Recognize That Signature?

The question is not what you look at, but what you see! – Henry David Thoreau

Paul often spoke of how the faithful actions of others caused him to give thanks to his God. Hmm!

During my earlier service as the financial secretary for the church for a number of years, I learned to recognize the handwriting of almost everyone. No matter the flair, style, or brevity, when names are missing or information was incomplete I knew who to seek out. And every time it was a joyful, thoughtful moment shared. It makes me think how often do we recognize the ‘handwriting’ of God each day? If “the heavens continually declare His glory, day after day after day” do we often fail to recognize His signature on a new day? With flowers budding, trees wafting in the breeze, the sun radiating light and warmth, a reasonable health and life purpose, do we take these for granted, as our just due, or do we truly recognize these as signature gifts of God’s great love for us? If asking someone to clarify their intentions on an envelope or slip of paper brought a moment of joy and thoughtful reflection, just imagine what it might bring if that moment were shared with God. It couldn’t hurt!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20

PS. - Hope you can make our Prayer Meeting tonight at 5:30PM. We'd love to see you!

For our campus study tonight we'll be looking at Joshua, chapter 6!

The Exact

To find the exact answer, one must first ask the exact question. - S. T. Webster

Jesus’ answer to the rich man to ‘sell all he had and come and follow me’ upset him. It wasn’t the answer he wanted. OUCH!

Far too often we strive to live in the ‘grey’ area of life. It’s the areas that we’ve reasoned in our minds that leave a little ‘wiggle room’ for our proclivities. We know God does have a ‘good and perfect will’ but we tend to think if we never ask the questions or do the reading we will not be held accountable. But the scriptures do emphatically state: "there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Though God is gracious His commands are always exact friend, and there is no wiggle room in Him or His word. We are commanded by the Word to ‘study and show ourselves approved’ so not reading it or never asking the questions will not get us off the hook. If our exact destination is heaven, then the Bible is the book to answer all of our questions EXACTLY!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“......And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8

Questions That Lead To Understanding

"That, my son, is the right question..." - excerpt from 'I Robot'

I imagine Saul was quite surprised at the answer he received to his question: "Who, are you Lord?" Hmm!

Think of the number of times in conversation you hear "how do I say this?" or "let me get my thoughts right..." to ensure the hearer gets the right interpretation of what's being said. Do we ever think along those lines when it comes to reading and studying God's Word. Maybe we miss the meaning or intent because we read it out of context, or maybe we miss it because we're searching for the answer we want, not what the truth reveals. God's knowledge is not limited by anything or anyone, and He holds the answers to the universe and all there is in His hands, willing to share with anyone who asks. However, we still must ask the right questions to receive what we seek/need. The scripture plainly points out God gives wisdom to everyone that asks, but it also says we need to ask with purpose, belief, and in humility. Any questions?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all.......But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord: he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does " - James 1:5-8

What Do You See?

The question is not what you look at, but what you see! – Henry David Thoreau

Paul often spoke of how the faithful actions of others caused him to give thanks to his God. Hmm!

Having served as the financial secretary for the church for a number of years, I’ve learned to recognize the handwriting of almost everyone. No matter the flair, style, or brevity, when names are missing or information is incomplete I know who to seek out. And every time it’s a joyful, thoughtful moment shared. It makes me think how often do we recognize the ‘handwriting’ of God each day? If “the heavens continually declare His glory, day after day after day” do we often fail to recognize His signature on a new day? With flowers budding, trees wafting in the breeze, the sun radiating light and warmth, a reasonable health and life purpose, do we take these for granted, as our just due, or do we truly recognize these as signature gifts of God’s great love for us? If asking someone to clarify their intentions on an envelope or slip of paper brings a moment of joy and thoughtful reflection, just imagine what it might bring if that moment were shared with God. It couldn’t hurt!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“…since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20

The Right Decision

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

Compromise Not

Compromise is simply changing the question to fit the answer. – M. Malloy

When Samuel caught Saul red-handed with plunder from the victory over the Amalekites, Saul tried to appease Samuel and God with an offering of the cattle and sheep, animals he knew were to be destroyed in the battle. God was not pleased.

A somewhat recent new term introduced into the English language is “politically correct.” It means to speak within the context of what is perceived as right. Perception is not necessarily truth. The enemy is so very subtle. All he needs is just a little change in the word of God, a little “gray area” in our thinking and compromise enters in. Just think back to the Garden of Eden. But God has always been exact in his instruction and requirements for obedience. The events and circumstances that arise each day are but tests and trials to prove ourselves faithful in all things. Compromise erodes the will, but obedience increases faith.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:7

The Exact Answer

To find the exact answer, one must first ask the exact question.  - S. T. Webster

Jesus’ answer to the rich man to ‘sell all he had and come and follow me’ upset him. It wasn’t the answer he wanted.  OUCH!

Far too often we strive to live in the ‘grey’ area of life. It’s the areas that we’ve reasoned in our minds that leave a little ‘wiggle room’ for our proclivities. We believe God does have a ‘good and perfect will’ but if we never ask the questions or do the reading we will not be held accountable. But, “there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” God is and always has been exact friend, and there is no wiggle room in Him or His word. And, we are commanded by the Word to ‘study and show ourselves approved’ so not reading it or never asking the questions will not get us off the hook. If our exact destination is heaven, then the Bible is the book to answer all of our questions EXACTLY!

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and t walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8

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