Removing the Unnecessary

The longer you entertain what’s NOT for you, the longer you postpone what is! – D. Washington

In the wilderness temptation Jesus rebuffed Satan’s attacks quickly, and angels immediately appeared to care for him. Amen!

We all know the scripture “bad company corrupts good morals!” (I Cor. 15:33). One thing we often forget though is so does the enemy. And he is very, very subtle at getting us to believe certain people, recreations, and habits are good for us when in reality they hinder our growth and progress. It’s why the Israelites spent 40 years in the desert wandering – God getting rid of a generation who didn’t trust in Him. It is why God gave them commands NOT to intermingle and accept the ways of their neighbors. It led to corruption and faithlessness, something on the surface they could not see of themselves. The question we have to ask is what might we ourselves be in lock-step with that may be actually hindering our complete joy with Christ? Who or what may we have made ‘respectable’ in our lives but still lies outside of God’s will and Word? God is always ready to gift us, but He will never do it in competition with anything we possess.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1

Taking Life Off Pause

Even if you can’t get over it, get on with it! – R. Gilbert

Esau was infuriated with his brother Jacob for ‘stealing’ his blessing, but he managed to make a good life for himself and his people. It changed his heart too! WOW!

Life is a series of actions, circumstances, and events that come upon us all. And oftentimes the end results are not pleasant or to our liking. But we must remember God is not so much concerned about our ‘comfort’ in life as He is with our character. The things He allows (and yes sometimes He uses our enemies) are to help shape and mold us into what He needs us to be. We injure ourselves and slow our progress when we hold grudges or revenge in our heart – it's just excess baggage. Our lives should not be on hold because of what happened yesterday, we should be continually pressing on toward ‘the prize.’

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw of everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance, the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1

What to do Now

Just where you are, that’s the place to start. – P. Chodron

When Jesus called his disciples, it seems all of them immediately left what they were doing and followed. AMEN!

How do you work God into your ‘to-do list’? Truth be told, this pandemic situation has slowed us all down a bit, given us a bit more time to be reflective, purposeful, and focused. It may have even streamlined our ‘to-do list’. But the fact remains we still have a ‘to-do list’. Has God received any more of our time in prayer, meditation, study, fasting, etc.? Have we sought out new ways to explore His character and glory? I think maybe a key is in how we approach what we do. If we do ‘everything in the name of the Lord’ as the scriptures command, it puts God smack dab in the middle of all we have on our lists, and it actually might just make the list shorter and easier. It’s worth a try!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“..let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for US.” – Hebrews 12:1

Let's Get On With It

Even if you can’t get over it, get on with it! – R. Gilbert

Esau was infuriated with his brother Jacob for ‘stealing’ his blessing, but he managed to make a good life for himself and his people. It changed his heart too! WOW!

Life is a series of actions, circumstances, and events that come upon us all. And oftentimes the end results are not pleasant or to our liking. But we must remember God is not so much concerned about our ‘comfort’ in life as He is with our character. The things He allows (and yes sometimes He uses our enemies) are to help shape and mold us into what He needs us to be. We injure ourselves and slow our progress when we hold grudges or revenge in our heart – its just excess baggage. Our lives should not be on hold because of what happened yesterday, we should be continually pressing on toward ‘the prize.’

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance, the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1