Yah's Way

If you don’t know where you’re going, you will probably end up somewhere else. – L. Peter

Because of their hard-heartedness, the Israelites wound up in the desert, instead of the Promised Land. OUCH!

One thing about life is there are plenty of options to choose from. We have a great menu listing that we can peruse and select from, but we must always keep the end result in mind. If heaven is your goal, then there is only one way – GOD’S WAY. The road HE places us on may not seem right to us, but only HE knows the directions to HIS place. The path may not be the most popular, the easiest, or most scenic, nor get you much notoriety, but it will get you to the destination. He’s hoping we’ll let Him lead today!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.” – Psalm 27:11

Heart Smiles

A smile is a curve that can set a lot of things straight. – Richard Murray

At the initial reunion, the Prodigal Father’s face told his son all he needed to know. AMEN!

True, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line; but the quickest way to set someone’s heart at ease is with a curve of the lips, or smile. It can change the tenor of a room, conversation, or even an individual. It’s amazing when you truly think about it, but God made us in such a way that when we smile truly from our heart, our whole body feels it. It costs nothing but gives so much; both to the one to whom it is given; and to the one who gives it, for you cannot give a smile without it warming your own heart. Life may have its ups and downs but never so much to where we can’t smile about it.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:13

Living the Faith Life

Good decision-making happens only at the intersection of faith and reason. - Anon

It's amazing how often things 'worked out' in the bible after prayer. Hmm!

You've seen the T-shirts, bumper stickers, etc., with the statement: "No one can judge me except God!" There's truth to it. We can't and shouldn't judge them. Our way of thinking is based on our wants, wishes, and whims. But Jesus declared "it is not me but God's Word that judges....." Therefore, if we live our life by God's Word and use it to make our decisions, it is not us but God directing us to judge whether to go right or left, to accept or decline, to like or dislike. His Word is the one true unchanging measure that applies to all humanity. Therefore, the one who lets God's Word live through them is not passing judgment on anyone but living life to the fullest, and that is what Jesus came to give us the ability to do. Read On!

Until tomorrow...

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." - Proverbs 3:5-6

This Is the Way

If you don’t know where you’re going, you will probably end up somewhere else. – L. Peter

Because of their hard-heartedness, the Israelites wound up in the desert, instead of the Promised Land. OUCH!

One thing about life is there are plenty of options to choose from. We have a great menu listing that we can peruse and select from, but we must always keep the end result in mind. If heaven is your goal, then there is only one way – GOD’S WAY. The road HE places us on may not seem right to us, but only HE knows the directions to HIS place. The path may not be the most popular, the easiest, or most scenic, nor get you much notoriety, but it will get you to the destination. He’s hoping we’ll let him lead today!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.” – Psalm 27:11

P.S. - Charles Drew University (CDU) now has the opportunity to support individuals 65+ to get the COVID-19 vaccination through a facilitated process and is reaching out to local churches to provide a listing of seniors who would like to sign-up. If you would like to be included please let me know. I would like to forward a listing to them ASAP.

The Straight Truth

The best way to show that a stick is crooked is not by argument or discussion, but by laying a straight stick alongside it. – D. L. Moody

When they were ready to stone the woman taken in the SIN of adultery, Jesus just laid out the truth about sin and everyone left. Hmm!

Often, a picture is worth a thousand words, and no more so than when it comes to foundational truths. In truth, the world knows that in every formal institution (marriage, government, church, education, health, finance, etc.) the Bible is where the foundation came from. They don’t like it and often want to change it, but its still truth. God expects us to remind them of this from day to day. He also expects us to live by it from day to day as well, and often this is where the problem arises and confusion enters when we refuse to walk by the ‘straight truth’ of His word. We often want and try to use the wisdom of this world to justify what’s true, what’s moral, and what’s just. What we need to do is just get the true measuring rod – The Bible – and let it speak to us and through us. God’s counting on each of us to be a measuring rod today.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35

Marvel Everyday

Life is not a guided tour, but it is filled with a lot of marvel. – Anon

In the bible we read the great accounts of many folks who had no idea how it would all turn out, but it did. Hmm!

“How in the world did my life wind up here?” “I can’t believe what I’m seeing!” Blessing or hardship, admittedly we are often amazed or confused as to how some of these things or events happen in our lives and why. Situations that cause us to think deeply, ponder over and over. But that’s the great thing about our God. We get used to the routine, want complacency and little change in our lives. But if God’s compassions and mercies are new everyday, obviously so are many of the events He brings to pass in our lives, hoping that we will marvel in amazement of His wondrous love and concern for us. No matter your situation you have to admit He is an AWE-some God.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight….” – Proverbs 3:5

Trust on the Journey

Don’t let life discourage you, everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was. – Richard Evans

Joseph’s life had many stops, detours, and set-backs. But he arrived at God’s destination for him right on time! Hmm.

According to legend Sisyphus spent his life trying to roll a giant stone up a steep hill - he never made it. Sometimes we may feel like that’s our lot too, problem upon problem, deadline upon deadline with no rest or reward in sight. The greatest tool the enemy has in his arsenal is discouragement, and he’ll feed you just enough to get you to quit. But if God truly is our “strength” and He renews us each day, we are more than able to meet the challenges that come. As you journey on to your hopes and dreams remember to trust in God’s strength.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Time Pilots

Yes times does fly, but remember you’re the pilot. – M. Altshuler

At 17, Joseph was sold into slavery and later went to prison. At 30, he was second in command only to Pharaoh. Why – he flew according to God’s plan. Hmm!

Here we are nearing the end of March and the year is moving along pretty quickly. Time will continue to march forward as God Himself pre-ordained it. But the good thing about it is He has set the pace such that life can be lived to its fullest potential, enjoyed immensely, and shared with others; as long as He is kept first. It’s only when we allow life and its circumstances and events to ‘pilot’ us that we seem to lack the time necessary for godly virtues and values. A good pilot knows his destination and weather conditions before he even takes off, allowing him to navigate the course smoothly and timely. If things are moving too fast maybe you need to seek God about a course correction.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.” – Proverbs 15:21

The Power of Visual

The best way to show that a stick is crooked is not by argument or discussion, but by laying a straight stick alongside it. – D. L. Moody

When they were ready to stone the woman taken in the SIN of adultery, Jesus just laid out the truth about sin and everyone left. Hmm!

Often, a picture is worth a thousand words, and no more so than when it comes to foundational truths. In truth, the world knows that in every formal institution (marriage, government, church, education, health, finance, etc.) the Bible is where the foundation came from. They don’t like it and often want to change it, but its still truth. God expects us to remind them of this from day to day. He also expects us to live by it from day to day as well, and often this is where the problem arises and confusion enters when we refuse to walk by the ‘straight truth’ of His word. We often want and try to use the wisdom of this world to justify what’s true, what’s moral, and what’s just. What we need to do is just get the true measuring rod – The Bible – and let it speak to us and through us. God’s counting on each of us to be a measuring rod today.

Until Monday….

Pastor Botts

“By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35