Reading for Life

What you don’t know can indeed hurt you. - Anon

The Israelites were content to carry around the ‘laws of God’ in the Ark of the Covenant, but not in their hearts and minds. It cost them dearly. OUCH!

We hate it in contracts, banking agreements, investment brochures, etc. – but almost anywhere you go to spend or invest your money, it’s there; the ‘fine print.’ And buried within the fine print somewhere is the disclosure “past performance is no indication of future results.” That’s the out clause for the seller in case things go bad. But if we turn this idea on its head, God tells us that with Him past performance IS an indication of future results. He cannot or will not change. He will do what He promised to do. He will love, provide for, and save those who accept Him and His Son, and eventually bring us home to glory. BUT He will also cast into outer darkness (Hell) those who reject Him. So, if we want the promises, blessings, and future home with God, just remember it’s in the fine print; His Word.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” – II Timothy 2:15

Just Plant. Results Will Follow

Happy people plan actions, they don’t plan results. – D. Wholey

The little lad packed a lunch for the day. He just didn’t know it was enough for 5000 plus. AMEN!

It’s a true saying that if you plant tomatoes you will get tomatoes – not carrots or peas, etc. But the fact of the planting is you won’t know how many tomatoes you’ll get or what size they will be, or if they will be flavorful. You just plant and let God do the rest. Too often we begin with the end result or expectation in mind and grow frustrated when it doesn’t work out the way we planned. All we can be responsible for is what we do. It’s the only arena of life we can control. Now we may expect results, but we can’t demand them. We must leave room for God to operate in our lives to bring about His purposes. After all, any results He brings are always for our good.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.” – Acts 20:22.”

What We Take In

Those who would play with kittens must expect to be scratched. – Cervantes

The Israelites gave their daughters in marriage and took other nations daughters in marriage in direct violation of God’s word. Though marriage was honorable in this case it was wrong. They later felt God’s wrath. Hmm!

Often in life, the easiest choices carry heavy consequences that can mar and scar our lives deeply. Our choice of friends, entertainment, and recreation will impact the way we think and act. Our choice of intellectual stimulation, lack of continued disciplined spiritual development will impact our morals, values, and contribution to life. In essence, what we take in will most definitely make an indelible mark on our conscience. Satan often presents sin as something rather glamorous, adoring, and necessary. It is only after we’re entangled that we realize it’s not for us. The good news is that God is willing and able to forgive us of such transgressions, but he expects us to knowingly avoid such temptations. Actions and decisions have results, and life is full of both, but our ultimate aim should be to please God in all we do.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” – Numbers 32:23

The Secret Is...

None of the secrets of success will work unless you do. – Anon

Naaman didn't understand why he had to 'dip' in the muddy Jordan, but he remained a leper until he did. Hmm!

Djokovic! Nadal! Gauff! All highly successful people in the tennis world not because of luck but because of applying themselves to their profession. The same application holds true for us as children of God if we expect to be successful. The secret to prayer is secret prayer. The secret to walking with God is walking with God. The secret to knowing His Word is reading and obeying His word. It works this way every time. There are no magic tricks or formulas; it just requires discipline and action. Good intentions count for nothing; results only come to those who willingly put forth the effort. God will grant us all we need for success today, the rest is up to us!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God’.” – Luke 9:62

DO Something

You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing there will be no results! - Anon

Though the Israelites were 'given' the Promised Land, it took some 'working battles' to settle in. Hmm!

Many of us are great visionaries. We can see it all now in our minds eye. Just how perfect our life will be in 5, 10, 15 years or retirement even. Or we can see just how great a ministry/outreach serving "fill in the blank" would add value to the church or community. The only flaw here is that unless we personally do something to begin to make this a reality it will never get off the ground It may all work out as we see it, or God may adjust it along the way to improve upon it, but rest assured it will only collect dust and be forgotten if we never act upon it. We're gifted with life one day at a time, and what we DO with it makes it meaningful and purposeful. LIVE ON!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Jonathan said to his young armor bearer, 'Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. PERHAPS the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few." - I Samuel 14:6

Doing Your Part

Opportunities today are the results of actions taken yesterday. - Anon

Andrew spending that 1st day with Jesus ultimately led to 3,000 souls being saved on Pentecost. Wow!

Being involved in Christ’s mission to save mankind can be overwhelming if we forget our place. It is easy to get burnt out when we think it is all on us. But God is not asking you or me to individually solve the injustices of the world, He’s asking us to reach out and help the individuals He places in our path. True, there will be many, and it may seem like our contribution is small and won’t change anything, but the success of our actions is not what gets measured, nor whether they accept Christ or not. What God looks upon is the measure of faith by which we shared the love of Christ inside us, that’s what’s important; for we never know how far reaching it will be. We need only remember that Jesus’ actions already saved the world, we’re just to remind them about it.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” – I Corinthians 3:5-6

YOUR View from Here

The issue is not where you are, but how you live wherever you are. – Henry Nouwen

Though Paul spent a great deal of his life imprisoned, you’d hardly know it from his writings. Wow!

We frequently think to ourselves “if only my circumstances were different, then things would be better.” And so we begin the merry-go-round of wishful thinking: “if only I had a different job,” “if only I had a different spouse,” “if only I had stayed in school,” “if only, if only….” But such thinking is unproductive and actually blinds us to all that is good that God has placed in our lives and present situation. No matter where we are presently in life, it is good. The view we need to undertake is trying to seek out what God is trying to do through us in our present status or circumstances. What we’ll find often is that it’s not the circumstances that need change so much as it is our inner self and attitude. Remember, with God results count, excuses don’t.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…..” – Philippians 4:11

The Work of the Faithful

Things begun in prayer usually end in power. – Anon

The early church prayed for power to speak the truth ‘boldly’ and caused an earthquake. WOW!

When you get right down to the nuts and bolts of what we do and how we do it, we all want and look for things to end well, with pizzazz, fireworks, crescendos, flair, or just plain ol’ great success. That’s just human nature. But the end result is often predicated on the start and follow through that we put into it. This is particularly true in the ways of God. There is nothing we should ever attempt to do for Him without consulting Him first, even when it comes to our daily living. And when He answers, whether big or small request; it’s not hard to see His hand in the process. But we must remember it is not titles, awards, past performance, or special recognition that guarantees such results, it is by prayer. Prayer accomplishes much and it is the ‘work’ of the faithful. The key to an effective prayer life is to value that which we know brings glory and honor to the Father.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” – Colossians 4:2

No Excuses

You can really only have two things in life, reasons or results. Reasons don’t count. – R. Anthony

Instead of investing it wisely, the servant entrusted with the one talent tried to reason with his master. It didn’t work, and all he had was taken from him. OUCH!

One of the truths we learn growing up is: results count, excuses don’t. No matter what we’re doing – school, work, sports, etc – end results are what hold value. Life’s troubles, heartaches, and circumstances may intervene, but results are still expected. This is true of our walk with God also. And we need to be fully aware that God will NOT accept any ‘reasons’ or excuses for our disobedience and failure. It’s true we will probably fail in some ventures for God, but it should NEVER be for lack of effort or trying. If God is willing to supply all we need, then we’re left without a reason why we can’t have results.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Anyone, then. Who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” – James 4:17

Don't Just Stand Around

A wish changes nothing, a decision changes plans, but only actions get results. – Sparks

5, 2, and 1 were the number of talents the owner gave his servants. Two of the servants brought him a return. The other brought him grief. OUCH!

From a small child we are taught to dream big, shoot for the stars. And we go about it making all sorts of elaborate plans. But the only way to get the results we want is to work towards them. Investing time and patience (the greatest of warriors), discipline and prayer (our greatest resources), end results can be achieved. Rather than being one who ‘wondered what happened in life,’ God grants us each the opportunity to make life happen. And it’s often in helping others in life we achieve the dreams or goals we set for ourselves. So if we truly believe God is a “rewarder” of those who diligently seek him, then time is a’wastin.’

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’” – Matthew 20:6-7

Finish It

Life has two rules: Number One -Never quit.  Number Two -Always remember rule number One. - Duke Ellington

Abraham, Joseph, David, Job, Paul. In spite of the difficulties and trials in their life they always kept God first. God never quit on them either. AMEN!

Growing up playing games as a kid the last thing anyone of us wanted to be known as was a quitter. Scrapes, bruises, bleeding, even darkness didn't matter - we played on and on. Quitting was dishonorable. What happened? If we're truly honest with ourselves it's amazing how often we quit on God. We start something and almost at the drop of a hat or the first hardship we quit. Attending church, bible study, prayer time, giving, even righteous living go out the door when it's an inconvenience to us. Thankfully God is gracious, though He will not be forever. And though He may not deal directly with us now, rest assured that one day we "will have to give an account." And with God, results count; excuses don't.

Until tomorrow........

Pastor Botts

"Jesus replied, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'" - Luke 9:62

Just do YOUR part

Happy people plan actions, they don’t plan results. – D. Wholey

The little lad packed a lunch for the day. He just didn’t know it was enough for 5000 plus. AMEN!

It’s a true saying that if you plant tomatoes you will get tomatoes – not carrots or peas, etc. But the fact of the planting is you won’t know how many tomatoes you’ll get or what size they will be, or if they will be flavorful. You just plant and let God do the rest. Too often we begin with the end result or expectation in mind and grow frustrated when it doesn’t work out the way we planned. All we can be responsible for is what we do. It’s the only arena of life we can control. Now we may expect results, but we can’t demand them. We must leave room for God to operate in our lives to bring about His purposes. After all, any results He brings are always for our good.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.” – Acts 20:22.”

Reality: The Results of Life

We can ignore reality, but we cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality. - Ayn Rand

The Garden of Eden in the presence of God is where mankind started, but look at us now. Hmm!

The statement 'results count, excuses don't' will always be true. And the real results of life (reality) stare us in the face every day, but somehow we manage to put them off for another day. The realities of our unhealthy diets and eating binges and/or not getting enough exercise (weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.); the realities of our not budgeting, planning, or being economical with our finances (bad credit, no savings, living paycheck to paycheck, etc.); and the realities of our inconsistent faith practice (sporadic church attendance, little or no prayer/bible study/giving). We often wonder why 'life' isn't better but in truth we know, we just don't want to admit it, accept it, and then apply ourselves to change it. If we're waiting for that 'one day' to make a change, TODAY is the gift God has given.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"...Then you will know the truth, and the TRUTH will set you free..." - John 8:32

REMINDER: today is the National Day of Prayer!

Put in the Work

None of the secrets of success will work unless you do. – Anon

Naaman wanted to dip in clean waters to cleanse his leprosy. He remained a leper until he dipped in the muddy Jordan just as the prophet Elisha prescribed. Hmm!

Roger Federer! Bill Gates! All highly successful people not because of luck but because of applying themselves to their profession. The same application holds true for us as children of God if we expect to be successful. The secret to prayer is secret prayer. The secret to walking with God is walking with God. The secret to knowing His Word is reading and obeying His word. It works this way every time. There are no magic tricks or formulas; it just requires discipline and action. Good intentions count for nothing; results only come to those who willingly put forth the effort. God is counting on us today!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God’.” – Luke 9:62

Opportunities to Serve

Opportunities today are the results of actions taken yesterday. - Anon

Andrew spending that 1st day with Jesus ultimately led to 3,000 souls being saved on Pentecost. Wow!

Being involved in Christ’s mission to save mankind can be overwhelming if we forget our place. It is easy to get burnt out when we think it is all on us. But God is not asking you or me to individually solve the injustices of the world, He’s asking us to reach out and help the individuals He places in our path. True, there will be many, and it may seem like our contribution is small and won’t change anything, but the success of our actions is not what gets measured, nor whether they accept Christ or not. What God looks upon is the measure of faith by which we shared the love of Christ inside us, that’s what’s important; for we never know how far reaching it will be. We need only remember that Jesus’ actions already saved the world, we’re just to remind them about it.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” – I Corinthians 3:5-6

Make it Happen

A wish changes nothing, a decision changes plans, but only actions get results. – Sparks

5, 2, and 1 were the number of talents the owner gave his servants. Two of the servants brought him a return. The other brought him grief. OUCH!

From a small child we are taught to dream big, shoot for the stars. And we go about it making all sorts of elaborate plans. But the only way to get the results we want is to work towards them. Investing time and patience (the greatest of warriors), discipline and prayer (our greatest resources), end results can be achieved. Rather than being one who ‘wondered what happened in life,’ God grants us each the opportunity to make life happen. And it’s often in helping others in life we achieve the dreams or goals we set for ourselves. So if we truly believe God is a “rewarder” of those who diligently seek him, then time is a’wastin.’

Until tomorrow..…

Pastor Botts

“About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’” – Matthew 20:6-7

Room for God to work

Happy people plan actions, they don’t plan results. – D. Wholey

The little lad packed a lunch for the day. He just didn’t know it was enough for 5000 plus. AMEN!

It’s a true saying that if you plant tomatoes you will get tomatoes – not carrots or peas, etc. But the fact of the planting is you won’t know how many tomatoes you’ll get or what size they will be, or if they will be flavorful. You just plant and let God do the rest. Too often we begin with the end result or expectation in mind and grow frustrated when it doesn’t work out the way we planned. All we can be responsible for is what we do. It’s the only arena of life we can control. Now we may expect results, but we can’t demand them. We must leave room for God to operate in our lives to bring about His purposes. After all, any results He brings are always for our good.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.” – Acts 20:22.”