If A Tree Falls in the Forest...

We need to get a sense of worth of our own selves and understand that no one is more deserving of our best behavior than we are. – R. Pennington

Though Saul sought to slay him, David couldn't even formulate in his mind a thought to harm God's anointed. Hmm!

If a tree falls in the middle of the forest and no one is around to see it, does it make a sound? A somewhat silly question, and one we often answer with “who cares." But the logic of the question is pure. And if we were to apply it to our daily living it sounds a powerful truth. Regardless of where we are or who we're with, how good or bad the situation, the greatest benefactor of our righteous, holy living is US, not God. Why, because we can't make God any holier than He already is, we can only bear witness of His holiness by the way we live. I pray you may appreciate yourself today!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” – I Corinthians 9:26-27

Wardrobe Check

Perhaps no sin so easily besets us as a sense of self-satisfied superiority to others. – W. Osler

Rehoboam’s desire to show himself greater

than his father Solomon cost him half a kingdom. OUCH!

Often, the reflection that appears in the mirror goes much deeper if we take time to truly ponder it, for it captures not only our look, but our intent of heart. So it should serve as a reminder that no matter how much God has blessed us, and how far He has brought us, or even how long we have served Him; smugness or pride should never be in our “Christian wardrobe,” that we put on daily. As Jesus pointed out the differences in the heart of the Pharisee and the publican in their prayers, “it’s not who you are and what you do, but what God does for you”. So let us be reminded that a suit of humility and a coat of GRACE makes for a marvelous outfit to wear.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“…If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself” – Galatians 6:3

Bear Witness of God's Holiness

We need to get a sense of worth of our own selves and understand that no one is more deserving of our best behavior than we are. – R. Pennington

Though Saul sought to slay him, David couldn't even formulate in his mind a thought to harm God's anointed. Hmm!

If a tree falls in the middle of the forest and no one is around to see it, does it make a sound? A somewhat silly question, and one we often answer with “who cares." But the logic of the question is pure. And if we were to apply it to our daily living it sounds a powerful truth. Regardless of where we are or who we're with, how good or bad the situation, the greatest benefactor of our righteous, holy living is US, not God. Why, because we can't make God any holier than He already is, we can only bear witness of His holiness by the way we live. I pray you may appreciate yourself today!

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” – I Corinthians 9:26-27

God in Action. Listen Up!

There is none so blind as they that will not see. – J. Swift

God parted the Red Sea, rained down manna, and brought water from a rock to show Moses and the Israelites He was with them and for them. The people didn't get it. Hmm!

As believers we habitually seek to hear God’s voice through prayer, His Word, or His messengers. Yet, often we fail or miss hearing God speak through His activity. We are so set on ‘seizing the day’ we often give very little thought to seeing what it brings. Sensing God’s activity gives us a significant revelation about His heart and will, and our ability to discern what He is up to allows us to work faithfully with Him. The apostle Paul at one time sensed that “a great door” had been opened for him to preach the gospel. If we’re not hearing directly from God through His Word, or His people, maybe He’s speaking through the activity in our lives. Listen up!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Look among the nations and watch – be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.” – Habakkuk 1:5

Laugh a little

If you don’t have a sense of humor, you probably don’t have any sense at all. – Anon

When Abraham heard from God he was to have a son in his ‘ripe’ old age, he didn’t know what to do, so he just laughed. Hmm!

A smile! A light chuckle! A gut-busting laugh! Just a few ways we acknowledge some of the lighter things in life and how we cope. Life’s activities and circumstances are geared to elicit some sort of response from us, and it was God who gave us the ability to laugh, cry, be happy, or sad. To take everything so serious and never allow any humor in our lives is to invite much more stress and anxiety on us than necessary, and it will take its toll. In the toughest of circumstances, oftentimes, showing a sense of humor is showing our faith and trust in God, the One who knows everything. Today might require you to exercise this gift.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“There is a time for everything……a time to weep and a time to laugh….” – Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

Ready to wear: Humility & Grace

Perhaps no sin so easily besets us as a sense of self-satisfied superiority to others. – W. Osler

Rehoboam’s desire to show himself greater than his father Solomon cost him half a kingdom. OUCH!

Often, the reflection that appears in the mirror goes much deeper if we take time to truly ponder it, for it captures not only our look, but our intent of heart. So it should serve as a reminder that no matter how much God has blessed us, and how far He has brought us, or even how long we have served Him; smugness or pride should never be in our “Christian wardrobe,” that we put on daily. As Jesus pointed out the differences in the heart of the Pharisee and the publican in their prayers, “it’s not who you are and what you do, but what God does for you”. So let us be reminded that a suit of humility and a coat of GRACE makes for a marvelous outfit to wear.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“…If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself” – Galatians 6:3

Think About It

Readers are plentiful, thinkers are rare. – H. Martineau

The greatest king in Israel’s history was David, the one who loved to ‘meditate’ on God’s word. Hmm!

Newspapers, magazines, the bible, novels, internet news articles, we read them all alike – we READ them. Just news and information to pass the time and give us information to share in passing conversations. We should never read the bible for quantity, but quality; looking to gain understanding, insight, wisdom, and application to our lives. The God who endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect did not intend for us to forgo their use, but very often when it comes to His Word and other life issues we do. We read the bible but we don’t think through or meditate on what we read. We see God’s awesome works but we don’t envision God in the process. From the tiniest insect to the largest beast in the field God is involved. From the minutest detail to the greatest issue in our lives God is involved. The question we must answer is how involved is He and what is He asking of me. Think on it friend.

Until tomorrow……….

Pastor Botts

“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.” – Psalm 119:97-97