Now's the Time

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

When Jairus asked Jesus to help with his daughter, they immediately set out to go. Though sidetracked and late, Jesus got the job done. WOW!

We all have good intentions and plans to help others – often telling ourselves we’ll do it just as soon as we get our lives in order or our business straight. But life keeps interrupting; just as soon as one area is in order another area flares up. Like our Lord and Master, we must learn to be very intentional about our acts and deeds, for time is a great thief; stealing more than it brings. The time for kindness, gentleness, sharing, caring, comforting is always now, not tomorrow. God has granted this day that we may show kindness to some and be shown kindness by some. Ours is not to pick and choose but to give ourselves.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” – Romans 5:6

Pay Attention to the Signs

The untended garden will soon be run over with weeds. - A.W. Tozer

When Paul traveled from city to city the first thing he often looked for was the 'gathering' place. If they didn't have one he often started it. Hmm!

Medical research has revealed that though heart attacks are 'silent', the body gives of a host of warning signs in the early preventable stages if we would only pay attention. Be that as it may I know a host of people who have ignored the warnings of a much more serious type of heart trouble. I know you know some as well, or maybe you're one yourself. Who are they: 'Christians' who loosely live by the name. I say loosely because they may have been to the church, even baptized, but have not been seen at the church often since then. They know they should be in attendance but quiet their conscience by saying missing church services is really not a serious matter. Or they fail to tithe/give, convincing themselves that God would want them to have whatever pleasure they spend the money on. They fail to get involved in any study, ministry, or outreach, and then blame the church for being cold or impersonal. Just as doctors would tell us not to ignore the warning signs of heart trouble, so does God's Word. We are told 'not to forsake the assembly' we're told to 'love the fellowship' to 'prefer one another' and on and on. These are truths we should give serious consideration to, for to neglect them has far worse consequences than a heart attack.

Until tomorrow.......

Pastor Botts

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." - Matthew 10:28

The Right Time

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. – Ralph Waldo

Emerson

When Jairus asked Jesus to help with his daughter, they immediately set out to go. Though sidetracked and late, Jesus got the job done. WOW!

We all have good intentions and plans to help others – often telling ourselves we’ll do it just as soon as we get our lives in order or our business straight. But life keeps interrupting; just as soon as one area is in order another area flares up. Like our Lord and Master, we must learn to be very intentional about our acts and deeds, for time is a great thief; stealing more than it brings. The time for kindness, gentleness, sharing, caring, comforting is always now, not tomorrow. God has granted this day that we may show kindness to some and be shown kindness by some. Ours is not to pick and choose but to give ourselves.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” – Romans 5:6

Regular Maintenance

The untended garden will soon be run over with weeds. - A.W. Tozer

When Paul traveled from city to city the first thing he often looked for was the 'gathering' place. If they didn't have one he often started it. Hmm!

Medical research has revealed that though heart attacks are 'silent', the body gives of a host of warning signs in the early preventable stages if we would only pay attention. Be that as it may I know a host of people who have ignored the warnings of a much more serious type of heart trouble. I know you know some as well, or maybe you're one yourself. Who are they: 'Christians' who loosely live by the name. I say loosely because they may have been to the church, even baptized, but have not been seen at the church often since then. They know they should be in attendance but quiet their conscience by saying missing church services is really not a serious matter. Or they fail to tithe/give, convincing themselves that God would want them to have whatever pleasure they spend the money on. They fail to get involved in any study, ministry, or outreach, and then blame the church for being cold or impersonal. Just as doctors would tell us not to ignore the warning signs of heart trouble, so does God's Word. We are told 'not to forsake the assembly' we're told to 'love the fellowship' to 'prefer one another' and on and on. These are truths we should give serious consideration to, for to neglect them has far worse consequences than a heart attack.

Until tomorrow.......

Pastor Botts

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." - Matthew 10:28

Created to Serve God

A man who trims himself to suit everybody will soon whittle himself away. – Sparks

Jethro had to take his son-in-law Moses aside and give him some fatherly advice about leading the people. It worked wonders. WOW!

Conflict. We all somewhat hate it, and try to avoid it at all costs. And that's okay as long as it doesn't cause us to shape ourselves into something we're not, or cause us to take on more than we need to or should be doing. In those cases we need to stand firm, and remember our purpose. Try as we might, but one of the hardest lessons for us to learn is we cannot be everything for everybody. We must remember even God Himself doesn't try to please everyone. Though we serve a God with unlimited power and resources, we must remember we were created to serve Him and Him only. And in the long run when you please Him first, everything else seems to fall right in place.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Jesus said, ‘Away from me Satan! For it is written; Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” – Matthew 4:10

Course Corrections

You cannot repent too soon, because you do not know how soon it may become too late. - T. Fuller

Elijah ran for 40 days and nights only to hear God tell him "go back the way you came." OUCH!

Anyone who drives has probably had the experience of missing their off ramp on the freeway or passing their designated turnoff on the boulevard. Such a pain or inconvenience to have to turn around and go back. But back we go. Oh, if our daily living were true to this form. Often, we think we can overcome a mistake/sin without God's help, but then find ourselves moving further away from God. We mean well in our attempts but still fall short. Unless God is with us to help navigate the correction, we'll continue off course. If the saying is true: 'The road to Hell is paved with good intentions...' then it is equally true: 'The road to Heaven is paved with repentance...' I guess the question we should ask is what destination are we really trying to reach?

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord...." Acts 3:19

The Right Time

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. – R.W. Emerson

When Jairus asked Jesus to help with his daughter, they immediately set out to go. Though sidetracked and late, Jesus got the job done. WOW!

We all have good intentions and plans to help others – often telling ourselves we’ll do it just as soon as we get our lives in order or our business straight. But life keeps interrupting; just as soon as one area is in order another area flares up. Like our Lord and Master, we must learn to be very intentional about our acts and deeds, for time is a great thief; stealing more than it brings. The time for kindness, gentleness, sharing, caring, comforting is always now, not tomorrow. God has granted this day that we may show kindness to some and be shown kindness by some. Ours is not to pick and choose but to give ourselves.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” – Romans 5:6