Faith Through It

Faith doesn’t get you around trouble, it gets you through it. – Stanley Smith

Hebrews 11 tells us of the many who made it through great sufferings and circumstances because of their faith. WOW!

Oftentimes when troubles interrupt or upset our lives we’re left questioning, “why me, I’ve prayed, read the Word, and meditated on it, so why is this happening to me. I thought I was faith-proofed for the day.” God never said we would live trouble free lives, but trouble and circumstances are there to grow us and test our faith. Remember what the psalmist David wrote in the 23rd psalm, “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” – the key words being ‘walk through’ – not stay. When troubles come our way we must shine the light of faith upon them to get a clear path to follow.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold….may be proved genuine.” – I Peter 1:6-7

P.S. - Don't forget your Tropical wear for Aloha Sunday! 便

Show Em

The world cannot always understand a person’s profession of faith, but it can understand service. – I. Maclaren

In the bible we find it very often that people followed Jesus not because of who He said He was, but because of what they heard Him say and saw Him do. Many of them He won. WOW!

When it comes to our living and professing the ‘Christian’ life it seems everyone we meet is from the “show me” state of Missouri. They would rather see it in action rather than hear it in words, and in actuality; as Children of God it’s what we are called to do. People really don’t care how much you know or profess until they know how much you really care. So whether you practice ‘random acts of kindness,’ or ‘remember the poor,’ or just go about doing ‘all the good you can,’ do it from a cheerful heart and just know that you are being observed.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing…Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for what is right, you are blessed.” – I Peter 3:9-10, 13-14

A Garden of Potential

Suffering, while common to us; is NEVER without its potential for growth. – Dietrich  Bonhoeffer

Though he was already an example of a righteous man as seen by God, Job still grew closer to God because of his suffering. Hmm!

A bountiful garden is a beautiful sight but hard work, even from the plants perspective. Every seed planted has to die to begin new life, and even then push its way up through the hardened soil before it can stretch forth and blossom. The sufferings we face and endure have the potential and end-goal to help us shine more for Christ. It’s how we progress through it that will tell whether we blossom and become better or wither and become bitter. And though we dislike the process, it is God’s way for us sometime; but if we look over our life we can see it really doesn’t occur that often, that our good days far outweigh our bad days – so why complain?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” – I Peter 4:19

Growing through Suffering

Suffering, while common to us; is NEVER without its potential for growth. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Though he was already an example of a righteous man as seen by God, Job still grew closer to God because of his suffering. Hmm!

A bountiful garden is a beautiful sight but hard work, even from the plants perspective. Every seed planted has to die to begin new life, and even then push its way up through the hardened soil before it can stretch forth and blossom. The sufferings we face and endure have the potential and end-goal to help us shine more for Christ. It’s how we progress through it that will tell whether we blossom and become better or wither and become bitter. And though we dislike the process, it is God’s way for us sometime; but if we look over our life we can see it really doesn’t occur that often, that our good days far outweigh our bad days – so why complain?

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” – I Peter 4:19

Keep Moving!

He who limps is still walking. – S. Lee

Jacob wrestled with God and received a ‘limp’ along with his blessing. Hmm!

Canes. Crutches. Walkers, or other medical devices. We’ve all seen them in one manner or another. All inventions to keep us mobile, moving, and/or active and in the main of life despite physical setbacks and weaknesses. There’s a great lesson in them. Perhaps you’ve suffered great losses in your life. Perhaps you’re suffering grief or sorrow or hurt that still brings pain or discomfort to your daily life. Don’t stop there or give up, for that’s what the enemy wants. The key is to keep moving closer to God and His purposes. He’s strong enough for us to lean on and He doesn’t mind us doing so.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“To keep me from becoming conceited….there was given me a thorn in my flesh….to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” – II Corinthians 12:7-9