HOW Did We Get Here?

When you find yourself in a hole of your own making, it is a good time to examine the quality of the workmanship. – J. Remmerde

After Saul met Christ on the Damascus Road, he had three days in ‘darkness’ to review his life’s journey. Hmm!

It’s a given that life has its ups and downs. But God is not always testing us with trials, nor is Satan always responsible for our ills. Sometimes it’s just our own ingenuity that lands us in a place or situation we’d rather not be. Now the good thing is we serve a God who can bring good out of any situation or circumstance, however; often before He responds He expects us to reflect on where WE went wrong, why WE went wrong, and how WE can prevent it from occurring again. Holding fast to and practicing His Word will keep us from many holes, ditches, and pits that are completely unnecessary in life. So, unless we just like digging maybe it’s time we took a look in the mirror.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:40

Take some Time and Think On These Things

Readers are plentiful, thinkers are rare. – H. Martineau

The greatest king in Israel’s history was David, the one who loved to ‘meditate’ on God’s word. Hmm!

Newspapers, magazines, the bible, novels, internet news articles, we read them all alike – we READ them. Just news and information to pass the time and give us information to share in passing conversations. We should never read the bible for quantity, but quality; looking to gain understanding, insight, wisdom, and application to our lives. The God who endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect did not intend for us to forgo their use, but very often when it comes to His Word and other life issues we do. We read the bible but we don’t think through or meditate on what we read. We see God’s awesome works but we don’t envision God in the process. From the tiniest insect to the largest beast in the field God is involved. From the minutest detail to the greatest issue in our lives God is involved. The question we must answer is how involved is He and what is He asking of me. Think on it friend.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.” – Psalm 119:97-97

Words Count

"This call may be monitored for quality assurance purposes....." - Operator

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter was surprised when God let it be known He was listening in. Hmm!

Communicate! We love to do it, we live to do it. Talk, text, post, tweet, I/M, D/M, etc., we just can't seem to get enough of it. We are social beings. After all, communication is at the crux of all relationships, and we were made for relationships. But I guess the bigger question we need to consider is what are we saying or communicating when we go at it? And why? We must remember as God's people we don't get a free pass at this. He said we will "one day give an account of every word we've spoken." The intent there is not a verbatim review of what we said, but what was our 'motive' behind what was said. Was it necessary, helpful, informational, etc., and most of all did it glorify Him? We may not want 'big brother' listening in on our communications but we need remember our Heavenly Father always is.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Does He who implanted the ear not hear? Does He who formed the eye not see? - Psalm 94:9

The Blessing of Quality Work

Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. – Aristotle

Though it took him some time and he endured a bit of ridicule, not only was Noah’s ark designed well, it also actually floated. WOW!

It’s a sad truth that many folks don’t enjoy what they do for a living. The bible does teach us that if we are able we should do honorable work to support ourselves, and that it is God who gives us the ability and opportunity to create wealth. In truth, it’s not so much the work as it is the attitude we bring to it. Work is such an ennobling blessing. It is our opportunity to use our mind, body, and time to produce a commodity or service that is pleasing to God. And if what we are about during the day is to be useful and bring glory to the Master, it certainly requires our best efforts. Cheap work is never good, and good work is never cheap. Remember God’s work for us only cost Him His Only Son.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” – Colossians 3:23-24

P.S. - New Class Series on 'Growing In Prayer' begins tonight on campus at 6:30 for all interested.

What did YOU do?

When you find yourself in a hole of your own making, it is a good time to examine the quality of the workmanship. – J. Remmerde

After Saul met Christ on the Damascus road, he had three days in ‘darkness’ to review his life’s journey. Hmm!

It’s a given that life has its ups and downs. But God is not always testing us with trials, nor is Satan always responsible for our ills. Sometimes it’s just our own ingenuity that lands us in a place or situation we’d rather not be. Now the good thing is we serve a God who can bring good out of any situation or circumstance, however; often before He responds He expects us to reflect on where WE went wrong, why WE went wrong, and how WE can prevent it from occurring again. Holding fast to and practicing His Word will keep us from many holes, ditches, and pits that are completely unnecessary in life. So unless we just like digging maybe it’s time we took a look in the mirror.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:40

Monitored Communication

This call may be monitored for quality assurance..... - Operator

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter was surprised when God let it be known He was listening in. Hmm!

Communicate! We love to do it, we live to do it. Talk, text, post, tweet, I/M, etc., we just can't seem to get enough of it. We are social beings. After all, communication is at the crux of all relationships, and we were made for relationships. But I guess the bigger question we need to consider is what are we saying or communicating when we go at it? And why? We must remember as God's people we don't get a free pass at this. He said we will "one day give an account of every word we've spoken." The intent there is not a verbatim review of what we said, but what was our 'motive' behind what was said. Was it necessary, helpful, informational, etc., and most of all did it glorify Him? We may not want 'big brother' listening in on our communications but we need remember our Heavenly Father always is.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Does He who implanted the ear not hear? Does He who formed the eye not see? - Psalm 94:9

Work Attitude

We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work required is the same. – Carlos Castaneda

Jesus tells us 2 men did the exact same thing, built homes. A storm however, made the outcome very different. OUCH!

Each day has 24 hours. Each week has 7 days. Each year has 52 weeks. You get the picture. We all have the same opportunity to build and live a life that is meaningful and worthwhile for God or a life that is self-centered, fragile, and empty. The decision should not be that hard, but even for us as Christians we often fool ourselves chasing after that which is fleeting and temporary. The attitude we bring to each day’s venture is strictly the result of no one but ourself. Today can have great meaning if we allow it.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.” – I Corinthians 3:11-13

It's what you do with it

More important than the length of life is how we spend each day. – R. W. Murray

Jesus lived only 33 years but accomplished EVERYTHING His Father asked of him. How you ask, living day by day. Hmm!

We’ve all been to funerals and heard the story of “The Dash” indicating the number of years lived and what the individual did with those years. It is truly a great blessing to grow old and age gracefully; but still, to do so we must make each day count. And not for self but God’s purposes. God grants life one day at a time with no guarantee of tomorrow, but He does allow us to invest in tomorrow by how we spend today. It’s not so much the length of life, but the quality, and that is left solely up to us.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:20-21

Quality Time

I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar. – R. Brault

Jesus stayed and talked with the two on the Emmaus road until they finally saw the 'light'. Hmm!

In this era of Cell-Phones, Tablets, Apps, and Chat-forums for almost any and everything, it seems more and more we’re all trying to find time to do it all and have it all. And what often happens is we wind up with sometimes shallow conversations and face time fellowship with the ONES who supposedly love us most because the gadgets never leave our hand or our side. It's the same with Christ, the ONE who loves us more than anything, we've somewhat relegated Him to the electronic device, and without it we can't seem to function. Maybe it's time we took a closer look at HIS example of friendship where no boundaries exist, and HE sits just waiting for US to come. I pray we'll become HIS 'cherished' friend.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

"..........that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple...." - Psalm 27:4

Digging yourself into a hole

When you find yourself in a hole of your own making, it is a good time to examine the quality of the workmanship. – J. Remmerde

After Saul met Christ on the Damascus road, he had three days in ‘darkness’ to review his life’s journey. Hmm!

It’s a given that life has its ups and downs. But God is not always testing us with trials, nor is Satan always responsible for our ills. Sometimes it’s just our own ingenuity that lands us in a place or situation we’d rather not be. Now the good thing is we serve a God who can bring good out of any situation or circumstance, however; often before He responds He expects us to reflect on where WE went wrong, why WE went wrong, and how WE can prevent it from occurring again. Holding fast to and practicing His Word will keep us from many holes, ditches, and pits that are completely unnecessary in life. So unless we just like digging maybe it’s time we took a look in the mirror.

Until Monday…….

Pastor Botts

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:40

PS- Don't forget to set your clocks AHEAD 1 hour this Saturday night as we move into Daylight Savings Time.

Also for those who would like to discuss our 'campaign book' readings I'll be available in Parmes Hall from 9:00 to 9:15AM on Sunday.