No Happenstance

Everything in life happens for me, not to me. - B. Katie

In prison, Joseph 'just happened' to meet Pharaoh's cupbearer. Hmm!

We call them 'chance' encounters. Those unexpected, unscripted, meetings that make a major impact in our lives. The way we met our spouse or friend, the way we found out about the career we're in, or the way we got 'unintended' news that changes our own little world for the better. Yeah, we call them chance encounters - God does not. But here's the thing, when we think back on these encounters they generally occur when we're doing something positive or worthwhile for others that we'd rather not be doing. If God is the one who truly 'orders our steps' then there is a reason in our life for every person we encounter. Whether to give something to them or receive something from them is ours to determine, but hopefully the meeting ends up a win-win for both. Maybe not immediately, but soon!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" - Hebrews 13:2

Betta Recognize

A good conscience is rarely heard because most people do not take advice from strangers. – Anon

Though God was their guiding cloud by day and fire by night, and did many miracles among them, He was still a stranger to the Israelites. Hmm!

“I should have listened to my first mind.” It’s a refrain we’ve all heard and even said many times in our lives, generally when things are not going as they should or we’re in distressing situations behind our decisions. Often, it’s the same way in our faith walk. No matter the amount of time we invest in prayer, study, and meditation, we seem to make decisions as if we’ve never consulted God, even at times ignoring the obvious. True, life is a summary of our experiences, but nowhere in His Word did God say they all had to be ‘personal experiences.’ Life is often rough because we take matters into our own hands against sound judgment. We can and should learn from others experiences and God’s Word to enrich our lives. As the circumstances and situations of life arise today, remember God’s Spirit is friend, not foe.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:27

Betta Recognize

People see God all the time, they just don’t recognize Him. – P. Bailey

Mary thought He was a gardener at the empty tomb. The 2 on the road to Emmaus thought He was a stranger in town. How about you? Hmm!

Often it is hard for us to recognize God, not because He plays hide and seek with us, but because we so refuse to believe in our heart He would show Himself to us in such an open manner, and then time and time again. But God wants to be in our company - just ask Enoch. He knows the path we should take and wants to walk it with us. Today, expect to see Him in new ways.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:1-2