The Key to Daily Renewal

Our bodies may age, but our spirits can be renewed each day. – Anon

At age 40 Caleb was promised Hebron. At age 85 he received it and was ready for battle, and his spirit and strength were still as it was earlier. WOW!

The moment we’re born we begin to age – it’s the way God designed things. All of us I’m sure, are not as agile, adept, or sharp as we used to be. That’s the aging process, to remind us of the body’s physical limitations and mortality. But in spite of this, our spiritual nature and character, which are eternal; are being shaped by what we do each day. The enemy will try to drain the spirit life out of us, but God has promised renewal each day if we so desire it. The key is to make sure we feed our spirit proper nourishment and keep it in a proper environment, then age truly will only be a matter of mind. God can and will work in and through any who make themselves available.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:37

Keep On Going

Whoever said anybody has a right to give up! – M. W. Edelman

Joseph, Moses, Job, Ruth, Stephen. In spite of their adversity and opposition quitting was not in their nature, but God was. They all won glory for him. Amen!

It is said that the man who is successful is just someone who held on a little longer. The greatest tool of the enemy is discouragement. He knows if discouragement is employed enough in our lives we will often quit or give up, believing the goal is unattainable or not worth the effort. The enemy will see to it that things go wrong, dreams get delayed, education gets off-track, prayer and meditation time is pushed aside, suffering and heartache come, etc. – that’s his job and he does it well – but we’re told to ‘fight’ through it all and keep the faith. God has called us to hold on until the end for He is faithful in His promises. Even if we can’t see the goal with our own eyes, we know it’s there by faith – so we press on. Is it in you?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross….Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:2,3

Do Good In Spite Of

It is not possible for us to be what we ought to be until we do what we ought to be doing. – Richard Murray

Jesus had to ask Peter three times “Do you love me?” before it finally dawned on Peter what Jesus was after. Hmm!

Growing up most of us did the things we were supposed to do (diet, exercise, education, etc.) to reach adulthood. The problem is a lot of us stopped here. God’s plan was for us to grow into mature, productive, kingdom building individuals. Many of us have an idea of who we really should be by now for we know the truth, and we know how to apply the truth to our lives, but yet we refuse because of what we perceive others to be doing. Jesus told Peter to take his eyes ‘off’ of John and focus on his own relationship with God. What others do in their life should not impact the righteous life we are called to live. And we can never be all that God wants of us unless we do all that He asks of us. True faith doesn’t depend on others actions, it’s active alone.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

Though You May Fall Down...

Been there, done that, got a T-Shirt! - Anon

Realizing one-size didn't fit everyone, Paul said he "became all things to all men to win just one." Hmm!

Plain and simple, life means risks. Getting uncomfortable, feeling a bit uneasy at times, waiting for the end result. But that's what makes life - life. The possibility of failure is always among us, and yes, we should be concerned about it but not paralyzed by it. When we look at things with the proper attitude failure plays a really productive role in success. It provides valuable insight and information, lets us know which roads we no longer have to travel, which mountains we don't have to climb again, and which oceans we no longer need to set sail on, which in turn narrows our focus and increases our chances for succeeding the next time. God gives us many, many opportunities to serve Him, so today is just one more chance to get it right.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"...let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up..." - Galatians 6:9

A Little Fellowship Pick Me Up

There’s only one thing more precious than our time and that’s who we spend it on. - L. Christopher

When the Prodigal Son returned home, can you imagine how the father's heart felt? Hmm!

You've probably seen it, possibly experienced it. One car connected to another by battery cables for a jump. Yeah, a jolt to get it started. When you meditate on this scene for a minute or two it shows the importance of fellowship. We all need a jump or jolt every now and then in our spiritual lives. Those times God may seem distant, or like He's not hearing our prayers, and the doubts keep multiplying in our heads. We need a jump to bring us back the reality that no matter the current situation, God is still good and He has not forgotten nor forsaken us. Fellowship with other believers helps recharge/revive our spirit and refocus our vision. So if you're in need of a jump, join the fellowship. And if you don't need a jump, join the fellowship for you may be just the one to give someone else that jolt!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." - Isaiah 40:29

Flights of Faith

"I want to fly like an eagle, til' I'm free, fly like an eagle let my spirit carry me..." - Song lyrics

You ever notice once Abraham 'trusted' God he was NEVER in want for anything. Hmm!

You see them soaring overhead, oftentimes just floating on the wind, looking majestic and proud - birds of the air. It wasn't always that way. There was a day when they were pushed out of the nest to their first flight. Their parents thought they had what it took at that time to fly - and fly they did. Maybe not perfectly, and maybe not a long flight, but long enough to convince them they could. You ever think God works that way with us. Trying to nudge us out of the nest (our comfort zone) into something new and exciting. He knows He's prepared us for it and will walk with us through it, but He just needs us to take that 'flight' of faith. Faith only grows when it's put to the test/trial. We can learn a lot by reading the bible, but to build our faith takes practical exams. God is saying to all of us today: "Welcome to flight school!"

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31

A Moment to Stop

Sleep doesn't help if it's your soul that's tired! - Anon

Though Daniel was the one in the lion's den, it was the king who couldn't get any rest. Amen!

It's bright red! Octagonal in shape! The word 'STOP' is posted right in the middle of it. Yes, it's a STOP sign. Admittedly, as a California driver I've perfected the Cali-roll. It's not a complete stop, it's a slow down and then proceed. Now according to the 'law' a STOP sign means STOP completely, not slow down. Thinking along this line I'm reminded of God's law of a 'sabbath days rest'. When His people were commanded to STOP all other activity to honor Him. In honoring Him that way it was them who were blessed through their time of worship. It's a mystery how this works but it does. I always come away 'refreshed' from my time with God. It brings restoration to my mind, body, and entire being - something God knows we need. As we gather to worship He pours out blessing upon blessing. But in truth, many of us check in to church/worship to slow our roll, show our face, but never to really STOP and be still. And we often leave with the same stresses and pressures we came with. If that's you or your life is tiring because you are often stretched thin, maybe you should just STOP! Couldn't hurt.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10

Faithful InThe Little Things

Be not weary in doing little things for the love of God, for He regards not the greatness of the work; but the love with which it was performed. – Brother Laurence

Naaman was cured of his leprosy not because he was someone of great stature, or because he did a great deed; but because he listened to the words of a little servant girl who had faith in her God. Amen!

Nest-eggs grow with disciplined investing. Educational goals are conquered with disciplined study and planning, and so forth. It’s the little things that happen in our lives every day and how we respond to them that determines the success and greatness of our lives. God will never trust you or your character in the great things if you haven’t proven yourself faithful in the small things. No matter how mundane today’s trials may be, remember He is testing us for something greater up the road.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – I Corinthians 15:58

Love in the Little Tests

Be not weary in doing little things for the love of God, for He regards not the greatness of the work; but the love with which it was performed. – Brother Laurence

Naaman was cured of his leprosy not because he was someone of great stature, or because he did a great deed; but because he listened to the words of a little servant girl who had faith in her God. Amen!

Nest-eggs grow with disciplined investing. Educational goals are conquered with disciplined study and planning, and so forth. It’s the little things that happen in our lives everyday and how we respond to them that determines the success and greatness of our lives. God will never trust you or your character in the great things if you haven’t proven yourself faithful in the small things. No matter how mundane today’s trials may be, remember He is testing us for something greater up the road.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – I Corinthians 15:58