The Power of a Flower

I just called to say…..’I love you!’ – Stevie Wonder

Whenever He was in town, Jesus would stop by the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Hmm!

Roses, carnations, daisies, daffodils, tulips, poppies! Have you ever stopped to wonder why our wise God created flowers? It’s the same reason we send them to one another. Simply to say ‘I love you!’ He broadcasts this message every day. Just look around. Flowers bloom in backyards, front yards, in slum towns, in ritzy neighborhoods, in desert areas, in Communist countries, in free countries, all over the world. One does not have to be well-educated, or highly paid to have flowers grow in their yards – they just grow because of our Great God. Every color and shape, with a fragrant inviting aroma. The world around us can sometimes be a daunting, hurting, hateful place. I think God painted it with flowers just to remind us how much we are loved. So if you can’t get enough hugs today, just ‘consider the lilies of the field….'

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys…..” – Song of Songs 2:1

Convicted By Our Actions

Actions lie louder than words. – C. Wells

Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites because they did not 'practice' what they preached. Hmm!

If Jesus is to represent us in heaven before his Father, we must give him something to work with down here. Just as we can easily know what a person believes and thinks not by what they tell us, but by their actions, SO CAN God. And God is not impressed by our high and lofty thoughts, our intentions or speeches, or our wanting to do good, He desires our obedience to His will. None of His commandments are suggestions, food for thought, or take it or leave it theories. God sets the standard for righteousness and requires our obedience out of our love for Him and who He is. His word is life, and He expects us to strive each day to live it out. We can be certain that our actions will convict us, the only question is what will we be convicted of?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” – Luke 6:46

What's Your Source?

People who say God is dead and Elvis is alive can’t be too bright! – L. J. Harvey

Amaziah consulted with God, and then went out and conquered the Edomites and their gods which could not save them. Then he turned around and consulted with their gods. HMMM!

Advice. No matter how brilliant, wise, and aged we are, we all need it at times. True, most times it's unsolicited, but often when we do need it we rarely think of our Heavenly Father or His word. We turn to worldly books, talk-shows, unsaved friends and other soothsayers. But if we’re trying to live a holy, righteous life, maybe we should seek the advice of the one who is holy, righteous and all knowing - God! When changes and difficulties come our way, maybe we should seek His way.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“ When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” – Isaiah 8:18-19

Living The Way

First say to yourself what you will be; then do what you have to do to be. – Epictetus

Joshua made his choice loud and clear to all who would listen “me and my house will be servants of the Lord” and backed it up. He was a blessed man. AMEN!

God has given us many assurances of who we are as his children (loved, accepted, redeemed, protected, chosen, lenders not borrowers, the head not the tail, etc.) and what we should be. The decision has always been up to us to live like it. Maybe, just maybe at this point in our life we need to give up on trying to find the ‘secret’ to life and accept THE WAY of life. It’s the only way we can then claim the heritage and promises God has already laid out for us. There is no magic to it, just an acceptance of who God is and what He’s already done. To be anywhere outside the will of God makes no sense at all, but the choice is all ours.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

Lessons on Nothing

One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say. – W. Durant

When asked to pass judgment on a woman caught in adultery Jesus just kept writing in the dirt. HMMM!

The late longtime Dodger baseball announcer Vin Scully lived by the credo “you can’t announce the roar of the crowd,” noting you can’t do or say anything to improve on it. Often in our lives there are situations presented where there is nothing we can add to it without detracting from God’s purposes or making the situation more intense or insightful. As God brings scenes and situations upon you today remember that deep meaningful spiritual lessons and insights can be learned by observation and silence.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10

Before You Speak...

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. – Richard Murray

At a heightened moment of temptation, Jesus let it pass and carefully uttered “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” WOW!

One of the old clichéd truisms of life is “please think before you speak.” The adoption of this principle as a doctrine of life could save us from many stressful situations and later apologies. All of us from our childhood have been taught how to talk and enunciate our words, but not so much when and how to choose our words or responses carefully. We should always be ready to speak the truth, but even then, it should be spoken in love, not in hostility or with other unnecessary commentary. And yes, there are times when we should just remain silent and refrain from ‘adding’ in our two-cents on matters that are not constructive about others. Temptation will indeed be great to go off course today, but remember God will provide a way of escape.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it….” – James 4:11

Love From Lillies

I just called to say…..’I love you!’ – Stevie Wonder

Whenever He was in town, Jesus would stop by the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Hmm!

Roses, carnations, daisies, daffodils, tulips, poppies! Have you ever stopped to wonder why our wise God created flowers? It’s the same reason we send them to one another. Simply to say ‘I love you!’ He broadcasts this message every day. Just look around. Flowers bloom in backyards, front yards, in slum towns, in ritzy neighborhoods, in desert areas, in Communist countries, in free countries, all over the world. One does not have to be well-educated, or highly paid to have flowers grow in their yards – they just grow because of our Great God. Every color and shape, with a fragrant inviting aroma. The world around us can sometimes be a daunting, hurting, hateful place. I think God painted it with flowers just to remind us how much we are loved. So if you can’t get enough hugs today, just ‘consider the lilies of the field…

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys…..” – Song of Songs 2:1

Minding Our Words

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. – Plato

When Jesus was ‘transfigured’ before the disciples there, Peter just couldn’t seem to hold his tongue. God set him straight! OUCH!

Look around, we now live in a culture where everyone is virtually connected at the hip by cellphone. And everywhere you go they are either ringing to be answered or someone is already talking on one. It didn’t use to be this way, but technology has made it easier and affordable – but that does not necessarily translate into needful. God has said our conversation is to be uplifting, seasoned with grace, non-condemning, and for the benefit of His kingdom purposes. Given the truth that we will one day have to give account for every word we speak, maybe we should weigh our words a bit more carefully.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37

Brotherly Words

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. – Richard Murray

At a heightened moment of temptation, Jesus let it pass and carefully uttered “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” WOW!

One of the old clichéd truisms of life is “please think before you speak.” The adoption of this principle as a doctrine of life could save us from many stressful situations and later apologies. All of us from our childhood have been taught how to talk and enunciate our words, but rarely when and how to choose our words or responses carefully. We should always be ready to speak the truth, but even it should be spoken in LOVE, not hostility or with ‘superlative’ laced commentary; and refrain from ‘adding’ our two-cents in on matters that are not constructive about others. Temptation will indeed be great to go off course today, but remember God will provide a way of escape.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it….” – James 4:11

Life's Growth Opportunities

People often say “life is hard!” I always ask them “compared to what?” – Sparks

After hearing what Jesus told the rich man about gaining eternal life, his disciples thought it was impossible or too hard to attain. Jesus told them nothing is impossible with God! Hmm!

The one constant about life is that it comes – relentlessly. And its true things don’t always work out the way we think they should or to our advantage, but by and large every day God gifts to us has tremendous blessings within, and our good days far outweigh our bad days (assuming we can call any day a bad one). Life is meant to perfect us, shape our character, and strengthen our spirit – for these are all we’ll take into eternity with us. Experience is sometimes the best teacher God can use when we won’t listen and learn otherwise. So as the day unfolds with its circumstances, don’t look at them as hardships but rather as growth opportunities. That’s how God wants it.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

Mornings with God

There are two kinds of people. Those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord," and those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, its morning!" – Anon

Jesus sneaked away early one morning to pray. Peter found him to remind him there was ‘work’ to do. Hmm!

You would think by now in our many years of life we would have learned to adjust or adapt. Our alarm clock goes off the same time every morning, and often it upsets us to no end. We awake and often greet the day with an attitude geared toward what we know is scheduled (Monday mornings, meetings, doctor’s visit, school test, work, etc) rather than with an attitude toward who created the day and woke us to see and be a part of it. The first order of business on any day, rain or shine, is to spend time with the One who created it, seek His will, direction, protection, and provision. Nothing ever takes God by surprise and if we let Him do the leading in our daily lives rarely will it happen to us. This is a day He has made, we should just rejoice!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“For by him all things were created, things

in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” – Colossians 1:16

Don't Fake Action

Action indeed is the sole medium for the expression of ethics or faith. – J. Addams

Abraham, Jacob, Daniel, etc. Even in a foreign land these men held fast to their ‘open’ worship of God. Hmm!

We’ve all heard the expression “they talk a good game but they don’t back it up.” A good question is how does that apply to us? The bible tells us to be instant ‘in season and out of season.’ The ‘season’ does not refer to the time of year, but to the time right now, meaning whether we feel like it or not we should be a light for Christ. Many of us at times suffer from our tendency to be instant ‘out of season,’ or in other words only when certain others will see it. If we do only what we feel inclined or compelled to do, some of us would do nothing forever and ever. But the proof that we are rightly related to God and His kingdom is that we do our best for Him whether we feel supernaturally inspired or not. We cannot give ourselves to God only when we think it best or when we feel the ‘Spirit,’ He requires all of us at all times.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21

Godly Advice From A Godly Source

People who say God is dead and Elvis is alive can’t be too bright! – L. J. Harvey

Amaziah consulted with God, and then went out and conquered the Edomites and their gods which could not save them. Then he turned around and consulted with their gods. HMMM!

Advice. No matter how brilliant, wise, and aged we are, we all need it at times. True, most times its unsolicited, but often when we do need it we rarely think of our Heavenly Father or His word. We turn to worldly books, talk-shows, unsaved friends and other soothsayers. But if we’re trying to live a holy, righteous life, maybe we should seek the advice of the one who is holy, righteous and all knowing - God! When changes and difficulties come our way, maybe we should seek His way.

Until Monday…….

Pastor Botts

“ When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” – Isaiah 8:18-19

P.S. - I will be picking up tickets for Movie Night today. I hope you've placed your order, if not let me know quickly.

Keep it 100

Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do. – D. Galen

Though Judas knew Jesus was talking about him as the betrayer, he still asked, “Is it I?” Hmm!

The consensus is generally no one likes a liar or a person who does not keep their word. We tend to look for and associate with people who honor their words and commitments no matter life’s circumstances. But the greater question of the day is can we be counted on to do what we know we should do and promised to do when no one else is around or will we just say we did or promise to do it later? Faith is faith whether someone is watching or not, and integrity is not a suit of clothing but a heartfelt conviction.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” – Proverbs 22:1

Enjoy the Day!

There are two kinds of people. Those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord," and those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, its morning!" – Anon

Jesus sneaked away early one morning to pray. Peter found him to remind him there was ‘work’ to do. Hmm!

You would think by now in our many years of life we would have learned to adjust or adapt. Our alarm clock goes off the same time every morning, and often it upsets us to no end. We awake and often greet the day with an attitude geared toward what we know is scheduled (Monday mornings, meetings, doctor’s visit, school test, work, etc) rather than with an attitude toward who created the day and woke us to see and be a part of it. The first order of business on any day, rain or shine, is to spend time with the one who created it, seek His will, direction, protection, and provision. Nothing ever takes God by surprise and if we let Him do the leading in our daily lives rarely will it happen to us. This is a day He has made, we should just rejoice!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“For by him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” – Colossians 1:16

Petals of Love

I just called to say…..’I love you!’ – Stevie Wonder

Whenever He was in town, Jesus would stop by the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Hmm!

Roses, carnations, daisies, daffodils, tulips, poppies! Have you ever stopped to wonder why our wise God created flowers? It’s the same reason we send them to one another. Simply to say ‘I love you!’ He broadcasts this message every day. Just look around. Flowers bloom in backyards, front yards, in slum towns, in ritzy neighborhoods, in desert areas, in Communist countries, in free countries, all over the world. One does not have to be well-educated, or highly paid to have flowers grow in their yards – they just grow because of our Great God. Every color and shape, with a fragrant inviting aroma. The world around us can sometimes be a daunting, hurting, hateful place. I think God painted it with flowers just to remind us how much we are loved. So if you can’t get enough hugs today, just ‘consider the lilies of the field….

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys…..” – Song of Songs 2:1

Living the Possible Life

People often say “life is hard!” I always ask them “compared to what?” – Sparks

After hearing what Jesus told the rich man about gaining eternal life, his disciples thought it was impossible or too hard to attain. Jesus told them nothing is impossible with God! Hmm!

The one constant about life is that it comes – relentlessly. And its true things don’t always work out the way we think they should or to our advantage, but by and large everyday God gifts to us has tremendous blessings within, and our good days far outweigh our bad days (assuming we can call any day a bad one). Life is meant to perfect us, shape our character, and strengthen our spirit – for these are all we’ll take into eternity with us. Experience is sometimes the best teacher God can use when we won’t listen and learn otherwise. So as the day unfolds with its circumstances, don’t look at them as hardships but rather as growth opportunities. That’s how God wants it.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

Lights for the World

Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. – J. Baldwin

Isaac, like his father Abraham, was willing to call his wife his sister when it was convenient. Oh, thank God for grace!

Were we all to take a moment and look back over our life I’m sure we’d find a high percentage of truth in the above statement. In a lot of instances good, bad, or indifferent we have become ‘like parent, like child.’ The phrase “don’t do as I do, do as I say,” carried very little weight, if any at all. I think that is why the word of God continually commands us to be "light," or "examples" of righteousness not only for our children but for the world, as many will not hear our testimony but they will see it if we live it. May we all imitate Christ today.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:1-2

I was about to Say...

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. – R. Murray

At a heightened moment of temptation, Jesus let it pass and carefully uttered “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” WOW!

One of the old clichéd truisms of life is “please think before you speak.” The adoption of this principle as a doctrine of life could save us from many stressful situations and later apologies. All of us from our childhood have been taught how to talk and enunciate our words, but rarely when and how to choose our words or responses carefully. We should always be ready to speak the truth, but even it should be spoken in love, not in hostility or with other unneccessary commentary; and yes there are times when we should just remain siltent and refrain from ‘adding’ in our two-cents on matters that are not constructive about others. Temptation will indeed be great to go off course today, but remember God will provide a way of escape.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it….” – James 4:11

Whatcha gonna do?

Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do. – D. Galen

Though Judas knew Jesus was talking about him as the betrayer, he still asked, “Is it I?” Hmmm.

No matter what age, gender, or even culture one comes from; life comes full force everyday with its load of circumstances and decisions that must be made. The question of the day is can we be counted on to face it faithfully without wavering to the left or right, or will we just say we did or promise to do it later? God is depending on us for the former, not the latter.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” – Proverbs 22:1