Looking Beyond Fear

Courage doesn't mean you don't get afraid. Courage means you don't let fear stop you! - Anon

After being beaten and imprisoned for 'preaching' Jesus, Paul and Silas just sang out loud about Him. AMEN!

FEAR! It can cripple the best of us. Stop us dead in our tracks. Make us pull back. Why? The answer lies with us. So often we look at our own mortality, our own status/position, our own possessions, etc., things we'd rather not lose. Notice the emphasis on 'our own'. That's self-centered thinking. Courage requires us to look beyond ourselves and see the greater good. Perhaps that's why there at about 366 verses in the bible that tell us in various ways "not to fear." That's a verse for each day of the year, including leap years. God wants us to focus our faith on Him, put our trust in Him, and when He truly becomes the center of all that we are, He drives out fear and replaces it with peace. And that seems like a great trade-off to me.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." - I John 4:4

It's What You Choose

Others may stop you temporarily – only you can do it permanently. – Zig Ziglar

Satan tempted both Peter and Judas to betray Jesus that fateful night. One went on to become a great apostle, the other died in infamy. The choice was theirs!

Live long enough and one thing you’re sure to run into is opposition. Worthy causes are always met with the most opposition. In this life we will encounter setbacks, lack of support, lack of resources, loss of friends, and even full-frontal assaults. But if the desire is truly there within the heart our pursuits will continue, “for greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world.” If we truly have a zeal for God, retreat or surrender is not an option.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14

Don't Leave Home Without Him

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. - Philip K. Dick

Jesus just couldn't seem to convince the rich young ruler to take his mind off of his riches for something far better. Hmm!

"Don't leave home without it!" AMEX - at one time maybe, but now the tagline belongs to something else more noteworthy in our lives. The cell phone! Nobody, but nobody leaves home without it. It must be in our hands or on our person within reach at all times. We'll turn around and go back home to get it if we've left it behind. We've even put it in our children's hands. And though we try to convince ourselves it's for communication/connection purposes, that's the least of our usage. Oh, if only we were that devoted to being connected with God. Where His praise was always on our lips, His words were always being meditated upon, our soul was boasting about His goodness. God is constant in His call for us to return to Him, to stay connected to Him. If only there was some way we could reach Him by phone. Hmm!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." - Joshua 1:8

God's Work. God's Time.

When it's not in God's time, you can't force it. When it is in His time, you can't stop it. - Craig Groeschel

Some thought nailing Jesus to the cross would end His mission on earth. I think they regret that decision. Hmm!

Regret! Joy! Two words on the opposite end of the spectrum we call life. We all have them, no one is immune. When we think on it we often realize the majority of our regrets came from decisions we made outside of God's counsel and timing, when we were in a hurry and He wasn't. Like Saul and Uzziah not waiting for priest. Not a pretty ending for either one. On the flip side we realize our joys as blessings that continue to give us hope and life. Hopefully, in this life we will have much more joy than regret, and even in that know that God can take away the sting of our hasty decisions. The lesson to learn is that God works for us at all times, but He will never be forced by us to speed up the process.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....I advise you....Leave these men alone! Let them go. For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men, you will only find yourselves fighting against God." - Acts 5:38-39

The Right Guide

Stop asking people who have never been where you're going for directions. - Anon

Abram left home trusting God. He eventually 'found' a city not made by hands. Wow!

Traveling? We're quick to get a map and plot our course. Somewhere exotic? We're quick to get a tour guide or someone who knows the terrain, customs, etc. The reasoning: we want to ensure we enjoy the journey and well as the locale when we get there. But strangely enough many Christians don't apply the same logic to their faith walk. Bibles are rarely read, and often even with the reading it's for quantity (just to check off their 'To Do' list) rather than quality (time to spend with God and meditate/pray over it). Or they tend to follow charismatic leaders/speakers never giving any thought to how their character never seems to measure up to God's Word. If we truly seek heaven as our goal, then maybe more time with God Himself should be where we start on a daily basis. It couldn't hurt.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have take an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws." - Psalm 119:105-106

Seeking Silence

"Stop children, what's that sound? Everybody look what's going round..." -The Muppets "For What It's Worth" 

On the mount, God showed Elijah a lot of noisy events before He spoke to him in a whisper. Whoa!

Shhh! Be quiet! Hush! Familiar words to us all. It's the request for silence. Generally, the only time we seek it is when we want to be heard or we want to go to sleep. From the moment we wake our days are filled with noise. From early morning TV/Radio checks for news or weather, to cell phones ringing or pinging, even to gospel music filling our ears, we're taking in some input. Then it's off to work/school, etc., with the noises of the day. We're on the go until we return home late, tired and worn out, our minds still trying to sort through all the days noisy inputs. Maybe we need to add more silence to our day - not for speaking or sleeping - but listening for God. The psalmist wrote "Be still and know that I am God!" a reminder that we should willfully and intentionally seek quiet moments with God throughout the day. Thinking along these lines I can see why Daniel did it at least 3 times a day. It's a reminder of who we are and WHO GOD IS, but it is also very refreshing. Pray on!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"But the Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth be silent before him." - Habakkuk 2:20

Never Static, Always Challenging

You're not stuck where you started.....you're stuck where you STOP! - Anon

Job's life was turned upside down and inside out, but his faith remained on course and intact. Hmm!

Picture this: a motor boat jetting across the lake with a water skier attached having the time of his life. Or a saddled horse running wild dragging behind it's rider who somehow got caught up in the reins and fell off. Which would you rather be doing? In truth, when you think about it this is a picture of our faith life. Sometimes it's joyful and fun, other times it's painful and exacting. Faith is never static and it's always challenging. It is either growing stronger or slowly dying day by day. The issues or circumstances of life only serve as the tests that bring about the result. So, how're you doing?

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.....and let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." - Hebrews 10:23-24

P.S. - hopefully you can join us tomorrow morning at 9:30am for Prayer Breakfast.

A Moment to Stop

Sleep doesn't help if it's your soul that's tired! - Anon

Though Daniel was the one in the lion's den, it was the king who couldn't get any rest. Amen!

It's bright red! Octagonal in shape! The word 'STOP' is posted right in the middle of it. Yes, it's a STOP sign. Admittedly, as a California driver I've perfected the Cali-roll. It's not a complete stop, it's a slow down and then proceed. Now according to the 'law' a STOP sign means STOP completely, not slow down. Thinking along this line I'm reminded of God's law of a 'sabbath days rest'. When His people were commanded to STOP all other activity to honor Him. In honoring Him that way it was them who were blessed through their time of worship. It's a mystery how this works but it does. I always come away 'refreshed' from my time with God. It brings restoration to my mind, body, and entire being - something God knows we need. As we gather to worship He pours out blessing upon blessing. But in truth, many of us check in to church/worship to slow our roll, show our face, but never to really STOP and be still. And we often leave with the same stresses and pressures we came with. If that's you or your life is tiring because you are often stretched thin, maybe you should just STOP! Couldn't hurt.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10

Choosing Happiness

“…..a man is happy so long as he chooses to be happy, and no one can stop him.” – A. Sozhenitsyn

Sibling rivalry, hatred, slavery, slander, nor prison could change Joseph’s disposition and confidence in God. Nor did it change God’s favor on him. WOW!

Life and all its ingredients make up the circumstances of our days. And it’s not so much what happens to us in those days as it is what happens in us. No matter what comes upon us be it good or bad, God allows us to make the choice of attitude in response to it. We can choose to let the feats of the day get to us and make us mean, hard, angry, or apathetic; or we can choose to see them as grand opportunities to grow in grace, service to others, and give glory to God. The important thing about all of this is, whatever attitude we wear is of our own choosing.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” – Psalm 68:3

Getting in Forgiveness Shape

The quickest surefire way to lose excess weight is to stop carrying a grudge. – B. Myers

David said when he 'confessed his sin' to the Lord a great weight had been lifted off of him. Whew!

Most if not all of us always want to look our best. We work out when we can, try to eat healthy when we can, and try to keep ourselves looking as fit as possible. It’s true the bible does say “bodily exercise” is of some value. But we often neglect our ‘inner man” or heart and force it to carry around a lot of unnecessary weight, and that in turn has a heavy toll on our physical well being. I think this is why Jesus gave Peter the great discourse on forgiveness, it was for his own health and eternal benefit. I pray all of our hearts will become a bit leaner and fit today.

Until Monday……..

Pastor Botts

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy seven times.’” – Matthew 18:21-22

P.S. - We could use 2-3 volunteers on Friday morning (9/11) to help prepare bags for the Food Distribution program. If you'd like to participate please let me know. Thanks!

THEY Can't Stop You

Others may stop you temporarily – only you can do it permanently. – Zig Ziglar

Satan tempted both Peter and Judas to betray Jesus that fateful night. One went on to become a great apostle, the other died in infamy. The choice was theirs!

Live long enough and one thing you’re sure to run into is opposition. Worthy causes are always met with the most opposition. In this life we will encounter setbacks, lack of support, lack of resources, loss of friends, and even full frontal assaults. But if the desire is truly there within the heart our pursuits will continue, “for greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world.” If we truly have a zeal for God, retreat or surrender is not an option.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14

Today's scripture reading: Proverbs 6

Today's scripture question: In verses 16-19 what do you think makes those things 'detestable' to God?

Do You Really Believe?

Unless he obeys, a man cannot believe no matter how often he says he does. – Dietrich Bonhoffer

When God gave 99-year old Abraham the covenant of circumcision, that very day he and his household were circumcised. Hmm!

Everyday we witness it and think little of it, but it has a profound belief behind it – a traffic light. We obey the colors and we know unequivocally RED means stop, so we obey. The danger in not obeying is too great. We’ve seen the destruction that happens when one disobeys. The same is true in life. We see it everyday as well, lives interrupted or shipwrecked by disobedience to God’s Word by those who say they confess Christ as Lord. God’s desire is not to cause us harm but good, so somewhere there must be a disconnect. Life is more than platitudes and feel good statements. It may make us feel good to say “God knows my heart” and He does indeed know it, but he is still looking for obedience. It is a matter of living up to what we say we profess. God would have it no other way.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“But Samuel replied: Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice…” I Samuel 15:22

See and follow the signs

Conscience only tells you what is wrong, it doesn’t stop you from doing it. – Anon

Aaron's sons knew they were not supposed to offer 'strange fire' to God, yet they did it anyway. OUCH!

STOP….. , ONE-WAY...., 55 MPH…..., NO PARKING……, NO TURN ON RED……, YIELD…., NO LEFT TURN DURING THE HOURS OF....? You’ve probably guessed by now these are all traffic signs posted to keep traffic flowing at a smooth safe pace. I’m sure we’re all aware of what happens when someone doesn’t heed the message Life is very similar. When we wrestle with right and wrong our conscience is trying to point out the signs we should obey, while the flesh is demanding satisfaction. However, we are not to satisfy the desires of the flesh but live by the Spirit. Our daily prayer should be that we will have a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led day.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” – Romans 7:21

Can't Stop Won't Stop

Others may stop you temporarily – only you can do it permanently. – Z. Ziglar

Satan tempted both Peter and Judas to betray Jesus that fateful night. One went on to become a great apostle, the other died in infamy. The choice was theirs!

Live long enough and one thing you’re sure to run into is opposition. Worthy causes are always met with the most opposition. In this life we will encounter setbacks, lack of support, lack of resources, loss of friends, and even full frontal assaults. But if the desire is truly there within the heart our pursuits will continue, “for greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world.” If we truly have a zeal for God, retreat or surrender is not an option.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14

Lose some weight

The quickest surefire way to lose excess weight is to stop carrying a grudge. – B. Myers

David said when he 'confessed his sin' to the Lord a great weight had been lifted off of him. Whew!

Most if not all of us always want to look our best. We work out when we can, try to eat healthy when we can, and try to keep ourselves looking as fit as possible. It’s true the bible does say “bodily exercise” is of some value. But we often neglect our ‘inner man” or heart and force it to carry around a lot of unnecessary weight, and that in turn has a heavy toll on our physical well being. I think this is why Jesus gave Peter the great discourse on forgiveness, it was for his own health and eternal benefit. I pray all of our hearts will become a bit leaner and fit today.

Until tomorrow……..

Pastor Botts

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy seven times.’” – Matthew 18:21-22

Who's Keeping Score?

People who do things that count never stop to count them. – Bulletin Digest

In Acts 9 we read of a lady named Tabitha. Her only claim to fame was “she was always doing good and helping the poor.” God through Peter “smiled” on her. Hmm!

We sing a song entitled ‘Count Your Blessings’ and from that we truly realize we could never count how much or how often we have been blessed. And God blesses us to be a blessing to others. Unfortunately many of us seem to sometime carry itemized lists of the times we’ve helped people and often remind them of it, and convince ourselves we’ve earned a rest or bye or certainly some type of grand recognition. If Jesus is our example maybe we need to re-think this.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners to that…..But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is king to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”- Luke 6:32-36

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

Heed the Signs

Conscience only tells you what is wrong, it doesn’t stop you from doing it. – Anon

Aaron's sons knew they were not supposed to offer 'strange fire' to God, yet they did it anyway. OUCH!

STOP….. , ONE-WAY...., 55 MPH…..., NO PARKING……, NO TURN ON RED……, YIELD…., NO LEFT TURN DURING THE HOURS OF....? You’ve probably guessed by now these are all traffic signs posted to keep traffic flowing at a smooth safe pace. I’m sure we’re all aware of what happens when someone doesn’t heed the message. Life is very similar. When we wrestle with right and wrong our conscience is trying to point out the signs we should obey, while the flesh is demanding satisfaction. However, we are not to satisfy the desires of the flesh but live by the Spirit. Our daily prayer should be that we will have a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led day.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” – Romans 7:21