Open Up My Eyes In Wonder

Some things have to be believed to be seen. – A. Hodgson

Noah had never seen rain in his life, but that didn’t stop him from building the ark. It came in handy later on. WOW!

We readily “ooh” and “aah” and applaud thunderously at magicians with their sleight of hand, smoke and mirrors, and trick angle presentations to amuse us, though we know its trickery. But everyday God presents an incomparable array of natural beauty, windows of great opportunity, and unconditional love; yet He barely gets a raised eyebrow from most. We often miss it because of our self-centered focus. God does reward those who truly seek after Him, for it is only through the eyes of faith that we can actually see Him at work, and when we do it is a most beautiful sight. If we’ve been missing God, it’s not because He’s not there, it’s because we have too much glare (distractions) in our lives. Maybe we need to put on the sunglasses of faith to see a bit more clearly.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice….Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.” – Hebrews 11:17,19

Recognizing the Situation

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you’ll know exactly what to do. – M. Ventor

Some of the greatest advice Moses ever received was during a short visit from his father-in-law. WOW!

Newborns, money, sunrise – what do they have in common – none of them come with instructions but they present a plethora of opportunity, good or bad. The same is true of people we meet in our lives. God brings other people into our lives via relationships to help us reach our full potential and purpose. These individuals will either give to us or require something of us in developing our spiritual maturity, for that is what God is developing in us. But even with our good intentions, problems can occur when we get the people and the expectations mixed up. That’s why it’s important we keep in touch with God asking for guidance, direction, and wisdom to know who’s who.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us.” – Luke 24:31-32

Living the Faith Life

Good decision-making happens only at the intersection of faith and reason. - Anon

It's amazing how often things 'worked out' in the bible after prayer. Hmm!

You've seen the T-shirts, bumper stickers, etc., with the statement: "No one can judge me except God!" There's truth to it. We can't and shouldn't judge them. Our way of thinking is based on our wants, wishes, and whims. But Jesus declared "it is not me but God's Word that judges....." Therefore, if we live our life by God's Word and use it to make our decisions, it is not us but God directing us to judge whether to go right or left, to accept or decline, to like or dislike. His Word is the one true unchanging measure that applies to all humanity. Therefore, the one who lets God's Word live through them is not passing judgment on anyone but living life to the fullest, and that is what Jesus came to give us the ability to do. Read On!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

True Test of Faith

When you get to the end of all light and reason that you know, and it's time to step into the realm of the unknown, faith is knowing that 1 of 2 things will happen: Either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly. – E. Telle

Abram had no concrete reason to leave his family, country, and kindred; but because God said so he did. It worked out better than he imagined. Hmm!

Columbus sailed to prove the world was round, he wasn’t completely sure but had faith it was. The Wright brothers risked life and limb because they had faith that man could one day fly across the sky. Men and women like them have often come before us and with nothing but faith in God and faith in themselves, have made great lives for themselves and others. The true test of faith is not having everything in hand or life completely ordered before stepping out, it’s stepping out fully trusting God will make a way, and with whatever He provides it will be sufficient for the task. God can still do the impossible, but we have to have the faith to attempt it first.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” – Hebrews 11:1-2

Growing Up

We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future. - F. D. Roosevelt

Though he was only 8 years old when he became king, Josiah decided to be a man for God. WOW!

Ask any child 'Who do you want to be when you grow up?' and just listen to the answers. Most will posit a famous entertainer, rapper, or maybe an athlete. Others might answer a doctor, lawyer, business owner, etc. All great replies you would expect from children, but they don't answer the question. It's not 'what' (profession) do you want to be, but 'who' (character) do you want to be. Thinking along these lines we might ask ourselves are there any other 'childish ways' we may be rooted in. It's true God wants us to come to Him with 'childlike' faith (purity) but He doesn't want us to remain 'childish' (immature) in our ways. As we look at where we are right now, is this who we imagined we would be at this point in our lives years ago? Do I still throw temper tantrums? Do I still 'take my ball and go home' when I don't get my way? Hopefully we're a far better version than we ever thought possible, so we should praise God. If we're not who we want to be then we should also praise God, for there's still time to change; and then ask Him to shape us into 'who' we need to be for His glory.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts


"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put childish ways behind me." - I Corinthians 13:11

Long Live the Christmas Spirit!

Next to a circus there ain’t nothing that packs up and tears out of town faster than the Christmas spirit. – K. Hubbard

The moment Jesus approached the demon-possessed man, the demons were ready to flee. WOW!

The ‘New Year.’ Only 7 days behind the ‘celebration’ of the birth of the Christ child, but millions of miles apart from “peace on earth and goodwill to all men.” Now it’s back to business as usual – how do we get ahead, what’s our new battle plan, a return to the wars that await. But if the birth of Christ made a difference in the world 2,000 plus years ago, and made a difference in our hearts when we accepted Him personally, should not that ‘spirit’ be alive in us every day, even right now! Yes, the world awaits us as it always has, the problem is we so often meet it far removed from Christ. Let’s try a different approach and let the ‘Christmas spirit’ live in us and through us all the time. We’ve nothing to lose and everything to gain. Happy New Year!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” – I Peter 3:15

No Hype Communication

One reason the dog has so many friends, he wags his tail instead of his tongue. – Anon

David put to death the man who lied about killing Saul. Though Saul was David’s enemy, he was still God’s anointed. Hmm!

Years ago TV stations merely reported the news as it happened. Today in our media saturated culture they are out and about chasing and looking for it and then “marketing” the news, giving their own bias or slant to it. Often we fall prey to the same type of communication process. Out and about passing on our views on sights and sounds often without the “full understanding.” And when it backfires we’re often wondering why. Conversation is great, but conjecture on others lives is best left unsaid.  Just as the things we do say a lot about us, the things we say communicate even more. Sometimes silence is golden.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” – Proverbs 10:19

They Come and Go

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you’ll know exactly what to do. – M. Ventor

Some of the greatest advice Moses ever received was during a short visit from his father-in-law. WOW!

Newborns, money, sunrise – what do they have in common – none of them come with instructions but they present a plethora of opportunity, good or bad. The same is true of people we meet in our lives. God brings other people into our lives via relationships to help us reach our full potential and purpose. These individuals will either give to us or require something of us in developing our spiritual maturity, for that is what God is developing in us. But even with our good intentions problems can occur when we get the people and the expectations mixed up. That’s why it’s important we keep in touch with God asking for guidance, direction, and wisdom to know who’s who.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us.” – Luke 24:31-32

Faith to Fly

When you get to the end of all light and reason that you know, and its time to step into the realm of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things will happen: Either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly. – E. Teller

Abram had no concrete reason to leave his family, country, and kindred; but because God said so he did. It worked out better than he imagined. Hmm!

Columbus sailed to prove the world was round, he wasn’t completely sure but had faith it was. The Wright brothers risked life and limb because they had faith that man could one day fly across the sky. Men and women like them have often come before us and with nothing but faith in God and faith in themselves, have made great lives for themselves and others. The true test of faith is not having everything in hand or life completely ordered before stepping out, it’s stepping out fully trusting God will make a way, and with whatever He provides it will be sufficient for the task. God can still do the impossible, but we have to have the faith to attempt it first.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” – Hebrews 11:1-2

Release the Pretense

People defend nothing more violently than the pretenses they live by. – A. Drury

The Pharisees and religious leaders of His day proudly defended their religious piety before men. Jesus said they forsook God’s law. He called them hypocrites. OUCH!

Things are not always as they seem. We spend a great deal of time trying to convince others that we are people that we are not. We live one way in public and another way at home. We often go out of our way and through a lot of expense to place ourselves in the best positive light, and become upset when questioned or doubted. But just as Jesus could look ‘through’ the woman at the well and know all about her life, He knows the same about each of us.  And just as He was willing to forgive her and restore her upon her confession, He is willing to do the same for us. All He asks is that we acknowledge our sins and shortcomings and repent. There is nothing we can hide from the “one who searches every heart.” Ready or not He’s looking in.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” – I Corinthians 13:11

Think About It

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

Better Recognize

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you’ll know exactly what to do. – M. Ventor

Some of the greatest advice Moses ever received was during a short visit from his father-in-law. WOW!

Newborns, money, sunrise – what do they have in common – none of them come with instructions but they present a plethora of opportunity, good or bad. The same is true of people we meet in our lives. God brings other people into our lives via relationships to help us reach our full potential and purpose. These individuals will either give to us or require something of us in developing our spiritual maturity, for that is what God is developing in us. But even with our good intentions problems can occur when we get the people and the expectations mixed up. That’s why it’s important we keep in touch with God asking for guidance, direction, and wisdom to know who’s who.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us.” – Luke 24:31-32

Why we do what we do

A man always has two reasons for what he does – a good one, and the real one. – J.P. Morgan

Ananais and Sapphira. Great intentions but wrong motives. We know the rest of the story. Hmm!

We’re very quick to question the motives of others, yet slow to question our own. When others hurt or harm us, we always assume they had the worst of intentions, but when we are the guilty party we often try to excuse ourselves making light of the offended; concluding they are ‘too sensitive,’ or taking things 'out of context.' Regardless of how we try to make ourselves appear ‘right’ God weighs our actions on His scales of righteousness – and we cannot deceive Him. Many things cause us to do what we do, and YES it is possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason. No matter our reasons God will always look upon our heart. If we’re not motivated by love, no matter how sweet our actions; we’ve missed the point.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” – Proverbs 16:2