Get to Know the Author

I have always felt that the true textbook for the pupil is his teacher. – Mahatma Gandhi

The Pharisees were satisfied with the ‘Law of Moses’ but missed out on connecting with the AUTHOR to Moses. Hmm!

At last count we have over 20+ different versions of The Bible in print, in almost any language imaginable. This is phenomenal in itself, but it is also frustrating at times as well. Too often we as people rely on ‘the good book’ more than we rely on the author of it. The bible was given to us that we might come to know AND connect with God personally, not just learn about Him and His word. Reading the book is great, but conversing with the author is far better, as you get insight that’s not on the pages. God is waiting to express Himself in ways we can’t even imagine, now that’s exciting teaching!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” – Psalm 25:4-5

Passionate Pursuit of Spiritual Progression

Learning comes not from having books, writings, or even teachers; but the DESIRE within to know. – Anon

God chose many of His servants not based on what they knew, but WHO they pursued. AMEN!

Pre-school! High School! Colleges, universities, the ‘school of hard knocks.’ All avenues of education, life preparation, and social maturation. Each student has access to all they need to learn, but yet teachers still use grades such as A,B,C… to show their progress, which in truth is a measure of the student’s desire to actually know and understand. Similarly, in our Christian lives we have the same equal access to the bible, spiritual teachers/mentors, and fellowship with other Christians, to help us grow in the faith. And we see the same results, not all of us pursue spiritual growth with the same passion or desire. God is calling us into a relationship to ‘know Him’ not just know about Him. And as gracious as He is, He won’t be using a grading scale like our earthly teachers.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"…One thing I ask of the Lord. This is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.” – Psalm 27:4

What It Takes to Emulate

Someone once told me growth and comfort do not coexist. G. Rometty

The disciples, Paul, Timothy....they pretty much changed their whole way of living to follow Jesus. It worked. Hmm!

It is often said that the first thing dieters lose is their good mood or disposition! After all, who wants to miss out on all the goodies, especially when there are festive ‘traditional’ holiday meals to partake of? But in truth a diet doesn’t always have to involve the refrigerator. We can put our wallets and credit cards on a diet to “fit” into a budget. We can cut back on TV and get more sleep or rest. We can spend less time on Facebook, and more time with our face in God’s book. The bottom line is the only way to really change who we are is by changing our daily agenda – doing a little something different each day, eventually making it a good habit. The way to grow more like Jesus is to do the things He did. Today is as good as any to start.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." - Luke 6:40

One On One Instruction

I have always felt that the true textbook for the pupil is his teacher. – Mahatma Gandhi

The Pharisees were satisfied with the ‘Law of Moses’ but missed out on connecting with the AUTHOR to Moses. Hmm!

At last count we have over 20 different versions of The Bible in print, in almost any language imaginable. This is phenomenal in itself, but it is also frustrating at times as well. Too often we as people rely on ‘the good book’ more than we rely on the author of it. The bible was given to us that we might come to know God personally, not just about Him and His word. Reading the book is great, but conversing with the author is far better, as you get insight not on the pages. God is waiting to express Himself in ways we can’t even imagine, now that’s exciting teaching!

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” – Psalm 25:4-5

P.S. - don't forget church clean-up day tomorrow starting at 8am.

Living the Possible Life

People often say “life is hard!” I always ask them “compared to what?” – Sparks

After hearing what Jesus told the rich man about gaining eternal life, his disciples thought it was impossible or too hard to attain. Jesus told them nothing is impossible with God! Hmm!

The one constant about life is that it comes – relentlessly. And its true things don’t always work out the way we think they should or to our advantage, but by and large everyday God gifts to us has tremendous blessings within, and our good days far outweigh our bad days (assuming we can call any day a bad one). Life is meant to perfect us, shape our character, and strengthen our spirit – for these are all we’ll take into eternity with us. Experience is sometimes the best teacher God can use when we won’t listen and learn otherwise. So as the day unfolds with its circumstances, don’t look at them as hardships but rather as growth opportunities. That’s how God wants it.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

Meet the Author

I have always felt that the true textbook for the pupil is his teacher. – M. Gandhi

The Pharisees were satisfied with the ‘Law of Moses’ but missed out on connecting with the AUTHOR to Moses. Hmm!

At last count we have over 20 different versions of The Bible in print, in almost any language imaginable. This is phenomenal in itself, but it is also frustrating at times as well. Too often we as people rely on ‘the good book’ more than we rely on the author of it. The bible was given to us that we might come to know God personally, not just about Him and His word. Reading the book is great, but conversing with the author is far better, as you get insight not on the pages. God is waiting to express Himself in ways we can’t even imagine, now that’s exciting teaching!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” – Psalm 25:4-5

Trusting the Proof

Tell a man that there are 500 billion stars in the universe and he’ll believe you. Tell him the fence has just been painted and he has to touch it to see if it is so. – H. Cohen

Gideon believed the Lord was the God of the Universe when he spoke, he just wanted some 'proof'. Sound familiar?

It’s very true that experience is a great teacher, but often the lessons come with painful, expensive, or long-lasting costs. God in his Divine Wisdom has given us of His Word to help us avoid many of these ‘lessons,’ knowing our frailties and what we can bear, but often we seem intent on getting that first hand knowledge. Rather than looking back with regrets maybe we should just learn to take God at His word. It’s never failed yet and when you think about it, isn’t that a great comfort! As life ‘happens’ all around you today why not just try trusting in God’s Word.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“….What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.” – Isaiah 46:11

Learning Curve

If you live to learn, then you will really learn to live. - J. Zabloski

Saul thought he knew it all and had it all until he met Christ on that Damascus road. He counted it all a loss after that. Wow!

Success, growth, wonder, and most of all - the awe of God- are all descendants of one life characteristic; the ability and desire to be taught. 'Teachability' is an attitude that says, "no matter how much I know (or think I know), I can learn from my situation." God is always at His work, and He presents new and exciting things (miracles) every day that we may know and praise Him more. The problem for most of us is that we operate from a teacher's attitude (we've seen, done, and know it all); and we want to tell others about it.. No matter how seasoned we may grow to be we must remember that before the Master a student's quest is always the right approach.

Until Monday........

Pastor Botts

"...call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know....." - Jeremiah 33:3

P.S. - Don't forget our Sunday School Devotional this Sunday at 9AM in Parmes Hall. Hope to see you there!