The God Experience

You can’t live by expectations, life must be experienced! – Anon

In Jesus, the people expected a great earthly king. Those who knew Him experienced something far greater. Hmm!

“Chip off the old block!” “That’s my boy!” “You are your mother’s daughter!” We often use these terms of endearment for our children when they do things we approve of and/or expect them to do by virtue of their ‘bloodline.’ Admittedly, we can have reasonable expectations of them that they adopt the same principles, beliefs, and life goals that we have, but in truth we cannot expect anyone to live or experience life the way we want them to. No one can live up to our expectations because expectations are founded upon our own personal experiences and beliefs. Our children have not reached this plateau and won’t as their experiences will be quite different and filtered through their belief system. This is crucial in our understanding and walking with God. Though He has given us His Word and His Spirit to guide us, His only ‘expectation’ is that we EXPERIENCE Him. That’s when life truly begins.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him…” – Psalm 34:8

The Impossible Belongs to God

It's going to be a GOD did what I couldn't do kind of day! - Anon

Moses led the people out of Egypt but God led them into the Promised Land. Amen!

McGyver! There was nothing he couldn't do. No situation he couldn't get himself out of, no threat he could not put down. You know the type - it's me and you. We all have that mentality. We're gonna see it through no matter what. But yet, here we are, still on the wrong side of the equation - tired, exhausted, and growing in our frustration. Well, if I can paraphrase God's word here: "When you've done all you can do, now might be a good time to remember that not everything was meant for you to handle." The 'impossible' always was and will belong to Him. So, whatever it is that may be getting the better of us is something we should give over to Him, and patiently wait and watch as He goes to work to rescue us.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned." - Psalm 34:22

To Observe or Keep

Anybody can observe the Sabbath, but keeping it Holy surely takes the rest of the week. – A. Walker

Jesus called many of those who followed Him ‘vain worshipers,’ possibly because they never practiced what He preached. Hmm!

It is true that in some things you can learn a lot by observation, but far more true is that you only get good at what you practice. And while there is no ‘one size fits all’ way to praise God, there is a requirement that we remember “He is Holy,” and our praise and worship offerings should reflect it. To praise God faithfully on Sunday in the sanctuary actually requires that we worship Him faithfully Monday through Saturday in our daily lives and activities. And our worship of Him is truly based upon the ‘worth’ we ascribe to Him in our daily living. If He’s not present in our work, recreation, home life, social interactions, etc., then more than likely we’re only observing and not keeping the Sabbath.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“[Jesus said] to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” – Luke 9:23

Here to Help

It takes two to tango! – Anon

God gave Adam a helpmate named Eve. It’s kind of been that way ever since. Hmm!

Though total self-sufficiency is a myth, the idea that we need only God’s help in our difficulties is an over spiritualized way of thinking. We need each other for encouragement, support, help, and care; which is why God puts us in families and brings us friends. The things we need to avoid are turning to family and friends when we know we need to turn to God, and waiting on God when we know He’s surrounded us with help aplenty. Yes we continually pray and ask for wisdom and guidance, but we need remember that God still works through people, whether it’s through us or for us.

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

“God sets the lonely in families…..” – Psalm 68:6

You get out what you put in

It takes as much stress to be a success as it does to be a failure. – E. Trujillo

After meeting Jesus, the apostle Paul worked just as hard or harder to build up the church as he did beforehand when he tried to destroy it. Hmm!

There is a common saying that “you get out of life what you put into it.” The thought behind it being that you get to determine how far you want to go in life. The common denominator in life is not intelligence, money, race, or chance; its effort and discipline. And no matter one’ s station in life it takes effort and discipline to maintain it. No one fails because they have to, it’s generally because they were not willing to do all necessary to have success. God grants us all we need for an abundant life here and offers us second and third chances that we may be overcomers. The question is what’s holding you back?

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” – Galatians 6:7