of purpose. – R. Murray

David was a great king not because of his many valiant battles and victories, but because he had a heart after God. Hmm!

Ebenezer Scrooge, Howard Hughes. One fictional, one real – both successful and rich – but miserable. Most of us spend our lives chasing after the one job, promotion, person, or possession that we believe will get us the happiness, recognition, and completeness in life we believe we’re missing. But if our forefathers were any indication, success in any of these endeavors did not equate to a happy fulfilled life nor greatness with God. The world values success and its trappings, God values significance. God is not against us having success or material blessings, but He calls us to live a life that places significance of Him and His kingdom above all else. A life lived for success alone is selfish, a life lived for significance is giving. The choice is ours.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Jesus called the twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” – Mark 9:35

Finding Happiness

It is not our position that makes us happy or unhappy, it’s our disposition. – R. Murray

Rehoboam took over the great kingdom of his father Solomon, and immediately got mad at the people. Hmm!

It takes all kinds of people to make up this crazy mixed-up world, unfortunately many are – sad, unhappy, depressed, etc. – and the truth is they don’t have to be that way, it all depends on how you look at life. God has gifted us with that life, but how we live it and enjoy its ups and downs, starts and stops, and sometimes indecipherable events is solely up to us as individuals. Material blessings may make life a bit more comfortable or easygoing, but they can never make one happy; for happiness is an attitude and heart choice. And though God says we should “choose life and its blessings;” He will not force us to do so. So if we’re waiting or looking for happiness, just know it’s been there all along.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:13

It's your part. Play it!

If you don’t do your part, who will? – C. Swindoll

All Andrew gets noted for was bringing his brother Peter to Christ. But still it was a big role to fill. Hmm!

In this current socio-economic crazed, overpopulated, and impersonal world, it is easy sometimes to underestimate the significance of one deed, act, or kindness. After all, we often feel someone else more important or capable than our self can do it much better. We must remember though, that we serve a God who has always understood the power of one. Think of all the examples given in His word: Moses, the Good Samaritan, or Esther just to name a few. And God still believes in the power of one. Today is a gift granted to each of us that we might make a difference for His kingdom. And we must keep this in mind, with God excuses don’t count, only results!

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“….And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14

Decisions Decisions

Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But, conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because one's conscience tells one that it is right. – MLK, Jr.

David neither wanted in the army, nor the armor of Saul, or in the battle with Goliath. He really just wanted God to be praised. Hmm!

One glaring truth about life is that it is filled with decisions. Day in and day out we make them, else we stand still. However, the issue is what ‘basis’ do we use in our decision making process. As much as we are tempted by the world to think issues are not ‘black and white’ but contain a shade of ‘grey,’ we must adhere to the tenets of the One we profess as Savior and Lord. There is no specific time for truth or righteousness, their time is always NOW, including those times when it would be an inconvenience to us to stand firm. Right will always be right, and truth will always be truth, the question is: Will we? Today will require your decision on this many times over.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.” – II Thessalonians 3:13