Selling Out Should Not Be An Option

I detest millionaires, but it might be dangerous to offer me the position. - Mark Twain

The Jews hated being under Roman rule, but the position of tax collector was one they all coveted. Hmm!

A common cliché is that every man has his price, that for which he would sell out or compromise his values. And in the schools of negotiation it is often taught that “he who mentions price first – loses.” But what is uncanny is though we live in a world where our enemy is always the first to ‘offer’ (and he never offers full price – he can’t) people are often quick to compromise. Temptation is a fact of life for all of us each and every day, but God has guaranteed a way out if we so desire. In regards to sin our ‘NO’ should always be ‘NO’ and never ‘MAYBE’

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

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

Nothing Less. Nothing More.

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 their fingertips by cellphone. And everywhere you go they are either ringing to be answered or someone is already talking on one or ‘thumbing’ through something on the screen. 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

Purposely Good

Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something. – Henry David Thoreau

Joseph had many trials “hoisted” upon him and his character. But he rose above each one. WOW!

Most of us would probably say in all of God’s creation we could do without flies, mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, etc., that they seem to serve no purpose at all. But they must for God Almighty himself made them and we’ve all experienced in one way or another their handiwork firsthand. The same is true of us; we were made for this day to do more than just exist. The world is to come to know Jesus through the love we show to one another and them. We were made to be God’s ambassadors to the world. As the day unfolds with its many requests, issues, and urgent needs, remember you are a part of His labor force. May the light shine within!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“…..let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

No Permission Needed for This Mission

Initiative consists simply of doing the right thing without being told. – I. Mack

Jonathan charged a garrison of Philistine soldiers that led to an Israelite conquest. Was he told to do it? NO! Was he right to do it? YES!

"I wonder what I should do!" It's a question we often ask ourselves, with hopes someone else will direct us. If we are honest about it, many of us have never outgrown our adolescent need of being told what to do. It’s comforting to us, because it somewhat absolves us of responsibility and inspiration. However, God leaves us with many choices to make; and the one expectation He has in each case is that we will do the right thing. Many of us are waiting for permission to do what God has already commissioned us to do. The charge is to ‘GO’ until we hear God say ‘STOP!’

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

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

You Matter

Everything you've always want to be, you already are. You're simply on the path to discovering it. - A. Keys

Elijah in his depression tried to run away and thought of death. God found him and told him his life still mattered. Amen!

When I was a kid I collected marbles, a drawerful of them, I had my favorites - cat's eye, steelies, boulders, etc. - of course. I also collected baseball cards, again with my favorite players getting top placement and care. The bible tells us God knows each star by name. Can you imagine that? When you consider the Milky Way and the billions upon billions of stars there, and each one having a name assigned by the Almighty. This should impress upon us how important we are to God, that in fact each one of us is His favorite. After all, we were made in His image. He not only knows our name but seeks to abide in our hearts each day. Through our ups and downs, tears and joys, and even in our darkest moments. He calls us 'beloved.' Why, not feel that way today!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"What is man that you are mindful of him?" - Psalm 8:3

Living Legacy

Most people simply accept their lives - they don't lead them. - Anon

Until God called him 'mighty warrior' Gideon was content to hide in the winepress. Hmm!

Most of us know the frustration of driving or walking behind someone who's just plodding along aimlessly, purposeless, just plain in the way. It's aggravating. Truthfully, most people live this way. They seem to have no purpose, no direction, and no thought for those coming behind them, or those looking up to them. Every one of us will leave some sort of legacy or lasting impression in all our relationships be it good or bad. The key is to know what kind of legacy you want to leave and begin to live it now. Life is the most precious gift of God, and His expectation is that we will live to influence and lead others to Him. Today is a gift from God, how we use it is our gift to Him others. Live On!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord......bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God...." - Colossians 1:10

Initiative: Permission Not Required

Initiative consists simply of doing the right thing without being told. – I. Mack

Jonathan charged a garrison of Philistine soldiers that led to an Israelite conquest. Was he told to do it? NO! Was he right to do it? YES!

"I wonder what I should do!" It's a question we often ask ourselves, with hopes someone else will direct us. If we are honest about it, many of us have never outgrown our adolescent need of being told what to do. It’s comforting to us, because it somewhat absolves us of responsibility and inspiration. However, God leaves us with many choices to make; and the one expectation He has in each case is that we will do the right thing. Many of us are waiting for permission to do what God has already commissioned us to do. The charge is to ‘GO’ until we hear God say ‘STOP!’

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

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

An Offer You CAN Refuse

I detest millionaires, but it might be dangerous to offer me the position. - Mark Twain

The Jews hated being under Roman rule, but the position of tax collector was one they all coveted. Hmm!

A common cliché is that every man has his price, that for which he would sell out or compromise his values. And in the schools of negotiation it is often taught that “he who mentions price first – loses.” But what is uncanny is though we live in a world where our enemy is always the first to ‘offer’ (and he never offers full price – he can’t) people are often quick to compromise. Temptation is a fact of life for all of us each and every day, but God has guaranteed a way out if we so desire. In regards to sin our ‘NO’ should always be ‘NO’ and never ‘MAYBE’

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

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

There for You

It is so much easier to tell others how to handle their problems than to just simply stand with them in their pain. - Anon

Job’s ‘friends’ offered little comfort in their convicting him of sin. OUCH!

Though we won’t readily admit it we all at times tend to play ‘The Great Guru’ with answers to everyone’s problems or situations. We dispense advice, give counsel, play mentor, or spiritual advisor like the ‘professionals’ when given the opportunity. It’s a coping mechanism we use to keep our ‘space.’ But nothing can take the place of a friend who will just sit and listen, wait and walk, or just lend a shoulder to lean on. No suggestions of easy fixes, just a promise to help see you through, and intercessory prayer to back it up. Psychologists have their place, as well as talk shows and self-help books, but God has asked us to help bear one another’s burdens. Today someone may need us, if we just take time to listen as opposed to counsel.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:3  

White Out

Too many white lies can lead to color blindness. – Anon

Jesus not only called Satan a liar, but the father of lies. I wonder how He really felt about him. Hmm!

White lies - we call them little, we call them insignificant, we call them a fact of life – but in reality when we willingly tell them they are just lies. It’s easy to stretch the truth just a bit so that we don’t look so bad, or have to go the extra mile, or have to be imposed upon, or give someone false hope, but when we knowingly do so and leave others with a false understanding, we’ve lied. And when we begin to make concessions in one area of our life, it usually creeps into other areas as well. That’s just the way sin is. Just as smoke never stays in the ‘smoking section’ sin never stays little or hidden – it grows, and it branches out into all areas of our lives to blur the lines of distinction between right and wrong. In a world that desperately needs the truth spoken and lived out, God is expecting us to lead the way. We must not settle for easy over right.

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

Winning Ways

Winners have simply formed a habit of doing the things losers don’t like to do. – A. Gray

True David had a cadre of mighty warriors and fighting men trained and at the ready, but he always sought the Lord first regarding the battles. Wise indeed!

“Figure it out for yourself my lad, you’ve got all that the greatest have ever had….,” and so goes the prose that tells us we are all very equal. What separates us is how well and how often we use what God has gifted to us. Life takes DISCIPLINE, and discipline is borne out of HABIT. We are the sum total of all the hours we put into developing our habits. The great news is that if we don’t like them God has gifted us with the ability to change them and has promised to help us. If we don’t like our habits, today should be the day to change them. If we do like our habits (God-focused, of course) today is a day to even better refine them. God leaves the choice to us. But if “we are more than conquerors” God expects us to be winners!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33

Just Do the Right Thing

Initiative consists simply of doing the right thing without being told. – I. Mack

Jonathan charged a garrison of Philistine soldiers that led to an Israelite conquest. Was he told to do it? NO! Was he right to do it? YES!

"I wonder what I should do!" It's a question we often ask ourselves, with hopes someone else will direct us. If we are honest about it, many of us have never outgrown our adolescent need of being told what to do. It’s comforting to us, because it somewhat absolves us of responsibility and inspiration. However, God leaves us with many choices to make; and the one expectation He has in each case is that we will do the right thing. Many of us are waiting for permission to do what God has already commissioned us to do. The charge is to ‘GO’ until we hear God say ‘STOP!’

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

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