Letting God Cook

God gives his very best to those who leave the choice to him. – Anon

King Solomon asked only for wisdom to rule God’s people, and God ‘THREW IN’ everything else. Hmmm!

Often in our prayer lives rather than just opening up and sharing with God, trying to sense his heart, and listening for His response and directions, we wind up directing Him on what we want Him to do or who or what we need Him to bless. This is not necessarily bad prayer etiquette, for God loves when we actually do come to Him in prayer; but we must remember HE IS in charge here. The simple truth is God knows what’s best for us and wants to give His best to us, but we must give Him opportunity to do so in our lives. And as Augustine of Hippo said, “God gives where he finds empty, willing hands.”

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” – II Corinthians 9:8-9

Moving With Him

Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet. – Anon

John in his gospel tells us that many people, after they heard the hard words of what it means to follow Jesus went back and “walked with him no more.” A tragic decision. Hmm!

Often, we forget that ours is a Christian journey; being led by our Lord. We willingly signed up when we accepted His call to “follow me.” Though the path may not seem “wise” to us or even dangerous, we must remember, “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thou art with me,” we are not alone. He alone knows the path to His Father’s house for “He came from the Father,” and “He goes back to the Father.” We often feel we know our way around down here better than anyone, and that may be true, but it is not “down here” we want to stay if we expect eternal glory one day. So, as Jesus or the Word of God speaks to us, let us move in harmony with the request.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?...the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built his house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” – Luke 6:46,49

Dying to Change

To become a butterfly, you must be willing to give up being a caterpillar. – T. Paulus

Much of Paul’s success as a missionary for Christ was because he ‘counted’ his former life as a Pharisee as nothing. Hmm!

No doubt about it, a butterfly catches your eye. The way it flits about without a care, the beauty of its colorful wings waving in the breeze. We admire and often desire such beauty in our lives. But make no mistake about it friend, it took a lot for this creature to arrive at this point, a whole lot. In this case of metamorphosis, the caterpillar ceases to exist completely (dies to self) that the beautiful butterfly may be born. Wow! In our quest for such beauty some of us like to settle for the cosmetic or wardrobe change thinking this will be all that is required, maybe fooling those around us but certainly not fooling ourselves, and certainly not God. The person we truly desire to be for God is possible, but it will require like the caterpillar that we ‘die to self’ that our new creation may gain life. I can guarantee that you will indeed love the ‘new you!’

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” – II Corinthians 5:17

Thinking of the Master's Plan

If God uses the resistant and the reluctant, imagine what he could do with the ready and willing? – D. Walter

Jonah didn’t want to go, Gideon didn’t feel qualified to go, Paul “kicked” against Him. God used them all for His glory. Hmm!

Agenda’s, To-do lists, personal goals, etc. Truth be known most of us have one or more of these things that we sometimes allow to dictate into our lives – even if contrary in the face of God’s will. We often let His requests or desires take a back seat to our own ideas or wants, not willing to deny ourselves in any opportunity. And only after trying and failing at our own do we reluctantly obey God’s call. And amazingly blessings always seem to follow. Hmm! Maybe it’s best to just go along with God’s desires, after all; He knows what’s best.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me’” – Isaiah 6:8

Use Me?

God uses broken people like you and me to rescue broken people like you and me. - Anon

Of all the people Jesus could have sent to preach in the Decapolis, he chose a man he had just healed of many demons. Wow!

You ever wonder about Mary, mother of Jesus; and her willing obedience when Gabriel spoke to her? Why? You have to know she was taught the scriptures from an early age. And remembering how God would often use ordinary people (Gideon, Jonah, Esther, etc....) to save His people, she knew and believed in her heart that could be her at any time. So, when Gabriel spoke, hence her reply "so be it as the Lord wills." What about us? Would we be so willing for God? Though we know the ways of God are often mysterious, would it be so unexpected and hard to fathom that He'd want to use you in a mighty way? God's redemption story is still unfolding today, and He still uses ordinary people to bring it about. Wherever you may be in your current livelihood (up, down, hurting, joyful...) just know that your life is part of His ongoing story. He's counting on us to make it interesting and inviting!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message...." - John 17:20

Vessels of Use

God doesn't call people who are qualified. He calls people who are willing, and then He qualifies them. - R. Parker

From slave to 2nd in command of a nation (Joseph). From ruddy shepherd boy to king of Israel (David). From lowly fishermen to Jesus' standard bearers (disciples). There's definitely a PATTERN there. Hmm!

It's often amazing how many of us will say we believe God can do great things through His people. However, when it comes to Him using us, we don't think He'll do it because we just aren't 'there yet' for Him to use us. The truth is God IS NOT looking for people who are 'there yet' to use, He's looking for those who have a willing heart to be of service, ANY service for the kingdom. First of all, we can't get 'there yet' without Him, and second, none of us really know where 'there yet' is - only God does. And as we willingly obey Him in service we will find ourselves moving closer and closer to what He has purposed for us. May we all be vessels of use today.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be MY WITNESSES in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:8

The Courage to Try

It takes as much courage to have tried and failed as it does to have tried and succeeded. - A. Lindbergh

Jonathan against a garrison, David against Goliath. The odds were against them but at a minimum they were willing to step up. God did the rest. Hmm!

We admire them from afar. Those who seem to get the big jobs done. The mountain movers, earth shakers, trend-setters and so forth. They write books, develop apps, shift cultural views, start movements - and we admire them for it, sometimes even give them a royalty like status. But in truth, they are people just like us, who just had enough courage to live by their convictions. A home run hitter in baseball often strikes out. The basketball superstar often misses shots. But the common characteristic of both is they are willing to try day after day no matter what - for that's what made them who they are. The enemy doesn't want us to overcome and be successful so he tries to stop us (discouragement, fear, anxiety, etc.) before we get started. The saying "little is much when we place it in God's hands" doesn't only refer to money. So today would be a great day to step up.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

Releasing the Old

To become a butterfly you must be willing to give up being a caterpillar. – T. Paulus

Much of Paul’s success as a missionary for Christ was because he ‘counted’ his former life as a Pharisee as nothing. Hmm!

No doubt about it, a butterfly catches your eye. The way it flits about without a care, the beauty of its colorful wings waving in the breeze. We admire and often desire such beauty in our lives. But make no mistake about it friend, it took a lot for this creature to arrive at this point, a whole lot. In this case of metamorphosis the caterpillar ceases to exist completely (dies to self) that the beautiful butterfly may be born. Wow! In our quest for such beauty some of us like to settle for the cosmetic or wardrobe change thinking this will be all that is required, maybe fooling those around us but certainly not fooling ourselves, and certainly not God. The person we truly desire to be for God is possible, but it will require like the caterpillar that we ‘die to self’ that our new creation may gain life. I can guarantee that you will indeed love the ‘new you!’

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” – II Corinthians 5:17

Ready to go with it

If God uses the resistant and the reluctant, imagine what he could do with the ready and willing? – D. Walter

Jonah didn’t want to go, Gideon didn’t feel qualified to go, Paul “kicked” against Him. God used them all for His glory. Hmm!

Agenda’s, To-do lists, personal goals, etc. Truth be known most of us have one or more of these things that we sometimes allow to dictate in our lives – even if contrary in the face of God’s will. We often let His requests or desires take a back seat to our own ideas or wants, not willing to deny ourselves in any opportunity. And only after trying and failing at our own do we reluctantly obey God’s call. And amazingly blessings always seem to follow. Hmm! Maybe it’s best to just go along with God’s desires, after all; He knows what’s best.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me’” – Isaiah 6:8

Asking

God gives his very best to those who leave the choice to him. – Anon

King Solomon asked only for wisdom to rule God’s people, and God ‘THREW IN’ everything else. Hmmm!

Often in our prayer lives rather than just opening up and sharing with God, trying to sense his heart, and listening for His response and directions, we wind up directing Him on what we want Him to do or who or what we need Him to bless. This is not necessarily bad prayer etiquette, for God loves when we actually do come to Him in prayer; but we must remember HE IS in charge here. The simple truth is God knows what’s best for us and wants to give His best to us, but we must give Him opportunity to do so in our lives. And as Augustine of Hippo said, “God gives where he finds empty, willing hands.”

Until Monday...…

Pastor Botts

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” – II Corinthians 9:8-9

P.S. - Hope you can make it tonight at 5:30 for our Good Friday Services and Movie Night.

There For You

The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent upon it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do. – Galileo

When Jesus spoke he not only calmed the sea, he astonished each man there with him. WOW!

This is an amazing feature of God’s nature – yes He is running the universe, keeping the moon and the stars aligned, keeping nature balanced, making sure day follows night, etc – but in addition to all of that God loves each one of us as if we were the only one that matters. We were each uniquely made that He might love us each in our own unique way, and no matter what else goes on in the world God is always there for each one of us ALL THE TIME! And beyond this he still longs to be closer to each of us still. Yes God has time and eternity on His hands for us, the question is do we have time for Him.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem….how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” – Matthew 23:37

How far will you go?

If you aren’t going to go all the way, why bother going at all. – Joe Namath

The moment Jesus left heaven He knew an agonizing cross would be his final act. He gladly bore it too. WOW!

“Are we there yet?” Most of us are familiar with this question that often occurs on long trips with impatient children. Though annoying when screamed several times at loud decibels, the question itself is just a reminder that we are on a journey that has an endpoint or destination. The same is true of our lives as well, there is an endpoint or destination, and sadly though many talk of ‘going to heaven’ they make very little progress in that direction, their lives just don’t line up with their ‘confession of faith.’  We must know that Heaven is not a place everyone suddenly winds up in, it’s a prepared place for a prepared people. And God has stipulated what our preparation is to be, no more and no less. The situations that arise today will ask us ‘how far are we willing to go?’

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:62

Are ya Willing?

 If God uses the resistant and the reluctant, imagine what he could do with the ready and willing? – D. Walter

Jonah didn’t want to go, Gideon didn’t feel qualified to go, Paul “kicked” against Him. God used them all for His glory. Hmm!

Agenda’s, To-do lists, personal goals, etc. Truth be known most of us have one or more of these things that we sometimes allow to dictate into our lives – even if contrary in the face of God’s will. We often let His requests or desires take a back seat to our own ideas or wants, not willing to deny ourselves in any opportunity. And only after trying and failing at our own do we reluctantly obey God’s call. And amazingly blessings always seem to follow. Hmm! Maybe it’s best to just go along with God’s desires, after all; He knows what’s best.

Until Monday……

Pastor Botts

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me’” – Isaiah 6:8

Die to self Metamorphosis

To become a butterfly you must be willing to give up being a caterpillar. – T. Paulus

Much of Paul’s success as a missionary for Christ was because he ‘counted’ his former life as a Pharisee as nothing. Hmm!

No doubt about it, a butterfly catches your eye. The way it flits about without a care, the beauty of its colorful wings waving in the breeze. We admire and often desire such beauty in our lives. But make no mistake about it friend, it took a lot for this creature to arrive at this point, a whole lot. In this case of metamorphosis the caterpillar ceases to exist completely (dies to self) that the beautiful butterfly may be born. Wow! In our quest for such beauty some of us like to settle for the cosmetic or wardrobe change thinking this will be all that is required, maybe fooling those around us but certainly not fooling ourselves, and certainly not God. The person we truly desire to be for God is possible, but it will require like the caterpillar that we ‘die to self’ that our new creation may gain life. I can guarantee that you will indeed love the ‘new you!’

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” – II Corinthians 5:17

Simply Obey

God does not expect instant spiritual perfection in you, just obedience. – Anon

God called scrawny little Gideon to lead His army over the Midianites. Gideon didn’t know how to pick an army nor really lead one, but the key is he OBEYED, and God was victorious.

Too often, many of us sit on the sidelines or in the pews of life and church very much aware of or in the “know” of what needs to be done. But yet we feel we can’t do it because we’ve not mastered it yet. God has never looked for the ‘perfect spiritual’ soul (He provided His own – Jesus), but the perfectly ‘willing’ heart; who is obedient to Him. As our opportunity to shine for God comes along this week our prayer should be that we will be obedient to Spirit’s promptings.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” – Genesis 15:6