Slowing Down the Pace

“I’m not tired yet!” – Song refrain

Interestingly, when God led His people out of Egypt He was never in a rush or hurry, He knew they needed a steady pace and more time with Him. Amen!

We all seek it! We even plan for it! That thing that God even told us we needed – REST. Oh we relax, or slow down at times, but it seems we just don’t get it at the heart level that we need it. Just think, here it is a week into the New Year and truth be told many of us are already tired, worn out. Why, because we’ve missed the secret of gaining God’s wisdom for the peace, rest we seek. God told us “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” (Isaiah 30:15). It’s right there for the taking but as is true of so many of us, we want to go our own way and chart our own path. We can continue to chase that ‘fictitious’ utopian dream or enter in and accept the peace, joy, happiness, satisfaction, AND rest God has ordained for us by just living out His Word. It’s not a new resolution, it’s just plain old obedience.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.” – Proverbs 19:2

Unanswered Questions

Last time it was checked, omniscience belonged to God. It still does. - Anon

Jesus on earth was the ‘truth’ personified. But for many he left a lot of unanswered questions. Hmm!

One of the difficulties of life is that we cannot nicely clear everything up. Some things or circumstances just do not come to a happy resolution, no matter how hard we try. We can pray for resolution and peace, even confess or admit our part in the matter. The truth of the matter is that life does have some ‘loose’ strings that will remain and perplex us no matter what we do, because we live with and work among other imperfect beings like ourselves. We may never fully understand why, in such cases we can only commit these difficult, and maybe painful circumstances to our Heavenly Father who knows best and will give us the peace we seek to continue on. Today would be a great day to do so.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?” – Job 38:33

The New Hope

Our hope is not in the New Year, but in the One who makes all things new. – Anon

Paul’s contentment with everyday life came from his relationship with Christ. Nothing more, nothing less. Hmm!

2020! Whoa! Yeah, it’s a New Year for US, but not for God. He has no calendar to follow. And though He has ‘numbered’ our days, He measures our lives by our growing maturing faith. He seeks neither resolution nor affirmations from us, just obedience. Obedience shows faith and builds itself into trust, which in turn brings about more obedience in other things and greater faith and trust in God overall. It’s just that simple.  God is not after a resolution of our making but a revolution in our heart that turns it to Him in all things. On your mark……get set…..!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

Today’s scripture reading – Proverbs 1

Today’s scripture reading question: Why was Proverbs written and

recorded here, and what would you say is the 1st proverb?

Loose Strings

Last time it was checked, omniscience belonged to God. It still does. - Anon

Jesus on earth was the ‘truth’ personified. But for many he left a lot of unanswered questions. Hmm!

One of the difficulties of life is that we cannot nicely clear everything up. Some things or circumstances just do not come to a happy resolution, no matter how hard we try. We can pray for resolution and peace, even confess or admit our part in the matter. The truth of the matter is that life does have some ‘loose’ strings that will remain and perplex us no matter what we do, because we live with and work among other imperfect beings like ourselves. We may never fully understand why, in such cases we can only commit these difficult, and maybe painful circumstances to our Heavenly Father who knows best and will give us the peace we seek to continue on. Today would be a great day to do so.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?” – Job 38:33

Master of Change

The greatest resolution one can make is to resolve to make each day a happy one for someone else. – S. Smith

Onesiphorus often went out of his way to “refresh” Paul, and he had to sometimes search hard just to find him. Dedication is a hard thing! Hmm!

With the New Year we often challenge ourselves by way of resolution or promise that we will do certain things to improve our lot in life. Sometimes we’re successful, but more often than not we let them fall by the wayside very quickly. But with all the improvement we do make upon ourselves the world just doesn’t seem to change at all. Perhaps we should take a look at the Master of change – JESUS – his way of changing the world was to reach out to others, help them along the way, make their life less burdensome. It brought his life more joy. Yes, life will go on in 2016 but the decision to make it enjoyable rests with us.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. You attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 2:4-5