See It His Way

Even if you can't prevent another's sorrow, caring will lessen it. - F. Clark

Though Ruth could not alleviate Naomi's pain, she refused to let her go it alone. Wow!

In court trials the opposing attorneys try to get the witness to paint a picture for the jury that will get them to see things 'their' way. It's an interesting technique and quite biblical, for the most critical part of our becoming a disciple of Jesus is not in learning the bible backwards and forwards, it's not in being in prayer 24/7, nor excluding ourselves from any type of fun activity. No, it's in our ability to begin seeing creation as He saw it -MY Father's children who need to be loved. There was nary an individual Jesus saw whom He did not love. Even in the midst of their sin, hatred, or denial of His Father, He still loved them. He looked beyond their faults to their need, for that is why He came - WE NEEDED HIM! Now He asks the same of us. Let's stop seeing the 'shortcomings' of others and praise God for their good qualities or virtues. Our prayer should be that God open our eyes to see how much He loves them and aches for all of us. Today our testimony is at hand.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd..." - Matthew 9:36

Trust the Invisible To Do the Impossible

It is only the impossible that is possible for God. – S. Weil

When the Israelites needed an escape path (Red Sea), food (manna), water (rock); God was there. He still is today. AMEN!

Looking at it from afar, life seems unfair and impossible to overcome. The challenges it presents seem overwhelming, and our resources meager. And that is our major problem in life, we look at it from afar, and we begin attempting to do what only God CAN do. Life is designed to mature us, and adversity is designed to strengthen us. But this is only possible if we view it through God’s eyes and go at it through God’s strength. If we’re honest we can all count the number of times we’ve tried to ‘move mountains’ and failed on our own only to have God show us how easy it is once we fully gave it over to Him. To overcome the impossible we must trust the INVISIBLE. The choice is ours!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’” – Luke 18:27

What's the Plan?

You’ll never achieve the goals you don’t set. – M. Batterson

Moses always wanted to help his people, he just had to wait 40 years to learn to do it God’s way. Amen!

“How did this happen to me?” It’s a question we sometimes ask ourselves in life when things look bleak or failure occurs. The hard truth of the matter is though most of us don’t plan to fail, we often fail to plan. Hence our finances are askew, our homes or autos are in disrepair, our education is incomplete, and our lives are nowhere near where we dreamed or envisioned them to be at this stage. The God we serve is a Master Planner. He had our redemption worked out the moment sin entered in the Garden. And as we are made so wondrously in His ‘creative’ image we should be able to, with His help draw out and achieve goals for our good and His glory. Instead of letting things happen, goals help us make them happen. Instead of living by default (whatever happens), plans help us live by design. Plans or goals are ‘dreams’ with deadlines, and they give us traction, direction, and inspiration in our prayers; and who knows, with God you can’t never always sometimes tell. Here’s hoping today we’re all one step closer to our goal(s).

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…..Where there is no vision, the people perish…..” – Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)

Viewing the Heart of Man

You can learn a lot just by observation. - Anon

The bible often tells us "Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John." I'm sure the other disciples were pretty close in tow as well. Hmm!

Turn on the news or grab the newspaper and the odds are great that your name won't be mentioned or appear in print. Celebrities get the spotlight for their upcoming events or life issues, politicians for their latest bill, gaffe, or stance on a particularly pressing issue (i.e. - wildfire relief) or some organization highlighted for their latest outreach or sleight. We, as Christians are generally in the minority, behind the scenes, often overlooked. And at times it can get hard to love a world of people like those above when it seems all they care about is themselves. But 'called' to love them we are. And Jesus, our perfect example, shows us how. It is Him we should desire to be like. So our prayers should be filled with requests for patience, understanding, compassion, and conviction to walk like Him. And it should be a comfort to us to know that God neither looks at the news nor reads the newspapers, but that He looks on the heart of everyone and sees the intent of our actions. This is the way heavenly rewards are earned.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - I Samuel 16:7

Perceiving the Potential

Where we see a block of cement a sculptor sees a work of beauty to unveil. - Anon

The disciples saw nothing good or worthwhile in Paul until Barnabas put him under the light of Christ. Hmm!

There is one profound truth we must all accept: the truth that God loves us more than we love ourselves. Being made in His image, He always sees the 'true' person we can become. He works in our lives through trials to strengthen our faith and trust in Him, struggles to help us fix our focus and dependence on Him, and oppositions to help us realize no one is greater than Him. He allows sickness and pain to remind us He is a healer and comforter, and even allows us to face sorrow/grief to remind us He is greater than death. The reason for all this is He sees in us the same 'character' traits that were in His Son Jesus, and He wants to perfect them in us. Why? That we may be like Jesus and help 'turn' others to Him to be saved. In this New Year, let's not waste any opportunities, let's remember that no matter what is happening in and around us God is at His work, because He knows us and loves us more than we love ourselves.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst." - I Timothy 1:15

New Point of View

We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are. – Anais Nin

Mary & Martha believed Jesus as the son of God but could only see him as human like them. When Lazarus died, their “eyes” were opened! Wow!

Often, the hardest thing to see is what is right before us. Why, because we often have a fixed or made-up mind of what it should be. We live most of life this way. But God is asking us to trust Him, have faith that He knows what He is doing though it may not appear so to us. We must remember just as God is not through with us, He also is not through with those around us and those in our lives. Our call is not to make or pass judgment on them based on our flaws or imperfections but to see every bit of God at work in their life as much as possible, and help it along.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Peter replied, ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." - Acts 10:14-15

Look Up

Even when you don't notice the stars they are still shining. - M Santoso

It's truly hard to imagine that the Wise Men or Magi were the only ones to see the 'Star' that year. Hmm!

"Oh, what a day!" It's a proclamation we've all made a time or two. Usually when the issues or problems of daily living seem to suck all the joy out of life. This happens when we fix our gaze upon ourselves and forget about God. Since the beginning of creation He has given us a beacon to remind us of His great love, care, concern, and presence - all we need do is look up. And if that's not enough just look outward. God always gives us something good to enjoy despite life's current situations. It may be our loving family, energetic grandkids, playful pets, or even a good warm memory to get us out of that 'funk' and remind us of His goodness, closeness, and ability to work it out for our good and His glory. Though we are a little lower than the angels He is still "ever mindful of us!"

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge." - Psalm 19:1-2

Limitless Methods of Experience

Never make a principle out of your own experience; let God be as original with others as He is with you. – Oswald Chambers

God spoke to the Israelites from the mountaintop with thunder, lightning, fire and smoke. He spoke to Elijah in a whisper. The key is He spoke. Amen!

Exercise regimens. Cold remedies. Financial successes. We’re quick to offer others our pet methods and ways for the success we may have achieved in certain areas, telling them if they do exactly what we did they’ll get the same results. Rarely is that the case but more importantly it puts God in a box, limiting Him and His creative power. Sharing experiences is great, but we must let God be God in all things and allow Him to work in our lives “according to His good pleasure,” and not our expectations. God has been known to move and answer in some mysterious ways. Keep an open eye!

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“For God does speak – now one way, now another – though man may not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night….he may speak in their ears….” – Job 33:14-16

Impaired Judgement

Impaired vision isn't only an eye problem. - Anon

Naomi wanted to be called 'Mara' or bitter. God showed her that name didn't really fit. Amen!

DUI/DWI. Acronyms that no one really wants associated with their name. It means being caught operating a motor vehicle while your judgment has been impaired by alcohol, drugs or medications. Though we do all we can to ensure this is not us, we often find ourselves equally guilty of impaired judgment when it comes to others. We see and assume the worst of people just by their appearance (heavily tattooed - must be a gang member, unkempt or dirty - must be homeless, etc.). The fact of the matter is Jesus tells us not to judge anyone, for we all have issues and shortcomings. The good news is God is not finished with us yet. So, ours should not be a comparison game of who's better off, but a prayer moment of "Lord, help us both, that you might be glorified!" As we greet this new dawning called today, may this be our prayer throughout.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....do not judge, or you too will be judged...." - Matthew 7:1

Seeing Clearly Now

A lot of things broke my heart but fixed my vision. - Anon

Caleb was as hurt as Moses when the spies gave the false report on the Promised Land. He still received his inheritance a little later. AMEN!

Losing the 'big' game! Betrayed by a friend! Not getting the lead part/promotion! Having to play 2nd fiddle! Yeah, life has its disappointing moments sure enough, but if we take time to look back over them, we can see the growth that came about in our lives because of these incidences. They teach us that life has a much larger focus, that we are a part of life but not the center of all life. To live our lives focused solely on our own small world and its wants, is to miss the beauty and grandeur of God's creation and our purpose. Though we don't like it, a broken heart is often necessary to help us learn to adjust our focus to God's greater plan for us and mankind. And if there is one thing God can do, it is mend a broken heart. The doctor is always in!

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"...So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - II Corinthians 4:18

Remaining Faithful

Don't mistake the discipline of God as abandonment by God. - Anon

Though Job was severely tormented and questioned God, he never let go of his faith. Hmm!

Though the bible tells us God does things "decently and in order" we often think that means immediately, particularly when it comes to OUR prayer requests. But what makes us think our blessing or deliverance will come immediately after we pray or fast. God let a whole generation die off before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. I'm sure some of them were praying. Joseph's life saw nothing but trouble for years between his god-given dreams and the actual reveal. I'm sure he remained faithful. God's ways of discipline to develop our character are far more advanced than we can fathom, but He's always there with us even in those lean, tough times. My parents disciplined me often (I needed it) but never left me or stopped loving me, and eventually it helped shape me into who I am. God is at work doing the same with us today. Now is not the time to give up but to stay strong.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"For the revelation awaits an appointed time.........Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." - Habakkuk 2:3

Opening Our Eyes

Vision is the art of seeing things invisible. - Jonathan Swift

God gave Elisha’s servant ‘spiritual’ eyes to show He was already on the move against the enemy. ..... Hmm!

God is often much closer than we think. The answers to our many questions and healing for our hurts are not as far away as we sometimes think. Our difficulty comes when we look in the wrong place, or we are too fretful or anxiety ridden to see what is right there; and still other times when we just plain fail to see Him working because we cannot possibly believe God would be kind enough to care about us in such a small minute issue. We only need to open our eyes. Seeing eyes are eyes of faith, where we can see beyond the problem, see beyond our own unworthiness, and have confidence that He is the God of all grace and mercy. Knowing and trusting God is ever near means our seeds of hope are already present, we just need to water them through faithful obedience and perseverance. He will make the end results known.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” – Psalm 119:18

God IN The Blessing

Good vision consists of being able to see the trees and the forest. Great vision sees the maker. – O. Battista

When Jesus healed the blind man of Bethsaida, he was able to physically see, yet he missed out knowing WHO truly healed him. Hmm!

For the most part we are a grateful people. We often take time to thank God for our blessings and what He has done in our lives, but often we miss the very essence of God Himself within the blessings He gives, or even the understanding of what He is doing in our lives when He is doing it. Just as Jesus stood before Pilate who was so focused on tradition and man-made doctrines he ‘missed’ God before his very eyes; we sometimes get so caught up in the blessing God sends we fail to see the 'spirit of God' in the blessing. Hindsight is 20/20 vision, but we should pray that we will see God often face to face today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went. Even though he did not know where he was going…For he was looking forward to the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God.” – Hebrews 11:8,10

God Sees You

Laser vision is great but I trust more in a God who never loses focus. - Anon

Hagar thought no one cared for her and her son Ishmael, until the 'God who sees' spoke to her in the desert. Wow!

Pigeons, crows, gulls, chee-chee birds - what a nuisance! We see them all the time and rarely give them any thought - other than to curse them for messing up our cars. But to see a flock of ducks/geese flying overhead in that familiar V-pattern we give a more focused view and even regal thought to. Life at times may make us feel like a nuisance or pest, or even non-existent or unworthy of others time or interest. It's in these moments we need to remember the most important truth of all time: Christ died for us too! And that means we have immeasurable worth and value. So even when others don't see us - God does.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God......Don't be afraid, you are worth much more than many sparrows." - Luke 12:6-7

Flip Your Frames

Your heart is able to see things that your eyes aren't able to. - K. Yasser

The 10 plagues. The Red Sea crossing. Manna from the sky. Even after all these miracles some Israelites were still hard-pressed that God was God. Hmm!

When you visit the eye doctor for an exam the standard is 20/20 vision. Anything other than this normally requires glasses/contacts. However, even with 20/20 vision we can often miss or misinterpret what's right before our eyes. Jesus walked/talked among the people daily and yet the religious rulers and teachers didn't recognize Him as the Messiah they all sought. They had made up in their minds what the Messiah should look like and how he should act and Jesus didn't fit the bill. Like them, God often places the truth right before us and we fail to see it or accept it. Many a life has been shipwrecked because that individual thought they were the exception to the rule. I guess the question we must all ask ourselves is "am I not really seeing the truth?" or "am I like them of old and denying the truth I see?" Neither position is tenable, for the freedom and peace we seek is only in the truth set right before our eyes - JESUS!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light." - Matthew 6:22

THIS Is The Way

Though hindsight is 20/20 vision, most people would prefer not to exercise it. - Anon

Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25, there has to be a reason God had this sentiment recorded twice. Hmm! [There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.]

You see it almost daily. Little children being held by the hand of their parents. But yet they tug, squirm, and pull trying to break free. To exercise their independence, confident that they can navigate this world on their own. We smile knowingly, but in truth it's a picture of us with God. As He tries to lead us, we confidently break away -thinking this path/way is better. As He tries to instruct us - we refuse His teaching and foolishly say we know better, often thinking His ways are antiquated and out of touch with reality. But yet, He stands by and patiently waits for us to realize who's WHO! If life has taught us anything it's that 'God the Father Knows Best' and He will never lead us astray. Open arms are awaiting anyone wishing to return to Him.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake...." - Psalm 23:3

Can You picture That

Logic will get you from point A to point B. Imagination will take you everywhere. - Albert Einstein

When Daniel opened his windows to pray where do you think his spirit went? Hmm!

As kids our imagination had no end. We could easily envision ourselves in character form. We were superheroes, star athletes, princesses, and of course 'world conquerors'. Nothing could stand in our way. But then we grew up and our imagination shrunk, or in a lot of cases completely went away. Why? We can say it's because we 'put away childish thinking' but is that really what God wants from us. If He truly is the God who can do "much more than we can think OR imagine" shouldn't our imaginations still have no end? Shouldn't we still be able to envision ourselves and His church doing great things? If God has given us the vision He will make provision. Can you imagine that?

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." - Ephesians 3:20

Refresh & Refocus

We should be thankful for our tears, they prepare our eyes for a clearer vision of God. – W. A. Ward

The sinful woman was not afraid to “shed a few tears” on Jesus’ feet. He gave her forgiveness and salvation in return. Hmm!

One of the greatest inventions of our time is the windshield wiper. It wipes away the water and buildup that would normally block our vision and impede our progress. Amazingly, our tears serve the same purpose. Whether they come at the birth of our children, wedding or other special dates, or even at the passing of a loved one; they refresh and re-focus us on what’s important and upon whom we must depend – God. The world and all its contrivances can and will cloud our vision if we allow it, but God gave us a way to see Him more clearly if we’re strong enough. If you haven’t cried in a while, maybe you just need to cozy up to God.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” – Psalm 126:5

Start to Break Free

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

Naaman was ready to go back home a leper rather than just try a new bathing spot. Wow!

January 2nd of the New Year, and already we’re probably back into our old routines. Early rising checking our social media hits, or working out, or stopping for coffee at our favorite shop on the way to work. Though not inherently bad, these become RUTS.  A routine becomes a rut when we can’t imagine any other possible way of doing something. If we were to do an analysis of ourselves we would possibly see we are ‘creatures of habit’ in a lot of our daily lives, and potentially in ways that hinder God working in us and through us. As we venture into the New Year, maybe our prayer request should be asking God to break us free of old habits, friends, or recreations that keep us in the rut, and set us on a course to catch the ‘new vision’ He has for us. I’m sure He will make the journey one of great growth, with some interesting insights and a rather glorious experience.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….You have made you way around this hill country long enough, NOW turn north.” –

Deuteronomy 2:2

Today’s scripture reading – Proverbs 2

Today’s scripture question: 

What are the 2 main characteristics of wisdom noted in this chapter?

P.S. - still looking for sign-ups for our upcoming ROOTED campaign.

Dreams with Deadlines

You’ll never achieve the goals you don’t set.  – M. Batterson

Moses always wanted to help his people, he just had to wait 40 years to learn to do it God’s way. Amen!

“How did this happen to me?” It’s a question we sometimes ask ourselves in life when things look bleak or failure occurs. The hard truth of the matter is though most of us don’t plan to fail, we often fail to plan. Hence our finances are askew, our homes or autos are in disrepair, our education is incomplete, and our lives are nowhere near where we dreamed or envisioned them to be at this stage. The God we serve is a Master Planner. He had our redemption worked out the moment sin entered in the Garden. And as we are made so wondrously in His ‘creative’ image we should be able to, with His help draw out and achieve goals for our good and His glory. Instead of letting things happen, goals help us make them happen. Instead of living by default (whatever happens), plans help us live by design. Plans or goals are  ‘dreams’ with deadlines, and they give us traction, direction, and inspiration in our prayers; and who knows, with God you can’t never always sometimes tell. Here’s hoping today we’re all one step closer to our goal(s).

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts“

…..Where there is no vision, the people perish…..” – Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)