Flavor of the Earth

As part of humanity, each of us is called to develop and share the unique gifts we are given. - M. Marti

Dorcas' small 'gifts of love' had a very profound impact on the community around her. Hmm!

Think about it, the only time you notice it is by its absence or its overbearing presence. What is it? - Salt! Almost every recipe calls for it, even sweets like cake and ice cream - go figure. Mixed in right proportions salt dissolves and brings out the best of the ingredients around it. It's what Jesus had in mind when He referred to us as 'salt of the earth.' We're to blend in at just the right proportion to bring out the best in others. Could you imagine if The Church held such sway over culture this way. That's our purpose, to transform the 'flavor' of life all over the world for Christ. Let's get cooking!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot." - Matthew 5:13

Give Yourself Away

The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches but reveal to him his own. – B. Disraeli

Paul took Timothy under his wing and unleashed a powerful minister for God. Not too shabby, huh!

WorldVision, March of Dimes, Salvation Army, Red Cross, the neighborhood church, etc. For the most part the average person will give support to a good cause. But God is not really after your resources so much as He is after you and your HEART. The idea of giving is to transform one’s heart into a caring, compassionate, concerned motivator for God’s plan. Can he count on all of you?

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches….And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.” – II Corinthians 8:1,5

A Time to Clean Up

There's no refund for time poorly spent. - J.F. Millburn

After talking to God, it didn't take Joshua long to find and correct the problem at Ai. Hmm!

Here we are 3 years removed from COVID's primary outbreak and we're still arguing over where it started. We're 3 years beyond the 'insurrection' and we're still trying to figure out who's responsible (we know). Now today, here you are way beyond cleaning up your life the way you promised yourself some time ago. Hmm! The problem is we often look and look again at the issues and carnage that has happened trying to find a pattern. But rarely do we close the proverbial 'barn door' or 'shut off the valve' that caused the issue in the first place. Before we clean up things, we need to stop the causes. That's where Christ and His transforming power comes into place. There's nothing too hard for Him and He will bring about the changes we need with justice and righteousness as He cleans up our mess. Yeah, the Messiah is who we need.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.......So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." - John 8:34,36

The Power to Transform

Scripture should more than inform us, it should transform us. – Anon

When King Hezekiah received the threatening letter from Sennacherib, he was moved to prayer. God was moved too! AMEN!

“We like it, we love it, we want some more of it.” That seems to be the cry of most of us as “Christians” today, “I need to know more bible, or more about the bible.” But scripture should be much more than information to us, it is food to nourish our soul and spirit, to power the life we live. The Word of God is “alive and powerful”, and able to change or transform us when given license through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we all face the circumstances and situations of life, we need to remember it’s not how much scripture we know, but will it show in our life.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

Use the Information

Some people will pay their tuition, and then defy you to give them an education. – R.A. Cook

Naaman traveled long and hard to get ‘cured’ of his leprosy, and then decided he didn’t like the remedy given. Hmm!

We live in the information age. It comes at us from all directions – TV, radio, internet, billboards, magazines, newspapers, and of course the phone at our fingertips – all the time. Most of the time we willingly go after it, but in the end its just news to us, it requires nothing of us, no changes, no challenges. Often, we use the same application process when it comes to our reading and studying of God’s Word. We love the information content, and though it does challenge us to change or charge us to be obedient, our old attitude wins out and we do nothing. Though the world’s news may not require anything of us God has said “we will all one day have to give an account.” If we’re going to acquire the understanding of His Word, it’s only practical to put it to use. That’s what life is for.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

World Change One Mind At A Time

Before doing the impossible you have to start with the necessary. - Anon

Before being cured of his leprosy, Naaman had to be cured of his pride. Ouch!

Many of us set out to conquer the world first, then our friends, spouses, and neighbors, changing it to suit our ideology, often ignoring the fact that it is not them but we who need to change. A good leader realizes the only conquests that leave no regrets are the victories over himself. World change is totally possible and all it really takes is a small change in our own personal worldview. Starting there means a lot less stress and heavy lifting.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

".....do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2 

Reeducation

"You have heard that it was said....., but I tell you......" - Jesus

After meeting Jesus on the Damascus road, Paul spent close to 3 years learning what he thought he already knew as a 'holy' man. Hmm!

Just like a computer has an operating system to guide and direct it, our mind serves the same role with us. And whatever we allow in becomes part of our operational way of life and thinking. And just as a computer often needs an upgrade to its operational system, so do we. And if we study the teachings of Jesus we see that a great deal of His time was spent on the goal of 'unlearning' with His disciples. Half of spiritual growth is learning what we don't know about Christ, but the other half is 'unlearning' what we think we know. And it is often our failure to 'unlearn' those irrational fears, misconceptions, and ideologies about Him that keep us from becoming truly who God made us to be. And the truth of the matter is 'unlearning' is twice as hard as learning, for the hardest lesson to learn is the one we thought we already knew. It is so much harder to get old thoughts out of your mind than it is to get new thoughts in, which is why Jesus often led with the premise, "You have heard that it was said....., but I tell you......" We should all be alert as Jesus will be attempting to install some new programming today!

Until Monday.....

Pastor Botts

".....but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...." Romans 12:2

P.S. - Hope you can make it for our monthly Sunday Devotional this Sunday at 9am.

BE the Change!

Be the change you want to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi

The woman at the well. The Gadarene demoniac. Each one had a profound impact on their community after meeting Jesus. Hmm!

Dirty politicians. Immoral athletes. Greedy televangelists. Uncaring neighbors. Ungodly co-workers. The list could go on and on and on. Each of us somehow affected by others but with the know how to make things better. It's true, we all know how to change the world for the better, but no one wants to start with himself. In truth, God never called us to change the world, but to live a changed life in the world. That in itself would be quite an accomplishment and have a deep impact on the world. May we all be a change agent today.

Until tomorrow…….
 
Pastor Botts

“But be transformed by the renewing of YOUR mind...." - Romans 12:2

Move With Purpose: Transformation

Activity is great, but only when it’s beneficial to the common good. - Anon

I’m not sure of his skills as a physician, but his travels with Paul made Dr. Luke an avid believer and chronicler of the gospel message. WOW!

In sports you live and die by statistics. In baseball a .300+ hitter is a big deal, but in reality all it really means is he gets a hit 3 out of 10 tries. In basketball a 48% shooter from the field is a big deal, but in reality it means he misses 52% of the time. It’s the same with us often in our faith walk. In truth, the attention we give to our spiritual life is often marginal at best. We are concerned with special religious activities, but not to where they impact our own recreations. We are concerned with worship, but not to where it influences our daily activities. We are concerned with receiving blessings, but not to where we honor God’s covenant to receive them. And we’re often concerned with prayer, but not to the point where it calls us personally to service. Small wonder we don’t grow as we should. The true spiritual life is transformative, challenging us in every facet of life to be Christ-like, to redirect our passions toward godly pursuits. God doesn’t expect perfection, but He does expect our best effort every time, and the opportunity to transform us into His likeness.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord….” – Colossians 3:23

From the Inside Out

We may be better than our reputation, but we are never better than our principles. – Anon

Biblically speaking, most people refer to Job as a man with a reputation for enduring great suffering. Actually he was a man of great principle – he never doubted God! Amen.

It happens every morning. It happens pretty much the same every morning. We get up, wash up, and spend time in the mirror preparing the external outlook of the person the world will see that day. We want to look our best for much is at stake. But no matter how good we look externally we can we can never be greater than what we have within. Life is lived from the inside out, which is why God is so adamant about transforming the heart of man, for it is the seat of all living. Man may know us by our reputation, but God would have us known by our principles.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” – Luke 6:45

Not The Same Ol

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten! - Anon

In the book of Judges the Israelites over and over and over “did evil in the sight of God,” and over and over and over He gave them “over to their enemies.” Hmm!

It’s been said insanity is doing the exact same thing over and over and each time expecting different results. Just because “we’ve always done it this way,” doesn’t necessarily make it right, nor mean it has to continue that way. God doesn’t want our rituals or legalism, but our hearts; for that is where transformation takes place. If we are still today spiritually where we were 2-3 years ago, maybe we need to consider a slight change in our habits. Look for God to be doing a ‘new thing’ in your life today.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

P.S. - Please lift up Virginia Fox in prayer. Her eldest daughter passed away last night.

That Transforming Power

Scripture should more than inform us, it should transform us. – Anon

When King Hezekiah received the threatening letter from Sennacherib, he was moved to prayer. God was moved too! AMEN!

“We like it, we love it, we want some more of it.” That seems to be the cry of most of us as “Christians” today, “I need to know more bible, or more about the bible.” But scripture should be much more than information to us, it is food to nourish our soul and spirit, to power the life we live. The Word of God is “alive and powerful”, and able to change or transform us when given license through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we all face the circumstances and situations of life, we need to remember it’s not how much scripture we know, but will it show in our life.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

That Broad Way

Sometimes the majority only means that all the fools are on the same side. – Anon

After only 2 of the 12 spies reported favorably on their trip into the Promised Land, the people were against going forward. That decision cost them dearly. Hmm!

It’s true we were created for fellowship, however we must often be careful with whom we fellowship with and what we allow to pass as fellowship; “for what has light to do with darkness.” All too often if we’re not careful we are swept up into the crowd hysteria and mentality. Public opinions and emotions may be strong one way or the other, but we are not to be known by our opinions but by our fruit. In the marketplace of ideas may we not conform but seek transformation. Here's hoping we bear fruit for Him today!

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14

Changed by the Word

Scripture should more than inform us, it should transform us. – Anon

When King Hezekiah received the threatening letter from Sennacherib, he was moved to prayer. God was moved too! AMEN!

“We like it, we love it, we want some more of it.” That seems to be the cry of most of us as “Christians” today, “I need to know more bible, or more about the bible.” But scripture should be much more than information to us, it is food to nourish our soul and spirit, to power the life we live. The Word of God is “alive and powerful”, and able to change or transform us when given license through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we all face the circumstances and situations of life, we need to remember it’s not how much scripture we know, but will it show in our life.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

System Upgrade

"You have heard that it was said....., but I tell you......" - Jesus

After meeting Jesus on the Damascus road, Paul spent close to 3 years learning what he thought he already knew as a 'holy' man. Hmm!

Just like a computer has an operating system to guide and direct it, our mind serves the same role with us. And whatever we allow in becomes part of our operational way of life and thinking. And just as a computer often needs an upgrade to its operational system, so do we. And if we study the teachings of Jesus we see that a great deal of His time was spent on the goal of 'unlearning' with His disciples. Half of spiritual growth is learning what we don't know about Christ, but the other half is 'unlearning' what we think we know. And it is often our failure to 'unlearn' those irrational fears, misconceptions, and ideologies about Him that keep us from becoming truly who God made us to be. And the truth of the matter is 'unlearning' is twice as hard as learning, for the hardest lesson to learn is the one we thought we already knew. It is so much harder to get old thoughts out of your mind than it is to get new thoughts in, which is why Jesus often led with the premise, "You have heard that it was said....., but I tell you......" We should all be alert as Jesus will be attempting to install some new programming today!

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

".....but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...." Romans 12:2