Tragic Ends, Beautiful Beginnings

What a caterpillar calls the end of the world; God calls a beautiful butterfly. – Anon

Jesus went to the cross not so much to die, but more so that we might live. Hmm!

For most of us there are things that we say we just can’t do without, that life would not be worth it if we had to go without it (whatever ‘it’ may be). Often, we even rationalize with ourselves and question why God would want to keep us from such things. The reason is that He knows what tomorrow holds, plain and simple. Because God is always at His work, there may be some things He is trying to bring to an end in our lives that the new life may begin. Those habits, quirks, ‘needs,’ that we just can’t seem to live without, God is trying to show us the beauty life can bring without them. As the circumstances of life come upon us today and in the near future, maybe we need to pay attention to what God is addressing in us, for there is much more beauty in all of us to behold.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time…” Ecclesiastes 3:10-11

Round and Round We Go

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 Monday...

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

Your Best Effort

Passion is not just the activity that comes from our limbs, but also the spirit that comes from our heart. 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, not for men. - Colossians 3:23

That Road Less Traveled

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 faith and 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

Are You Willing To Change?

To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly. - H. Bergson

Though Jesus was pronounced 'The Savior' at his birth, he actually grew into the role. Hmm!

The beautiful butterfly we see today was once an unappealing caterpillar. What happened - transformation or change. Transformation is what God is after in our lives as well. But there has to be a willingness on our part and that willingness has to be complete and total submission to God. When we skeptically enter the process with limitations already in place - lines we won't cross OR methods we won't accept - we've handicapped the process before it begins and shown we really aren't willing. The caterpillar has to completely surrender (die to self) in his cocoon to become the beautiful butterfly we later see. We should look on the cocoons of our life not with disgust, but with appreciation for what happens in them as God works to beautify and perfect us even more. More change is coming, and that's actually a good thing.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out." - Luke 8:1-2

The Book of Transformation

It is an awesome responsibility to own a Bible. - Anon

Jesus chided the Pharisees and religious rulers of the day for they were the keepers of God's Word and didn't even know what it said. OUCH!

As our late Elder Bro. Mack would often say, "the Bible is not just a book of information, but for transformation." It's a sound reminder that to truly know our God we need to truly understand His word, accept it as true, and live by it on a daily basis. Many times our lives lack the power and focus we need because we have not coveted the word of God as we should. May we all taste today and see that He is good.

Until tomorrow....

Pastor Botts

"..the word of God is living and active..." (Hebrews 4:12).