For A Time...

“You are here!”, but…..” Anon

God’s people were in the wilderness for a while but ultimately made it to the Promised Land. Amen!

Life is to be lived out, and God sees the whole picture. Not just one frame or picture frozen in time. Where we are right now is where God needs us to be. He created us and knows all of our past failures and successes, and He knows the future He’s planned for each of us. It has to be something GRAND and more than we can imagine because God does only the extraordinary. So maybe we should begin to think a little bigger, dream a little more, and walk with more pep in our step because God is up to something for our good and ultimately His GLORY!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” – Daniel 12:3

Discover God

God is actually closer than you think! – J. Ortberg

Elijah, at one time thought God to be in the mighty wind, then in the powerful earthquake and fire, but found Him in the gentle whisper that followed. WOW!

When it comes to life’s lessons the best ones are those we discover on our own. For example, we know fire is hot, not so much because our parents told us so, we discovered it to be true by getting too close to the stove or heater or other open flame. Lessons like these form an unforgettable impression on our mind so we remember how to respond appropriately each time. In the same way God longs to be discovered by us in new ways. Too often we settle for the providential things of God (“His rain falls on the just and the unjust”) and miss out on new discoveries of His nature. If God was a ‘cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night’ to guide the Israelites, if He used a ‘donkey to speak to a man’, and if He ‘cursed a fig tree and it withered’, then surely if anything He is unpredictable. GOOD - but unpredictable, and that’s worth discovering.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” – Acts 17:27

The Challenge of Godly Faith

Living by faith is never convenient! – Anon

The Good Samaritan just somehow knew he should do something. Hmm!

We like safe! We like tidy! We like comfort! And admittedly these are all good things to pursue in life, for no one really likes those who live with reckless abandon, nor seem to care for themselves or others. To walk and live by faith doesn’t call us to live with reckless abandon, but it does put us on notice that a convenient tidy life that is “all about me” is no longer appropriate. Godly faith challenges us to go beyond the norms we’ve set for ourselves. To consider others, to assist, care for, help others in their time of need, not necessarily ‘our time’ of convenience or when it’s not taxing us. Godly faith requires us to think like and let Jesus live through us to love, touch, embrace, edify, encourage, and respect others as the person God made them to be. Yes, actually to live by faith is to let Jesus – the one who died for us – live through us.

I will be taking some time off, so until I return this keyboard will be silent.

Blessings…

Pastor Botts

“Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, a stranger, or naked, or in prison {and minister to you?} The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:37-40

What Do YOU mean By God?

What comes into our mind when we think about God reveals the most important thing about us. – A.W. Tozer

Pharaoh, Caesar, the sun, moon, ocean, even the trees. People will worship anything that gets them what they want. Hmm!

All across the world, many people with good intentions earnestly say the name “God” every day. But the question is: What do they mean by “God”? What do YOU mean by “God”? It does make all the difference in the world. For most their idea of God has very little in common with the Living God of the universe, theirs is more a god like themselves, with likes and dislikes similar to theirs, a god of substance based on their personal feelings. Where we get our definition of who “God” is, is very important, for it shapes our morals, values, ethics and beliefs. The ‘Living God’ wanted us to know Him and gave us His Word to read and obey. So the question again is: When YOU say “God” what do you mean? Before we answer it would behoove us to look at the way we live.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” – Psalm 119:11

That "Can Do" Attitude

A true victor sees himself winning even before the race or battle begins. - Anon

Gideon was the scrawniest kid in his family line but God somehow made him a fierce warrior. Hmm!

The Little Engine That Could! A childhood favorite, tells the story of a little blue train engine that has to overcome a 'rough passage' to get a load of toys to its final destination. The moral is the engine has to go from an 'I think I can' attitude to an 'I know I can' mindset. Truth be known it has a biblical concept that many of us actually know but don't fully adopt. The scripture says "I can do all things through Christ...." It doesn't say attempt or try and give up. It says we can accomplish or overcome. That means anything in our lives that we know hinders our relationship with Christ and God the Father, there is power within the Holy Spirit given us to help us be victorious. To know we can change it. Our only need is to surrender ourselves - flesh and all - to that power within and watch God 'work it out' for our good and His glory.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"For we live by faith, not by sight." - II Corinthians 5:7

Buried or Planted

Sometimes when you're in a dark place you think you've been buried, but in actuality you've been planted by God. - Anon

I'm sure it wasn't the life Joseph 'dreamed' of but it was the one God brought him through to reign. Hmm!

No doubt about it, to the faithful God is a prayer answering God. Sometimes it's YES, sometimes NO, and other times it's WAIT. And often, in those wait times we wonder and question why? We become perplexed and stressed by not getting an answer, God not doing what we've asked, not changing our life or situation. But if you take a step back and look things over, it's funny how often we're asking God to change our situation being completely unaware that He put us in the situation to change us. And God always aims to finish what He's started. Maybe our answer is staring us right in the face and we just need to see the 'light.'

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me." - Psalm 138:7

Attitude of Faith

Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right. – Henry Ford

Jonathan thought he could overcome a garrison of soldiers, he was right. David thought he could defeat Goliath, he was right. Cain didn’t think he could please God, so he went out and proved himself right. Hmm!

Life happens to all of us, and it doesn’t wait around to see if we’re up to speed or feeling well, or putting our best foot forward, it just comes in waves. But it’s not that life comes at us fast or hard that dictates the circumstances of our lives, but how we respond to it. Attitude and faith are of primary importance to us in our Christian walk, and they go hand in hand. The determinant in every situation that arises will be our attitude, and that is something only we can control. Nothing is impossible, but with self it’s highly improbable. The key is to remember it’s not you but who lives within you.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

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

Before You Speak...

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. – Richard Murray

At a heightened moment of temptation, Jesus let it pass and carefully uttered “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” WOW!

One of the old clichéd truisms of life is “please think before you speak.” The adoption of this principle as a doctrine of life could save us from many stressful situations and later apologies. All of us from our childhood have been taught how to talk and enunciate our words, but not so much when and how to choose our words or responses carefully. We should always be ready to speak the truth, but even then, it should be spoken in love, not in hostility or with other unnecessary commentary. And yes, there are times when we should just remain silent and refrain from ‘adding’ in our two-cents on matters that are not constructive about others. Temptation will indeed be great to go off course today, but remember God will provide a way of escape.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it….” – James 4:11

Dare to Share the Gospel

Find somebody to be successful for. Raise their hopes. Think of their needs. Barak Obama

Little did Andrew know that telling his brother Peter about Jesus would lead to Pentecost. Wow!

The angels didn't shout when man made the radio, for they were already hearing heavenly music daily. There was no heavenly news headline when man learned to fly or travel through air and space, for angels have been sent to and fro to earth by God since creation itself. And when man discovered 'cloud' computing and its vast storage/safety potential, it didn't even bring a heavenly yawn, for Christ, who is the 'Wisdom of God' and has 'all perfect knowledge' and is unhackable, existed before the foundation of the world. But let a sinner repent and 'boy o boy' those angels strike up the band and celebrate! Are you up for planning a heavenly party today? Your kindness, testimony, or act of discipleship could very well be the invitation needed.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances.....Even angels long to look into these things." - I Peter 1:10-12

SENSE-ory Overload

This age of information at our fingertips has cost us all common sense. – Anon

Even after hearing God on the mountain and seeing His blessing and provision, the Israelites still turned away. Wow!

The telephone was once used to call and talk to people, to convey useful information, or just check up on someone. Now it’s used for everything but that and we’re adding more apps each day. A computer used to be attached to a desk for work purposes. Now it’s a pad we carry around everywhere we go because there’s so much to see, read, listen to, etc. And it seems no matter the price – we have to have them. And no matter the situation we’re in (conversing, praying, meditating, eating, and driving) once that ‘ding’ goes off we have to respond. What happened to the slow pace of life where we could think things through and God could get a word in edge wise. It seems like instead of us being more informed we’re becoming less sensible. If God has never tried to do everything at once maybe we should take notice.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work...." Genesis 2:2

Discovering God

God is actually closer than you think! – J. Ortberg

Elijah, at one time thought God to be in the mighty wind, then in the powerful earthquake and fire, but found Him in the gentle whisper that followed. WOW!

When it comes to life’s lessons the best ones are those we discover on our own. For example, we know fire is hot, not so much because our parents told us so, we discovered it to be true by getting too close to the stove or heater or other open flame. Lessons like these form an unforgettable impression on our mind so we remember how to respond appropriately each time. In the same way God longs to be discovered by us in new ways. Too often we settle for the providential things of God (“His rain falls on the just and the unjust”) and miss out on new discoveries of His nature. If God was a ‘cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night,’ to guide the Israelites, if He used a ‘donkey to speak to a man’, and if He ‘cursed a fig tree and it withered’, then surely if anything He is unpredictable. Good -  but unpredictable, and that’s worth discovering.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” – Acts 17:27

P.S. - Financial Freedom Part II tomorrow at 9am.

Don't let it go to your head

Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly. – G. K. Chesterton

Though Paul started many churches and had audiences with kings, he never forgot that he was just a servant of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Fame, titles, positions, possessions – if not careful; these things can tend to give one an attitude of superiority or pride. Success in and of itself is not bad or sinful, but when we allow it to dictate to others how we should be treated, or demand special considerations because of it, we’ve set ourselves up for a fall. Yes, life is a serious matter. But we, like the people we deal with on a daily basis are imperfect creatures too. So no matter our success we must remember that it too has been by God’s grace, not so much our own making. Remember, God “sets up and knocks down kings” as He purposes.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” – Romans 12:3

Reading to Transform Requires Some Thought

Readers are plentiful, thinkers are rare. – H. Martineau

The greatest king in Israel’s history was David, the one who loved to ‘meditate’ on God’s word. Hmm!

Newspapers, magazines, the bible, novels, internet news articles, we read them all alike – we READ them. Just news and information to pass the time and give us information to share in passing conversations. We should never read the bible for quantity, but quality; looking to gain understanding, insight, wisdom, and application to our lives. The God who endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect did not intend for us to forgo their use, but very often when it comes to His Word and other life issues we do. We read the bible but we don’t think through or meditate on what we read. We see God’s awesome works but we don’t envision God in the process. From the tiniest insect to the largest beast in the field God is involved. From the minutest detail to the greatest issue in our lives God is involved. The question we must answer is how involved is He and what is He asking of me. Think on it friend.

Until tomorrow……….

Pastor Botts

“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.” – Psalm 119:97-97

Life in Waves

Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right. – Henry Ford

Jonathan thought he could overcome a garrison of soldiers, he was right. David thought he could defeat Goliath, he was right. Cain didn’t think he could please God, so he went out and proved himself right. Hmm!

Life happens to all of us, and it doesn’t wait around to see if we’re up to speed or feeling well, or putting our best foot forward, it just comes in waves. But it’s not that life comes at us fast or hard that dictates the circumstances of our lives, but how we respond to it. Attitude and faith are of primary importance to us in our Christian walk, and they go hand in hand. The determinant in every situation that arises will be our attitude, and that is something only we can control. Nothing is impossible, but with self it’s highly improbable. The key is to remember it’s not you but who lives within you.

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

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

Find Fault Miss the Point

A person who is always finding fault seldom finds anything else. – Anon

Nathanael thought nothing good could ever come from Nazareth. Jesus changed his heart and mind on that. Hmm!

Truth is we live in a fallen world. It’s easy to look around and see the wrongs of mankind. What’s more the media of today’s world tends to glorify the ills and failures of mankind all too frequently with little or no regard given to successes. It’s enough to make one become a cynic. But we have “freedom” of choice in terms of what we dwell on or how we perceive the information or events of life that impact us. The proper mindset can change your attitude and outlook. Here’s hoping you have a thoughtful day.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, ...noble, ....right, ...pure,.....lovely, ....admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." - Philippians 4:8

P.S. - NOTE: the community meeting on rent control has been pushed back a week to March 1st.

Think about His goodness

If we pause to think, we will have cause to thank. – Anon

When Jacob awoke from his sleep and thought about his dream, he praised God and gave thanks. I think it was for more than just sleep. WOW!

Henry Ford once said, “I’m convinced thinking is the hardest work there is, which is why so few people do it.” It does give one cause to ponder. We have worked so hard at being an on-the-go society we seldom have down time and fret we’re missing something when we do have it. But no matter what pace we move at there will always only be 24 hours in a day. Our pace has gotten us away from God. God is a friend of silence and patience. It is in these moments we have time to reflect on His glory and His goodness. And when we truly reflect on these our only expression can be THANKS!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Give thanks to the Lord; for he is good, his love endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1

Forming Good Habits

Good habits are as easy to form as bad ones. – T. McCarver

The writer of Hebrews admonished the saints for neglecting the ‘habit’ of meeting together. He said something about it being a sinful practice. Hmm!

Most of us know it isn't hard to be good from time to time. What's tough is being good every day. And the only way to achieve such a lifestyle is to develop good habits. We must take the time and effort to deliberately force ourselves into acts of obedience and righteousness. This is how both habits and skills are developed, by doing it over and over again. The only difference is with skills we’re intentional about it, habits we’re not; which is often why we develop bad habits before we know it. If we don’t continuously practice good habits, bad habits are the natural result. The question we must all answer is: If all we take into eternity with us is our character – what type of character would please God? I think we already know…

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true....noble...right...pure...lovely...admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice." - Philippians 4:8-9

Letting Go

Some people think it’s holding on that makes one strong, sometimes it’s letting go. – S. Robinson

Paul said he was a Hebrew of Hebrews, and a Pharisee of Pharisees. But on that Damascus road he realized Jesus was all he needed. He counted everything else a loss. Hmm!

Learning how to walk! Learning how to ride a bike! Living on our own! All of these breakthroughs in our lives involve letting go of someone we’ve relied on and trusting in our own ability. Done successfully, we become stronger, and more confident. Our relationship with God is the same. We must learn to fully trust in an unseen, yet fully alive God; and let go of the ‘crutches’ we have in our lives. To move forward at times we must let go of the comfortable, the known, the sure thing, and move toward the unknown to which God is calling us for maturity, and just trust Him. Remember, we walk by faith, not sight or certainty.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” – Philippians 3:7-8

Learn From It

It’s hard to think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday. – A. Lincoln

When God said ‘He that has an ear let him hear,’ He actually expected them to do something afterward. Hmm!

Mistakes – we all make them, it’s just a fact of life. The key is to learn from them and not repeat the same ones over and over. And that includes the lessons we can learn from others that have been down a path we need not go. Debt burdens, poor health, stealing, etc. are all avenues to avoid, not get further entangled in. Yes, God did say He can turn any situation around to work it for His glory, but He also said the ‘consequences’ of the sin will follow. It’s true, people do read us more by our actions than our words, so let us preach today loud and clearly by the way we walk.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father…” – Proverbs 29:3

When I Think About The Lord

What comes into our mind when we think about God reveals the most important thing about us. – A.W. Tozer

Pharaoh, Caesar, the sun, moon, ocean, even the trees. People will worship anything that gets them what they want. Hmm!

All across the world, many people with good intentions earnestly say the name “God” every day. But the question is: What do they mean by “God”? What do YOU mean by “God”? It does make all the difference in the world. For most their idea of God has very little in common with the Living God of the universe, theirs is more a god like themselves, with likes and dislikes similar to theirs, a god of substance based on their personal feelings. Where we get our definition of who “God” is, is very important, for it shapes our morals, values, ethics and beliefs. The ‘Living God’ wanted us to know Him and gave us His Word to read and obey. So the question again is: When YOU say “God” what do you mean? Before we answer it would behoove us to look at the way we live.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” – Psalm 119:11