Take the Chance to Get It Right

History repeats itself – which is good, because most people don’t listen the first time. – Sparks

The book of Judges had a recurring pattern for the Israelites: apostasy, oppression, distress, and deliverance. They had 14 different Judges – but God came each time they called. Amen!

Other than Jesus, there hasn’t been a person who did everything right the first time in their life ever. A scary but interesting thought. We are truly blessed when we realize God is a God of second, third, or multiple chances to get it right. This does not mean we continually live contrary to His will and purposes, but acknowledge He is gracious and long suffering with us. And if God is that way with us we ought to extend the same courtesy to our fellow man. One way or another, today, or sometime this week “history” will be repeating itself in our lives maybe for us personally or those in our lives. Our aim should be to get it right this time.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it right to refresh your memory…” – II Peter 1:12-13

Making the Old New Again

Why teach an old dog new tricks, just remind him of the lessons he already knows. – Sparks

Though God manifested Himself in many ways to the people, His Word never changed. Hmm!

Solitude, meditation, prayer. These are all precious facets of our Christian walk – quiet times with Jesus. They are meant to refresh us, revive our Spirit. But often, we come away unfulfilled. And the reason we come away un-refreshed is we go into it with the wrong understanding. We seek new ideas, new experiences, new encounters with God. But it is in these moments that Jesus said of the Holy Spirit ‘when HE comes, He will bring to mind all that I have told you.’ So our visit is actually with an old dear friend who helps us to hear again the practical truths of God we had long forgotten. We hear again the familiar words of reassurance, value, and hope. This rediscovery makes the old new again, and our living it out makes life exciting and seemingly new.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever…..” – Hebrews 13:8

Pull Into the Station

Often! Hmm! For you how 'often' is often? - Anon

When the apostle Paul headed into a new town, usually the first thing he sought out was the synagogue/temple. Hmm!

Mobil! Texaco! Shell! AM/PM! What do they have in common? They are all refueling stations. Stations for the most part we pull into at least once or twice a week to 'fill up' our tanks. After all, with the L.A. traffic and freeways you never really want to get too low on fuel. It begs the question; do we think like this when it comes to our spiritual well-being? How often do we 'assemble' with the congregation in person to be re-fueled? How often do we 'join' in the studies to be re-charged? How often do we 'serve' in the ministry opportunities to be re-energized? When the bible instructs us "not to forsake the assembly.." (Hebrews 10:25), its intent was meant for much more than just the weekly gathering. With that being true, then I think we could all use a few more stops at these stations to keep our spiritual tanks filled.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19

Refreshing Kindness

One of the most difficult things to give away is kindness; it is usually returned. – C. Flint

Jonathan’s kindness to David gained great benefit for his son Mephibosheth later. Amen!

Jesus said to the woman “Give me a drink.” Sure it was a conversation starter or invitation, and boy what results it brought. But the idea of Jesus asking us for something, something to refresh Him; it often gets overlooked. We are constantly reminded to lean on Him, trust in Him, depend on Him (all wonderful acts of faith) but rarely do we hear the idea of refreshing or satisfying His needs. We are often refreshed by good news, a respite from daily activities, or a kindness done to us, and we enjoy such thoughtfulness. Maybe today, we can take some time to think of what we might do to refresh Jesus. You never know what the invitation may bring about.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent……they are a fragrant offering, an acceptable gift…...” – Philippians 4:18

Burn Brighter Together

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. – Anon

What would have happened if Andrew had not told his brother Simon about finding the Christ? I can’t imagine Pentecost any other way. WHEW!

A burning candle is useless if no one is around to enjoy it, its heat and radiance goes unnoticed, and its purpose goes unfulfilled. The same is true of us when we try to exist in solitude and singleness of purpose. We were made to be interdependent upon one another. That’s where our strength, stamina, and resiliency come from. Anyone who has ever tried to blow out candles on a birthday cake knows it takes a lot of effort, and the more candles lit, the more effort required. God has indeed called us to be light in a dark world. Imagine how our lives could be strengthened and burn brighter with others like us in a small community of believers. Are you in or out?

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“…..In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.” – II Corinthians 7:13

Worship: Remembering What's Good With God

"Praise is who I am, I will praise Him while I can...." - William Murphy Shekinah Glory

After being beaten and thrown into prison, all Paul and Silas could do was worship God. And boy was God 'moved'. Amen!

Life does get burdensome at times, and often brings pain and bruises. But don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshiping what's right with God. So often in our "all about me" way of thinking we forget what worship is all about. Worship is forgetting about what's wrong with you, what's wrong with the world around you, and remembering what is right with God. It's like hitting the refresh key on your computer screen. Worship brings focus where it should be, on God. It brings restoration to the spirit, gives vitality to the heart, renewal to our mind, and strength and encouragement to our very being; reminding us that we are not facing this thing called life alone - God is beside us. Mark Batterson says "worship not only changes the spiritual atmosphere, it RECHARGES those involved." Why, because God is there, and where God is it's never plain and ordinary. God is ready to be moved and move today!

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"I will bless the Lord at all times.....his praise shall continually be on my lips." - Psalm 34;1

Down Time's A Good Time

We are so busy doing everything that we have no time to be anything. – V. Havner

Jethro’s advice to his son-in-law Moses, was not only sound, it brought times of refreshing to him and the people. WOW!

From covered-wagon to SUV’s, steam-locomotives to bullet trains, trans-atlantic ships to around the world flights, one thing is for sure, we have progressed technologically. These are all great God-given ideas to make life easier, but I’m not so sure God meant for them to speed our lives up. We were created to have ‘complete’ cycles of down time as evidenced when He put Adam to sleep to create Eve. We were also created to have ‘complete’ cycles of time alone with Him as evidenced when He and Adam walked alone in the Garden. God offers us a peace that surpasses our understanding, but many of us are moving so fast it can’t catch up to us. We have our Smart-phones/PC’s, Smart-TV’s, Smart-cars, we virtually live on-line, and have Apps for every need all at our fingertips – just press and go. But life has a God given pace (it’s not always faster, quicker, right now) which when found is almost worry free. Enoch found it as he ‘walked’ with God, and Paul found it as he learned ‘contentment’ in Christ. Today, God has said “it’s your move.”

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“….This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it…” – Isaiah 30:15

Today's scripture reading: Proverbs 30

Today's scripture reading question: Using verses 18-19 as a reference: What are 2 or 3 things about God or His creation that are too amazing for you fully understand?

Time To Get It Right

History repeats itself – which is good, because most people don’t listen the first time. – Sparks 

The book of Judges had a recurring pattern for the Israelites: apostasy, oppression, distress, deliverance. They had 14 different Judges – but God came each time they called. Amen! 

Other than Jesus, there hasn’t been a person who did everything right the first time in their life ever. A scary but interesting thought. We are truly blessed when we realize God is a God of second, third, or multiple chances to get it right. This does not mean we continually live contrary to His will and purposes, but acknowledge He is gracious and longsuffering with us. And if God is that way with us we ought to extend the same courtesy to our fellow man. One way or another, today, or sometime this week “history” will be repeating itself in our lives maybe for us personally or those in our lives. Our aim should be to get it right this time. 

Until tomorrow…… 

Pastor Botts 

“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it right to refresh your memory…”

–II Peter 1:12-13

An Attractive Christ Walk

Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching? – Anon

John the Baptist and 2 of his disciples were intrigued by Jesus and asked “where are you staying?” Jesus said, “come and see!” They spent that whole day with him. Hmm!

It is often said “you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” In other words you must be able to attract them. The same idea is true in our faith walk each and every day. What attracts or draws us to those we associate with? The best way to attract people to Christ (who draws all men to himself) is not so much to ‘act’ like a Christian, but just live as we truly believe. A Christian has hope in all situations and circumstances so life is never bleak and we shouldn’t wear long faces. Our life should eventually impact those we walk with. If we’re not attracting anyone maybe it’s time to get re-focused on who we’re following.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit…..” – I Corinthians 16:17-18

Refresh Jesus

One of the most difficult things to give away is kindness; it is usually returned. – C. Flint

Jonathan’s kindness to David gained great benefit for his son Mephibosheth later. Amen!

Jesus said to the woman “Give me a drink.” Sure it was a conversation starter or invitation, and boy what results it brought. But the idea of Jesus asking us for something, something to refresh Him; it often gets overlooked. We are constantly reminded to lean on Him, trust in Him, depend on Him (all wonderful acts of faith) but rarely do we hear the idea of refreshing or satisfying His needs. We are often refreshed by good news, a respite from daily activities, or a kindness done to us, and we enjoy such thoughtfulness. Maybe today, we can take some time to think of what we might do to refresh Jesus. You never know what the invitation may bring about.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent……they are a fragrant offering, an acceptable gift…...” – Philippians 4:18

Deja Vu

The toughest lesson to learn is probably the one you thought you already had. – Sparks

Peter thought he was ready to die for Jesus until it was showtime. True he failed, but Jesus gave him another opportunity. AMEN!

Déjà vu, coincidence! It seems life is like this quite often for most. Things we thought we were over and done with, habits we thought we had firmly broken away from or grown up from; seem to reappear on the horizon, tripping us up time and again. But often when we look at it properly we see they are not coincidental, they are the life lessons God is trying to work out in our lives. And until we pass the test convincingly with understanding, we will be sorely tried on every hand. God is effectively trying to cleanse and purge us from all sin (not big sin, little sin; but ALL sin) and He wants us to prove our love to Him not by words but by our actions and our heart. Life today will be filled with opportunity.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory.” – I Peter 1:12-13

Laws of Attraction

Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching? – Anon

John the Baptist and 2 of his disciples were intrigued by Jesus and asked “where are you staying?” Jesus said, “come and see!” They spent that whole day with him. Hmm!

It is often said “you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” In other words you must be able to attract them. The same idea is true in our faith walk each and every day. What attracts or draws us to those we associate with? The best way to attract people to Christ (who draws all men to himself) is not so much to ‘act’ like a Christian, but just live as we truly believe. A Christian has hope in all situations and circumstances so life is never bleak and we shouldn’t wear long faces. Our life should eventually impact those we walk with. If we’re not attracting anyone maybe it’s time to get re-focused on who we’re following.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit…..” – I Corinthians 16:17-18

Planning God Time

Time with God is never wasted, only invested; in YOU! - Anon

Even as a high-ranking official in the king’s court, Daniel still carved out time to meet with God at least 3 times a day. Hmm!

Go! Don’t stand still! Do Something! We are constantly driven and programmed to be outwardly focused. So many things demand our attention – work, children, house duties, friendships, recreation, and church to name a few. We are so busy doing things, and often even in the doing of these things we are thinking of other things that we need to get to. Small wonder we become restless when there’s nothing to do. And though God Himself gave us permission to ‘GO’ in the Great Commission, He never meant for us to go before consulting Him. We need time to look inward and be refreshed each day. God only gives us enough of Himself just for the day. Since tomorrow is not promised He has gifted us with all we need for today, with an earnest expectation that we will meet Him at the dawn of tomorrow, should we be so blessed; to be filled again. That’s why it is imperative that we spend time in inner renewal each day to gain new insights and direction for what lies ahead. Without such planning we’re pretty much lost for the day.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

"….for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” – Lamentations 3:22-24

Second Chances

History repeats itself – which is good, because most people don’t listen the first time. – Sparks

The book of Judges had a recurring pattern for the Israelites: apostasy, oppression, distress, deliverance. They had 14 different Judges – but God came each time they called. Amen!

Other than Jesus, there hasn’t been a person who did everything right the first time in their life ever. A scary but interesting thought. We are truly blessed when we realize God is a God of second, third, or multiple chances to get it right. This does not mean we continually live contrary to His will and purposes, but acknowledge He is gracious and longsuffering with us. And if God is that way with us we ought to extend the same courtesy to our fellow man. One way or another, today, or sometime this week “history” will be repeating itself in our lives maybe for us personally or those in our lives. Our aim should be to get it right this time.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it right to refresh your memory…” – II Peter 1:12-13