No Pressure for God's Love

The nearest to perfection most people ever come is when filling out an employment application. – K. Kraft

The Pharisee thought he was righteous until Jesus pointed out the publican. OUCH!

Perfectionists! We hate them, don’t we? Those individuals who seem to set unrealistically high goals and expectations for us. Oh, the pressure! But in truth, isn’t that us? We strive to follow all the rules, get all the right answers on the exam, fully achieve the goals we set for ourselves, finish first. Yeah, that’s us. And so often, this is the kind of pressure we put upon ourselves when it comes to our Christian walk. Not that it’s a bad or wrong attitude to have. But thinking and trying to live up to this standard every day we have a tendency to rely on our own strength and ability and often block God out. We forget that the scripture tells us God loved us ‘with’ our imperfections and calls us worthy despite our falling down at times. So if you’re still learning to ‘color within the lines’ or trying to ‘ace the test’ remember you are loved by God and nothing can change that!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

Perceiving the Potential

Where we see a block of cement a sculptor sees a work of beauty to unveil. - Anon

The disciples saw nothing good or worthwhile in Paul until Barnabas put him under the light of Christ. Hmm!

There is one profound truth we must all accept: the truth that God loves us more than we love ourselves. Being made in His image, He always sees the 'true' person we can become. He works in our lives through trials to strengthen our faith and trust in Him, struggles to help us fix our focus and dependence on Him, and oppositions to help us realize no one is greater than Him. He allows sickness and pain to remind us He is a healer and comforter, and even allows us to face sorrow/grief to remind us He is greater than death. The reason for all this is He sees in us the same 'character' traits that were in His Son Jesus, and He wants to perfect them in us. Why? That we may be like Jesus and help 'turn' others to Him to be saved. In this New Year, let's not waste any opportunities, let's remember that no matter what is happening in and around us God is at His work, because He knows us and loves us more than we love ourselves.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst." - I Timothy 1:15

Loved Into the Kingdom

God so loved the world..........what about you? - Anon

Even though his brother Jacob stole his birthright and blessing, Esau learned to forgive and forget. Wow!

Admittedly, we live in a fallen world full of corruption, greed, deceit, selfishness and all other kinds of ills one could imagine. And, we don't have to go very far to see it, for it's all around us, often directly impacting our personal space. We can bemoan the situation, speak evil of it, or even condemn to hell those practicing such things. But the sobering truth is God requires much more of us. Jesus was born into such a fallen world to save "all who would believe" and He loved many of those who practiced such sinful activities into the kingdom, including us. He was not tolerant of their sins, but He loved them 'more' than their sin, and His love won out. Now it's our turn. So before we speak evil or condescendingly of anyone, let's remember why we were actually saved and sent.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick......For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" - Matthew 9:12-13

Hopefully Looking Forward

Life should not be lived looking through a rearview mirror. The very best days are those yet to be. HOPE is always stronger than memory. – A. Ahlgrim

When tough times came upon the Israelites on their journey they often wished they were back in Egypt in bondage. They somehow forgot God was leading them. Hmm!

It’s amazing how often people want to turn back the clock, to go to their former days when “things were better.” The question we fail to answer is: what was better back then – us or God? Well, God has not changed, so…..? When we continuously long for what’s behind its saying we don’t fully trust God to bring better things into our life, and we have little hope of things changing for the better. We cannot change the past so we must not let it discourage us, we must look forward in eager expectation that we can make the present worthwhile all the while building a better tomorrow by fully trusting in God – that’s why he gave us TODAY!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 23:17-18

Bring on the Love

God so loved the world..........what about you? - Anon

Even though his brother Jacob stole his birthright and blessing, Esau learned to forgive and forget. Wow!

Admittedly, we live in a fallen world full of corruption, greed, deceit, selfishness and all other kinds of ills one could imagine. And, we don't have to go very far to see it, for it's all around us,  often directly impacting our personal space. We can bemoan the situation, speak evil of it,  or even condemn to hell those practicing such things. But the sobering truth is God requires much more of us. Jesus was born into such a fallen world to save "all who would believe" and He loved many of those who practiced such sinful activities into the kingdom, including us. He was not tolerant of their sins, but He loved them 'more' than their sin, and His love won out. Now it's our turn. So before we speak evil or condescendingly of anyone, let's remember why we were actually saved and sent.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"....Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick......For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" - Matthew 9:12-13

Hope looks Forward

Life should not be lived looking through a rearview mirror. The very best days are those yet to be. Hope is always stronger than memory. – A. Ahlgrim

When tough times came upon the Israelites on their journey they often wished they were back in Egypt in bondage. They somehow forgot God was leading them. Hmm!

It’s amazing how often people want to turn back the clock, to go to their former days when things were "better.” The question we fail to answer is: what was better back then – us or God? Well, God has not changed, so…..?  When we continuously long for what’s behind its saying we don’t fully trust God to bring better things into our life, and we have little hope of things changing for the better. We cannot change the past so we must not let it discourage us, we must look forward in eager expectation that we can make the present worthwhile all the while building a better tomorrow by fully trusting in God – that’s why he gave us TODAY!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 23:17-18