Reach up

If you want to have a horizontal reach, you need to have a vertical focus. - Robin H.

Paul had great success in his ministry because he 'counted everything loss for the sake of Christ,' which is all he preached. Hmm!

Some things in life are so simple that we often overlook the obvious. We attend programs, seminars, classes, buy the latest bestsellers, trying to learn the latest insight, methodology, or buzz words on how to be successful for Christ. This is all noble and good, but the obvious is overlooked. When we plant a seed the first thing it does is break through the dirt reaching upward to the sky. Then as it grows it begins to spread its branches and leaves outward. That's the key, we need to look up first, and make sure we're hooked up properly. The point is that anything we attempt to do for Christ and His church must begin with Him. Meaning we need to be connected to Him, filled with His spiritual presence, and submitting to His leading. The work of Christ has always been empowered by His Spirit and always will be. If we're struggling with success for Him maybe we need to make sure the connections are in proper order.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

Golden Moments of Silence

"You have the right to remain silent"...... - Miranda Rights warning

During his illegal trials Jesus said little. The picture of the Cross however speaks LOUDLY. AMEN!

T-Mobile, Cricket, Verizon, Straight-Talk Wireless, Spectrum..... With the advancement to 5G technology (whatever that means) all of these carriers are chasing after us with phones and plans that come with UNLIMITED TALK, TEXT, and DATA! Whatever happened to the axiom 'silence is golden?' The chance to listen unhindered to one's own heartbeat, or the sounds of nature. The opportunity to sit uninterrupted and read, pray, meditate, contemplate, even daydream (life's virtual reality escape)! Staying in touch is very important, for we are social beings in need of connectedness. But we must remember when it comes to hearing from God at times we need to 'be still (silent) and know that He is God...'

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him...." - Psalm 37:7

Desiring God

Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure. – Thomas Edison

The rich farmer was satisfied and thought he was set for a life to eat, drink, and be merry. He was so WRONG! Hmm.

It’s great to be rewarded for our trials and sacrifices. It’s great to be acknowledged for our service and selflessness. Everyone likes and needs a little success in their life. But nothing in this world should be able to completely satisfy the inner longing we have for God, to be in His presence always. We are pilgrims passing through this land on our way home, so each day we get better and better because the place we're going is perfect.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." - Philippians 1:23-24

Constant Change

Life is a process of continually becoming, a combination of stages we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. That is death. - Anais Nin

Joseph, Abraham, David, Paul – men who suffered mightily but were changed by it, and helped change the world for God. Hmm!

When we were young we couldn’t wait to grow up. Oh the ideas we had back then on how we would live our life out. And now here we are trying like the dickens to just keep the ‘status quo.’ We say things like “I’m too old to change,” or “I like my life just as it is.” But change we must, for we serve a God who is ever working out his purposes in our lives. And just as nature has its 4 seasons, there are seasons for us as well. We will never be twenty-something again, but thirty, forty, fifty-plus can’t be bad because God has prepared us for it. We cannot truly grasp the present and presence of God unless we let go of the past.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Proper Connection

If you want to have a horizontal reach, you need to have a vertical focus. - Robin H.

Paul had great success in his ministry because he 'counted everything loss for the sake of Christ,' which is all he preached. Hmm!

Some things in life are so simple that we often overlook the obvious. We attend programs, seminars, classes, buy the latest bestsellers, trying to learn the latest insight, methodology, or buzz words on how to be successful for Christ. This is all noble and good, but the obvious is overlooked. When we plant a seed the first thing it does is break through the dirt reaching upward to the sky. Then as it grows it begins to spread its branches and leaves outward. That's the key, we need to look up first, and make sure we're hooked up properly. The point is that anything we attempt to do for Christ and His church must begin with Him. Meaning we need to be connected to Him, filled with His spiritual presence, and submitting to His leading. The work of Christ has always been empowered by His Spirit and always will be. If we're struggling with success for Him maybe we need to make sure the connections are in proper order.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"...I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5  

Silent Speech

Let your speech be better than silence, or be silent – J. Gibbons

At the transfiguration, it seems Peter just had to have his say. God spoke and put him to SILENCE!

There is an old proverb that says, “it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” How true. But in this day and age of communication technology silence has gone the way of dinosaurs (extinct). Truth be known often we converse with others just to hear ourselves talk. We need be careful of what we say and how we say it, but moreso we need remember God is a friend of silence, for in the midst of it He often speaks. Are you listening?

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted; and by your words you will be condemned.” – Matthew 12:36-37