Making A Defensive Stand

A great offense starts with defense. - Anon

Jesus prayed often because that's what usually opened doors for him to minister. WOW!

If you've ever played organized sports or listened to those who coach them you've heard the key to winning is defense. In baseball it's preached 'you can't give the other team extra outs or at-bats (errors, walks). In basketball it's taught get defensive stops. It's easier to run off rebounds and turnovers than when you talking the ball out of the net. In football we know it's field position. Pin them deep in their own territory, or get us started in their territory. The parallel here to our faith walk is that you cannot resist the devil without submitting to God, and you cannot submit to God without resisting the devil. We've all have to make a stand one way or the other. And I might add, doing either one halfheartedly will not get the job done, we must be sold out. Praying your game plan is solid today.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you...." - James 4:7-8

P.S. - Hoping you will join us today at 5.30pm on campus for our monthly Prayer meeting.

Peaceful Living

The way to win an atomic war is to make sure it never starts. – Omar Bradley

To save his life Jacob’s mother sent him away to relatives he’d never met. It was a wise move. Hmm!

If you think about it, war is actually a last resort. It is the result of failed attempts to resolve an issue, and atomic war is a desire to completely annihilate the enemy. Often, if we’re not careful we find ourselves not only in a war, but an atomic one, ruing the birth of our enemy. This should not be, for as people of God we’re called to live at peace with our neighbor. It’s not easy at times, but we must remember God will not accept excuses at the door of heaven. The way to win a fight - keep the peace. The way to win an argument – speak only in love. And the way to best Satan – stay in company with God. Peace, I leave with you!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath…” – Romans 12:18-19

The Secret of the Path

Trust starts with and ends with truth. - S. Kalwar

God sent Moses to bring the people out of bondage unto Himself on the mountain. AMEN!

When God led the Hebrew nation into the Promised Land He promised to give them all the land where their feet would tread, meaning no matter the condition of the soil He would make it 'firm' for them to be victorious and successful. Like our ancestors our paths in life are rarely straightforward and surefooted. We must learn, like them, the secret. On any pilgrimage or journey, it's not so much a trek to FIND God as it is a time to WALK WITH Him in the moment. None of us are ever sure how firm the path will be from day to day (soft, mushy, wet, hard, etc.) but we can trust God to lead the way. His sole purpose is to guide us home to Himself, and isn't that our desire?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life..." - John 14:6

Won't He Do It

When God is about to do something great, he starts with a difficulty. When He's about to do something truly magnificent, He starts with an impossibility. - A. Gesswein

When the Israelites 'fretted' at the Red Sea, God's glory parted it. When Satan thought he had won, God's Son rose from the dead. Next!

Well, it's Monday morning and God is already on the move and ready to bless, change lives, heal relationships, mend broken hearts, set free the captives, and lift-up turned down heads. Just because we can't see it happening in the 'midst' of our difficulty or impossible situation doesn't mean God isn't at work. This is where our faith comes in. Faith sees what we cannot. The same God who blesses our neighbor and fellow church-member can take our difficulties and impossibilities and turn them upside down. The truth of the matter is God CAN do anything, anytime, in anyone's life. The question however, is do we believe HE WILL DO IT in our lives and will we ALLOW Him to? It's good to be alive!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" - Genesis 18:14

Living What You Believe

Your theology is who you are when the talking stops and the action starts. – C. Morris

While facing a death sentence Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego held fast to their God. In the fiery furnace their God held fast to them. Hmm!

There’s an old cliché that says: “when all is said and done, there’s a lot less done than said.” There’s a lot of truth to this in most lives. People are good at talking and making great and grand promises, claiming to have impeccable character or stout-hearted faith. But despite all we claim, our actual life actions will scream who we are so loud others really don’t have to listen to a word we say. The good thing is we serve a God who is patient and forgiving, however He will not always “hold His peace”. Remember, if you don’t live it you don’t believe it.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.” – I John 2:4-5

Always Have The Master's Plan

A man without a plan for the day is lost before he starts. – L. Bendele

The bible tells us Jesus often started his day

very early in the morning meeting with his Father. He never once lost HIS WAY! Hmmm.

Most, if not all of us would say we always have plans. And we’ve got our schedules on our phone, I-pad, PC, wall/desk calendars to remind us. We’ve also got, agendas, to-do lists, and errands to work on to keep them in order. But if we truly believe we were made for God’s glory and God’s purposes then we must realize nothing on our horizon should supplant his desires. To start our day without seeking his will, direction, guidance, and protection, is to start without a plan, and failure is imminent. Did you REALLY stop to pray this morning?

Until Monday…….

Pastor Botts

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.”

– Proverbs 3:5-7

DON'T Set It Off

The way to win an atomic war is to make sure it never starts. – O. Bradley

To save his life Jacob’s mother sent him away to relatives he’d never met. It was a wise move. Hmm!

If you think about it, war is actually a last resort. It is the result of failed attempts to resolve an issue, and atomic war is a desire to completely annihilate the enemy. Often, if we’re not careful we find ourselves not only in a war, but an atomic one, rueing the birth of our enemy. This should not be, for as people of God we’re called to live at peace with our neighbor. It’s not easy at times, but we must remember God will not accept excuses at the door of heaven. The way to win a fight - keep the peace, the way to win an argument – speak only in love; and the way to best Satan – stay in company with God. Peace I leave with you!

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath…” – Romans 12:18-19

P.S. - REMINDER, we will NOT be having Prayer Breakfast tomorrow morning.

Be About It

Your theology is who you are when the talking stops and the action starts. – C. Morris

While facing a death sentence Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego held fast to their God. In the fiery furnace their God held fast to them. Hmm!

There’s an old cliché that says: “when all is said and done, there’s a lot less done than said.” There’s a lot of truth to this in most lives. People are good at talking and making great and grand promises, claiming to have impeccable character or stout-hearted faith. But despite all we claim, our actual life actions will scream who we are so loud others really don’t have to listen to a word we say. The good thing is we serve a God who is patient and forgiving, however He will not always “hold His peace”. Remember, if you don’t live it you don’t believe it.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.” – I John 2:4-5

Hope to see you Sunday at 9am for our Bible Reading recap.

A Solid Game Plan

A great offense starts with defense. - Anon

Jesus prayed often because that's what usually opened doors for him to minister. WOW!

If you've ever played organized sports or listened to those who coach them you've heard the key to winning is defense. In baseball it's preached 'you can't give the other team extra outs or at-bats (errors, walks). In basketball it's taught get defensive stops. It's easier to run off of rebounds and turnovers than when you're taking the ball out of the net. In football we know it's field position. Pin them deep in their own territory, or get us started in their territory. The parallel here to our faith walk is that you cannot resist the devil without submitting to God, and you cannot submit to God without resisting the devil. We've all have to make a stand one way or the other. And I might add, doing either one halfheartedly will not get the job done, we must be sold out. Praying your game plan is solid today.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you...." - James 4:7-8