Just Take His Word For It

Tell a man that there are 500 billion stars in the universe and he’ll believe you. Tell him the fence has just been painted and he has to touch it to see if it is so. – H. Cohen

Gideon believed the Lord was the God of the Universe when he spoke, he just wanted some 'proof'. Sound familiar?

It’s very true that experience is a great teacher, but often the lessons come with painful, expensive, or long-lasting costs. God in his Divine Wisdom has given us of His Word to help us avoid many of these ‘lessons,’ knowing our frailties and what we can bear, but often we seem intent on getting that first hand knowledge. Rather than looking back with regrets maybe we should just learn to take God at His word. It’s never failed yet and when you think about it, isn’t that a great comfort! As life ‘happens’ all around you today why not just try trusting in God’s Word.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“….What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.” – Isaiah 46:11

Let Them See Christ In Me

The proof of the pudding is ALWAYS in the eating. – Anon

They were called ‘Christians’ by outsiders, not so much by what they said, but how they lived. Hmm!

It’s one of the greatest ‘professions’ in the entire bible. And what makes it great is that is was backed up by action. Ruth stated to her mother-in-law Naomi “where you go, I will go, where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, your God my God…” And we see and read she was very true to her word. And God blessed her and Naomi. It really is food for thought for us today. Our word should be or bond, no “ifs’ ands, or buts.” Our ‘yes’ should be yes and our ‘no’ should be no. And Jesus should be Lord of our life. This calls for a new mindset, one where we don’t need people to hear us say “I’m Christian,” but need them to see Christ in me!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” – John 7:38

Getting to Know Each Other

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, not the presentation. - Anon

Barnabas told the disciples and the people that Paul really wasn’t so bad once you got to know him. Hmm!

We roll our eyes, or turn our nose up, or even get offended at the mere glance of a book or movie title. And though the title may give you a clue about the book or movie, the title alone doesn’t tell the whole story – that comes with the reading, getting into it. And so often with the people in our lives we do the same thing, a mere glance and a galvanized opinion is formed. So, we never take time to build a relationship with them, or if we do; we do so through our galvanized lenses, always looking for the facts and circumstances to support it, and often missing the gems and traits that make them unique and lovable by God. A good book always has discovery and intrigue for the reader, drawing them in with twists and plots that often surprise. People are essentially no different. The key to making any relationship successful and prosperous is to find out why the person is so loved by God, after all, they’re possibly doing the same with us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged...” – Matthew 7:1

What Proof Do You Need?

Tell a man that there are 500 billion stars in the universe and he’ll believe you. Tell him the fence has just been painted and he has to touch it to see if it is so. – H. Cohen

Gideon believed the Lord was the God of the Universe when he spoke, he just wanted some 'proof'. Sound familiar?

It’s very true that experience is a great teacher, but often the lessons come with painful, expensive, or long-lasting costs. God in his Divine Wisdom has given us of His Word to help us avoid many of these ‘lessons,’ knowing our frailties and what we can bear, but often we seem intent on getting that first hand knowledge. Rather than looking back with regrets maybe we should just learn to take God at His word. It’s never failed yet and when you think about it, isn’t that a great comfort! As life ‘happens’ all around you today why not just try trusting in God’s Word.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.” – Isaiah 46:11

Practiced Prayer Principles

Prayer does not need proof, only practice. - Sparks

Jesus chided the Jewish crowd that had gathered because they sought a sign or miracle from him before they would believe. None was given!

We love to see, touch, and feel results, and we often want great signs and wonders done before we will truly commit ourselves to something. But prayer is one of the greatest gifts to us from God, and often it is seldom used by us to commune with God. We want blessings, and the kind we can see, but God loves the art of conversation. True, answered prayer is one of the sweetest touches from God we can receive, but the proof of prayer is not so much in the answer it brings, but in the life of the individual it changes. And this change can only come by sustained, disciplined, heartfelt petitioning. May our vocabulary in this area be greatly expanded!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.” – Psalm 32:6

For a time like TODAY!

That we are alive today is proof positive that God has something for us to do TODAY! – A.R. Lindsay

Mordecai had to persuade Queen Esther that God had delivered her for “such a time as this” that she may deliver her people. He was right. Amen!

Though you may hate to admit it, every morning you wake up and look in the mirror of your soul you realize ‘it’s not about you.’ Though God did grant life to you this day, He fully expects you to bring glory to Him. TODAY! He’s prepared you for his glory. TODAY! Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, so it’s TODAY! Whatever comes your way TODAY God expects you to shine for Him. Whoever comes your way TODAY God expects you share Jesus with him. If you’re awake, you’ve already been prepped.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” – Hebrews 3:12-13

Proof of the Pudding...

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, not the presentation. - Anon

Barnabas told the disciples and the people that Paul really wasn’t so bad once you got to know him. Hmm!

We roll our eyes, or turn our nose up, or even get offended at the mere glance of a book or movie title. And though the title may give you a clue about the book or movie, the title alone doesn’t tell the whole story – that comes with the reading, getting into it. And so often with the people in our lives we do the same thing, a mere glance and a galvanized opinion is formed. So we never take time to build a relationship with them, or if we do; we do so through our galvanized lenses, always looking for the facts and circumstances to support it, and often missing the gems and traits that make them unique and lovable by God. A good book always has discovery and intrigue for the reader, drawing them in with twists and plots that often surprise. People are essentially no different. The key to making any relationship successful and prosperous is to find out why the person is so loved by God, after all, they’re possibly doing the same with us.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged…..” – Matthew 7:1