He's the One That Can Make Us Better

The human race has improved everything, except the human race. – Richard Murray

Rehoboam saw God’s favor in his father Solomon’s reign. One can only wonder why he didn’t follow suit. His ways brought ruin on the people. Hmm!

We constantly live in a world of change. Everything around us and everything we use is always being made over new or improved upon. From what we eat, to what we drive, to what we watch, even to how we serve God. The only problem here is we continually look outward to make improvements and rarely look inward. This is why once the novelty has worn off the 'new' product the same old feelings and thoughts of despair arise. The only way to have true peace and inner joy is to make ourselves 'new' from within. God is in the reclamation and restoration business. He reclaims broken hearts and restores them to better than new when He’s done. If we want to be a better human, we have to defer to the MAKER, not His creation. Today’s a good day to start.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen.” – Romans 1:25

That Unchangeable Truth

Facts do not cease to exist just because they are ignored. - Aldous Huxley

Though Adonijah declared himself king with celebrations and such, it just wasn't so. Hmm!

"Face the facts!" Boy, haven't we heard that expression a ton of times in our lives. And deservedly so. It normally happens when we begin to think everything is about us, and for us, and we try to make it so, but the logic just does not apply to our situation. You just can’t change the truth. And often we forget or try to ignore the very first truth of all things: God made the world and everything in it first, BEFORE He made us! So, the world and everything in it operates under His providential design. Even though God put man in 'charge' of it, He never gave man authority to change anything. And if we know anything of the scriptures, we can clearly see life continues to happen just as God ordained it. So now, today would be a good time for us to wise up.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man...." - Ecclesiastes 12:13

Music of the Heavens

In the silence behind what can be heard lies the answers we have been searching for for so long. - A. Fransson

The book of Genesis tells us God 'spoke' the heavens into existence; and they haven't been quiet since then. There's a lesson there!

We've all probably witnessed it. Ask a grandmother how are her grandkids, and be prepared to spend some time there. Out come the photos, then come the stories told with much joy and love. It's just a natural response to a beautiful relationship. And so it goes with the 'heavens.' The question I would ask is how much 'airtime' do we earnestly give to God. We live in a world with a video/audio megaport that constantly and loudly promotes anti-biblical themes, values, self-promotion, and ungodly living. But yet, none of these things can really hold a candle to the truth and goodness of God if we would but silence our hearts and listen. We talk about easy listening music - God invented it Himself at creation.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The heavens declare the glories of God......there is no speech or language where their voice is not heard." - Psalm 19:1, 3

Truth: Friend or Foe?

Truth is either the greatest of friends or an unbeatable foe. – Anon

As Jesus stood before him, Pilate had a major decision to make about the truth. We know how it ended with him. WOW!

TRUTH – Courts of law search for it; we demand it in our daily interactions. Yes, truth is something we are to seek after, embrace, and affirm. Yet it is not so much a matter of us finding the truth as it is us surrendering to it. Jesus said “You shall know the truth and it will set you free.” To know means to understand, accept, and abide in. Our surrender to ‘truth’ is what establishes our foundation for a life of integrity, honesty, and righteousness before God and others. The point we often overlook is that when we find the truth and refuse to surrender it no longer remains our friend but actually becomes the foe that condemns us. God leaves the choice to us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice…” – Proverbs 21:3

Meaningful Conversations

To make a long story short, don’t tell it. – Anon

Jesus could’ve preached at them when they brought him the woman caught in adultery, instead he just ‘wrote.’ Hmm!

Secrets – do they really exist? Is it really better to leave some things unsaid? Take a look around you and listen up, and you’d be hard pressed to think so. The truth is conversation is good, it does help us to relate to one another and build relationships; but it should be meaningful, insightful, practical, respectful, and truthful to the person to whom we’re speaking. We all love good stories and humor, but we should never have to ‘enhance’ them, and we must still speak in such a way to please God. Remember, when words are many sin is not absent, and besides, it doesn’t really matter how ‘big’ the fish was that got away, if it got away.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“….a time to be silent and a time to speak…” – Ecclesiastes 3:7

Freedom Costs

Freedom isn’t free, and its cost is eternal vigilance. – Anon

As we celebrate this ‘Independence Day’ let us not forget the costs paid and the paths forged that make it possible. First and foremost is what God did for us through His Son Jesus Christ to free us from sin and make us His children. Second, for this nation and the ‘Founding Fathers’ who risked life and death to build a nation who believed in God and His Word. We must forever be vigilant in adhering to, promoting, and protecting these gifts that cost so much. The battles ahead won’t be so much with guns and bombs, and soldiers, etc. on foreign shores, but with pen and votes here in our own backyard. May we realize now that our freedoms are left to us to defend. Blessings!

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“….You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…” – John 8:32

Take the Chance to Get It Right

History repeats itself – which is good, because most people don’t listen the first time. – Sparks

The book of Judges had a recurring pattern for the Israelites: apostasy, oppression, distress, and deliverance. They had 14 different Judges – but God came each time they called. Amen!

Other than Jesus, there hasn’t been a person who did everything right the first time in their life ever. A scary but interesting thought. We are truly blessed when we realize God is a God of second, third, or multiple chances to get it right. This does not mean we continually live contrary to His will and purposes, but acknowledge He is gracious and long suffering with us. And if God is that way with us we ought to extend the same courtesy to our fellow man. One way or another, today, or sometime this week “history” will be repeating itself in our lives maybe for us personally or those in our lives. Our aim should be to get it right this time.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it right to refresh your memory…” – II Peter 1:12-13

Reading for Life

What you don’t know can indeed hurt you. - Anon

The Israelites were content to carry around the ‘laws of God’ in the Ark of the Covenant, but not in their hearts and minds. It cost them dearly. OUCH!

We hate it in contracts, banking agreements, investment brochures, etc. – but almost anywhere you go to spend or invest your money, it’s there; the ‘fine print.’ And buried within the fine print somewhere is the disclosure “past performance is no indication of future results.” That’s the out clause for the seller in case things go bad. But if we turn this idea on its head, God tells us that with Him past performance IS an indication of future results. He cannot or will not change. He will do what He promised to do. He will love, provide for, and save those who accept Him and His Son, and eventually bring us home to glory. BUT He will also cast into outer darkness (Hell) those who reject Him. So, if we want the promises, blessings, and future home with God, just remember it’s in the fine print; His Word.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” – II Timothy 2:15

Never Outdated

The bible is neither antique nor modern, it is eternal. – Martin Luther

Earth still being in existence is proof enough that God’s Word is still valid. Hmm!

The wisdom, insight, truth, and foundational principles for life found in God’s Holy Word are as changeless and timeless as is He. It is a treasure that waits to be found, that increases in value the more we dig into it. Real truth never changes and cannot be made ‘less’ true, no matter the time or circumstance. God is God, always has been and always will be, in spite of what goes on in the world today. We may evolve in our cultural ‘norms’ and technologies and even try to ignore God or say He’s outdated; but a quick look around tells us things are still going according to His ‘Providential’ design. Trees still grow and blossom as He prescribed, seasons still follow one after another, night still follows day, and death still haunts us. And if we were to give careful consideration to what man has been up to the last few hundred years or so, I’m sure we’d all agree we’d rather have God over us than man.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.” – Psalm 119:152

The Power of the Truth

Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it. – Anon

Satan subtly tempted Eve by ‘adding’ ever so slightly to the Word of God. Mankind has suffered ever since. Hmm!

I’m sure we’ve all heard of or quite possibly even told fishermen like stories of “how large the one that got away was,” often exaggerating or embellishing the truth to pump ourselves up. YEAH! God has called us to be truthful in all our doings and manner of conversation, even if it brings harsh consequences or circumstances upon us. It may not seem like a big deal, but somehow God has given 'truth' the power to sanctify, clarify, illuminate, and draw men to Him. So, as we progress throughout the day, may the truth in all things be our goal; and remember He sees and knows all.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” – Proverbs 30:5-6

Power to Move

The task ahead of us is never as great as the POWER behind us. – Anon

Abraham, he had to leave his homeland, his people, and his father’s house to go someplace God would eventually show him. By God's grace he MADE IT!

Mountains - it seems at times as if life is full of them and they are always in our path. Some of our own making, and others as tests of faith, and each one seems to present a different climate, terrain, and angle to conquer, at times calling on us to make some drastic changes in the way we live before God. Maybe there’s some sin God is continually redressing us on that we need to correct or change, or maybe He wants to develop even a deeper commitment to His kingdom work in us, or maybe He's even trying to move us away from those He knows who are not good for us. Life may seem like an impossibility right now, but we must remember we've made it this far by the power of God, and He's faithful to the end.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” – Matthew 17:19-21

Read the Fine Print

What you don’t know can indeed hurt you. - Anon

The Israelites were content to carry around the ‘laws of God’ in the Ark of the Covenant, but not in their hearts and minds. It cost them dearly. OUCH!

We hate it in contracts, banking agreements, investment brochures, etc – but almost anywhere you go to spend or invest your money, it’s there; the ‘fine print.’ And buried within the fine print somewhere is the disclosure “past performance is no indication of future results.” That’s the out clause for the seller in case things go bad. But if we turn this idea on its head, God tells us that with Him past performance IS an indication of future results. He cannot or will not change. He will do what He promised to do. He will love, provide for, and save those who accept Him and His Son, and eventually bring us home to glory. But He will also cast into outer darkness (Hell) those who reject Him. So if we want the promises, blessings, and future home with God, just remember it’s in the fine print; His Word.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” – II Timothy 2:15

P.S. - looking forward to seeing you at Prayer Breakfast tomorrow morning, 9:30am, our last one of the year!

P.S.S. - Please be prompt for this Sunday's Worship (9:30am) as Communion service will be one of the first parts of the service.

Fool Me Once...

There are 2 ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true, the other is to refuse to believe what is true. - Anon

Though the priests and people were expecting to actually see the Messiah in their lifetime, they had all kinds of trouble seeing JESUS. Hmm!

Though in life "everybody plays the fool" sometimes, you would think no one actually goes about looking to be fooled. Anyone old enough knows not everything you read or hear is true. Anyone old enough knows not everything you see others do is right. And to 'know' these things you would think there would be a personal pursuit to see out 'what is true'. But the fact of the matter is many of us, too many of us; are being fooled both ways, just as our ancestors were. Just look at our current situations (presidential race, wars abroad, etc.) and we can see folks all seem to have a different version of 'what is true'. It's true, the issue isn't new, but it is also true that in this day and age where Jesus is seen less and less new versions of 'what is true' are cropping up. Maybe as Christians we need to present a smaller version of ourselves and more of Jesus to those we encounter. Let Him be the difference. It couldn't hurt.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Then Jesus....replied 'Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true.'" - John 7:28

Living THE Truth

Do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. – W.C. Stone

Boaz didn’t have to mention there was another kinsman redeemer for Ruth and Naomi, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Hmm!

In our courts systems a witness is sworn in by being asked to ‘tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.’ The idea is there will be no shading or jading or shortage of facts in their testimony. It’s a matter of integrity, loyalty and honesty – not personal benefit to the individual. God expects the same of us in our everyday dealings with one another, to live out the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and to live by love, complete love, and nothing but unbiased love. True such living may cause some uncomfortable situations, and may require more of us than we’re willing to give; but in those instances we should be reminded of the Cross and what Jesus did for us. So as today unfolds before us with its many situations and circumstances the question is ‘how then shall we live?’

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” – Proverbs 11:3

Time to Stop Running

Running towards what we don’t understand, and away from Him who wants to give understanding; keeps us from truly knowing who we are. – Anon

Adam and Eve ran and hid from God in the Garden and it seems as if man hasn’t stopped since. Hmm!

Believe it or not but ‘The Fall’ is still happening…. Though God has called us into relationship we are still in flight. Just think about it. We withhold information, we mask our true feelings, we twist facts, and we love to hide. Actions such as these are not demonstrations of openness or transparency but darkness. In our selfish flight to be free we only entangle ourselves more deeply. God is still in the business of giving enlightenment, discernment, wisdom, understanding, and purpose to life, and He’s willing to do it today. The great challenge for all of us is to stop running long enough to discover the truth about ourselves and God’s love for us.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“For in Him we live and move and have our being….we are His offspring.” – Acts 17:28

The Truth of What Matters Most

The things which matter most, must never be at the mercy of things which matter least. – Goethe

Jesus had a word for the Pharisees and religious leaders of the day for their love and respect for ‘traditions’ rather than God’s word -Hypocrites!

On average, most of us say we know what’s important. Hmmm! We’ll work 60-80 hours a week to provide for our family because they are important, yet we’re too busy working to spend time with them. We’ll say our marriage is important, yet we willfully spend inordinate amounts of time away from our spouse or good amounts of time on our social media platforms in their presence. We’ll even say our relationship with God is of prime importance, yet we struggle to give Him 5-10 minutes a day. The fact of the matter is no matter what we say, the life we live bears the truth, because you will only do that which matters most to you! The question is to determine what matters to you most.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, “Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’.” – Matthew 22:37-40

Speak Truth. Lie Not

Too many 'white' lies can lead to color blindness. – Anon

Jesus not only called Satan a liar, but the father of lies. I wonder how He really felt about him. Hmm!

White lies - we call them little, we call them insignificant, we call them a fact of life – but in reality when we willingly tell them they are just lies. It’s easy to stretch the truth just a bit so that we don’t look so bad, or have to go the extra mile, or have to be imposed upon, or give someone false hope, but when we knowingly do so and leave others with a false understanding, we’ve lied. And when we begin to make concessions in one area of our life, it usually creeps into other areas as well. That’s just the way sin is. Just as smoke never stays in the ‘smoking section’ sin never stays little or hidden – it grows, and it branches out into all areas of our lives to blur the lines of distinction between right and wrong. In a world that desperately needs the truth spoken and lived out, God is expecting us to lead the way. We must not settle for easy over right.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37

Freedom... Isn't Free

Freedom isn’t free, and its cost is eternal vigilance. – Anon

As we celebrate this ‘Independence Day’ let us not forget the costs paid and the paths forged that make it possible. First and foremost is what God did for us through His Son Jesus Christ to free us from sin and make us His children. Second, for this nation and the ‘Founding Fathers’ who risked life and death to build a nation who believed in God and His Word. We must forever be vigilant in adhering to, promoting, and protecting these gifts that cost so much. The battles ahead won’t be so much with guns and napalm, etc. on foreign shores, but with pen and votes here in our own backyard. May we realize now that our freedoms are left to us to defend. Blessings!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…” – John 8:32

Know Enough to Have Faith

Our intense need to understand will always be a powerful stumbling block in our attempts to reach God…. – Anon

The Athenians who had gods for everything wanted to ‘know more’ about the True God Paul presented before they would believe anything he said. Hmm!

By nature, we are knowledge-seeking people. We want to know how things work, how they came about, what happens when… Knowledge is wonderful, insightful, helpful, but it is just that – knowledge. Knowledge of itself tends to breed conceit and self-worth. Academia is wonderful, but when we have come to the point where it is often left up to the ‘scientist’ or ‘academician’ to determine real truth or what is noteworthy – this all too often casts God aside, which in turn leads to a derelict nation. And the gist of all the knowledge in the world could never explain, or purely define ‘love.’ Love is what it takes to live by faith, hope for a brighter tomorrow, and God alone holds the patent on love. In His word He just asks us try not to fully understand Him but to just ‘trust’ Him. As the day unfolds will you question or trust?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Without faith, it is impossible to please God…” – Hebrews 11:6

P.S. – Our fast begins at 8am and ends at 5pm, plus starting today you give up 1 electronic entertainment device (i.e. TV, gaming system, phone games, etc.)

At Just the Right Time

Hell is truth seen too late. – T. Hobbes

God has always loved us and been for us and at "just the right time" sent His Son to prove it. Hmm!

TIMING – we all know it’s critical. A second too soon or too late could spell disaster. But when it comes to God we often don’t relate Him to the here and now. We often relate to Him in terms of what He’s done in the past for us, or how we’re asking Him to help us defeat this gigantic problem we’re up against. But He is the God of the here and now – time exists solely because of Him alone – and He’s ever present in every second. Often we spend time ‘waiting’ on God to move or act and fail to realize we can still enjoy Him in the process. One does not preclude the other. He’s an ever-present God. So as the song says ‘Don’t Wait Til’ Midnite’, CALL NOW! And I can guarantee the time will be that much better.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“He has made everything beautiful in its time….” – Ecclesiastes 3:11