Sound the Alarm!

After the referee throws the flag or blows his whistle is too late. - Anon

After Peter heard the rooster crow that night, he knew he messed up. Hmm!

The U.S. Coast Guard requires all seagoing vessels to carry distress signals. The type and number of signals required depends on how far at sea they go. The type of signal used will dictate the type of response. In a roundabout way, I think that's the importance Christ tries stressing with us, the need to have intimate fellowship with one another and to be accountable to one another. We can then sound the alarm when we see our brother/sister getting into deeper water or going adrift and off course. Prayers commence, calls of support get made, and a towline is tied on to help bring them to safety. Being there for one another means we need to learn how to ask for help AND we need to know how to offer it. May we all be aware of our own surroundings and be on the lookout for others.

Until tomorrow......

Pastor Botts

".....And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." - Hebrews 10:24

Play Your Position On His Team

A walk is as good as a hit! - Bro. Artie Salyard (et. al) 

All Aaron and Hur did was 'help' Moses hold his hands up in prayer for Joshua in battle. It was more than enough. Hmm!

The objective of baseball is to get on base and score. Yes, home runs are a grand event, but most runs scored in a game occur without the ball ever leaving the ballpark. Runners get on base by way of a base hit OR walk and are moved around the bases and brought home to score by the batters after them. It's a team effort. It's the same in our work of kingdom building. We all have a part to play in building up Christ's kingdom or church, and no role is too small to be overlooked or thought unimportant. Just as it often takes more than one player to score a run, it often takes many 'touches' from many different disciples of Jesus before a sinner is convinced they need what Jesus offers. So today, as we stand in the batter's box, remember a walk is as good as a hit.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some..." - I Corinthians 9:22

People Over Products

Unfortunately, most blessings in life are not valued till they are gone. – T. Fuller

The Israelites gave Moses much grief along their journey, but when he died they mourned some 30 days for him. WOW!

We prize ‘possessions’ not relationships. We gather ‘things and gadgets’ not people. We seek external media input over good face-to-face conversations. It is wonderful to have some possessions in life, for they help to make it a bit more bearable. But it’s the people in our lives that make it full, and God Himself that makes it complete. These are the 2 greatest blessings one could have, but we seem bent on giving them very low priority. We could survive without the big screen TV, the fancy car/home, the latest model phone, or even without some now expensive grocery items, but without a relationship with God, and without relationships with family and friends life is pretty unbearable. And the deeper the relationship the richer we become. Today is a good day to re-connect with or strengthen an existing relationship or even build a new one. Remember, God’s kingdom will be filled with people, not products.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….then their eyes were opened and they recognized [Jesus], and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” – Luke 24:31-32

Together On 3! Together On 3!

No one can whistle a symphony. – H. Luccock

Though Jesus came to save the world, he employed 12 ordinary men to help him. They turned it upside down. WOW!

A symphony takes a full orchestra of musical talents each working together to produce a recognizable harmonic resonance. It is in essence a community of believers sold out for the cause – the music – not their individual desires. This illustration is what God desires for us in community, where we learn to love and trust in one another for the good of the kingdom, not ourselves. To try to do it alone is tiring, ineffective, and selfish. If life is a song, and love is the music, then our time here on earth is where we learn to play in God’s orchestra.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” – I Corinthians 1:10

The Good That Will Come

There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation, create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at creation, he did it at the cross, and he’ll be doing it today. – Handley C. G. Moule

The parting of the Red Sea, water from a rock, manna from heaven, feeding 5,000 - you get the idea here. Amen!

Oftentimes when we’re up against life, and our circumstances or relationships are overbearing and taxing us, or our resources are thread-bare and stressing us, we forget about the God who has brought us thus far, or we feel like He can’t handle this one. But if earth has no problems heaven can’t solve, we must keep trusting Him in all situations, and see things from His perspective and purpose, knowing that His purposes are always for our good.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Blending Together

Life is like being a simple letter in the alphabet. It can be meaningless standing alone, or it can be part of a great spelling in fellowship with other letters. – Jewish Proverb

Apollos was a greatly educated orator. After spending time with Aquila and Priscilla he became an even greater preacher. Amen!

Supercalifragilistic expealidocious! Other than the song from ‘Mary Poppins’ I really don’t think the word exists or has meaning – but the letters together look and sound quite grand and added something to the song. The life God has called us to live out in his glory is along the same lines. The various sub and eco-systems of His creation work in perfect harmony to make this planet perfect for us to live on and His expectation is all of us working together in harmony to bring a song of victory or praise to Him. That’s why fellowship is so important – it helps us blend together to bring perfect pitch to the melody of life. Are you in or out?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.” – Psalm 35:18

Doing What You Can Do

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because we can only do a little. – S. Smith

Aaron helping Moses lift his arms in prayer during the battle was a small thing, but not to Joshua. Amen!

Every ant colony or beehive is so built, established, and run with efficiency because each one does their part. It is not so much that it is a small part to play, it’s the fact that it is a necessary role to be filled. Without it, the whole cannot be completed, so each ant or bee works diligently without complete knowledge of the others doing their part, but with conviction the task they themselves are doing is beneficial to the cause leading to greater benefits. God in His wisdom has never asked us to do it all, He only asks us to do what we know needs to be done. He can work around us, but He would rather Jesus live in us and work through us, than in spite of us. We just need remember ‘inch by inch it’s a cinch!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"…greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world….” - I John 4:4

All Things Are Possible, But Not Until You Pray

Work as if everything depends on you and pray as if everything depends on GOD. – D.L. Moody

In the battle against the Amalekites Joshua fought for the people, while Moses lifted up his hands in prayer for them. God gave them victory!

Truth be told most of us live by the thought “if it’s going to be, then it’s up to me,” and in a majority of situations we often have no problem trying to do everything ourselves. We often feel no one can do it like us anyway, and we really are Superman or Superwoman. God did call us to serve, but He never intended for us to serve alone or in our own strength. Things that are to be are not solely up to us, for God is in the very details of life. So yes we work, but we work with purpose; remembering we can do all things through prayer but we cannot do anything until we pray!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.’ But I prayed, ‘Now strengthen my hands.’” – Nehemiah 6:9

The Power of Cooperation

A river is powerful only because many drops of water have learned the secret of cooperation. – Richard Murray

In the early Christian church where they had “all things common,” they also had power to ‘shake the earth’ through prayer! Hmm.

It is true, each of us must come to Christ individually and have a personal relationship with Him directly, but it does not negate the fact that He built the church to have power here on earth. When the church (collective body) comes together in prayer, evangelism, outreach, and missions it is a force within a force (God’s Spirit) to be reckoned with. When we try to go it alone or do it outside the church’s purview, we’re going against God’s plan. Remember, there is no such thing as a Lone Ranger Christian.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.” – Acts 2:42-44

Agreeing to Walk Together

Christians may not always see eye to eye, but they can always walk arm in arm. – Anon

Paul & Barnabas didn’t see eye to eye about John Mark, but they saw Christ as one. Hmm!

If pleasing God is our goal, and fulfilling our godly purpose is our motivation, then love is our aim. We must remember “love is patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, proud, rude, or self-seeking.” God has so made us where we need each other. Interdependence is the very fabric of our lives, and love does not separate but binds us together for the common good. Our goal is to always keep the ‘main thing’ as the main thing.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” – Amos 3:3

P.S. - For the upcoming series on Prayer beginning THIS SUNDAY(6/27/21) we're asking for your help. Please take a moment to let us know which session you will be attending. They are as follows:

Sunday Session 11:30am (On Campus)

Tuesday Session 6:30pm (On Campus)

Wednesday Session 7:00pm (Zoom)

Saturday Session 1:15pm (Zoom)

PLEASE RESPOND DIRECTLY TO THIS E-MAIL TODAY!

Max Yield

Our greatest need is not to do all things for good, but to believe all things work together for good. – Oswald Chambers

When Jesus came to town Martha worked herself into a tempest making sure everything was perfectly prepared and placed. Jesus said “good,” but not “great.” Hmm!

Ask any farmer and they'll tell you they don't expect to harvest every seed they sow, but they do fully believe they will harvest a good crop. And so they work to ensure not a perfect yield, but a maximum yield. It is the same with us in our work for Christ. Often, many of us get stuck in our efforts, or don't even try because we feel we can't do it perfectly. We must take care not to develop a “hardcore” Martha perspective. Yes we are saved to good works, but it is not so much the work, but the “faith” behind the works that really matters. It’s a false idea to think we can barter with God for results based on our activities. God looks within and without regarding our actions. The work He gives us today is important - yes - but not more important than the faith we do it with.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” – Acts 24:14-16

Doing Something Together

Just because you can’t do everything, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do anything! – Anon

The widow’s mite wasn’t much in the overall total, but yet it had great impact. Wow!

The paralysis of analysis. We all often reach this plateau in life situations. Seeing what needs to be done, how it needs to be done, and realizing we’re just one person we get overwhelmed and tend to shut down, and nothing gets done. It’s the “me” attitude. You know the slogan “if it’s going to be, it’s up to me!” In truth, this is as unscriptural as you can get. God Himself said “it is not good for man to be alone.” The real mantra of the Bible is ‘teamwork makes the dream work.’ God set us in families, churches, communities, and other relationships that we may work together, edifying, building up, and strengthening one another. Like a ripple in a pond one small act of service has unlimited potential in its outreach. So today, remember God is not counting on us to do everything, but He is looking for us to do something. May the kingdom go forward today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…” – Colossians 3:23

Snow Job

In an avalanche every snowflake pleads “not guilty.” – Anon

When Jesus stated to his disciples “one of you will betray me," even Judas asked “surely not I?” He KNEW all along!

An avalanche is somewhat of an anomaly. It is a thing of beauty and power; to see the snow crashing and thundering down the mountainside leaving a clean pristine trail, but it is also a natural disaster destroying everything in its wake. And the science behind it no one really knows how and when it occurs. Sadly, a lot of us have lives that are teetering on the brink of an avalanche, filled with all sorts of activity but little time for God. God is trying to get us to “return to Him,” to let go of those roads and projects that lead to nowhere, and we’re constantly adding more and more to our plate. The trick of the enemy is to fill our lives with “good things” so we take our focus off the “best thing - God.” Maybe it’s time we review our portfolio.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together…….so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” – Colossians 1:18

Meet Together Still

Though most people have never been home-schooled, they fully believe in being home-churched. – Anon

Though Abram was away from his homeland, he still sought out God’s high priest (Melchizedek) to worship. God called him friend. AMEN!

The early church (ekklesia = called out of God) met from house to house, or house to temple, but they always met together at the appointed times. God has always wanted his people to gather together to praise his name. Yes, we can worship by ourselves anywhere at anytime, but if Jesus truly came to establish the church we can be sure he had our attending it in mind. People today may think the church is archaic, old, out-dated, out of touch with reality, or run it's course. The question then becomes who gets to tell Jesus/God that. It's true God forgives us of our sins, but not our wanton disregard and excuses for not doing His will, and attending the church services is His will. As we progress through TODAY, let us begin to make preparations for Sunday.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Let us NOT give up meeting TOGETHER, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the DAY approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25

Problems Solved

When God solves your problems, you have faith in His abilities; when God doesn’t solve your problems He has faith in your abilities. – Anon

God did not call Gideon ‘mighty warrior’ just for fun. Amen!

Anyone familiar with the ‘A-Team’ knows their leader’s catch-phrase “I love it when a plan comes together.” And for most of us it’s a truth we live by and fully depend on, trusting God will always work it out. We faithfully believe God cannot and will not fail, and because He is true to His Word He won’t fail. There is nothing God can’t do, but there are many things God won’t do. He has trusted those things to us, and has instructed us, trained us, gifted us, and surrounded us with support for those times. So if times are a bit tough as they can often become, while we’re faithfully waiting on God’s ability, we might want to check to see if He’s not just smiling and waiting on us.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” – John 14:12

The Faith Behind the Works

Our greatest need is not to do all things for good, but to believe all things work together for good. – O. Chambers

When Jesus came to town Martha worked herself into a tempest making sure everything was perfectly prepared and placed. Jesus said “good,” but not “great.” Hmm!

Ask any farmer and they'll tell you they don't expect to harvest every seed they sow, but they do fully believe they will harvest a good crop. And so they work to ensure not a perfect yield, but a maximum yield. It is the same with us in our work for Christ. Often, many of us get stuck in our efforts, or don't even try because we feel we can't do it perfectly. We must take care not to develop a “hardcore” Martha perspective. Yes we are saved to good works, but it is not so much the work, but the “faith” behind the works that really matters. It’s a false idea to think we can barter with God for results based on our activities. God looks within and without regarding our actions. The work He gives us today is important - yes - but not more important than the faith we do it with.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” – Acts 24:14-16

Coming Together

A river is powerful only because many drops of water have learned the secret of cooperation.  – R. Murray

In the early Christian church where they had “all things common,” they also had power to ‘shake the earth’ through prayer! Hmm.

It is true, each of us must come to Christ individually and have a personal relationship with him directly, but it does not negate the fact that he built the church to have power here on earth. When the church (collective body) comes together in prayer, evangelism, outreach, and missions it is a force within a force (God’s Spirit) to be reckoned with. When we try to go it alone or do it outside the church’s purview, we’re going against God’s plan. Remember, there is no such thing as a Lone Ranger Christian.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.” – Acts 2:42-44