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

Opportunities to Give Glory

There is no good arguing with the inevitable. The only argument available for a chilling wind is to put on your overcoat. – J. R. Lowell

Abraham bargained with God over Sodom & Gomorrah, asking him to spare the city if he could find 10 righteous souls there. WE KNOW HOW IT ENDED!

Here it is Monday again, just like clockwork it always follows Sunday. There is nothing we can do to stop it for it is by God’s Divine design it happens this way. But we can prepare ourselves to meet and greet the day as an opportunity to further the kingdom of God, because that’s exactly what it is. We are alive and well for his purposes, so whatever comes our way today (whether positive or negative) can and should be used to give God the glory.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it flourish…..so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:10-11

Good Tears

The bible was written in tears, and to tears it yields its best treasures. – A.W. Tozer

If Lamentations points out anything to us, it’s that Jeremiah’s tears allowed him to see and appreciate God much more clearly. WOW!

Though we may cry at a wedding, funeral, or birth of a child; we generally view shedding tears as a sign of weakness. Even recently a TV commercial stated “when you see a man with tears in his eyes that’s just a bit of his ‘awesome’ leaking out.” But just as rain drops fall from the sky to help in the natural process of new growth, tears are often a necessary action to help the Word and will of God go deeper into our hearts. That we may grow deeper and stronger roots, not only to stand taller and more robust, but to have a more fragrant aroma to attract others and ‘fruit’ to offer those in our sphere of influence. And though sometimes our eyes may be dry, when the heart truly aches, weeps, and anguishes for God, the Spirit within knows how to present those requests to God with the tears needed. Weep on friend, weep on!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” – Psalm 18:6

Faith Tested

All sunshine and no rain make for a desert. – Arab Proverb

Job accepted the ‘heartaches’ of his life just as easily as he accepted the blessings. He knew it was all in God’s hand. AMEN!

As much as we would like it to be, life is not always rosy, good, or great. There are times when we go through tests, trials, and circumstances that make us uncomfortable. And often, these situations are not of our own making – God is at the helm. He knows how He wants and needs us to grow, and the path that He wants us to follow. Left to our own devices we would always choose the easy route, but God loves us too much to let that happen. So as we enter, persevere through, or exit our test or trial we should say HALLELULAH!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4

Sowing Tears

Tears are like rain. They loosen up the ‘soil’ of our hearts so we can grow towards God. – V. Casey

At the home of Simon the Pharisee, a sinful ‘teary eyed’ woman had a life changing event at the feet of Jesus. Amen!

In the movie ‘A League of Their Own’ Tom Hanks as coach screams “there’s no crying in baseball” at one of his players as she breaks out in tears on the field. There may be no crying in baseball, but there certainly is in life. Male or female, God made us all just the same, and shedding tears often admits our hurts, fears, and failures to ourselves and to God. And that’s a good thing friend.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Restore our fortunes, O Lord like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” – Psalm 126:4-6