Worthy Conduct

The smaller we are the more room God has. - Anon

Though Jacob was deceived with Leah after working 7 years for a wife, his love for Rachel kept him tempered. Hmm!

The world has win/lose standards, and we're expected to measure up and carry ourselves by these standards. It can be a major task and stress inducer, leading us into actions we may want to reconsider. Why, because in Christ, it's not win/lose, but 'worth'. No matter the game, circumstance, tone of conversation, etc., the question is did we conduct ourselves worthy of the one who lives in us. Yes, the situation or person before us may perplex or frustrate us, may even get the better of us, our response is ours. Though it may be fueled by our bruised ego, insulted intellect, or stance on the truth; is it worthy of the Jesus we died unto and who now lives in us.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"...whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit..." - Philippians 1:27

Secret Prayer Work

Public victories are always won in private closets. – J. Graham

Jesus, our example; often went to lonely places and prayed. AMEN!

Any good soldier knows that though wars are fought in the trenches, victorious strategies are drawn up in areas away from the battlefield. The same is true for those of us who are in the Lord’s Army. We must come to a recognition that prayer is the work, the HARD WORK that begets the ear and activity of Almighty God. And it’s the realization in our prayers and requests that whatever we are asking is for the glory of God, the strengthening of the kingdom, and the extension of His blessings upon others; that moves God’s heart. If we would assure victory for God in our lives it just makes sense to plan strategy with him. Don’t think prayer, just pray!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” – Matthew 6:6 (NKJV)

Broad Shoulders to Carry Closet Prayers

The closet of prayer is where burdens change shoulders. – Anon

Jesus was constantly in prayer with His Father. The results were clearly evident to all.

Though we are “God’s Children” when facing everyday life, for most of us it seems sometimes we are always overwhelmed, under-prepared, and under a great deal of pressure or stress. It’s true we sometimes get perplexed, persecuted and troubled, etc., but not all the time. We serve a God who is stronger than any situation or circumstance this world can conjure up, and He’s always waiting to hear from us. Whatever we face today we should let the one with broader shoulders (GOD) take care of it for us. He’s waiting in the closet!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6

Spirit Led Improvement

There's always room for improvement, you know - it's the biggest room in the house. - L.H. Leber

John the Baptist told his disciples if they wanted something better they should try Jesus. What a difference it made. WOW!

After winning many Grand Slam events and being on top of her game, Serena Williams changed her coach. Why, because she wanted to be even better. She had made it up in her mind she wanted to improve and she did something about it. It paid off, not only did she win many, many more Slams, she ranked #1 in the world for over 3 years. Within everyone of us, in our walk with God, is a longing for something greater, and the ability to get better. Better at prayer, worship, attendance, serving, giving, leadership, memorizing scripture, controlling our tongue; I could go on and on. The key is not just to desire it, but to do something about it. Maybe we need to 'fire' ourselves as coach and hire someone else to make us accountable. God always wants us to change for the better or greater good, and not remain complacent and satisfied with yesterday's results. By way of the Holy Spirit God will provide the means of our improvement if we will provide the initiative.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law." - Galatians 5:17-18

Conduct Becoming

The smaller we are the more room God has. - Anon

Though Jacob was deceived with Leah after working 7 years for a wife, his love for Rachel kept him tempered. Hmm!

The world has win/lose standards, and we're expected to measure up and carry ourselves by these standards. It can be a major task and stress inducer, leading us into actions we may want to reconsider. Why, because in Christ, it's not win/lose, but 'worth'. No matter the game, circumstance, tone of conversation, etc., the question is did we conduct ourselves worthy of the one who lives in us. Yes, the situation or person before us may perplex or frustrate us, may even get the better of us, but what about our response. Though it may be fueled by our bruised ego, insulted intellect, or stance on the truth; is it worthy of the Jesus we died unto and who now lives in us.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"...whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit....." - Philippians 1:27

Room for Improvement

No matter how often you rearrange the furniture or add a new piece to the collection, the biggest room in the heart continues to be the room for improvement. - L. Leber

According to Jesus, the rich young man who honored all the commandments ‘lacked’ only one thing to inherit eternal life. Sadly, he refused to grasp it. Hmm!

It’s somewhat amazing but many of us seem fully satisfied with where we are in our Christian walk, remaining babes in Christ. We shun bible study and/or prayer times, fellowship gatherings, and worship. We continue in unhealthy alliances, relationships, and entertainment venues. God has told us once we put our ‘hand to the plow’ we should not look back, but press on. The ‘gifts’ of the Spirit cannot be made manifest nor brought to maturity in our hearts unless we properly care for what God has entrusted to us. The man who gets strong lifting weights continues to lift weights to stay strong.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these quantities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive…..” – II Peter 1:5-8

Win Lose or Worth?

The smaller we are the more room God has. - Anon

Though Jacob was deceived with Leah after working 7 years for a wife, his love for Rachel kept him tempered. Hmm!

The world has win/lose standards, and we're expected to measure up and carry ourselves by these standards. It can be a major task and stress inducer, leading us into actions we may want to reconsider. Why, because in Christ, it's not win/lose, but 'worth'. No matter the game, circumstance, tone of conversation, etc., the question is did we conduct ourselves worthy of the one who lives in us. Yes, the situation or person before us may perplex or frustrate us, may even get the better of us, but what about our response. Though it may be fueled by our bruised ego, insulted intellect, or stance on the truth; is it worthy of the Jesus we died unto and who now lives in us.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"...whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that  you stand firm in the one Spirit....." - Philippians 1:27

Closet Time

A holy life is not lived in the closet, but it cannot survive without one. - Anon

Paul's letters mention how he 'often' prayed for those who came to faith. I'm sure that's not all he prayed for. Hmm!

We wash them in 'Woolite'! We get them professionally dry-cleaned! We hang them properly, sometimes in plastic bags in the closet. What are they, our clothes or garments. Those pieces we always want to look good in, in public. Whether it be clothes, cars, jewelry, etc., we all have things we give much more attention and protection to, ensuring their presentation always draws attention. That should ever be the case with our faith walk with God. It deserves the utmost of care in terms of preparation (study, prayer, fasting) and presentation (avoiding the appearance of sin). It's true that life has a frenetic pace, but it's equally true that we don't have to participate in everything that makes it that way. If our lives are starting to get frayed around the ends, maybe some closet time with Jesus is just what we need.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"......But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen....." - Matthew 6:6

Handling Ourselves

The smaller we are the more room God has. - Anon

Though Jacob was deceived with Leah after working 7 years for a wife, his love for Rachel kept him tempered. Hmm!

The world has win/lose standards, and we're expected to measure up and carry ourselves by these standards. It can be a major task and stress inducer, leading us into actions we may want to reconsider. Why, because in Christ, it's not win/lose, but 'worth'. No matter the game, circumstance, tone of conversation, etc., the question is did we conduct ourselves worthy of the one who lives in us. Yes, the situation or person before us may perplex or frustrate us, may even get the better of us, but what about our response. Though it may be fueled by our bruised ego, insulted intellect, or stance on the truth; is it worthy of the Jesus we died unto and who now lives in us.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"...whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that  you stand firm in the one Spirit....." - Philippians 1:27

Room for Improvement

There's always room for improvement, you know - it's the biggest room in the house. - L.H. Leber

John the Baptist told his disciples if they wanted something better they should try Jesus. What a difference it made. WOW!

After winning many Grand Slam events and being on top of her game, Serena Williams changed her coach. Why, because she wanted to be even better. She had made it up in her mind she wanted to improve and she did something about it. It paid off, not only did she win many, many more Slams, she ranked #1 in the world for over 3 years. Within everyone of us, in our walk with God, is a longing for something greater, and the ability to get better. Better at prayer, worship, attendance, serving, giving, leadership,  memorizing scripture, controlling our tongue; I could go on and on. The key is not just to desire it, but to do something about it. Maybe we need to 'fire' ourselves as coach and hire someone else to make us accountable. God always wants us to change for the better or greater good, and not remain complacent and satisfied with yesterday's results.  By way of the Holy Spirit God will provide the means of our improvement if we will provide the initiative.

Until tomorrow.......

Pastor Botts

"For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law." - Galatians 5:17-18  

What you SHOULD do

When we are busy doing what we should, there is no time to do what we shouldn’t. – Anon

While talking with Jesus after his failures Peter wanted to know about John’s role. Jesus told Peter it was not his concern. Hmm!

It’s amazing to me, but if you were to ask the average person if they had enough to do in life the answer would be a resounding YES! But yet, in spite of their full life and schedule the average person seems to have time to get involved in things they shouldn’t. God’s word has a laundry list of things he despises, but often it seems we work overtime doing “the laundry.” The life God planned for each of us would be much simpler if we just stuck to the basics. Remember, if being a team player requires doing what is wrong, you’re on the wrong team.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” – II Timothy 2:22