A Time to Clean Up

There's no refund for time poorly spent. - J.F. Millburn

After talking to God, it didn't take Joshua long to find and correct the problem at Ai. Hmm!

Here we are 3 years removed from COVID's primary outbreak and we're still arguing over where it started. We're 3 years beyond the 'insurrection' and we're still trying to figure out who's responsible (we know). Now today, here you are way beyond cleaning up your life the way you promised yourself some time ago. Hmm! The problem is we often look and look again at the issues and carnage that has happened trying to find a pattern. But rarely do we close the proverbial 'barn door' or 'shut off the valve' that caused the issue in the first place. Before we clean up things, we need to stop the causes. That's where Christ and His transforming power comes into place. There's nothing too hard for Him and He will bring about the changes we need with justice and righteousness as He cleans up our mess. Yeah, the Messiah is who we need.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.......So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." - John 8:34,36

Restraint in Freedom

The basic test of freedom is perhaps less in what we are free to do than in what we are free not to do. – E. Hoffer

Paul stated “in Christ he was free to do all things,” but that if “eating meat” caused offense to his brother, he would eat no meat. What a COST to pay!

When you really stop to think about it, the whole concept of freedom is wrapped up in GOD. He is free and able to do ALL THINGS, yet He restrains himself on our behalf. Our sins are punishable by death, yet God chose NOT to condemn us to hell, but save us by grace. And that my friend is a mighty awesome example of true freedom. Happy 4th of July, but better yet, Praise God for your SALVATION!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” – I Corinthians 9:19

Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave

When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion, roar and all. – Ethiopian Proverb

The great nation of Israel – God’s people – were routed in war because of Achan’s little secret sin. Hmm!

If you’ve ever given thought to a spider’s web you’ll see most are intricate patterns of beauty, convenience, and often hard to see, until it’s too late. The spider spins or repairs his web every day because he knows someone will get comfortable with themselves and not look out. Sin is just like that friend. It presents itself as an invitation that you just can’t seem to refuse. Starting off small and unassuming, they may not seem like much those ‘little’ sins we allow, even make excuse for in our life – after all we’re not as bad as …. But enough of those little ‘pet’ or ‘respectable’ sins in our life can bind us and silence us as effective witnesses for our Lord, and in truth even 1 pet sin is too many. The bible calls on us to “resist the devil” and that would include all inclinations and invitations to sin, which is his basic calling card. Today is a gift to start unraveling our life. Are you game enough to ask God how?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.” – II Peter 3:19

Serving Towards Greatness

Do not despise the bottom rungs in the ascent to greatness. – Publilius Syrus

In the Upper Room meeting the disciples all looked for a prominent place to sit, Jesus looked for a place to serve. Hmm!

The measure of greatness in God’s kingdom differs greatly from that of the world. Society idolizes the rich, the powerful, the beautiful, the well-heeled, and those with large followings. The world will estimate your importance by the number of people serving you, but God is more concerned with the number of people you are serving. It takes a far more noble character to serve than to be served, but that’s the heart of God. Opportunities to serve will be great today.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” – Mark 10:42-44

Today's scripture reading: Proverbs 13

Today's scripture reading question: Why do you think verse 14 is the only one without contrast?

It's Really No Secret

No one is free who is not master of himself. – Claudius

Joseph would not let himself stoop to levels of sin and indecency before his master and God with Potiphar’s wife. He considered the whole idea “wicked.”

One of Satan’s lies is that you can do things in secret that no one will know. It’s a clever little ploy to keep us in bondage to sin. Temptation to sin comes to all of us, but for us as Christians so does the power and opportunity to escape the sin. We must remember in all situations that it is not about us and our desires, but our heavenly Father and His will for us. God will not withhold any good thing from His people. I pray we will rise above all selfish desires today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Therefore 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

Out of Character

Be careful when you fight the monsters, lest you become one. – F. Nietzsche

Though Saul hated and tried to destroy him, David had nothing but love for God’s anointed man. WOW!

It happens time and time again. We come across obstinate, arrogant, defiant, evil intentioned people in our lives, on our jobs, and sometimes even in our homes. It’s an almost constant battle where our righteousness is severely put to the test. A good tactician knows the easiest way to defeat an enemy is to get them out of their normal routine or comfort zone, and strike quickly; which is what our enemy constantly tries with us. And if we’re not careful we soon cross the line into no man’s land. But God calls on us to practice self-control, to respond in righteousness, and not repay evil for evil. Just as we hate to see our child or star pupil act out of character, so does our Heavenly Father. He’s counting on us to show the world what a saint looks like.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified fro the prize.” – I Corinthians 9:27

Web of Deception

When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion, roar and all. – Ethiopian Proverb

The great nation of Israel – God’s people – were routed in war because of Achan’s little secret sin. Hmm!

If you’ve ever given thought to a spider’s web you’ll see most are intricate patterns of beauty, convenience, and often hard to see, until it’s too late. The spider spins or repairs his web every day because he knows someone will get comfortable with themselves and not look out. Sin is just like that friend. It presents itself as an invitation that you just can’t seem to refuse. Starting off small and unassuming, they may not seem like much those ‘little’ sins we allow, even make excuse for in our life – after all we’re not as bad as ….   But enough of those little ‘pet’ or ‘respectable’ sins in our life can bind us and silence us as effective witnesses for our Lord, and in truth even 1 pet sin is too many. The bible calls on us to “resist the devil” and that would include all inclinations and invitations to sin, which is his basic calling card. Today is a gift to start unraveling our life. Are you game enough to ask God how?

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“….a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.” – II Peter 3:19

Real Freedom

The basic test of freedom is perhaps less in what we are free to do than in what we are free not to do. – E. Hoffer

Paul stated “in Christ he was free to do all things,” but that if “eating meat” caused offense to his brother, he would eat no meat. What a COST to pay!

When you really stop to think about it, the whole concept of freedom is wrapped up in GOD. He is free and able to do ALL THINGS, yet He restrains himself on our behalf. Our sins are punishable by death, yet God chose NOT to condemn us to hell, but save us by grace. And that my friend is a mighty awesome example of true freedom. Happy 4th of July, but better yet, Praise God for your SALVATION!

Until MONDAY……

Pastor Botts

“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” – I Corinthians 9:19

P.S. - for those going to the Dodger game tonight remember the bus leaves the church at 6pm.

P.S.S. - Don't forget our Sunday School Devotional time this Sunday at 9am in Parmes Hall. We've got some great questions that will be addressed.