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

Because He Said So

We must constantly remind ourselves that HE is God, and we are not. - Anon

Abram had no idea where he was going when he left his home in Haran, but he trusted God knew the directions. Amen!

"Because I said so!" It was an answer to our many questions that our parents gave to us as kids seemingly over and over again in our younger growing up years. And it was one we readily accepted without question or skepticism. Did it explain what we were asking - NO! Did it give us further insight into what we were seeking - NO! But it did satisfy our curiosity at that time because we fully trusted in the one giving us the answer. That's the faith God looks for in us today. Even when we ask and don't get an answer, or get an answer we don't understand, will we continue to trust in the ONE who is Sovereign over us? All that He has shown and given us in the past should be our foundation to trust Him in the present situation and with our future.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Blessed are those who have not seen but yet believe." - John 20:29

Rediscovering the New Life

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

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

Behold!

Even when you don't notice the stars they are still shining. - M Santoso

It's truly hard to imagine that the Wise Men or Magi were the only ones to see the 'Star' that year. Hmm!

"Oh, what a day!" It's a proclamation we've all made a time or two. Usually when the issues or problems of daily living seem to suck all the joy out of life. This happens when we fix our gaze upon ourselves and forget about God. Since the beginning of creation He has given us a beacon to remind us of His great love, care, concern, and presence - all we need do is look up. And if that's not enough just look outward. God always gives us something good to enjoy despite life's current situations. It may be our loving family, energetic grandkids, playful pets, or even a good warm memory to get us out of that 'funk' and remind us of His goodness, closeness, and ability to work it out for our good and His glory. Though we are a little lower than the angels He is still "ever mindful of us!"

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge." - Psalm 19:1-2

You Already Know

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 and 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

Who's Keeping Score?

People who do things that count never stop to count them. – Bulletin Digest

In Acts 9 we read of a lady named Tabitha. Her only claim to fame was “she was always doing good and helping the poor.” God through Peter “smiled” on her. Hmm!

We sing a song entitled ‘Count Your Blessings’ and from that we truly realize we could never count how much or how often we have been blessed. And God blesses us to be a blessing to others. Unfortunately many of us seem to sometime carry itemized lists of the times we’ve helped people and often remind them of it, and convince ourselves we’ve earned a rest or bye or certainly some type of grand recognition. If Jesus is our example maybe we need to re-think this.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners to that…..But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is king to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”- Luke 6:32-36

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